What is IMEI? What is IMEI used for and how to view it

IMEI numbers are mysterious, vague numbers stamped around various parts of your phone. IMEI numbers are often used to identify phones, but some people wonder if they can be used for surveillance and nefarious activities. This article will tell you exactly what they are, how they work, and how to find them on your phone.

What is IMEI?

An IMEI number, which stands for International Mobile Station Equipment Identity, is a number used to identify a device using a terrestrial mobile network. This is the network you use when making calls on your mobile phone or accessing the Internet through a data plan provided by your mobile provider. It is called "terrestrial" because it uses a planet-side antenna, not a satellite, to connect.

Since the IMEI standard is used for terrestrial mobile network devices, this means that 3G/4G tablets, laptops with PCMCIA wireless Internet cards, and other mobile devices are also tagged with these numbers. If you have a dual SIM phone, you will see two IMEI numbers for each SIM slot.

Purpose of IMEI number

The IMEI number has a primary purpose of identifying mobile devices. A secondary purpose is to prevent theft. If a mobile device can be identified in general, a thief cannot change the SIM card on the phone. The IMEI number is hard-coded into the device hardware, making it nearly impossible to change it without damaging the device.

When a carrier knows a device has been stolen, they can blacklist that IMEI number and lock it from their network. Then tell other mobile networks to do the same.

Can the government use IMEI numbers to track users?

The short answer is yes. However, it depends on a number of factors. If they can't add a name or personal identifier to your IMEI, they won't know who owns the phone. This is often a problem with prepaid customers. Since they don't have a contract with a wireless carrier, there's no way to add an ID to the IMEI.

If you have a contract with a mobile service provider, the government can use a search warrant to access your IMEI information, track your number, and location. So even if you swap out your SIM card with a prepaid one, you can still be tracked.

The government isn't the only organization you need to worry about. Hackers can track you using your IMEI number. However, neither of these situations apply to ordinary citizens.

Do all phones have an IMEI number?

Genuine, legal phones with clear origin will have an IMEI number and users can easily check the phone's IMEI number.

Counterfeit, fake, or defective phones often lack the IMEI number. So to make sure you're buying the right phone, check its IMEI.

Is your IMEI number valid?

Some counterfeit phones have fake IMEI numbers. The easiest way to manually check the validity of an IMEI is to use the Luhn formula to verify the identifier. If you want an easier way to check the IMEI, use online check sites like IMEI.Info.

How to find IMEI number on phone

See the article How to find IMEI and Serial Number on Android and iOS devices to check your IMEI number.

5 ways to find IMEI number without phone

Losing your phone doesn't mean you've lost your IMEI. Chances are, it's stored somewhere; you just need to know where to look.

1. See original product box

The easiest way to find your phone's IMEI number is on the original packaging. When you buy your phone, it comes in a sealed box with accessories and manuals. The IMEI is printed on a label near the barcode. You'll also see other details like the EID, UPC, and serial number.

For iPhones, the label is usually on the back of the box, while Android phones usually have labels on the side or bottom. If there is no label on the outside, look inside the box; the label may be on the instruction sheet, warranty card, or manual. Android devices often have a removable sticker on the device with the IMEI and other device information.

Older phones with removable batteries often had the IMEI label inside the battery compartment. But with the move to sealed unibody designs it is now the standard choice.

2. Check invoice via email or purchase receipt

If you don't have the original box, check the email you used to purchase the phone. Retailers and carriers often send confirmation emails after a sale. The message will contain the IMEI number, phone model, and serial number. Open your email app and search for the store or carrier you purchased the phone from.

You can also use keywords like 'order confirmation,' 'invoice,' or 'receipt' to narrow down your results. Don't forget to check your spam or junk mail folder in case the email ended up there. If you don't find any information, log in to the website or app where you purchased the phone. Check your order history and download the invoice or receipt. The IMEI number is usually located in the product details or billing information.

For purchases from Amazon or other online stores, log in, check your previous orders, and find the details of your purchase. If you bought your phone in a store, check your receipt for the IMEI number. If you lost it, ask a store employee for help.

3. Use Google's Find My Device (for Android)

If you're using an Android phone linked to your Google account, you can find your IMEI using Google's Find My Device. This tool helps locate lost smartphones and displays important information about each device linked to your account.

To get started, open a web browser and go to Google's Find My Device. Sign in with the same Google account that's associated with your phone. Once you're in, you'll see a map and a list of your devices on the left. Simply select the device you want to find the IMEI for and a window will pop up with the details.

Click the gear icon (Settings) in the top left corner to view the IMEI and other details like phone model and activation date.

4. Check Apple ID account (for iPhone)

Similar to Android, Apple offers a similar solution through Apple ID. If you have an Apple ID, you can sync all your devices to your account and easily find the IMEI number for your iPhone.

To do this, open a web browser and navigate to the Apple ID website. Sign in with your credentials and a 6-digit verification code will be sent to your trusted device. Enter the code and you will be taken to your account page.

Once you're there, click the Devices tab . This will bring up a list of all the devices associated with your Apple ID. Find your iPhone in the list and click on it.

On the device information page, scroll down to the About section . That's where you'll find detailed information about your phone, including its IMEI number.

5. Contact customer support

If nothing else works, your phone manufacturer or carrier may still be able to help. They may have a record of your billing, which often includes the IMEI. Or, if you've activated your phone with them before, they may be able to look it up in their system and provide you with the information.

Contact customer support or live chat with them and explain your situation. Make sure you have proof of ownership and any ID they may ask for. Once they verify the information, they will check the records and provide you with the IMEI associated with your device.

Here are some quick and easy ways to find your IMEI number when you're not around. They're useful when you need to find information quickly. Try them out, and once you have your IMEI, save it somewhere safe so you don't have to fumble around looking for it later.

How to check IMEI number

Now that you have your IMEI number, check to see if it is a valid IMEI. There are many websites where you can enter your IMEI number such as imei.info to see a list of exact specifications and information about your device. Another website is imeipro.info, which allows you to use your IMEI number to check if your phone has been listed/reported as lost or stolen, in case you are buying a used phone.

Lesley Montoya

Update 06 May 2025