Sooner or later you need your Android phone’s serial number: to claim a warranty, register the device, report it stolen, or prove it is yours. It is a unique code assigned to your specific unit, and Android gives you several ways to find it, some of which work even when the phone will not turn on.
Quick answer: To find your Android serial number, open Settings > About phone and look for Serial number, or tap Status if it is nested there. If the phone will not boot, the serial number is also printed on the original box, on the receipt, and sometimes on a label under the SIM tray or on the back of the device.
Method 1: In the Settings App (The Usual Way)
For a working phone, the settings menu is the quickest route.
Open Settings and scroll to the bottom to About phone (on some phones it is About device or sits inside a System menu). Look for Serial number listed directly. On many phones it is one level deeper, under a Status or Hardware information submenu, so if you do not see it at the top level, tap into Status.
While you are here, you will also see the IMEI, which is a different number. The serial number identifies the physical device to the manufacturer; the IMEI identifies it to mobile networks. Warranty and registration usually want the serial number, while reporting a phone to your carrier or the police as stolen usually wants the IMEI. It is worth noting both.
To copy the serial number without transcribing it by hand, long-press the number; most phones offer a copy option.
Method 2: Dial a Code for the IMEI
If it is actually the IMEI you need rather than the serial number, there is a universal shortcut that works on every phone regardless of brand. Open the phone dialler and type:
*#06#
The IMEI appears on screen instantly, no menus required. Dual-SIM phones show two IMEI numbers, one per SIM slot. This code does not show the serial number, only the IMEI, but it is the fastest way to get that particular number.
Method 3: On the Box, Receipt, or Device Label
When the phone will not turn on, the number is still recoverable from physical sources, which is exactly when you tend to need it most (a dead phone under warranty).
The original retail box almost always has a label listing the serial number, the IMEI, and the model, often as both text and barcodes. Keep that box for as long as you own the phone for this reason. The purchase receipt or invoice frequently records the serial number too, especially for phones bought from an authorised retailer.
On the device itself, check for a printed label. Some phones print the serial number on a small label under the SIM tray, on the SIM tray itself, or on the back panel near the bottom. On phones with removable backs, it may be inside, under the battery. The print is small, so good light and a magnifier help.
Method 4: Through Your Google Account
If the phone is lost, dead, or otherwise out of reach, your Google account holds device details for any Android phone signed in to it.
Sign in to your Google account from a computer or another device and open the section that lists your devices (found in the account’s security or device management area). Selecting your phone shows information including identifiers that help you register, verify, or report it. This is also where you can locate, lock, or erase a lost phone, so it is worth knowing regardless of the serial-number question.
Method 5: Via a Computer Connection (Advanced)
For anyone comfortable with developer tools, a phone connected to a computer can report its serial number over a debugging connection. This requires enabling developer options and USB debugging on the phone, then querying it from the computer with the Android platform tools. It returns the serial number directly.
This method is overkill for most people and only useful in specific situations, such as managing several devices or when the screen is damaged but the phone still runs. For a single phone you can navigate, the settings menu is far simpler.
Serial Number vs IMEI vs Model Number
These three identifiers get confused constantly. Here is what each is for.
| Identifier | Identifies | Typically needed for |
| Serial number | The physical unit, to the maker | Warranty claims, registration, service |
| IMEI | The device, to mobile networks | Reporting theft to carrier or police, network issues |
| Model number | The product type, not your unit | Finding accessories, guides, compatible parts |
When someone asks for your “serial number,” check whether they actually mean the IMEI, because the two are used for different purposes and are easy to mix up.
Why It Is Worth Recording Now
The most useful time to note your serial number and IMEI is before anything goes wrong. Once a phone is lost, stolen, or bricked, retrieving these numbers is harder precisely when you need them fastest.
Take two minutes to open About phone, copy both numbers, and save them somewhere separate from the phone: a note in your password manager, an email to yourself, or a photo of the box label stored in the cloud. If the phone later disappears, you will have exactly what the warranty desk, carrier, or police will ask for.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the serial number on an Android phone?
Open Settings > About phone and look for Serial number, which may sit under a Status submenu. If the phone does not power on, the same number is printed on the original box, on the purchase receipt, and sometimes on a label under the SIM tray.
What is the difference between the serial number and IMEI?
The serial number identifies your physical unit to the manufacturer and is used for warranty and registration. The IMEI identifies the device to mobile networks and is used to report theft or diagnose network issues. They are different numbers used for different purposes.
How do I find my IMEI quickly?
Open the phone dialler and type *#06#. The IMEI appears immediately without navigating any menus. This works on every Android phone. Dual-SIM devices display two IMEI numbers, one for each SIM slot.
Can I find the serial number if my phone won’t turn on?
Yes. It is printed on the original retail box, usually recorded on the purchase receipt, and sometimes on a physical label under the SIM tray or inside the device. Your Google account also stores device details for phones signed in to it.
Why does a company ask for my serial number?
Usually to verify a warranty claim, register the device, or match it to a service record. The serial number ties the request to your exact unit. Always confirm you are giving it to a legitimate party, since it can be used to check warranty and ownership status.
Should I keep my serial number written down?
Yes. Record both the serial number and IMEI somewhere separate from the phone, such as a password manager note or an email to yourself. If the phone is later lost, stolen, or dead, you will already have the numbers that warranty, carrier, and police will request.
