How to Do an IMEI Check and Determine Phone Compatibility

Your IMEI or MEID number is a unique 15-digit ID number for your cell phone—kind of like its Social Security number. You might need to know or check your IMEI number for a number of reasons: to switch carriers, to unlock your phone, or even to sell your device.

There are two ways to find your IMEI:

• Dial *#06# 
• Look in your device’s settings.

You’ll need to know your phone’s IMEI number if you’re thinking about switching cell phone carriers, as you’ll need it to ensure your phone’s compatible with the new network.

How to check IMEI on your iPhone

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To perform an IMEI check from your iPhone Settings:

1. Go to Settings
2. Select General
3. Select About
4. Scroll down to IMEI

Other ways to perform an IMEI check:

• Dial *#06# on your keypad and the number will automatically display on your screen. 
• Check your SIM tray or the back of your iPhone.
• Plug your phone into your computer, open iTunes, locate your device, then open your phone's summary tab.
• Log in to your Apple ID, locate the device from your menu, then select the device. 
• Look on your phone's original box and it will be listed with your serial number.  

If all else fails, you can always log in to your carrier's site and find your device's information on your monthly statement. Not sure what carrier your iPhone is? In the same "About" menu where you'll find your IMEI, tap "Network" to see which carrier you're on.

How to check IMEI on your Android

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To perform an IMEI check on your Android:

1. Go to Settings
2. Select About Phone
3. Select Status
4. View the IMEI Information

Other ways to perform an IMEI check:

• Dial *#06# on your keypad and the number will automatically display on your screen. 
• Power your phone off and check your battery.
• Look on your phone's original box and it will be listed with your serial number.  

As with the iPhone IMEI check, you can find your device's IMEI info through your carrier.

What is an IMEI number?

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Different from your device’s serial number, IMEI stands for International Mobile Equipment Identity. The AT&T IMEI and T-Mobile IMEI numbers are uniquely generated 15-digit numbers, which are used to identify your mobile device. Your phone will be assigned an IMEI number if it works on a GSM network like AT&T or T-Mobile.

MEID stands for Mobile Equipment Identifier. If your phone has been assigned an MEID number instead of an IMEI number, that means it operates on a CDMA network, such as Verizon.

Like the IMEI number, the MEID number is a uniquely generated 14-digit number and used to identify your mobile device. 

What's the difference between an IMEI number and a serial number?

Although similar, an IMEI and serial number are different. A serial number is a unique number assigned by the manufacturer of a device, such as a phone, tablet, or TV. It’s used to differentiate every device from one another.

Conversely, an IMEI or MEID is unique to cell phones and other devices that can connect to cellular data, such as smartwatches or tablets. These numbers are used on an international level as opposed to just by manufacturers, and they can help prevent theft. Someone who steals your phone can’t simply pop a new SIM card into it and expect to use it because of your unique IMEI. IMEI numbers are built into your phone’s hardware, which means it’s impossible to change it without damaging your phone.

How to check your IMEI if your iPhone is lost or stolen

If your iPhone or iPad has been lost or stolen, you can still find out your IMEI number. Here’s how:

• Go to appleid.apple.com in a web browser on your computer.
• Sign in with your Apple ID.
• Scroll down to Devices then select your device.
• You will see your IMEI number listed.

If your iPhone was stolen, immediately report the theft to the police, providing them with your make and model and IMEI number. Also, report the theft to your carrier.

How to check your IMEI if your Android phone is lost or stolen

If your Android phone, such as a Google Pixel or Samsung Galaxy, has been lost or stolen, you can still find your IMEI number if you need to report the theft to the police. Here’s how to check it:

• Sign in to your Google account
• Open the Android Device Manager
• You should see your IMEI number along with your registered Android phone 

Other reasons to know your IMEI number

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You'll want to know your IMEI number if you’re thinking of switching your cell phone carrier or interested in selling your device.   

Switching to a new carrier

Mobile carriers operate on two different platforms, GSM and CDMA, and not all phones are compatible with both. If you want to keep your phone and switch to a different carrier, you’ll need to make sure your unlocked phone is compatible with the new network.

This is where your IMEI number comes in—an IMEI carrier compatibility check is critical to making sure your phone will work on your new chosen network. The fastest and most accurate way to ensure that you’ll be able to take your phone to a new carrier is to provide the new carrier with your IMEI number—most carriers have an IMEI checker on their websites, so you can input the number yourself and get your answer in mere seconds.

To save you a trip to Google, we’ve provided you with links to IMEI checkers for the major carriers’ sites and two of our guides on how to make the switch.

• T-Mobile IMEI check
  • Find out how to switch to T-Mobile
• AT&T compatibility list
  • Learn how to switch to AT&T
• Verizon IMEI IMEI checker
  • See how to switch to Verizon

If you're thinking of making the switch, check out these top BYO plans so you can keep your phone and get the plan you want.

Selling your phone

Finally, if you’re selling your device, the first thing the reseller will need is your Verizon MEID, AT&T IMEI, or T-Mobile IMEI number. That information will let the buyer know that the phone has not been reported lost or stolen. 

How to check if your phone Is unlocked using your IMEI

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There are several free and paid online services that will use your IMEI to tell you if your smartphone is unlocked or not. Inputting your IMEI into one of these tools is a quick and easy way to check if your phone is unlocked.

One free service to check out is IMEI24.com, which I tried out using my IMEI number. It correctly told me that my iPhone XR is locked, so that’s good news, although otherwise, we can’t fully vouch for this service. Either way, it may be worth looking into if you’re wanting to quickly check if your phone is unlocked using your IMEI.

In the end, the most reliable way to check if your phone is unlocked is to ask your carrier. If your phone is unlocked and you want to switch carriers, you can use your IMEI number to check if your phone is compatible with other networks. Most carriers have some type of compatibility check on their website. For example, if you’re looking to switch from Verizon to T-Mobile, you can easily input your IMEI into T-Mobile’s website to ensure compatibility. 

If your smartphone is locked, there are a few steps you can take to unlock your phone. Every carrier has different unlocking policies, but some basic requirements across all carriers tend to include:

• Your device must have been purchased from your current carrier
• Your phone must not have been reported lost or stolen
• Your device must not be blocked by your carrier
• Your account must be in good standing with no unpaid balances or past-due bills

Otherwise, you will need to check out your specific carrier’s unlocking policies to learn how to unlock your phone. Here are some guides to get you started:

• How to Unlock Your Verizon Phone or Tablet
• How to Unlock Your AT&T Phone or Tablet
• How to Unlock Your T-Mobile Phone or Tablet

IMEI checks: FAQs

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How do I check if my IMEI is clean?

To make sure your IMEI is clean, run it through any carrier website's IMEI compatibility checker. It should flag whether the phone has been reported as lost or stolen. There are also third-party websites you may use at your own discretion to check for a clean IMEI.

Can I check IMEI for free?

Yes! It costs nothing to check your IMEI info—the data is already on your phone.

What is the best IMEI checker?

The best IMEI checker depends on how you prefer to use your phone—you can either find it in your settings or dial