Before you start
- Your Google account or Apple Account details, or the phone’s box/receipt
What the IMEI is and why it matters
The IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is a unique 15-digit number for your phone. Carriers can use it to block the phone from their networks (blacklisting), and police use it to identify recovered phones. Dual-SIM phones have two IMEIs.
Method 1 Find it on the box or paperwork
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Step 1: Check the box
Look at the sticker on the side or back of the original box for IMEI or IMEI1/IMEI2.
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Step 2: Check the receipt or invoice
Many shops and carriers print the IMEI or serial number on the receipt or in your online order history.
Method 2 Android: find it in your Google account
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Step 1: Open Find Hub
Go to google.com/android/find and sign in with the Google account used on the phone.
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Step 2: Show device info
Select the phone and click the info (ⓘ) or settings icon next to its name. The IMEI is shown there.
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Step 3: Samsung alternative
Sign in at smartthingsfind.samsung.com with your Samsung account; device details also show the IMEI. Your Samsung account’s device list at account.samsung.com may show it too.
Method 3 iPhone: find it in your Apple Account
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Step 1: Sign in
Go to account.apple.com and sign in with your Apple Account.
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Step 2: Open Devices
Go to Devices and select the lost iPhone. The serial number and IMEI are shown.
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Step 3: Or use another Apple device
On an iPad or Mac signed in to the same Apple Account, go to Settings > [your name] and select the iPhone in the device list.
Method 4 Report the phone
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Step 1: Mark it as lost
Lock it with Find Hub (Android) or Find My > Mark As Lost (iPhone) before anything else.
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Step 2: Tell your carrier
Call your carrier with the IMEI. They can suspend your SIM to stop calls and data charges, and in many countries block the IMEI so the phone can’t be used on networks.
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Step 3: File a police report
Give the police the IMEI and any location shown in Find Hub/Find My. Insurers usually require a police report number.
Troubleshooting
The IMEI isn’t shown in Find Hub
Make sure you’re signed in with the right account and that you select the phone, not another device. Use the box, receipt or carrier account instead.
My carrier says they can’t find the IMEI
If you bought the phone elsewhere, the carrier may only have the SIM details. Give them the IMEI from the box or receipt.
Frequently asked questions
Can I track a phone with its IMEI?
Not yourself. Only carriers and police can use the IMEI to locate a phone, usually with a legal order. Use Find Hub or Find My to see its location.
Does blocking the IMEI stop the phone working?
It stops it connecting to mobile networks in countries that share blacklists. It can still use Wi-Fi, which is why you should also lock it remotely.
Can a thief change the IMEI?
Changing an IMEI is illegal in many countries and difficult on modern phones, but it’s one reason to also lock and erase the phone remotely.
Summary
Find your IMEI on the box or receipt, in Find Hub for Android, or in your Apple Account’s device list for iPhone. Then lock the phone remotely and give the IMEI to your carrier and the police.
