Find Your Mobile Phone's Serial Number Without Taking it Apart

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You can easily find the serial number of most phones just by looking in the settings or using a special code. This is less likely to work on older phones or non-smartphones. Before you begin your search, make sure you know which of your phone's two serial numbers you need.

Steps

Using the Right Serial Number

  1. Use the serial number when contacting the manufacturer. The company that made the phone hardware gave your device its own serial number. This is usually just labeled "Serial" wherever it is found.
  2. Use the mobile ID when contacting the phone service company. Each wireless device with phone capability also has a second number, unique among all phones in the world. This will be labeled IMEI, MEID, or ESN.[1]
    • Use this number when reporting a stolen phone, and authorities can block all calls to and from the device.
  3. Convert from MEID hex to MEID dec. The MEID number can be displayed in two different formats: a 14-digit "hexadecimal" MEID and an 18-digit "decimal" MEID. If you can only find one and your service provider asks for the other format, search online for an "MEID converter" to transform it.

Locating any Serial Number

  1. Dial *#06#. Visit your dial screen, where you enter phone numbers to call. Enter *#06# and wait for a code to appear on the screen. This will work for most smartphones, but not for most non-smartphones.
    • If the code does not appear within a few seconds, press the call button. If the serial code still doesn't appear, move on to the next step.
  2. Restart the phone and try again. If nothing happens when you enter *#06#, restart your phone and enter it again. If it still doesn't work, move on to the next step.
  3. Check your settings. On most phones, you can find all the relevant serial numbers in the same location in your settings. Check in one of the following places, depending on your phone model:
    • iPhone: Settings → General → About
    • Android phones: Settings → About Device → Status
      • On the Samsung Galaxy and some other models, you'll need to click More in the Settings menu before you can reach About Device.
    • Lumia phones: Settings → About → More Information
    • Nokia X phones: Settings → About Phone → Status
  4. Check the back of the phone. A few devices, notably iPod Touches and iPads, have the manufacturer's serial number, MEID, and/or IMEI engraved on the back of the phone. This is usually in tiny print, so look carefully.
  5. Look on the packaging or receipt. The phone's original packaging or the receipt of purchase often displays one or more of its serial numbers. They are often printed on the barcode sticker.
  6. View your Apple device in iTunes. If you are using an iPhone, connect it to your computer. Launch iTunes and click on your device name to open the Summary tab. The serial number will be listed next to a thumbnail image of your phone.
    • Right-click or command-click the serial number field and select Copy to add it to your clipboard.
  7. Contact the phone manufacturer. If you still haven't found the number you're looking for, contact the company who made your phone to find out where it is located. Contact the manufacturer, not the service provider. Samsung, Lumia, Windows, and Apple are all examples of phone manufacturers.

Tips

  • If all else fails and you do need to take your phone apart, the serial number is usually listed in one of the following places:
    • On the battery, underneath the back cover
    • Behind the battery
    • In the SIM card holder, visible after removing the SIM card

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://www.smartmobilephonesolutions.com/content/imei-vs-meid-vs-esn-purpose-of-a-device-identifier
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