The IMEI or International Mobile Equipment Identity is a number that is unique to every single mobile phone. This number is commonly found behind or beneath the battery component of the mobile phone. The unique number is registered and stored in a database and if the phone is reported lost, missing or stolen, its number can be marked invalid, rendering the phone useless. The IMEI number will follow this format:

Nnnnnn-nn-nnnnnn-n to see your IMEI on your device type *#06#