How to Find the IMEI Number on an iPhone

Every iPhone carries a unique 15-digit identifier called an IMEI number (International Mobile Equipment Identity). It's the digital fingerprint of your device — used by carriers to activate service, by manufacturers to verify warranties, and by consumers to check whether a used phone is clean before buying it. Knowing where to find yours takes about 30 seconds once you know where to look.

What Is an IMEI Number and Why Does It Matter?

The IMEI is a globally unique identifier assigned to every cellular-capable device. No two phones share the same number. Carriers use it to register your device on their network, and they can also use it to blacklist a stolen phone, rendering it unable to connect to any carrier — even with a new SIM.

Common reasons you might need your iPhone's IMEI:

• Unlocking your device from a carrier (carriers require it)
• Filing an insurance claim after loss or theft
• Checking a used iPhone's history before purchasing
• Verifying warranty status with Apple
• Activating service with a new carrier

Method 1: Find It in iPhone Settings 📱

This is the most reliable method and works even if your SIM card isn't inserted.

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

The number appears as a 15-digit string. On dual-SIM iPhones (iPhone XS and later with eSIM support), you may see two IMEI numbers listed — IMEI and IMEI2 — corresponding to the physical SIM slot and the eSIM.

Tap and hold the IMEI number to copy it to your clipboard if you need to share it.

Method 2: Dial a Code from the Phone App

If your iPhone is functional and connected, you can retrieve the IMEI through a universal shortcode:

1. Open the Phone app
2. Go to the Keypad
3. Dial *#06#

The IMEI (and IMEI2 on dual-SIM models) will appear on screen immediately. You don't need to press the call button — the number displays automatically.

Method 3: Check the Physical iPhone Box

If you still have the original retail packaging, the IMEI is printed on a label on the outside of the box, typically alongside the serial number and model information. This is useful if the iPhone itself is unavailable or won't power on.

Method 4: Check the SIM Card Tray (Older Models)

On some older iPhone models — specifically iPhone 3G through iPhone 6s — the IMEI was engraved directly on the SIM card tray. Ejecting the SIM tray with a SIM ejection tool reveals the number printed on the hardware itself.

This method doesn't apply to current models, where the IMEI is only accessible through software or packaging.

Method 5: Check iTunes or Finder on a Computer

If your iPhone is locked, damaged, or the screen is unresponsive:

1. Connect your iPhone to a Mac or PC with a USB cable
2. Open Finder (macOS Catalina and later) or iTunes (Windows or older macOS)
3. Select your device in the sidebar
4. Click on the device name or model to cycle through displayed information — the IMEI will appear

This method is particularly useful when the phone itself can't be navigated normally.

Method 6: Check Apple ID Account Online

Apple links your IMEI to your Apple ID when a device is associated with your account:

1. Go to appleid.apple.com and sign in
2. Scroll to the Devices section
3. Select your iPhone
4. The IMEI will be listed under the device details

This approach works even if you no longer have the physical device in hand — useful for reporting a stolen phone to your carrier or insurer.

IMEI Variables That Affect What You'll See

Not all iPhones display IMEI information identically. A few factors determine what you encounter:

If Your iPhone Won't Turn On

When a device is completely non-functional, your options narrow to three:

• The original box (if kept)
• Your Apple ID account online (if the phone was previously signed in)
• iTunes or Finder via USB (if the device can still be detected, even in recovery mode)

Carriers and Apple Support can sometimes retrieve IMEI records tied to an account without the physical device, particularly for theft reports.

A Note on IMEI Security 🔒

Your IMEI is not a password — it's an identifier, not an authenticator. Sharing it with a carrier, Apple, or a reputable phone-checking service (used when buying secondhand devices) is normal. However, be cautious about sharing it with unknown third parties. While knowing an IMEI alone doesn't grant access to your device or accounts, it can be used in social engineering attempts with carriers.

The Spectrum of Situations

Someone checking their IMEI to unlock a phone for international travel has a different priority than someone filing a police report for a stolen device, or a buyer running a pre-purchase history check on a used iPhone. Each scenario draws on the same number but uses it differently — through carrier portals, Apple's systems, or third-party IMEI check services — and what matters most depends on which situation applies to your specific case.