How to Check Your IMEI Number: Every Method Explained

Your IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is a 15-digit number that uniquely identifies your mobile device. No two phones share the same IMEI — it's the closest thing your handset has to a fingerprint. Knowing how to find it matters more than most people realize: you'll need it when reporting a stolen phone, checking if a used device is blacklisted, activating a new carrier plan, or troubleshooting certain network issues.

Here's every reliable way to find it, across every major platform and situation.

What Exactly Is an IMEI Number?

The IMEI is assigned during manufacturing and tied to the hardware itself — not your SIM card, not your account. This distinction is important. Swapping SIM cards doesn't change your IMEI. That's precisely why carriers and law enforcement use it to track or block devices independent of who owns the account.

Devices with dual SIM capability typically have two IMEI numbers — one per SIM slot. Some eSIM-enabled devices handle this differently, assigning a separate IMEI for the eSIM alongside the physical SIM slot.

Method 1: The Universal Dial Code 📱

The fastest method works on virtually every phone regardless of operating system:

1. Open your phone's dialer app
2. Type *#06#
3. The IMEI number (or numbers, on dual-SIM devices) appears on screen automatically — no need to press call

This works on Android, iOS, older feature phones, and most budget handsets. It's the go-to method when you need the number quickly.

Method 2: Through Device Settings (Android)

The path varies slightly depending on your Android version and manufacturer skin, but the general route is:

• Settings → About Phone → Status → IMEI Information

On some Samsung devices running One UI, it appears under:

• Settings → About Phone → Status Information → IMEI

On stock Android (Pixel devices and similar):

• Settings → About Phone → IMEI

Look for both IMEI 1 and IMEI 2 if you're using a dual-SIM model.

Method 3: Through Settings on iPhone (iOS)

Apple makes this straightforward:

• Settings → General → About → IMEI

Scroll down the About screen and you'll find it listed clearly. On iPhone 7 and later, Apple moved away from physical SIM trays on some models, but the IMEI remains accessible in the same location. Devices with dual SIM (including eSIM configurations) show both IMEI 1 and IMEI 2 here.

You can also long-press the IMEI number in Settings to copy it directly — useful when submitting it to a carrier or checking service.

Method 4: Physical Location on the Device or Packaging 🔍

Before software made everything accessible through menus, manufacturers printed the IMEI directly on the hardware. Depending on your device:

The original box is particularly useful if you're checking a device you haven't powered on yet, or confirming that the IMEI on the box matches what the phone reports — a mismatch can be a red flag when buying second-hand.

Method 5: Through iTunes or Finder (iPhone Users)

If you're checking an iPhone from a computer:

• Connect the device via USB
• Open iTunes (Windows or older macOS) or Finder (macOS Catalina and later)
• Select the device when it appears
• Click the phone number or serial number field under the device name — it cycles through serial number, IMEI, and ECID

This is helpful if the phone's screen is damaged or inaccessible.

Method 6: Carrier Account or Google Account

For Android users, Google logs your device's IMEI when you sign in with a Google account. You can find it at:

• google.com/android/find → select your device → look in the device info panel

For carrier customers, your IMEI is typically visible in your online account portal under device management or equipment details. This varies by carrier but is worth checking if other methods aren't available.

Why the IMEI Check That Matters Most Depends on Your Situation

Finding your IMEI is straightforward. What you do with it varies significantly depending on why you need it:

• Buying a used phone — you'll want to run the IMEI through a blacklist checker (carrier databases, third-party services) to confirm it hasn't been reported stolen or locked to another carrier
• Insurance or police reports — carriers and insurers need the exact number; having it saved somewhere before an incident is far more useful than scrambling afterward
• Carrier unlocking — carriers verify your IMEI to confirm eligibility before processing an unlock request
• Warranty claims — some manufacturers cross-reference IMEI against purchase records to validate coverage

Dual-SIM users add a layer of complexity — knowing which IMEI corresponds to which SIM slot matters when one line has an issue and the other doesn't.

The right approach to interpreting your IMEI check results — whether you're verifying a purchase, dealing with a carrier dispute, or confirming device eligibility for a plan — really comes down to the specific context you're working within.