An IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is the serial number of the phone itself. It is 15 digits long, it belongs to the device rather than to your SIM card or plan, and it stays the same when you swap SIMs, add an eSIM or reset the phone.
Short answer: dial *#06# on most phones, or look in Settings. On iPhone, go to Settings → General → About and scroll to IMEI. On Android, go to Settings → About phone.
What the 15 digits mean
The GSMA, the mobile industry body that hands out IMEI ranges, defines the structure:
| Part | Digits | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| TAC (Type Allocation Code) | First 8 | Identifies the brand and model. The first two digits name the body that allocated it. |
| Serial number | Next 6 | The individual unit within that model |
| Check digit | Last 1 | Calculated with the Luhn formula, so a mistyped IMEI usually fails validation |
That is why two phones of the same model share their first eight digits, and why a quick IMEI lookup can tell you which model a phone really is.
You may also see MEID next to the IMEI on an iPhone. Apple describes the MEID as the first 14 digits of the IMEI; it comes from older CDMA networks.
How to find your IMEI
The quick way: dial *#06#
Open the phone app and dial *#06#. On most phones the IMEI appears straight away, and many also show the EID. Samsung notes this only works where the carrier supports it, so use Settings if nothing appears.
On iPhone
- 1Open Settings → General → About.
- 2Scroll down to IMEI. Press and hold the number to copy it.
Other places Apple lists:
- The SIM tray, on iPhone 6s through iPhone 13 and on the iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd generation).
- Engraved on the back, on iPhone 5, 5c, 5s, 6, 6 Plus and the first-generation SE.
- Not engraved at all on iPhone 14 and later. Use Settings, the box or your Apple Account instead.
- Before setup: on the "Hello" screen, tap the ⓘ button in the bottom-right corner.
- On a computer: connect the iPhone and open it in Finder, the Apple Devices app or iTunes, then click the phone number under the device name.
- Online: sign in at account.apple.com, open Devices and choose the iPhone.
- The original box, on the barcode label.
On Google Pixel
- 1Open Settings → About phone.
- 2Find IMEI. If two SIMs are active, you'll also see IMEI (SIM slot 2).
You can also find it on the box, on the SIM tray, or in Find Hub at google.com/android/find (select the phone, then the info icon). That last option works when the phone is lost.
On Samsung Galaxy
- 1Open Settings → About phone.
- 2The IMEI is listed with the model name and serial number.
Samsung also lists the back of the device, the box, your carrier account, the receipt and the Support tab of the Samsung Members app. On the few models with a removable battery, it's printed under the battery.
Why some phones have two IMEIs
A dual-SIM phone has one IMEI for each SIM slot, and an eSIM counts as a slot. Google says Pixel phones that take both a physical SIM and an eSIM have two IMEIs, one for each, and that IMEI 1 is usually tied to the first SIM you set up.
That matters when you add an eSIM: some carriers ask for IMEI 2 to issue an eSIM for the second line. If a carrier asks for "your IMEI" and you see two, ask which one they mean.
IMEI vs EID vs ICCID vs serial number
| Identifier | Identifies | Length | Changes? |
|---|---|---|---|
| IMEI | The phone (one per SIM slot) | 15 digits | No, it is fixed to the hardware |
| EID | The eSIM chip inside the phone | 32 digits | No |
| ICCID | One SIM card or eSIM plan | 19–20 digits | Yes, each new SIM or eSIM has its own |
| Serial number | The phone, for the manufacturer's warranty and repairs | Varies by brand | No |
For the other two, see what an EID number is and what an ICCID number is.
When you need your IMEI
- Your phone is lost or stolen. Give the IMEI to your carrier and the police. Carriers can block a reported device from their networks using the GSMA's shared block list.
- You're buying a used phone. In the US, CTIA's free Stolen Phone Checker (powered by GSMA Device Check) shows whether a device has been reported lost or stolen. It allows five free checks a day. A green result only means nothing was reported at the time you checked.
- A carrier asks for it. Typical cases are unlocking a phone, checking it works on their network, or issuing an eSIM.
- Warranty or repair claims, where the manufacturer may ask for the IMEI or serial number.
You don't need your IMEI to buy or install a Wanderly travel eSIM. The plan installs from a QR code or an in-app link. What matters is that your phone supports eSIM and is carrier-unlocked; check your exact model on the eSIM compatibility checker.
Is it safe to share your IMEI?
Share it with your carrier, the police, the manufacturer or a buyer who wants to check a phone before paying. There is no reason to post it publicly. On its own the IMEI can't take over your phone number or install anything. Still, keep it private, like your other device details.
FAQ
What is an IMEI number? It's the International Mobile Equipment Identity, a 15-digit number that identifies your phone. The first eight digits identify the model, the next six the individual unit, and the last digit is a check digit.
How do I find my IMEI? Dial *#06#, or go to Settings → General → About on iPhone and Settings → About phone on Android. It's also on the box.
Why does my phone have two IMEIs? Dual-SIM phones have one IMEI per SIM slot, including the eSIM. On Pixel, IMEI 1 is usually tied to the first SIM you set up.
Does the IMEI change when I add an eSIM or reset my phone? No. The IMEI belongs to the phone's hardware. Adding or deleting a SIM or eSIM, or resetting the phone, doesn't change it.
Is the IMEI the same as the EID? No. The IMEI identifies the phone; the EID identifies the eSIM chip inside it. Dialing *#06# often shows both.
Is the IMEI the same as the serial number? No. Both identify the phone, but the serial number is the manufacturer's own number, used for warranty and repairs. Carriers and networks use the IMEI.
Can someone track my phone with the IMEI? Not with the IMEI alone. Carriers can see which IMEI is on their network, and they use that to block reported devices, but a stranger with your IMEI can't locate your phone. To find a lost phone, use Find My (iPhone) or Find Hub (Android).
Before you buy a travel eSIM
Check your model on the eSIM compatibility checker, then browse plans by destination.