Free IMEI check: lost, stolen or locked?
Enter any phone's IMEI to check the blacklist, Find My iPhone and the exact model. Then finish with quick checks on the phone for carrier lock, battery health and replaced parts.
Dial *#06# on the phone to see its IMEI. Also in Settings › General › About (iPhone) or Settings › About phone (Android).
- Free
- No sign-up
- Live GSMA blacklist
- Used by repair shops
- Enter the IMEI and check it
- Tap what you see on the phone
- Get a clear buy or walk-away verdict
Finish the check on the phone
Battery health, carrier lock and replaced parts live on the phone itself, not in any IMEI database. Tap what you see. Answers from the live check are filled in for you.
What each check means
What every result tells you, and why it matters before you buy, sell or repair a phone.
Lost or stolen
Carriers share a list of phones reported lost or stolen. A listed phone can be blocked from networks, so it may never work for you.
iCloud or Google lock
If the last owner's Apple ID or Google account is still on the phone, it asks for their password after a reset. Without it, the phone can't be set up.
Carrier lock
A locked phone only works with the carrier that sold it. Only that carrier can unlock it, usually once the phone is paid off.
Battery health
Apple treats a battery as worn once maximum capacity drops below 80%. Expect shorter days and a battery replacement soon.
Replaced parts
On iPhone XR and newer, "Unknown Part" means a screen, battery or camera that isn't genuine, or wasn't set up with Apple's tools.
Invalid IMEI
If the last digit doesn't match, the number was typed wrong or changed. A changed IMEI is a serious red flag.
For repair shops and phone resellers
Run this check on every phone you buy, take in on trade or accept for repair. It catches blacklisted phones before you pay out cash, and the guided checks show carrier lock, Activation Lock and battery health in under a minute. Keep the IMEI with your intake or buy record: many cities and states require it for secondhand dealers.
Check an IMEI now- Confirm the model the customer says it is
- Catch lost, stolen and blacklisted phones
- Spot iCloud and Google locks before buying
- Price trade-ins on battery and parts
Safe used-phone buying tips
Four habits that stop most used-phone scams.
- Meet somewhere public, and check the phone before money changes hands.
- Ask the seller to sign out of their Apple ID or Google account and erase the phone in front of you.
- Match the IMEI on the box, in Settings and from *#06#. They should all be the same.
- Put your own SIM in and make a call before you pay.
IMEI check FAQ
What is an IMEI number?
An IMEI is the 15-digit serial number every phone uses on mobile networks. The first 8 digits (the TAC) identify the make and model, and the last digit is a check digit that proves the number is valid.
How do I find a phone's IMEI?
Dial *#06# on the phone. On an iPhone it is also in Settings › General › About, and on Android in Settings › About phone. It is often printed on the box and the SIM tray too. All of them should match.
Can an IMEI check tell me if a phone is stolen?
Yes. US carriers share a list of phones reported lost or stolen, and CTIA's free Stolen Phone Checker searches it by IMEI. Our free check runs a live GSMA blacklist lookup for you, and links to CTIA's checker as a backup.
Is this IMEI check really free?
Yes. The IMEI check, the live blacklist and Find My iPhone lookups, and the guided checks are free with no sign-up. There is a fair daily limit per person.
Can I check if a phone is carrier unlocked?
On an iPhone, go to Settings › General › About › Carrier Lock. "No SIM restrictions" means it is unlocked. On Android, the surest test is to put in a SIM from a different carrier and make a call.
How do I know if an iPhone is iCloud locked?
If the last owner is still signed in, or the setup screen says "iPhone Locked to Owner" after an erase, it has Activation Lock on. Only the last owner can remove it, so don't buy it until they do.
Does an IMEI check show battery health or replaced parts?
No. Battery health and parts history live on the phone itself, not in any IMEI database. Our guided checks show exactly where to find them on iPhone and Android.
Why do repair shops and resellers check the IMEI?
Shops and resellers check every phone they buy, trade in or take in for repair. It confirms the model, catches lost, stolen or blacklisted devices before money changes hands, and gives a clear record of the device.
Where this comes from
The IMEI check confirms the number with the standard IMEI check digit and looks up the make and model from the first 8 digits (the Type Allocation Code) in an open TAC database built from the Osmocom TAC database and other public sources. Live blacklist and Find My results come from a GSMA-connected IMEI data provider. A model that isn't listed doesn't mean the IMEI is fake. Where to look on the phone follows Apple's, Google's and Samsung's help pages. Reviewed October 2026.