How to Find the IMEI Number on Your iPhone

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, block stolen phones, verify device history, and process insurance claims. Knowing where to find it, and which method suits your situation, depends on a few key factors about your specific device and circumstances.

What the IMEI Actually Does

The IMEI isn't tied to your SIM card or Apple ID — it's permanently assigned to the hardware itself. Carriers and manufacturers use it to:

• Verify a device is legitimate before activating it on a network
• Blacklist lost or stolen iPhones so they can't be used on any carrier
• Check device history when buying a used iPhone
• Process warranty or insurance claims when a physical device isn't available

Because it identifies the hardware, the IMEI stays the same even if you reset the phone, change your number, or swap SIM cards.

Method 1: Find It in iPhone Settings

This is the most reliable method when your iPhone is powered on and functional.

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

You can press and hold the number to copy it directly to your clipboard — useful if you're filing a claim or filling out a form.

📱 On dual SIM iPhones (iPhone XS and later), you'll see two IMEI numbers listed — one for each SIM slot or eSIM assignment. Which one matters depends on which line your carrier activated.

Method 2: Dial a Code

If you need a quick look without navigating menus, open the Phone app and dial:

*#06# 

The IMEI (or IMEIs, on dual-SIM models) will appear on screen immediately. No call is placed — it's a local device query. This works across virtually all iPhone models.

Method 3: Check the Physical Device

On iPhone 6s and earlier, the IMEI is printed directly on the back of the device.

On iPhone 7 through iPhone 14 series, it's engraved on the SIM tray or the back of the device, depending on the model. The text is small — you may need good lighting or a magnifying glass.

On iPhone 15 and later, Apple moved away from the SIM tray entirely in some regions, so physical IMEI placement may vary. Check the back of the device near the bottom edge.

Method 4: Original Packaging

If you still have the box your iPhone came in, the IMEI is printed on the barcode label on the back or side of the packaging. This is especially useful if your phone is lost, damaged, or inaccessible — you don't need the device at all.

Method 5: Via iTunes or Finder on a Computer

If your iPhone won't turn on or is otherwise inaccessible:

1. Connect your iPhone to a Mac or PC
2. Open Finder (macOS Catalina and later) or iTunes (Windows or older macOS)
3. Select your device from the sidebar
4. Click on the phone number or storage display under the device name to cycle through details — the IMEI will appear

This method requires that the device was previously paired with that computer, or that you trust the connection when prompted.

Method 6: Apple ID Account Online

If your iPhone is completely inaccessible — lost, stolen, or broken:

1. Go to appleid.apple.com
2. Sign in with your Apple ID
3. Scroll to the Devices section
4. Select your iPhone
5. The IMEI and other hardware details will be listed

This works as long as the device was signed into your Apple ID at some point.

Comparing Methods by Situation

A Note on Dual SIM and IMEI2

iPhones that support dual SIM — either physical + eSIM, or eSIM + eSIM — have two IMEIs. Carriers typically register only the IMEI associated with their specific line. If you're contacting a carrier for support, make sure you're providing the IMEI that corresponds to their SIM, not the other one. Settings and the *#06# method both display which slot each IMEI belongs to.

Why You Might Need It Unexpectedly

Most people only look up their IMEI in reactive situations — after losing a phone, before selling one, or mid-way through an insurance form. The variables that matter most in those moments are whether you have the device in hand, whether it's powered on, and whether it was registered to an Apple ID.

Someone buying a refurbished iPhone has different needs than someone filing a theft report with their carrier. Someone setting up a new device line has a different priority than someone checking whether a secondhand purchase has a clean history. The method that gets you to the number fastest — and most accurately — shifts depending on which of those situations applies to you. 🔍