Privacy: the IMEI stays in your browser. Nothing is sent to our servers, logged, or stored.
What does this IMEI checker actually verify?
This tool runs two checks instantly in your browser: 15-digit format validation (every legitimate IMEI is exactly 15 numeric digits) and Luhn checksum validation (the last digit is mathematically derived from the first 14, so typos and many fabricated IMEIs fail). It also extracts the TAC (Type Allocation Code), the first 8 digits, which identifies the device model and manufacturer.
What the tool does not do: it does not query GSMA Device Registry, carrier blacklists, iCloud Activation Lock status, or financed-device status. Those checks require either paid third-party APIs or authorised reseller access. The cards below tell you which source to use for each next-step check.
After format validation, what should I check next?
Format and Luhn are the first triage step. Once an IMEI passes both, the next checks for a wholesale or resale context are blacklist status, carrier-lock status, and (for Apple devices) iCloud Activation Lock status. Different sources cover different signals, so serious buyers typically query multiple services.
Why does the Luhn checksum catch problems before you pay?
The 15th digit of every legitimate IMEI is a Luhn checksum computed from the first 14. When sellers fabricate IMEIs, when manifest spreadsheets drop leading zeros, or when typos creep in, the Luhn check fails. In practice with wholesale lots, format and Luhn failures correlate strongly with three problems:
- Typos in the seller's manifest. Most common cause. Usually fixable by asking the seller to re-pull IMEIs from inventory.
- Counterfeit or refurbished devices with reflashed IMEIs. Some grey-market refurbishers reflash IMEIs to hide blacklist status. The fabricated IMEI fails Luhn because it was never assigned by Apple, Samsung, or another GSMA-recognised allocator.
- Spreadsheet damage. Excel auto-converts long numeric strings to scientific notation, dropping precision. A 15-digit IMEI becomes "3.56938E+14" or loses trailing digits. Always request manifests as text-format CSV.
What does the TAC (Type Allocation Code) tell me?
The first 8 digits of every IMEI form the TAC. The first 2 identify the reporting body (01 = PTCRB / North America, 35 = BABT / UK + EU, 86 = TAF / China). The remaining 6 identify the specific device model and manufacturer.
For wholesale buyers, the TAC is a quick sanity check that the IMEI list matches the model claimed in the offer. If a seller says "500 iPhone 15 Pro Max units" but the TACs map to a mix of older models, the manifest is wrong. The tool above shows the TAC for every valid result.
Frequently asked questions
Is this IMEI check free?
Yes. Format and Luhn validation are computed entirely in your browser using JavaScript. We don't store the IMEI, log it, or transmit it anywhere. No signup or limits.
Will this tell me if an IMEI is blacklisted?
No. Blacklist databases (GSMA, CheckMEND, Swappa ESN) require paid API access or authorised account credentials, and we don't proxy them. This tool covers the format and Luhn checksum layer; the cards above link to the right next-step sources.
What about iCloud Activation Lock?
Same answer. iCloud status requires Apple GSX access (Apple Authorised Service Provider) or a paid third-party service. The format check above confirms the IMEI is a syntactically valid Apple-issued number; the iCloud query is a separate step.
What if my IMEI is flagged as invalid?
Three common causes: the manifest was opened in Excel and lost precision (request a text-format CSV); the seller has the wrong column (sometimes ICCID or device serial is sent instead of IMEI); or the IMEI is genuinely fabricated. In the third case, walk away from the deal.
Can I check more than one IMEI at a time?
Yes, use the Bulk IMEI Check tool. Same Luhn and format logic, paste up to 100 at once.
Source verified stock on Aikon
Aikon is the B2B wholesale electronics trading platform. Every seller is a verified company; offers include structured fields for region, condition, and lock status. Free for verified companies.