Can't find your Samsung tablet IMEI number when a form asks for it? Before you keep searching, check whether your Galaxy Tab is a cellular or Wi-Fi-only model. A Wi-Fi-only tablet does not have an IMEI, so an empty field is not automatically a fault. The GSMA's device identifier guide confirms this distinction.
For a cellular Galaxy tablet, start with Settings > About tablet. For a Wi-Fi-only model, you may need the serial number instead—but only if the form accepts it. Here's how to find the right identifier and decide what to do next.
How to Find the IMEI Number on a Samsung Tablet
Start in Settings
- Step 1. Open Settings on the tablet.
- Step 2. Select About tablet.
- Step 3. Look for the entry labelled IMEI, rather than the model or serial number.
- Step 4. Copy the number carefully, keeping each identifier separate if several are displayed.
Samsung documents this route in its phone and tablet identification guide. Menu details can vary with the device and software. The familiar phone shortcut *#06# is not a universal tablet method; use Settings first.
If the tablet will not turn on
Check the original packaging, small print on the back, and any carrier account or purchase paperwork that records the device identifier. These are alternative locations listed by Samsung in the same guide; not every source will include an IMEI.
If you own several tablets, match the paperwork to the correct unit before submitting a number. A box from another device can lead to a perfectly valid lookup for the wrong tablet.
Why Does My Samsung Tablet Have No IMEI?
Wi-Fi-only models do not need one
An IMEI is a 15-digit identifier associated with cellular equipment. Devices that rely only on Wi-Fi do not have one, according to the GSMA's IMEI FAQ. Connecting a Wi-Fi tablet to a phone's hotspot does not give the tablet its own IMEI.
If a registration or trade-in form requires an IMEI, confirm that you selected the correct Wi-Fi variant. Look for a serial-number option. If the form still refuses to proceed, ask the form's operator how to register that model; do not enter another device's IMEI to get past validation.
A cellular model needs a different follow-up
If your purchase details identify a cellular tablet but you cannot locate its IMEI, first confirm the exact model in About tablet and compare it with the original order or packaging.
Treat an absent or “unknown” identifier as a question for Samsung support, not a diagnosis you can make from that field alone. Describe the model, where you looked, and the exact message shown. Avoid factory-resetting or modifying the device merely to satisfy an online lookup form.
Samsung Tab A IMEI: Check the Exact Variant
When searching for a Samsung Tab A IMEI, the family name is not enough to decide which identifier to use. Check your particular model's connectivity specification: Wi-Fi only or cellular.
Keep these three identifiers distinct:
| Identifier | What it identifies | When it helps |
|---|---|---|
| Model number | The product model, shared by units of that model | Finding the correct specifications and support information |
| Serial number, or S/N | An individual unit in the manufacturer's records | Manufacturer support or a form that explicitly requests a serial number |
| IMEI | Cellular equipment | An IMEI lookup or a carrier request for the device's IMEI |
Samsung explains the different roles of these numbers in its product identification guide. A serial number is not an alternative format of IMEI, and changing how you type it will not turn it into one.
What Can an Online IMEI Checker Tell You?
Once you have an IMEI from a cellular tablet, an online lookup can be a starting point for checking its identity. On imeihub, basic brand and model lookup is free; premium reports are separate and require sign-in. See the imeihub IMEI checker.
Do not assume that every Galaxy tablet variant is covered. The Samsung brand page currently highlights phone models rather than a complete tablet compatibility list. A missing model result is not, by itself, proof that your tablet is defective or counterfeit.
Before interpreting a result:
- Recheck the number against the tablet, not just a seller's message or an old screenshot.
- Make sure you entered an IMEI rather than an S/N or model code.
- Compare any returned model details with the tablet's own information.
- If the result is unavailable or inconsistent, resolve the discrepancy before relying on it.
The service catalogue lists Samsung Info + Knox Guard and blacklist checks as premium services. Review the relevant description and confirm support for your exact tablet before paying. Free basic identification does not include a free warranty, blacklist or lock-status report, and a lookup does not remove an activation or carrier lock.
Find the Right Number Before Running a Check
The key is to identify your tablet's variant first. Use the IMEI entry on a cellular model; for a Wi-Fi-only device, use its serial number where the receiving service allows it. Keep model, serial and IMEI fields separate so you investigate the right device.
Have an IMEI ready? Start with imeihub's free basic lookup to see whether model information is available for your cellular Samsung tablet.
Ready to try it? Run a free IMEI check →