# Swappa ESN Check, Questions and Answers ## What is an ESN number? An ESN (Electronic Serial Number) is a unique identifier tied to all cellular devices. ESNs can be found in a few different formats. The most common is the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity). However, some older mobile devices have a MEID (Mobile Equipment Identifier). No two devices should ever have the same ESN / IMEI, and reviewing this number is one of the most important steps in Swappa's [listing review process](https://swappa.com/faq/esn/listing-reviewed-approved). Thus, it's crucial to ensure that you provide the [proper ESN](https://swappa.com/faq/esn/serial-number-field) when creating a listing on Swappa. - Check the status of your phone with Swappa’s **[free ESN check](https://swappa.com/imei)** - Learn more on the Swappa Blog: **[How to find your phone’s IMEI / ESN](https://swappa.com/blog/how-to-find-imei/)** ## How can I locate the IMEI / Serial Number for my device? Swappa [verifies listings](https://swappa.com/faq/answer/listing-reviewed-approved) before they go live to prevent scams and keeps junk devices out. To do this, we need your [IMEI](https://swappa.com/imei) if you’re selling a cellular device -- or your serial number if you’re selling a WiFi-only device. Finding your IMEI is easy: * **iPhone and iPad IMEI numbers** can be found by going to Settings > General > About * **MacBook serial numbers** can be found by clicking About This Mac from the Apple Menu * **Android IMEI numbers** can be found by going to Settings > About Phone > Status How to find a phone ESN number: * [iPhone IMEI number](https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204073) * [Android phone IMEI number](https://support.google.com/store/answer/3333000?hl=en) How to find IMEI on iPad: * [iPad IMEI or serial number](https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204073) How do you find the IMEI on an Apple Watch: * [Apple Watch IMEI or serial number](https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204520) Still need help finding your IMEI or serial number? Visit one of the guides below: * [MacBook serial number](https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201608) * [MacBook Air serial number](https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201862) * [MacBook Pro serial number](https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201300) * [Chromebook serial number](https://support.google.com/store/answer/3333000?hl=en) * [Microsoft Surface serial number](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4036293/surface-find-the-serial-number-on-surface) * [PS4 serial number](https://support.playstation.com/s/article/PS4-Serial-and-Model-Number-Location-1?language=en_US) * [Xbox One serial number](https://support.xbox.com/en-US/my-account/warranty-and-service/find-xbox-one-kinect-serial-number) * [Nintendo Switch / Wii U / 3DS serial number](https://www.nintendo.com.au/how-to-find-the-serial-number-of-your-console) ## How can I check my device's IMEI to ensure it's clean? Swappa offers a free ESN/IMEI check service: [Check your ESN / IMEI](https://swappa.com/imei) Swappa’s free IMEI check service reports whether a device is allowed (clean and ready for activation according to the GSMA global registry) or blocked (reported as lost or stolen). If you don’t know the history of a device or are unsure about its activation status or any outstanding financial obligations, please contact the original wireless carrier before creating a listing. Read more: [How to find your phone’s IMEI](https://swappa.com/blog/how-to-find-imei/) ## What is an IMEI number? An ESN (Electronic Serial Number) or IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is a unique identifier tied to all cellular devices. No two devices should ever have the same ESN / IMEI, and reviewing this number is one of the most important steps in Swappa's [listing review process](https://swappa.com/faq/esn/listing-reviewed-approved). Thus, it's crucial to ensure that you provide the [proper ESN](https://swappa.com/faq/esn/serial-number-field) when creating a listing on Swappa. ESNs can be found in a few different formats. The most common is the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity). However, some older mobile devices have a MEID (Mobile Equipment Identifier). - Check the status of your phone with Swappa’s **[free ESN check](https://swappa.com/imei)** - Learn more on the Swappa Blog: **[How to find your phone’s IMEI / ESN](https://swappa.com/blog/how-to-find-imei/)** ## What should I input in the "Device ESN" or "Serial Number" field for my listing? Serial numbers are typically required when listing products for sale on Swappa because we check them during the [listing review process](https://swappa.com/faq/sell/listing-reviewed-approved). * **Smartphones and other cellular devices:** Provide your [IMEI number](https://swappa.com/faq/sell/what-is-imei) * **Phones with Dual or Digital SIM:** Provide the IMEI number for the primary SIM (not the secondary or digital eSIM) * **WiFi-only devices like laptops and game consoles:** Provide the serial number. Finding your IMEI or serial number will differ from device to device. [Click here](https://swappa.com/faq/sell/how-to-find-esn) to learn how to find the serial number on many common devices. ## What do allowlist and blocklist mean? Unlike other marketplaces, Swappa runs device background checks on listings before they go live to make sure that devices aren’t blocklisted or reported lost or stolen. * **Allowlist** (formerly referred to as whitelist): An allowlisted ESN/IMEI has been reported clean and ready for activation according to the GSMA global registry. An allowlisted device can be sold on Swappa. * **Blocklist** (formerly referred to as blacklist): A blocklisted ESN/IMEI has been reported lost or stolen with the GSMA global registry. A blocklisted device cannot be sold on Swappa. Check your device for free using **[Swappa’s Free IMEI check](https://swappa.com/imei)**. ## More Questions and Answers - [Marketplace FAQ](https://swappa.com/faq/marketplace.md) - [Buying FAQ](https://swappa.com/faq/buying.md) - [Selling FAQ](https://swappa.com/faq/selling.md) - [Payments FAQ](https://swappa.com/faq/payments.md) - [International FAQ](https://swappa.com/faq/international.md) - [Shipping FAQ](https://swappa.com/faq/shipping.md) - [Devices FAQ](https://swappa.com/faq/devices.md) - [Warranty FAQ](https://swappa.com/faq/warranty.md) - [ESN Check FAQ](https://swappa.com/faq/esn.md) - [Trade-In FAQ](https://swappa.com/faq/trade-in.md) - [AirPods FAQ](https://swappa.com/faq/airpods.md)