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A cellphone serial number is an identifier the manufacturer assigns to an individual device, chiefly for support and product records. It is not necessarily the IMEI: Apple lists the serial number and IMEI/MEID as separate fields, while the IMEI identifies a cellular device on mobile networks.
What does a cellphone serial number identify?
A manufacturer serial number identifies a particular unit in that manufacturer’s records and support systems. Its format is manufacturer-specific; there is no single serial-number pattern shared by all phone makers. The number should not be assumed to encode a model, factory, or production date unless the manufacturer confirms that for the specific device.
Phones may also have other identifiers, including an IMEI, MEID, or ESN. These names refer to distinct identifiers, not interchangeable labels for the manufacturer’s serial number.
How is a serial number different from an IMEI?
An IMEI, or International Mobile Equipment Identity, is a 15-digit identifier for a cellular device on a mobile network. GSMA describes it as having three parts: a Type Allocation Code (TAC), a serial-number portion, and a check digit. The TAC has eight digits; the following six digits form the serial-number portion for that TAC; the final digit is a check digit. That embedded portion is not the same thing as the phone’s separate manufacturer serial-number field. GSMA’s IMEI Database and its Open Gateway Device Identifier API reference describe these identifiers and their structure.
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| Identifier | What it identifies | Format or association |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer serial number | A particular unit in the manufacturer’s support and records context | Format varies by manufacturer |
| IMEI | A cellular device on a mobile network | 15 digits; includes a TAC, a serial-number portion, and a check digit |
| MEID | A device identifier associated with CDMA technology devices | 14 digits |
| ESN | An electronic serial number associated with CDMA technology phones | 8 or 11 digits |
GSMA also describes an IMEI SV, a 16-digit representation that uses two software-version digits in place of the IMEI check digit. It is not safe to assume that every phone or support form uses this representation. For definitions of MEID and ESN, see the GSMA Device Check FAQ.
How do device and SIM identifiers relate?
The IMEI identifies the device; a SIM identifies a subscription. A mobile network associates a device identifier with the subscription currently using it, so the two numbers answer different questions. The SIM or subscription identifier is not a cellphone serial number.
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Where can you find a cellphone serial number or IMEI?
On an iPhone or iPad
Open Settings > General > About. Apple lists the serial number separately from EID, IMEI/MEID, and ICCID. If you cannot access Settings, Apple says device details may also be available on the original packaging, in Finder, Apple Devices, or iTunes, and in the Apple Account device list. Physical markings depend on the model: some older iPhones have IMEI information on the SIM tray or body, while iPhone 14 models and later do not have an IMEI/MEID engraving. Follow Apple’s instructions for finding the serial number and other identifiers for model-specific details.
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On other phones
GSMA Device Check says some phones display an IMEI, MEID, or ESN when you enter *#06# in the phone app keypad. Some devices also show identifiers on a label behind the back cover or under the battery. Availability and exact steps vary by device and region, so check the phone manufacturer’s support instructions for your model. These methods may show a cellular identifier rather than the manufacturer’s serial number.
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- Please note, this device does not support E-SIM; This 4G model is compatible with all GSM networks worldwide outside of the U.S. In the US, ONLY compatible with T-Mobile and their MVNO's (Metro and Standup). It will NOT work with Verizon, Spectrum, AT&T, Total Wireless, other CDMA carriers, it is also not compatible with their MVNO (Visible, Xfinity Mobile, US Mobile, Cricket Wireless, etc).
- Compatibility with certain third-party devices and accessibility accessories, including some hearing aids, may vary depending on manufacturer support, Bluetooth protocols, software compatibility, and regional firmware limitations. For additional hearing aid compatibility information, please refer to Samsung’s official support documentation.
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What can an IMEI check tell you?
An IMEI check can report whether participating network operators or approved commercial device owners have reported that identifier as blocked, for example after a device was reported lost or stolen. The result is about reported network status; it is not a standalone certificate of ownership, proof that a handset is genuine, or a guarantee that the phone will receive service in the future. GSMA Device Check explains the scope of its status information in its FAQ.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which number should you give a support form?
Use the label the form asks for, and match it to the corresponding field on the device or in its records. A manufacturer support request may ask for the serial number; a carrier or network-status check may ask for an IMEI. If the form asks for a MEID or ESN, do not substitute the manufacturer serial number. On Apple devices, the identifiers appear as separate fields in Settings > General > About.
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