1. Dial *#06#
Open the phone app and type *#06#. The IMEI appears immediately on iPhone and Android, with or without a SIM card. Dual-SIM phones show two numbers.
2. On an iPhone
- Settings › General › About, then scroll down to IMEI. Touch and hold the number to copy it.
- On many iPhone models the IMEI is engraved on the SIM tray. Models without a tray do not have this option.
- With a Mac or PC: connect the iPhone, open Finder or Apple Devices, and click the line under the device name until the IMEI appears.
3. On Android
- Settings › About phone, then IMEI or Status. The exact path differs by brand.
- Samsung: Settings › About phone shows both IMEIs on the first screen.
- Many Android phones print the IMEI on a label behind the SIM tray or under the battery on older models.
4. When the phone will not turn on
- The original box: the barcode label on the side lists the IMEI and serial.
- Your Apple Account: sign in at account.apple.com, open Devices and select the phone to see its serial and IMEI.
- Your carrier invoice or contract often lists the IMEI of a phone bought from them.
Buying used? Compare all three
When you meet a seller, the IMEI from *#06#, the one in Settings and the one on the box should match. A mismatch can mean a swapped board, a replaced housing or a box from another phone.
Frequently asked questions
Does *#06# cost anything or need a SIM?
No. It is a local code that the phone answers itself; no call is made and no SIM is needed.
Which IMEI should I use on a dual-SIM phone?
Either. Both belong to the same device; the first one is the most common choice.
Last updated 12 October 2026