Quick answer: Dial *#06# on your phone to see its IMEI number. To check whether that IMEI is genuine and not blacklisted in India, send an SMS in the format KYM <15-digit IMEI> to 14422, or use the Know Your Mobile check on the government’s Sanchar Saathi portal. Both take less than a minute.
This check matters most when you buy a second-hand or refurbished phone. A blacklisted, duplicate or tampered IMEI can mean the phone was reported stolen, or that it may not work properly on Indian networks. Below are all the ways to find your IMEI, how to verify it, and what to do if your phone is ever lost.
What is an IMEI number?
IMEI stands for International Mobile Equipment Identity. It is a 15-digit number that identifies a mobile phone on telecom networks, and every phone has its own. Dual-SIM phones have two IMEI numbers, one for each SIM slot. Telecom operators and the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) use the IMEI to block lost or stolen phones across India.
How to find your phone’s IMEI number
Method 1: Dial *#06# (works on almost every phone)
- Open the Phone (dialer) app.
- Type *#06#. You do not need to press the call button.
- The IMEI appears on the screen. On a dual-SIM phone you will see IMEI 1 and IMEI 2.
Method 2: In Settings
Android: Go to Settings > About phone. Many phones show the IMEI on this screen; on others, look under Status or SIM status. Menu names differ slightly between brands such as Samsung, Xiaomi, Vivo, Oppo and Realme.
iPhone: Go to Settings > General > About and scroll down to IMEI. You can touch and hold the number to copy it.
Method 3: On the box and the bill
The IMEI is printed on a label on the phone’s retail box and is usually mentioned on the purchase bill. On some iPhone models it is also printed on the SIM tray.
Tip: The IMEI on the screen, on the box and on the bill should be the same. If they do not match, treat it as a warning sign, especially when buying a used phone.
How to check if an IMEI is genuine in India
DoT runs a free Know Your Mobile (KYM) check through its Sanchar Saathi and CEIR systems. You can use it in two ways.
Option 1: Send an SMS to 14422
- Open the Messages app.
- Type KYM, a space, and the 15-digit IMEI. For example:
KYM 123456789012345(this is only a sample number). - Send it to 14422. The reply shows the status of the IMEI and the device details linked to it.
Option 2: Use the Sanchar Saathi website
- Open sancharsaathi.gov.in.
- Under citizen services, choose the option to check the genuineness of a mobile handset (Know Your Mobile).
- Verify your mobile number with the OTP, enter the 15-digit IMEI and submit.
Menu names on government portals can change. If you cannot find the option, the SMS method gives the same check.
What the result means
| Result | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Device details shown, and they match the phone in your hand | The IMEI is registered and belongs to this model | Continue with the other checks below |
| Black-listed | The phone has been reported and blocked | Do not buy it |
| Duplicate | The same IMEI appears on more than one device | Do not buy it |
| Already in use | The IMEI is already active elsewhere | Do not buy it |
| Brand or model in the reply does not match | The IMEI may belong to a different phone | Do not buy it |
Checklist before you buy a used phone
- The IMEI shown by *#06#, on the box and on the bill is the same.
- The KYM result is not black-listed, duplicate or already in use, and the brand and model match.
- The seller gives you the original bill, and you have seen their ID proof.
- The seller has signed out of their Google account or Apple ID and turned off Find My Device or Find My. Otherwise the phone can stay locked after a reset.
- You have put your own SIM in and made a test call before paying.
Buying new instead? See our list of the best smartphones under ₹15,000.
Lost or stolen phone? Block it using its IMEI
If your phone is lost or stolen, you can block it on all Indian networks through the CEIR service on Sanchar Saathi:
- File a police complaint (FIR or lost report) and keep a copy.
- Get a duplicate SIM for your lost number from your telecom operator. The OTP for the request is sent to this number.
- On sancharsaathi.gov.in, open the option to block a lost or stolen mobile. Enter the IMEI, brand, model, the place and date of loss, your ID details and the police complaint details.
- Submit with the OTP and save the Request ID that appears.
If you get the phone back, use the unblock option on the same portal with your Request ID. Write down your IMEI somewhere safe today, because you cannot dial *#06# on a phone you no longer have.
Common questions
Why does my phone show two IMEI numbers?
Dual-SIM phones have one IMEI for each SIM slot. Both belong to the same phone, and either one can be used for the KYM check.
Can someone change a phone’s IMEI?
Tampering with an IMEI is illegal in India. A “duplicate” result in the KYM check can be a sign that a phone’s IMEI has been tampered with, which is why you should not buy such a phone.
Is it safe to share my IMEI?
Share it only when needed: with a buyer you trust, an authorised service centre, your telecom operator or the police. Do not post it publicly online.
Sources
Last checked: 13 October 2026. More step-by-step help is in our Apps & Guides section.
