Device Prep
How to Find Your IMEI and Serial Number Before Selling
Need to find your IMEI or serial number before selling your phone or laptop in Chicago? This guide walks you through every method, device by device, so you get paid faster.
Why Your IMEI and Serial Number Matter Before You Sell
Before you hand over your iPhone, Galaxy, or laptop to any buyback shop or online reseller, there are two numbers you absolutely need to know: your IMEI and your serial number. These identifiers are the fingerprint of your device. Buyers use them to verify ownership, check warranty status, confirm the device is not blacklisted, and assess its true market value.
If you walk into a Chicago buyback counter on Milwaukee Avenue or ship a device to an online reseller without knowing these numbers, you risk delays, lowball offers, or outright rejection. Pulling them up takes less than two minutes, and this guide shows you exactly how, for every major device type.
What Is an IMEI Number and What Is a Serial Number?
These two identifiers are related but not the same thing.
- IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity): A 15-digit number unique to cellular devices (phones, tablets with LTE). It is tied to the hardware and is used by carriers to block stolen or lost devices. Every SIM-capable device has one, and dual-SIM phones have two.
- Serial number: A manufacturer-assigned code (typically 10-17 characters, alphanumeric) that identifies a specific unit off the production line. Laptops, Wi-Fi-only tablets, gaming consoles, and all cellular devices have serial numbers.
When a buyer checks your device before paying you, they run the IMEI through a blacklist database (such as GSMA's global registry or the U.S. carriers' shared database) and pull the serial number to confirm the device model, storage tier, and sometimes even the original purchase date. A clean IMEI can mean the difference between a full payout and zero.
How to Find Your IMEI and Serial Number on an iPhone or iPad
Method 1: Settings App (Fastest)
- Open Settings.
- Tap General.
- Tap About.
- Scroll down to find IMEI and Serial Number listed on the same screen.
For iPads without cellular, you will see the serial number but no IMEI field.
Method 2: Dial Code (iPhones Only)
Open the Phone app and dial *#06#. Your IMEI appears on screen immediately, no menu navigation required. This works even if the phone is locked to a passcode.
Method 3: Physical Device
On iPhones older than the iPhone 13, the IMEI is laser-etched on the SIM tray. On iPhone 15 models and newer (which use eSIM in the U.S.), check the back of the box or the Apple ID portal at appleid.apple.com under Devices.
Method 4: iTunes or Finder
Connect your iPhone or iPad to a Mac or PC. In Finder (macOS Catalina and later) or iTunes (Windows), click on the device name, then click the serial number field to toggle to the IMEI.
How to Find Your IMEI and Serial Number on Android Devices
Android is slightly more fragmented because Samsung, Google, Motorola, and OnePlus each organize their settings menus differently, but the core path is the same.
Samsung Galaxy Phones and Tablets
- Open Settings.
- Scroll to About Phone (or About Tablet).
- Tap Status Information.
- Look for IMEI information and Serial number.
Alternatively, dial *#06# from the dialer to see both IMEI values (IMEI 1 and IMEI 2 on dual-SIM models).
Google Pixel Phones
- Open Settings.
- Tap About Phone.
- Your IMEI and serial number appear directly on that screen.
Other Android Devices (Motorola, OnePlus, etc.)
The path is nearly always Settings > About Phone > Status or Settings > About Phone > IMEI Information. The *#06# dial code works universally across Android.
How to Find the Serial Number on a Laptop
Windows Laptops (Dell, HP, Lenovo, ASUS, Surface)
Option A: Command Prompt or PowerShell
- Press
Windows + R, typecmd, and press Enter. - Type:
wmic bios get serialnumberand press Enter. - The serial number prints on the next line.
Option B: Physical label Flip the laptop over. Most Windows laptops have a white or silver sticker on the bottom panel listing the serial number, model number, and sometimes the service tag (Dell) or product number (HP).
Option C: System Settings (Windows 11) Go to Settings > System > About. Some OEMs display the serial number here, though not all do.
MacBooks (MacBook Air and MacBook Pro)
- Click the Apple menu (top-left corner).
- Select About This Mac.
- The serial number is listed under the model name. Click it to copy.
Alternatively, hold Option and click the Apple menu, then select System Information for full hardware details.
Mac serial numbers are also engraved on the bottom case near the regulatory text, which is useful if the laptop will not power on.
How to Find the Serial Number on Gaming Consoles
| Console | Location | |---|---| | PlayStation 5 | Bottom label (horizontal orientation) near barcode | | PlayStation 4 | Back panel, printed below the HDMI port | | Xbox Series X | Bottom of the console (remove stand) | | Xbox Series S | Back panel, near the power port | | Nintendo Switch | Back of the console, above the kickstand | | Nintendo Switch OLED | Same location, also in System Settings > Serial Information |
For all Sony and Nintendo consoles you can also find the serial in the console's System Settings menu, which is useful if the device is packed and you do not want to unbox it just to check.
IMEI and Serial Number Lookup: What Buyers Actually Check
Once you have your numbers, you can run a pre-sale check yourself before visiting any Chicago reseller or mailing a device. Free tools include:
- IMEI.info for carrier lock status, model verification, and blacklist status.
- Apple's coverage check at checkcoverage.apple.com (enter serial number) to confirm the device model, color, storage, and warranty expiration.
- Samsung's warranty portal at samsung.com/us/support/warranty to verify your Galaxy's specs.
Knowing your device is clean before you walk into a buyback counter saves you from surprises at the last step. Chicago resellers that handle high volumes can run 30 or more checks per hour. A blacklisted or carrier-locked device will be flagged within seconds.
For more on what affects your payout, read our guide to maximizing your phone trade-in value and our overview of certified refurbished vs. buyback pricing.
Quick Comparison: Where to Find IMEI vs. Serial Number by Device
| Device Type | IMEI Location | Serial Number Location |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone (cellular) | Settings > General > About, SIM tray, *#06# | Settings > General > About |
| iPad (Wi-Fi only) | N/A | Settings > General > About |
| Android Phone | Settings > About > Status, *#06# | Settings > About Phone |
| Windows Laptop | N/A | CMD wmic bios get serialnumber, bottom label |
| MacBook | N/A | Apple menu > About This Mac, bottom case |
| PlayStation 5 | N/A | Bottom label near barcode |
| Nintendo Switch | N/A | Back of unit, System Settings |
Before You Sell: A Quick Checklist
- Write down or screenshot the IMEI and serial number.
- Run a free IMEI blacklist check online.
- Verify carrier lock status (locked devices sell for less).
- Check warranty expiration using the serial number.
- Factory reset the device only after confirming the numbers are recorded.
- Remove your SIM card and any accessories not included in the sale.
If you are selling multiple devices at once, such as clearing out old phones after upgrading the whole family on a plan, keeping a simple spreadsheet with each device's IMEI, serial, model, and storage tier will prevent mix-ups at the counter.
For Chicago residents preparing to sell, our complete device preparation checklist and our guide to selling electronics for cash in Chicago neighborhoods are worth reading before your trip.
Final Thoughts
Finding your IMEI and serial number before selling is a two-minute step that protects you from lowball offers, rejected devices, and wasted trips. Whether you are selling an iPhone 15 Pro, a Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, a Dell XPS 15, or a Nintendo Switch OLED, the numbers are always accessible through settings menus, physical labels, or simple dial codes.
Know your numbers. Run a quick blacklist check. Then walk into any Chicago buyback counter or ship to any online reseller with full confidence in what your device is worth.
Frequently asked questions
What is an IMEI number and why do I need it before selling my phone?
An IMEI is a unique 15-digit identifier assigned to every cellular device. Buyers use it to verify the device is not reported stolen or blacklisted by a carrier. A clean IMEI is required for a full payout at most buyback shops and online resellers.
Can I find my IMEI if my phone screen is broken?
Yes. Dial *#06# from any functioning phone app, check the SIM tray (on older iPhones), look at the original box barcode label, or log in to your carrier account online. Apple ID at appleid.apple.com also lists registered device IMEIs.
Is an IMEI the same as a serial number?
No. An IMEI is specific to cellular hardware and is used by carriers to track or block devices. A serial number is a manufacturer code used to identify the exact production unit, model, storage, and warranty status. Cellular devices have both; Wi-Fi-only devices and laptops have only a serial number.
Does a factory reset erase the IMEI or serial number?
No. Both numbers are stored in the device firmware and hardware, not in user-accessible storage. A factory reset wipes personal data, accounts, and settings, but the IMEI and serial number remain permanently unchanged.
How do I check if my IMEI is blacklisted before selling?
Visit IMEI.info or your carrier's IMEI checker and enter your 15-digit number. The result shows blacklist status, carrier lock, and basic device info. Running this check before visiting a buyback counter in Chicago saves time and prevents rejected transactions.
Do gaming consoles like the PlayStation 5 or Nintendo Switch have an IMEI?
No. Gaming consoles do not connect to cellular networks, so they have no IMEI. They do have serial numbers, which are printed on physical labels and accessible through the console's system settings menu. Buyers use serial numbers to verify console model and regional variant.
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