How to Check an iPhone's IMEI Before Buying
Introduction
Buying a used or refurbished iPhone can be a great way to save money, but it’s important to make sure the device is genuine, properly identified, and suitable for use on your mobile network. One of the most important checks you can perform before paying is verifying the iPhone’s IMEI number.
An IMEI check can help you identify a device, investigate whether it has been reported lost or stolen, and check whether it may be blocked from using certain mobile networks. It’s a simple step that can help you avoid costly mistakes when buying a refurbished iPhone.
However, checking the IMEI alone isn’t enough to guarantee that an iPhone is safe to buy. You’ll also need to check its activation status, battery health, physical condition, and repair history.
In this guide, we’ll explain what an iPhone IMEI is, how to check it, what the results mean, and which other checks you should complete before buying a refurbished or second-hand iPhone.
What Is an iPhone IMEI Number?
IMEI stands for International Mobile Equipment Identity. It’s a unique identification number assigned to a mobile device’s cellular equipment.
Most iPhones have a 15-digit IMEI number, which can be used by mobile networks and relevant authorities to identify the device.
When buying a refurbished iPhone, the IMEI can help you investigate several important details, including:
Whether the device has been reported lost or stolen.
Whether its IMEI appears on a network blocklist.
Whether the phone’s identity matches the seller’s information.
Whether the device may be subject to network restrictions.
Whether the phone is eligible for cellular use on your intended network.
Some iPhones support more than one IMEI because they can use multiple SIM or eSIM configurations.
Important: An IMEI check does not independently prove that an iPhone is genuine, has never been repaired, or is free from Activation Lock. Always combine it with other device checks.
1. Find the IMEI Number in iPhone Settings
The easiest way to find an iPhone’s IMEI is through its settings.
Follow these steps:
Unlock the iPhone.
Open Settings.
Tap General.
Select About.
Scroll down until you find the IMEI information.
If the iPhone supports multiple IMEIs, you may see IMEI and IMEI2 listed separately.
Write down the relevant number or copy it carefully so you can use it for verification.
If you’re buying a refurbished iPhone in person, ask the seller for permission to inspect the device directly. This is more reliable than relying solely on a screenshot or a number sent through a message.
If the phone cannot be activated or you cannot access Settings, ask the seller to explain why before proceeding.
2. Check the IMEI Using the Dialler
Another quick way to find the IMEI is by using the iPhone’s Phone app.
Follow these steps:
Open the Phone app.
Select the keypad.
Dial *#06#.
Check the IMEI information displayed on the screen.
This method works on many cellular phones, including compatible iPhones, without requiring you to navigate through Settings.
If multiple IMEI numbers appear, record the one relevant to the SIM or network configuration you’re checking.
Compare this information with the IMEI displayed under Settings → General → About whenever possible.
Pro tip: If the numbers don’t match, don’t immediately assume the phone is stolen or counterfeit. First, confirm that you’re comparing the same IMEI and that the information has been recorded correctly. If the discrepancy remains unexplained, have the device checked before buying.
3. Verify the IMEI Against the Device
Once you’ve found the IMEI, the next step is to check whether the information is consistent.
Depending on the iPhone model, the IMEI may also be available on the original packaging, purchase documentation, or a SIM tray on certain older models.
Not every iPhone has an IMEI printed on the exterior, so the absence of a printed number is not necessarily a problem.
Check the following:
The IMEI in Settings.
The IMEI shown by the dialler, if available.
The IMEI on the original box or documentation, if provided.
The model and storage capacity shown in Settings.
The seller’s description and any purchase records.
If the box has a different IMEI, ask the seller for an explanation. The packaging may belong to another device, but this should be clarified before you pay.
You should also remember that a matching IMEI does not guarantee that every component inside the phone is original.
4. Check Whether the iPhone Has Been Reported Lost or Stolen
One of the most important reasons to check an IMEI is to investigate whether the device has been reported lost or stolen.
In many countries, mobile carriers and relevant authorities maintain systems that identify devices reported as lost, stolen, or otherwise blocked.
Before buying, ask the seller to confirm the device’s ownership and provide a receipt or other reasonable proof of purchase when available.
You can then check the IMEI through the relevant carrier or official device-checking service.
Pay attention to these potential warning signs:
The IMEI appears on a blocklist.
The seller cannot explain the device’s ownership history.
The seller refuses to let you inspect the phone.
The seller pressures you to pay immediately.
The device’s identity differs from the details in the listing.
A clean result is encouraging, but it is not a permanent guarantee. Reporting and blocking information can change, and some checks may not cover every carrier or country.
Pro tip: If a seller offers a suspiciously low price and cannot provide a convincing explanation, don’t rely on a clean IMEI result alone to justify the purchase.
5. Use the Correct IMEI Checking Service
Not every IMEI-checking website provides the same information. Some offer basic identification details, while others provide information about reported devices, network restrictions, or other available records.
For the most reliable results, use official or reputable services relevant to the country and network where you intend to use the iPhone.
For buyers in the UK, contacting the intended mobile carrier can help clarify network compatibility and blocking concerns.
For buyers in Pakistan, use the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority’s official device verification system to check the device’s status.
You can visit the official PTA website at pta.gov.pk and follow its current guidance for checking a device’s IMEI and compliance status.
Pakistan’s DIRBS system is relevant to determining whether a device is compliant with local requirements for cellular network use.
Before completing a purchase, make sure the phone’s status is appropriate for your intended use. A device that works over Wi-Fi may still have a problem connecting to local cellular networks.
Avoid entering an IMEI into unfamiliar websites that demand unnecessary personal information or payment details. Be cautious of services that promise to remove legitimate network blocks or guarantee a completely clean ownership history.
6. Understand What an IMEI Check Can and Cannot Tell You
An IMEI check is useful, but it’s important to understand its limitations.
Here’s a simple breakdown:
A phone can have a clean IMEI and still have a damaged screen, weak battery, faulty camera, or outstanding Activation Lock issue.
Similarly, an iPhone may be genuine but unsuitable for your intended network because of carrier restrictions or local registration requirements.
The best approach is to treat the IMEI check as one essential part of a wider inspection.
7. Check Activation Lock Before Paying
After checking the IMEI, make sure the iPhone isn’t linked to a previous owner’s Apple Account through Activation Lock.
Activation Lock is an anti-theft feature designed to prevent someone else from activating and using a protected device without the required account credentials.
To check it properly, ask the seller to:
Back up any personal data they need.
Sign out of their Apple Account.
Erase the iPhone using the appropriate settings.
Allow you to connect to Wi-Fi and complete the initial setup.
Ideally, complete activation yourself before handing over the money.
If the iPhone requests the previous owner’s Apple Account credentials during activation, the seller needs to resolve the issue before you proceed.
Don’t accept promises that the lock will be removed later.
Also pay attention to a Remote Management screen during setup, which may indicate that the device is managed by an organisation.
Remember: A clean IMEI does not mean that Activation Lock has been disabled. These are separate checks, and both matter.
8. Check the iPhone’s Model and Repair History
Once the IMEI and activation status have been checked, inspect the device’s model information and repair history.
Open:
Settings → General → About
Review the model name, model number, serial number, and storage capacity.
Make sure the information matches the seller’s description.
Next, look for Parts and Service History, if available on your model and iOS version. This section may identify certain replaced components, such as the battery, display, or cameras, and may indicate whether a component can be verified.
If the seller advertises the phone as professionally refurbished, ask what work was performed and whether documentation is available.
A refurbished iPhone may have replacement components without necessarily being a bad purchase. What matters is whether those components function correctly, whether the repairs were appropriate, and whether the price reflects the phone’s condition.
You should also test Face ID or Touch ID, the cameras, speakers, microphones, charging port, buttons, and touchscreen before paying.
9. Check Battery Health and Network Compatibility
The IMEI won’t tell you whether the battery is in good condition, so you’ll need to check battery health separately.
Go to:
Settings → Battery → Battery Health & Charging
Depending on the model and iOS version, you may see Maximum Capacity, battery performance information, or a service recommendation.
As a general buying guideline, 85% or higher is a reasonable target for a refurbished iPhone, although a lower reading may be acceptable at the right price.
Next, check whether the phone is carrier-unlocked if you intend to use it with a different mobile network.
Go to:
Settings → General → About → Carrier Lock
On supported versions, an entry such as No SIM restrictions generally indicates that the iPhone is unlocked.
If the phone is locked to a particular carrier, confirm that it will work with your intended SIM or eSIM before buying.
For buyers in Pakistan, also verify the device’s PTA compliance status. An unlocked iPhone is not automatically PTA-compliant, and PTA compliance does not automatically mean the device is carrier-unlocked.
These checks address different issues and should not be treated as interchangeable.
10. Get a Receipt and Written Warranty
The final step is to make sure the purchase is properly documented.
A trustworthy seller should be willing to provide a receipt containing the essential details of the transaction.
Where appropriate, ask for the following:
iPhone model and storage capacity.
IMEI number or relevant device identifier.
Purchase price and date.
Seller’s business details.
Warranty duration and coverage.
Return or exchange conditions.
Any disclosed faults or replaced components.
Read the warranty carefully. Some warranties exclude batteries, accidental damage, liquid damage, or faults caused by unauthorised repairs.
If you’re buying a refurbished iPhone online, check the seller’s return policy and whether you can return the device if its condition differs from the listing.
Keeping written documentation can make it easier to resolve a dispute if a problem appears after purchase.
Quick Checklist: iPhone IMEI Checks Before Buying
Before handing over your money, use this checklist:
Find the IMEI in Settings or by dialling *#06#.
Compare the available IMEI details.
Check the device’s reported or blocked status through the appropriate service.
Verify local network compliance where applicable.
Confirm the phone can be activated without the previous owner’s credentials.
Check the model, storage, and repair history.
Verify carrier-lock status.
Inspect battery health and test key hardware functions.
Obtain a receipt and written warranty.
Make sure the price reflects the device’s actual condition.
Don’t rush through these steps simply because the seller claims another buyer is interested. A legitimate seller should give you reasonable time to inspect the phone.
Final Thoughts
Checking an iPhone’s IMEI before buying is a simple but important step when purchasing a used or refurbished device.
It can help you investigate device identity, reported status, network restrictions, and local cellular compliance. However, it cannot confirm everything about a phone’s history or condition.
For the safest purchase, combine an IMEI check with Activation Lock verification, battery health inspection, repair-history checks, and practical testing of the device’s main functions.
If you’re buying in Pakistan, pay particular attention to PTA compliance as well as whether the device is carrier-unlocked.
The best refurbished iPhone isn’t simply the one with the lowest price or a clean IMEI. It’s the one whose identity, ownership status, condition, and network eligibility you can confidently verify before paying.
A few minutes of checking can help you avoid unnecessary expenses and enjoy your iPhone with greater peace of mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check my iPhone’s IMEI?
Open Settings → General → About and look for the IMEI number. You can also open the Phone app and dial *#06# on compatible devices.
Can I tell if an iPhone is stolen by checking its IMEI?
An IMEI check may reveal whether a device has been reported lost or stolen or appears on a relevant blocklist. However, databases may not be complete or up to date, so a clean result cannot guarantee legitimate ownership.
Is a clean IMEI enough to buy a refurbished iPhone?
No. You should also check Activation Lock, carrier-lock status, battery health, physical condition, repair history, and local network eligibility.
How do I check an iPhone’s IMEI in Pakistan?
Use the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority’s official website and follow its current guidance for checking device compliance through the relevant IMEI verification system.
Can an iPhone have a clean IMEI but still be locked?
Yes. A device may have a clean IMEI and still be linked to a previous owner’s Apple Account or restricted to a particular mobile carrier. Check Activation Lock and carrier-lock status separately.
Should I buy an iPhone if the IMEI doesn’t match the box?
Ask the seller to explain the discrepancy and verify the device’s identity using reliable information. The box may belong to another phone, but you should resolve the issue before purchasing.
Do free IMEI checkers provide reliable information?
Some can provide useful basic information, but coverage and accuracy vary. Prefer official carrier or government systems for blocking and compliance checks, and be cautious of websites that promise results they cannot substantiate.