Bought a phone from a shop in New Road, got one as a gift from abroad, or brought a new iPhone back from the Gulf? Before you trust it with your SIM, do an MDMS registration check. It takes less than a minute on the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) portal, and it tells you whether the phone’s IMEI is in the national database or at risk of being blocked.
Most guides only show one search box. The MDMS portal actually has four different checks, and people often use the wrong one. This guide shows each one, what every result means, and exactly what to do if your phone shows “Not Registered”.
Quick answer: How to do an MDMS registration check
- Dial *#06# on your phone to see its 15-digit IMEI number.
- Open the official portal: mdms.nta.gov.np.
- Type the IMEI in the box under “Check Registration status of your mobile”.
- Click Search and read the result.
- For a dual-SIM phone, repeat with the second IMEI.
Official MDMS check links (NTA)
- IMEI registration status check – for any phone, before or after buying
- Individual registration application status – if you applied to register a phone from abroad
- Lost/stolen phone status – if you reported a lost phone
- Registration portal – individual, dual IMEI and lost/stolen registration
Only use mdms.nta.gov.np. Third-party “MDMS check” sites simply redirect you there, and some ask for details they don’t need.
What is MDMS in Nepal?
MDMS (Mobile Devices Management System) is NTA’s central database of mobile phones allowed to work on Nepali networks such as Nepal Telecom and Ncell. Every phone is identified by its IMEI number. If a phone’s IMEI is not in the database, it can be blacklisted, which means the SIM inside it stops getting network service.
NTA says the system was built to control illegally imported (grey market) phones and to help trace lost and stolen handsets. It also states plainly that buying or selling unregistered phones is illegal.
Short history, so you know which rules still apply:
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| 15 Sept 2022 | MDMS started as a trial, then was paused after public protest |
| Jestha 1, 2080 (15 May 2023) | MDMS officially implemented; phones cleared at customs are registered automatically |
| Ashar 2080 (by 16 July 2023) | One-time window to regularise unregistered phones by paying a fixed tax |
| Kartik 20, 2080 (6 Nov 2023) | NTA began blacklisting unregistered phones, starting with premium handsets |
Step 1: Find your phone’s IMEI number
An IMEI is a 15-digit number unique to each phone. You need it for every MDMS check. Three ways to find it:
- Dial *#06# – works on almost every phone. The IMEI appears on screen instantly.
- Settings – Android: Settings › About phone › Status (wording varies by brand). iPhone: Settings › General › About.
- The box or bill – the IMEI is printed on the sticker on the retail box. Useful when checking a phone in a shop before you pay.
Dual-SIM phones have two IMEIs. Check both. A common problem is that only IMEI 1 is registered, so SIM slot 2 has no signal. NTA has a separate Dual IMEI Registration form for exactly this case (explained below).
Write the IMEI down or take a screenshot. Avoid sharing it publicly on social media, since it identifies your device.
The 4 MDMS checks – which one do you need?
| Your situation | Check to use | You need |
|---|---|---|
| You already use the phone | Registration status of your mobile | IMEI |
| You are about to buy a phone (new or second-hand) | Validate registration before purchase | IMEI from box or phone |
| You applied to register a phone from abroad | Individual registration status | IMEI + email used in the form |
| You reported a lost or stolen phone | Lost/stolen status | IMEI + email used in the report |
Method 1: Check if your current phone is registered
- Go to mdms.nta.gov.np/public. Switch to English or Nepali at the top.
- Find the first box: “Check Registration status of your mobile”.
- Enter the 15-digit IMEI with no spaces or dashes.
- Click Search.
- Repeat for IMEI 2 on a dual-SIM phone.
Method 2: Check a phone before you buy it
NTA specifically asks buyers to confirm a phone is in MDMS before paying for it. This matters most for second-hand phones on Hamrobazar or Facebook Marketplace, and for “cheap” new phones without a proper VAT bill.
- Ask the seller to dial *#06# in front of you, or read the IMEI from the box. Make sure the two match.
- On the same MDMS page, use the second box: “Check registration status of new mobile before purchase”.
- Enter the IMEI and click Validate Registration.
- If it is not registered, don’t buy it, or ask the seller to register it first.
Method 3: Check your individual registration application status
If you submitted an Individual Registration form for a phone brought from abroad, the IMEI search alone won’t show your application’s progress. Use the form-status page instead:
- Open Check Individual Registration Status.
- Enter the IMEI number(s) you registered.
- Enter the same email address you used in the registration form.
- Click Check Registration Status.
Useful detail: if your application was rejected, this same page lets you edit and correct the form, so you don’t have to start a fresh application.
Method 4: Check lost/stolen phone status
If you filed a lost/stolen report, open Check Lost/Stolen Status and enter the IMEI plus the email used in the report. If you find your phone later, you can disable tracking from here. Note that NTA asks you to block your SIM with your operator (NTC or Ncell) before filing a lost/stolen registration.
What your MDMS result means
| Result | Meaning | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Registered | IMEI is in MDMS; phone is legal to use on Nepali networks | Nothing. Check IMEI 2 too. |
| Not registered | IMEI not found; phone may be grey-market or registered under a different IMEI | Re-check the digits, then see the fixes below |
| Pending | Your individual application is waiting for NTA verification | Wait and watch your email |
| Rejected | Documents unclear, details mismatched, or not eligible | Correct the form on the status page and resubmit |
Exact on-screen wording can change when NTA updates the portal. If you see a message not listed here, read it literally and check the email linked to your application.
Phone shows “Not Registered”? Here’s what to do
1. Rule out a typo
Dial *#06# again and compare every digit. A single wrong number returns “not registered”. Check both IMEIs separately.
2. If you bought it in Nepal
Phones sold through authorised importers are registered by the importer, so you should not need to do anything. If yours isn’t, go back to the shop with your VAT bill and ask them to fix it. Without a VAT bill, you have very little leverage, which is why a bill is worth asking for every time.
3. If you brought it from abroad
Phones declared and cleared at customs are registered automatically. If you carried one phone for personal use and it isn’t showing, register it yourself through Individual Registration. You’ll need:
- Your own email address (updates and OTP come here)
- Passport or citizenship certificate
- Passport page showing departure and arrival stamps, or your boarding pass
- Phone brand, model and IMEI(s)
Upload clear scans. Blurry documents and names or addresses that don’t match your passport are the most common reasons for rejection.
4. If only one SIM slot works
This usually means IMEI 1 is registered but IMEI 2 isn’t. Use the Dual IMEI Registration form: enter both IMEIs, brand and model, and upload a JPG/JPEG screenshot of your phone’s screen showing both IMEI numbers (the *#06# screen works well).
5. If it’s a second-hand phone you already bought
Contact the seller first. If the phone was originally sold in Nepal, the first owner’s bill may help. If it was a grey import, you may not be able to regularise it yourself; contact NTA through nta.gov.np before spending more money on it.
How many phones can you bring from abroad?
Based on the rules announced when MDMS was implemented in May 2023:
- Most travellers (students, visitors, returning Nepalis) can bring one phone for personal use without paying customs duty.
- Migrant workers who went abroad on labour approval and worked for at least six months can bring one additional phone duty-free, but must declare it at customs.
- Any phone beyond that is subject to customs duty.
Customs allowances are set by the Department of Customs and can change in a budget, so confirm the current rule before you fly.
Is there still an MDMS registration fee?
Many websites still show a “2026 fee table” of Rs 10,000 for iPhones, Rs 3,000 for other smartphones and a few hundred rupees for feature phones. Be careful with this. Those amounts came from a one-time regularisation scheme in 2023, when the government let people register already-unregistered phones by paying a fixed tax, with a deadline of 16 July 2023.
Today, a phone bought from an authorised dealer in Nepal costs nothing extra to register, and a phone you legally brought within your allowance is registered free through the Individual Registration form. For anything else, the honest answer is to ask NTA or the Department of Customs directly rather than relying on an old fee table.
Common MDMS check problems
- Portal won’t load or keeps spinning: government portals in Nepal slow down at peak hours. Try early morning, use mobile data instead of Wi-Fi (or vice versa), or switch browsers.
- “Invalid IMEI”: make sure you entered exactly 15 digits. Some phones show a 16- or 17-digit IMEISV; use only the IMEI.
- Didn’t get the OTP or status email: check spam/promotions folders, and use the exact email you registered with.
- Phone is registered but has no signal: the issue may be the SIM, network settings or the second IMEI. Restart, re-check IMEI 2, then visit your operator.
Other online checks Nepalis use
If you handle your own paperwork online, these guides cover the other common checks:
- National ID card check in Nepal – see whether your NID is ready
- Check your PAN number online – verify PAN details on the IRD portal
- Check SSF balance online – see your Social Security Fund contributions
- Vehicle tax and bluebook renewal check – know what’s due before visiting the yatayat office
Frequently asked questions
How do I check if my phone is registered in MDMS?
Dial *#06# to get your IMEI, go to mdms.nta.gov.np/public, enter the IMEI under “Check Registration status of your mobile” and click Search. Check both IMEIs on a dual-SIM phone.
Can I do an MDMS check by SMS?
The official check is done on the MDMS website. Any SMS shortcode is not listed on the NTA MDMS portal, so use the website to be sure you’re getting an official result.
How do I check my MDMS application status?
Use the “Check Individual Registration Status” page and enter the IMEI plus the email address you used in the application. If it was rejected, you can correct and resubmit the form from the same page.
What happens if my phone is not registered in MDMS?
An unregistered IMEI can be blacklisted, which means it won’t connect to any mobile network in Nepal. Wi-Fi may still work, but calls, SMS and mobile data on that IMEI won’t.
Do phones bought in Nepal need MDMS registration?
Phones imported through authorised channels are registered by the importer. You only need to verify it. Always ask for a VAT bill as proof of a legal purchase.
Why does only one SIM work on my phone?
Most likely only one of the phone’s two IMEIs is registered. Submit the Dual IMEI Registration form with a screenshot showing both IMEI numbers.
Is it safe to use mdmscheck or similar websites?
They are unofficial and only send you to the NTA portal. Go straight to mdms.nta.gov.np, and never enter passwords, OTPs or payment details on a third-party site.
Final word
An MDMS registration check is a 60-second habit that can save you from buying a phone that gets blocked a month later. Check every IMEI, keep your VAT bill, and if something is missing, use the right NTA form: Individual Registration for phones from abroad, Dual IMEI Registration for a dead second slot, and the status page to follow up.
Last checked against the NTA MDMS portal on 8 October 2026. This is an independent guide and is not affiliated with Nepal Telecommunications Authority. Rules and portal pages can change; the official source is mdms.nta.gov.np.