Definition: IMEI

(International Mobile Equipment Identity) A unique number assigned to a GSM, UMTS or IDEN cellphone. Carriers use the IMEI to link the phone to their network. The IMEI identifies the model and serial number of the device, whereas the IMSI number (international mobile subscriber identity) identifies the user. The equivalent of IMEI in a CDMA cellphone is the electronic serial number (see ESN) or mobile equipment ID (see MEID). See IMSI.

The first eight digits of the IMEI are the type allocation code (TAC) as follows:

  IMEI FORMAT

  Digits    Contain
  1-2    Reporting body (CTIA, TUV, etc.)
  3-8    Brand and model
  9-14   Serial number
  15     Check digit

Get the IMEI

Dialing *#06# on the phone's keypad displays the device IDs. IMEI1 is the primary phone number, and IMEI2 is the second line. EID (embedded identity document) is the serial number of the embedded SIM (see eSIM), and SN is the manufacturer's serial number.