API Reference

TAC Database API

Identify the brand, model, and chipset of any mobile device from its TAC or IMEI. REST API, JSON responses, coverage of several hundred thousand GSMA TACs.

Updated March 2026 · Base URL: https://imei.hicelltek.com/api/v1

Endpoint. TAC Lookup

POST /api/v1/tac/lookup

Looks up a TAC (8 digits) or IMEI (15 digits) in the database and returns device information.

Request

Headers

Content-Type: application/json
Accept: application/json

Body (JSON)

{
  "query": "35391012",
  "lang": "en"
}

Parameter	Type	Required	Description
query	string	Yes	TAC (8 digits) or IMEI (15 digits)
lang	string	No	`"fr"` or `"en"` (default: `"en"`)
captchaToken	string	Web only	Cloudflare Turnstile token (required via the web tool)

Response

Success (200 OK)

JSON Response

{
  "found": true,
  "tac": "35391012",
  "brand": {
    "name": "Samsung",
    "slug": "samsung"
  },
  "model": "Galaxy S24 Ultra",
  "model_info": "SM-S928B/DS",
  "year": "2024",
  "chipset": "Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3"
}

Field	Type	Description
found	boolean	`true` if the TAC exists in the database
tac	string	The looked-up TAC (8 digits)
brand	object	Manufacturer: `name` (display name) + `slug`
model	string	Commercial model name
model_info	string	Internal reference (manufacturer model number)
year	string \| null	Device release year
chipset	string \| null	Chipset/processor (Qualcomm, MediaTek, Exynos…)

Errors

HTTP Code	Cause
200	`"found": false`. TAC not found in the database
422	Validation failed (invalid format, missing CAPTCHA)
429	Rate limited, too many requests
503	Service temporarily unavailable

Use Cases

Network Engineering

Identify network capabilities (bands, CA, MIMO, VoLTE) of devices on your network from TAC traces.

Second-Hand Market

Verify device authenticity, confirm the exact model, and detect counterfeits from the IMEI.

MDM Fleet Management

Automatically enrich your device inventory with manufacturer, chipset, and year data via the TAC.

Analytics & BI

Aggregate TACs to analyze model, chipset, and manufacturer distribution in your device fleet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the TAC Lookup API free?

The web-based TAC Lookup tool is free and requires no registration. For programmatic API access with high volumes, contact us for a plan tailored to your needs.

How many TACs are in the database?

Our database covers several hundred thousand TACs assigned by the GSMA, with regular updates to include the latest devices launched on the market.

Does the API return full technical specifications?

The standard response includes brand, model, chipset, and release year. Detailed specifications (display, battery, camera, RAM, storage, network bands) are available through the full report.

What is the rate limit?

The web tool is protected by Cloudflare Turnstile (CAPTCHA) and rate limiting. For high-volume API usage, dedicated plans with custom quotas are available.

Does the API support full IMEI lookups?

Yes. You can send a full IMEI (15 digits) or just the TAC (first 8 digits). The API automatically extracts the TAC from the IMEI to identify the model.

Is the TAC data GSMA-compliant?

Yes. TACs are official codes assigned by the GSMA (Global System for Mobile Communications Association). Our database is regularly synchronized with public allocations.

Related Resources

Free Tool

IMEI / TAC Lookup

Try the API directly from the web tool.

Guide

What Is a TAC?

Understand the Type Allocation Code and GSMA database.

Comparison

IMEI vs TAC vs Serial Number

Key differences between mobile identifiers.

Guide

What Is an IMEI?

Full definition, structure and verification.

Need Dedicated API Access?

Contact us for an API plan tailored to your volumes: integration support, custom quotas, and technical assistance.

Contact Us Try the Tool