How to Check IMEI Number — Complete Step-by-Step Guide (All Devices)

How to Check Your IMEI Number — Every Method, Every Device

Knowing how to check an IMEI number is one of the most useful skills for any smartphone owner. Whether you are about to buy a second-hand phone, filing an insurance claim, reporting a theft, or simply curious about your device, the IMEI is your starting point. This guide covers every method for finding and checking IMEI numbers on iPhone, Samsung, Android phones, and any other device.

What Is an IMEI Number?

IMEI stands for International Mobile Equipment Identity. It is a unique 15-digit number permanently assigned to every mobile device — think of it as the phone's fingerprint. No two phones share the same IMEI. Carriers and law enforcement use IMEI numbers to track, block, and identify devices. When a phone is reported stolen, carriers can add its IMEI to a blacklist that prevents it from connecting to any network.

Understanding your IMEI is essential for three situations:

Buying a used phone — to verify it is clean, unlocked, and not stolen
Reporting a lost or stolen device — so carriers and police can take action
Checking warranty or carrier lock status before switching networks

Method 1: Dial *#06# (Works on All Phones)

The fastest way to find your IMEI on any phone — iPhone, Samsung, Xiaomi, Motorola, Nokia, or any other brand — is to open the dialer and type *#06#. You do not need to press call; the IMEI number appears on the screen automatically within a second.

On dual-SIM phones, you will see two IMEI numbers displayed: IMEI 1 and IMEI 2. Each SIM slot has its own IMEI. Both are valid; use either one for an IMEI check.

Method 2: Check Phone Settings (iPhone)

On an iPhone, go to Settings → General → About and scroll down until you see the IMEI field. If your iPhone supports dual SIM or an eSIM, you will see IMEI 1 and IMEI 2 listed separately. Tap and hold on the number to copy it without mistyping.

For older iPhones (6s and earlier), the IMEI is also engraved on the SIM tray. On iPhone 4 and earlier, it is printed on the back cover.

Method 3: Check Phone Settings (Samsung & Android)

On Samsung Galaxy devices, go to Settings → About phone → Status information → IMEI information. On stock Android (Google Pixel, Motorola, OnePlus), go to Settings → About phone → IMEI information or Settings → About phone → Status. The exact path varies slightly by brand and Android version, but IMEI is always somewhere inside "About phone."

On Xiaomi and Redmi devices: Settings → About phone → All specs, then scroll to the IMEI section. On Realme and OPPO devices: Settings → About device → IMEI.

Method 4: Physical Inspection

Several places on the physical device show the IMEI:

SIM tray: On most iPhones from 4s to 14 Pro, the IMEI is laser-engraved on the SIM card tray. Eject the tray and look closely with good lighting.
Retail box: Every phone box has a label with the IMEI printed under the barcode. If you still have the original packaging, this is the most reliable source.
Under the back cover: On older Android phones with removable batteries, the IMEI sticker is usually inside the battery compartment.
Purchase receipt or invoice: Many carriers and retailers print the IMEI on the sales receipt, especially for insurance purposes.

Method 5: Apple ID / iTunes / Finder (iPhone)

If your iPhone is damaged, lost, or will not turn on, you can find its IMEI without the physical device:

Sign in to appleid.apple.com, click on your device, and the IMEI is listed under device details.
Connect the iPhone to a Mac (Finder) or PC (iTunes) — the device summary shows the IMEI when you click on the serial number field.
On iCloud.com → Find My → select the device — the IMEI may appear in the device information panel.

Method 6: Google Account (Android)

For Android phones, open a browser and go to myaccount.google.com → Security → Your devices. Click on a device and look for the IMEI in the device details. This works even if the phone is currently off or unavailable.

How to Run an IMEI Check — What to Look For

Once you have the IMEI number, you can run a check to see its full status. A proper IMEI check from a reputable provider reports on the following:

Device Information

The first 8 digits of an IMEI form the TAC (Type Allocation Code), which identifies the device's manufacturer and model. A free IMEI check can instantly confirm the brand (Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi, etc.), model name, storage variants, and region of manufacture. This is useful to verify that the phone matches the seller's description.

Blacklist / Stolen Status

The most important check when buying a used phone. Carriers in the USA, UK, Australia, Canada, and most countries share a blacklist database. If the previous owner reported the phone lost or stolen — or if it was purchased fraudulently — the IMEI will appear as blacklisted. A blacklisted phone will eventually be blocked from connecting to mobile networks, even if it currently works. Always verify this before paying for a used device.

Carrier Lock Status

A carrier-locked phone can only be used with one network operator (e.g., AT&T, Vodafone, Airtel). If you plan to switch networks or use a local SIM while travelling, you need an unlocked phone. The IMEI check shows whether the device is locked, unlocked, or eligible for unlocking. Some carriers unlock devices automatically after a contract period ends.

iCloud Activation Lock (iPhone Only)

Apple's Activation Lock ties an iPhone to the original owner's Apple ID. If the previous owner did not sign out of iCloud before selling, the phone will ask for their Apple ID and password every time it is reset. A locked iPhone is essentially unusable unless you have the original owner's credentials. Always check the iCloud status before buying any used iPhone.

Warranty Status

The IMEI check can show whether the manufacturer's warranty is still active, expired, or covered by an extended plan. This is valuable when buying second-hand, as an in-warranty device has more resale value and protection if hardware problems arise.

How to Read Your IMEI Check Results

When you receive your IMEI report, here is how to interpret the most common results:

Clean / Not blacklisted: The phone has no reports of theft or fraud. This is the expected result for a legitimate device.
Blacklisted / Blocked: The IMEI is on a carrier or national blacklist. Do not buy this phone — it will likely stop working on networks. If you already own it, contact your carrier to investigate.
Carrier unlocked: The phone can be used with any compatible network globally. This is ideal for international travel or switching operators.
Carrier locked: The phone is restricted to a specific carrier. Useful to know before importing or switching networks.
iCloud locked: The iPhone is tied to an Apple ID. Ask the seller to remove Activation Lock before completing the purchase.
Warranty active: The manufacturer's warranty is still valid, giving you coverage for hardware defects.
Model mismatch: The IMEI data shows a different model than advertised. This is a red flag for fraud — the phone may be counterfeit or the description may be false.

How to Check IMEI on a Phone You Cannot Turn On

If the phone is broken or does not power on, your options are:

Check the original box — the IMEI barcode label is on the outside packaging.
For iPhones, use Apple ID at appleid.apple.com to retrieve the IMEI remotely.
For Android, check your Google account at myaccount.google.com → Security → Your devices.
Contact your carrier — if the phone was purchased on a plan, the carrier has the IMEI on file.
Check your purchase receipt or original email confirmation from the retailer.

How to Check IMEI on a Dual-SIM Phone

Dual-SIM phones have two IMEI numbers, one for each SIM slot. When running an IMEI check for a used phone purchase, check both IMEIs. A seller might show a clean IMEI for slot 1 while slot 2 is blacklisted. Dialing *#06# on a dual-SIM phone displays both IMEIs on one screen.

Frequently Asked Questions About IMEI Checks

Is it safe to share my IMEI for a check?

Yes, sharing your IMEI with a reputable verification service is safe. The IMEI cannot be used to remotely access your phone or personal data. It is essentially a serial number — sharing it is similar to sharing a vehicle registration plate number.

Can an IMEI be changed or cloned?

Legally, no. Deliberately changing an IMEI is illegal in most countries and voids the warranty. Some criminals clone IMEIs, but reputable IMEI check services cross-reference multiple databases, making it more difficult for cloned devices to pass verification.

Does a free IMEI check give complete results?

A free check typically confirms basic device information — brand, model, and sometimes blacklist status. A full report (usually $1–3) includes carrier lock status, iCloud status, warranty details, and country-specific blacklist databases. For a used phone purchase, the paid check is worth the small cost.

How long does an IMEI check take?

A basic IMEI check returns results in seconds. More detailed reports that query carrier and international databases can take up to a few minutes, but most services complete within 30 seconds.

What if my IMEI check shows a problem?

If the check reveals the phone is blacklisted: do not complete the purchase. If you have already bought it, contact the seller and request a refund, or open a dispute with the marketplace (eBay, Facebook Marketplace, OLX, etc.). If the phone was reported stolen from you, contact your local police with the IMEI and ask them to track it.