How to Find Your Phone’s IMEI Number (*#06# and More)

To find your phone’s IMEI number, open the phone dialer and type *#06# — the IMEI appears on screen instantly, with no need to press call. The IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is the unique 15-digit ID of your handset, and you will need it to block a lost or stolen phone, register a warranty, or verify a second-hand device. Here is every reliable way to find it, plus what it is used for in India.

The quickest way: dial *#06#

Open your dialer, tap in *#06#, and the IMEI shows immediately. This code works on virtually every phone — Android or iPhone, any brand — and does not place a call or cost anything. There is nothing to press after typing the last character; the information appears on its own. On a dual-SIM phone you will usually see two numbers (more on that below), and on some phones the screen also shows the serial number and, on newer handsets, an eID for the eSIM. Take a screenshot or write it down and store it safely, so you have it ready if the phone is ever lost or stolen — you cannot easily retrieve it afterwards.

Find your IMEI in Settings

If you prefer menus, go to Settings > About phone. On most phones the IMEI is listed there directly; on some you tap IMEI information or Status to reveal it. Labels vary slightly — Samsung, Pixel, Xiaomi, Motorola and others each word it a little differently — but it is always under About phone. This route is useful when the screen is cracked in a spot that blocks the dialer, or when you simply want to copy the number cleanly rather than reading it off a pop-up. The same screen usually shows your model number and serial number too, which warranty and service centres often ask for alongside the IMEI.

Dual-SIM phones have two IMEIs

Most phones sold in India are dual-SIM, and each SIM slot has its own IMEI — shown as IMEI 1 and IMEI 2. Both belong to your handset. When you contact your operator, register a complaint, or file a block request, note down both numbers, because you may be asked for a specific one. Dialling *#06# shows both at once.

Other places your IMEI is printed

Even if the phone is missing, you can still find its IMEI:

• The original box — printed on the barcode label.
• Your purchase invoice — often lists the IMEI.
• The SIM tray or back panel — engraved on some models.
• Your Google account — sign in and open your device list, or check the details shown when moving to a new phone.

Keep a copy of your IMEI somewhere safe now, before you ever need it in an emergency.

What the IMEI is for — and blocking a stolen phone in India

Your IMEI identifies the physical handset on any network, which is what makes it powerful if the phone is stolen. In India, the government’s CEIR (Central Equipment Identity Register), available through the Sanchar Saathi portal at ceir.gov.in, lets you block a lost or stolen phone by IMEI so it cannot be used with any SIM. The process:

1. File a police complaint / FIR for the lost or stolen phone.
2. Go to the CEIR portal and choose Block lost/stolen mobile.
3. Enter the IMEI(s), your details and the complaint information, and upload the documents requested.
4. Submit and note your Request ID — you will use it to track the status or to unblock the phone later if you recover it.

You can also verify a phone’s IMEI status by texting KYM <15-digit IMEI> to 14422 — handy before buying a used phone.

Check the IMEI before buying a second-hand phone

Buying a used phone in India? The IMEI is your best safety check. Ask the seller to dial *#06# in front of you and confirm the number on screen matches the one printed on the box and the invoice — a mismatch is a red flag. Then run the KYM check by texting KYM <IMEI> to 14422; it tells you whether the handset is genuine and whether it has been reported lost, stolen or blacklisted. A phone flagged on CEIR can be blocked from all networks at any time, leaving you with a useless device, so never skip this step no matter how good the price looks.

Keep your IMEI private

Treat your IMEI like a serial number: useful, but not for public sharing. Do not post it on social media or classified listings, because scammers can misuse a genuine IMEI to disguise other devices. Share it only with your mobile operator, the police, or an authorised service centre, and be wary of websites promising to “unlock” or “change” an IMEI — tampering with an IMEI is illegal in India and can permanently brick your handset. If you are switching networks, you may also want to read how to port your mobile number in India and, for a new handset, how to check if your phone supports 5G in India.