The integrated circuit card identification (ICCID), commonly referred to as the SIM card number, is a unique serial number that identifies each SIM card internationally. This identifier is crucial for mobile network operators to authenticate and manage subscriber identities. Consisting of 19 to 20 digits, it differentiates one SIM card from another, enabling proper network access and service provisioning.
Locating this identification number can be necessary for various reasons, including activating new services, transferring a number to a different provider, or reporting a lost or stolen device. Historically, physically extracting the SIM card and reading the number directly from the card was the only method. However, modern Android operating systems provide software-based methods for accessing this information, simplifying the process significantly.