Where to find your iPhone's IMEI

Your iPhone's IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is a 15-digit number that uniquely identifies your device to cellular networks. You can find it in three places without needing any special tools or apps.

The fastest way is to open Settings, tap General, then About. Scroll down and you'll see "IMEI" listed there. Write it down or take a screenshot — you'll need the exact number if you ever report your phone lost or stolen, or if you're switching carriers.

If your phone won't turn on or Settings isn't working, you can find the IMEI printed on the physical SIM card tray. Eject the tray using a SIM ejector tool (or a straightened paperclip), and look at the small metal tray itself — the number is etched there. You can also find it on the original box your iPhone came in, printed on a label on the back.

Key Takeaways

  • Your IMEI appears in Settings under General > About, and you should write it down or screenshot it for your records.
  • The IMEI is also printed on your SIM card tray and on the original box your iPhone shipped in.
  • Carriers use your IMEI to check if a phone is blacklisted, stolen, or compatible with their network.
  • If you report your iPhone lost or stolen, providing the IMEI helps carriers block it from being used on their network.

Why carriers ask for your IMEI

When you switch carriers or buy a used iPhone, the new carrier will ask for your IMEI to check three things: whether the phone is blacklisted (reported stolen or lost), whether it's paid off if it was financed, and whether it's compatible with their network bands and technology.

If a phone is blacklisted, the carrier will reject it even if you own it legitimately. This usually means the previous owner reported it stolen or the phone was financed and the loan wasn't paid off. You can contact the previous owner or the original carrier to have it removed from the blacklist, but this can take weeks.

Some carriers also use the IMEI to verify that a phone will work on their specific network. Older iPhones or phones bought in other countries might not support all the bands your carrier uses, which could mean slower speeds or no service in certain areas.

Checking if your iPhone is blacklisted

You can't check the blacklist status yourself through Apple or your carrier's public website — carriers only share this information with each other and with authorized retailers. However, you can call your carrier's customer service line and give them your IMEI to ask directly.

If you bought a used iPhone and the carrier tells you it's blacklisted, ask the seller for proof that they paid off any financing or contact the original carrier to dispute the blacklist status. Some carriers will remove a phone from the blacklist if you can show a bill of sale or proof of payment.

If the phone is legitimately blacklisted and the previous owner won't cooperate, you may not be able to use it on that carrier's network. You could try switching to a different carrier, but many carriers share blacklist data, so the phone might be blocked across multiple networks.

What to do if you lose your iPhone

If your iPhone is lost or stolen, contact your carrier as soon as possible and provide your IMEI. They can add it to the blacklist, which prevents anyone else from using it on their network even if they have a valid SIM card. This doesn't erase the phone or locate it — that's what Find My iPhone does — but it does make the phone useless for cellular service.

You should also use Find My iPhone (through iCloud.com or another Apple device) to remotely lock or erase the phone. Blacklisting the IMEI is a backup step that protects you if someone tries to use the phone on a different carrier or in a different country.

Keep your IMEI written down or stored somewhere safe, separate from your phone. If you ever need to report it lost or stolen, you won't be able to access Settings to look it up.

IMEI versus other iPhone identifiers

Your iPhone has several different numbers, and it's easy to confuse them. The IMEI is for cellular networks. The Serial Number is what Apple uses to track warranty and repairs — you'll find this in Settings > General > About as well. The UDID (Unique Device Identifier) was used by app developers but is no longer accessible on modern iPhones.

If you're contacting Apple Support about a repair or warranty claim, they'll ask for your Serial Number, not your IMEI. If you're reporting a phone lost to your carrier, they'll ask for the IMEI. Knowing which number to provide saves time and prevents confusion.

Your phone also has a phone number assigned by your carrier, which is different from all of these. The phone number is tied to your SIM card and account, while the IMEI is tied to the physical device itself.

Buying a used iPhone: what to check before you pay

Before you hand over money for a used iPhone, ask the seller for the IMEI and call your intended carrier to verify it's not blacklisted. This takes five minutes and can save you from buying a phone you can't use.

Also ask the seller whether the phone is paid off (if it was financed) and whether it's locked to a specific carrier. A carrier-locked phone can only be used on that carrier's network unless it's unlocked, which usually requires the phone to be fully paid off and the account to be in good standing.

If the seller won't provide the IMEI or seems evasive about the phone's history, walk away. A legitimate seller should have no problem giving you this information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone use my IMEI to track my location?

No. Your IMEI is just an identifier that tells carriers which device is connecting to their network. It doesn't contain location data and can't be used to track you. Location tracking requires either your phone's GPS (which apps can access with your permission) or Find My iPhone (which you control through your Apple ID).

What if I give my IMEI to someone and they use it to commit fraud?

Your IMEI alone can't be used to commit fraud or access your accounts. It's not a password or authentication method — it's just a device identifier. However, don't share it with strangers online. If you're selling a phone, provide it only to the buyer and your carrier.

Do I need my IMEI to switch carriers?

Your new carrier will ask for it during the switch, but you don't need to provide it yourself — they can look it up from your phone's SIM card or ask you for it during the activation process. Having it written down makes the process faster, but it's not required.

Can I change my iPhone's IMEI?

No. The IMEI is hardcoded into your phone's hardware and cannot be changed through software. Attempting to change it is illegal in most countries and will brick your phone. If your IMEI is blacklisted, your only option is to work with the carrier or previous owner to have it removed.

What happens if two iPhones have the same IMEI?

This shouldn't happen — each iPhone has a unique IMEI assigned during manufacturing. If two phones somehow have the same IMEI, carriers will have trouble routing service correctly and may block one or both devices. This is extremely rare and usually only occurs with counterfeit phones.