How to Check IMEI Number on Any Phone (iPhone, Android, Samsung)
Five reliable methods to find and check the IMEI number on any phone, plus what to do with the IMEI once you have it.
Why Check Your IMEI Number?
Your IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is a 15-digit number that uniquely identifies your phone. Checking the IMEI tells you the device model, warranty status, carrier lock, and whether the phone has been reported lost or stolen. If you are buying a used phone, running an IMEI check is the single most important step to avoid being scammed.
If you are new to the concept, read our complete IMEI guide first, then come back to learn how to actually find and check the number on your device.
Method 1: Dial *#06# (Works on Every Phone)
The fastest way to check your IMEI is to open the phone dialer and type *#06#. The IMEI pops up on screen immediately β no call is placed and no internet is required. This works on iPhones, Android phones, Samsung, Xiaomi, and essentially every device with a cellular radio.
On a dual-SIM phone, you will see two IMEI numbers (IMEI 1 and IMEI 2). Use IMEI 1 for your primary lookups because it corresponds to the main SIM slot.
Quick tip: The *#06# method works even when the phone has no SIM card inserted and is not connected to a network. It is purely a hardware query.
Method 2: Check IMEI in Phone Settings
If the dial pad is not available (for example, on a tablet or a phone with a broken screen), you can find the IMEI in the Settings menu.
How to check IMEI on iPhone
- Open Settings
- Tap General > About
- Scroll down to find IMEI (and also the serial number)
- Long-press the IMEI to copy it
Want a deeper dive on Apple devices? See our dedicated iPhone IMEI check page.
How to check IMEI on Android
- Open Settings
- Tap About phone (or "About device" on some brands)
- Tap Status information > IMEI information
- You will see IMEI 1 (and IMEI 2 on dual-SIM models)
How to check IMEI on Samsung
Samsung phones follow the standard Android path above, but Samsung also adds a shortcut:
- Open Settings > About phone
- The IMEI is displayed directly on the model name screen, no extra taps required
For full Samsung verification, including warranty and originality, use the Samsung check tool.
Method 3: Check the Physical Label
If the phone will not turn on, you can still find the IMEI on the physical hardware:
- Original box: The IMEI is printed on the barcode label of the retail box.
- SIM tray: Many manufacturers etch the IMEI onto the back of the SIM tray. Eject the tray and read the tiny number.
- Back of the phone: Older models (and some iPhones before iPhone 8) printed the IMEI on the back cover.
- Purchase receipt: The IMEI appears on the printed or digital receipt from the retailer.
If none of these are available, see our guide on how to find your IMEI number using five different methods, including for lost phones.
Method 4: Check IMEI Online (With a Lookup Tool)
Once you have the 15-digit IMEI, the next step is to look it up online. An IMEI checker such as IMEICheck queries carrier and manufacturer databases and returns a report that typically includes:
- Device brand, model, storage, and color
- Activation date and remaining warranty days
- Carrier lock status and unlock eligibility
- GSMA blacklist status (lost/stolen/financed)
- iCloud Activation Lock status (for iPhones)
Basic model identification is free, while full reports that pull from GSMA, Apple GSX, and Samsung databases may carry a small fee.
Method 5: Check IMEI on a Lost Phone
If the phone is lost or stolen, you can still recover its IMEI:
- Android: Sign in at google.com/android/find and look at the device list. The IMEI is shown for each registered device.
- iPhone: Sign in at icloud.com, open Find Devices, and select the missing device. The IMEI is listed in the device details.
- Carrier account: Log in to your carrier account (AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, etc.) and check the devices registered to your line.
- Google Dashboard: Visit your Google account dashboard to see all Android devices linked to your account with their IMEIs.
What to Do After You Find the IMEI
Knowing the IMEI is only half the job. The real value comes from looking it up to verify the device status:
1. Verify the model matches
An IMEI check returns the official model name and storage capacity. If a seller claims the phone is a 256GB iPhone 15 Pro but the IMEI says 128GB iPhone 14, walk away.
2. Check the blacklist
A blacklisted phone cannot connect to any cellular network. Always run a blacklist check before paying for a used device. See our IMEI blacklist guide for the full explanation.
3. Check the carrier lock
If the phone is locked to a carrier, you may need to get it unlocked before you can use it with your own SIM. An IMEI check reveals the lock status and the carrier it is locked to.
4. Check the warranty
The IMEI reveals the activation date and remaining warranty. This protects you from buying a phone that the seller claims is "under warranty" but is actually expired.
Common IMEI Check Mistakes to Avoid
- Checking only IMEI 2 on a dual-SIM phone. Always check IMEI 1, which is the primary identifier.
- Confusing IMEI with serial number. They are different. Apple devices are usually verified by serial number; Android phones by IMEI.
- Trusting only the seller screenshot. Always run the IMEI check yourself, with a tool you control, on the IMEI printed on the physical box.
- Forgetting to check iCloud Activation Lock. A clean IMEI does not mean the iPhone is usable β it can still be iCloud-locked.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I check IMEI without internet?
Yes. You can find your IMEI on the device itself without any internet connection. The most common offline method is dialing *#06#, which displays the IMEI instantly on every phone. You can also read it from Settings > About phone, or from the IMEI printed on the phone box, SIM tray, or purchase receipt. However, to look up warranty, blacklist, or carrier lock status you do need an online IMEI checker.
Do dual SIM phones have two IMEIs?
Yes. Dual-SIM phones have two IMEI numbers, one for each SIM slot. When you dial *#06# on a dual-SIM phone you will see both IMEI 1 and IMEI 2. Each IMEI corresponds to a separate cellular radio. When running an IMEI check it is usually best to check IMEI 1, which is the primary slot used for the main carrier connection.
Is IMEI check free?
Basic IMEI checks are free on IMEICheck, including device model identification, brand, and basic device information. Detailed reports such as full warranty status, carrier lock status, GSMA blacklist, and iCloud Activation Lock may require a small fee because IMEICheck pulls data from paid carrier and manufacturer databases.
Does iPad have IMEI?
Only cellular (Wi-Fi + Cellular) iPad models have an IMEI, because the IMEI is tied to the cellular radio. Wi-Fi-only iPads do not have an IMEI; they are identified by their serial number instead. If your iPad has a SIM tray or eSIM, you can find its IMEI in Settings > General > About; dialing *#06# is not applicable on iPad.
Conclusion
Checking your IMEI is a 10-second task with huge payoff. Dial *#06# to read the number off the device, then run it through a trusted IMEI checker to verify the model, warranty, carrier lock, and blacklist status before you buy or sell any phone. Pair the IMEI check with an iCloud Activation Lock check for iPhones, and you will eliminate the vast majority of used-phone scams.