How to find your IMEI number without the phone: 7 methods

Key takeaway: To find your IMEI without the phone: (1) check the original packaging box, (2) sign in to your Google account (myaccount.google.com > Security > Devices) or iCloud (icloud.com > Settings), (3) check your purchase invoice, (4) call your carrier with your phone number.

Lost your phone, had it stolen, or need to provide your IMEI to your insurer without the device in hand? Several methods allow you to retrieve this 15-digit number without physical access to the device. This guide details the 7 main solutions, ranked by reliability and ease of access.

Why do you need the IMEI?

The IMEI is essential in several situations where the phone is no longer accessible:

• Theft report: police and carrier need the IMEI to block the device
• Insurance claim: the insurer requires the IMEI to process the case
• Network blocking: the carrier blacklists the IMEI to prevent the stolen device from being used
• Tracking: some tracking services use the IMEI to locate a device — learn more in our guide on how to track a phone by IMEI

To understand the structure of this number and its role, see our complete IMEI guide.

Method 1: the original phone box

This is the simplest and most reliable method. The IMEI is printed on a label affixed to the original box, typically next to the barcode and serial number.

Where to look:

• On the side or bottom of the box
• Next to the barcode (often accompanied by a QR code)
• On the manufacturer’s white or silver label

Tip: always keep the original box of your devices in a safe place. It is the fastest way to retrieve the IMEI when needed.

Method 2: Google account (Android)

If your Android phone was connected to a Google account, the IMEI is recorded in the account settings.

Via Google Find My Device

1. Go to google.com/android/find
2. Sign in with the Google account associated with the phone
3. Select the relevant device
4. The IMEI is displayed in the device information

Via Google Dashboard

1. Access myaccount.google.com/dashboard
2. Look for the “Android” section
3. Click on your device
4. The IMEI appears in the details

Note: this method only works if the phone was connected to your Google account and synchronization was active.

Method 3: Apple account (iPhone)

For iPhones, the IMEI is accessible through the associated Apple account.

Via the Apple website

1. Go to appleid.apple.com
2. Sign in with your Apple ID
3. In the “Devices” section, select the relevant iPhone
4. The IMEI is displayed in the device specifications

Via iCloud Find My

1. Access icloud.com/find
2. Sign in with your Apple ID
3. Click “All Devices” then select your iPhone
4. Click the information icon (i) to see the IMEI

Via iTunes/Finder (with a backup)

If you made a local backup of your iPhone on a computer:

1. Open iTunes (Windows) or Finder (macOS Catalina+)
2. Go to Preferences, then Devices
3. Hover over the backup with your mouse — the IMEI appears in the tooltip

Method 4: the purchase invoice

The IMEI appears on the phone’s purchase invoice, whether the purchase was made:

• At a carrier store
• At a specialized retailer
• On an e-commerce site (Amazon, Best Buy, etc.)
• Directly from the manufacturer (Apple Store, Samsung Store)

Search your emails for a receipt or order confirmation containing “IMEI” or “serial number.”

Method 5: contact your carrier

Your mobile carrier records the IMEI of every device that connected to its network with your SIM card.

Procedure

1. Call your carrier’s customer service or visit a store
2. Bring identification
3. Request the IMEI of the last device associated with your line
4. The carrier can retrieve the IMEI from their billing system (CDR)

Timeframe

The carrier can generally provide this information within minutes by phone or immediately in-store. Some carriers also display the IMEI in the online customer portal.

Method 6: insurance contract

If you subscribed to phone insurance, the IMEI generally appears in the contract or subscription documents. Check:

• The insurance contract itself
• The subscription confirmation email
• The insurer’s customer portal

Method 7: old activation SMS or emails

Some services send an SMS or email containing the IMEI during activation:

• Samsung: the Samsung Account registration email sometimes contains the IMEI
• Carriers: the welcome SMS may include device information
• Security apps: apps like Lookout, Cerberus, or Prey record the IMEI during installation

What to do once you find the IMEI

Verify the device

Use our TAC Lookup to verify that the IMEI matches your phone model. You can also validate the IMEI format with our IMEI calculator. The first 8 digits (TAC) identify the manufacturer and model — see our TAC guide to understand this structure.

Block a stolen device

If your phone was stolen:

1. File a police report providing the IMEI
2. Call your carrier to blacklist the IMEI on the network
3. The carrier will transmit the IMEI to the GSMA database for international blocking

Store the IMEI safely

To avoid finding yourself in this situation again:

• Note the IMEI in a password manager or secure file
• Keep the original phone box
• Take a photo of the IMEI label on the box
• Register the IMEI in your carrier’s customer portal

Special case: dual SIM phones

Dual SIM phones have two distinct IMEIs (one per SIM slot). Make sure to note both numbers. When filing a theft report, provide both IMEIs for complete blocking.

On eSIM-compatible devices, the IMEI is also dual: one for the physical SIM, one for the eSIM.

Summary

Method	Reliability	Accessibility	Time
Original box	Very high	If kept	Immediate
Google account	High	With credentials	Immediate
Apple account	High	With credentials	Immediate
Invoice	High	If found	Immediate
Carrier	High	With ID	Minutes
Insurance	Medium	If subscribed	Immediate
Emails/SMS	Variable	If kept	Variable

For any IMEI verification, our TAC Lookup tool is available for free. For developers looking to integrate IMEI verification into their applications, check our IMEI API.