How to Check Your IMEI Number: Every Method Explained

Your IMEI number (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is a unique 15-digit code assigned to every mobile device. Think of it as your phone's fingerprint — no two devices share the same one. Knowing how to find it matters more than most people realize: you'll need it to report a stolen phone, unlock your device for a new carrier, check warranty status, or verify a used phone before buying it.

The good news is there are multiple ways to find it, and most take under a minute.

What Exactly Is an IMEI Number?

The IMEI is a globally standardized identifier governed by the GSMA (the body that oversees mobile standards). It's baked into your device's hardware and registered with your carrier when you activate service. Unlike a phone number or SIM card, the IMEI stays with the physical device — swapping SIMs doesn't change it.

Dual-SIM phones typically have two IMEI numbers, one for each SIM slot. Tablets with cellular capability also carry an IMEI, while Wi-Fi-only tablets and most non-cellular devices use a different identifier (like a serial number or MEID).

The Fastest Method: Dial *#06#

On virtually any mobile phone — Android, iPhone, or even older feature phones — open the Phone/Dialer app and type:

*#06# 

You don't press "Call." The IMEI (or IMEIs, on dual-SIM devices) appears automatically on screen. This works across nearly all carriers and operating systems worldwide and is the quickest check regardless of what phone you're using.

How to Find Your IMEI on an iPhone 📱

Apple gives you several paths:

Via Settings:

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

Via iTunes or Finder (on a computer): Connect your iPhone, open iTunes (Windows) or Finder (Mac), select your device, and click the phone number shown under the device name — it cycles through IMEI, UDID, serial number, and ICCID with each tap.

On the physical device: On most iPhone models, the IMEI is engraved on the SIM tray or on the back of the device. Older models (iPhone 5 and earlier) printed it directly on the back casing.

Via iCloud: Log into icloud.com, go to Find My, select the device — the IMEI appears in the device info.

How to Find Your IMEI on Android

Android paths vary slightly depending on the manufacturer, but these cover most devices:

Via Settings:

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

On Samsung devices specifically, you can also navigate to Settings → About Phone → Status Information.

Via the dial pad: Same universal method — dial *#06#.

On the physical device: Check under the battery (on phones with removable backs), on the SIM tray, or on a sticker inside the SIM card slot.

Checking the Box and Original Packaging

If you still have the box your phone came in, the IMEI is printed on a barcode label on the outside. This is especially useful for verifying the IMEI matches the device itself — a mismatch can be a red flag with secondhand purchases.

Why the Method You Use Matters

Each retrieval method has a practical use case beyond just curiosity:

• Dial *#06# is best for a quick check on any device, including ones you don't own yet (like evaluating a used phone in person).
• Settings menu is better when you want to screenshot or copy the number accurately.
• The box or SIM tray is critical when the phone is locked, broken, or won't power on.
• iTunes/iCloud matters most when the screen is damaged and you can't navigate the device directly.

What Variables Affect Your Situation 🔍

While the methods above apply broadly, a few factors shape which one actually works for you:

Device age and OS version — Older Android versions nest IMEI information in different menu paths. Some very old handsets only support the dial method.

Manufacturer skin — Samsung's One UI, Xiaomi's MIUI, and OnePlus's OxygenOS each place the "About Phone" section slightly differently within Settings.

Device condition — A cracked screen, locked device, or phone that won't boot changes which options are available. Physical methods (SIM tray, box label) become critical when software methods are inaccessible.

Dual-SIM vs. single-SIM — If you're providing an IMEI for a carrier unlock or insurance claim, you need to know which slot's IMEI is relevant. Carriers typically register the primary SIM slot's IMEI.

Refurbished or secondhand devices — Confirming that the IMEI on the device matches the box and hasn't been flagged on a blacklist database (such as IMEI.info or your carrier's checker) is an extra step worth considering before purchase.

The right method is straightforward once you know what condition your device is in, what you need the IMEI for, and whether you have access to the original packaging — details that vary from one person's situation to the next.