What does your smartphone’s IMEI number actually mean?

In order for your smartphone to connect to cellular networks, it has been assigned a unique 15-digit identifier called the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI). Each mobile carrier uses this ID number to verify the identity of your smartphone on their network, essentially making it a kind of digital fingerprint. Without it, your phone wouldn’t be able to access any mobile provider’s network, meaning it wouldn’t be able to make calls, send text messages, or use mobile internet.

The IMEI number of your smartphone has many other uses. For example, if someone steals your phone, you can provide the IMEI number to your mobile carrier, and it will be blacklisted from most mobile networks, so the thief will have a largely useless device. Also, it can be helpful in physically finding the phone. By providing your IMEI number to authorities, they can work with cell phone carriers to triangulate the location of your stolen phone based on which cell towers it connected to. It can also be used by insurance companies to check if an insured phone exists, is not blocked or is part of a duplicate insurance claim.

An IMEI number is made up of three parts: the type assignment code (TAC), the serial number (SNR) and the check digit (CD). When you see an IMEI number like 35024715 120807 4, the first eight digits are the TAC, the next six digits are the SNR, and the last digit is the CD. The TAC is used to identify the make and model of your phone. It can sometimes be written as 35 024715, which may lead you to believe that the IMEI has four parts. However, the first two digits of the TAC are the Reporting Body Identifier (RBI), which is used to identify the reporting body that issued the TAC. The reporting organization is approved by the GSMA, a global organization representing mobile operators around the world.

SNR is a unique identifier assigned to the phone. The CD is generated using the Luhn algorithm, a formula used by many industries to verify the accuracy of identification numbers, including credit card numbers and, in this case, IMEI.

Finding the IMEI of a device is easy. You can enter it on several online platforms to check that a phone is not stolen or blacklisted, which is especially useful when buying a used phone. You should also keep your IMEI number safe, as fraudsters can clone it on a stolen or blacklisted phone to fool a mobile carrier’s network into thinking it is a legitimate device. This may allow them, for example, to sell the device or use it to commit different types of fraud, which can land you in trouble with the authorities.

The easiest way to find your phone’s IMEI number is to dial *#06# in your phone app. If you are using a dual SIM phone, you will see an IMEI number for each SIM card (for example, IMEI 1 and IMEI 2). Make no mistake, because both perform the same function. You can also often find the IMEI number printed on the back of your phone, on the SIM card tray, or on the phone’s original box.

You can also find the IMEI in settings. If you are using an iPhone, follow the steps below:

1. Open Settings.

2. Faucet General.

3. Faucet About.

4. Find the IMEI number.

On Android, the exact steps to find the IMEI may differ depending on the manufacturer. But if you are using a Samsung phone or Google Pixel, you can find it by following the steps below:

1. Open Settings.

2. Faucet About Or About the phone.

3. Find the IMEI number.