Learning how to find SIM card number can be extremely helpful in several situations. Knowing your SIM card number will help you activate the SIM right after you purchase it. In case you ever forget your phone number, you can use your SIM card number to detect what it is. Plus, whenever you experience issues with your phone or SD card, troubleshooting those problems becomes much less complicated if you know your SIM card number.
Be it talking to your network provider, logging in to your dashboard, or asking customer support to activate a line of service: a lot of things become much easier when you know how to find SIM card number! No wonder, the Internet is full of confused users asking “How to find my SIM card number?” In this article, I’m here to clear all the doubts.
First things first: I will use the terms “SIM card number” and “ICCID number” interchangeably throughout this article because both terms refer to the same thing. The full form of “SIM” is Subscriber Identity Module and the full form of “ICCID” is Integrated Circuit Card Identifier. Both these terms refer to a globally unique serial number that classifies the SIM card itself.
This number is typically 15-20 digits long and you’ll be referring to it in most interactions you have with your network provider. Typically, this number is printed on the SIM card itself or on the SIM card’s packaging. But, if you can’t locate the SIM card number on either of those two places, don’t worry.
There are methods for finding the SIM card or ICCID number on Android and iOS devices. I’ll discuss all these methods in this article. But, before I answer the question, “How do I find my SIM card number,” I’d like to briefly break down the meaning behind these digits.
Do you have a particular question about finding SIM card number? Then use the table of contents below to jump to the most relevant section. And you can always go back by clicking on the black arrow in the right bottom corner of the page. Also, please note that some of the links in this article may be affiliate links. For more details, check the Disclosure section at the bottom of the page.
Here's what we'll cover:
Is The IMEI number the same as the SIM?
Dive with me into the depths of the modern smartphone, will you? You see, every now and then, we come across terms and jargon associated with our iPhone or Android that leave us feeling like we’ve just encountered an alien language. IMEI? SIM? Sounds like something out of a techy sci-fi, doesn’t it?
To simply put it, no, the IMEI number isn’t the same as the SIM. Imagine heading to a community event. Your IMEI is like your unique name tag; it identifies your phone and no one else’s. It’s that essential, individualized number that lets everyone know, “Hey, this iPhone or Android is mine!” Now, the SIM, on the other hand, is like your contact list for the event. It provides your phone with the ability to connect to the world.
So, if you ever find yourself needing to get the SIM card number, don’t tap on your home screen hunting for the IMEI. Those are two very different party guests in the wild bash that is your smartphone.
What is the relationship between the ICCID and the IMSI?
Alright, brave tech adventurer, here comes another duo often making cameo appearances in our phone settings: ICCID and IMSI.
The ICCID is like that super long email address you created when you were 12 and thought “ilovechocolateandunicorns302” was a great idea. It’s the unique identifier for our iPhone’s SIM card – the one that helps the community (read: network) know exactly who’s trying to contact whom. You can get this number by giving a small eject to your SIM tray or simply diving into your phone settings.
On the flip side, the IMSI, is the secret handshake. It’s the essential number that your service provider requires to authenticate your phone on their network. Without it, you’d be like that person standing outside a club, desperately trying to remember the entry code.
While the ICCID is associated with your SIM card and easily visible, the IMSI plays it cool and remains more hidden, making it a bit elusive. But together? They’re the dynamic duo ensuring your phone is both able and ready to keep you connected.
So, next time someone throws these terms your way, you won’t just nod and smile. You’ll be equipped with the knowledge and might just be the life of the party—or, at least, the tech-savvy one!
Decoding the SIM Card and ICCID Numbers
The SIM card number and the ICCID number are the two identification numbers that are visible on most SIM cards. In old SIM cards, this number, usually 15-16 characters long would be printed on the backside. Here’s an example of what the SIM card number used to look like on older SIM cards.
In newer, micro-SIM cards, this number is very hard to spot. You may damage your micro-SIM card in the process of checking for this number. So, I’ll explain simpler ways to locate SIM card number later on in this article. If you want to learn more about the significance of the SIM card number and the ICCID number, I highly recommend watching this short video:
Now, let’s focus on what the digits in the SIM card number and the ICCID number actually mean. Here’s a chart explaining what the different sections of this number mean:
| Sim Card or ICCID Number Section | Meaning of the Digits |
| First Two Digits | The first two digits of a new-age SIM card’s ICCID number will always be 89. This number classifies the number as a telecommunications industry code. The number “89” differentiates the SIM Card from other types of chip cards, like credit cards or business identification cards that also feature ICCID numbers. |
| Next Two to Three Digits | Next is a country code, 2-3 digits long. This number is set by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). They are not the same as mobile country codes (MCCs) that you see on websites. |
| Next One to Four Digits | The next set of digits represents the mobile network code (MNC) of the mobile network company that issued you the SIM. In simpler terms, it’s your home network. Let’s say you carry this SIM to another country. This 1-4 digit MNC code is the number that the network native to that foreign area will use to identify your SIM. |
| The Remaining Digits | Following the MNC, the rest of the SIM card number, or the ICCID number, will consist of a unique set of digits. This combination of digits will be different from every other SIM card number on the planet. At the end of the ICCID number, there will be a single-check digit calculated using the Luhn algorithm. |
The ICCID number is not the only ID number on most SIM cards. most SIM cards feature other identifiers like the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) number or the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number. But, knowing these numbers don’t offer as many benefits as knowing your SIM card number does.
How to Find Sim Card Number on Android?
Finding the ICCID number on Android devices is very simple. Just follow these steps:
- Open your Apps list
- Select Settings
- Scroll to the bottom of the menu
- Press About
- Select “Status” (this option may also be titled “Phone Identity” on some phones)
- Select “IMEI Information”
- In the IMEI Information tab, your SIM card number will be displayed as the “ICCID number” or the “IMSI number.”
How to Find SIM Card Number on Apple Devices?
There is no one specific guide on where to find ICCID number for Apple devices. That’s because the method varies from model to model. So, I highly recommend reading Apple’s guide on this topic. Go through the list of different iPhone models, find your model, and then check out the method for finding the ICCID number. You can also check out this cool video guide on where to find ICCID number for Apple devices:
If you own an eSIM, learning how to find SIM card number is even easier. eSIM cards are digital SIM cards that are embedded inside phones. They enable users to activate and use cellular plans without having to manually use physical SIM cards. To retrieve your eSIM card number (ICCID number) on your Android phone, take the following steps:
- Enter Settings
- Select About Phone
- Select Status
- Select ICCID/IMEI Info
To retrieve your eSIM card number (ICCID number) on your iOS device, take the following steps:
- Enter Settings
- Select the option titled “General”
- Next, select “About”
If your Apple device already has an eSIM, you’ll find an option titled “Digital SIM” in this section of the menu. Select this option to read your IMEI and ICCID numbers. Hopefully, this article has taught you how to find SIM card number once and for all. Dig into your phone’s settings menu and try out these methods now!
Credits: Thanks for the photo to Canva.
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