So far you have learned how to check the IMEI number of GSM phones, but CDMA carrier phones are a bit different. Top carriers in the US like Verizon Wireless, Sprint, US Cellular, Cricket use CDMA while AT&T and T-Mobile uses GSM. If your contract-based phones are under any of the carrier mentioned above, then you can easily find out its IMEI number.
To make it easier for you to understand, you should know that a CDMA phone cannot be swapped without the consent of the carrier. Say, for example, you are using a Verizon iPhone. You simply cannot switch to an Android phone whenever you want. In GSM, however, you can move to any phone. Most of the phones are usually GSM-based, where a SIM card can be pulled out from a phone and inserted into another — thus the IMEI changes.
In CDMA phones, the IMEI number will remain the same as long as the phone is locked down to a carrier.
Now, the question is, how can you identity the IMEI number of your CDMA phone? If you didn’t know, the standard IMEI numbers are strictly made for GSM phones. CDMA phones do not come with the unique IMEI number printed on the box or the back of the phone’s panel.
What IMEI is to GSM, ESN is to CDMA network. In other words, the 15-digit IMEI number is called as ESN on the CDMA phones. So, instead of looking for the IMEI number, look for the ESN. Here, ESN stands for Electronic Serial Number. This number, like IMEI, is always unique and specific for a model.
ESN is also called as MEID number. So how can you check this number on CDMAs?
Check the number by opening the back cover of your phone. You can also use your phone’s software to find out more. For example, if you are using an Verizon iPhone (CDMA model), then head over to Settings -> General -> About. This should reveal the MEID number of your CDMA phone.