Before you buy a phone — or if yours suddenly loses signal — check whether PTA has it registered. Dial *#06# to see your phone’s 15-digit IMEI, then text that number to 8484 or enter it on PTA’s DIRBS portal. PTA replies within a minute or two with one of three verdicts: compliant, non-compliant, or blocked.
Last verified: November 2026. The three methods below are PTA’s official channels — SMS to 8484, the DIRBS portal at dirbs.pta.gov.pk, and the Device Verification System (DVS) app. The portal was confirmed live on 12 November 2026. Only ever check through these official channels; never tap a link in a text message claiming to be from DIRBS.
Quick answer — the three official ways to check
| Method | What to do | What you get back | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMS to 8484 | Dial *#06#, text the 15-digit IMEI to 8484 | PTA reply: compliant, non-compliant or blocked | Free check; your standard SMS charge may apply |
| DIRBS portal | Enter the IMEI at dirbs.pta.gov.pk | Same status, with more detail on screen | Free |
| DVS app | Enter the IMEI in PTA’s Device Verification System app | Same status; handy for checking several phones | Free |
Find your IMEI first
Every phone has a unique 15-digit IMEI number, and the check starts with it.
- Open the dialler and type *#06# — the IMEI appears on screen instantly, no need to press call.
- You can also find it in Settings > About phone, or printed on the phone’s box.
- Dual-SIM phones show two IMEIs — check both. Each IMEI is registered separately, so a phone can be compliant on one SIM slot and not on the other. The same applies to eSIM: check every IMEI the phone shows.
Write the number down exactly. One wrong digit gives you someone else’s result — or no result at all.
Method 1: SMS your IMEI to 8484
This is the fastest check, and it works on any phone on any Pakistani network, with no internet needed.
- Dial *#06# and note the 15-digit IMEI.
- Open a new SMS and type the IMEI on its own — no spaces, no extra words.
- Send it to 8484.
- Read PTA’s reply, which usually arrives within a minute or two.
The reply gives the phone’s status: compliant, non-compliant, or blocked. If no reply arrives within five minutes, send the IMEI once more, or check the same IMEI on the DIRBS portal instead. The check itself is free — you pay only your operator’s standard SMS rate for the message to 8484.
Do not confuse this with *8484#: dialling that code opens PTA’s device-registration menu, which is a different service from the 8484 status check by SMS.
Method 2: check online on the DIRBS portal
PTA runs the check through DIRBS, the Device Identification, Registration and Blocking System. Its portal is the free web version of the same check.
- Open dirbs.pta.gov.pk in any browser.
- Enter your phone’s 15-digit IMEI number.
- Complete the security check if one appears, then press Check Status.
- Read the result on screen — compliant, non-compliant, or blocked — with more detail than the SMS reply, including the device’s brand and model.
The portal gives you a result you can screenshot and keep, which is useful when you are buying a phone and want proof of its status before you pay.
Method 3: check in the DVS app
PTA’s Device Verification System app is the official mobile version of the same check, available for Android and iPhone.
- Download the official DVS app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
- Open it and enter the phone’s 15-digit IMEI.
- Read the status on screen.
The app is handy if you check phones often — for example, if you buy and sell used phones — because it keeps your checks in one place.
What PTA’s reply means
| Status | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Compliant | The IMEI is registered with PTA and the phone is approved for use on Pakistani networks | Nothing — the phone is safe to buy and use |
| Non-compliant | The phone is not registered, usually because the tax on it has not been paid | Register it before relying on it — see below |
| Blocked | The IMEI has been blacklisted, usually because the phone was reported stolen | Do not buy it — paying tax does not unblock a blocked IMEI |
A “compliant” result means the phone is registered. It does not by itself prove the phone is genuine, legally owned, or still under warranty — so check the phone itself as well as its IMEI.
The 60-day window for phones brought from abroad
PTA’s DIRBS FAQ gives phones brought into Pakistan from abroad 60 days from first use on a Pakistani network to get registered. During that window the phone keeps working on local networks; after it, a non-compliant device is blocked. Do not rely on the grace period — check the phone as soon as you arrive and register it straight away if it is non-compliant.
What to do if your phone is non-compliant
A non-compliant phone can still be registered. PTA’s own FAQ lists three ways to apply:
- Online at dirbs.pta.gov.pk/drs, using your CNIC (or passport, for overseas Pakistanis).
- Dial *8484# from a SIM issued on your CNIC or passport and follow the registration menu.
- Visit the franchise or customer service centre of any mobile operator and apply there.
As part of the application you receive a PSID, which shows the exact duty and tax due on your phone — the check itself never shows the tax, only the status. Pay through the PSID, wait for the confirmation SMS, then check the status again by SMS to 8484 to confirm the phone is now compliant. Approval generally takes up to 48 hours after payment.
If a phone in your name has been misused, or a SIM you do not recognise is registered on your CNIC, report it to PTA on its helpline 0800-55055. Our guide on how to check the SIMs registered on your CNIC shows how to spot an unknown SIM.
Check before you buy a used phone
Most PTA problems are bought, not inherited — so run the check at the counter, before you pay.
- Dial *#06# on the phone you are about to buy and note every IMEI it shows.
- Text each IMEI to 8484 from your own phone and wait for PTA’s reply.
- Buy only if every IMEI comes back compliant. Walk away from a blocked phone, and treat a non-compliant one as a phone whose tax you will have to pay on top of the price.
- Beware of fake DIRBS messages. PTA has warned about texts claiming to come from DIRBS that say your registration will be suspended unless you open a link. PTA never asks you to open a link to check or register a phone — use only dirbs.pta.gov.pk, SMS to 8484, or the official DVS app.
Related guides: how to check the SIMs on your CNIC, how to block your SIM if your phone is lost or stolen, how to check your own mobile number, and how to check remaining MBs and balance. For the latest bundles once your phone is approved, see the Jazz, Zong, Telenor and Ufone package pages, or browse all of them on the /packages/ hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check if my phone is PTA approved?
Dial *#06# to see your phone’s 15-digit IMEI, then send that number by SMS to 8484. PTA replies within a minute or two saying whether the phone is compliant, non-compliant, or blocked. You can also enter the IMEI on dirbs.pta.gov.pk or in the official DVS app.
What does “non-compliant” mean on a PTA IMEI check?
It means the phone is not registered with PTA, usually because the duty and tax on it have not been paid. The phone may keep working for a short grace period, but it will be blocked unless it is registered. Apply on dirbs.pta.gov.pk/drs, dial *8484#, or visit an operator’s service centre.
Is the PTA IMEI check free?
Yes. The SMS check to 8484, the DIRBS portal and the DVS app are all free to use — you pay only your operator’s standard SMS rate for the message to 8484. Any website or shop asking for a fee to check an IMEI is charging you for something PTA gives away free.
How long can I use a non-PTA phone in Pakistan?
PTA gives a phone brought from abroad 60 days from its first use on a Pakistani network to get registered. After that window a non-compliant device is blocked from local networks, so check the phone as soon as you arrive and register it if it is non-compliant.
