Can I get the IMEI code before making an order?
No, sellers do not provide IMEI codes before purchase, and RefurbMe cannot provide them for listed products either. This is standard practice across the refurbished industry for important security reasons.
What is the IMEI and what is it used for?
An IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is a unique 15-digit number assigned to every mobile phone. It serves several purposes:
- Theft prevention. A device reported as stolen can be blacklisted by carriers and blocked from connecting to their networks.
- Device identification. Carriers and Apple use the IMEI to identify the exact model, origin, and warranty status of a phone.
- Activation Lock verification. The IMEI can be used to check whether a device is linked to someone else's Apple ID.
Because the IMEI is tied to sensitive information, sharing it before a sale could expose the seller or the device to fraud.
Why sellers don't share the IMEI before purchase
Refurbishers and resellers withhold the IMEI for several reasons:
- Inventory management. Sellers often have multiple units of the same model. The specific device you receive is assigned at shipping time, not at the moment of order.
- Fraud prevention. Sharing an IMEI publicly could allow bad actors to file false blacklist reports against the device.
- Industry standard. This policy is consistent across Apple Store, Back Market, Amazon Renewed, and other major refurbishers.
It is important to reiterate that refurbished iPhones are not stolen phones. They are pre-owned devices that have been professionally refurbished and tested.
How to check the IMEI after purchase
Once you receive your refurbished iPhone, you can and should verify its IMEI:
- Go to Settings > General > About and scroll to the IMEI field.
- Dial *#06# on the phone keypad to display the IMEI instantly.
- Use Apple's Check Coverage page to verify warranty status and legitimacy.
If the IMEI shows the device is blacklisted or has an Activation Lock, contact the seller immediately for a return or exchange. Learn more about how to check if a refurbished iPhone is blacklisted.
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