Android · System Info
Find Your Phone's Model, Software & Hardware Details
About phone is the central reference page for identifying your exact device — model number, Android version, build number, IMEI, and serial number. It's the page you'll be asked to check during a support call, a warranty claim, or when confirming whether an app is compatible with your specific device.
How to open About Phone / System Info
- Open Settings → About phone.
- Review model number, hardware, and software information listed on this page.
- Tap 'IMEI' or 'Status' (naming varies by manufacturer) for IMEI, serial number, and network details.
- Tap 'Build number' if you specifically need to unlock Developer options.
What you should know
- Model number and hardware details help identify your exact device variant, useful for finding the correct manual, case, or accessory.
- IMEI and serial number are commonly requested for warranty claims, carrier unlocking, or reporting a lost or stolen device.
- Android version and security patch level here confirm exactly what software your device is currently running.
- The Build number field doubles as the hidden unlock switch for Developer options when tapped seven times.
Your IMEI uniquely identifies your specific physical device to carriers and manufacturers — treat it like sensitive information and only share it with a trusted party, like your carrier or the manufacturer's support team.
Why it matters
Almost every support interaction — a warranty claim, a carrier unlock request, a manufacturer repair ticket — starts with confirming exactly which device and software version you have, and About phone is where all of that lives in one place. It also matters for personal record-keeping, since having your IMEI and serial number saved somewhere separate from the phone itself is genuinely useful if the device is ever lost or stolen. For anyone troubleshooting compatibility (whether an app supports your Android version, or your device qualifies for a specific update), this page is the definitive source rather than guessing from memory.
Best practices
- Write down or photograph your IMEI and serial number somewhere separate from the phone itself in case it's ever lost or stolen.
- Check your exact Android version and security patch date here before assuming an app compatibility issue is a bug.
- Reference the precise model number here (not just the marketing name) when searching for accessories or repair guides.
- Keep this information handy before contacting carrier or manufacturer support, since it's almost always the first thing they ask for.
Common problems and fixes
- Can't find the IMEI or serial number on this screen.
- Look for a sub-menu often labeled 'IMEI', 'Status', or 'Hardware information', since manufacturers organize About phone slightly differently.
- Model number shown doesn't match the marketing name printed on the box.
- This is normal — the internal model number (used for parts and firmware) often differs from the consumer-facing marketing name.
- Software details show an older Android version than expected.
- Cross-check against Settings → System → System update to confirm whether a pending update simply hasn't installed yet.
- Tapping Build number by accident triggered the Developer options unlock sequence.
- This is harmless — either continue if you want Developer options unlocked, or ignore it, since the menu doesn't change anything on its own.
Tips and tricks
- Dial *#06# from the phone app as a quicker alternative to find your IMEI without navigating into Settings at all.
- Screenshot this page right after setting up a new phone as a quick personal record of its model and identifying numbers.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between IMEI and serial number?
IMEI identifies the device to cellular networks and is used for things like reporting a phone lost or stolen, while the serial number is a manufacturer-assigned identifier used mainly for warranty and repair tracking.
Do I need my IMEI to switch carriers?
Often yes, especially when requesting a carrier unlock or activating a SIM on a new network, since it uniquely verifies your specific device.
Why does tapping Build number seven times unlock a hidden menu?
It's a deliberate gate for Developer options, a set of advanced tools meant for app developers, and this repeated tap avoids exposing it to anyone browsing Settings casually.
Related settings
- System UpdateSystem Update keeps Android current with the latest security patches and features. Google and your device manufacturer regularly release updates that improve performance and close security gaps.
- Developer OptionsDeveloper options is a hidden settings menu, invisible until unlocked, that exposes low-level tools like USB debugging, animation scaling, background process limits, and Bluetooth/Wi-Fi diagnostic logs. It's built for app developers and advanced troubleshooting, not everyday configuration.
- Date & TimeDate & time settings control whether your device sets the clock and time zone automatically from the network or your location, or lets you set them manually. Getting this right keeps alarms, calendar events, and timestamped messages accurate, especially while traveling across time zones.
More System Info guides for Android
- Model & Hardware InformationDisplays the exact device model name, model number, hardware revision, and manufacturer details, useful for support calls, warranty checks, and compatibility verification.
- IMEI & Serial NumberShows the IMEI (or MEID) and serial number that uniquely identify your physical device, used for warranty claims, insurance, carrier activation, and reporting a lost or stolen phone.
- Android Version Detail PageShows the exact Android OS version, security patch level, build number, kernel version, and Google Play system update version installed on the device.
- Legal InformationProvides access to open-source software licenses, third-party notices, terms of service, and privacy policy documents bundled with the Android operating system.
- Regulatory LabelsDisplays the electronic version of regulatory compliance labels and certification marks (such as FCC ID, CE marking, and country-specific approvals) that would traditionally appear printed on the device.
- Device Status InformationDisplays live technical status details including SIM status, IP address, Wi-Fi MAC address, Bluetooth address, network signal strength, and device uptime since last restart.