What Kind of Phone Do I Have? 6 Ways to Check

Angelo Ilumba Senior Writer

Updated 10 June 2025

In this Guide

Check the back of the phone
Check the box
Look in your phone's settings
Sign into your wireless account
Remove your battery
Look up your IMEI

There are several reasons why you may not know what phone you have. If you just bought your phone, you're probably well aware of what it is. However, if it's been a while, you may not remember exactly which model you chose. Or perhaps the phone was a gift, and there was no mention of the model name or number.

No matter the reason, you can use these steps to figure out what phone you have.

1. Check the back of the phone

Looking at the back of your phone is one of the easiest things you can do to get a general idea of what phone you have. You'll almost certainly find out the manufacturer of the device. However, there's also a good chance you won’t see the model name, but the phone maker is a start. If, for example, you see the Apple logo on the back of the phone, you'll at least know you have an Apple iPhone. And if you see the Samsung logo, you’ll know it’s a Samsung Galaxy device.

2. Check the box

What's in the box? These days, very little. Phone makers started to package phones without earbuds and charger bricks, leaving you responsible for accessories. Still, your phone's box should have some form of documentation (like a quick start guide or manual) with its model name and number. You can also check on the box—it is very common for the phone model name and number to be printed somewhere on the exterior.

3. Check your phone's settings

Checking your phone's settings is one of the most sure-fire ways to find out what phone you have. Generally, you'll find your phone's make and model in the settings app under the "About" section. However, getting to that section is a little different, depending on your phone. Here’s how to find the info on the top mobile operating systems:

Apple iPhone (iOS)

Take these steps to find out what model iPhone you have:

Open the Settings app.
Tap General.
Press About.
View the model name and model number.

The model number is on the upper side of the iPhone—right on the display side. If your iPhone supports only eSIM, there won't be a SIM tray.

Samsung Galaxy (Android)

Open the Settings app on your Samsung Galaxy device. Scroll down and tap 'About phone' or 'About device'. Look for the 'Model number' or 'Model name' information.

Other Android phones

Follow these steps to find your Android phone model name and number:

Open the Settings app.
Tap About Phone or About Device.
View your phone’s information.

To find out which Android OS version is on your device: Open the Settings app, tap About Phone or About Device, and then tap Android Version to display your current OS version.

4. Sign in to your wireless account

Your carrier should have a record of what phone you are using on its network. Typically, you can find out what phone you have simply by logging into your account and looking into its details. These steps are easy on apps like My Verizon, My T-Mobile, and myAT&T.

5. Remove your battery

This method is only available for phones with easily replaceable batteries (usually basic phones or budget phones). Generally, your phone's model name and number are on a sticker hidden by the battery. Simply take the battery out and reveal the information.

6. Look up your IMEI

Your phone's IMEI is a 15-digit number that identifies the device. It's like your phone's thumbprint. You can look up your phone's IMEI to find out what kind of phone it is on sites like IMEI.info.

To find your IMEI, just dial "#06#" on your phone. You can also take the same steps outlined in "Look in Your Phone's Settings" above to find the IMEI on your phone's "About" page.

If you are thinking about switching carriers and bringing your phone, your new carrier will want your IMEI to make sure the phone is compatible and eligible to work on its network. While you're thinking about switching carriers, here are some of the most popular bring-your-own-device (BYOD) plans:

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Angelo Ilumba

Senior Writer

Angelo is a highly experienced writer for WhistleOut, specializing in unraveling the complexities of the mobile and tech world so that readers can easily understand what is relevant to them. Angelo has been featured on several publications such as MoneyTalksNews, Yahoo Finance, NPR and more.

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