How to find your IMEI number
Every phone has a unique IMEI. Here are five quick ways to find it, even if the phone is lost or won't turn on.
*#06#Dial *#06# on the phone to see its IMEI.
How it works
- 01Dial *#06# — the IMEI appears instantly on any phone.
- 02iPhone: Settings → General → About. Android: Settings → About phone → Status.
- 03Look on the SIM tray (iPhone) or the sticker under the battery (older phones).
- 04Check the original box or purchase receipt.
- 05Phone lost? Find the IMEI in your Apple ID or Google account device list.
Dual-SIM phones have two IMEIs
Each SIM slot has its own IMEI. Either one works for a status check.
Anatomy of an IMEI
Every IMEI has the same 15-digit structure. Each part tells you something different.
Type Allocation Code. Identifies the manufacturer and exact model. The first two digits are the reporting body.
Unique number the manufacturer assigns to this single device.
Calculated from the other 14 with the Luhn formula. Catches typos.
Before you pay for a used phone
Five minutes of checks that prevent most used-phone scams.
- 01Dial *#06# yourself and compare the IMEI with the box and the settings screen.
- 02Run a blacklist check, and run it again on the day you pay.
- 03Insert your own SIM card and make a call.
- 04Make sure Find My / Google account is signed out and the phone is reset in front of you.
- 05Check that the model and storage match the listing.
- 06Pay in a traceable way and get a receipt with the IMEI on it.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to share my IMEI?
Sharing it with a buyer is normal, but don't post it publicly: a known IMEI can be used to clone or falsely report a phone.
Can I find the IMEI if the phone is off?
Yes: check the box, receipt, SIM tray or your Apple/Google account.
More free tools
- Phone checkIMEI blacklist checkFind out whether a phone has been reported lost or stolen before you pay for it. We check the IMEI against worldwide blacklists in seconds.
- Phone checkiCloud & Find My iPhone checkAn iPhone with Find My turned on can't be set up by anyone except its owner. Check iCloud and lost-mode status by IMEI before buying.
- Phone checkCarrier & SIM-lock checkFind out which network a phone was sold on and whether it is SIM-locked, so you know it will work with your SIM.
- Phone checkWarranty checkSee whether a phone is still under warranty and where and when it was first sold, so you know its true age.
- Phone checkApple serial number checkCheck an iPhone, iPad or Mac by serial number to confirm the model and configuration, and see warranty and iCloud status.
- FreeIMEI validator & analyzerCheck whether an IMEI is genuine-looking or mistyped. We verify its length and Luhn checksum and break it into its parts: TAC, serial number and check digit.
- FreeIMEI generatorCreate random IMEI numbers that pass the Luhn checksum, for testing apps, forms and databases. Generate up to 1,000 at a time and export them in one click.
- FreeBulk IMEI checkerPaste a list of IMEIs from a spreadsheet, invoice or stock sheet. We validate every number, flag typos and duplicates, identify each model and let you export a clean CSV.
- FreeICCID generator & validatorCheck whether a SIM card's ICCID is valid and where it was issued, or generate valid test ICCIDs for your app or database.
- FreeIMEI ⇄ IMEISV converterIMEISV is the 16-digit version of the IMEI that networks see. Convert between the two formats in either direction.
- FreeIMEI check digit calculatorType the first 14 digits of an IMEI and get the 15th digit, the Luhn check digit, instantly.
- FreeTAC lookupThe first 8 digits of every IMEI, the TAC, identify the device model. Enter a TAC or a full IMEI to see the brand and model.
- FreeMEID converterConvert a CDMA MEID between hexadecimal and decimal, and calculate its pseudo-ESN and check digit.