Owning a modern smartphone is impossible to imagine without a unique digital identifier, which is assigned to each device during production. This code, known as International Mobile Equipment Identity, is a kind of passport of your gadget in the world of mobile networks. Knowing where to find the IMEI on Android is necessary not only to activate the device, but also to block a stolen phone, verify its authenticity before purchasing it in person, or link it to security accounts. Without this number, it is impossible to perform many critical operations to manage a mobile device.
Often users are faced with a situation where the box from the device has long been disposed of, the sticker on the case has worn off, and the phone itself is locked or broken. At such moments, there is an urgent need to find out the treasured combination of numbers using alternative methods. Fortunately, the Android operating system stores this information in several levels of access, ranging from simple dialing to deep system logs. It is important to understand that this identifier does not change when flashing or resetting the settingssince it is “hardwired” at the hardware level of the communication module.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the available ways to obtain this information, from the simplest to those that require connecting to a computer. We'll also discuss how to check your device's history using this code and what to do if standard methods don't work. Regardless of the model of your smartphone - be it a budget Redmi, flagship Samsung Galaxy or a custom build - you can find the necessary data if you follow the instructions below.
Using a USSD code and the engineering menu
The fastest and most universal method that works on 99% of all Android devices, regardless of the operating system version or shell installed. To do this, you don't need Internet access, a working SIM card, or even a screen unlock (if you have access to the dialer). You just need to open the Phone application and enter a special combination of characters. After entering the last digit or character, the system will automatically recognize the command and display the result on the screen.
The standard command for all manufacturers is *#06#. As soon as you type the last pound sign, a pop-up window will instantly appear on the display. It will display a 15-digit number. If your smartphone supports dual SIM cards, you will see two different codes: IMEI 1 and IMEI 2. This is normal, since each slot has its own unique communication module identifier.
⚠️ Attention: On some custom ROMs or heavily modified skins (for example, older versions of MIUI or CyanogenMod), this command may be blocked or redirected. In this case, try adding an asterisk at the end:
#06#.
In rare cases when the standard code does not work, you can try to enter the engineering menu through the settings. The path may vary, but often it looks like this: Settings → About phone → General information → SIM card status. However, the USSD code remains the most reliable method of primary diagnostics.
Search for an ID in the system settings
If the phone screen is broken or the touchscreen responds with a delay, dialing the USSD code may be difficult. In this case, you should turn to the system menu, where the information is stored in static form. The menu structure may vary depending on the version of Android and the manufacturer's skin (OneUI, MIUI, ColorOS), but the logic remains the same. You need to find the section containing technical information about the device.
Usually the path looks like this: go to Settings, scroll down to System or About phone. Inside this section, look for subsection General information, Status or Options. It is there, among the data about the Android version and security level, that IMEIwill be indicated. On some devices, for example, in a pure version of Android on Google Pixel, this number may be hidden by default, and to display it you will need to click on a special icon or arrow next to the menu item.
- 📱 Open the "Settings" application (gear).
- ℹ️ Find the "About phone" or "About device" section at the very bottom list.
- 🔍 Look for the line "IMEI","SIM card status" or "General information".
- 👆 If the number is not immediately visible, click on the line or arrow to expand the list.
It is important to note that the settings menu often displays not only the number itself, but also the network status, signal strength and device serial number (SN). Be careful not to confuse the 15-digit IMEI with the longer serial number or Wi-Fi MAC address. The serial number is unique to the instance, but the IMEI is tied specifically to the radio module.
Physical check of the case and packaging
When the phone is turned off, discharged or completely inoperable, software methods become useless. In such situations, physical storage media come to the rescue. Manufacturers are required to label each device, so your search should start with the box. There is always a sticker with barcodes on the back or side wall of the original packaging, which indicates the serial number and model of the device. This is the most reliable way if the box has been preserved. IMEI, serial number and device model. This is the most reliable way if the box has been preserved.
If there is no box, inspect the smartphone itself. In modern models with a non-removable battery, information is often laser engraved on the back cover (usually at the bottom) or on the SIM card tray. The number on the tray may be very small, so use a magnifying glass or phone camera with zoom for a detailed look. On older devices with a removable battery, the sticker is located under the battery on the phone body.
| Search location | Type of marking | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Box | Sticker with barcode | High (if saved) |
| SIM tray | Micro-engraving | Medium (needs a magnifying glass) |
| Back cover | Laser engraving/Sticker | High (on older models) |
| Under the battery | Factory sticker | Only for removable batteries |
It is worth considering that if you buy a used phone and find that the IMEI on the box, on the case and in the settings menu do not match, this is a sure sign that the device has undergone serious repairs with the replacement of the motherboard or is a homemade one. In such cases, it is better to refrain from purchasing.
Verification through Google account and Find My Device
For owners of Android smartphones who are logged into their Google account, there is the possibility of remote ID verification. This is especially true if the phone is lost, stolen, or simply located in a different location but was previously connected to the Internet. The Find My Device service from Google synchronizes information about connected gadgets, including their unique codes.
To use this method, go from any other device (computer or tablet) to the official page of the Google Find My Device service. After logging in with the same account as on the lost phone, select the desired device from the list on the left. The (detailed information) often displays the model and, in some cases, the IMEI. However, it is worth noting that Google periodically changes the interface, and the direct IMEI output may be hidden depending on the region and version of the service.
An alternative way is through the Google account security settings. Go to the "Security" section, find the "Your devices" block and select "Device management". There will be a list of all the gadgets you have ever logged in from. By clicking on a specific device, you can see its model and activity status. Although the IMEI is not always displayed there, this method allows you to confirm that the device is registered with your account, which is important for the blocking procedure.
⚠️ Attention: If the phone was reset to factory settings (Hard Reset) before being lost, it may disappear from the list of active Google devices, and it will become impossible to find out the IMEI through the account. The method only works for previously synchronized devices.
Using ADB and computer diagnostics
For advanced users, developers, or in situations where the phone screen is completely black, but the device itself turns on and is detected by the computer, there is a method through USB debugging. To do this, you will need a computer with ADB (Android Debug Bridge) drivers installed and USB debugging enabled on the smartphone itself (which, alas, is disabled by default on most devices).
If debugging is enabled, connect the phone to the PC via a USB cable. Open a command prompt (CMD) or terminal on your computer in the ADB tools folder. Enter the command to get a list of connected devices to verify the connection:
adb devicesAfter confirming the connection, enter the command to request information about the phone. However, the standard command adb shell service call iphonesubinfo 1 may be unstable on newer versions of Android due to security restrictions. A more reliable way is to query the system properties:
adb shell getprop | grep imeiThis method requires technical literacy. If you don't know what ADB is, most likely this method will not work for you without first studying the topic. However, this is the only software way to “extract” data from a phone whose screen does not show an image, but the system is working.
- 💻 Install SDK Platform Tools on your computer.
- 🔌 Connect the phone with a cable to the PC.
- ⌨️ Enter the command
adb shell service call iphonesubinfo 1(may require root access). - 📋 Copy the resulting hex code and decode it (every 2 characters after '0x' is part of the number).
☑️ Verification via ADB
Specifics of dual-SIM smartphones and eSIM
Modern devices increasingly support eSIM technology (embedded SIM card) along with a physical slot. In such smartphones, the structure of identifiers becomes more complex. A device can have one IMEI for the physical module and a separate EID (Embedded Identity Document) for the virtual card, or two IMEIs if the eSIM emulates the second slot. Where to find IMEI on Android in the case of eSIM?
The search principle remains the same: the code *#06# will show all available identifiers. They are usually labeled as IMEI 1 (physical SIM) and IMEI 2 (eSIM). It is important to distinguish between these concepts when registering a device with an operator or when blocking it. If you lose a phone with an eSIM, you need to block both IDs to prevent the device from being used on any network.
Some manufacturers, such as Apple (iPhone) or Google (Pixel), may hide the second IMEI in the standard menu if the eSIM is not activated. In the Android segment (for example, Samsung, Xiaomi), both numbers are usually visible immediately. When purchasing such a phone, be sure to check both numbers with the data on the box.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to change the IMEI on Android?
Technically, this is possible with the help of root access and special software, but in most countries (including the Russian Federation) this action is illegal and amounts to device cloning. In addition, an inept change can lead to complete inoperability of the modem ("brick"), and it will be extremely difficult to restore it.
What to do if the IMEI consists of zeros or is unreadable?
If instead of a number you see "000000000000000" or "Null", this indicates damage to the NVRAM (non-volatile memory), where the modem calibration data is stored. This often happens after an unsuccessful flashing. Restoration of the NVRAM backup copy or professional repair in the service is required.
Is IMEI needed for warranty?
Yes, when contacting a service center under warranty, employees first check the IMEI of the device to confirm that this particular device was sold by an official dealer and is not listed as stolen.
Is it possible to find a phone by IMEI if it is turned off?
Directly via satellite - no, since a turned off phone does not transmit a signal. However, as soon as it is turned on and tries to register with the network, the telecom operator will see its location through the base stations. This requires a request from law enforcement agencies.