What is a mobile identification number?

A mobile identification number (MIN) is a sequence of numbers mobile carriers use to identify a mobile phone. Each MIN contains 10 digits and is also referred to as a mobile subscriber identification number (MSIN).

Are a MIN and a mobile phone number the same?

While a person’s MIN and mobile phone number may seem identical, they are distinct. A person’s MIN may be derived from their mobile phone number, but it doesn’t have to be. Carriers may assign mobile identification numbers that differ from an actual phone number for internal purposes.

How does a MIN work?

Carriers use MINs to authenticate and authorize access to their network so people can safely use their services. Whenever someone registers for a particular service, makes a call, or receives a text message, a carrier uses the MIN to verify their identity and prevent unauthorized access. MINs are also used for billing.

What is the difference between a MIN and IMSI?

An International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) is a unique number that identifies every mobile phone subscriber on a global UMTS, GSM, or LTE network. The IMSI number contains the subscriber’s unique MIN, incorporated in the last 10 digits of the IMSI sequence.

Every IMSI number consists of 3 parts:

  1. The mobile country code (MCC): 2 or 3 digits that identify the country where someone is located
  2. The mobile network code (MNC): 2 or 3 digits that specify the mobile carrier
  3. MIN: 10 digits specific to the mobile phone user

For example, the IMSI 312 530 1234567890 identifies the following segments:

  1. 312: MCC (USA country code)
  2. 530: MNC (T-Mobile network)
  3. 1234567890: MIN (unique user identifier)

Additional resources