To find the IMEI number on an iPhone 6, open Settings > General > About and scroll down to IMEI. You can touch and hold the number to copy it. Another quick way is to open the Phone app, dial *#06#, and the IMEI appears on screen. On the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, the IMEI is also engraved on the back of the phone, near the bottom.
Here are all the places to find it, including when your iPhone won’t turn on.
Method 1: Check Settings
- Open Settings.
- Tap General > About.
- Scroll down to find IMEI.
- Touch and hold the number, then tap Copy to paste it elsewhere.
Method 2: Dial *#06#
Open the Phone app, tap Keypad, and dial *#06#. The IMEI appears right away. You don’t need to press call.
Method 3: Look on the back of the iPhone 6
On the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, the IMEI is printed in small text on the back case, below the word “iPhone.” Newer models put it on the SIM tray instead.
If your iPhone won’t turn on
- Back of the phone: Check the engraving, as above.
- Original box: The IMEI is on the barcode label.
- Apple Account website: Sign in at account.apple.com, open Devices, and select your iPhone to see its IMEI.
- Another Apple device: On an iPhone or iPad signed in to the same account, go to Settings > your name, then tap the iPhone in the device list.
- Finder or iTunes: Connect the iPhone to a computer. In the device summary, click the phone number to switch to the IMEI.
What is an IMEI used for?
- Activating service or unlocking with a carrier
- Reporting a lost or stolen phone
- Checking warranty or repair status with Apple
- Checking whether a used phone is blacklisted before buying it
Keep your IMEI private. Only share it with your carrier, Apple, or the police.
Frequently asked questions
Is the IMEI the same as the serial number?
No. They’re different numbers, and both are listed in Settings > General > About.
How many digits is an IMEI?
15 digits.
Can the IMEI change?
No. It’s permanently assigned to the phone’s hardware.
Why does my iPhone show two IMEI numbers?
Newer iPhones with dual SIM show one IMEI for each line. The iPhone 6 has only one.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.