How to find and check your phone IMEI in the UK

The quickest way to find your phone's IMEI is to open the keypad and dial *#06#. The 15-digit number appears on screen straight away, no SIM needed, and it works on almost every iPhone, Samsung, and Android handset made. Once you have that number, you can run an IMEI check to confirm the phone is clean and ready to sell or safe to buy.

This guide covers what the IMEI is, where to find it on different phones, what an IMEI check actually tells you, and why it is worth checking before money changes hands.

What an IMEI is and why it matters

IMEI stands for International Mobile Equipment Identity. It is a 15-digit number that is unique to each handset, a bit like a serial number that UK networks recognise. It identifies the physical device rather than the SIM card or the phone number, so it stays with the phone for life.

The IMEI matters because UK networks use it to track which devices are allowed on their networks. When a phone is reported lost or stolen, or when a finance agreement on it goes unpaid, the IMEI gets added to a shared blocking database and the handset stops working on UK networks. That is why both sellers and buyers care about it: the IMEI is the key that tells you whether a phone has a clean history.

How to find the IMEI on an iPhone

There are a few ways to find the IMEI on an iPhone, so use whichever is easiest:

• Dial *#06#. Open the Phone app, go to the keypad, and type *#06#. The IMEI appears instantly. This is the fastest method and needs no SIM.
• Settings. Go to Settings, then General, then About. Scroll down and you will see the IMEI listed (newer iPhones may show two, since they support dual SIM).
• The SIM tray. On several iPhone models the IMEI is etched onto the metal SIM tray. Pop the tray out and look closely.
• The original box. Apple prints the IMEI on a sticker on the retail box, usually near the barcode.

If you are searching online, the term people use is "imei check iphone," but the number itself is found the same way on every model.

How to find the IMEI on a Samsung or Android phone

The process on Android is almost identical:

• Dial *#06#. Open the dialler and enter *#06#. The IMEI shows on screen at once. This works across Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, and other Android brands.
• Settings. Go to Settings, then About phone (on Samsung this can sit under General management, then Status information). Look for IMEI.
• The original box. As with iPhone, the IMEI is printed on a sticker on the retail packaging.

A "samsung imei check" uses exactly the same number, so once you have the 15 digits, the brand of phone does not change how you check it.

What an IMEI check tells you

Once you have the number, running it through an IMEI check can reveal several things:

• Blacklist status. Whether the phone has been reported lost or stolen, or blocked for unpaid finance. This is the single most important result for buying and selling.
• Network lock. Some checks indicate whether the handset is tied to a particular UK network. Note that being network locked is separate from being blacklisted: a locked phone still works, it just needs unlocking or the right SIM.
• Model and warranty details. Some services return the exact model, storage size, and, for newer devices, remaining manufacturer warranty.

If you only care about whether a phone is blocked, our full guide on how to check if a phone is blacklisted in the UK goes deeper. And if you are trying to work out whether a handset is tied to one network, see how to check if a phone is unlocked. The IMEI is the starting point for both.

Where to check an IMEI in the UK

There are free and paid options. Free IMEI checkers let you enter the 15-digit number and return a basic status such as clean, blacklisted, or unknown. They are a fine first step, but they do not always query the full UK network database.

For a thorough result, CheckMEND is the recognised paid service in the UK. It checks the national database used by UK networks alongside police and insurance records, and a single report costs a few pounds. If you are buying a used phone of any real value from a private seller, a CheckMEND report gives you documented proof of the phone's status at the point of sale.

You can also call your network directly if you are the account holder. They will confirm whether the IMEI is blocked on their records and, if a phone has been flagged in error, they can investigate and raise a correction.

Why sellers should check their own IMEI first

If you are selling, check your own IMEI before you list or send anything. A blacklisted IMEI cannot be sold legitimately, and a reputable buyback service will run the check at inspection and either reject the device or pay only scrap value. Checking first means no surprises: if the phone is clean, you sell with confidence, and if it has been wrongly flagged, you have time to sort it out with your network beforehand.

It also helps to have the IMEI to hand for the sale itself, since buyers often ask for it. A clean IMEI, paired with a tidy device, makes the whole sale smoother. While you are at it, our prepare your phone for sale checklist walks through the other steps, such as signing out of accounts and wiping data.

Common questions

Is the IMEI the same as the serial number?

No. The IMEI is a 15-digit number tied to the device's ability to connect to mobile networks. The serial number is a separate manufacturer identifier. Most phones show both in Settings, under About.

Does dialling *#06# cost anything or change my phone?

No. It is a standard code that simply displays the IMEI. It does not place a call, send anything, or alter any settings, and it works without a SIM card inserted.

Can the IMEI be changed or removed?

Tampering with an IMEI is illegal in the UK. Avoid any service offering to "unblock" a blacklisted phone by altering its IMEI. The only legitimate routes are through the network that applied the block or by settling outstanding finance with the original lender.

I am buying a used phone. What should I ask for?

Ask the seller to read out the IMEI, or dial *#06# yourself before paying. Run it through a free checker at a minimum, and for higher-value phones get a CheckMEND report. A seller who refuses to share the IMEI is a warning sign.

Sell your phone with confidence at Cash My Tech

Cash My Tech is a UK postal buyback service. There is no walk-in shop: you get an instant quote online, and if you accept it, the price is locked for five days while you prepare your device. A free prepaid postage label comes with your booking. Send the phone in, and once it is inspected before 2pm on a working day, payment arrives the same day by UK bank transfer.

Every device goes through a certified data wipe in line with UK GDPR and the WEEE Regulations 2013. Cash My Tech buys iPhones, Samsung Galaxy, and Google Pixel devices in any condition, including cracked screens and faulty handsets. The service is rated 4.8 out of 5 from over 1,250 verified UK reviews.

With a clean IMEI confirmed, you are ready to go. Sell your Apple device or browse all the devices we buy to get your instant quote. All figures are estimates rather than guaranteed prices, and your final quote is confirmed after inspection.