How to Find Your IMEI Number on iPhone & Android
Your IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is a unique 15-digit number that identifies your phone on a mobile network. You'll need it to report a stolen phone, check warranty coverage, or verify a device before buying it used. Here are every method to find it — whether the phone is on or off, whether it has a SIM tray, and whether it's a single or dual-SIM device.
💡 The quickest method works on any phone: open the dialer app and type *#06#. The IMEI appears on screen immediately — no need to press call.
Method 1 — Dial *#06# (Works on Any Phone)
Open your phone's dialer app and enter *#06#. The IMEI number (or numbers, for dual-SIM phones) appears on screen. No call is made. This works on iPhone, Android, and most feature phones.
On a dual-SIM phone, you'll see IMEI 1 and IMEI 2. For a thorough used-phone assessment, record both numbers and check each one — a blacklist or network block can affect either IMEI independently.
Method 2 — iPhone: Settings
- 1Open Settings
- 2Tap General
- 3Tap About
- 4Scroll down to IMEI — tap and hold to copy it
On iPhone models that support Dual SIM or eSIM (iPhone XS and later), you'll see IMEI 1 and IMEI 2. The IMEI listed first corresponds to the primary SIM slot or eSIM line.
Method 3 — Android: Settings
The exact path varies by manufacturer, but one of these will work:
- Stock Android (Pixel): Settings → About Phone → IMEI Information
- Samsung: Settings → About Phone → Status Information → IMEI Information
- Other Android: Settings → About Phone → Phone Identity / Device Info
Method 4 — SIM Tray
On many iPhones (iPhone 6s through iPhone 12) and some Android phones, the IMEI is engraved or printed on the SIM card tray. Eject the tray with the SIM tool and look at the back of the tray. The text is small — use a flashlight or zoom in with your camera.
Method 5 — The Original Box
The IMEI is printed on a sticker on the outside of the original phone box. If you're buying a used phone and the seller has the box, verify that the IMEI on the box matches the IMEI shown by *#06# on the device. A mismatch could indicate a replaced phone or a counterfeit.
Method 6 — iPhone Back (Older Models)
On iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, the IMEI is laser-engraved on the back of the phone near the bottom. This was removed from later models.
Dual-SIM and eSIM Phones
Dual-SIM phones have two IMEI numbers — one for each SIM slot. Both should pass the Luhn checksum and both should resolve to the same device model when you look up the TAC code (the first 8 digits). If the two TAC codes point to different manufacturers, the phone may have modified firmware. When buying a used dual-SIM device, check both IMEI numbers for blacklist and network status — a block on IMEI 2 matters just as much as one on IMEI 1.
For eSIM-only devices (some iPhone 14 US models, for example), the IMEI is assigned to the eSIM slot and is visible in Settings → General → About.
⚠ Never share your IMEI publicly or with anyone you don't trust. While the IMEI itself can't be used to access your accounts, sharing it widely creates a minor risk of IMEI cloning on counterfeit devices.
What to Do Once You Have Your IMEI
With your IMEI in hand, you can:
- Validate the format — use our free IMEI validator to confirm the format and Luhn checksum are correct and look up the device model from the TAC code
- Check blacklist status — contact your carrier or see our blacklist check guide
- Verify carrier lock — see our carrier lock guide
- Check iPhone Activation Lock — power on the device and proceed through setup; if it asks for a previous owner's Apple ID, Activation Lock is active. The seller must sign out and erase the device before handover. Note: checkcoverage.apple.com checks warranty and coverage, not Activation Lock. See our Activation Lock guide
Validate your IMEI format and look up the device model for free
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