What Is an IMEI Number? A Plain-English Guide
The 15-digit fingerprint every phone carries — what it is, where to find it, and why it matters.
IMEI stands for International Mobile Equipment Identity. It is a 15-digit number assigned to every cellular device at the factory, and unlike a phone number or a SIM, it belongs to the hardware itself. Swap SIMs, change owners, cross borders — the IMEI stays put.
The number is not random. Its opening digits form the Type Allocation Code, which identifies the make and model, which is how a lookup can name your exact device before it checks anything else. The remaining digits identify the individual unit, with a final check digit that guards against typos.
To see yours, dial *#06# on the keypad and it appears instantly. You will also find it in Settings, printed on the original box, and etched on the SIM tray of many phones. Dual-SIM devices carry two IMEIs, one per radio.
Because the IMEI is unique and permanent, networks and databases use it as the anchor for everything: whether a phone is locked to a carrier, whether it has been reported lost or stolen, and whether its warranty is still active. That is why a single number can unlock a phone's entire history.
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Check an IMEI free →Common questions
How many digits is an IMEI?
A standard IMEI is 15 digits. You may occasionally see a 16- or 17-digit IMEISV, which adds a software-version suffix.
Is the IMEI the same as a serial number?
No. The serial number is the manufacturer's own tracking code; the IMEI is a globally standardized cellular identifier used by networks worldwide.
Can two phones share an IMEI?
They should not. A duplicate usually signals a cloned or tampered device, which is a serious red flag when buying used.
Does changing my SIM change the IMEI?
No. The IMEI is tied to the hardware, not the SIM or phone number, so it never changes when you switch SIMs.