No matter what phone you're using — whether it's a budget Moto G7 or a $900 Galaxy Note 10+ — it will have an International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number. The IMEI number is a unique identifier that's usually a string of 15 digits, and comes in handy if you're trying to locate a lost or stolen phone.
How can I find my phone's IMEI number?
Should you lose your phone or if it gets stolen, you'll have to furnish law enforcement authorities with the IMEI number so they can locate your device. Carriers rely on IMEI numbers to identify devices registered on their network, and in the event of a lost or stolen phone, they'll be able to blacklist the IMEI to prevent a particular device from being used on their network.
- Open the Settings app on your Android phone.
- Scroll down and tap on About Phone.
- Scroll down and you will find the number under IMEI.
Another way to find your IMEI, and that's a bit easier, requires nothing more than the Phone app. Here's another way to find your IMEI:
- Open the Phone app on your Android phone.
- From the Dialer, dial
*#06#into the Dialer. - Wait for the dialog box to appear.
Once you have entered this code, the MEID and any other IMEI numbers will appear on your device. This method is the easiest because it works regardless of what Android device you are using.
In the case of the first method, it's important to note that the IMEI will not be in the same place. For example, with Samsung devices, the IMEI is at the top of the About Phone area, without needing to dive any deeper. But both methods work perfectly to get you the IMEI of your device, if you don't happen to have the original box nearby.
Our top equipment picks
Google Pixel 4
Simply take a picture and see the stars
Google's Pixel 4 is one of the more impressive handsets simply because of what the camera is capable of. You can just point your phone at the night sky and take pictures that you never thought you would be able to before. It's truly amazing.
Samsung Galaxy Note 10+
Everything you could want in a phone and then some
From the big and beautiful display to the fantastic battery life and the three rear-facing camera module, this phone really does everything. And that's not to mention the S Pen and those additional and useful features.
Harish Jonnalagadda is a Senior Editor covering Asia at Android Central. He leads the site's coverage of Chinese phone manufacturers, and writes about the semiconductor industry, storage servers, and audio products. Contact him on Twitter at @chunkynerd.
