Free IMEI Checker — Check Your IMEI Number Online
Paste a 15-digit IMEI to validate it instantly in your browser. We check the Luhn checksum, break the number down into its TAC, serial and check digit, and explain exactly what each part means. Nothing is uploaded — the check runs entirely on your device.
What this checker does not tell you
- Blacklist or stolen status — that requires a paid GSMA/CEIR lookup.
- Carrier lock or unlock eligibility — ask your carrier.
- Warranty dates or purchase country — brand support only.
Privacy: your IMEI is processed locally in your browser. It is never stored, logged or sent to any server.
What is an IMEI number?
IMEI stands for International Mobile Equipment Identity. It is a 15-digit number that uniquely identifies a single GSM, UMTS or LTE device on mobile networks. Unlike a phone number or SIM card, the IMEI belongs to the hardware itself, so it stays with the handset even when you swap SIMs, change carrier or move country.
Networks use the IMEI to recognise a device, apply the right radio settings and — when a phone is reported lost or stolen — to block it from connecting. Dual-SIM phones have two IMEIs, one per radio, and some devices also expose an IMEISV (software version) variant that adds two digits.
How to find your IMEI
Dial *#06# on the keypad. This works on virtually every phone, feature phone and tablet with a cellular modem, and shows the IMEI immediately without any app.
In Settings: on Android open Settings → About phone → IMEI; on iPhone open Settings → General → About and scroll to IMEI. iPhones also engrave the IMEI on the SIM tray or on the back of older models.
On the box: the retail packaging carries an IMEI barcode label. If you bought the phone new, this is the fastest way to confirm the number matches the handset inside — a mismatch is a strong sign of tampering.
What our IMEI checker shows — and what it can't
Our tool verifies the structure of the number: it confirms there are exactly 15 digits and recomputes the Luhn checksum used by the GSMA. If the checksum matches, the number is a well-formed IMEI. If it does not, at least one digit has been mistyped or the number is fabricated.
It then splits the IMEI into its parts — the 8-digit TAC, the 6-digit serial and the final check digit — so you can read it the way the industry does.
What it cannot do is tell you whether a device is blacklisted, stolen, carrier-locked or still under warranty. Those statuses live in commercial databases (GSMA, CEIR and national registries) that charge for access. Any free site claiming to return blacklist results instantly is usually guessing, and we would rather show you nothing than fabricate a result.
How to read your IMEI (TAC, serial, check digit)
Digits 1–8 are the Type Allocation Code. The TAC is issued by the GSMA to a manufacturer for a specific model variant, so two identical handsets share a TAC. Looking up a TAC in an official database reveals the declared brand and model.
Digits 9–14 are the serial number the manufacturer assigns within that TAC block. Together with the TAC they make the device unique.
Digit 15 is the check digit, calculated from the first 14 digits with the Luhn algorithm: double every second digit from the right, sum the digits of the results, and choose the value that brings the total to a multiple of ten. That is exactly the maths this page runs for you.
Why check your IMEI
Buying used: before you hand over money, ask the seller to dial *#06# and compare the number to the box, the SIM tray and the Settings screen. If any of them disagree, walk away.
Verifying authenticity: counterfeit handsets often ship with a malformed or duplicated IMEI. A number that fails the checksum can never have been issued legitimately.
Reporting a loss: your carrier and the police need the IMEI to blacklist a stolen phone, so it is worth recording it somewhere safe now — before you need it.
Repairs and insurance: service centres and insurers identify your exact device by IMEI, which is why the number appears on invoices and claim forms.
IMEI checker FAQ
Is my IMEI valid?
Enter it above. If the number is exactly 15 digits and its final check digit matches the Luhn checksum of the first 14, it is a valid, well-formed IMEI. If it fails, a digit has been mistyped or the number was never issued.
Can I check if an IMEI is blacklisted for free?
Not reliably. Blacklist and stolen-device status is held in paid databases such as GSMA and national CEIR registries. Your carrier can check for you, and some police services offer a lookup, but no free web tool has authoritative access. We deliberately do not fabricate a status.
What is a TAC?
The Type Allocation Code is the first 8 digits of an IMEI. The GSMA issues it to a manufacturer for a specific model variant, so it identifies the device type — not the individual handset.
Does *#06# work on all phones?
It works on essentially every phone with a cellular modem, including Android, iPhone, feature phones and cellular tablets. Wi-Fi-only tablets have no IMEI, and a few carrier-locked or heavily customised builds may hide the dialer shortcut — in that case use Settings instead.
Is it safe to share my IMEI?
Share it with your carrier, insurer or an official repair centre when they ask. Avoid posting it publicly or sending it to unknown 'unlock' sites: a leaked IMEI can be cloned onto another device or used in warranty fraud.
Do you store the IMEI I enter?
No. The validation runs entirely in your browser with JavaScript. The number is never sent to our servers, never logged and never included in analytics — we only record that a check happened and whether it passed.
Why does my dual-SIM phone show two IMEIs?
Each cellular radio needs its own identity, so a dual-SIM handset is issued two IMEIs. Both are valid; check whichever one your carrier or insurer asks for.
What is the difference between IMEI and serial number?
The IMEI identifies the device to mobile networks and is standardised at 15 digits worldwide. The serial number is the manufacturer's own internal identifier with its own format, used mainly for warranty and support.