Want to get IMEI or Serial Number on your locked Apple devices? It’s not hard for you.
Read on to learn how to get the IMEI from a locked device so that you can check the device status or get it unlocked with your IMEI.
What is IMEI or Serial Number?
IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is a unique 15-digit number to identify a device on a mobile network.
Serial number is a unique identifier assigned by the manufacturer (like Apple, Samsung, etc.) to help identify an individual device. Dislike IMEI, the Serial Number may contain numbers, letters or a character string.
Both the IMEI and Serial Number can be used to unlock your device if it’s locked to iCloud lock or Carrier lock.
How to Get IMEI Number on iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch If Locked
We separate this part into 3 sections according to the type of lock.
Section 1. Get IMEI Number on iCloud Locked Device
If you purchased a second-hand iPhone but found there is an iCloud Activation Lock. You may want to find the IMEI/Serial number to unlock your device.
Here are 4 options for you to get this.
1. On the Hello Screen
If your device is locked to iCloud activation lock, you can restart it or go back to the “Hello” screen. Click on the “i” icon to find the IMEI.
This way works for all iCloud locked iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch
2. On the SIM Tray
Use your SIM removal tool – the metal spike that came with the iPhone. Poke it into the little hole on the right of your iPhone.
Then find the printed IMEI/Serial number on the SIM tray.
This way works for iPhone 6s and newer models.
3. On the Back
You can also find the IMEI or Serial number on the back of your iPhone. You may need a magnifying glass since the text is so small.
This way can help you find IMEI on iPad, iPod touch and older model of iPhone (iPhone 6/6 Plus/SE/5s/5c/5)
4. On the Original Package
For all iOS devices (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Apple Watch), find the IMEI on the barcode of the package.
Section 2. Get IMEI Number on Carrier Locked Device
You may want to unlock your iPhone with the IMEI number after checking if it’s unlocked.
Luckily, it’s easy for you to find the IMEI number.
1. Dial *#06#
The first way will be dialing the code *#06# into the Phone app. Here are the steps:
Step 1. Open Phone app
Step 2. Tap the Keypad
Step 3. Enter *#06#, the IMEI number will automatically appear on the screen.
2. From Settings
Then, you can also retrieve the IMEI number from Settings. The steps are straightforward:
Step 1. Tap Settings app on your iPhone
Step 2. Then tap General > About
Step 3. Scroll down to find the IMEI and Serial Number.
Tips:
- For iOS 6 & above, you can easily tap and hold on the number to use the copy option.
- For iPhone X & above, there will be two IMEI numbers, both of them can be used to unlock your device
3. On iTunes (Finder)
Note: Finder is the Mac version of iTunes. It’s a built-in software for macOS Catalina 10.15 or later.
Step 1. Connect your iPhone to computer via a USB cable.
Step 2. Open iTunes on your windows computer (or Finder if you use a Mac with macOS 10.15 or later)
Step 3. Choose your iPhone on iTunes.
Step 4. Click the Phone Number under your device name to get the IMEI number.
4. From iTunes Backup
It’s an easy way to find the IMEI number on iPhone if it’s locked, provided you’ve backed it up in iTunes.
Step 1. Open iTunes on your computer
Step 2. Go to Preferences > Devices, you’ll see a list of backups
Step 3. Choose the one that is related to your locked iPhone, you’ll see the IMEI number here.
5. From iCloud Account
If you ever signed in to your Apple ID on another iOS device with iOS 10.3 or above, then you can find the IMEI in your iCloud account.
Step 1. On that device, tap on Settings > [Your Name]
Step 2. Scroll down to find your locked device.
Step 3. Tap the device to view the IMEI number.
Section 3. Get IMEI Number on Screen Locked Device
If your device is locked to screen lock due to too many incorrect attempts. There are also 4 ways for you to retrieve the IMEI or Serial number.
- On the SIM Tray
- On the Back
- On the Original Package
- From iTunes Backup
You can find the details of the methods from the above sections.
Get Serial/IMEI Number on a Locked Apple Watch
1. From the Case
The common way is to check the case of your Apple Watch.
For Apple Watch (1st generation)
Find the engraved Serial Number from the back of your watch.
For Apple Watch Series 1 or later
Step 1. First you’ll need to remove the band [1].
Step 2. Find the Serial number on the band slot.
2. Using the Paired iPhone
If the locked Apple Watch is paired with your iPhone, it’s easy for you to find the IMEI/Serial number on the Apple Watch app.
Step 1. Open Apple Watch app on your iPhone.
Step 2. Then tap My Watch > General > About.
Step 3. You’ll find the Serial/IMEI Number here.
Please note that the IMEI number is only available for GPS + Cellular models.
