Method 2 of 7: Using an iPhone (IMEI or MEID)

1

Look at the back of your iPhone 5 or original iPhone. The iPhone 5, 5c, 5s, and the original iPhone have the IMEI number engraved on the back of the phone, near the bottom. If you need the MEID number, take the same number but ignore the last digit (IMEI is 15 digits, MEID is 14 digits).

• GSM networks like AT&T and T-Mobile use IMEI numbers. CDMA networks such as Sprint, Verizon, and US Cellular use MEID numbers.
• If you are using an older iPhone, see the following steps.

2

Check the SIM card tray of your iPhone 3G, 3GS, 4, or 4s.  Your IMEI/MEID number is printed on the tray. If you are on a CDMA network (Verizon, Sprint, US Cellular), both codes will be printed as one. To determine the MEID number, ignore the last digit.

3

Open the Settings app. This can be found on your iPhone's Home screen. This step works for any iPhone or cellular iPad.

4

Tap General. Tap "About" in the General menu.

5

Tap IMEI/MEID. This will display your IMEI/MEID number. If you want to copy it to your iPhone's clipboard, press and hold the IMEI/MEID button in the About menu for a few seconds. A message will appear letting you know that the number has been copied

.

6

Find the IMEI/MEID using iTunes. If your iPhone won't turn on, you can connect it to your computer and use iTunes to retrieve the IMEI/MEID number.^[2]

• Plug your iPhone into your computer and open iTunes.
• Select your iPhone from the Device menu in the upper-right corner of iTunes and then click the Summary tab.
• Click the "Phone Number" entry next to the image of your iPhone. This will cycle through the ID numbers for your device.
• Copy the IMEI/MEID number. If both are displayed, check what carrier you use to see which number you need. GSM networks like AT&T and T-Mobile use IMEI numbers. CDMA networks such as Sprint, Verizon, and US Cellular use MEID numbers.

Tips:

• Write your IMEI down before your phone gets lost or stolen.
• If your mobile phone is stolen, you can call or go to the nearest service center of your mobile network and give that IMEI number to staff to block your phone.
• Most pre-paid and non-contract phones in America don't have IMEIs; the same applies to disposable phones throughout Europe, Asia, and Africa.
• If you are South African, you are required by law to report the theft to your service provider and to the police (either SAPS or your local Metro Police). It will be blacklisted across ALL networks so that it can't be used for criminal activities. If it is recovered, it is possible to remove from the blacklist it provided that you have proof of ownership.

Warning:

• Blocking a stolen or lost phone via the IMEI will cut off all communication between your phone and your carrier, making it impossible for the phone to be recovered via tracking. Only do this as a last resort if your phone contains sensitive information.
• Some thieves replace the IMEI numbers of phones they steal with the IMEIs of other devices. If you purchased a phone from someone or someplace you don't quite trust, try to research whether or not your supposed IMEI actually goes with that model of phone.

You have some illegal fraudulent companies that will replace your IMEI code so that the carrier like AT&T can't track it. AT&T will tell you, that's impossible but it's happening to me. They manipulate the code so it's telling AT&T it's black listed but the code is changed and can not be traced (IMEI) so even if you do put it on the block list. It will still work, It is happening as we speak