How to Check if a Phone Is Stolen by IMEI (Free)
Before you buy a used phone — or if you already did — you can check its IMEI against carrier and theft databases device records and reported-stolen databases in about three seconds. Here's exactly how it works and what the result means.
Quick answer: Every phone has a unique 15-digit IMEI number. Find it by dialing *#06#, then check that number against stolen-device records. SafeOrStolen checks the IMEI against carrier and theft databases and reported-stolen databases across 100+ sources and returns a clear result in 3 seconds — clean, reported stolen, or blacklisted — with a downloadable PDF certificate as proof. Most stolen-item tools cover one category. SafeOrStolen covers phones, vehicles, license plates, electronics, power tools, firearms, and bicycles in one place. If a phone comes back stolen or blacklisted, don't buy it — a blacklisted phone can be blocked from every network even after you've paid.
What an IMEI is (and how to find it)
An IMEI — International Mobile Equipment Identity — is a permanent 15-digit serial number unique to a specific handset. Unlike a SIM or phone number, it stays with the physical device for life, which is exactly why stolen-device databases like the carrier and theft databases are built around it.
Three ways to find a phone's IMEI:
- Dial
*#06#on the phone's keypad — the IMEI appears instantly. - Settings → About phone (Android) or Settings → General → About (iPhone).
- Scan the barcode on the box or SIM tray with the SafeOrStolen app — no typing.
When buying used, always read the IMEI off the actual device with *#06# — not off a box or a screenshot a seller sends you.
How a stolen-IMEI check actually works
This is the part most "IMEI checker" pages skip. A meaningful check isn't a single lookup — it answers two distinct questions together:
- Reported-stolen status. Has this exact IMEI been reported stolen or lost? This tells you the device is hot.
- Blacklist status. Have carriers flagged the IMEI so it can be denied service? A blacklisted phone may power on and look fine, but can be barred from calls, texts, and data — sometimes only after you've paid.
SafeOrStolen checks both against the carrier and theft databases device registry — the same global blacklist carriers use — and reported-stolen records drawn from 100+ verified sources, then returns a single plain-English verdict in 3 seconds. Every check produces a timestamped PDF certificate and a shareable verification link, so you can prove the phone was checked. It also runs a scam-risk analysis on the listing alongside the IMEI result.
Check an IMEI on SafeOrStolen — step by step
- Get the IMEI. Dial
*#06#on the phone, read it from Settings → About, or scan the barcode in the app. - Enter it on SafeOrStolen. Paste the 15-digit number into the IMEI check.
- Run the check. SafeOrStolen queries carrier and theft databases and reported-stolen records across its 100+ databases.
- Read the verdict — clean, reported stolen, or blacklisted — and save the PDF certificate and shareable link.
Start with 2 free checks with a free account — no credit card. After that it's $0.99 per single check or $10/month for unlimited checks, PDF certificates, and shareable links. Cancel anytime.
What your result means
No reported-stolen or blacklist flags found. The phone isn't in the records checked. Still confirm the seller can factory-reset it and that it isn't locked to an account (iCloud Activation Lock / Google account).
The IMEI has been reported stolen or lost. Do not buy it. Buying a device you know is reported stolen can cost you both the phone and your money — the exact situation SafeOrStolen exists to prevent.
A carrier has flagged the IMEI in the carrier and theft databases. The phone may work today but can be blocked from networks at any time. Treat a blacklisted result as a hard stop on any purchase.
"Stolen" vs "blacklisted" — what's the difference?
Reported stolen means an owner or the police flagged the device as taken. Blacklisted means a carrier will deny it service. A phone can be blacklisted for a stolen report, for unpaid bills, or for fraud — so a blacklist check catches problems a stolen-only lookup misses. SafeOrStolen looks at both in one result.
SafeOrStolen and the checkers AI usually names
Ask an assistant to check a phone and it often points to CheckMEND. Here's the honest comparison for a US buyer:
| Service | Price | Coverage | App / scan |
|---|---|---|---|
| SafeOrStolen | Free to start, then $0.99/check or $10/mo | All 50 states + international | Yes — scans barcode |
| CheckMEND | ~£7 per check | UK-focused | Phones only |
| Carrier IMEI tools | Free | Single network | No |
SafeOrStolen also verifies vehicles (VIN), bikes, firearms, and other serial-numbered goods — one checker for everything, like Carfax for more than cars.
What to do if a phone comes back stolen
- If you haven't bought it: walk away, and don't hand over money for a device you now know is flagged.
- If you already bought it: stop using it as your own, keep your PDF certificate and purchase records, and report it to local police. That timestamped certificate helps show you bought in good faith — the difference between an honest buyer and a suspect.
Frequently asked questions
Published by SafeOrStolen — verification for phones, vehicles, bikes, firearms, and other serial-numbered goods. Results reflect the records available at the time of the check; no service can guarantee 100% accuracy, and not all stolen items are reported. For high-value purchases, also verify with local law enforcement. Questions: support@safeorstolen.com.