IMEI Check Online

What is an IMEI number? 

IMEI stands for Identity for Foreign Mobile Equipment. It's a special 15 or 16-digit number that is used to classify individual mobile devices, as the name implies. The identification portion is the first 13 or 15 digits of an IMEI number, while the last digit is a check that is computed using the Luhn algorithm. As SIM cards are usually associated with the user, IMEI numbers were created to be a permanent identifier of a computer.

 

How to find your Device's IMEI, smartphone ESN

Simply Dial *#06# on your Phone as if you are making a regular phone call. A unique 15 digit number will then appear on the screen. Sometimes 17 digits will Appear, in this case only enter the first 15 digits (the last 2 numbers after the dash on not needed). This information can also be found under Phone Settings > About. Make sure to Enter IMEI at the top of this page under Step 2

That carrier or MVNO then adds the blocked IMEI number to shared registries. Why would you need to check IMEI Number? The number is useful when you would like to buy a second hand phone to check the blacklist status, warranty information, carrier information, phone model as well as other important data.

Typically, the IMEI number is written on the device inside the battery compartment, but most modern mobile devices make it easy to get it by entering *#06# on the keyboard or entering the phone settings. To decide whether a device is legitimate, carriers like Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T use the IMEI number.

This helps them to prevent users on their networks from using a lost or stolen Android device or iPhones. As the number is like a serial number directly connected to the handset itself, methods such as flipping the SIM card to give access to a lost or stolen device won't work. That's why checking its IMEI number is critical.

 

How does it work with the IMEI blacklist / blocklist?

A person can contact their service provider when a telephone has been stolen and ask them to block the phone from their provider.
The carrier or MVNO then adds to mutual registers such as the Central Equipment Identification Register the blocked IMEI number (CEIR). As nearly all carrier networks use CEIR and similar devices, the phone is increasingly "bricked" around the world. This includes more than just iPhones or Android mobile device; IMEI includes many smartwatches including the Apple Watch. For reasons beyond fraud, your current device information shows it might have been blacklisted.

Depending on your relationship with your carrier, you can get a computer blocked off the blacklist. For example, if an ESN or IMEI number is blacklisted for non-payment, you can probably delete it simply by updating your account. You can always check IMEI numbers to see your phone's information.

 

Why should I check my Phone IMEI number?

When entering your IMEI number at CanadaUnlocking.com's IMEI checker, you can confirm the status of your smartphone. Whether it be to check the blacklist status , warranty, icloud info, purchased country, or original carrier.

It is useful when purchasing a used mobile phone online, from reseller markets like Kijiji, Craigslist or eBay, etc. You can also take advantage of our Blacklist device check or Android device is unlocked for all providers.  Indeed when investigating the IMEI numbers, you can immediately see important information to help you decide if it is worth buying or not. 

 

IMEI Check Canada

Is there a difference between the IMEI check Canada services compared to the US? No, the results will be the same since both countries share the same databases so there is no difference.

 

Should  I use MEID's or ESN number with a IMEI checker service?

Yes. CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) carriers use MEID numbers on CDMA provider such as Verizon and Sprint  but perform the same purpose as an IMEI and for most users, the words are interchangeable. Read more about IMEI number checker - MEID discrepancies on our blog