What Is TAC? IMEI Type Allocation Code Explained
The first 8 digits of an IMEI are the TAC (Type Allocation Code). Learning to read the TAC lets you quickly identify a device's brand and model from just its IMEI.
TAC Definition and Meaning
TAC (Type Allocation Code) is the core component of an IMEI, occupying the first 8 digits. It is managed and assigned by GSMA. Every phone manufacturer must apply to GSMA for one or more TAC segments — and pay associated fees — when launching a new device model.
In simple terms, TAC is the "official model code." All iPhone 15 Pro Max devices share certain TAC prefixes, while Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra devices have entirely different TAC segments. This one-to-one mapping allows precise device identification from just the first 8 digits of the IMEI.
How to Identify Device Models Using TAC
The easiest way to identify a device model via TAC is through IMEICheck:
- Enter the IMEI: Input the 15-digit IMEI on imeicheck.com.
- Automatic TAC extraction: The platform reads the first 8 digits (TAC) and matches them against GSMA and manufacturer databases.
- Device information returned: Get brand, specific model, color, storage capacity, and production batch details.
This TAC matching mechanism is invaluable when buying used phones. If a device is sold as "brand new original" but the TAC from IMEICheck maps to a different brand's model, you know something is wrong.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What does TAC stand for?
Type Allocation Code — the first 8 digits of an IMEI, identifying device brand and model per GSMA assignment.
Q2: How to extract TAC from IMEI?
Take the first 8 digits of any IMEI. For example, from IMEI 351234567890123, the TAC is 35123456.
Q3: Is TAC the same as model number?
Yes — each model gets a unique TAC from GSMA. The same TAC always maps to the same brand and model.
Q4: Can TAC be changed?
No — TAC is factory-written. A TAC-model mismatch signals a potentially tampered device.
Q5: How to look up TAC database?
IMEICheck automatically extracts TAC from your IMEI and queries GSMA/manufacturer databases to return device details.
Decode Your IMEI to Identify Device Model
IMEICheck automatically decodes the TAC segment of your IMEI to precisely identify your device brand, model, and specifications.
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