How to Locate Your IMEI Number on Any Device

Every mobile phone — whether it's a budget Android or a flagship iPhone — carries a unique 15-digit identifier called an IMEI number (International Mobile Equipment Identity). Knowing how to find yours matters more than most people realize, and the method varies depending on your device, operating system, and what you have access to at the time.

What Is an IMEI Number and Why Does It Matter?

The IMEI is essentially your phone's fingerprint. No two devices share the same number, which makes it the primary tool used by:

• Carriers to block stolen or lost devices from connecting to networks
• Insurance providers to verify claims
• Buyers and sellers to confirm a device isn't blacklisted before a used-phone transaction
• Manufacturers and support teams to verify warranty eligibility

Unlike a SIM card, which can be swapped out, the IMEI is tied to the hardware itself. It stays with the device regardless of which SIM is inserted or which carrier you're using.

The Fastest Universal Method: Dial a Code 📱

The quickest way to find your IMEI on virtually any phone — Android, iOS, or otherwise — is to open your Phone dialer and type:

*#06# 

You don't need to press call. The IMEI (or multiple IMEIs on dual-SIM phones) will appear on screen immediately. This works on the vast majority of GSM devices regardless of manufacturer or operating system version.

Finding IMEI on iPhone

Apple provides several access points:

• Settings → General → About — Scroll down and you'll see the IMEI listed directly
• Dialer method — *#06# works on all iPhones
• Physical device — On iPhone models prior to iPhone 14, the IMEI is printed on the SIM tray. On some older models (iPhone 5 and earlier), it appears on the back casing
• iTunes or Finder — Connect your iPhone to a Mac or PC, select the device, and the IMEI is visible in the summary panel
• Original packaging — Apple prints the IMEI on the box label

If your iPhone won't turn on, the box or iTunes/Finder method becomes especially useful.

Finding IMEI on Android Devices

Android's settings structure varies by manufacturer (Samsung, Google Pixel, OnePlus, Xiaomi, etc.), but the path is generally consistent:

• Settings → About Phone → Status → IMEI Information
• On Samsung devices specifically: Settings → About Phone → Status Information → IMEI
• Some manufacturers surface it directly under Settings → About Phone without a sub-menu

The dialer code *#06# remains the fastest option regardless of Android version or manufacturer skin.

On dual-SIM Android phones, you'll typically see two IMEI numbers listed — one for each SIM slot. Both are tied to the same physical device.

Locating IMEI Without Accessing the Device

Sometimes you need the IMEI when the phone is unavailable — lost, broken, or factory reset. Here are the alternatives:

Google's Find My Device (findmydevice.google.com) displays the IMEI for linked Android phones under device details. Apple's iCloud shows it under the device list in your Apple ID settings. These are reliable fallbacks when physical access isn't possible.

IMEI on Tablets and Other Connected Devices

The IMEI isn't exclusive to smartphones. Cellular-capable tablets (iPads with LTE, Android tablets with a SIM slot) also carry IMEI numbers and can use the same Settings-based methods described above.

Wi-Fi-only devices — tablets, laptops, or smartwatches without cellular capability — typically don't have an IMEI. They use different identifiers like a serial number or MAC address instead. If you're navigating device settings and don't see an IMEI field, that's likely why.

The Variables That Change Your Approach 🔍

How you locate your IMEI depends on several factors that are specific to your situation:

Device condition — A working phone gives you the most options. A cracked screen, broken device, or phone that won't power on pushes you toward external methods like packaging or account portals.

Whether you're locked out — A device in recovery mode, locked after too many failed attempts, or pending a factory reset can still be accessed via Google/Apple account methods externally.

Dual-SIM vs. single-SIM — Dual-SIM phones have two IMEIs. If you're trying to report a specific SIM slot's line as stolen or check a specific number's status, knowing which IMEI corresponds to which slot matters.

Manufacturer software skin — While the dialer code is universal, menu paths in Settings differ enough across Samsung One UI, MIUI, OxygenOS, and stock Android that the exact tap sequence won't always be identical.

Whether the device is new, used, or refurbished — For used or refurbished purchases, checking the IMEI against a blacklist database before completing the transaction is a meaningful step. What you find there depends entirely on the device's history, not just how you located the number.

The method that makes sense for you depends on your device's current state, what you still have access to, and what you actually need the IMEI for — and those details vary more than any single guide can anticipate.