Dual-SIM phone? Always use IMEI 1 for verification. On most dual-SIM phones, IMEI 1 is the primary number registered in carrier databases. IMEI 2 may show a "clean" status even if the device has been reported as stolen or blocked.
What Is an IMEI Number?
IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is a unique 15-digit code assigned to every mobile phone during manufacturing. This number identifies your device across telecommunication networks worldwide — similar to a fingerprint or a VIN number for cars. Every time you perform an IMEI lookup, you're querying global device databases to verify a phone's identity and history.
The first 8 digits of the IMEI are called the TAC (Type Allocation Code) and identify the device manufacturer and model. The remaining digits form a unique serial sequence for that specific unit, plus a check digit calculated using the Luhn algorithm. This structure means an IMEI number lookup or IMEI search can instantly reveal the brand, model, and origin of any device — and verify its status against carrier networks worldwide.
Unlike a SIM card (which is tied to the user), the IMEI is tied to the device itself and never changes — not after a factory reset, not after swapping the SIM card, and not after a software update. This permanence is what makes the IMEI the most reliable identifier for verifying, tracking, and testing any mobile device.
How to Check Your IMEI Number
The fastest way to check your IMEI number on any phone: dial *#06# on the keypad — the IMEI number will instantly appear on screen. No app needed, no internet required. This universal shortcode works on every phone ever made, from the latest smartphone to the oldest feature phone.
Android
Path: Settings → About phone → Status / IMEI information.
Depending on the brand, you may also find IMEI 1 and IMEI 2 listed in the SIM card section. Samsung, Xiaomi, and OPPO each place this slightly differently in their settings menu.
iOS (Apple)
Path: Settings → General → About → IMEI.
For Dual-SIM/eSIM models, always use IMEI 1 for blacklist and lock status checks. On iPhones with a SIM tray, the IMEI is also engraved on the tray itself.
On most devices, the IMEI number is also engraved on the SIM tray or printed on the original product packaging box. If the phone is not accessible (lost, stolen, or broken screen), you can also find the IMEI through your carrier account, your Google account device list (android.com/find), or your Apple ID device list (appleid.apple.com).
Why Check IMEI Before Buying a Used Phone?
Mobile phone theft is increasing every year worldwide — millions of stolen devices end up on online marketplaces, social media groups, and classified ad platforms. A stolen phone may work for a few days or weeks before being blacklisted and permanently blocked from all networks.
Before buying any used phone, ask the seller for the IMEI number and run a free IMEI check here. It takes just seconds and can reveal critical information that protects your purchase:
What an IMEI status check reveals: blacklist status (whether the phone is reported stolen, lost, or has a bad IMEI), lock and unlock status (whether the device is locked to a specific carrier or unlocked and free to use on any network), warranty coverage and dates, device model and color (to verify the seller's claims match the actual hardware), iCloud activation status (for Apple devices), and whether the phone is still under a finance contract or has outstanding carrier payments.
Checking the unlock status is especially important — a carrier-locked phone can only be used on one network, drastically reducing its value and usability. A free IMEI lookup here tells you instantly whether a phone is locked or unlocked before you buy.
If the seller refuses to provide the IMEI number — do not buy that phone. There is no legitimate reason to hide it.
Free IMEI Checker — Works With Every Brand
Our free online IMEI checker supports every phone and tablet on the market: Apple iPhone and iPad, Samsung Galaxy, Xiaomi, Huawei, OPPO, OnePlus, Google Pixel, Motorola, Nokia, Sony, and every other brand — regardless of where the device was purchased or which carrier it's used on.
Enter the IMEI or serial number in the field above to run a free IMEI number check instantly. Use it to test any device before purchasing — whether you're buying locally or from an online marketplace. For detailed checks including carrier-specific lock status, iCloud activation, full warranty history, and comprehensive device reports, see our premium services.
We also offer dedicated tools for specific checks: iPhone IMEI Check, Samsung IMEI Check, iCloud Status Check, IMEI Blacklist Check, iPhone Carrier Check, and Apple Warranty Check.
Available information varies by device, manufacturer, and region. Not every check returns the same data fields — results depend on what manufacturer and carrier databases make available for that specific device.
Frequently Asked Questions — IMEI Check
IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is a unique 15-digit code assigned to every mobile phone during manufacturing. It identifies the device on telecommunication networks worldwide. If a phone is stolen, the carrier can use the IMEI to block it from working on any network — even if the thief replaces the SIM card. Think of it as your phone's permanent fingerprint: it can't be removed by resetting or updating the device.
The fastest way: dial *#06# on your phone's keypad — the number appears instantly on screen. You can also find it in Settings → About phone (Android) or Settings → General → About (iPhone). The IMEI is printed on the original packaging box and engraved on the SIM tray of most devices. If you can't access the phone, check your carrier account online, your Google account device list (android.com/find), or your Apple ID device list (appleid.apple.com).
IMEI identifies a device on telecommunication networks and follows an international standard (always 15 digits). A serial number is the manufacturer's internal ID — its format varies by brand. MEID (Mobile Equipment Identifier) is a 14-digit hexadecimal number used primarily on older CDMA networks; on modern 4G/5G devices the IMEI has largely replaced it. Apple often uses serial numbers for warranty, while IMEI is used by all manufacturers and carriers globally for network identification, blacklist checks, and theft reporting.
Dual-SIM phones (or devices with SIM + eSIM) have two IMEI numbers — one for each SIM slot. Always use IMEI 1 (the first one displayed) for verification. Carriers register theft reports, lock status, and device information under IMEI 1. The secondary IMEI (IMEI 2) is tied to the second SIM slot and may not accurately reflect the device's blacklist or lock status.
Yes, our basic IMEI check is completely free and requires no registration. It provides the most essential information about your device instantly. For deeper checks — including carrier lock status, iCloud activation lock, full warranty history, and detailed device reports — we also offer
premium services at competitive prices.
A blacklisted (or "bad") IMEI means the device has been reported as stolen, lost, or associated with unpaid bills to carrier blacklist databases. Once blacklisted, the phone is blocked from connecting to mobile networks — even with a new SIM card. Blacklists are shared between carriers within the same country and often internationally. A phone with a bad IMEI can only connect to Wi-Fi but cannot make calls, send texts, or use mobile data. This is why running a blacklist check before buying any used phone is essential — it's the only way to know if the device is clean or blocked.
An IMEI check can reveal: blacklist status (whether the device has been reported stolen or lost), SIM lock / carrier lock status (whether the phone is locked to a specific network or fully unlocked), device model, brand, and color, warranty status and coverage dates, iCloud activation lock (for Apple devices), and whether the device is under a finance contract or has outstanding payments. The exact data depends on the device and manufacturer — our free check covers the essentials, while
premium checks go deeper with carrier-specific and manufacturer-specific data.
Changing an IMEI number is illegal in most countries. While technically possible on some devices, a tampered IMEI can be detected during verification — inconsistencies between the reported IMEI and the device's actual hardware profile are a clear red flag. This is yet another reason to always run an IMEI check before buying a used phone.
File a police report immediately and provide your IMEI number. Then contact your carrier to request that the device be blocked. Once blocked, the phone becomes unusable on all networks — even with a different SIM card. The block is typically shared across carriers in your country. Always keep your IMEI number stored in a safe place separate from the phone — write it down or save it to cloud storage as soon as you get a new device.
Yes. If you don't have physical access to the phone, you can find the IMEI on the original product packaging box, on your carrier's online account portal, through your Google account device list at android.com/find (for Android phones), or through your Apple ID device list at appleid.apple.com (for iPhones and iPads). If you're buying a used phone, always ask the seller to provide the IMEI before meeting — a legitimate seller will have no problem sharing it.
No. The IMEI identifies the device (the phone hardware), while the SIM card number (IMSI) identifies the subscriber (you, the user). If you swap the SIM card, the IMEI stays the same. If you change phones but keep your SIM card, the IMEI changes. They are completely independent — which is why carriers use the IMEI, not the SIM number, to block stolen devices.
Yes. Our system includes a database of thousands of IMEI numbers reported as clones or counterfeits. Additionally, a smart analysis algorithm checks every IMEI number and triggers automatic alerts when anomalies are detected. However, no software check is 100% perfect — we always recommend also physically inspecting the device (screen quality, build quality, performance, operating system) before purchasing.
To check if your phone is unlocked, enter the IMEI number in the field above and run a check. The result will show whether the device is locked to a specific carrier or fully unlocked for use on any network. You can also test manually by inserting a SIM card from a different carrier — if the phone connects and makes a call, it's unlocked. If it shows "SIM not supported" or "Invalid SIM," the phone is carrier-locked. Knowing the lock status before buying is critical because unlocking a carrier-locked phone can be difficult, expensive, or sometimes impossible depending on the carrier's policy and any outstanding balance on the device.
