How to Check an iPhone IMEI Number: Every Method Explained

Your iPhone's IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is a 15-digit number that uniquely identifies your specific device — not your account, not your SIM, just that physical phone. Knowing how to find it matters more than most people realize, and the method you use depends on what you have access to at any given moment.

What Is an IMEI and Why Does It Matter?

Every cellular device manufactured carries a unique IMEI burned into its hardware. Carriers, manufacturers, and third-party verification services use this number to:

• Confirm a device hasn't been reported stolen or lost
• Check whether a phone is carrier-locked or unlocked
• Verify the device is eligible for activation or trade-in
• Cross-reference the model, specs, and original purchase region
• Validate warranty status with Apple

If you're buying a used iPhone, the IMEI check is one of the most important steps you can take before handing over any money.

Method 1: Check Directly on the iPhone 📱

This is the fastest route if you have the phone in your hands and it's powered on.

Via Settings:

1. Open Settings
2. Tap General
3. Tap About
4. Scroll down to find IMEI

On newer iPhones (iPhone 7 and later on some models), you may see two IMEI numbers listed — this is normal for dual-SIM capable devices. One represents the physical SIM tray, the other the eSIM.

Via the Dialer:

1. Open the Phone app
2. Dial *#06#
3. The IMEI will appear on screen immediately without pressing call

This works across virtually all iPhone models and is handy when you need the number fast without navigating menus.

Method 2: Check Without Turning the Phone On

If the iPhone won't power on, is broken, or is locked, you still have options.

Check the physical device:

• On iPhone models up to iPhone 6s and SE (1st gen), the IMEI is printed on the back of the device
• On iPhone 6 and earlier, it's also on the SIM card tray
• On iPhone 7 and later, Apple removed the back-printed IMEI — the SIM tray is the place to look on some models

Check the original packaging: The IMEI barcode and number are printed on the box your iPhone came in. If you kept the box, this is a reliable offline reference.

Method 3: Find the IMEI Through iTunes or Finder

If you have access to a Mac or PC that has previously synced with the iPhone:

On Mac (macOS Catalina or later):

1. Connect your iPhone via USB
2. Open Finder
3. Select your iPhone in the sidebar
4. Click on the model name/storage info line — it cycles through Serial Number, IMEI, and MEID with each click

On Windows or older macOS (iTunes):

1. Connect the iPhone and open iTunes
2. Click the device icon near the top left
3. On the Summary tab, click the Serial Number field — it toggles to display the IMEI

Method 4: Use Apple's Website or Your Apple ID

Via appleid.apple.com:

1. Sign in to your Apple ID
2. Scroll to the Devices section
3. Select the iPhone in question
4. The IMEI will be listed alongside the serial number and model info

This method is particularly useful if you no longer have physical access to the device — for example, if it's been lost or stolen and you need the IMEI to file a report with your carrier or law enforcement.

Understanding What You're Looking At

These numbers are related but serve different purposes. When a carrier or Apple support rep asks for your IMEI, they specifically want the 15-digit IMEI — not the serial number.

When You Have Two IMEI Numbers

iPhones with dual-SIM support — starting with the iPhone XS, XR, and XS Max — list an IMEI and an IMEI2. In the US, many models since iPhone 12 are sold as eSIM-only, meaning both identifiers represent logical SIM slots rather than a physical and an embedded one. 🔍

Which IMEI a carrier needs depends on which SIM slot you're using with their service — if in doubt, provide both.

Factors That Affect How You Access Your IMEI

Not every situation is identical. A few variables change which method makes the most sense:

• Device condition — powered on vs. off vs. broken screen
• iOS version — older versions have slightly different Settings layouts
• Model generation — where physical IMEI printing appears changed across hardware revisions
• Whether the device is linked to your Apple ID — determines web-based access
• Access to original packaging — relevant for second-hand purchases
• Whether you need one IMEI or two — single SIM vs. dual SIM setups

Checking an IMEI before buying a used iPhone is straightforward, but what you do with that number — which verification services you run it through, what your carrier accepts, whether the result affects your decision — depends entirely on your specific situation and what you're trying to confirm.