How to Check the IMEI of an iPhone: Every Method Explained

Every iPhone carries a unique 15-digit identifier called an IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity). It's the digital fingerprint of your device — used by carriers to activate service, by buyers and sellers to verify legitimacy, and by anyone who needs to check whether a phone is blacklisted, stolen, or locked to a specific network.

Knowing how to find yours takes about 30 seconds once you know where to look. The trickier part is understanding which method works best for your specific situation.

What Is an IMEI and Why Does It Matter?

The IMEI is a unique number assigned to every mobile device at the manufacturing stage. No two devices share the same IMEI. Carriers and regulatory databases use it to:

• Activate or block service on a network
• Report and track stolen devices through databases like the GSMA's IMEI registry
• Verify unlock status before switching carriers
• Confirm authenticity when buying or selling a used iPhone

If your iPhone is ever lost or stolen, your carrier can flag its IMEI to prevent it from being activated on any network — even if someone swaps in a new SIM card.

Method 1: Check the IMEI Directly on Your iPhone 📱

This is the fastest method if your iPhone is powered on and accessible.

Via Settings:

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

On iPhones that support dual SIM (iPhone XS and later), you may see two IMEI numbers listed — IMEI and IMEI2 — corresponding to the physical SIM slot and the eSIM slot respectively.

Via the Dialer:

1. Open the Phone app
2. Dial *#06#
3. The IMEI (and IMEI2, if applicable) will appear on screen without needing to press call

This dialer shortcut works across virtually all iPhone models and iOS versions.

Method 2: Check the IMEI Without Turning On the iPhone

If your device won't power on, is locked, or you're checking before completing a purchase, you have a few offline options.

On the Physical Device:

• iPhone 6s and earlier: The IMEI is printed on the back of the device itself
• iPhone 7 and later: The IMEI is printed on the SIM card tray — eject it with a SIM tool or a straightened paperclip
• All models: The IMEI is engraved on the back of the original retail box

Important note: If the SIM tray or box IMEI doesn't match the one shown in Settings (when the phone is on), that's a serious red flag — it may indicate the device has been tampered with.

Method 3: Check via iTunes or Finder on a Computer

If you have access to a Mac or PC with the device previously synced:

On a 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 device name/model line to cycle through details — the IMEI will appear

On a Mac (older macOS) or Windows PC:

1. Connect your iPhone via USB
2. Open iTunes
3. Click the device icon
4. Click the Summary tab
5. Click the phone number or capacity display to cycle through — IMEI will appear

Method 4: Check via Your Apple ID Account

Apple stores IMEI data tied to your Apple ID for devices registered to your account.

1. Go to appleid.apple.com in a browser
2. Sign in with your Apple ID
3. Scroll to the Devices section
4. Select the iPhone in question
5. The IMEI and serial number will be listed

This method is especially useful if you no longer have physical access to the device — for example, after a loss or theft.

Comparing iPhone IMEI Check Methods

Dual SIM iPhones: Which IMEI Do You Need?

iPhones from the XS generation onward support dual SIM — one physical nano-SIM and one eSIM. Each has its own IMEI. When a carrier or buyer asks for your IMEI, they typically want the one associated with the active line.

• IMEI (listed first) — tied to the physical SIM slot
• IMEI2 — tied to the eSIM

If you're porting a number or verifying carrier lock status, confirm which IMEI corresponds to the line in question before sharing it.

What to Do Once You Have the IMEI

Finding the IMEI is step one. What you actually do with it depends on your situation:

• Checking a used iPhone before buying: Run the IMEI through a carrier's online checker or a third-party IMEI checker service to verify it hasn't been reported stolen or blacklisted
• Reporting a stolen iPhone: Provide the IMEI to your carrier and local law enforcement — carriers can flag it across participating networks
• Carrier unlock requests: Most carriers require your IMEI when submitting an unlock request online or by phone
• Insurance or warranty claims: Some insurers and AppleCare processes ask for the IMEI to identify the specific device

Variables That Affect Which Method Works for You

The "right" method isn't universal. A few factors shape which approach actually fits your situation:

• Whether the device powers on — narrows you to physical or account-based methods if it doesn't
• iOS version — older iOS versions may display the IMEI in slightly different menu locations, though the Settings path has been consistent for many years
• Whether you have the original box — useful for verifying IMEI consistency on a second-hand purchase
• Whether the phone is already linked to your Apple ID — determines whether the Apple ID website method is available to you
• Single SIM vs. dual SIM model — affects how many IMEIs are displayed and which one matters for your specific request

The method that works in one scenario — say, checking on behalf of someone who mailed you their device — may not apply when you're standing in a store comparing two handsets. Your setup and purpose are what ultimately determine the most practical path.