Every place to find the IMEI
| Where | iPhone | Android |
|---|---|---|
| Dial code | *#06# in the Phone app | *#06# in the Phone app |
| Settings | Settings > General > About, scroll to IMEI | Settings > About phone (on some brands, under Status) |
| On the phone | Engraved on the SIM tray on many models from the iPhone 6s on; on the back of older models such as the iPhone 6 and first iPhone SE | Some models have it on a label under a removable battery or on the back |
| Box | Barcode label on the box | Barcode label on the box |
| Your accounts | Your Apple Account's device list, or Settings > [your name] on another Apple device | Your carrier account or bill |
Phones with two SIMs, or a SIM and an eSIM, have two IMEIs. Note both. Either one identifies the phone.
How to find the IMEI on a locked phone
On most Android phones you can tap Emergency call on the lock screen and dial *#06#. On an iPhone that has been erased and is sitting on the setup or Activation Lock screen, tap the small i button to see the IMEI. Otherwise use the box, the SIM tray, or the back of the phone.
How to find the IMEI without dialing a code
Go to Settings. On iPhone it's Settings > General > About. On Android it's Settings > About phone, and some brands put it one more tap down under Status or Status information. You can also read it off the box label, but always check the box against the phone, because boxes get swapped.
Getting the IMEI from a seller
Send the seller something like this before you agree to meet:
"Could you dial *#06# on the phone and send me a screenshot of the IMEI?"
Someone selling their own phone can do this in a few seconds. The IMEI says nothing personal about them. When it arrives, run it on the free IMEI check and confirm the model it shows is the model in the listing. Then dial *#06# yourself at the meetup and make sure the numbers match. A different number means the seller sent you the IMEI of a different phone.
How to find your IMEI if your phone was stolen
- iPhone: on another Apple device signed in to your Apple Account, go to Settings > [your name], tap the missing iPhone in the device list, and the IMEI is shown. Your Apple Account page on the web lists your devices too.
- Any phone: sign in to your carrier account or look at a bill or device payment agreement. Carriers list the IMEI for each phone on the plan.
- Paperwork: the original box, the receipt, or your insurance policy.
You'll need it for the police report and to have your carrier block the phone. Our guide on what to do if your phone is stolen covers the rest.
What the 15 digits mean
The first 8 digits are the Type Allocation Code, which identifies the make and model. The next 6 are the phone's own serial, and the last digit is a check digit. That's why an IMEI lookup can tell you the model: if a "latest Pro model" listing comes with an IMEI for a phone several years older, you know something is off before you meet.