HomeBlogWhat an IMEI Check Tells You Before You Buy or Sell
Selling · 6 min read
What an IMEI Check Tells You Before You Buy or Sell
What an iPhone IMEI check shows (carrier lock, blacklist status, the exact model), what it cannot show, where to find the IMEI, and why buyers ask for it.
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An IMEI check is one of the first things a careful buyer does with a used iPhone, and it is worth doing yourself before you sell. It takes a minute, it tells you things about the phone you cannot see by looking at it, and it settles the questions that most often derail a sale at the last moment.
Here is what the IMEI is, where to find it on an iPhone, what a check can and cannot tell you, and how we use it on both sides of the counter.
IMEI vs serial number
Every iPhone has two main identifiers, and they do different jobs.
| Detail | IMEI | Serial number |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A 15-digit number that identifies the phone on cellular networks | Apple's own identifier for the device |
| Who uses it | Carriers, and anyone checking lock or blacklist status | Apple, for coverage and service |
| Which devices have one | Every iPhone, and iPads and Apple Watches with cellular | Every Apple device |
A few things follow from that. A Wi-Fi-only iPad has a serial number but no IMEI. A Mac has a serial number only. And an iPhone that supports two lines, which covers most recent models with eSIM, shows two IMEIs in Settings. Either one identifies the phone.
Where to find the IMEI on an iPhone
Apple lists several places. The easiest is Settings:
- Open Settings.
- Tap General, then About.
- Scroll down to IMEI.
Other places, from Apple's page Find the serial number or IMEI on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch:
- On an erased phone: on the Hello screen, tap the info button.
- On the SIM tray: iPhone 13, 12, 11, XS, XR, X, 8, 7 and 6s models have it on the SIM tray. Apple notes that iPhone 14 models and later do not have an IMEI engraving.
- On the box: the barcode label on the original packaging.
- On your Apple Account: sign in at account.apple.com, go to Devices and pick the phone.
- On a computer: connect the phone and look in Finder on a Mac, or the Apple Devices app or iTunes on a Windows PC.
On most phones, iPhone included, you can also dial *#06# in the Phone app and the IMEI appears on screen. It is quick, and it works on a phone you are looking at in person without digging through menus.
The IMEI in Settings should match the one on the box and, on older models, the SIM tray. If they do not match, ask why before any money changes hands.
What an IMEI check can tell you
Different checks show different amounts, but these are the things that matter:
- Carrier lock status. Whether the phone works with any carrier or only one. Unlocked phones are worth more, which is why lock status is one of the four questions in every quote we give. See carrier locked vs unlocked.
- Blacklist status. Whether the phone has been reported lost or stolen, or otherwise blocked by a carrier. A blacklisted phone can be blocked from connecting to cellular service, which makes it close to useless as a phone.
- The exact model. Many checks confirm the model, and sometimes the storage and color, so you know the phone matches what the listing says.
The serial number adds one more: Apple's own coverage check at checkcoverage.apple.com uses it to show whether the phone is still under warranty or AppleCare.
What an IMEI check cannot tell you
An IMEI check is about the phone's identity and its status with carriers. It says nothing about these, so check them on the phone itself:
- Activation Lock. Whether the phone is still tied to someone's Apple Account. Apple's advice to buyers is to turn the phone on and look: if it shows iPhone Locked to Owner, or asks for the previous owner's Apple Account during setup, walk away. Apple's page is Activation Lock for iPhone and iPad.
- Condition. Cracks, lines on the display, dents, a bent frame. Our condition grades explain what to look for.
- Battery health. Settings > Battery > Battery Health on iPhone 15 and later, or Battery Health & Charging on iPhone 14 and earlier.
- Repairs. Settings > General > About shows a Parts and Service History section if parts have been replaced, with each part labeled Genuine or Unknown.
- Who owns it. A clean IMEI does not prove the person in front of you owns the phone. It only shows that nobody has reported it.
Why buyers ask for it
For a buyer, the IMEI is the difference between paying for a working phone and paying for a paperweight. A carrier-locked phone sold as unlocked is worth less than what was paid. A blacklisted phone may never connect to a network. Neither shows up in photos or on the screen.
That is why a serious buyer, whether it is a person off a marketplace or a shop like ours, asks for the IMEI before they pay. A seller who will not share it is a warning sign. If you are shopping for a used phone, our buying a used iPhone checklist covers the IMEI along with everything else.
Is it safe to share your IMEI
Sharing your IMEI with someone who is buying your phone is normal. It is how they check the phone is what you say it is. The IMEI is not a password and it does not sign anyone into anything.
What you should never share: your passcode, your Apple Account password, or any verification code that shows up on your devices. No legitimate buyer needs those. If a buyer asks for one, stop.
How we use it when you sell to us
When you get a quote at /sell, you answer four questions (model, storage, carrier lock and condition), and the cash estimate appears on screen as you answer. You can give us the IMEI or serial number before we meet. That lets us run the carrier and blacklist check ahead of time, so your offer is confirmed before you make the trip.
If the check turns up something you did not know about, like a carrier lock, the offer is sorted out before the meetup rather than at it. On wholesale lots of three or more units sold through our lot builder, IMEIs are checked in hand at the meetup instead.
How we use it when we sell to you
Every device in our shop is hand-tested with a verified clean IMEI, and the listing shows its real battery health. You can run the IMEI yourself too. That is exactly what a buyer should do.
Try our free check
The free IMEI check on our homepage shows whether an iPhone is carrier locked or unlocked. Enter the IMEI or serial number. It asks for a phone number to verify. Use it on your own phone before you choose "Unlocked" or "Carrier Locked" at /sell, or on a phone you are thinking of buying.
For current numbers on popular models, see the value pages for the iPhone 16 Pro, the iPhone 15 and the iPhone 14 Pro Max.
See your cash offer
Answer four questions and your number appears on screen. No obligation, and you get paid the moment it checks out.
Frequently asked questions
What does an IMEI check show?
It shows whether the phone is carrier locked, whether it has been reported lost or stolen or blocked by a carrier, and often the exact model. It does not show Activation Lock, condition or battery health.
How do I find my iPhone's IMEI?
Go to Settings > General > About and scroll to IMEI. It is also on the label of the original box, and on the SIM tray of iPhone 13 and many earlier models.
Is it safe to give someone my IMEI number?
Sharing it with a buyer is normal, because it is how they verify the phone. Never share your passcode, your Apple Account password or a verification code.
What is the difference between IMEI and serial number?
The IMEI identifies the phone on cellular networks and is used for carrier and blacklist checks. The serial number is Apple's identifier for the device and is used for warranty and service.
Does an IMEI check show if an iPhone is iCloud locked?
Do not count on it. Activation Lock is tied to an Apple Account, not to carriers, so check it on the phone itself: if it asks for the previous owner's Apple Account during setup, it is still locked.