How to Check Your Mobile IMEI Number in Pakistan (2026 Guide)

11 Oct 2026 · 4 min read

The quickest way to check your mobile IMEI number is to dial *#06# on the phone. The IMEI, a 15-digit number, appears on screen straight away. Dual-SIM and eSIM phones show two IMEIs.

Once you have it, you can send it by SMS to 8484 or enter it on PTA's DIRBS website to see whether the phone is PTA approved. This guide covers every way to find the IMEI, how to check it, and how to read the reply.

What is an IMEI number?

IMEI stands for International Mobile Equipment Identity. It is a unique number given to every phone, a bit like a CNIC for your handset. Networks use it to identify the phone, and PTA uses it to decide whether the phone is allowed to work on Pakistani SIMs.

You need it when you:

Check the PTA status of a phone you want to buy.
Register a phone from abroad on DIRBS.
Report a lost or stolen phone.
Claim a warranty or insurance.

Four ways to find the IMEI

Method 1: the dial code

Open the phone dialer, type *#06# and the IMEI appears. This works on almost every phone, iPhone or Android, and you don't need to press call.

Method 2: in Settings

iPhone: Settings > General > About, then scroll down to IMEI.
Samsung: Settings > About phone.
Xiaomi, Redmi, Infinix, Tecno, Oppo, Vivo and Realme: Settings > About phone, then look for Status or a section called IMEI.

Method 3: on the box

The original box has a sticker with the IMEI printed on it, often next to a barcode. It should match the number on the phone.

Method 4: on the SIM tray or the back

Many iPhones that have a physical SIM tray have the IMEI printed in tiny letters on the tray itself. Some older Android phones show it on a label under the battery. Use this when the phone won't switch on.

How to check the IMEI on 8484 and DIRBS

By SMS: type the 15-digit IMEI with no spaces and send it to 8484 from any Pakistani number. PTA replies within a minute or two. On a dual-IMEI phone, check both numbers one by one.

Online: go to PTA's DIRBS website (dirbs.pta.gov.pk), open the IMEI or device verification option, enter the IMEI and submit. PTA also has a DIRBS mobile app that does the same check.

Our guide on how to check PTA approval online has simple step-by-step instructions for both.

What the result means

The exact wording can change, but the replies usually fall into these groups:

Compliant or approved: the phone is registered and works with any Pakistani SIM permanently.
Non-compliant or not registered: the phone has not been registered or the tax hasn't been paid. A local SIM will stop working in it after the temporary period. See PTA approved vs non-PTA phones.
Blocked: the IMEI has been blocked, often because the phone was reported lost or stolen. Do not buy it.
Invalid or not found: the IMEI is not a real, recognised number. This can mean a copy phone or a tampered IMEI. Walk away.

Also make sure the IMEI from *#06#, Settings and the box all match. A box with a different number is a common trick to make a phone look genuine.

IMEI check vs full phone verification

Checking the IMEI is just one step. It tells you the PTA status, but it does not tell you whether the phone has an iCloud or Google lock, a worn battery or replaced parts. For the complete 10-minute routine, follow our guide on how to verify a phone before buying.

An IMEI check also can't fully prove that a phone isn't stolen, because a freshly snatched phone may not be blocked yet. The warning signs, and what to do if your own phone is taken, are in our guide on how to check a stolen phone in Pakistan.

Keep your own IMEI safe

Write your IMEI down, or keep a photo of the box sticker, somewhere other than the phone.
If your phone is lost or stolen, you will need the IMEI for the police report and to ask PTA to block it.
Don't share your IMEI publicly in ads or on social media. Show it to a serious buyer in person instead.

Buying a used phone soon? Read the used phone checklist and our safety tips.

Buy and sell with confidence

Browse phones on VerifiedPhones and check the IMEI on 8484 before you pay. Selling? Post your phone free and keep the box handy, because buyers will want to match the IMEI.