iPhone IMEI Check

Verify any iPhone's IMEI against the GSMA blacklist and US carrier financing-block databases — instantly. The first thing every buyback shop runs on every incoming iPhone.

iPhone-specific IMEI gotchas

The IMEI on the screen vs the SIM tray

On iPhone 13 and later, the IMEI is laser-etched on the SIM tray. The IMEI you get from *#06# on the screen should match the one on the tray. If they don't match, the device has had its logic board swapped — these are "rebuild" devices with unpredictable warranty status. Walk away.

Two IMEIs on dual-SIM iPhones

iPhone 13+ supports dual SIM (physical + eSIM, or two eSIMs). These models have two IMEIs. *#06# shows both — they should both come back clean, since either one being blacklisted blocks the device.

Activation Lock is a separate check

The IMEI check tells you if the iPhone can activate on a carrier. It does not tell you if the iPhone is iCloud Activation Locked. Always run a parallel check: have the seller factory-reset the device in front of you (Settings → General → Transfer or Reset). If it asks for an Apple ID password, the device is locked. See how to remove iCloud Activation Lock.

What "carrier-locked" means on iPhone

Some IMEI checks flag iPhones as "carrier-locked" — meaning the device can only activate on the carrier it was sold by. Common causes:

• Device-payment plan (DPP): the most common cause in 2026. The carrier locks the IMEI until the device is paid off, then unlocks it. Around 60% of iPhone trade-ins are still partway through DPP.
• Carrier-specific financing: Verizon's "Device Protection" and AT&T's "Next Up" lock the IMEI to the carrier's network even after payoff in some cases.
• Bring-your-own-device (BYOD) discount: some carriers lock the device for 6–12 months as part of a discount agreement.

iPhone IMEI check best practices for resellers

1. Run the IMEI check on every iPhone before payment.
2. Verify the IMEI on the screen matches the SIM tray.
3. Verify Activation Lock is off (factory reset prompt).
4. Verify carrier lock status (Settings → General → About → Carrier Lock).
5. Document the IMEI in your purchase log.