Find the IMEI or MEID Number on a Mobile Phone

The IMEI or MEID number for your mobile phone acts as a unique identifier for that device. No two devices will have the same IMEI or MEID, which makes it a very useful tool for tracking lost or stolen cell phones. You can quickly retrieve and record your phone's IMEI or MEID number in a variety of different ways, depending on your device.

Steps

Dialing a Code

  1. Dial the IMEI code. You can retrieve the IMEI/MEID number on virtually any phone by dialing in the universal code. Dial *#06#. You typically will not need to press the Call or Send button, as the IMEI/MEID number will appear as soon as you finish dialing the code.[1]
  2. Copy the number. 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.
    • 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.

Using an iPhone

  1. Look at the back of your iPhone 5 or original iPhone. The iPhone 5, 5c, 5s, and the original iPhone have the IMEI number engraved on the back of the phone, near the bottom. If you need the MEID number, take the same number but ignore the last digit (IMEI is 15 digits, MEID is 14 digits).
    • 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 are using an older iPhone, see the following steps.
  2. Check the SIM card tray of your iPhone 3G, 3GS, 4, or 4s. See Get-a-SIM-Card-out-of-an-iPhone for details on removing the SIM card tray for your specific model. Your IMEI/MEID number is printed on the tray. If you are on a CDMA network (Verizon, Sprint, US Cellular), both codes will be printed as one. To determine the MEID number, ignore the last digit.
  3. Open the Settings app. This can be found on your iPhone's Home screen. This step works for any iPhone or cellular iPad.
  4. Tap General. Tap "About" in the General menu.
  5. Tap IMEI/MEID. This will display your IMEI/MEID number. If you want to copy it to your iPhone's clipboard, press and hold the IMEI/MEID button in the About menu for a few seconds. A message will appear letting you know that the number has been copied.
  6. Find the IMEI/MEID using iTunes. If your iPhone won't turn on, you can connect it to your computer and use iTunes to retrieve the IMEI/MEID number.[2]
    • Plug your iPhone into your computer and open iTunes.
    • Select your iPhone from the Device menu in the upper-right corner of iTunes and then click the Summary tab.
    • Click the "Phone Number" entry next to the image of your iPhone. This will cycle through the ID numbers for your device.
    • Copy the IMEI/MEID number. If both are displayed, check what carrier you use to see which number you need. GSM networks like AT&T and T-Mobile use IMEI numbers. CDMA networks such as Sprint, Verizon, and US Cellular use MEID numbers.

Using an Android Phone

  1. Open the Android Settings menu. You can do this by tapping the Settings app in your App Drawer or by using your phone's Menu button.
  2. Tap "About Phone". You may have to scroll to the bottom of the Settings menu to find it.
  3. Tap "Status". Scroll down until you find the MEID or IMEI entry. Your phone may have both listed, so verify which one you need 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.
  4. Write down the number. 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. Find the IMEI/MEID using Google Dashboard. This is Google's control center that can be accessed from any computer with a web browser. You will need to log in with the Google account associated with your Android phone.
    • You can access Google Dashboard by visiting www.google.com/settings/dashboard
    • Expand the "Android" section by clicking the "Android" heading.
    • Locate your phone in the list. If you have multiple devices associated with your account, all of the devices will be displayed. Find the device that you are trying to retrieve the IMEI/MEID number for.
    • Copy the IMEI/MEID. The first entry for your phone should be the IMEI number. Only the IMEI will be displayed, even if your phone uses MEID. If you need the MEID number, ignore the last digit of the IMEI number.
    • GSM networks like AT&T and T-Mobile use IMEI numbers. CDMA networks such as Sprint, Verizon, and US Cellular use MEID numbers.

Looking Under the Battery

  1. Power down your phone. Before removing the battery, power down your phone using the Power button. This will prevent any data being lost and keep apps from being corrupted when the power source is removed.
  2. Remove the back from your phone. This method only works for phones with removable batteries. It is not possible with iPhones or other phones with affixed batteries.
  3. Take out the battery. Gently remove the battery from the phone. Generally, you will need to push it slightly towards the bottom of the phone before pulling it out.
  4. Find the IMEI/MEID number. The location of this will vary from phone to phone, but the IMEI/MEID number is usually printed on a sticker that is affixed to the phone underneath the battery.
    • If the phone has an IMEI number but you are on a network that uses MEID numbers, ignore the last digit (IMEI is 15 digits, MEID is 14 digits).
    • GSM networks like AT&T and T-Mobile use IMEI numbers. CDMA networks such as Sprint, Verizon, and US Cellular use MEID numbers.

Finding the IMEI for Motorola iDen Units

  1. Turn on your phone. Open the dialing screen and then press #, *, Menu, Right key. Don't pause between key presses, or you will have to start over.
  2. Locate your IMEI. On units with SIM cards, scroll down until you see "IMEI/SIM ID" and press Enter. From here you can view your IMEI, SIM, and on some units, your MSN. The first fourteen digits are displayed; the fifteenth is always a 0.
    • On older units without SIM cards, continue to hit the Right key until you see IMEI [0] on the display. The first seven digits are displayed. Write these down, as only 7 digits are displayed at a time.
    • Press the Menu key and then the Next button to display the next seven digits. The fifteenth and final digit is most often a 0.[3]

Checking the Packaging

  1. Locate the original packaging for your mobile device. Don't worry about the booklet; look for the box.
  2. Locate the barcode label stuck to your box. It might have been placed over the opening to act as a seal.
  3. Look for the IMEI/MEID. It should be clearly labeled and is usually listed together with the barcode and serial number.

From an AT&T account login

  1. Log into your AT&T account on the website.
  2. Hover over the Profile link and click on 'Update My Profile'.
  3. Select the tab that reads 'User Information'. After clicking this, if you have multiple devices on your account, you have the option to switch between the phone numbers.
  4. Scroll down slightly and click on the link that reads 'Customer Service Summary & Contract'.
  5. Click on 'Wireless Customer Agreement' when the window pops up,. A PDF download will begin.
  6. Open the PDF. You should recognize this paperwork from when you first purchased your device. Scroll to the very bottom of the PDF and you will find your IMEI.

Tips

  • Write your IMEI down before your phone gets lost or stolen.
  • 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.
  • If you are South African, you are required by law to report the theft to your service provider and to the police (either SAPS or your local Metro Police). It will be blacklisted across ALL networks so that it can't be used for criminal activities. If it is recovered, it is possible to remove from the blacklist it provided that you have proof of ownership.
  • Most pre-paid and non-contract phones in America don't have IMEIs; the same applies to disposable phones throughout Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Warnings

  • Blocking a stolen or lost phone via the IMEI will cut off all communication between your phone and your carrier, making it impossible for the phone to be recovered via tracking. Only do this as a last resort if your phone contains sensitive information.
  • Some thieves replace the IMEI numbers of phones they steal with the IMEIs of other devices. If you purchased a phone from someone or someplace you don't quite trust, try to research whether or not your supposed IMEI actually goes with that model of phone.

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://www.smartmobilephonesolutions.com/content/imei-vs-meid-vs-esn-purpose-of-a-device-identifier
  2. ↑ http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4061
  3. ↑ http://www.geckobeach.com/cellular/secrets/clrn_mike.php
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