Hardware wallets provide important protection for crypto assets by keeping private keys isolated from internet-connected environments. However, where the device comes from, how it is delivered, and what happens during first-time setup are equally important.
After receiving your imKey hardware wallet, we recommend checking its serial number (SN) on the official imKey website before creating or restoring a wallet or transferring assets to it. This allows you to confirm whether the SN is valid and view the device’s current activation status.
Please note that checking the SN is an important part of device verification, but it should not be used as the sole basis for determining whether a device is genuine. You should also verify the purchase channel, first-time activation process, and whether the device can connect properly to an official App.
This article explains how to check an imKey SN and what to do with each possible result.
1. Where Can I Find the imKey SN?
The SN is the unique serial number assigned to each imKey hardware wallet.
You can find it in either of the following locations:
- Back of the device: Check the SN printed near the bottom of the device’s back cover.
- Device system menu: Turn on the device, open Settings, and find the SN under the device information section.
Make sure the SN shown in the system matches the one printed on the device.
If you purchased multiple devices, check whether any of them have the same SN before proceeding. Under normal circumstances, each device should have a unique SN.
If two or more devices have the same SN, do not activate or use them. Do not create or restore a wallet on the devices or transfer any assets to them. Keep the devices, packaging, and proof of purchase, and contact imKey Support at support@imkey.im for manual verification.
Back of the Device Device System Menu
2. How Do I Check the SN on the imKey Website?
1. Visit the Official imKey Website
Open the following website in your browser:
Carefully verify the domain name. Avoid accessing imKey through unfamiliar search ads, links received in chats, or unknown QR codes, as these may lead to phishing websites.
2. Open the Device Verification Page
Go to the imKey SN verification page:
https://imkey.im/pages/sn-check
3. Enter and Verify the SN
Enter the complete device SN, then click the button to check it.
Make sure the SN has been entered correctly.
3. How Do I Interpret the SN Check Result?
After you submit the SN, the page will display the corresponding device status. The most common results are listed below.
1. Device Not Yet Activated — SN Valid
- System message: “This device has not been activated.”
- What it means: This indicates only that the SN is recognized by the imKey system and that the device has not yet completed its initial activation.
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Important precautions: A “not activated” status” does not mean that you can trust the device without further verification. It is only the first step. You should also complete the following checks:
- Verify the purchase channel: Confirm that the device was purchased from an official imKey store or an authorized reseller.
- Check the activation process: The device should require activation when it is turned on for the first time.
- Pair with an official App: Connect and pair the device only with an official App, such as imToken, via Bluetooth.
2. Device Already Activated
- System message: “Device activated!” The page will also display the exact activation date, such as April 24, 2024.
- What it means: The device associated with this SN has already completed its initial activation.
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Important precautions:
- Confirm the first-use date: Check whether the displayed activation date matches the date on which you first used and activated the device.
- Watch for discrepancies: If the activation date is earlier than your purchase, delivery, or unboxing date, the device may have been activated previously or tampered with by a third party during shipping.
- What to do: Stop using the device immediately. Do not create or restore a wallet on it or transfer any assets to it. Contact imKey Support at support@imkey.im for manual verification.
3. No Device Information Found
- System message: “No device information found.”
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Troubleshooting and next steps:
- Check the SN: Make sure you entered the complete SN correctly.
- Assess the risk: If the SN is correct but no device information can be found, the device may be an unauthorized or counterfeit product.
- Do not use the device: Stop using it immediately. Do not create or restore a wallet or transfer any assets to it.
- Request manual verification: Contact imKey Support at support@imkey.im.
4. What Else Should I Check After Receiving an imKey?
Checking the SN alone is not enough to complete the device security verification process.
We recommend completing the following checks as well:
| Verification Item | Recommended Security Practice | Unsafe Practice |
| Purchase channel | Purchase only from an official imKey store or an authorized reseller. | Buying a second-hand device through social media or from an unauthorized third-party seller. |
| Recovery phrase generation | Generate the recovery phrase on the hardware device and write it down yourself. | Using a preprinted recovery phrase card included in the packaging or a recovery phrase provided by someone else. |
| App pairing | Connect the device only to an official App. | Scanning an unknown QR code or connecting the device to a modified third-party App. |
5. What Should I Do If I Discover a Device Issue?
If you notice anything unusual while checking the SN, activating the device, or pairing it with an App, stop immediately and do not continue.
Pay particular attention to the following situations:
- The SN cannot be found.
- Multiple devices have the same SN.
- The device was activated before you received it.
- The device does not follow the normal activation process during first use.
- The device cannot connect to an official App.
- The packaging or user guide instructs you to download an App from an unknown source.
- You are asked to enter the Recovery phrase or private key of an existing wallet.
Follow these three principles:
Stop using the device → Do not enter your recovery phrase → Contact imKey for verification
If you have already entered a recovery phrase, private key, or other wallet recovery information into a suspicious device or App, stop using the affected wallet immediately and take steps to secure your assets in a trusted, secure environment as soon as possible.
Security Reminder
Hardware wallet security depends not only on the security mechanisms built into the device, but also on the entire process—from purchase and delivery to activation and everyday use.
After receiving an imKey device, take a few minutes to check its SN and verify the following:
Purchase channel, SN status, first-time activation process, and official App pairing.
No single check should be treated as conclusive proof that a device is completely secure.
If you discover anything unusual, do not take the risk or continue transferring assets to wallets generated by the device. Stop using it immediately and contact imKey Support for further verification.
Video Tutorial
To learn how to complete the process, watch:
How to Check an imKey SN on the Official Website
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