What Is an IMEI Number and How Can You Find It

How to Find Your IMEI Number

Retrieving your IMEI is standardized across all Android and iOS platforms. You can find it using the dialer, inspecting the physical device, or navigating the system settings. It's usually best to rely on multiple methods. This is especially true if the phone has screen damage or you suspect software tampering.

1. Dial #06#

Open the Phone app, dial *#06#, and press the call button if necessary. The IMEI will appear on the screen immediately. This method works on most cellular phones and does not require an active SIM card.

2. Check the Phone, SIM Tray, or Original Box

If the device won't turn on, physical engravings are your best bet. You can typically find the IMEI in these locations:

• On the SIM card tray: Common on many Apple iPhone models. Eject the tray to read the microscopic numbers on the outer edge.
• On the back glass or chassis: Often laser-etched or printed on a specialized sticker on Samsung and other Android devices.
• Under the removable battery: Typical for older smartphone models.
• On the original retail box: Look for a robust sticker containing the model number, serial number, and network identity codes near the barcode.

3. Find the IMEI in Device Settings

This software-level check provides the precise device identity data currently running on the motherboard.

• iOS: Go to Settings > General > About. Scroll down to find the physical and electronic SIM network identification section.
• Android: Go to Settings > About Phone (or About Device) > Status.

Note: Many modern systems allow you to long-press the number to copy it directly to your clipboard.

What Information Does an IMEI Check Reveal?

The 15 digits of an IMEI do not directly contain your phone’s complete history. An IMEI check matches the identifier against manufacturer, carrier, and blacklist records. The information available depends on the database and the device model. Running the IMEI through a verification database confirms the exact model name. It also checks the financial status with major US carriers to see if the device is fully paid off or still financed under an equipment installment plan.

Most importantly, it checks the global blacklist status, which dictates whether the phone can legally broadcast a cellular signal.

A standard 15-digit equipment identifier is composed of three distinct structural segments. The first eight digits constitute the Type Allocation Code (TAC), which serves to identify the specific manufacturer brand and the exact device model version. This is followed by a six-digit Serial Number (positions 9 through 14) that uniquely identifies the individual hardware unit within that particular production line. Finally, the 15th position is reserved for a Check Digit, which utilizes a mathematical algorithm to validate the structural integrity of the entire code string. 

IMEI vs. Serial Number: What Is the Difference?

An IMEI is not the same as a serial number. The IMEI identifies cellular hardware for network purposes, while the serial number identifies the device within the manufacturer’s warranty and service systems. The IMEI is a universal standard regulated by an external global telecommunications body. Cellular carriers use it to manage network access and security.

The serial number, on the other hand, is a proprietary, variable-length alphanumeric string. The manufacturer creates it to track factory production, warranty claims, and retail inventory. Carriers do not use serial numbers to block phones.

How the IMEI Blacklist Works

When a phone is reported stolen or lost, the carrier adds its IMEI to a central Equipment Identity Register managed by the GSMA.

Before this shared database existed, a stolen AT&T phone could easily be activated on T-Mobile. Now, when a carrier flags an IMEI locally, it pushes the update to the global registry. Within hours to several days (depending on the country), participating carriers download the list, blocking the device from the global cellular network.

A blacklisted phone loses all baseband privileges, though it can still connect to Wi-Fi networks. The mathematical integrity of the IMEI is verified using the Luhn algorithm. This checksum formula easily detects manual typing errors.

What to Do If You Discover a Blacklisted IMEI

If an IMEI check returns a blacklisted status while you are with a private seller, abandon the transaction immediately.

If you already bought the device online, leverage buyer protection policies on platforms like PayPal, eBay, or Swappa. Take a screenshot of the failed verification report and submit a formal claim stating the item cannot be activated.

Ignore third-party services offering to "unblacklist" or clean the device for a fee. These are unauthorized, temporary software manipulations. Only the original account holder can legally request the removal of a carrier block by paying the outstanding balance or verifying they recovered their lost property.