Brand intelligence

Samsung

Full specifications, carrier lock status and IMEI tools for Samsung devices.

About Samsung IMEI checks

Samsung is the world's largest smartphone manufacturer and the maker of the Galaxy S, Galaxy Note, Galaxy Z Fold and Flip, Galaxy A, and Galaxy M lines, plus tablets, wearables, and a vast feature-phone catalogue. Every Samsung phone carries a 15-digit IMEI registered with the GSMA — and uniquely, Samsung also tracks a Knox warranty bit that records whether the device has ever been rooted or had custom firmware flashed, making the IMEI check uniquely important for second-hand Galaxy buyers.

Find the IMEI on any Samsung Galaxy by dialling *#06# on the keypad, opening Settings → About phone → Status information → IMEI, or checking the original retail box. The IMEI is also printed on the SIM card tray of most Galaxies and visible under the battery on the older removable-battery models. Dual-SIM Galaxies have two IMEIs, one per SIM slot.

Samsung regional model variants ship with different network bands, modem firmware, and bootloader policies. A Samsung Galaxy model number like SM-G998 has regional suffixes — F (international), U (US carrier), N (Korean), W (Canadian), 0 (Chinese) — and each variant has different unlock behaviour, software-update windows, and carrier compatibility. An IMEI check identifies the exact suffix and the carrier the device was originally locked to.

The single most important answer a Samsung IMEI check provides is the Samsung Knox warranty status. Knox is a hardware-level security trip flag — once tripped (typically by rooting or flashing custom firmware), it permanently and irreversibly voids the Samsung warranty and locks the device out of Samsung Pay, Samsung Health's sensitive features, and corporate management tools. A tripped Knox bit on a used Galaxy is the single biggest red flag and cannot be reset by any method. Always run our Samsung Knox check before buying any second-hand Galaxy.

Devices

3614 models

Tools for Samsung

Samsung Warranty Status Check manufacturer warranty for Galaxy devices. → Samsung Knox Security Verify Samsung Knox integrity and enterprise status. → Samsung IMEI Check Full IMEI lookup for Samsung Galaxy devices. →

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Samsung IMEI & warranty FAQ

How do I find the IMEI on a Samsung Galaxy?

Dial *#06# on the keypad — the IMEI displays immediately. You can also find it in Settings > About phone > Status information > IMEI, on the original retail box near the barcode, or laser-etched on the SIM card tray. Older Galaxies with removable batteries have the IMEI printed under the battery on a paper label. Dual-SIM Galaxies have two IMEIs, one per SIM slot.

What is the Samsung Knox warranty bit?

Knox is a Samsung-specific hardware security feature that records whether the device has ever been rooted or had unauthorised firmware flashed. Once tripped, the Knox bit cannot be reset by any method — and Samsung uses it to permanently void the manufacturer warranty and disable Samsung Pay, secure Samsung Health features, and Samsung enterprise tools. Checking Knox status by IMEI is the single most important step before buying a second-hand Galaxy.

What do the letters in Samsung model numbers mean?

Samsung Galaxy model numbers like SM-G998 have a regional letter suffix: F (international single-SIM), FD (international dual-SIM), U (US carrier), U1 (US unlocked), N (Korean), W (Canadian), B (Latin American), and 0 (mainland Chinese). Each variant has different cellular bands, different modem firmware, and different software update timelines. An IMEI check identifies the exact suffix.

How long is Samsung warranty?

Samsung provides a one-year limited manufacturer warranty in most markets, two years in the European Union under EU consumer law. Samsung Care+ extends this to two or three years and adds accidental damage cover for an additional fee. Battery and accessory warranty is typically six months. A tripped Knox bit voids all Samsung warranty regardless of the time remaining.

Can a Samsung Galaxy be carrier-unlocked?

Yes. US carrier-locked Galaxies (SM-_U models) can be unlocked once the carrier's eligibility period has passed — typically 60 days postpaid or six months prepaid, with the device fully paid off. International-variant Galaxies (SM-_F) ship factory-unlocked in most cases. Run our carrier lookup to identify the original carrier first, then either use that carrier's self-service unlock or our IMEI unlock service.

How do I know if a used Samsung phone is stolen?

Run the IMEI through our free lost & stolen database check before purchase. Samsung devices reported lost or stolen are added to the GSMA global blacklist by the original carrier, and a blacklisted IMEI cannot connect to most cellular networks worldwide — even after SIM changes, factory resets, or country swaps.

Why does my Samsung phone show two IMEIs?

Most international-market Samsung Galaxies are dual-SIM (the FD suffix in the model number), which means they have two IMEIs — one per SIM slot. Both are valid identifiers for the same physical device and share the same TAC (first 8 digits). Either IMEI can be used for warranty lookup, carrier identification, or blacklist check.

Is Samsung Pay safe to use on a refurbished Galaxy?

Only if the device has a clean Knox warranty bit. Samsung Pay's tokenisation relies on the Knox secure element, and a tripped Knox bit permanently disables the secure-element features even after a factory reset. Always verify Knox status by IMEI before relying on a refurbished or second-hand Galaxy for payments.