How to find your iPhone’s IMEI

See what it is and how to find out the iPhone IMEI, if you need to.


There is a code on your phone that many people only care about when the device is stolen: the number IMEI. It is the unique identification of each device, and it is through it that you can recover your iPhone if it is lost or stolen.

Once, a report came out telling the excellent work of Porto Alegre Police in finding the owners of more than 1,500 cell phones stolen and recovered in police actions. This was only possible thanks to the IMEI, which is usually informed at the time of filing the complaint.

But a lot of people don’t know what it is and don’t even bother to keep it, just remembering it when the worst happens.

In this article you will see how to discover the IPhone IMEI, even if you no longer have the device in hand.



Introduction

IMEI means International Mobile Equipment Identity (International Mobile Equipment Identification). All cell phones in the world have one, which is individual and non-transferable. But why do you need it?

Well, in cases of loss or theft, the first thing to do is to report to a police station or police station, informing the identification of the device. Then, this same IMEI can be informed to the operator, who can block the device to stop working in Brazil.

Apple also uses the iPhone’s IMEI to identify devices blocked from activating iCloud.

Only devices that transmit telephone signals have IMEI. The iPod touch, for example, does not have, and in the case of the iPad, only the versions with input for the phone chip (version Cellular) is that they have.

With the device in hand

If you still have the device, there are several ways to find his IMEI and write it down in one place, for the moment you need it.

✪ Using the numeric keypad

The easiest way to check the IMEI of any cell phone is to enter the sequence * # 06 # on the device’s numeric keypad, even when it is locked. On the screen, the code will appear on the spot.

IMEI

✪ By Settings

If for some reason you are unable to use the iPhone keyboard, you can view the information in the system settings. Open it Settings> General> About and you will see the IMEI among many other information.

On this screen you can copy the code by touching it for 2 seconds.

IMEI

✪ On the outside of the device

If the iPhone cannot be turned on, there are still ways to know its IMEI. From the iPhone 5 (2012) until the iPhone 6 (2014), Apple stamped the entire IMEI on the back of the device, where the regulatory information can be found.

IMEI

On newer models, the iPhone IMEI does not appear on the rear. In fact, not even in older models, such as the iPhone 3G, 3GS, 4 and 4S. In such cases, the code is more hidden, printed on the SIM card tray. Take it out and you will find the number there.

IMEI

✪ When connecting to iTunes

In iTunes you can also see the iPhone’s IMEI when you connect the device. In the iPhone tab, click twice where the phone number appears, and you will see the IMEI code. By right-clicking it is possible to copy the entire number and use it wherever you want.

IMEI



If you no longer have the device

Ok, you don’t have the device, but you need to know about his IMEI, because he hadn’t written it down. How to do it? Calm down, you can know, if you’re lucky.

✪ In original box

If you still have the original box of the device, you can see the iPhone IMEI printed on the bottom of it.

IMEI

✪ On iTunes backup

Nowadays almost nobody backs up to iTunes anymore. But if you are one of those who did, you will be happy to know that this will allow you to discover the IMEI of your missing device. Open iTunes and go to the menu Preferences. Click on the tab Devices and place the mouse over one of the backups made on your iPhone (make sure it is your backup and not another device). His information will appear, along with the IMEI.

IMEI


Prevent

Being prepared for bad times is the best way to alleviate problems. For this reason, write down the IMEI of your device now and leave it in a place where you can easily find it in case of loss or theft (in the Notes of iCloud.com, for example).

Did you like what you read? There are several other very cool tips on iPhone and iPad here on the blog, all organized in our iPhone Tips section. Check out!