How to Check Your IMEI Code: Methods, Meanings, and What to Know

Your phone's IMEI number is one of the most important identifiers attached to your device — and knowing how to find it takes less than a minute once you know where to look. Whether you need it for insurance purposes, reporting a lost or stolen device, or verifying a used phone before buying, understanding the IMEI and how to retrieve it is a fundamental piece of smartphone literacy.

What Is an IMEI Number?

IMEI stands for International Mobile Equipment Identity. It's a unique 15-digit number assigned to every cellular-capable device — smartphones, tablets with cellular connectivity, and some mobile hotspots. No two devices share the same IMEI, which makes it the closest thing your phone has to a serial number that carriers and manufacturers can track globally.

The IMEI is used by mobile networks to identify valid devices and can be flagged in databases if a phone is reported stolen. This is why it matters when buying second-hand devices — a phone with a blacklisted IMEI may be unable to connect to any carrier network, regardless of which SIM you insert.

Devices with dual SIM capability typically carry two IMEI numbers — one for each SIM slot. This is worth knowing when you're asked to provide an IMEI for registration or insurance purposes.

Method 1: Dial *#06# on Your Phone 📱

The fastest and most universal method works on virtually every phone — Android, iOS, or otherwise.

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

This method works across nearly all cellular devices regardless of manufacturer or operating system, making it the go-to approach when you need the number quickly.

Method 2: Find It in Your Phone's Settings

Both Android and iOS provide the IMEI through the device settings menu, though the exact path varies slightly by manufacturer and OS version.

On iPhone (iOS):

• Go to Settings → General → About
• Scroll down to find the IMEI field

On Android (general path):

• Go to Settings → About Phone → Status (or IMEI Information)
• The exact label varies — some manufacturers list it under Device Information or directly under About Phone

Some Android skins (Samsung's One UI, Xiaomi's MIUI, OnePlus's OxygenOS) may label the path slightly differently, but the IMEI is consistently housed within the "About" section of device settings.

Method 3: Check the Physical Device or Original Packaging

If your phone is off, damaged, or inaccessible, you have physical options:

For iPhones specifically, Apple prints the IMEI on the SIM tray on many models from iPhone 6 onward — a useful fallback if the phone won't power on.

Method 4: Check Through iTunes or Finder (iPhone Only)

If you manage an iPhone through a computer:

• Connect your iPhone to a Mac or PC
• Open Finder (macOS Catalina and later) or iTunes (Windows or older macOS)
• Select your device and click on the model name or summary panel
• The IMEI is listed in the device details

This is particularly useful for phones with cracked screens or other issues that make navigating settings difficult.

Method 5: Check Your Carrier Account or Apple/Google Account

Many carriers display device IMEI numbers within your account portal, linked to each line on your plan. Similarly:

• Apple ID (appleid.apple.com) lists devices registered to your account, sometimes including IMEI details
• Google's Find My Device (android.com/find) may display device identifiers when a device is logged in and registered

These methods are most useful when you don't have physical access to the device at the moment.

Why the IMEI Matters Beyond Just Finding It 🔍

Knowing how to retrieve your IMEI is only part of the picture. How you use it depends heavily on your situation:

• Lost or stolen phone: Report the IMEI to your carrier and local authorities so the device can be flagged in national or international theft registries
• Buying a used phone: Run the IMEI through a carrier check or third-party IMEI checking service to verify the phone isn't blacklisted or still under a financing contract
• Insurance claims: Most mobile insurers require the IMEI to process a claim
• Carrier unlocking: Some unlock requests require you to provide the IMEI to verify ownership

Variables That Affect Your Experience

The method that works best for you depends on several factors:

• Device condition — a phone with a broken screen or dead battery makes settings-based methods impossible
• Dual SIM vs. single SIM — knowing which IMEI corresponds to which SIM slot matters when only one is active
• Manufacturer customization — Android's settings menus vary significantly across brands, so the exact navigation path won't be identical on all devices
• Device age — older phones may display the IMEI differently or require removing a battery cover to access it physically

A person buying a second-hand phone online has very different needs from someone who simply needs the number for an insurance form. Someone with a broken phone that won't boot faces a completely different retrieval path than someone with a functioning device. The method that's most practical depends entirely on the state of your device and what you're trying to accomplish with the number once you have it.