Each mobile device running an operating system Android, possesses a unique digital fingerprint known as the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity). This fifteen-digit code is the main identifier of your gadget in global cellular networks. Knowing this number is critical in situations where it is necessary to block a stolen phone, check the device for debts to the operator, or activate an official warranty from the manufacturer.
Users are often faced with the need to find this code when the device itself is no longer available, blocked or is in a service center. Fortunately, the ecosystem Android provides many built-in tools and third-party methods for obtaining this information without having to disassemble the case. In this article we will analyze in detail all possible methods, from the simplest to advanced engineering methods.
Regardless of whether you own a budget smartphone from Xiaomi or a flagship from Samsung, the identification procedure remains standardized thanks to the requirements of the association GSMA. However, the interfaces of different shells may hide the necessary menu items in different places, so we will consider universal solutions that work on 99% of devices.
The fastest method: universal USSD code
The most efficient method of obtaining an identification number does not require a deep dive into the settings menu. Engineers Android have created a special command that works at the level of the modem’s basic firmware. This means that the code will work even if you do not have a SIM card in the slot or if the touch screen is partially unresponsive.
To complete the procedure, you need to open the application Phone (dialer), which is usually pinned to the bottom navigation bar. In the dialing field, enter the combination *#06#. As soon as you press the last pound sign, the system will automatically interrupt dialing and display a pop-up window with information about the equipment.
In the window that appears, you will see a line IMEIconsisting of 15 digits. If your smartphone supports Dual SIM technology, then two different numbers will be displayed on the screen: IMEI 1 for the first slot and IMEI 2 for the second. This is important to consider when registering a device with an operator, since the lock is often tied to a specific slot.
⚠️ Attention: On some custom firmware or in the engineering menus of Chinese brands, after entering the code, an additional menu with the items “Software version” or “Battery information” may open. Don’t be alarmed, just look for a tab or button that says
IMEI Information.
Write the IMEI in your notes or send it to yourself in messenger immediately after viewing. If your phone is stolen, you will not be able to view it in the settings.
This method is the most reliable, since it accesses the communication module directly, bypassing the manufacturer's graphical shell. Even if your device's firmware crashes and it boots only in Recovery mode, this code often remains working, allowing you to save the situation.
Search through Android system settings
If the phone screen is so broken that typing is difficult, or you simply prefer a visual interface, you can use the standard settings menu. The path to the necessary information may differ slightly depending on the version Android and the proprietary shell (MIUI, OneUI, ColorOS), but the logic remains the same.
In “pure” Android (Google Pixel, Motorola, Nokia devices) the algorithm of actions is as follows: open Settings, scroll down to the About phone (About Phone) section. Here, at the very top or in the middle of the list, the IMEI number will be indicated. In older versions of the system, this item could be located inside the submenu Status or General information.
Owners of devices with aggressive interface customization is worth knowing about the nuances of navigation. For example, in the shell MIUI from the company Xiaomi information is often hidden deeper: Settings → About phone → All characteristics → Status. In smartphones Samsung with a shell One UI the path is this: Settings → Phone information.
☑️ Checking information in the settings
The advantage of this method is the ability to copy the number to the clipboard with a long tap (on some models) or take a screenshot of the screen for later saving in the cloud. This is especially convenient if you need to send the code to the support service of a telecom operator or insurance company.
Physical markings: box and case of the device
When the smartphone is completely inoperable, does not turn on, or the screen has gone dark forever, the only source of truth remains physical media. Manufacturers are required to duplicate a unique code on the packaging and, in some cases, on the gadget itself in accordance with international logistics and security standards.
First, inspect the original box of the device. There must be a sticker with a barcode on one of the edges or on the back wall. A text line is always printed next to the graphic image of the barcode IMEI/SN. The numbers on the box must completely match those that were in the system, if the device was not reassembled from different parts.
What to do if there is no box?
If the original packaging is lost, look for a warranty card or a receipt from the store. In official purchase documents, sellers often enter the IMEI of the device manually or punch it in the receipt to activate the warranty.
As for the case itself, the situation here has changed in recent years. On modern monoblocks with built-in batteries, stickers with a code on the back cover are rarely found. However, on devices with a removable battery (which is becoming rare), the label is often located directly under the battery on the inner wall of the case.
| Looking place | Availability | Reliability | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| USSD code (*#06#) | High | 100% | Works without SIM |
| Android Settings | High | 100% | Depends on OS version |
| Packaging (box) | Average | High | Requires container preservation |
| Back cover | Low | Medium | Only for older models |
| SIM card tray | Medium | Low | Small font, easy erase |
It is also worth checking the SIM card tray. On many models, including some versions of iPhone and older Androidsmartphones, laser engraving with the number is applied directly to the metal or plastic tray. To view it, you will need to use a magnifying glass or a phone camera with a macro mode, since the font there is microscopic.
Using a Google account for remote verification
Modern ecosystem Google provides users with a powerful tool for managing their devices, which can help out in a critical situation. If your smartphone was linked to an account Google and had access to the Internet at least once after the last setup, you can find out its IMEI remotely through the web interface.
Go from a computer or other device to the page google.com/android/find or to the "Security" section of your Google account. Select the desired smartphone from the list of connected devices. In addition to the location and charge level, the expanded device card often displays technical information, including the serial number and IMEI.
This method has one significant limitation: it only works if the Find My Device feature has been activated in advance. However, this is the only way to get data if the phone is stolen and has already been turned off by attackers, but managed to synchronize with the servers before that.
⚠️ Attention: Do not trust third-party sites that promise to show IMEI only by phone number. This is a common type of fraud. Telecom operators do not disclose this data to third parties without a request from law enforcement agencies.
Advanced method: receiving data via ADB
For users who have technical skills and have enabled the USB debuggingmode on their device, there is the most in-depth way to obtain information. Using the toolkit Android Debug Bridge (ADB) allows you to extract data directly from the phone’s system files, bypassing the graphical interface.
First, connect your smartphone to the computer via a USB cable and make sure that confirmation of trust in this computer appears on the phone screen. Open a command prompt (CMD) or terminal on your PC in the folder where ADB is installed. Enter the following command to get a complete list of parameters:
adb shell service call iphonesubinfo 1The result of the command will return a string in hexadecimal format, which will need to be decrypted, removing extra characters and spaces. A simpler option for getting IMEI looks like this:
adb shell dumpsys iphonesubinfoIn the output of this command, find the line Device ID —this is your identification number. This method is indispensable when the touch screen does not function completely (black screen of death), but the system inside works and you can control the phone from the computer.
ADB commands work even on a locked screen if USB debugging was enabled before the lock and the computer was already authorized.
Frequent questions and problems when determining IMEI
In the process of searching for a unique identifier, users often encounter non-standard situations that cause confusion. Below we have discussed the most popular questions related to duplicate codes, their changes and legal aspects of using this information on the network Android.
One of the most common questions concerns the situation when two identical IMEI numbers are displayed on the screen for two different SIM slots. In modern smartphones with eSIM technology or advanced modems, this may be the norm for some operating modes, but most often this indicates a software glitch or the use of a low-quality Chinese copy of the flagship, where the second slot is emulated in software.
Is it possible to change the IMEI number on Android?
Technically this is possible on devices with rights Root and using special engineering software (for example, Xposed modules or service utilities from MediaTek/Qualcomm). However, this action is illegal in many countries, as it violates the rules for registering equipment in communication networks. In addition, an inept change can lead to a complete loss of the network (modem brick).
What do the first 8 digits of IMEI mean?
The first 8 digits are called TAC (Type Allocation Code). They encode information about the device model and country of origin or assembly. Using these numbers, you can accurately determine which phone you are holding in your hands without looking at the logos. The remaining digits are the unique serial number of a particular instance.
How to check a phone by IMEI for theft?
There are open databases, such as IMEI.info or regional registries of operators (for example, the database of stolen phones in the Russian Federation or the EU). By entering your code there, you will see the status of the device: is it on the black list, is it stolen, or does it have active financial obligations to the operator.
Why is IMEI not displayed in the settings?
If in the settings menu instead of numbers there are dashes or the inscription "Null", this indicates a serious problem with the communication module (NV-memory of the modem damaged). This often happens after an unsuccessful flashing of the phone or a physical blow. In this case, only flashing the modem at a service center will help.
Do I need to report IMEI when selling a phone?
Yes, this is a good practice. Providing the buyer with a photo of the box with IMEI or a screenshot from the settings increases the credibility of the transaction. The buyer will be able to independently check the device using the databases before the meeting, which will save time for both parties and eliminate the sale of a criminal gadget.