An IMEI number check usually means one of two things: making sure the 15 digits are typed correctly, or finding out whether the phone is genuine and not blacklisted. The free checker below handles the first job right in your browser, and this page shows you how to do the second through the official KYM service.
Use it before you buy a used phone, before you fill a CEIR or police form, or when you simply want to see what your IMEI is made of. Nothing you type in the tool is sent anywhere.
Quick facts
What the tool checks
Length, digits, Luhn check digit, TAC splitWhat it cannot check
Blocked, stolen or genuine statusOfficial status check
SMS KYM <15-digit IMEI> to 14422Online status check
Sanchar Saathi IMEI verificationIMEI check code
*#06# shows your IMEICost
Free; normal SMS charges may apply for KYM
What this IMEI number check tool does
Type a 15-digit IMEI into the checker. It confirms that only digits were entered, that there are exactly 15 of them, and that the last digit matches the Luhn formula. It then shows the first 8 digits as the TAC (the model code given by the GSMA) and the next 6 as the unit serial. If the last digit does not match, you see "check digit wrong, retype", which almost always means a typing slip.
Have only 14 digits? The tool works out the missing 15th digit for you. That is handy when a label is smudged at the end.
How to check IMEI number in phone before you test it
First get the number from the device itself, not only from the box. Open the dialler and enter *#06#, which is the standard IMEI check code. A dual SIM phone shows two numbers; test each one. The About section of the settings menu lists it too. Our IMEI number guide lists other places, such as the bill and SIM tray, and explains what the TAC means.
Worked example: how the check digit is calculated
Take the first 14 digits of the sample IMEI 49015420323751 and find the 15th digit.
- Keep the digits in odd positions (1st, 3rd, 5th and so on) as they are: 4, 0, 5, 2, 3, 3, 5. Their sum is 22.
- Double the digits in even positions: 9, 1, 4, 0, 2, 7, 1 become 18, 2, 8, 0, 4, 14, 2.
- Where a doubled value has two digits, add them: 18 becomes 1 + 8 = 9, and 14 becomes 1 + 4 = 5. The values are now 9, 2, 8, 0, 4, 5, 2, with a sum of 30.
- Add both totals: 22 + 30 = 52.
- The check digit is what you add to reach the next multiple of 10. From 52 to 60 is 8.
So the full IMEI is 490154203237518. If someone writes it as 490154203237519, the checker flags it, because 9 does not match.
IMEI blacklist check through KYM
To learn whether a handset is blacklisted, use the Department of Telecommunications service called Know Your Mobile (KYM).
- From any mobile, write an SMS: KYM, a space, then the 15-digit IMEI.
- Send it to 14422.
- Read the reply. You get the recorded brand and model, plus a status line.
- Or open the IMEI verification option on the CEIR portal or the Sanchar Saathi app and enter the number with an OTP.
| Result | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Valid, with make and model | The IMEI is on record | Make sure the model matches the phone in your hand |
| Blacklisted | Reported lost or stolen and blocked | Do not buy it |
| Duplicate | The same IMEI shows on more than one device | Do not buy it; it may be cloned |
| Already in use | Another handset is using this IMEI | Avoid the deal |
| Invalid or not found | Typing error or a fake number | Run the checker above, then retry KYM |
CEIR request status is a different check
If you blocked your own lost phone, you do not need KYM to follow it. Open Check Request Status and type the 18-digit Request ID you saved. Forgot it? The Forgot Request ID option recovers it with an OTP on the phone number you gave while blocking. Blocks made through some state police portals may not show there. The full blocking process sits in our blocking guide, and getting the block removed is on unblock found mobile.
Warranty, purchase date and activation date checks
Many people look for a warranty check or a way to check phone purchase date by IMEI. Neither our checker nor KYM shows dates, because an IMEI does not hold a date. For warranty, use the support page of your phone's maker or visit an authorised service centre with the IMEI or serial number. For purchase date, the bill is the proof. Sites that promise an activation date or full history from any IMEI often collect data or fees; be careful with them.
Common problems with an IMEI check
| Problem | Why | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Check digit wrong | One digit mistyped or swapped | Read the number again from *#06#, not from a photo |
| 16 digits on screen | That is the IMEISV with a software version | Use only the 15-digit IMEI |
| Screen shows zeros | Software fault or tampering | Visit an authorised service centre; do not buy such a phone |
| KYM reply model differs from the phone | IMEI may be copied | Walk away and do not pay |
Checklist before buying a used phone
- Dial *#06# on the phone and note every IMEI shown.
- Match it with the box label and bill.
- Run each number through the checker here, then send KYM to 14422.
- Ask the seller to sign out of the phone account and reset the phone in front of you.
- Keep a copy of the seller's ID and a written receipt.
Frequently asked questions
Can this checker tell me if a phone is stolen?
No. It only checks the format and the check digit. To know if a phone is blacklisted, text KYM plus the number to 14422, or try IMEI verification on Sanchar Saathi.
Is the IMEI check free?
Our checker is free and works offline in your browser. KYM is a government service; your operator may charge a normal SMS rate.
How to check IMEI number of a lost phone?
You cannot dial a code on a phone you do not have. Search the retail box, the invoice, or the device list in your phone account. All the options are collected on our lost phone IMEI guide.
Why does KYM show a different model from my phone?
The IMEI on the phone may have been copied from another device, or you typed a wrong digit. Recheck the number with *#06# and the checker. If it still differs, do not buy that phone.
Does an IMEI check show the phone's location?
No. No public IMEI check shows location. Tracing a stolen phone is done by police after it is blocked on CEIR. What genuinely helps is set out in our lost phone tracking guide.
What is the IMEI number check code?
Dial *#06# on any phone to show its IMEI. It works without a SIM or internet on almost all handsets.