Why Does My Phone Have Two IMEI Numbers?

If your phone shows IMEI 1 and IMEI 2, it usually means your device is Dual SIM capable (for example: 1 physical SIM + 1 eSIM, or 2 physical SIM slots, or in some models 2 eSIM “lines”).

Each “SIM line” needs its own device identifier for mobile networks, so manufacturers assign two IMEIs to one phone.

What an IMEI actually is

IMEI stands for International Mobile Equipment Identity. It’s a globally unique number used by mobile networks to identify the device (not the SIM card).

Technically, the standard IMEI format is 15 digits, built from:

• TAC (Type Allocation Code): identifies the device model/type
• SNR (Serial Number): identifies the individual unit
• Check digit: helps validate the number

The main reason you have two IMEIs

Dual SIM phones have two “cellular paths”

A Dual SIM phone can connect to mobile networks using two separate SIM profiles (two lines). To keep those connections distinct and manageable for carriers, the phone exposes two IMEIs:

• IMEI 1 is typically linked to SIM slot/line 1
• IMEI 2 is typically linked to SIM slot/line 2 (often the eSIM line on many phones)

That’s why you can see two IMEIs even if you only use one SIM right now.

Common real-life setups (what “two IMEIs” usually maps to)

1) Physical SIM + eSIM (very common for travelers)

Many iPhones and Android phones support:

• one physical SIM line
• one eSIM line

Result: two IMEIs appear in settings.

2) Dual physical SIM (two SIM trays or hybrid slots)

Some Android models have two physical SIM slots.

Result: two IMEIs, one for each slot.

3) Two eSIM lines (device-dependent)

Some phones can store multiple eSIM profiles and keep more than one line available (exact behavior depends on model/region). In Dual SIM mode, you’ll still see two IMEIs because the phone supports two active “lines.”

How this affects eSIM activation: important for Bali travelers

When you install an eSIM, your phone assigns it to one line (line 1 or line 2). That line corresponds to IMEI 1 or IMEI 2.

So if an eSIM is installed on the other line than you expected, you might notice things like:

• the eSIM shows as “IMEI (eSIM)” or appears under IMEI 2 in About
• your phone’s “SIM manager” shows the eSIM on the second slot/line
• you share the “wrong” IMEI screenshot when support asks for it (common confusion)

Nothing is “wrong” with the phone; it’s just installed on the other line.

How to check which IMEI your eSIM is using

iPhone

• Go to Settings > General > About
• Scroll to IMEI and IMEI2
• You’ll also see your eSIM details under the cellular section (and your phone may show which line is active)

Android (Samsung/Pixel and most brands)

• Go to Settings > About phone > Status information (wording varies)
• Look for IMEI (SIM slot 1) and IMEI (SIM slot 2) or IMEI 1 / IMEI 2

Samsung devices commonly label these clearly in the phone’s info pages.

Tip: Dialing *#06# often shows both IMEIs on many phones, but the exact screen depends on your brand/OS.