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How to Find an IMEI Number on an iPhone

Your iPhone's IMEI number is one of the most important identifiers tied to your device — and knowing where to find it can matter more than most people realize until they actually need it. Whether you're reporting a lost phone, switching carriers, checking warranty status, or selling your device, the IMEI is the number you'll be asked for.

Here's every reliable way to locate it, plus what shapes your experience depending on your specific iPhone and situation.

What Is an IMEI Number?

IMEI stands for International Mobile Equipment Identity. It's a unique 15-digit number assigned to every cellular device — no two iPhones share the same IMEI. Think of it as a serial number, but specifically for the mobile network world.

Unlike your Apple ID or phone number, the IMEI is tied to the hardware itself, not your account or SIM card. Carriers and law enforcement use it to identify and, if necessary, block specific devices on their networks. Apple uses it for warranty lookups and service eligibility checks.

📱 If you have a dual-SIM iPhone, your device will have two IMEI numbers — one for each SIM slot.

Method 1: Find the IMEI in iPhone Settings

This is the most straightforward method and works on any iPhone running a reasonably current version of iOS.

  1. Open the Settings app
  2. Tap General
  3. Tap About
  4. Scroll down until you see IMEI

The number appears directly on screen and can be pressed and held to copy it — useful if you need to paste it into a form or message.

If your iPhone is a dual-SIM model, you'll see IMEI 1 and IMEI 2 listed separately.

Method 2: Dial a USSD Code

If your iPhone is functional and has a working SIM, you can retrieve the IMEI instantly using a universal code:

  1. Open the Phone app
  2. Dial *#06#
  3. The IMEI (or IMEIs, on dual-SIM models) appears on screen automatically — no need to press call

This method works across virtually all iPhone models and iOS versions. It's particularly handy when you need the number quickly without navigating menus.

Method 3: Check the Physical Device

On older iPhone models, Apple printed the IMEI directly on the hardware:

| iPhone Model Range | IMEI Location | |-|-| | iPhone 6s and earlier | Printed on the SIM tray | | iPhone 5 and earlier | Printed on the back of the device | | iPhone 7 and later | Not printed on the device body |

If you have an older model or a SIM tray that hasn't been swapped, this can be a quick visual reference — though the small text makes a magnifier helpful.

Method 4: Check the Original Packaging

If you still have the box your iPhone came in, the IMEI is printed on the barcode label on the back of the box, alongside the model number and serial number. This is especially useful if:

  • Your iPhone won't power on
  • The screen is cracked and unreadable
  • You're trying to verify the IMEI before completing a purchase of a used device

The packaging label is considered a reliable source, but always cross-reference with the device itself when possible — boxes and phones occasionally get separated.

Method 5: Find It Through iTunes or Finder

If your iPhone is connected to a computer, you can pull the IMEI through Apple's desktop software:

On Windows (iTunes):

  1. Connect your iPhone via USB
  2. Open iTunes and click the device icon
  3. On the Summary screen, click on the serial number — it will cycle through and display the IMEI

On macOS Ventura or later (Finder):

  1. Connect your iPhone via USB
  2. Open Finder and select your iPhone in the sidebar
  3. Click the device information line below the device name to cycle through serial number, UDID, and IMEI

Method 6: Check Your Apple ID Account Online

If you no longer have physical access to the device:

  1. Go to appleid.apple.com and sign in
  2. Scroll to the Devices section
  3. Select your iPhone from the list
  4. The IMEI and serial number are listed in the device details

This method is particularly valuable when a phone is lost, stolen, or damaged — as long as the device was signed into your Apple ID, the information stays accessible from any browser.

What the IMEI Can and Can't Tell You

Understanding this number helps you use it appropriately:

  • ✅ Carrier unlock status — carriers can check whether an IMEI is locked to their network
  • ✅ Stolen device status — services like Apple's activation lock and carrier blacklists are tied to the IMEI
  • ✅ Warranty and service eligibility — Apple's support tools accept the IMEI for lookup
  • ❌ Your personal data — the IMEI identifies the device, not you or your content
  • ❌ Real-time location — the IMEI alone doesn't allow tracking without carrier-level involvement

The Variables That Shape Your Situation

Which method works best — and which information matters most — shifts depending on your context:

  • Selling a used iPhone — a buyer verifying the IMEI against a blacklist database is standard practice; knowing where to find it quickly is part of a smooth transaction
  • Reporting a theft — your carrier and local authorities will request the IMEI; having it saved somewhere separate from the device itself (like a photo of the box or a note in your Apple ID account) becomes important
  • Switching carriers — unlock eligibility checks almost always require the IMEI, and the process varies by carrier and iPhone model
  • Buying a used iPhone — checking the IMEI before purchase against a carrier blacklist or Apple's activation lock status can reveal whether a device has outstanding financing or has been reported stolen

🔍 The same 15-digit number carries different weight depending on what you need it for — and the right method for finding it often depends on your current access to the device, your iOS version, and what prompted you to look in the first place.