Finding that 15-digit string of numbers is usually the last thing on your mind until you actually need it. Maybe you're trying to unlock your phone for a different carrier, or perhaps you’re filing an insurance claim because your screen decided to shatter on the pavement. Honestly, most people just want to know how to get imei from samsung devices without digging through a drawer for a box they threw away three years ago. It’s simpler than you think, but there are some nuances depending on whether your phone actually turns on or if it’s currently a very expensive paperweight.
The IMEI, or International Mobile Equipment Identity, is basically your phone's social security number. It’s unique. No two phones have the same one. It’s how networks identify your specific hardware. If your phone gets stolen, this is the number the police and the carrier use to blackball the device so nobody else can use it.
The Universal Dialer Code Trick
This is the "old school" method. It works on basically every GSM phone ever made since the 90s. It doesn't matter if you have the newest Galaxy S26 Ultra or a dusty Galaxy S5 you found in the attic. Open your Phone app. You know, the one you use to make actual calls. Tap the keypad.
Type in *#06#.
You don't even have to hit the green call button. The second you press that last hash symbol, a screen pops up. It’ll show your IMEI, and if you have a dual-SIM phone, it’ll show two of them (IMEI 1 and IMEI 2). It also shows the Serial Number (S/N). Take a screenshot. Seriously. If you’re looking this up now, you might need it later when the screen isn't working.
The weird thing about this method is that it’s universal. It’s baked into the firmware of the cellular modem itself. It bypasses almost all the software layers, which is why it's the most reliable way to verify the hardware matches what the software says.
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Hunting Through the Settings Menu
If the dialer code feels too "hacker-ish" for you, the standard Android settings menu is the way to go. Samsung’s One UI has changed a lot over the years, but the location of the device info has stayed pretty consistent.
Swipe down from the top to open your notification shade and hit that little gear icon. Scroll all the way to the bottom. Like, keep scrolling past "Software update" and "Tips and help." You are looking for About phone.
Once you tap that, the IMEI is usually right there on the main screen, sitting under your phone number and model name. If you have a newer device with an eSIM, you might see a "Slot 2" or "eSIM" IMEI as well.
Why does this matter? Well, if you're trying to trade your phone in at a Best Buy or a carrier store, they’re going to go into this menu to verify the device isn't reported stolen. They check this against the "CheckMEND" database or similar GSMA registries. It’s the digital equivalent of checking the VIN on a car.
What if the Screen is Dead?
This is where things get stressful. You dropped the phone, the OLED is bleeding purple ink, and you can’t see a thing. You still need to know how to get imei from samsung so you can tell your insurance provider what device they are replacing.
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First, look at the back of the phone. Samsung used to engrave the IMEI in tiny, almost invisible text near the bottom of the back glass. You might need a magnifying glass or a really good desk lamp to see it. On newer models, especially the ones with matte finishes, this text is incredibly faint.
If it’s not there, check the SIM card tray. Get a paperclip or that little tool you definitely lost, and pop the tray out. Look closely at the edges of the tray. Samsung often prints the IMEI and serial number right on the plastic or metal of the tray itself. It's tiny. I mean, really tiny. But it's there.
Using Google's "Find My Device" From a Computer
If your phone is gone—like, actually gone—and you don't have the box, you can still find the IMEI remotely. This is a lifesaver. Go to any web browser and log into the Google "Find My Device" dashboard.
You’ll see a list of your registered devices on the left. Find your Samsung. There’s a little "i" icon (Information icon) next to the device name. Click that. A small window will pop up showing the IMEI, the date it was first registered to your account, and the last time it was seen.
This works because Google keeps a hardware record of every device that logs into a Play Store account. It’s a great fallback, though it won't work if you never signed into a Google account, but let's be real: who has an Android phone without a Google account?
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The Samsung Members App and Online Account
Samsung has their own ecosystem too. If you’ve registered your device for a warranty or if you use the Samsung Members app, the info is stored there.
- Log into your Samsung Account on their official website.
- Go to "My Products" or "Devices."
- Your registered Galaxy phones will be listed with their full specs and identifiers.
This is particularly useful for tablets that don't have a dialer app. People often forget that LTE-enabled Galaxy Tabs have IMEIs too, even if they aren't used for traditional phone calls.
Why You Should Never Share This Number Publicly
You’ll see people on eBay or Craigslist posting photos of the "About phone" screen with the IMEI fully visible. Don't do that.
Bad actors can use a clean IMEI to "clone" it onto a stolen device. If they do that and then commit a crime or get that clone blacklisted, your perfectly legal phone might suddenly stop working on your carrier. It’s a nightmare to fix. Always blur the last few digits if you’re selling the phone online. Only give the full number to a serious buyer who wants to check if it’s "clean" through a service like Swappa’s IMEI checker.
Understanding the Difference Between IMEI and MEID
Occasionally, you might see "MEID" instead of IMEI. This is mostly a relic from the old CDMA days (think Verizon and Sprint before LTE became the standard). MEID is basically just the first 14 digits of the IMEI. In 2026, almost everyone uses the 15-digit IMEI. If a form asks for your IMEI and you only see an MEID, just use the MEID. It usually works out fine.
Summary of Actionable Steps
Stop searching and start doing. Here is exactly what you need to do right now to secure this info:
- Dial *#06# immediately. It is the fastest way. Period.
- Screenshot the result. Don't just look at it. Save it to your Google Photos or a cloud drive so you can access it when the phone is missing or broken.
- Check your SIM tray if the screen won't turn on. Use a bright light; the engraving is shallow and hard to read.
- Visit the Google Find My Device page if the phone is lost. This is the only way to get the number if the physical device isn't in your hands and you don't have the original packaging.
- Verify the status. Once you have the number, go to a site like IMEI.info or the official Samsung Support page to check your warranty status. It’s a good way to ensure the number you found is actually recognized by the manufacturer.
Having this number written down somewhere other than the phone itself is one of those "boring adult" tasks that takes thirty seconds but saves three hours of headaches later. If you’re planning on selling, switching carriers, or just want to be prepared for an emergency, you now have every tool available to pull that data in seconds.