Users of modern smartphones are often faced with a situation where they urgently need to find out their own phone number or technical identifiers of the device, but the corresponding icon or menu item is hidden deep in the system. The question of where is number key on Android can be interpreted in two ways: either we are talking about finding your own number in the settings, or about accessing the numeric keypad for typing USSD commands. Depending on the smartphone model and operating system version, the location of these elements may differ significantly, which causes difficulties for gadget owners.
In this article we will analyze in detail all possible options for finding the necessary information. We'll look at standard paths in the settings menu, specific key combinations for the engineering menu, and ways to identify hidden identifiers such as IMEI or serial number. Understanding the menu structure Android will allow you to quickly find the necessary data without outside help, regardless of whether you are using a budget device or a flagship model.
Finding your own number in the system settings
The most obvious and safest way to find out your number is to go to the system settings of the device. However, smartphone manufacturers often change the menu structure, renaming sections or moving them to other categories. In the classic interface Android this information is usually hidden in the section responsible for the device status or information about the phone.
To access the data, you need to open the main application menu and find the gear icon. After entering the menu, scroll down the list to the item About the phone or About the device. In some shells, such as one from Xiaomi or one from Samsung, this section may be located inside a category. This is where the main technical information about your gadget is stored. MIUI from Xiaomi or One UI from Samsung, this section may be inside a category System or General settings. This is where the basic technical information about your gadget is stored.
Inside the section About phone look subsection Status or SIM card information. By clicking on it, you will see a list of parameters, among which will be the item Phone number. If this field displays "Unknown" or is blank, it means that the carrier did not write the number onto the SIM card itself when it was issued. In this case, the system settings will not help, and you will have to use alternative methods.
⚠️ Attention: On some smartphones with With two SIM cards, information about numbers can be divided into two separate sub-items (SIM 1 and SIM 2). Make sure that you are viewing the data of the exact card whose number you are interested in.
It is worth noting that in the latest versions Android 12 i Android 13 Google has changed its policy for displaying personal data for privacy purposes. Now the phone number can be hidden by default, and to view it you will need to verify your identity via a fingerprint or pattern. This is an important function securitythat prevents access to information in case of theft of an unlocked device.
If the number is not specified in the settings, try removing the SIM card and inserting it into another phone. Often the number is displayed only on devices that first activated the card in the operator’s network.
Using USSD codes and numeric keypad
If the system menu does not give an answer, the most reliable way is to use the operator’s service codes. To do this, you will need an application Phone, which is installed by default on any device. The icon for this application is usually a green tube and is located in the bottom dock of the screen or on the main desktop.
Once you open the application, you will see a number pad - the same one keyboardthat is used to dial numbers. There is no separate “Find out number” button, but it is possible to enter special characters. The combinations start with a star and end with a hash. Enter the code corresponding to your operator and press the call button. The number will be displayed on the screen as a pop-up message or immediately after connection.
- 📞 For the MTS operator, use the combination
*111#or*100#to obtain information about the balance and number. - 📞 MegaFon subscribers need to dial
*105#and follow the instructions on the screen. - 📞 Beeline users can find out their number by entering a request
*110*10#. - 📞 A universal code works in the Tele2 network
*155#or*189#.
If you are using a smartphone only with Wi-Fi without a SIM card inserted, this method will not work. Also, some corporate tariffs may block the display of the number through USSD requests for security purposes.
Technical identifiers: IMEI and serial number
Often, when asking “where is the number key,” users mean searching for a unique device identifier necessary for registering in services, checking a warranty, or blocking a stolen phone. We are talking about the code IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity). This number is assigned to the device itself at the factory and does not depend on the installed SIM card.
The fastest way to find out the IMEI is to use the universal engineering command. Open the application Phone and enter the sequence *#06#on the numeric keypad. Immediately after entering the last digit, a pop-up window with technical data will appear on the screen. On devices with support for two SIM cards, two IMEI numbers will be displayed, one for each slot.
*#06#An alternative path is through the settings. Go to section About the phone → General information → Status. Here you will find not only the IMEI, but also the serial number of the device (Serial Number), as well as the address MAC for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modules. This data is critically important when contacting a service center for repairs.
| Identifier type | Where it is used | Can it change |
|---|---|---|
| Phone number | Calls, SMS, instant messengers | Yes, when changing SIM |
| IMEI | Device identification on the network | No (hardware) |
| Serial number | Warranty, service | No (factory) |
| ICCID | Unique SIM card number | Yes, when changed cards |
⚠️ Attention: Never share your IMEI code with strangers on the Internet. Fraudsters can use it to clone a device or add your phone to operator blacklists, which will make it impossible to make calls.
Interface features in different Android shells
Smartphone manufacturers are actively modifying the stock operating system, creating their own custom shells. This leads to the fact that the path to the same functions on different phones can be radically different. Understanding the logic of a specific shell will save you time when searching for the necessary settings.
On devices Samsung with a shell One UI information about the number is often hidden deep in the menu. You need to go to Settings → General settings → About the phone → Information. Only by expanding this item will you see a complete list of identifiers. At the same time, on smartphones Xiaomi s MIUI the phone number is often displayed directly on the lock screen or in the notification shade if this function is activated in the SIM card settings.
Owners of smartphones Pixel and devices with clean Android (Android One) have the easiest access to data. The path Settings → About phone → Phone number works almost always if the operator has provided this data. However, in new security updates, Google may hide this line, requiring additional authorization.
Why may the number appear as “Unknown”?
Operators Communications do not always record the phone number in the SIM card memory when it is activated. This is a technical feature of issuing cards, and not a phone error. In this case, the number can only be found through a call to another device or in the operator’s personal account.
If you recently updated the firmware, the interface may have changed. Manufacturers often move menu items during major version updates Android. For example, in Android 10 the network settings were combined, and in Android 11 they were separated again. Always check that the information is up to date for your software version.
Problems with number display and their solutions
The situation when the telephone number column is empty or contains an error is a common problem. This can happen for several reasons: from incorrect installation of the SIM card to software failures in the phone's radio module. Before contacting the service, it is worth carrying out a number of independent checks.
First of all, make sure that the SIM card is installed correctly. Remove the tray, wipe the card contacts with a soft cloth and insert it back, observing the position of the key cutout. After the device restarts, check if the network appears and if the operator name is displayed. If there is a network, but there is no number, the problem is on the side of the operator or the recording on the card chip.
- 🔄 Try moving the SIM card to another slot if your smartphone supports two cards.
- 🔄 Reset the network settings:
Settings→System→Reset→Reset Wi-Fi, mobile data and Bluetooth settings. - 🔄 Update the PRL (Preferred Roaming List) database, if such an option is available in the mobile networks menu.
In rare cases the problem lies in damage to the file system where the phone settings are stored. If resetting network settings does not help, you may need to completely reset your device to factory settings. Before this procedure, be sure to create a backup copy of all important data, as they will be deleted.
☑️ Diagnosing a problem with the number
⚠️ Attention: A complete device reset (Hard Reset) will delete all your photos, contacts and applications. Use this method only as a last resort, when other methods have not helped restore the display of the number.
Access to advanced settings through the engineering menu
For advanced users, there is a way to obtain detailed information about the radio module and network status through the engineering menu. This interface is intended for testing equipment by engineers at the factory, but is also available to ordinary users. Here you can find hidden parameters that are not displayed in the standard menu.
You can enter the engineering menu through a special application or by typing a code in your phone. The codes vary depending on the device processor. For processors MediaTek the combination is often used ##3646633##, and for Qualcomm — ##4636##. In the menu that opens, go to the Phone Information (Phone information) tab.
Here you will see detailed signal statistics, network type (LTE, 3G, GSM) and SIM card status. In some versions of the menu, the phone number and ICCID are also duplicated here. Be careful: changing settings in the engineering menu without understanding their purpose can lead to loss of communication or unstable operation of the device.
The engineering menu is a powerful diagnostic tool, but it should be used with caution. Changing the radio module parameters may block the ability to make calls before visiting the service center.
If the standard codes do not work, the manufacturer may have blocked access to the engineering menu for security reasons. In this case, you can try installing special applications from the store Google Playthat emulate entering service modes, but their effectiveness is not guaranteed on all models.
Why is the phone number not displayed in the settings?
Most often this happens because the telecom operator did not write the number into the SIM card memory when it was activated. The phone reads the data from the card chip, and if it is empty, it shows "Unknown". This is not a malfunction of the smartphone.
Is it possible to change the IMEI code on Android?
Technically, this is possible if you have root access and special software, but in most countries changing the IMEI is illegal. In addition, this may lead to the device being blocked by telecom operators.
Where can I find a phone number on the locked screen?
On some Samsung and Xiaomi models, the number can be seen on the lock screen if you swipe up or tap on the emergency call icon. However, this feature must first be enabled in the lock screen settings.
What to do if the phone keyboard does not open?
If the Phone application does not launch or the keyboard does not appear, try clearing the application cache in the settings (Applications → Phone → Memory → Clear cache). If it doesn’t help, reboot the device.
How to find the number if the phone does not catch the network?
USSD codes do not work without a network. In this case, the only option is to remove the SIM card and insert it into another phone that is in the coverage area, or look at the contract with the telecom operator, where your number is always indicated.