How to Check Your Phone's IMEI & Why It Matters

Every mobile phone has an IMEI — International Mobile Equipment Identity — a unique 15-digit number that works like a serial number for your device. It is permanently stored on the phone and is separate from your SIM card or phone number. Understanding your IMEI can protect you from buying a stolen or blacklisted phone, and it is also essential information when making an insurance claim or reporting a theft.

How to Find Your IMEI Number

There are several ways to find your IMEI:

• Dial code: Open the Phone dialler and type *#06#. Your IMEI number appears on screen immediately. Dual-SIM phones will show two IMEI numbers.
• Settings: Go to Settings > About Phone > Status > IMEI Information.
• Phone box: The original box has a sticker with the IMEI printed on it.
• Back of the phone: Some older models have the IMEI printed on a sticker under the battery, or engraved on the rear.

What Is a Blacklisted IMEI?

When a phone is reported stolen or lost, the owner can report it to their network operator. The operator then adds the IMEI to a shared blacklist. A phone on the blacklist cannot make calls, receive calls, or use mobile data on any operator's network in India — even with a different SIM card. It essentially becomes a Wi-Fi-only device.

This is a serious problem if you buy a second-hand phone in Kota's used-device market and do not check the IMEI first. The phone may work perfectly on Wi-Fi in the seller's hands, but the moment you insert your SIM it will show No Service permanently.

How to Check if an IMEI Is Blacklisted

• Visit the official CEIR portal at ceir.gov.in (Government of India's Central Equipment Identity Register). You can check whether a device is blocked or lost.
• Some third-party websites also offer IMEI blacklist checks for a small fee, though the CEIR portal is the most reliable for India.
• Ask the seller to insert your SIM card and make a call before you pay — if it works, the IMEI is not blacklisted for your network.

Why IMEI Matters When Buying a Used Phone

We advise every customer at our Keshavpura shop who is considering a used phone to check the IMEI before handing over any money. Kota's student community sees a large trade of second-hand phones, and while most sellers are honest, a small number of devices are either stolen or have tampered IMEIs. A tampered IMEI is a red flag for a stolen device and is also illegal under Indian law.

When buying used, also cross-check the IMEI shown in *#06# against the IMEI printed on the box and in the settings. All three should match. A mismatch suggests the phone may have had board-level work done, or worse, that the IMEI has been altered.

IMEI and Network Issues After Repair

Poor-quality board repair can sometimes corrupt the IMEI, causing the phone to show a blank or invalid IMEI and lose network connectivity. This is why it is important to choose a trustworthy repair shop. If your phone shows a blank IMEI after a repair done elsewhere, bring it to us for diagnosis — in some cases IMEI restoration is possible, in others it requires deeper board work.

Quick IMEI Reference

If you are buying a used phone and are unsure whether it is clean, bring it to our Keshavpura shop before paying. We will check the IMEI, run a quick hardware test, and help you make an informed decision — at no charge for the check.