Your phone's ICCID (Integrated Circuit Card Identifier) is the unique serial number for your SIM card. Whether you're activating a new line, troubleshooting network issues, or transferring an eSIM, knowing how to find ICCID is an essential skill. This comprehensive guide will walk you through all the methods, from checking the SIM packaging to using advanced tools, ensuring you can locate your ICCID no matter your situation.
How to Find ICCID on SIM Card Packaging
The easiest way to find ICCID is often before you even insert the SIM card into your phone. When you purchase a new SIM, it typically comes on a large plastic card or in a small paper sleeve.
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Look for a barcode: The ICCID is almost always printed near a barcode.
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Check for labels: It will be clearly marked as "ICCID," "SIM Card Number," or "Serial Number."
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The number format: It's a long string of 19 to 20 digits, usually starting with an "89". This is the most straightforward method to find ICCID without any technical tools.
Pro Tip: Always store this packaging in a safe place until your service is fully activated and running smoothly. It's your quickest reference if you need to find ICCID later.
How to Find ICCID on the Physical SIM Card
If you've discarded the packaging, you can sometimes find the ICCID directly on the SIM card itself. This method works best with older, larger SIM card formats (Mini- or Micro-SIM), as the smaller Nano-SIM often has no space for printing.
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Remove the SIM card: Carefully eject the SIM tray from your phone and take out the SIM.
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Inspect the card: Look for tiny text printed on the metal chip or the plastic backing. You will see "ICCID:" followed by the full number. If the printing is worn off or too small to read, you'll need to use one of the phone-based methods below to find ICCID.
How to Find ICCID on an eSIM
Since an eSIM is embedded and has no physical form, the process to find ICCID is different. It must be done through your phone's settings.
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On iPhone: Go to Settings > General > About. Scroll down, and you will see the ICCID listed for your eSIM. If you have multiple eSIMs, they will all be displayed here.
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On Android: Go to Settings > Connections > SIM manager (or a similar path like Network & internet). Select your eSIM from the list, and the details page will show your ICCID.
This is the primary and most reliable way to find ICCID for an eSIM profile.
How to Find ICCID on iPhone
Apple provides a consistent and simple path across all iPhones. This is arguably the easiest method for iOS users to find ICCID.
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Open the Settings app.
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Tap on General.
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Tap on About.
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Scroll down until you see the ICCID entry. This displays the number for your physical SIM. If you have an eSIM, it will be listed here as well, typically labeled as "Digital SIM."
How to Find ICCID on Android
The path to find ICCID on Android can vary slightly by manufacturer (Samsung, Google Pixel, Xiaomi, etc.), but the general process is universal.
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Open the Settings app.
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Navigate to About Phone or just About.
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Tap on Status or SIM Status.
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Select the SIM card you want to check (e.g., SIM 1 or SIM 2).
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The ICCID number will be listed on this screen.
If you have trouble locating it, the universal USSD code in the next section is a great fallback.
How to Find ICCID by Using *#06#
This is the universal "cheat code" to find ICCID (and other device IDs) instantly. It works on virtually every mobile phone, both iPhone and Android.
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Open your phone's dialer (the app you use to make calls).
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Enter the code:
*#06# -
As soon as you type the last
#, a pop-up screen will appear displaying your IMEI (your phone's identifier) and your ICCID (your SIM card's identifier).
This is the fastest and most reliable method if you have your phone handy and the SIM is inserted.
How to Find ICCID by Using a SIM Card Reader (Advanced Method)
For developers, technicians, or curious power users, a SIM card reader is the most direct way to find ICCID. This hardware device reads data directly from the SIM chip.
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What you need: A USB SIM card reader, which is inexpensive and widely available online.
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The Process:
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Insert the SIM card into the reader.
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Connect the reader to your computer.
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Use software to read the data. On macOS, you can use a command-line tool like
pcsc_scan. On Windows, tools like SIM Explorer or pySim can read the ICCID and other data stored on the SIM.
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This method is overkill for most users, but it's the definitive technical approach to find ICCID directly from the source.
Knowing how to find ICCID is a simple but powerful piece of knowledge for managing your mobile connectivity. Whether you have a physical SIM, an eSIM, an iPhone, or an Android, one of these methods will quickly lead you to the unique serial number that keeps you connected to the world.