How to check a phone’s PTA status by IMEI before buying
Step by step: find a phone’s IMEI, check PTA status by SMS to 8484 or on DIRBS, read the reply, and spot tampered or mismatched IMEIs before you pay.
Published 4 min read
The short answer
To check if a phone is PTA approved, dial *#06# to see its IMEI, make sure it matches the box and the settings screen, then send the 15-digit IMEI by SMS to 8484 or check it on PTA’s DIRBS website. Check both IMEIs on dual-SIM phones. Do it at the counter, before paying — a phone that fails the check will be blocked on Pakistani networks.
Key takeaways
- Dial *#06# to show the IMEI; dual-SIM phones show two.
- The IMEI on screen, in settings and on the box should all match.
- Send the IMEI by SMS to 8484, or check on dirbs.pta.gov.pk.
- Check both IMEIs — a phone can be registered on one slot only.
- Mismatched or unreadable IMEIs are a red flag; walk away.
On this page
Why check before paying
A phone that isn’t registered with PTA stops working with Pakistani SIM cards after a short grace period. Sellers sometimes describe phones as “PTA approved” when they aren’t, or when only one of two SIM slots is registered. The check takes a minute and costs next to nothing — much less than a blocked phone.
Step 1: Find the IMEI
- Dial *#06# on the phone. The IMEI (or two, for dual-SIM phones) appears on screen.
- Check the settings screen: usually under About phone (Android) or General → About (iPhone).
- Check the box: the IMEI is printed on a sticker.
All three should match. If the box shows a different IMEI from the phone, ask why — sometimes the box belongs to another unit, which is a warning sign in its own right.
Try asking DAAM“Infinix Note 50 PTA approved price”Step 2: Check it with PTA
You have two official options:
- SMS: send the 15-digit IMEI as a text message to 8484. You’ll get a reply about the device’s status.
- Online: check the IMEI on PTA’s DIRBS website at dirbs.pta.gov.pk.
Check both IMEIs on a dual-SIM phone. It’s possible for a phone to be registered on one IMEI only, which means one SIM slot will stop working.
Step 3: Read the reply
| What the reply says | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Compliant / registered | The IMEI is registered — the phone can be used on Pakistani networks |
| Not registered / non-compliant | It will be blocked after the grace period unless registered and taxes paid |
| Invalid or not found | The IMEI may be mistyped — or tampered with. Re-check carefully |
Exact wording can vary; if the reply is unclear, don’t buy until it is clear.
Red flags
- The IMEI on screen doesn’t match the box or settings.
- The seller won’t let you dial *#06# or check before paying.
- Only one IMEI is registered on a phone sold as “dual SIM PTA approved”.
- The price is close to a non-PTA price for a phone described as approved. The gap between PTA and non-PTA prices is large for most phones — see PTA vs non-PTA prices.
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Status checked? Now check the price
Ask DAAM for the verified range of the exact phone, storage and PTA status, and see the cheapest in-stock seller.
Opens DAAM with: “Tecno Camon 40 PTA approved price in Pakistan”
After the check: compare the price
Once you know the status, compare the price with verified sellers for the same model, storage, PTA status, condition and warranty. DAAM keeps PTA and non-PTA phones apart, so the range you see is like for like, and it shows the cheapest in-stock offer with a link. For used phones, go through the used phone buying checklist too.
Phones brought from abroad
If you or a relative bring a phone from abroad, it can be registered through PTA’s DIRBS process by paying the applicable taxes. The amounts depend on the phone and are set by the government, and they can change in the federal budget. Check PTA’s current guidance before buying abroad — for expensive phones, the registration cost can change which option is cheaper.
Keep a record
Save the PTA reply (a screenshot of the SMS or the web result) with your receipt. If there’s ever a question about the phone later — a warranty claim or a resale — you have proof of its status on the day you bought it. More on claims in official vs shop warranty.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check PTA status by SMS?
Dial *#06# to get the phone’s 15-digit IMEI, then send the IMEI as a text message to 8484. Check both IMEIs on dual-SIM phones, and make sure they match the box and settings.
Can I check PTA status online?
Yes. Enter the IMEI on PTA’s DIRBS website, dirbs.pta.gov.pk, to see whether the device is registered.
What if only one IMEI is registered?
Then only one SIM slot will keep working on Pakistani networks. For a phone sold as dual-SIM PTA approved, both IMEIs should be registered; otherwise the price should reflect it.
What does it mean if the IMEI doesn’t match the box?
The box may belong to another phone, or the IMEI may have been tampered with, which is illegal. Treat it as a serious warning sign and don’t buy the phone.
Free · no sign-up needed
Status checked? Now check the price
Ask DAAM for the verified range of the exact phone, storage and PTA status, and see the cheapest in-stock seller.
Opens DAAM with: “Tecno Camon 40 PTA approved price in Pakistan”
Written by
Hamza writes DAAM’s price guides for shoppers in Pakistan: where to buy, what to check before paying and how to use verified prices to avoid being overcharged.
