What Is an IMEI Number? Complete Explanation for 2025

What Is an IMEI Number?

IMEI stands for International Mobile Equipment Identity. It is a unique 15-digit number assigned to every cellular-capable device — smartphones, tablets with cellular, mobile hotspots, and some laptops. No two devices in the world share the same IMEI. It is permanently linked to the device hardware, not the SIM card, and remains the same even when you change your phone number or carrier.

The IMEI was introduced by the GSMA to give mobile networks a way to identify and, if necessary, block individual devices — independent of the subscriber identity stored on a SIM card. This is why IMEI is central to stolen phone blacklisting, carrier verification, and used-phone checks.

How to Find Your IMEI Number

The Fastest Way: Dial *#06#

Open your phone's dialer app and type *#06#. You don't need to press the call button. Your IMEI (or two IMEIs for dual-SIM phones) appears on screen immediately. This works on virtually every smartphone — iPhone, Samsung, Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo, Realme, Nokia, Motorola, and others.

iPhone: Settings → General → About

Open Settings → General → About and scroll down. You'll see IMEI listed. Long-press the number to copy it. If your iPhone supports dual SIM, you'll see IMEI and IMEI2.

Android: Settings → About Phone

The exact path varies by brand, but all Android phones show IMEI in Settings. Try: Settings → About phone → Status → IMEI information. On Samsung it may be under Settings → About phone → Status information.

On the Physical Device

• SIM tray: Many iPhones have the IMEI laser-engraved on the SIM tray
• Rear label: Older phones printed the IMEI on a sticker under the battery
• Original box: The IMEI barcode label is printed on the outside of the retail box — this is the most reliable offline source when the phone isn't available

When the Phone Is Off or Broken

• Check the original retail box barcode label
• Check the purchase invoice or receipt
• Check your Apple ID at appleid.apple.com under Devices (iPhone users)
• Check Google's Find My Device at myaccount.google.com (Android users)

Understanding the IMEI Number Format

Every IMEI follows the TAC-SNR-CD structure:

• TAC (Type Allocation Code) — digits 1–8: Identifies the device model and manufacturer. The first two digits identify the reporting body. TAC data is maintained by the GSMA and is the source of information returned by IMEI checkers.
• SNR (Serial Number) — digits 9–14: A unique production serial number for each individual device unit within a model.
• CD (Check Digit) — digit 15: A single validation digit calculated using the Luhn algorithm. This lets software detect typos and verify that the number hasn't been corrupted.

Example: IMEI 356938035643809

• TAC: 35693803 (identifies the device type)
• SNR: 564380 (individual unit identifier)
• CD: 9 (Luhn check digit)

IMEI vs SIM Card vs Serial Number

Identifier	What It Identifies	Changes With…
IMEI	The physical device hardware	Nothing (it's permanent)
SIM / ICCID	The subscriber's mobile account	New SIM or carrier
Serial Number	Manufacturer's production record	Nothing (also permanent)
Phone Number (MSISDN)	Your callable number	Carrier, country, porting

What Can You Learn From an IMEI Check?

Running an IMEI check through a service like IMEI Check Pro can return:

• Device identity: Exact manufacturer, model family, and variant from GSMA TAC data
• Network type: GSM, CDMA, LTE, 5G — and which bands the device supports
• Blacklist status: Whether the IMEI has been flagged as lost, stolen, or associated with an unpaid account
• Carrier lock status: Whether the device is tied to a specific carrier's SIM
• iCloud / Activation Lock: Whether a previous Apple ID is still linked (iPhone-specific, requires paid report)
• Warranty status: Estimated coverage dates based on activation or purchase records (brand-specific, requires paid report)
• Purchase country: The region the device was originally sold in

Why IMEI Matters When Buying a Used Phone

The IMEI is the single most important piece of information when buying a used phone. Here's why:

1. The IMEI tells you if the phone is stolen — a blacklisted IMEI means the phone was reported lost or stolen. You cannot use it on cellular networks.
2. The IMEI tells you the real model — a seller can lie about specs, but the TAC lookup returns the manufacturer's actual model data.
3. The IMEI verifies carrier lock status — so you know if the phone will work with your SIM before you pay.
4. Matching IMEIs prove the phone is genuine — the IMEI in Settings, on the box, and on the SIM tray should all match. Mismatches indicate tampering.

Is It Safe to Share Your IMEI?

Sharing your IMEI with a legitimate verification service is safe. Your IMEI is not a secret identifier — it's transmitted to every cell tower your phone connects to, and it's printed on your phone box. The risk of sharing IMEI is low compared to sharing financial data.

However: don't post your full IMEI in public forums, social media, or unverified sites. A small number of IMEI cloning schemes exist where someone copies your IMEI onto another device. Use your IMEI only with reputable services for legitimate purposes: checking status, insurance claims, theft reports, or carrier unlocking.

IMEI and Stolen Phones: How It Works

When a phone is reported stolen, the owner contacts their carrier. The carrier submits the IMEI to the national or GSMA blacklist database. Participating networks then reject that IMEI when it attempts to connect — the phone can no longer make calls or use mobile data, even with a new SIM card. This is why a stolen-phone report follows the hardware, not the SIM.

Check your device now: free IMEI check for basic identity and signals, or full report for blacklist, carrier lock, and warranty details.