How to check if a phone is PTA approved before you buy
Before buying a new or used phone in Pakistan, check its PTA status with the IMEI number. Here is how to do it in a minute, and what to do if it is not registered.
Buying a phone that later stops working on Pakistani networks is an expensive mistake. The good news is that checking a phone's PTA status takes less than a minute, and you can do it before you pay.
Why the PTA status matters
PTA's Device Identification, Registration and Blocking System (DIRBS) keeps a record of every phone by its IMEI number. A phone that is not registered can be blocked on Pakistani mobile networks, even if it works today. Phones reported lost or stolen can also be blocked.
Step 1: Find the IMEI number
- Dial
*#06#on the phone. The IMEI appears on the screen. - Dual-SIM phones show two IMEI numbers. Check both.
- Compare the IMEI on the screen with the one on the box and in Settings > About phone. If they do not match, be careful.
Step 2: Check the status with PTA
- Send the IMEI number by SMS to 8484.
- Or check it on the DIRBS website) or the DIRBS app.
- Read the reply carefully. You want the status to show the phone as compliant or registered.
Step 3: Decide before you pay
- Registered or compliant: the phone can be used on Pakistani networks.
- Not registered: the phone needs registration through DIRBS, with any duty and taxes that apply. Ask the seller who will pay for it before you agree on a price.
- Blocked: do not buy it.
Tips for buying a used phone
- Check the IMEI yourself on the phone, not from a photo or a number the seller sends you.
- Check both IMEIs on a dual-SIM phone.
- Keep a receipt or written note of the sale with the seller's details.
- Do not share your own passwords or one-time codes with anyone who offers to "register the phone quickly".
Bringing a phone from abroad?
If you bought the phone outside Pakistan, it usually needs registration through DIRBS. Rules such as time limits, temporary registration for visitors and tax amounts change from time to time, so check the current details on the DIRBS website). Our guide on PTA phone registration vs type approval explains when a business needs more than a single registration.
Need help?
If the status is unclear or a registration has received a query, we can help you understand the next step. See our mobile phone support or start an enquiry.
This article is general guidance, last checked in October 2026. Always confirm the current rules with PTA.