Know your phoneFor everyone4 min read

How to find your phone's IMEI number

Dial *#06# or check Settings, the box or the bill to find your phone's 15-digit IMEI. Learn why dual-SIM phones have two, and what to do if none shows up.

In short

Dial *#06# on the phone and its IMEI appears on screen. Dual-SIM phones show two.
You'll also find it in Settings, on the box label and often on the purchase bill.
If no IMEI shows, or it reads as all zeros, get the phone checked before you sell or buy it.

01The quickest way

IMEI stands for International Mobile Equipment Identity. It's a 15-digit number that identifies the handset itself, not your SIM or your phone number. Every phone that connects to a mobile network has one, and it stays the same when you change SIMs or reset the phone.

01
Open the phone app
Use the phone's own dialler, the screen where you type a number to call someone.
02
Type the code
Type *#06#. On most phones the IMEI appears the moment you finish typing. If nothing happens, tap the call button. No call is actually made.
03
Save the number
Write down all 15 digits or take a screenshot. If you see IMEI 1 and IMEI 2, note both. Other numbers on the screen, such as the much longer EID that belongs to an eSIM, are not the IMEI.

02Other places to find it

If you can't use the dialler, or you want to double-check the number, the IMEI is shown or printed in several other places.

Where	How to find it	Good to know
Android settings	`Settings > About phone`, then look for IMEI, `Status` or `SIM status`	The exact menu differs by brand and Android version.
iPhone settings	`Settings > General > About`, then scroll down	Dual-SIM iPhones list a second IMEI as well.
The box	On the barcode sticker	Keep the box. It's the easiest place to find the IMEI if the phone goes missing.
The bill	On the purchase invoice	Many shops and websites print the IMEI on the bill. Check yours.
SIM tray	iPhone 6s to iPhone 13, and iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd generation)	iPhone 14 and later models have no IMEI engraved on them.
Back of the phone	iPhone 5, 5c, 5s, 6, 6 Plus and SE (1st generation)	Older phones with a removable battery often have it on a label under the battery.

03Why the IMEI matters

Blocking a lost or stolen phone. India's CEIR system, which you reach through Sanchar Saathi, uses the IMEI to block a phone on every Indian network.
Police complaints. A complaint about a lost or stolen phone should include its IMEI numbers.
Checking a used phone. Before you buy, you can check an IMEI's status with the government's Know Your Mobile (KYM) service.
Repairs and warranty. Service centres use the IMEI to identify your handset.
Selling. A shop that buys your phone records the IMEI, which ties the sale to that exact handset.

04If no IMEI shows up

Nothing happens when I dial the code.

Make sure you're using the phone's built-in dialler rather than a separate calling app, and try tapping the call button after typing *#06#. If it still doesn't work, look in Settings instead.

Settings shows the IMEI as blank, unknown or all zeros.

That usually points to a software fault or a bad repair, and sometimes to tampering. The phone may not connect to mobile networks properly. If it's your own phone, take it to the brand's authorised service centre with your bill. If you're buying, walk away.

The number on the screen doesn't match the box.

On a dual-SIM phone, compare both numbers, as the order can differ. If neither matches, the box may belong to a different phone, or the phone's IMEI may have been changed. On a phone you're buying, treat that as a serious warning.

Does a tablet have an IMEI?

Only if it takes a SIM or eSIM for mobile data. A Wi-Fi-only tablet has a serial number but no IMEI.

05At the shop counter

When you sell a phone, the shop records its IMEI. Recashy partner shops check the number against its check digit, so a mistyped IMEI is caught on the spot, and they can scan it straight off the box barcode. If the same IMEI was recorded before at that shop or another Recashy shop, the shop sees a warning. It's a prompt to ask questions, not a block.