How to Check Your IMEI Number: Every Method Explained

Your IMEI number (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is a 15-digit code that uniquely identifies your phone — think of it as a serial number that networks, manufacturers, and law enforcement can use to track or block a specific device. Knowing how to find it matters more than most people realize, whether you're buying a used phone, reporting a theft, or verifying your device is unlocked.

What Is an IMEI Number and Why Does It Matter?

Every cellular device — smartphones, tablets with mobile data, some smartwatches — is assigned at least one IMEI number at the factory. Dual-SIM phones typically carry two IMEI numbers, one per SIM slot.

The IMEI is stored in three places simultaneously:

• On the device's hardware chip
• In the software accessible through the OS
• Physically printed on the device itself

This redundancy matters. If your phone is stolen and the thief factory resets it, the IMEI remains unchanged. Carriers can use it to blacklist a device, making it unusable on any network — even with a new SIM card.

Method 1: The Universal Dialer Code 📱

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

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

This works on Android, iOS, older feature phones, and most Nokia, Samsung, Motorola, and other branded devices. The number typically appears as a pop-up overlay.

Method 2: iPhone Settings

On iOS devices, Apple provides direct access through the Settings app:

1. Open Settings
2. Tap General
3. Tap About
4. Scroll down to find IMEI (you can tap and hold to copy it)

For iPhones that support dual SIM (iPhone XS and later), you'll see both IMEI 1 and IMEI 2 listed separately.

Method 3: Android Settings

The exact path varies slightly by manufacturer and Android version, but the general route is:

1. Open Settings
2. Tap About Phone (sometimes nested under General Management)
3. Look for Status or Phone Identity
4. Find IMEI Information

On Samsung devices, this is often under Settings → About Phone → Status Information. On stock Android (Pixel phones), it appears directly under About Phone.

Method 4: Physical Locations on the Device

If your phone won't turn on or the software is inaccessible, the IMEI is printed in several physical locations depending on your device:

The number on the box should match the number the device reports electronically. If they don't match, that's a red flag when buying secondhand.

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

Carriers maintain records of IMEI numbers tied to your account. You can typically find this by:

• Logging into your carrier's online account portal and viewing device details
• Checking your original purchase receipt or order confirmation email
• On iPhone: visiting appleid.apple.com, selecting your device, and viewing its details
• On Android: checking myaccount.google.com under your linked devices (availability varies by manufacturer and Android version)

This is particularly useful if you've lost the physical device and need the IMEI for a police report or insurance claim.

What Affects Which Method Works for You 🔍

Not all methods are equally accessible depending on your situation:

Device condition — A phone with a broken screen may rule out software methods entirely. Physical and account-based checks become essential.

Operating system version — Very old Android versions may bury the IMEI under different menu names, or the dialer code might display differently.

Dual-SIM vs. single-SIM — On dual-SIM devices, the dialer code typically shows both IMEIs simultaneously, while settings menus may require an extra tap to distinguish between them.

Manufacturer skin — Heavily customized Android skins (MIUI on Xiaomi, One UI on Samsung, EMUI on Huawei) organize settings menus differently. The path in stock Android won't always match.

Phone type — Tablets and data-only devices may not respond to *#06# if they lack traditional calling functionality, making the settings menu or physical check the primary option.

What to Do With Your IMEI

Once you have the number, common uses include:

• Checking blacklist status — Third-party services and some carriers offer IMEI checkers that tell you if a device has been reported stolen or blocked
• Verifying unlock status — Some IMEI check services can indicate whether a device is carrier-locked
• Insurance claims — Insurers typically require the IMEI to process a claim for a lost or stolen device
• Reporting theft — Police reports and carrier blacklisting both require the IMEI

Keep your IMEI recorded somewhere separate from the phone itself — a note in email, a photo of the box, or a secure notes app. Recovering that 15-digit number after a loss is significantly harder without a backup record.

The Variable That Changes Everything

How straightforward the IMEI lookup feels depends heavily on the state of your device and what you need the number for. A working phone with a responsive touchscreen makes any method quick. A damaged or locked device narrows your options considerably. And what you plan to do with the IMEI — a simple verification check versus contacting a carrier or filing a report — determines how precise you need to be about which number you're retrieving, especially on dual-SIM devices where the two IMEIs may be treated differently depending on the network.

Your specific device model, its current condition, and your reason for needing the number will shape which method is most practical for your situation.