Key takeaways
- Dial *#06# on almost any phone to display the IMEI.
- It’s also in Settings, on the box, on the invoice and in your Apple or Google account.
- Phones with two SIMs or an eSIM have two IMEIs: note both.
- Save it somewhere that isn’t the phone itself: an email to yourself, a password manager, a note at home.
IMEI stands for International Mobile Equipment Identity: a 15-digit number unique to each phone. When a phone is stolen, it’s the IMEI, not the phone number, that identifies the device. Police reports, insurance claims and operator blocking requests all ask for it. The problem is that most people only look for it once the phone is already gone. Take one minute to find it now.
1. Dial *#06#
Open the phone app and type *#06#. The IMEI appears on screen immediately, on iPhone and Android, without making a call. Take a screenshot and send it to yourself by email.
2. Look in Settings
- iPhone: Settings → General → About, then scroll down to IMEI.
- Android: Settings → About phone (sometimes under Status or IMEI information). Menus vary slightly by brand.
3. Check the box and the invoice
The IMEI is printed on a sticker on the phone’s original box, usually next to the barcode and serial number. It often appears on the purchase invoice or receipt too. Keep both: the invoice also proves you own the phone.
4. If the phone is already gone
- Apple: sign in at appleid.apple.com, go to Devices and select the phone: the IMEI is listed. Or check Settings → your name on another Apple device.
- Google: sign in to your Google account, open Security → Your devices, or look in Google Play’s device list; for some phones the IMEI is shown there.
- Your operator: if you bought the phone through them or used it on their network, they may have it on file.
Dual-SIM phones and phones with an eSIM have two IMEI numbers. Note both: the police or operator may need either one.
Where to keep it
Save the IMEI somewhere you can reach without the phone: an email to yourself, a password manager, a cloud note, or a paper at home with your important documents. Do the same for your family’s phones.
What the IMEI is used for after a theft
With the IMEI, the police can register the stolen device, and in many countries operators can block it on their networks so it can’t be used with any SIM. It’s also needed for insurance claims. Our guide /blog/phone-stolen-what-to-do/ walks you through the first hour after a theft.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to share my IMEI?
Share it with the police, your operator and your insurer. Avoid posting it publicly: in rare cases, fraudsters use valid IMEIs to disguise stolen phones.
Can someone change a phone’s IMEI?
Changing an IMEI is illegal in many countries and difficult on modern phones, but it does happen with stolen devices. That’s why blocking, activation lock and a police report together offer the best protection.
Is the IMEI the same as the serial number?
No. The serial number is set by the manufacturer; the IMEI identifies the device on mobile networks. Both can be useful, so note them together.
General information to help you get organised, not legal advice. Procedures and numbers can change: confirm them with the office concerned, and in danger call your local emergency number first.
