Hardware
What is an ICCID number? A complete guide for cellular IoT
Learn the definition, an ICCID number example, how to find it on iPhone, Android, and eSIM, plus ICCID vs IMEI for cellular IoT.
July 13, 2026
An ICCID number is the 19- or 20-digit serial number that uniquely identifies a physical SIM card, and you use it to activate service, log in to your provider dashboard, and get support for your devices. If you manage a fleet of connected devices, that string of digits is often the difference between a SIM that comes online in seconds and one that stalls in a support queue. Knowing what an ICCID number is, how to read it, and how it differs from other identifiers gives you a faster path to a working connection.
Cellular is the backbone of that connection at scale. IoT Analytics reports that the number of cellular IoT connections reached 4.7 billion in 2025, representing 13.3% growth over 2024. Every one of those connections starts with a SIM, and every SIM starts with an ICCID.
What is an ICCID number, and what does it identify?
ICCID stands for Integrated Circuit Card Identifier. It is a globally unique serial number that identifies the SIM card hardware itself, not the person or the device using it. Carriers print it on the SIM, and you use it to activate service, register a SIM to your account, and identify a specific card when you contact support.
Because it identifies the card, the ICCID travels with the SIM. Move a SIM from one device to another and the ICCID stays the same. Swap in a new SIM and you get a new ICCID.
What is an ICCID used for?
You reach for the ICCID whenever a system needs to know exactly which SIM you mean. Common uses include:
- Activating a new SIM or a batch of SIMs.
- Logging in to or registering a SIM on your provider dashboard.
- Identifying a specific card when you contact support.
- Tracking and managing individual SIMs across a connected fleet.
For teams running many devices, the ICCID is the anchor for fleet management. A platform like the Hologram IoT SIM card keys each SIM to its ICCID so you can activate, pause, and monitor thousands of connections from one place.
ICCID number example: how to read the digits
An ICCID number example looks like this: 8914 8100 0012 3456 789X. The segments each carry meaning, and reading them left to right tells you where a SIM comes from.
- 89: the first two digits are always 89, the major industry identifier reserved for telecom.
- Country code (2 to 3 digits): the ITU country code for the issuing region.
- Mobile network code (1 to 4 digits): identifies the issuing or home mobile network.
- Account or serial number: a unique string assigned to the individual SIM.
- Check digit (final digit): a single Luhn checksum digit that validates the whole number.
Issuing networks usually assign ICCIDs sequentially. Sometimes a SIM manufacturer partnered with the carrier assigns them instead, but the structure stays the same worldwide, which is what makes the number globally unique.
How to find your ICCID number
You can find your ICCID number in three places: printed on the SIM card and its packaging, or in your device settings. The steps below cover the two most common phone platforms and eSIM.
On iPhone
Open Settings, tap General, then tap About. Scroll down to the ICCID field to see the full number. You can press and hold to copy it.
On Android
Open Settings, tap About phone, then tap SIM status (some devices list it under Status or SIM card status). The ICCID appears in that menu, sometimes labeled as the "ICCID" or "SIM serial number."
On an eSIM
An eSIM has no plastic card to read, so check your device settings. On most phones you will find it under the cellular or mobile plan menu, listed with each installed SIM profile. Because an eSIM can hold more than one profile, make sure you read the ICCID for the profile you want.
ICCID vs IMEI, IMSI, and MSISDN: how the identifiers differ
The ICCID is one of several numbers that keep cellular working, and mixing them up is a common cause of activation errors. The ICCID identifies the SIM hardware, the IMSI identifies the subscriber or line of service, the IMEI identifies the physical device, and the MSISDN is the phone number itself. The table below breaks down what each one identifies at a glance.
| Identifier | What it identifies | Typical length | Example format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ICCID | The SIM card hardware | 19 to 20 digits | 8914 8100 0012 3456 789X |
| IMSI | The subscriber or line of service | ~15 digits | 310150123456789 |
| IMEI | The physical device hardware | 15 digits | 490154203237518 |
| MSISDN | The full phone number for calls and SMS | Varies by country | +1 415 555 0132 |
A few other keys work behind the scenes. The Ki is a secret cryptographic subscriber key used for authentication, the ADM key unlocks administrative capabilities on the SIM, and the OPc (Operator Code) is a static per-operator value used to generate authentication keys. You rarely handle these directly, but they are part of what keeps each connection secure.
ICCID vs IMSI: why they are not one-to-one
The ICCID identifies the SIM hardware and the IMSI identifies the subscriber, so the two are not locked together. A SIM traditionally carries one ICCID, but it can hold more than one IMSI. Multi-IMSI SIMs use this to switch between networks based on region while roaming, which gives a single card the flexibility to stay connected across borders.
The ICCID names the card. The IMSI names the service that card is running. Keep that split clear and most activation problems get easier to diagnose.
eSIM, eUICC, and the new eUICCID identifier
An eSIM is the embedded SIM hardware soldered directly to a device motherboard. It carries more non-volatile memory than a traditional SIM, which lets it store multiple SIM profiles on one chip. That design removes the need to physically swap a card every time you change networks.
eUICC (embedded Universal Integrated Circuit Card) is the software layer that makes remote provisioning possible. With eUICC, operators can download, switch, and manage SIM profiles over the air, so a device can change networks without anyone touching the hardware. eUICC can also run on traditional removable SIMs, not just embedded ones. To see how the physical formats compare, read our guide to eSIM vs SIM.
FAQs
What is the eUICCID?
The eUICCID is a newer identifier for the physical eSIM chip itself, and it is separate from the ICCID. Each SIM profile loaded onto an eSIM still generates its own ICCID, while the eUICCID stays fixed to the chip. This separation matters because eSIM manufacturers, chip makers, carriers, and profile providers are often different companies, and each party needs a reliable way to identify its own piece of the puzzle.
How do I find my ICCID number?
You can find your ICCID printed on the SIM card and its packaging, or in your device settings. On iPhone, go to Settings, then General, then About, and scroll to the ICCID field. On Android, open Settings, then About phone, then SIM status.
Is ICCID the same as the SIM card number?
Yes. The ICCID is the SIM card number, the unique serial that identifies the physical SIM hardware. Some carriers label it "SIM serial number" in device menus, but it refers to the same 19- or 20-digit value.
What is the ICCID number on an eSIM?
On an eSIM, each installed SIM profile still has its own ICCID, which you can view in your device's cellular settings. The eSIM chip itself carries a separate identifier called the eUICCID. So one eSIM can show several ICCIDs, one per profile, alongside a single fixed eUICCID.
What is the difference between ICCID and IMEI?
The ICCID identifies the SIM card, while the IMEI identifies the physical device the SIM sits in. An ICCID is 19 to 20 digits and travels with the SIM, and a 15-digit IMEI stays with the phone or module even when you change SIMs.
Where identifiers are headed next
Connected devices keep multiplying. As eSIM and remote provisioning become standard, identifiers like the eUICCID will do more of the heavy lifting for fleets that switch networks on demand. By 2028, expect over-the-air profile management to be the default way teams onboard and move devices across regions, which puts a premium on knowing exactly which number does what. Get the ICCID right today and you build the foundation for a fleet that scales cleanly for years.
Ready to put reliable global connectivity behind every SIM in your fleet? Talk with an IoT expert.