Where to find your IMEI number on your phone

The fastest way to find your IMEI number is to open your phone's dialer and type *#06#, then press call. A popup will appear showing your IMEI number — usually a 15-digit code. This works on almost all Android phones and iPhones.

If the dialer method does not work, you can find it in your phone's settings. On Android, go to Settings > About Phone > Status or IMEI Information. On iPhone, go to Settings > General > About and scroll down to find IMEI. The exact path varies slightly by manufacturer and iOS version, but the IMEI is always in the About section.

You can also find your IMEI on the physical phone itself. On most phones, it is printed on a sticker under the battery (if removable) or on the back of the device near the barcode. Some phones print it on the SIM card tray — eject the tray and look for a number starting with 35 or 86.

Key Takeaways

  • Dialing *#06# on your phone's keypad instantly displays your IMEI number without opening settings.
  • Your IMEI is a 15-digit identifier unique to your phone and different from your phone number or SIM card number.
  • You can find your IMEI in phone settings under About Phone (Android) or About (iPhone), or printed on a physical sticker on your device.
  • Your IMEI is useful for reporting a stolen phone, checking warranty status, or verifying device compatibility with carriers.

Why you might need your IMEI number

Your IMEI is the identifier that carriers and manufacturers use to track your specific device. If your phone is stolen, you can give your carrier the IMEI and they can block it from connecting to their network, even if someone puts in a different SIM card. This does not recover the phone, but it makes the device useless to a thief.

Manufacturers also use your IMEI to check warranty coverage and service history. If you contact Apple or Samsung support about a repair, they may ask for your IMEI to pull up what work has been done on your device before. Some carriers use it to verify that a phone you are bringing to them is compatible with their network bands.

IMEI versus other phone identifiers

Your IMEI is not the same as your phone number, SIM card number, or serial number, though they are all printed or stored on your device. Your phone number is assigned by your carrier and changes if you switch carriers or get a new SIM. Your SIM card number (also called ICCID) is tied to the SIM card itself, not the phone — if you move the SIM to another phone, the SIM number stays the same but the IMEI changes.

Your serial number is a manufacturer identifier that is usually shorter than an IMEI and is often printed on the box or back of the phone. The IMEI is the one that carriers and networks recognize. If you need to report a phone as stolen or check compatibility, use the IMEI, not the serial number.

What to do if you cannot find your IMEI

If the *#06# dialer method does not work, your phone may be too old or damaged to display it. Try the settings route instead — even very old Android phones have an About section that lists the IMEI. If your screen is cracked or the phone will not turn on, look for the IMEI printed on a sticker inside the battery compartment or on the SIM tray.

If you bought the phone new and still have the original box, the IMEI is often printed on the box label or receipt. You can also contact your carrier with your phone number and account details, and they can look up your IMEI in their system. If the phone is under warranty, the manufacturer's website may let you search by serial number and display the IMEI.

Keeping your IMEI private and safe

Your IMEI is not sensitive information in the way a password or PIN is — it is printed on your phone and visible to anyone who picks it up. However, you should not share it with strangers or post it online, because someone with your IMEI could potentially contact your carrier and claim the phone is theirs.

If you are selling your phone, do not include the IMEI in the listing. You can share it privately with a buyer after you have agreed on a price, so they can verify the phone is not blacklisted by a carrier. If you are reporting a phone as stolen, give the IMEI only to your carrier or to law enforcement — not to random online forums.

Checking if a phone is blacklisted using the IMEI

Some websites claim to check whether a phone is blacklisted or stolen by looking up its IMEI. These services vary widely in accuracy and reliability. A few carriers offer official blacklist checks on their websites, but most do not. If you are buying a used phone, the safest approach is to ask the seller to contact their carrier and request a letter stating the phone is not blacklisted and is may be able to access for transfer.

If you are concerned a phone you own has been blacklisted by mistake, contact your carrier directly with your account information and the IMEI. They can tell you the status and, if there is an error, remove the block. Do not rely on third-party IMEI checker websites as your only source of truth.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my IMEI number?

No. Your IMEI is programmed into your phone's hardware during manufacturing and cannot be changed through settings or software. Attempting to change it is illegal in most countries and will not work on modern phones. If you need a different IMEI, you need a different phone.

Is my IMEI the same as my device ID?

No. Device ID is a software identifier that Android generates and can change if you factory reset your phone. IMEI is a hardware identifier that stays the same for the life of the phone. They serve different purposes — Device ID is for app tracking, IMEI is for carrier and network identification.

What if two phones have the same IMEI?

This should not happen with legitimate phones. If two phones have the same IMEI, one is likely counterfeit or has been cloned. Carriers may block both phones from their network if they detect a duplicate IMEI. If you suspect this, contact your carrier immediately.

Do I need my IMEI to switch carriers?

Not always. Most carriers just need your phone number and account PIN to transfer service. However, some carriers ask for the IMEI to verify the phone is compatible with their network bands before you switch. It is useful to have it on hand, but not required for the transfer itself.