How to Find the IMEI or MEID Number on a Mobile Phone

PDF download Download Article
Locate your mobile phone's unique identifier with this easy-to-use guide
PDF download Download Article

The IMEI or MEID number for your phone or tablet is a unique identifier for that device. IMEI stands for "International Mobile Equipment Identity" and is used by T-Mobile, AT&T Wireless, and other carriers that use Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM). MEID stands for Mobile Equipment Identification and is used by Verizon, Sprint, Cricket, and other carriers that use the Code Switch Multiple Access (CDMA) system. No two devices will have the same IMEI or MEID, which makes it a handy tool for tracking lost or stolen cell phones . This wikiHow article will teach you how to quickly retrieve and record your IMEI or MEID number in a variety of ways, depending on your device.

Steps

PDF download Download Article
  1. It typically has a green icon with an image that resembles an old phone receiver. Tap the phone icon on your Home screen to open the Phone app.
  2. It typically has an icon that resembles 10 squares in the shape of a phone's dialer. Open the dial pad on your phone.
    Advertisement
  3. You can retrieve the IMEI/MEID number on virtually any phone by dialing in the universal code, which is "*#06#". You typically will not need to press the Call or Send button. The IMEI/MEID number will appear as soon as you finish dialing the code. [1]
  4. Your IMEI/MEID number will appear in a new window on your phone. Write the number down as it is not possible to copy and paste it from your phone's display. However, you can take a screen shot .
    • Most phones will tell you when the number is displayed if it is an IMEI or MEID number. If your phone doesn't you can verify which number it is by checking what carrier you use. GSM networks like AT&T and T-Mobile use IMEI numbers. CDMA networks such as Sprint, Verizon, and US Cellular use MEID numbers.
    • If you need the MEID number, take the same number but ignore the last digit (IMEI is 15 digits, MEID is 14 digits).
    5. Advertisement
Method 1
Method 1 of 5:

Using an iPhone or iPad

PDF download Download Article
  1. This can be found on your iPhone's Home screen. This step works for any iPhone or an iPad that is capable of receiving cellular data from the 4G or 5G network. [2]
  2. It's near the top of the Settings menu. [3]
  3. A list of information about your phone or tablet will appear. [4]
  4. If you want to copy it to your iPhone or iPad's clipboard, tap and hold the number and select Copy . [5]
    5. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 5:

Using a Computer with an iPhone or iPad

PDF download Download Article
  1. Connect your iPhone or iPad to your computer. Use the charging cable that came with your iPhone or iPad and connect it to a free USB port on your Mac or Windows computer.
    • Make sure your iPhone or iPad is powered on.
  2. If you have a Mac with macOS Catalina (Version 10.15) or newer, open the Finder. It has an icon that resembles a blue and white smiley face. If you have a Windows computer or a Mac with macOS Mojave or earlier, Open iTunes. It has a white icon with a music note. [6]
  3. It will be listed as the name of your iPhone or iPad in the panel to the left.
    • On iTunes, you may need to click the icon that resembles a phone or tablet in the upper-right corner.
  4. It's the first tab at the top of the page. If you are using the Finder, it will say "General." If you are using iTunes , it will say "Summary." [7]
  5. It will be listed at the top of the page below the name of your iPhone or iPad.
    6. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 5:

Using an Android

PDF download Download Article
  1. You can do this by tapping the Settings app in your App Drawer. [8]
  2. It's near the bottom of the Settings menu. Depending on your Android model, it will either say "About" or "About Phone." [9]
    • On some phones, you may have to tap System or General to find the "About Phone" or "About Device" option. [10]
  3. The numbers are the same other than the last digit--if you don't see an entry for MEID, you can safely provide the IMEI number and drop the last digit.
    • On some phones you may have to tap Status to find the IMEI or MEID. If you are having a hard time finding the IMEI or MEID, tap the magnifying glass icon in the upper-right corner and enter "IMEI" (T-Mobile, AT&T Wireless) or "MEID" (Verizon, Sprint, US Cellular, Cricket) in the search bar.
  4. There is no way to copy the number to your phone's clipboard, so you will need to write or type the number out.
    5. Advertisement
Method 4
Method 4 of 5:

Checking the Packaging

PDF download Download Article
  1. Don't worry about the booklet; look for the box. [11]
  2. It might have been placed over the opening to act as a seal.
  3. It should be clearly labeled and is usually listed together with the barcode and serial number.
    4. Advertisement
Method 5
Method 5 of 5:

Opening the SIM Tray

PDF download Download Article
  1. Power off your phone . Before removing the battery or SIM card from your phone, you will need to make sure your phone is powered off.
  2. If your phone has a removable battery, the SIM card tray will be underneath the battery. If your phone does not have a removable battery, the SIM tray will be located on the side of your phone. It will be an oval-shaped compartment with a pinhole on one of the sides. [12]
  3. If your phone has a removable battery, remove the back from your phone and then remove the battery. You will not need to remove the SIM card. If your phone has a SIM card tray on the side, use the SIM card removal tool that came with your phone to open the SIM card tray . Insert the pointed end of the tool in the pinhole and press down to eject the SIM card tray with the SIM card. [13]
    • If you don't have the SIM card removal tool that came with your phone, you can just use a paper clip.
  4. If your phone has a removable battery, you can find the number printed on a label beneath the battery. You do not need to remove the SIM card. If your phone has an ejectable SIM card tray, check for the IMEI or MEID number either at the top of the SIM card holder or along the side. It will be in printed in tiny letters.
  5. Once you have the IMEI or MEID number, you will need to return the battery or SIM card tray with the SIM card back to it's original place. Your phone will not work without it.
    6. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How can police find the person who stole a cellphone with an IMEI number?
    Community Answer
    They are able to track it. Once the theft is reported, they will make an IMEI tracking letter which will be sent to the network provider. Once this is done, the network provider will block the handset so that it will be useless until it is unlocked. The phone will not work even if the network SIM card is changed.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 10 Helpful 52
  • Question
    How do I get my IMEI number if phone is lost?
    Community Answer
    You may be able to get your IMEI number by logging in to the online account manager for your mobile service provider.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 54 Helpful 210
  • Question
    How can I find an IMEI if I do not have the phone?
    Community Answer
    Do you mean "if you do not have 'a' phone"? This is only possible with phones. If you mean you don't have the phone number, I do not know.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 32 Helpful 67
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      • Write your IMEI down before your phone gets lost or stolen.
        Thanks
        Helpful 65 Not Helpful 32
      • Most pre-paid and non-contract phones in America don't have IMEIs; the same applies to disposable phones throughout Europe, Asia, and Africa.
        Thanks
        Helpful 23 Not Helpful 33
      • If your mobile phone is stolen, you can call or go to the nearest service center of your mobile network and give that IMEI number to staff to block your phone.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Show More Tips
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Use an AT&T Mobile Phone Internationally
      How to
      Get out of a Cellular Service Contract
      How to
      Unlock Mobile Phones
      5 Simple Ways to Check the IMEI Number of Your iPhone
      How to
      Tell if Your Phone Has Been Tapped
      Safely Remove Water from a Charging Port on Android & iPhone
      11 Possible Fixes to Solve the "Mobile Network Not Available" Error on Android
      How to
      Activate a Double Tap Screen on Android
      How to
      Use a SIM Card to Switch Phones
      How to
      Wake Someone Up over the Phone
      How to
      Attach Phone Charms
      How to
      Make Your Phone Vibrate: Complete Guide
      How to
      Send Pictures from Your Cell Phone to Your Computer
      Why Your Phone Says No Service: 11 Issues and Solutions
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.samsung.com/latin_en/support/mobile-devices/how-to-find-phones-model-number-serial-number-or-imei-number/
      2. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204073
      3. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204073
      4. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204073
      5. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204073
      6. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204073
      7. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204073
      8. ↑ https://www.samsung.com/us/support/answer/ANS00048604/
      9. ↑ https://www.androidcentral.com/how-find-imei-number-your-phone
      1. ↑ https://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/how-to-check-your-imei-number/
      2. ↑ https://www.samsung.com/us/support/answer/ANS00048604/
      3. ↑ https://support.google.com/store/answer/3333000?hl=en#zippy=%2Cfind-your-phones-imei-numbers
      4. ↑ https://www.howtogeek.com/362911/how-to-change-sim-cards-in-android-phones/

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 9,436,650 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Dalbert Bailey

        Jul 29, 2017

        "I was on an old Samsung Intensity III and transferring to another carrier. Their live chat was worthless, so I ..." more
      More reader stories Hide reader stories
      Share your story

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement