IMEI Check: How to Find Your Phone IMEI Number and Verify It (2026)
When did you last do an IMEI check on your phone? Your IMEI number is a unique 15-digit code that identifies your mobile phone. You need it to block a lost or stolen phone, check whether a second-hand phone is genuine, claim insurance or file a police report. Take one minute today to find your IMEI number and save it somewhere safe.
Quick answer: Dial *#06# on any phone and the IMEI number appears on screen. Dual-SIM phones show two IMEIs. You can also find it in Settings > About phone (Android) or Settings > General > About (iPhone), on the box and on the purchase bill. In India, check a phone’s IMEI on the Sanchar Saathi portal or by sending “KYM <IMEI>” to 14422.
Table of Contents
What is an IMEI number?
IMEI stands for International Mobile Equipment Identity. Every phone that connects to a mobile network (2G, 3G, 4G or 5G) has one. It identifies the handset itself, not your SIM card, so it stays the same even if a thief changes the SIM. That holds for an eSIM too; see eSIM vs physical SIM in India for how the two differ.
How to find your IMEI number
- Dial *#06#: works on almost every phone, no network needed.
- Android: Settings > About phone > IMEI (or Status).
- iPhone: Settings > General > About, and scroll to IMEI. Long-press to copy it.
- Phone box: printed on the sticker with the barcode.
- Purchase invoice: most bills list the IMEI.
- If the phone is lost: sign in to your Google account’s device list or Apple’s Find My on another device to see the IMEI of signed-in phones.
How to check IMEI on iPhone
Apple gives you several ways to check the IMEI on an iPhone, even if the phone is locked, lost or still in its box:
- Settings: open Settings > General > About and scroll down to IMEI. Touch and hold the number to copy it.
- Dial *#06#: in the Phone app keypad, the IMEI (and EID) appears instantly.
- SIM tray: on iPhone 6s up to the iPhone 13 series and iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd generation), the IMEI is printed on the SIM tray.
- Back of the phone: iPhone 5, 5c, 5s, SE (1st generation), 6 and 6 Plus have it engraved on the back. iPhone 14 and later have no engraving, and US models are eSIM-only with no tray.
- Before setup: on the “Hello” screen of a new iPhone, tap the info button in the bottom-right corner.
- From a computer: connect the iPhone and open Finder (Mac) or the Apple Devices app or iTunes (Windows). Click the model name under the device to cycle to the IMEI.
- Apple Account website: sign in at account.apple.com, open Devices and select the iPhone. This works when the phone is lost.
- Another Apple device: on an iPad or second iPhone signed in to the same Apple Account, go to Settings > [your name], scroll to your devices and tap the iPhone.
- Box: the barcode label on the original box lists the IMEI and serial number.
Apple’s own guide, Find the serial number, EID or IMEI on your iPhone, has pictures of each location.
How to do an IMEI check
- India: on Sanchar Saathi, use “Know genuineness of your mobile handset”, or SMS KYM 15-digit-IMEI to 14422. It tells you if the IMEI is valid, blacklisted, duplicate or already in use.
- United States: enter the IMEI on Stolen Phone Checker, the free lookup from the wireless industry group CTIA, to see if a phone has been reported lost or stolen to participating carriers.
- Other countries: your mobile operator, or the GSMA’s device check services used by retailers and insurers, can tell you if a phone is reported lost or stolen.
Buying a used iPhone? Check these too
- Carrier lock: go to Settings > General > About and look at Carrier Lock. “No SIM restrictions” means the iPhone is unlocked and works with any carrier.
- Activation Lock: Apple no longer offers a public Activation Lock check. Ask the seller to sign out of their Apple Account and turn off Find My (Settings > [name] > Find My) in front of you, then erase the phone, before you pay.
- Matching numbers: the IMEI in Settings should match *#06#, the SIM tray (if it has one) and the box.
Always run an IMEI check before buying a second-hand phone, and make sure the IMEI on the screen matches the box and bill.
What to do if your phone is lost or stolen
- Try to locate, lock or erase it with Google Find My Device or Apple Find My. See how to find a lost iPhone, iPad or Mac.
- Call your mobile operator to block the SIM and get a replacement.
- File a police complaint with the IMEI number.
- In India, block the phone’s IMEI on Sanchar Saathi (the CEIR system) using the police report, ID proof and your new SIM number. Blocked phones cannot be used on any Indian network, and you can unblock it if the phone is found.
- Change passwords for email, banking and social accounts used on the phone.
Keep your IMEI safe
- Save it in your email, notes app or password manager, not only on the phone.
- Do not post your IMEI publicly. Criminals can use it to clone or misuse details.
- Note both IMEIs on dual-SIM phones.
While you are in your phone settings, also check the SAR value of your phone.
FAQ
Can I track a phone using its IMEI number?
Not yourself. Police and mobile operators can trace a phone by IMEI. You should use Find My Device or Find My.
Does the IMEI change when I change the SIM?
No. The IMEI belongs to the phone, not the SIM.
How do I check the IMEI on an iPhone that won’t turn on?
Look on the SIM tray or the back of older models, check the box, or sign in at account.apple.com and open Devices.
Is it illegal to change an IMEI number?
In India and many other countries, tampering with a phone’s IMEI is a criminal offence.
Please do not post personal details or IMEI numbers in the comments; they will be removed.
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Sir, I have lost my NOKIA6610i in Hyderabad a few days ago. I am bangalore and i have the IMEI number of the lost mobile phone. Please let me know the procedure to block the mobile from using by others.
I have lost my phone lg s5200 and have imie no.
What shoud i do to track it.
ANYONE LISTEN!
YOUR PHONES IMEI NUMBER IS ON THE BOX YOU’VE GOT IT IN!
AND TO BLOCK YOUR PHONE, CALL YOUR PHONE COMPANY THOSE WHO ARE OFFERING YOU TO TALK, AND THEN GIVE THEM THE IMEI NUMBER!
FFS @!?&%&
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hi im satish sharma from faridabad i have lost my cell i have imei number but i dont know how to trace it plz help
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Hi , This is Vijay from Hyd . I lost my samsung cell and i have IMEI Number . Now what shoulsd i do Any one can suggest me…………
Hi! dude i lost my nokia 2310 handset, i have all document, IMEI no., Bill etc., and i want to block my handset. Please help me out,
Hi ,my Samsung E730 was stolen last evening and I don’t even have my IMEI number. What is the best alternative to track down my mobile under such circumstances?
I lost my Sony Ericsson z530i mobile set. I have the IMEI no & Original Invoice of Purchase. What I have to do now ?
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I ( Mahesh Paste) have lost my mobile model of Samsung X620 Type : GSM SCH-X620 on 14th Sept 07 at 11:30 am in Goregoan(E).Please help me to find out my mobile handset.
I know the IMEI Number. How can I use this number to trace/block my mobile handset?
i have lost sony ericsson p 900. can u trace my mobile
i have lost my samsung SGH 160 mobile. i had activated the mobile tracker in it anthe the next day i lost my mobile i came to knw the new number which is being used . i have got that number also.now wat should i do to find it i have registered fir in police also . can i do some thing of my own to find it?
i had lost my nokia 3110 classic the service provider said me that the blocking of mobile is nomore but i know my IMEI no.
hi,i have been lost my NOKIA N72 cell phone in pakistan (city jhelum). i also have IMEI no of mobile phone.my network service provider in pakistan is MOBILINK(an orscam telecom corporation company).please help me to find my mobile…..?
i have lost my samsung e250 i have the number of mobile( that have been changed in my mobile) ,,,,,, how can i trace the mobile ……. i have the IMEI number too with me….. how to lock help me my friends…………………….plz
i have currently brought a second hand n95 nokia and it has been blocked i know the IMEI number but i have no idea how to unblock it can anyone help ????? xxxxx
my IMIE code has changed on my samsung E250, it has changed to all 0’s, and its not picking up any networks, what can i do to change it and how can i make it read any networks.
need help????
i have lost my sonyericsson t610 in nagpur i have the IMEI number with me can i track my cell in any ways and get it back? i am from nagpur.please inform soon.
Somebody stoll a phone that i was selling right inside my showcase and get away with it,
i want to trap him down by all means.
i hav lost my new sony ericsson mobile. i hav the IMEI no. but whats the procedure to track the mobile. the police said they cant do it.is there any other way to get it back, or anyother person i am suppose to contact
sir i have lost my nokia 6260 on 26 aug. can i block my mobile. i have it’s imei no.if any solution plz help me sir.
Plz dude keep it mind tight that i lost my N90 but i found it by my IME no. So you will or will not find it when it lost but remember its may be a good option for you to find your mobile set.Its make you no loss so just save it and keep it.
Can anyone just post here if it is possible to track the lost phone by using only the IMEI? If there is, then post it.
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i’d lost my cellphone,but idont my imei#of my phone.is there anyway to locate my phone?or know my imei# of my nokia3100 phone?plz email me..i’m very bother,for that’s very useful in contacting my family for i live far away from them.thank you so much.
I have lost two mobile phones in two months. I want to block the phones. what should i do?
i have lost my nokia n-70 one guy from delhi snatch it from me and ran away. wat shud i do tell me.
hi,i have lost my GSM nokia 2626 mobile & i dont know its IMEI no.what shold i do to get IMEI no.Is there any other way to find or block lost mobile.
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vijay.s
I have lost my Sony Erricson Mobile P990i, I do have the IMEI No. Please help me to locate it.
hi some one stole my n73m in chennai i have got its imei number what should i do??
Hi everyone there. Very soon there is going to be this service launch in India too. As the software used for this is huge you might need to pay a fee per annum for availing this facility. All major service providers are working on this.
I have lost my motorola handset, how to block such that the handset cannot be used by anyone
i want to lose my mobile i have imei no and bill so can u tip me how can i block my mobile or can u support me for catch those pepole waht is the way please tell me how i know where is my mobile.
Please, how do we use IMEI to flash or unlock phones as a GSM Engineer?
I lost my motorola L& mobile and want to block my mobile with the help of IMEI number. I have this number but dont know the procedures for blocking. Plz any one can help me.
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I lost my Nokia N-72 on 29th
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Dude IMEI number can only be used to block the phone so that the thief cannot use the phone anymore.Its not easy to track the cell phone and even if you are able to track down the phone its very unlikely the cops are going to help you get it back.Anyway in india the service providers dont have that option either so its of no use if you have the IMEI number….