How to Find IMEI Number: 5 Methods for Every Device

Why You Need to Find Your IMEI

Your IMEI is the 15-digit number that identifies your phone on cellular networks worldwide. You need it to check warranty status, verify a used phone before buying, report a stolen device to your carrier, and unlock a carrier-locked phone. If you do not yet know what an IMEI is, start with our What is IMEI? guide, then come back here to find the number on your specific device.

This guide covers five methods that work across iPhone, Android, Samsung, Xiaomi, and even lost phones. Pick the one that matches your situation.

Method 1: Dial *#06#

This is the universal method and the one you should try first. Open the phone dialer and type *#06#. A small window pops up showing the IMEI instantly. No call is placed and no SIM card is required.

• iPhone: Open Phone > Keypad > type *#06#
• Android: Open the Phone app > dial *#06#
• Dual-SIM phones: Both IMEI 1 and IMEI 2 will appear

This method works on essentially every phone with a cellular radio. If it does not work, see the troubleshooting section below.

Method 2: Find IMEI in Settings

If the dial pad is unavailable (broken screen, tablet, etc.), the IMEI is also stored in the Settings menu.

On iPhone

1. Open Settings
2. Tap General > About
3. Scroll down — the IMEI field is listed alongside Serial Number and MEID
4. Long-press to copy it

For a deeper Apple verification, see our iPhone check page.

On Android (Samsung, Xiaomi, Google Pixel, etc.)

1. Open Settings
2. Tap About phone (sometimes under "About device")
3. Tap Status information > IMEI information
4. The IMEI 1 (and IMEI 2 on dual-SIM models) is shown

Samsung devices display the IMEI directly on the About phone screen without the extra tap into Status. For Samsung-specific verification see Samsung check.

Method 3: Find IMEI on the Phone Box

If the phone will not turn on, the original retail box is your best friend. The IMEI is printed on the barcode label sticker, usually on the side or bottom of the box. It is a 15-digit number labeled "IMEI" or "IMEI 1", and on dual-SIM models you will also see "IMEI 2".

The same label also shows the serial number, model number, and QR code. Keep the box somewhere safe even after you start using the phone, because you may need the IMEI later to report the phone stolen or file an insurance claim.

Method 4: Read IMEI From the SIM Tray

Many manufacturers etch the IMEI onto the back of the SIM tray. To read it:

1. Eject the SIM tray with the SIM ejector tool (or a paperclip)
2. Look at the back of the tray — the IMEI is laser-etched in tiny text
3. Use your phone camera with macro or zoom to read it clearly

This method is popular on iPhones (from iPhone 6s onward), Google Pixels, and some Samsung Galaxy models. Note that not every phone has the IMEI on the tray, so do not panic if yours is blank.

Method 5: Find IMEI of a Lost Phone

If the phone is already lost or stolen, you can still recover the IMEI through cloud accounts:

For Android (Google account)

1. Visit google.com/android/find on any browser
2. Sign in with the Google account that was on the lost phone
3. Select the lost device from the list
4. The IMEI is displayed in the device details

Alternatively, visit the Google Dashboard (myaccount.google.com/dashboard) and scroll to Android devices to see every IMEI linked to your account.

For iPhone (iCloud)

1. Visit icloud.com and sign in with your Apple ID
2. Open Find Devices
3. Select the lost iPhone
4. The IMEI appears in the device information panel

Other sources for a lost phone IMEI

• The original retail box
• The purchase receipt or order confirmation email
• Your carrier account or monthly bill
• Insurance policy documents if you insured the phone

What If *#06# Does Not Work?

If dialing *#06# does not show the IMEI, try the following:

1. Check Settings instead. Settings > About phone will always show the IMEI if it exists.
2. Check for a modified firmware. Some carrier-branded or rooted phones disable the dial code. Use the Settings path instead.
3. Check for a baseband fault. If Settings shows "IMEI Unknown" or "null", the phone may have a damaged baseband chip. This is a hardware fault and the IMEI cannot be read from software.
4. Read the physical label. Fall back to the phone box or SIM tray.

If Settings shows "IMEI Unknown", do not buy or use that phone — it usually means the IMEI has been wiped (a common sign of a tampered or cloned device). Run it through our IMEI checker with the number from the box to confirm.

IMEI vs MEID: Why Both Sometimes Appear

When you dial *#06# on certain phones (especially older iPhones sold for Verizon or Sprint), you may see both an IMEI and a MEID. This happens because the device supports both GSM (which uses IMEI) and CDMA (which uses MEID) networks.

Modern LTE and 5G phones use IMEI. Use the IMEI for your check unless you are specifically verifying an old CDMA device.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

When dealing with 教程-related matters, you may encounter these common issues:

Issue 1: Inaccurate or Missing Query Results

Possible causes and solutions:

• Database update delay: GSMA and carrier databases may have a 24-48 hour update delay. Try querying again later.
• IMEI input errors: Ensure you enter the 15-digit numeric IMEI without spaces, letters, or special characters.
• New device models: Recently released models may not yet be in all databases, resulting in limited information.

Issue 2: Inconsistent Results Across Platforms

Different IMEI checking platforms use different data sources (GSMA, carrier databases, manufacturer databases), which may yield varying levels of detail. Recommendations:

1. Use GSMA database results as the authoritative source for model identification
2. Use carrier database results for blacklist status verification
3. Use manufacturer official results for warranty status
4. Cross-reference multiple data sources for comprehensive assessment

Issue 3: Abnormal Status in Results

If query results show "unknown" or abnormal status, it may indicate:

• The device may be a grey-market or refurbished phone from unofficial channels
• The IMEI may have been tampered with or cloned (common in counterfeit phones)
• The device is from a different region not covered by local databases

Real-World Case Studies

Advanced Knowledge

Understanding these advanced concepts will help you better understand 教程-related topics:

IMEI Number Structure

The IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) consists of 15 digits divided into three parts:

• TAC code (first 8 digits): Type Allocation Code, identifying the device model and allocator
• SNR code (middle 6 digits): Serial number, identifying the specific device
• Check digit (last digit): Validates the IMEI number's legitimacy

The TAC code precisely identifies the phone's brand, model, and production batch. GSMA manages all legitimate TAC codes globally.

IMEI and Phone Security

The IMEI serves as a phone's "ID number" and plays a crucial role in:

• Anti-theft protection: When a phone is stolen, carriers can blacklist the IMEI to prevent network access
• Authenticity verification: Genuine phones have IMEI records in the GSMA database; counterfeits often use cloned or invalid IMEIs
• Warranty verification: Manufacturers use IMEI to check activation date and warranty status
• Used phone transactions: Buyers verify the device isn't blacklisted via IMEI

Practical Tips and Precautions

Here are practical recommendations regarding 教程:

1. Backup your IMEI: Record your phone's IMEI in a safe place for future reference
2. Always check before buying: Whether new or used, verify the device status via IMEI before purchase
3. Keep purchase receipts: Purchase receipts and warranty cards are important for consumer protection
4. Protect your privacy: Don't enter your IMEI on untrusted websites; choose reputable checking platforms
5. Understand regional differences: IMEI registration and blacklist rules may vary by country

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Finding your IMEI takes seconds: dial *#06# on the device, or open Settings > About phone if the dialer is unavailable. For lost or broken phones, fall back to the retail box, SIM tray, or your cloud account dashboard. Once you have the IMEI, the next step is to run it through an IMEI checker to verify model, warranty, carrier lock, and blacklist status before any used-phone transaction.