How to Check a Phone's IMEI in Kenya (*#06#, Text 1555, CA Checker)

Mzuri Team 22 May 2026 8 min read
How to Check a Phone's IMEI in Kenya (*#06#, Text 1555, CA Checker)

Before you part with your hard-earned shillings for a used phone in Nairobi, Mombasa or anywhere in Kenya, there is one 60-second check that can save you from buying a stolen, fake or blacklisted handset: verifying the IMEI. This guide shows you exactly how to do it using *#06#, an SMS to 1555, and the official Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) IMEI checker.

What Is an IMEI Number and Why It Matters

IMEI stands for International Mobile Equipment Identity. It is a unique 15-digit serial number assigned to every genuine phone, almost like a national ID for your device. A dual-SIM phone will have two IMEI numbers, one for each SIM slot.

In Kenya, the IMEI matters for three practical reasons:

  • It proves the phone is genuine. Cloned and counterfeit handsets often share fake or duplicated IMEIs that the CA database will flag.
  • It can reveal a stolen phone. If a handset has been reported stolen, its IMEI may be blacklisted by operators.
  • It is tied to device registration. The CA has been pushing device verification to clamp down on counterfeit and untaxed phones entering the market.

If you are buying or selling on a marketplace like Mzuri, checking the IMEI is the single most important due-diligence step you can take.

How to Find Your IMEI: Dial *#06#

The fastest way to display your IMEI on any phone, Android or iPhone, is to open the dialler (the phone-call keypad) and type:

*#06#

You do not press the call button. The moment you finish typing the hash, the IMEI appears on screen instantly. On a dual-SIM phone you will see two numbers labelled IMEI1 and IMEI2. Write both down or screenshot them.

Other ways to find the IMEI

If *#06# does not work for some reason, you have backups:

  • Android: Go to Settings > About phone > IMEI information.
  • iPhone: Go to Settings > General > About and scroll to IMEI.
  • The physical phone: Many handsets print the IMEI on a sticker under the battery, on the SIM tray, or on the box.

A smart trick when buying second-hand: ask the seller to dial *#06# in front of you, then compare that number against the one printed on the box and the one in Settings. If all three match, that is a strong sign the phone is legitimate and has not had its motherboard swapped.

How to Verify Your IMEI by Texting 1555

The Communications Authority of Kenya runs a free SMS verification service. Here is the exact process:

  1. Dial *#06# to display your 15-digit IMEI.
  2. Open your Messages app and create a new SMS.
  3. Type the 15-digit IMEI number (just the digits, no spaces or symbols).
  4. Send it to 1555.
  5. Wait for the reply SMS.

The CA will respond with the make and model of the phone registered to that IMEI. This is the crucial step: compare the make and model in the reply against the actual phone in your hand. If the SMS says "Samsung Galaxy A15" but you are holding a phone that claims to be an iPhone, walk away. The IMEI has been cloned or the phone is counterfeit.

The 1555 service is completely free across Safaricom, Airtel and Telkom lines, so there is no excuse to skip it.

How to Use the CA IMEI Checker Online

If you prefer to check on a computer or want a second opinion, the Communications Authority provides an online tool at ca.go.ke/imei-checker. Enter the 15-digit IMEI into the field and submit. The checker returns the registered device details, the same information you would get over SMS.

This is handy when a seller sends you photos or a listing online and you want to verify the IMEI remotely before travelling to meet them. Ask the seller to send a clear photo of the *#06# screen, then run that number through the online checker.

What the Results Mean

Here is how to read what comes back, whether by SMS or the online checker:

  • Make and model match the phone: Good sign. The device is genuine and recognised.
  • Make and model do NOT match: Red flag. The phone is likely counterfeit or has a cloned IMEI. Do not buy.
  • No record found / invalid: The IMEI may be fake, mistyped, or from a grey-market import. Re-check the number, and if it still fails, treat it with suspicion.

Keep in mind that the CA database confirms whether an IMEI is genuine and which device it belongs to. For a deeper check on whether a specific handset has been reported stolen or is under finance (such as a Lipa Mdogo Mdogo phone that has not been fully paid off), you should also ask the seller for the original receipt and, where relevant, confirmation that any instalment plan is cleared.

A Quick Pre-Purchase Checklist for Buyers

Before you pay for any used phone in Kenya, run through this list:

  1. Dial *#06# and confirm the IMEI on screen.
  2. Text the IMEI to 1555 and confirm the make and model match.
  3. Cross-check the IMEI against the box and the Settings menu.
  4. Ask for the original receipt or proof of purchase.
  5. For phones bought on instalments, confirm the balance is fully paid.
  6. Test the phone fully: calls, charging, cameras, fingerprint, all buttons.

These steps take less than ten minutes and protect you from the most common scams. For a fuller rundown of meeting safely and paying securely, read our safety tips for buying and selling phones.

Common IMEI Tricks and Scams to Watch For in Kenya

The used-phone market in Kenya is mostly honest, but a few tricks come up often enough that you should know them:

  • Cloned IMEI. A counterfeit phone is programmed with the IMEI of a genuine device. The 1555 check returns the make and model of the real phone, which will not match the fake in your hand. Always compare.
  • The "good in the morning" trick. A seller insists you meet very early or very late so you cannot test properly. Refuse. Always test in daylight where you can read the screen and run *#06#.
  • Swapped motherboard. The phone's body says one model but the internals are from a cheaper one. The IMEI in Settings will not match the IMEI on the box or the back-of-phone sticker. Cross-check all three.
  • "Network locked" surprises. Some grey-market imports are locked to a foreign carrier. The CA check confirms genuineness but not carrier locks, so also insert a Kenyan SIM and confirm it makes calls and connects to mobile data before you pay.
  • Unpaid instalment phones. A Lipa Mdogo Mdogo phone that has not been fully paid off can be locked remotely by the financier even after you buy it. Ask for proof the balance is cleared.

If a seller gets defensive when you ask to run *#06# or text 1555, treat that as your answer and walk away. Genuine sellers are happy to verify.

Checking IMEI on iPhone vs Android: Any Differences?

The verification process through 1555 and the CA online checker is identical regardless of the phone's operating system, because the IMEI is hardware-level. The only difference is where you find the number:

  • iPhone: *#06# works on the dialler, or go to Settings > General > About. On newer iPhones with eSIM, you may see both a physical IMEI and an eSIM identifier; the physical IMEI is the one to verify.
  • Android (Samsung, Tecno, Infinix, Xiaomi, Oppo and others): *#06# works universally, or Settings > About phone > IMEI information. Dual-SIM Android phones show two IMEIs.

Whichever phone you are looking at, the golden rule is the same: the make and model returned by 1555 must match the device in front of you.

Why IMEI Checks Protect Both Buyers and Sellers

Sellers benefit too. If you are listing a phone for sale and you proactively share that the IMEI has been verified against the CA database, buyers trust you faster and you close the sale quicker. Honest sellers have nothing to hide, and a clean IMEI is your best selling point.

When you list on Mzuri, including a note that your IMEI is CA-verified makes your listing stand out. Ready to sell? You can post a free phone listing on Mzuri in minutes, or if you are buying, browse verified phones from sellers across Kenya.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is texting my IMEI to 1555 really free? Yes. The Communications Authority of Kenya provides the 1555 IMEI verification service free of charge on Safaricom, Airtel and Telkom. You will not be charged for the SMS.

What does it mean if 1555 says the make and model do not match my phone? It strongly suggests the phone is counterfeit or has a cloned IMEI. A genuine phone's IMEI will return its correct make and model. If they do not match, do not buy the device.

Can I check the IMEI of a phone I do not physically have yet? Yes. Ask the seller to dial *#06# and send you a photo of the IMEI, or to text it to you. Then run that number through the CA online IMEI checker before you travel to meet them.

Does the IMEI check tell me if a phone is stolen? The CA check confirms whether the IMEI is genuine and which device it belongs to. To rule out a stolen or unpaid (Lipa Mdogo Mdogo) phone, also ask for the original receipt and proof that any instalment balance is cleared.

My dual-SIM phone shows two IMEIs. Which one do I check? You can verify either one with 1555. Both belong to the same genuine device, so checking IMEI1 is sufficient, though you can confirm both for peace of mind.

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