Before learning how to find IMEI number details, it helps to know what this code is. Every mobile phone that connects to a cellular network carries a unique identity called the IMEI. It is tied to the device hardware rather than the SIM card, so it stays the same when you change your number or operator.
This guide explains what is IMEI number in plain words, what each part of the 15 digits means, how it differs from a serial number, and the quickest ways to see your phone IMEI number. If you prefer Hindi, our page on IMEI number kaise nikale walks through each method step by step.
Quick facts
Full form
International Mobile Equipment IdentityLength
15 digitsFirst 8 digits
TAC, the model codeLast digit
Luhn check digitDial code
*#06#Dual SIM phone
Two IMEIsVerify status
SMS KYM <IMEI> to 14422
What is IMEI number and what is it used for
The IMEI number full form is International Mobile Equipment Identity. Think of it as the phone's own registration number. When a phone joins a network, it reports this mobile IMEI number, and the network uses it to identify the device.
What is IMEI number used for in daily life?
- Blocking a lost or stolen handset on CEIR so it cannot work on any network in India.
- Checking whether a phone you plan to buy is genuine and not blacklisted.
- Warranty and service records at authorised service centres.
- Police tracing of stolen phones with help from operators.
How the 15 digits are built: TAC, serial and check digit
An IMEI has three parts. Take the sample code 490154203237518 often used in documentation:
| Part | Digits | Sample | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| TAC (Type Allocation Code) | 1 to 8 | 49015420 | Identifies the maker and model; allotted by the GSMA |
| Serial number (SNR) | 9 to 14 | 323751 | Unique unit number within that model |
| Check digit | 15 | 8 | Worked out from the first 14 digits with the Luhn formula |
Because every unit of one model shares the same TAC, two phones of the same model will start with the same 8 digits. Our IMEI number check tool splits a code into these parts and tests the check digit.
IMEI vs serial number vs MEID vs IMEISV
| Code | Format | Who uses it |
|---|---|---|
| IMEI | 15 digits, numbers only | Mobile networks, CEIR, police |
| IMEISV | 16 digits: TAC, serial and a 2-digit software version, no check digit | Networks, to know the software version |
| Serial number | Letters and numbers, set by the maker | Maker's warranty and service records |
| MEID | 14 hexadecimal characters | Older CDMA networks; some phones still show it |
The serial number on your phone is not the IMEI. When a form or police complaint asks for IMEI, give the 15-digit number only.
How to find IMEI number: five quick ways
- Dial code: open the dialler and type *#06#. The IMEI number code works on almost every phone and shows both numbers on a dual SIM phone.
- Settings: in Android, look under About phone, then Status or IMEI information. In iOS, open General, then About.
- Box label: the sticker on the retail box prints IMEI 1 and IMEI 2, often with a barcode.
- Purchase bill: most shops and online sellers print the IMEI on the invoice.
- On the device: some models show it on the SIM tray or under a removable battery.
If you only want to know how to get IMEI number of phone details fast, the dial code is the shortest route. Dual SIM phones have two IMEIs, one for each slot. Note both, because CEIR blocking asks for all IMEIs of the handset.
How to find IMEI number without phone in hand
If the phone is lost, you cannot dial a code. Try these instead:
- The box and bill, as above.
- The device list in the account you used on the phone. The account page for Android or iOS devices often shows the IMEI of each signed-in phone.
- Your online order history, if you bought the phone online.
- The shop where you bought it, which may keep a copy of the bill.
A full list of places to search, and what to do when you find nothing, is on our lost phone IMEI page.
Checking whether an IMEI is genuine
Knowing the number is one thing; knowing its status is another. The Department of Telecommunications offers Know Your Mobile (KYM). Text the word KYM, a space and the IMEI to the short code 14422, or open IMEI verification on Sanchar Saathi. The reply names the brand and model stored for that number. A reply marked blacklisted, duplicate or in use elsewhere is a clear sign to skip the purchase.
Example: matching the box with the phone
Ravi buys a used phone. The seller hands over the box with IMEI 1 ending in 7518. Ravi dials *#06# on the phone itself and sees a number ending in 7520. The box belongs to a different handset. He then sends KYM with the number from the screen to 14422 and checks the model. Because the box and phone do not match, he walks away from the deal.
Always compare the number on screen, on the box and on the bill. All three should match.
Frequently asked questions
How many digits are in an IMEI number?
An IMEI has 15 digits. The first 14 identify the model and unit, and the last one is a check digit. Some screens also show a 16-digit IMEISV, which adds a software version instead of the check digit.
How to know IMEI number of phone if the screen is broken?
Try the sticker on the retail box, your invoice, or the SIM tray. You can also open your phone account's device list from another device, which often shows the IMEI.
Does the IMEI change when I change SIM or reset the phone?
No. The IMEI belongs to the handset hardware, so a new SIM, a new number or a factory reset does not change it. Changing an IMEI is illegal in India.
Can I find phone with IMEI number?
You cannot see a location from it yourself. Police can trace a handset blocked on CEIR once someone inserts a SIM. Our lost phone tracking page explains the realistic options.
What can someone do with my IMEI number?
On its own it cannot unlock your phone or show your location. The risk is cloning, where a fraudster copies your IMEI onto another device. Keep it private and share it only with police, CEIR or your seller.
Why does my phone show two IMEI numbers?
A dual SIM phone has one IMEI per SIM slot. Both belong to the same handset, and both should be entered when you block it.