Step-by-step methods that work on every smartphone and tablet — in under 30 seconds.
Dial *#06# on any phone to instantly display your IMEI number — no settings menu required. For a permanent record, also check Settings → About Phone → IMEI, your SIM card tray, or your device’s retail box.
Whether you’re filing a theft report, selling an old device, or verifying a second-hand purchase, your IMEI number is one of the most important pieces of information tied to your phone. The good news? Finding it takes less than a minute on virtually any device made in the last decade.
This guide walks you through every reliable method — organized by device type — so you always know exactly where to look.
📋 What’s In This Guide
- What Is an IMEI Number?
- Universal Methods (All Phones)
- How to Find IMEI on iPhone & iPad
- How to Find IMEI on Samsung Galaxy
- How to Find IMEI on Android (Pixel, Xiaomi & More)
- Dual-SIM Phones — IMEI 1 & IMEI 2
- Finding IMEI via Cloud Accounts
- Why You Should Store Your IMEI Safely
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Is an IMEI Number?
IMEI stands for International Mobile Equipment Identity. It’s a unique 15-digit code permanently embedded in your phone’s hardware — think of it as your device’s fingerprint. No two phones share the same IMEI (unless one has been illegally cloned), and it cannot be changed without tampering with the device’s core firmware.
Mobile carriers and global telecom databases use your IMEI to verify your phone when it connects to a network, flag stolen or lost devices, and enforce carrier-level blocks. When law enforcement tracks a missing phone, they work through the IMEI — not the phone number.
Universal Methods That Work on Every Phone
Before diving into brand-specific steps, these three methods work on virtually every smartphone and tablet — regardless of brand, operating system, or model year.
| Method | How to Use It | Works On |
|---|---|---|
| Dial Code *#06# | Open the phone dialer, type *#06#, and the IMEI appears immediately — no need to press call. | All GSM/LTE/5G phones |
| Settings → About | Navigate to your device’s Settings menu, then “About Phone” or “General,” and look for IMEI. | iOS & Android |
| SIM Card Tray | The IMEI is engraved or printed on the SIM ejector tray on most modern smartphones. | Most phones since 2017 |
| Retail Box | Look for a barcode sticker on the outside of the original packaging. IMEI is listed below the barcode. | All devices |
How to Find Your IMEI on iPhone or iPad
Apple makes it easy to locate your IMEI directly from the Settings app, through Apple’s own web-based device portal, or even physically on the device itself. Here are all the paths that work on current and older iPhone models:
iPhone & iPad — All Methods
- Settings Path: Open Settings → tap your name at the top → scroll down and tap your device → IMEI is listed under the device details.
- General → About: Go to Settings → General → About → scroll down to find the IMEI field.
- Dial Code: Open the Phone app and dial *#06# — the IMEI appears on screen immediately.
- SIM Tray: The IMEI is engraved on the SIM card tray on iPhone 6 through iPhone XS models. Check with the SIM ejection tool.
- Apple ID Dashboard: Sign in at appleid.apple.com, go to Devices, and select your iPhone — the IMEI is listed there.
- Retail Box: The white barcode label on the original iPhone box includes the IMEI number.
How to Find Your IMEI on Samsung Galaxy Devices
Samsung Galaxy phones follow Android’s standard IMEI path through the Settings menu, but also expose the IMEI in a few Samsung-specific locations. These steps apply to the Galaxy S, A, Note, and M series as well as Samsung tablets with cellular connectivity.
Samsung Galaxy — All Methods
- Settings Path: Open Settings → About Phone → Status Information → IMEI Information. Both IMEI 1 and IMEI 2 (if dual-SIM) are shown here.
- Dial Code: Open the Phone app, tap the keypad, and dial *#06# — IMEI appears without pressing call.
- SIM Tray: On Galaxy S21 and newer models, the IMEI is engraved directly on the SIM card ejector tray.
- Samsung Account: Log in at account.samsung.com → navigate to My Profile → Devices → your phone’s IMEI is listed alongside serial number and model info.
- Retail Box: The IMEI is printed on the product label on the box, typically near the barcode at the bottom.
How to Find Your IMEI on Android (Pixel, Xiaomi, OnePlus & More)
All Android phones — regardless of manufacturer — follow a consistent path through the Settings menu. Whether you’re using a Google Pixel, Xiaomi, OnePlus, Motorola, Oppo, Vivo, or Realme device, the steps below will work.
Open Settings
Pull down the notification shade and tap the gear icon, or find Settings in your app drawer.
Tap “About Phone”
Scroll to the very bottom of Settings and tap About Phone (or “About Device” on some skins).
Find the IMEI
Look for IMEI Information or Status → IMEI. Tap to copy on most Android versions.
Or Dial *#06#
Skip the settings entirely — open the Phone dialer and enter *#06# for an instant result.
On Google Pixel devices, you can also find your IMEI through your Google Account. Sign in at Google’s Device Activity page, locate your phone, and the IMEI is listed in the device details section.
Dual-SIM Phones — Understanding IMEI 1 and IMEI 2
If your phone supports two SIM cards, it has two separate IMEI numbers. This is because each SIM slot uses its own radio identity to communicate with mobile networks — IMEI 1 for Slot 1 and IMEI 2 for Slot 2.
This matters when you’re reporting a phone stolen, requesting a block, or submitting a claim to your carrier. You should provide both IMEI numbers in any report to ensure the device is completely blocked on all networks.
Finding Your IMEI Through Cloud Accounts (Remote Access)
If you no longer have physical access to your device — perhaps it’s been lost, stolen, or is powered off — you can still retrieve your IMEI through your cloud account dashboard. This is one of the most underused but most important features available to smartphone owners.
| Cloud Platform | Where to Find IMEI |
|---|---|
| Apple ID | Sign in at appleid.apple.com → select your device under Devices → IMEI is listed in device details. |
| Google Account | Visit myaccount.google.com → navigate to Security → Your Devices → select the device → view IMEI. |
| Samsung Account | Log into account.samsung.com → go to My Profile → Devices → tap your registered phone to view IMEI. |
Why You Should Store Your IMEI Number Safely
Most people only think about their IMEI after something goes wrong — and by then, it’s often too late to access it quickly. Storing your IMEI in advance takes less than two minutes and can make a significant difference if your phone is ever lost or stolen.
Here’s what to do right now:
- Take a screenshot of your IMEI from Settings and save it to your cloud photo library.
- Write it down in a password manager or secure note-taking app.
- Keep the original retail box — the IMEI label on the box is a reliable physical backup.
- Never share your IMEI publicly on social media or with unknown parties — it can be misused in IMEI fraud schemes.
For future readers: once you’ve located and stored your IMEI, the next step is understanding **how to use IMEI to check a phone’s network status and history** — a topic we’ll be covering in an upcoming in-depth guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
An IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is a unique 15-digit code assigned to every mobile device. Carriers use it to authenticate your phone on the network, block stolen devices, and verify your device’s identity. Without an IMEI, a phone cannot connect to any mobile network. It’s essentially the phone’s permanent ID — tied to the hardware, not the SIM card.
The fastest method on any phone is to open the Phone app and dial *#06#. The IMEI (or both IMEIs on dual-SIM phones) will appear on your screen immediately without pressing the call button. This works on iPhones, Samsung, Pixel, and all Android devices.
Yes. If you’ve previously registered your device, you can find the IMEI through your cloud account. Apple users can check appleid.apple.com, Android users can check their Google Account under Security → Your Devices, and Samsung users can log into the Samsung Account portal. Your IMEI is also printed on the original retail box.
It depends on your phone. Single-SIM phones have one IMEI. Dual-SIM phones — which are very common on Android and increasingly available on iPhone — have two separate IMEI numbers, one for each SIM slot. You can see both by dialing *#06# or checking Settings → About Phone → IMEI Information.
You should be selective about who you share your IMEI with. It’s safe to provide it to your carrier, law enforcement, or a legitimate IMEI check service. However, you should never post it publicly on social media, and be cautious about sharing it with unknown individuals — IMEI numbers can be targeted in fraud schemes. Learn more in our IMEI Scams & Fraud Prevention guide.
Store it in a secure location right away — a password manager, cloud note, or photograph of your device box. If your phone has been stolen, contact your carrier and request a block using your IMEI. If you’re buying a used device, always run an IMEI verification check before completing the purchase.
Only tablets with cellular (LTE or 5G) capability have IMEI numbers. Wi-Fi-only tablets do not — they use a serial number instead. For example, a cellular iPad or a Samsung Galaxy Tab with a SIM slot will have an IMEI, while the Wi-Fi-only version of the same tablet will not.