Privacy: the IMEI stays in your browser. Nothing is sent to our servers, logged, or stored.
An IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is the 15-digit number that identifies one mobile device. To find it, dial *#06# on the phone, open Settings (on iPhone: Settings, General, About), or read it from the SIM tray or the label on the box. This free check tests that the number is 15 digits, that its last digit passes the Luhn check, and shows the TAC (the first 8 digits, which identify the model).
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.
Free IMEI check: what it can and cannot tell you
This tool checks the number itself: length, digits only, the Luhn check digit and the TAC. It cannot tell you whether a phone is blocked, locked or stolen, because that information sits in databases this page does not query.
It does not query the GSMA block list, carriers, iCloud or Google account status. Where to check each of those:
- Blocked, lost or stolen status: a blacklist or status report on the IMEI. Use our GSMA status decoder to read the result, and see how to read an IMEI check result for what each field means.
- Carrier compatibility and the Clean status: see Clean LTE in the glossary.
- Apple warranty and coverage: Apple's official Check Coverage page.
- iCloud and Google account status: these are tied to the account on the device, not to the IMEI format, and are not something this page can read.
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.
When those reports come back, how to read an IMEI check result explains what each field means, including Clean, the NR/LTE/WCDMA/GSM row and the lock fields.
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.
To see the arithmetic itself, or to work out the fifteenth digit from the first 14, use the IMEI Calculator, which prints the Luhn working row by row.
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.
IMEI structure
A standard IMEI is 14 identifying digits plus 1 check digit. The 16-digit IMEISV swaps the check digit for a 2-digit software version number.
| Part | Digits | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| TAC (Type Allocation Code) | 8 | Identifies the device model and its origin | 35693803 |
| Serial number | 6 | Assigned by the manufacturer to the individual unit | 564380 |
| Check digit | 1 | Luhn digit calculated from the first 14 digits | 9 |
| IMEISV | 16 | TAC, serial number and a 2-digit software version number, with no check digit | 3569380356438001 (software version 01) |
The example is the sample number the tool loads when you press Try sample: 35693803 + 564380 + 9 = 356938035643809. The IMEI structure is defined in 3GPP TS 23.003.
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) 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.
What is a TAC number?
The TAC (Type Allocation Code) is the first 8 digits of an IMEI. It identifies the device model and where it was allocated. Two phones of the same model share a TAC; the remaining digits tell units apart.
Can I check an Apple iPhone IMEI here?
Yes, for the number itself. The tool validates the format and Luhn check of any 15-digit IMEI, including an iPhone's. It does not query Apple, carriers or iCloud, so it cannot show Activation Lock, carrier lock or warranty. For Apple warranty and coverage, use Apple's official Check Coverage page.
Does a valid IMEI mean the phone is not blacklisted?
No. A valid IMEI only means the number is well formed and passes the Luhn check. A blocked or stolen phone still has a valid IMEI, so blacklist status has to be checked separately in a status report.
Trading phones in volume? Validate whole lists with the Bulk IMEI Check, then browse offers from registered companies in the wholesale phone marketplace.
Source verified stock on Aikon
Aikon is the B2B wholesale electronics trading platform. Every seller is a registered company; offers include structured fields for region, condition, and lock status. Free for registered companies.