Find your EID and IMEI before contacting a carrier

Know which number answers which question

An IMEI identifies mobile equipment. An EID identifies the embedded SIM component used for eSIM provisioning. A carrier may request an IMEI, an EID, or both to check its records and issue a profile. Those numbers are useful for compatibility checks, but they are not proof that a plan will activate; carrier and account rules still apply. Google says a phone needs an EID to use eSIM and that a carrier may ask for IMEI 1, IMEI 2, or EID during setup.

Write down only what the provider specifically asks for. Copy the value from your device rather than transcribing it from memory, and share it only through the provider’s authenticated app, official checkout, or support channel. Do not put an IMEI or EID in a public forum, social post, or screenshot shared widely.

iPhone: find identifiers in Settings

Open Settings > General > About. Scroll if needed: Apple lists EID, IMEI/MEID, and ICCID there, and lets you touch and hold a number to copy it. If the phone has not been set up, use the on-screen Info button on the Hello screen or check the original box. This is useful when assessing a second-hand phone, but it does not replace an ownership, block-list, or lock-status check.

Pixel: find identifiers in Settings

On a Pixel, open Settings > About phone > SIM status, then locate EID. Google also lists IMEI in About phone, while the box and SIM tray can help if Settings is unavailable. Menu wording can shift with Android releases, so use the device search field for “EID” or “SIM status” if the path differs.

Before you contact support, note the phone model, sales region, and installed Android version beside the requested identifier. This gives the representative enough context to tell a model-variant issue from an account issue. If a web form says the identifier is not recognised, do not keep trying random numbers or scan the same QR code repeatedly. Confirm the identifier with the device settings, then ask the provider whether the exact model and plan are eligible.

Once you have the requested information, use the exact-phone compatibility checklist and the carrier-support guide before activation. An identifier gives the carrier a way to inspect the device; it is not a substitute for checking regional version, software, or lock state.