How to Check My Phone's IMEI, IMSI, ICCID, and MSISDN Codes

Most people only think about their phone number when they need to give it to a friend or type it into a form. But your device actually has several other hidden “names” that are just as important; sometimes even more so. These identifiers quietly handle everything from connecting your calls to protecting your account from fraud.

If you have ever had to report a lost phone, unlock your device for a new carrier, or troubleshoot a connection issue, you have probably been asked for one of these mysterious codes. 

Those four tags are IMEI, IMSI, ICCID, and MSISDN. Learn them once, and a lot of things about mobile life get easier. Switching carriers feels simpler. Buying a used phone feels safer. Troubleshooting with support takes minutes instead of hours.

Before we poke around menus and trays, let us decode what you are looking for. Once you know who is who, the steps make sense.

1. IMEI: This is the International Mobile Equipment Identity. It is a unique 15 digit number that belongs to the hardware. The IMEI is the phone’s fingerprint. Swap in a new SIM and the IMEI stays the same because it is tied to the device, not your subscription. Carriers use it to check compatibility and to block stolen devices.
2. IMSI: This is the International Mobile Subscriber Identity. It is usually 15 digits long and lives on the SIM card or eSIM profile. The IMSI is the network’s secret account number for your subscription. The phone presents it to the network so you can be authenticated. The network often replaces it with a temporary alias during daily use to protect privacy.
3. ICCID: This is the Integrated Circuit Card Identifier. It is the long serial number for the SIM card or for the individual eSIM profile. It is often 19 to 22 digits and usually starts with 89. Carriers use the ICCID to activate and provision the SIM.
4. MSISDN: This is the Mobile Station International Subscriber Directory Number. In day to day language, this is your phone number in international format. When someone dials you, the network maps that public number to your subscriber record and then routes the call.

If you like car metaphors, picture a garage. The IMEI is the vehicle identification number stamped on the chassis. The IMSI is the owner account inside the registration database. 

The ICCID is the serial number on the license tag that gives the car road access. The MSISDN is the plate number others see when they want to find you.

A few quick tips keep this smooth and safe.

• Have the phone unlocked and charged so you are not racing a battery icon.
• If you plan to remove a SIM tray, use the proper eject tool or a paper clip and work gently so you do not bend anything.
• Keep a notes app open so you can copy and paste long numbers without typos.
• Treat the IMSI like a secret. You would not post a photo of your passport number. Same energy here.

No matter which phone you use, a few methods work across most brands and models.

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1. Dial the Code for IMEI

Open the Phone app and type *#06#. You do not need to press call. The IMEI will pop up on screen. On dual SIM models you will see two IMEIs. 

Some devices show extra lines like the serial number or even the ICCID. Snapshot the screen if you need to save it.

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2. Check the Device Itself

Manufacturers often put the IMEI on the hardware.

• Eject the SIM tray and look along the side. Many modern phones have the IMEI engraved there in tiny print.
• Older phones with removable batteries keep a label under the battery with the IMEI.
• Very old models sometimes print it on the back shell.

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3. Look at the Original Box

The retail box almost always has a sticker near the barcodes with the IMEI and sometimes the ICCID of the included SIM. If your phone is lost or dead, this sticker can be a lifesaver for insurance or a police report.

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4. Use your Online Account

Apple and Google both let you view details for devices tied to your account. Your Apple ID device list will show the IMEI. Your Google account device list can show it for registered Android phones. 

If the phone is not with you, this is a quick way to recover the number.

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5. Ask your Carrier

Carriers can see the IMEI seen on their network, the ICCID that is active on your line, and the IMSI tied to your subscriber record. 

If a menu is uncooperative, a support agent can read these back to you after verifying your identity.

Apple keeps things consistent across models and versions. That is good news for your search.

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1. IMEI and ICCID from Settings

Open Settings. Tap General. Tap About. Scroll a little. 

You will see IMEI near the top and ICCID a bit lower under the SIM section. 

• If you have two lines, you will see two entries. 
• Touch and hold any number to copy it. 

Paste it into Notes or send it to yourself for safekeeping.

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2. IMEI on the Hardware

If the phone will not turn on, try the physical marks.

• Eject the SIM tray and inspect the side of the tray. Many iPhone models have the IMEI etched there.
• On much older models, the IMEI is etched on the back cover.

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3. IMEI Without Unlocking the Phone

If the iPhone has been erased and shows the Hello screen, tap the small info button. 

The IMEI appears right there.

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4. IMEI Through a Computer

• Connect the iPhone to a Mac or Windows computer. 
• Open Finder on a Mac or iTunes on Windows. 
• Select the device, then click the line that shows the phone number or model.

It cycles through serial number, IMEI, and ICCID.

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5. MSISDN on iPhone

Open Settings. Tap Phone. At the top you will see My Number. 

That is your MSISDN in friendly format. 

You can also open the Contacts app and check the top card labeled My Card.

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6. IMSI on iPhone

Here is the part that trips people up. iOS does not show the IMSI in Settings. This is on purpose. 

Apple keeps that field private to reduce abuse by rogue equipment that tries to lure devices to reveal permanent subscriber identifiers. 

If you need the IMSI for a legitimate reason, contact your carrier and ask them to provide it after verifying your identity. Apps on the App Store cannot read it. Menus do not display it. That is by design.

Android gives you the same answers, but the path can vary depending on brand and software version. 

Start with the common route, then try brand specific notes if you need them.

Direct sources:

• IMEI from Settings: Open Settings. Tap About phone. On many phones the IMEI is right there. If not, tap Status or IMEI information to reveal it.
• ICCID from Settings: From About phone, open SIM status. The ICCID for the active SIM or eSIM profile is listed there. If you have two lines, you will see an entry for each one.
• MSISDN from Settings: In many builds you will find the phone number in About phone under Status or SIM status. If the SIM card does not store a number, this field can show Unknown. If that happens, call a friend and read the number that appears on their screen, or check the number in your carrier account portal or your latest bill.

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The Android Testing Menu

Open the Phone app and type *#*#4636#*#*. A testing screen appears. Tap Phone information. This page shows the IMEI and a lot of network details. 

On many devices it also shows the IMSI. Not all manufacturers include this page, and some hide the IMSI, but it is worth a look because it bypasses the regular skin and goes straight to lower level data.

It happens. Screens shatter. Batteries die. Boxes end up in closets. You still have options.

• Check the original retail box for the IMEI sticker. Take a clear photo and keep it in a password manager or cloud notes app.
• Sign in to your Apple ID on the web and look at your device list. The IMEI shows on the info pane for that iPhone. If you have a Mac, iPad, or another iPhone, you can also check from there.
• Sign in to your Google account and view your devices. You will see the registered phones and can often see the IMEI in the details page.
• Pop the SIM out of the damaged phone and read the ICCID from the plastic. It is the very long number starting with 89.
• Call your carrier and ask the representative to read back the ICCID and IMSI tied to your line. They will verify identity first. Write both down and keep them in a secure note.

With eSIM, your phone can hold multiple profiles. Each profile has its own ICCID. The phone itself also has an EID which is the identifier for the eSIM chip as a container. If you see EID in a menu, that is not the same as IMEI or ICCID. Think of EID as the drawer, and ICCIDs as the folders inside.

Four codes may sound like a lot, but each one plays a clear and useful role. The IMEI belongs to the hardware. The IMSI belongs to the subscriber record. The ICCID belongs to the SIM or eSIM profile. The MSISDN belongs to the public number people dial. 

That’s pretty much it!

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FAQs

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Is MSISDN the same as my phone number?
Yes. MSISDN is your number in the international format defined by the global numbering plan. If you want to double check it inside your account, many carrier portals offer an easy MSISDN number check. If the phone shows Unknown in settings, that does not mean your line lacks a number. It only means the SIM does not store it.

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Can I do an online IMSI search by number?
There is no safe IMSI number check online for your personal line. The IMSI is not public. Treat any website that claims to reveal your IMSI as untrustworthy. Your carrier and your device know it. Outsiders should not.

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What about a tool that calls itself an IMSI checker?
Tools with that label vary. Some are harmless diagnostics that read your own device and display what the system allows. Others are data harvesters. If you see an app with that title, read reviews and check permissions. If it asks for more access than a simple info app needs, skip it.

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How do I confirm my public number quickly?
Open Settings and look for the number field, call a friend, or check your carrier portal. Some portals include a simple MSISDN lookup tool inside account details.

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Why do some phones show two IMEIs?
Dual SIM hardware needs an IMEI per modem path. That is normal. If you use only one line, the second IMEI can stay unused.

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My SIM shows a very long number starting with 89. What is that?
That is the ICCID. It is the SIM’s serial number. Carriers use it to link your plastic or eSIM profile to your account.

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I replaced my SIM and now data is flaky. What should I read back to support?Give them the IMEI of the phone and the ICCID of the new SIM. They will also check the IMSI in their database. With those three numbers, provisioning issues get solved quickly.