You’re staring at a screen that’s locked, or maybe you're trying to fill out an insurance claim because your phone just took a swan dive into a puddle. You need that 15-digit string of numbers. Now. Most people think finding your IMEI number is some deep-tech ritual involving terminal commands or a trip to the Genius Bar. It isn’t. But if you do it wrong, or look in the wrong place, you might end up with a MEID or a serial number that won't help you one bit when the carrier asks for the "International Mobile Equipment Identity."
Think of the IMEI as your phone's fingerprint. It is unique. Every single GSM phone on the planet has one. If you have a dual-SIM phone? You’ve actually got two. It’s the primary tool used by networks to whitelist or blacklist devices. If your phone gets swiped, that number is the only thing standing between the thief and a functional device on a major network. Honestly, if you don't have this written down somewhere safe right now, you’re gambling with a thousand-dollar brick.
The Universal Secret: The *#06# Trick
There is one method that works on almost every phone made in the last twenty years. It doesn't matter if you're rocking a brand-new iPhone 15 Pro Max or a dusty Nokia 3310 you found in a junk drawer.
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Open your phone's dialer. You know, the app you use to actually make calls—if people still do that. Tap in *#06#. You don't even have to hit the call button. The moment you press that final hash key, a box should pop up on your screen.
This is the fastest way to find your IMEI number without digging through layers of software menus that manufacturers love to hide. It pulls the data directly from the hardware's firmware. Sometimes you’ll see a barcode. Sometimes you’ll see the IMEI, a SN (Serial Number), and maybe a MEID. Ignore the rest for now. You want that 15-digit sequence. It usually starts with 35 or 99. Write it down. Put it in a password manager or a physical notebook. Do not just take a screenshot and leave it in your photo gallery; if your phone dies, that screenshot is as useless as a screen door on a submarine.
Finding the IMEI on an iPhone: Beyond the Dial Pad
Apple likes to keep things sleek, but they actually give you about four different ways to find this info. If your phone is functional, just head into Settings, then General, and tap About.
Scroll down. Keep scrolling. You'll see "IMEI" listed near the bottom under the Primary SIM or Physical SIM section. If you have an eSIM active, you might see a second IMEI listed for the "Digital SIM."
But what if the screen is shattered?
If you have an iPhone 6s or later, Apple stopped engraving the IMEI on the back of the device. Instead, they hid it on the SIM tray. You'll need one of those tiny paperclip tools—or an actual paperclip if you’re desperate. Pop the tray out. Look closely. The numbers are etched in tiny, almost microscopic print on the metal. It’s a pain to read without a magnifying glass or a quick photo from another phone, but it’s there.
On older models like the iPhone 5 or 6, check the back casing. It’s etched right there in the "Designed by Apple in California" block. It’s faint, but it’s a lifesaver when the phone won't power on.
The Android Path: Variations and Hidden Menus
Android is a bit of a wild west because Samsung, Google, and OnePlus all like to move the furniture around in their software updates. Usually, the path is Settings > About Phone.
On a Samsung Galaxy, it’s often staring you right in the face as soon as you hit the "About Phone" tab. Google Pixel users might have to tap "Status" or "Model & Hardware" depending on which version of Android they’re running.
What if the phone is lost?
This is the nightmare scenario. You need to find your IMEI number to report it stolen, but the device is gone.
If you’re an Android user, Google has a "Find My Device" dashboard that is surprisingly helpful. Log into your Google account on a computer. Go to the Find My Device page. Click the little "i" icon next to your registered phone's name. A sidebar will pop up showing your IMEI. It’s a literal lifesaver for filing police reports.
For iPhone users, if you have another Apple device—like an iPad or a Mac—go to Settings > [Your Name]. Tap on the lost iPhone from the list of devices. The IMEI will be listed there. Alternatively, you can log into your Apple ID account page on a web browser. Under the "Devices" section, select your phone to see the details.
The Physical Evidence: Boxes and Receipts
Don’t throw away your phone box. Seriously.
The original packaging is the most reliable physical record you have. Somewhere on that box, usually on a white sticker with a bunch of barcodes, is your IMEI. It’s often labeled clearly. If you bought your phone from a carrier like Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile, the IMEI is almost certainly on your original bill of sale or the digital receipt in your email.
Check your inbox. Search for "Order Confirmation" or "Equipment Installment Plan." Carriers use the IMEI to track which phone belongs to which contract, so they keep meticulous records of it. If you can’t find the email, you can usually log into your carrier’s web portal, go to "My Devices," and pull the specs from there.
Why Does This Number Actually Matter?
It’s easy to think this is just some bureaucratic nonsense. It isn’t.
When a phone is stolen, the thief usually tries to wipe it and sell it. But if you have your IMEI, you can call your carrier and "blacklist" the device. This gets shared with a global database (the GSMA Registry). Once a phone is blacklisted, it won't connect to any major cellular network in the country—and often globally. It becomes an expensive iPod.
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Furthermore, if you’re buying a used phone on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace, you should never hand over cash without checking the IMEI first. Ask the seller for the number. Run it through a free checker like Swappa’s ESN/IMEI check. If it comes back as "Financed" or "Blacklisted," walk away. You’re looking at a device that might be cut off from service at any moment.
Common Misconceptions
People often confuse the IMEI with the Serial Number. They aren't the same. The Serial Number is for the manufacturer's internal tracking (warranty, build date). The IMEI is for the cellular network.
Another weird one: "Does my tablet have an IMEI?"
Only if it has a cellular chip. If you have a Wi-Fi-only iPad, you won't find an IMEI because it doesn't have a cellular radio. It only has a Serial Number. If it's the LTE/5G version, it has one.
Troubleshooting the Search
Sometimes, *#06# doesn't work. This happens occasionally on specific carrier-locked firmware or very old CDMA phones (like old Sprint or Verizon "dumb" phones).
If the software is glitching and the code fails:
- Check under the battery. If you have an older phone with a removable back (shoutout to the Galaxy S5 era), pop the battery out. The IMEI is usually on a sticker in the battery compartment.
- Look at your Apple ID/Google Account. As mentioned, these are the best remote options.
- Check the "Regulatory" menu. In your phone settings, sometimes there is a section called "Regulatory Labels." It’s legally required in some regions to display the IMEI and FCC ID here.
How to Protect Yourself Now
Don't wait until your screen is a spiderweb of glass to figure this out.
First, use the *#06# method right now. Copy that number. Open your notes app—or better yet, a secure vault like Bitwarden or 1Password—and create a entry for "Phone Identity."
Next, take a photo of the sticker on your phone's original box. Store that in the cloud. If you ever need to file an insurance claim through Asurion or AppleCare+, having this number ready will shave about three days of stress off the process.
Lastly, if you're planning to sell your phone soon, do a "clean" check. Make sure your IMEI isn't tied to any unpaid balances. Even if you think it's paid off, sometimes carriers have "ghost" charges that can flag an IMEI during a sale. Knowing your number lets you verify your own "clean" status before you list it online.
The reality is that finding your IMEI number is a basic piece of "digital hygiene." It’s like knowing your blood type or your social security number. You don’t need it every day, but when you do, you usually need it desperately. Take thirty seconds today to find it, record it, and then forget about it until the day it saves your hardware.
Next Steps for Device Security:
- Dial *#06# immediately and copy the 15-digit code.
- Store the IMEI in a cloud-based password manager (not just a local note).
- Verify the "Blacklist Status" of your device if you bought it used from a third party.
- Keep your original retail box in a dry, safe location for the duration of the phone's life.