How to check if a phone is stolen using IMEI: complete guide 2026

Key takeaway: To check if a phone is stolen, dial *#06# to get the IMEI (15 digits), then verify it using a tool like HiCellTek TAC Lookup or the GSMA database. A blacklisted IMEI means the device is reported stolen and will be blocked by carriers.

Buying a second-hand phone carries a real risk: ending up with a stolen device that has been blacklisted by carriers and is effectively unusable on mobile networks. The only reliable way to check before purchasing is to verify the IMEI number. This guide covers every available method in 2026 to check an IMEI’s status and avoid costly mistakes.

What is IMEI and why it matters

The IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is a unique 15-digit identifier assigned to every mobile device. It consists of three parts:

• TAC (Type Allocation Code) — the first 8 digits identify the manufacturer and model
• SNR (Serial Number) — the next 6 digits identify the individual device
• Check digit — the last digit, calculated using the Luhn algorithm. Use our online IMEI calculator to verify the check digit instantly.

When a phone is reported stolen, its IMEI is entered into national and international databases. Carriers then refuse to register that device on their network, effectively rendering it useless for calls, SMS, and mobile data.

For a detailed explanation of IMEI structure, see our complete IMEI guide.

Step 1: obtain the phone’s IMEI number

Before any verification, you need to retrieve the device’s IMEI. Several methods are available:

Via the phone dialer

Dial *#06# on the call keypad. The IMEI displays immediately on screen. This is the fastest and most reliable method.

Via device settings

• Android: Settings → About Phone → Status → IMEI
• iPhone: Settings → General → About → IMEI

Via the box or invoice

The IMEI appears on the label of the original box and on the purchase invoice. If the seller cannot provide either document, that is already a red flag.

Cross-check the TAC

Use our TAC Lookup tool to verify that the first 8 digits of the IMEI match the model the seller claims to be selling. An IMEI whose TAC does not match the displayed model is a clear sign of fraud (reprogrammed IMEI).

Step 2: check GSMA blacklist status

The GSMA IMEI Database

The GSMA manages the global database of blacklisted IMEIs through its IMEI Database service (formerly CEIR — Central Equipment Identity Register). Over 200 operators in more than 150 countries participate. When a subscriber reports a theft, the carrier enters the IMEI into this shared database.

National CEIR databases

Several countries have deployed mandatory national registers:

• United States: carriers maintain individual blacklists; the Stolen Phone Checker tool aggregates data from AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon
• United Kingdom: CheckMEND and the National Mobile Phone Register (NMPR) operated by the police
• India: national CEIR (ceir.gov.in), mandatory since 2020
• Turkey: IMEI system via e-Devlet, with automatic blocking of undeclared devices
• Australia: AMTA Lost and Stolen Phones Register
• Brazil: Anatel manages the national blocked IMEI register

Verification procedure

1. Go to the IMEI verification website of your country or the GSMA portal
2. Enter the full 15-digit IMEI
3. The system indicates whether the device is clean (no reports), blacklisted (reported stolen/lost), or graylisted (under investigation)

Step 3: verify with the carrier

GSMA databases do not cover 100% of cases. Some carriers maintain local lists that are not synchronized with the global database. It is therefore recommended to contact the carrier on whose network you intend to use the phone.

Information to provide

• The complete 15-digit IMEI number
• The device model
• Possibly a form of identification

What the carrier can verify

• Blacklist status on their own network
• SIM lock status
• Whether an active contract is tied to that IMEI (subsidized device with outstanding balance)

Step 4: additional checks

Verify IMEI / model consistency

A reprogrammed (cloned) IMEI is a technique used by thieves to put a blacklisted device back into service. To detect this fraud:

1. Note the IMEI via *#06#
2. Check the corresponding TAC — it must match the physical model exactly
3. Compare with the IMEI displayed in settings — both must be identical
4. Consult our TAC explanation page to understand manufacturer code structures

Check iCloud / Google FRP status

A stolen phone may also be locked at the software level:

• iPhone: Activation Lock (tied to the owner’s iCloud account)
• Android: Factory Reset Protection (tied to the Google account)

If the seller cannot deactivate these protections in front of you, do not buy.

Request proof of purchase

The original invoice, receipt, or carrier contract are the only documents proving legitimate ownership of the device.

What to do if the IMEI is blacklisted

You bought a blacklisted phone

If you discover after purchase that the phone is blacklisted:

1. Contact the seller to request a refund
2. File a police report for unknowing receipt of stolen goods
3. Report the transaction on the sales platform (eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Swappa, etc.)
4. Do not attempt to unblock the IMEI through illegal means — IMEI reprogramming is a criminal offense in most countries

You are a theft victim

If your own phone was stolen:

1. File a police report including the IMEI number
2. Contact your carrier to blacklist the IMEI
3. Activate remote locking (Find My iPhone / Find My Device)
4. Monitor resale platforms — our guide on how to track a phone by IMEI explains the available options

Online IMEI verification tools

Several services allow you to check an IMEI for free or at low cost:

Service	Coverage	Free	Information provided
GSMA IMEI Check	Worldwide	No	Full blacklist status
National CEIR	Country-specific	Yes	National blacklist
HiCellTek TAC Lookup	Worldwide	Yes	Model, manufacturer, bands
Carrier check	Own network	Yes	Blacklist + SIM lock

Our TAC Lookup tool does not check blacklist status, but it validates that the IMEI matches the announced model — an essential step for detecting cloned or falsified IMEIs.

Best practices for second-hand purchases

To summarize, here is the complete checklist before buying a used phone:

1. Request the IMEI before meeting and verify it beforehand
2. Check TAC / model correspondence via TAC Lookup
3. Verify blacklist status through the national database or carrier
4. Verify the absence of iCloud / FRP lock
5. Require original proof of purchase
6. Meet in a public place and test the device on the network

By applying these steps systematically, you significantly reduce the risk of buying a stolen device. To learn more about the IMEI ecosystem, check our technical glossary and our IMEI structure guide.