Free tool
Free IMEI Checker
Check any phone's blacklist status, carrier lock and iCloud / Find My activation lock in seconds, before you buy or sell. Enter the 15-digit IMEI number below and we'll do the rest, free, with no sign-up.
Find it by dialing *#06# or in Settings → General → About. We don't store your IMEI.
Don't know your IMEI? Dial *#06# on the phone and it appears instantly.
What an IMEI check tells you
Every phone has a unique 15-digit IMEI number (International Mobile Equipment Identity). Checking it is the fastest way to know exactly what a phone is and whether it's safe to buy or sell. In one lookup you see:
How to find your IMEI number
There are four reliable ways to find the IMEI on any iPhone or Android:
- 1. Dial *#06# — the IMEI pops up on screen instantly, on any phone, locked or not.
- 2. iPhone: Settings → General → About, scroll to IMEI. On newer models it's also in the SIM section.
- 3. Android: Settings → About phone → IMEI (or Status).
- 4. The box or SIM tray: the IMEI is printed on the original packaging and, on many phones, etched on the SIM tray.
IMEI blacklist check: is my phone blacklisted?
A phone gets blacklisted when it's reported lost or stolen, or when an installment plan or carrier bill goes unpaid. Blacklisted phones are blocked from activating on most US networks, which makes them nearly worthless and impossible to sell to a reputable buyer. Running a free IMEI blacklist check is the single best way to catch a stolen or blocked phone before money changes hands, whether you're buying a used device or making sure your own phone will pass inspection when you sell it. A clean result means no lost-or- stolen report and no unpaid balance on record.
Check carrier lock and SIM lock
The IMEI check also reports whether a phone is carrier-locked — tied to Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile or another network — or fully unlocked. An unlocked phone works on any carrier and is worth more when you sell, because it has a bigger pool of buyers. If your phone is paid off, your carrier is required to unlock it on request; doing that before you sell usually adds more than the ten minutes it takes. On iPhone you can also confirm this under Settings → General → About → Carrier Lock ("No SIM restrictions" means unlocked).
iCloud, Find My & activation lock check
If Find My iPhone (or Android's Factory Reset Protection) is still switched on, the phone is activation-locked to the previous owner's Apple or Google account. A locked device can't be set up by a new owner and can't be resold at full value, it's the most common reason a trade-in quote gets revised down. Before selling, sign out of iCloud or your Google account and turn off Find My / FRP, then your IMEI checks clean and your phone is worth its full amount. Buying used? Never hand over money for a phone that's still activation-locked, ask the seller to remove it in front of you.
Checked clean? Turn it into cash.
A clean IMEI, unlocked, and signed out of all accounts is a phone worth its full value. We beat any written quote by $2, pay cash quickly after we inspect, and cover shipping both ways. See what yours is worth in about 30 seconds.
Get my instant cash quote →IMEI checker: frequently asked questions
What is an IMEI checker?+
An IMEI checker looks up a phone's unique 15-digit identifier to reveal its model, carrier, SIM-lock status, and whether it's been reported lost, stolen, or has an unpaid balance (blacklisted). It's the fastest way to verify a phone before buying or selling it.
How do I check my IMEI number?+
Enter the 15-digit IMEI in the checker above. To find the number, dial *#06# on any phone, or look in Settings → General → About on iPhone, or Settings → About phone on Android. It's also printed on the original box and the SIM tray.
How do I find my IMEI number?+
Dial *#06# and it appears instantly on any phone, no unlocking required. On an iPhone it's also under Settings → General → About; on Android under Settings → About phone. Older iPhones have it etched on the SIM tray or the back.
What does a blacklisted IMEI mean?+
A blacklisted IMEI has been reported lost or stolen, or has an unpaid carrier balance / unpaid installment plan. Blacklisted phones can't be activated on most US networks and can't be sold to reputable buyers, including us. A clean IMEI is the opposite: activatable, sellable, trusted.
How do I check if a phone is blacklisted for free?+
Enter the IMEI in the checker above, it's free and we don't store the number. If it comes back clean, the phone hasn't been reported lost, stolen, or unpaid, and can be activated and sold normally.
Can I check if a phone is stolen by IMEI?+
Indirectly, yes. A stolen phone reported to the carrier is added to the blacklist, so a blacklist check is how you catch most stolen devices before buying. A clean result strongly suggests the phone hasn't been reported, though it's always safest to buy from a seller who can prove ownership.
How do I check if an iPhone is unlocked?+
An IMEI check reports the carrier a phone is locked to, if any. On an iPhone you can also open Settings → General → About and look for "No SIM restrictions" under Carrier Lock. Unlocked phones work on any network and are worth more when you sell.
What is an iCloud or activation lock check?+
If Find My iPhone (or Google's Factory Reset Protection on Android) is still switched on, the device is activation-locked to the previous owner's account and can't be set up or resold at full value. Always sign out of iCloud / Google and turn off Find My before selling, then your IMEI checks clean.
What's the difference between IMEI and ESN / MEID?+
IMEI is the 15-digit identifier on GSM and modern phones; ESN and MEID are older identifiers used by CDMA carriers. The checker handles the number your phone reports. Whichever it is, a clean status means no blacklist, no unpaid balance, and no carrier block.
Is the IMEI checker really free?+
Yes, checking your IMEI here is completely free, with no sign-up, and we don't store the number. If it comes back clean, you can get an instant cash quote to sell the device promptly.
Related: how to check an IMEI number · get your phone ready to sell · all free tools · sell your phone for cash
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Every device reused or responsibly recycled. ~58kg CO₂ saved per phone.
Selling your device here, at a glance
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