The fastest way to check your iPhone IMEI: dial *#06# on your iPhone's keypad. The IMEI displays on screen instantly β no apps, no accounts, completely free. Then paste it into our IMEI Checker for a full status report.
What Is an iPhone IMEI Number?
IMEI stands for International Mobile Equipment Identity. It's a unique 15-digit number permanently assigned to your iPhone at the factory β think of it as your phone's fingerprint. No two devices in the world share the same IMEI.
The IMEI is stored in your iPhone's hardware and transmitted to carrier networks whenever you make a call or use data. Carriers use it to identify your device on their network, which also means they can block it if it's reported stolen.
Understanding your IMEI and knowing how to check it is essential for:
- Verifying a used iPhone before purchasing
- Checking if your phone is blacklisted or carrier-locked
- Filing an insurance claim for a lost or stolen device
- Requesting a carrier unlock
- Checking warranty status
Method 1: Dial *#06# (Fastest)
This is the quickest, most universal method and works on every iPhone ever made β no iOS version requirement, no internet connection needed.
- Open the Phone app on your iPhone
- Tap the Keypad tab
- Type *#06# exactly
- Your IMEI (and IMEI 2 for dual-SIM models) appears on screen immediately
- Take a screenshot or note it down
Once the IMEI appears, take a screenshot immediately (Side button + Volume Up). Store it in a secure note or email it to yourself. Having your IMEI on record is invaluable if your iPhone is ever stolen.
Method 2: Settings App
If you can't use the phone dialer (e.g., your device has no SIM card or it's an iPod), the Settings app always shows the IMEI:
- Open Settings
- Tap General
- Tap About
- Scroll down until you see IMEI
- Tap and hold the IMEI number to copy it
On dual-SIM iPhones (iPhone XS and later), you'll see both IMEI 1 and IMEI 2 listed separately.
Method 3: SIM Card Tray
Your iPhone's IMEI is physically engraved or printed on the SIM card tray β the small metal tray you eject with a SIM tool or a paper clip inserted into the tiny hole on the side of your iPhone.
This method is useful when your iPhone won't turn on or is locked. The text is tiny, so good lighting or a magnifying glass helps. This method works on iPhone 5 through iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Method 4: Original Box or Receipt
The IMEI is printed on a barcode label on the original iPhone box. It's also on any Apple receipt or invoice from when the device was purchased. This is particularly useful when:
- Your iPhone is broken or won't power on
- You want to verify the IMEI before activating a new purchase
- You need to provide IMEI for insurance purposes
Method 5: iTunes or Finder (Mac/PC)
If your iPhone is connected to a computer:
- Connect your iPhone via USB
- Open iTunes (Windows/older Mac) or Finder (macOS Catalina+)
- Click on your device icon
- On the Summary page, click the phone number or capacity to cycle through details including IMEI
Method 6: iCloud.com
If you have the device registered to your Apple ID:
- Go to iCloud.com and sign in
- Click the Find My app
- Select your iPhone from the device list
- The IMEI is shown in the device info panel
What to Do With Your IMEI: Free Check
Once you have your 15-digit IMEI, you can run a free check using our tool to verify:
- Blacklist status β Is it reported stolen or blocked?
- Carrier lock status β Which network is it locked to?
- Device model β Confirm the exact iPhone model
- Warranty status β Is Apple's warranty still active?
- Find My iPhone β Is activation lock enabled?
Check Your IMEI Now β Free
Enter your 15-digit IMEI for an instant status report. No registration required.
Check IMEI βUnderstanding IMEI Check Results
Clean Status β
A "clean" IMEI means the device hasn't been reported stolen, lost, or blocked by any carrier. This is the result you want to see, especially when buying a used iPhone.
Blacklisted / Blocked Status π«
A blacklisted IMEI means the device has been reported to carrier networks as stolen, lost, or associated with non-payment. A blacklisted iPhone may refuse to connect to carrier networks even with a valid SIM card. See our Blacklist Check Guide for options.
Carrier Locked π
This means the iPhone is restricted to one specific carrier's network. You need to unlock it (free through your carrier or via a third-party service) to use other SIM cards. Read our IMEI Unlock Guide for step-by-step instructions.
Find My iPhone Enabled β οΈ
If FMI is on and Activation Lock is active, the device requires the original owner's Apple ID to be set up. Never buy a used iPhone with Activation Lock enabled unless the seller can disable it in your presence.
IMEI Check for Dual-SIM iPhones
iPhone XS, XR, and all models from 2018 onward support Dual SIM (physical SIM + eSIM). These phones have two IMEI numbers:
- IMEI 1 β corresponds to the physical SIM card slot
- IMEI 2 β corresponds to the eSIM
When checking a dual-SIM iPhone, make sure to check both IMEIs if you plan to use both SIM slots regularly.
How to Check IMEI for a Used iPhone Before Buying
Before handing over any money for a used iPhone, always perform these IMEI checks:
- Ask the seller to show you the phone powered on and dial *#06# in your presence
- Compare the displayed IMEI with the IMEI printed on the box
- Run the IMEI through an IMEI checker for blacklist status
- Verify Find My iPhone is OFF (Settings β [Apple ID] β Find My)
- Ask the seller to sign out of their Apple ID before the sale
For more detail, see our complete guide: IMEI Check Before Buying a Used iPhone.
Free vs. Paid IMEI Checks: What's the Difference?
| Feature | Free Check | Paid Check |
|---|---|---|
| IMEI Format Validation | β Yes | β Yes |
| Device Model Identification | β Yes | β Yes |
| Basic Carrier ID | β Yes | β Yes |
| Full Blacklist Check | Limited | β Full |
| Warranty Status | Limited | β Yes |
| FMI / Activation Lock | Limited | β Yes |
| Carrier Unlock History | β No | β Yes |
| Full Device History | β No | β Yes |
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Knowing your IMEI doesn't give anyone access to your device, data, or Apple ID. However, a bad actor could theoretically report your IMEI as stolen to a carrier to get it blocked. Don't share your IMEI publicly or with untrusted parties, but sharing it with reputable checking services is safe.
This can happen if the logic board was replaced (common after repairs), if you're using an unofficial checking service with incomplete data, or in rare cases if the device's IMEI was tampered with. Try checking with Apple's official service at checkcoverage.apple.com for authoritative results.
No. The IMEI is stored in the device's hardware (baseband chip) and cannot be changed by software, factory resets, or iOS updates. It's permanent for the life of the device unless the hardware is physically replaced.
Summary: Quick Reference
| Method | Works When | Speed |
|---|---|---|
| Dial *#06# | Phone can make calls | Instant |
| Settings β About | Phone is on & unlocked | ~15 seconds |
| SIM card tray | Any time | ~1 minute |
| Original box | Box is available | ~30 seconds |
| iTunes / Finder | Connected to computer | ~1 minute |
| iCloud.com | Signed into Apple ID | ~2 minutes |