What IMEI actually stands for
IMEI stands for International Mobile Equipment Identity: a 15-digit number assigned to a physical phone at the factory. It identifies the device itself, not your phone number, your SIM card, or your account — which is exactly why it stays the same when you switch SIMs or change carriers.
That permanence is what makes it useful. When you run a carrier unlock or an IMEI check, we're looking up the device by this number, not by anything tied to your current network.
Three ways to find your IMEI
- 1Dial the codeOpen your phone's dialer and enter *#06#. Every phone — iPhone or Android — instantly shows its IMEI on screen. No internet connection or SIM card is needed for this to work.
- 2Check SettingsiPhone: Settings → General → About. Android: Settings → About phone → Status (the exact wording varies a little by manufacturer). The IMEI is listed there next to the model and serial number.
- 3Look at the phone or its boxMany phones print the IMEI on the SIM tray or on a label under a removable battery. The original retail box usually has it printed next to a barcode too.
What the digits actually mean
You don't need to memorise this, but it helps to know an IMEI isn't a random string. The first eight digits — the Type Allocation Code — identify the manufacturer and exact model. The next six form a unique serial number for that specific unit. The final digit is a check digit, calculated from the rest, used to catch a mistyped digit before it causes a problem.
| Digits | What they identify |
|---|---|
| 1–8 (TAC) | Manufacturer and model |
| 9–14 | Unique unit serial number |
| 15 | Check digit — validates the rest |
That structure is also why a mistyped IMEI is usually caught immediately rather than quietly matching the wrong phone: change one digit and the check digit almost always stops lining up, so our systems (and most carriers') flag it as invalid rather than silently looking up someone else's device.
IMEI vs. serial number — not the same thing
A serial number identifies the unit for warranty, repair, and manufacturing purposes. The IMEI identifies it to cellular networks. For a carrier unlock or a blacklist check you specifically need the IMEI — a serial number alone won't work, even though both are printed in the same Settings screen.
Why we ask for it
A carrier unlock order and an IMEI check both start from this number: it tells our systems the exact model and lets us look up its carrier-lock and blacklist status before anything is submitted. None of this requires your SIM, your Apple ID or Google account password, or physical access to the phone.
Does the IMEI change if I put in a new SIM card?
No. The IMEI belongs to the device, not the SIM. Swapping SIM cards, or switching carriers entirely, never changes it.
What if my screen is cracked and I can't dial *#06#?
Check the SIM tray or the original box first. If neither is available, the carrier or retailer that sold the phone can usually look the IMEI up from the account or purchase record.
Is it safe to share my IMEI with a seller or with you?
Yes. An IMEI on its own can't be used to track, unlock, or remotely access a phone. It identifies the hardware, not a security credential.
Does every device have an IMEI?
Any cellular-enabled device does — phones, cellular tablets, and cellular smartwatches. A Wi-Fi-only tablet has no IMEI, because it has no cellular radio for the number to identify.
Enter your IMEI and network to see your unlock price before you order.
