Yes, a blacklisted phone can sometimes be unblacklisted, but it's difficult and depends on the reason for blacklisting; the most reliable method is for the original owner to contact their carrier with proof of ownership to resolve issues like unpaid bills or a mistaken report, but if it was reported lost/stolen, it's often permanent unless the original owner cancels the report, as you can't easily bypass an IMEI blacklist through software.
Contact Your Carrier
Get in touch with the original carrier and find out the reason for the blacklisting of the phone in the first place. If they blacklist your device by mistake, you can request to remove it from the list for free.
While there may be times when a service provider is able to change a phone's blacklist status (when the rightful owner of the device can verify ownership), blacklisting is often permanent.
Can a Blacklisted IMEI be Unlocked or Cleared? Yes, it's possible to remove a device from the blacklist, but the process depends on the reason for blacklisting: Recovering a Lost/Stolen Device: If you recover your device, contacting the carrier with proof of recovery can get it unblacklisted.
If a phone is blacklisted, it usually no longer supports cellular services. So while you are able to use the phone for other activities like playing mobile games, listening to music, or streaming via Wi-Fi, you will probably not be able to use your phone for activities that require you to connect to a network operator.
Steps to Clear Your Name After Being Blacklisted
Inform the carrier of the blacklist status. They should help by either removing the phone from the blacklist or providing a refund. Most of the time, you would only need to pay your unpaid bills to get off the blacklist status.
The simplest way to unlock your device is to get in touch with your provider and ask for a Network Unlock Code (NUC). This is typically easy and free to get – if you've finished your pay-monthly contract, networks aren't allowed to charge you unlocking fees at all.
When the phone is turned on and connects to a network, the IMEI is transmitted to the carrier, which then does a cell phone blacklist check. If the phone is blacklisted, it won't be able to connect to the network at all. If the IMEI checks come back clear, calls can be made and received as normal.
Blacklisted phones cannot connect to cellular networks. This restriction persists regardless of jailbreaking attempts.
Today, blacklisting is less about a permanent status and more about how your credit profile appears to lenders. The good news? If you're unsure where you stand, a blacklist check is quick, free, and could be the first step to improving your credit standing.
A blacklisted phone has almost no resale value at all because nobody wants to buy a device that can't connect to cellular networks. You won't be able to get your money back if you sell it to another buyer.
Any SIM (physical or eSIM) will be blocked during carrier authentication. eSIM is affected by blacklisting just as a physical SIM card is. Blacklisting is cross-carrier for eSIM. So, even International eSIMs won't work on a blacklisted device.
If you find that your IP or domain is blacklisted, contact each DNSBL service and request that they delete your listing. Some of them will automatically remove your listing after some buffer period, others will not. If you made a mistake, were blacklisted, and then delisted, don't make the same mistake again.
If you have a phone that has been added to a blacklist, don't worry, you can still sell it and make some money.
Law enforcement agencies can collaborate with carriers to track stolen phones through the IMEI blacklist system. Investigate digital traces within linked accounts and service.
Know Genuineness of Your Mobile Handset
From your mobile you can check the IMEI number by dialling *#06# , IMEI number will be shown on mobile screen. If the status of the mobile is shown as Black-listed, duplicate or already in use, please avoid buying the mobile.
Your blacklisted phone will fetch trade-in value that's usually 20% or less compared to a clean device.
After blacklisting, the handset is inactive on all Networks (provided they support blacklisting) and the handset cannot be used again unless it is un-blacklisted by the telecommunications service provider (or it the IMEI number is (illegally) changed).
Go to android.com/find on any computer or device. Sign in with the Google account linked to your locked phone. Pick the locked device from the list. Click "Erase Device"
Carriers that lock devices will clearly notify customers that their devices are eligible for unlocking at the time when their devices are eligible for unlocking or automatically unlock devices remotely when devices are eligible for unlocking, without additional fee.
Contact your network operator and ask for an unlock code. This is the official way to do things, and the way we recommend. Or, you could unlock your phone yourself.
Yes. Participating providers do not have to unlock devices for customers or former customers that are not in good standing or have not satisfied the applicable service contract, device financing plan, or paid the applicable early termination fee.
A phone can be blocklisted when a contract isn't paid off or if the phone was reported stolen or lost by the owner. When blocklisted, the phone becomes unusable with other carriers and cannot be activated. Only carriers like T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon can blocklist devices and remove them from the blocklist.
Reach out to your original network provider to have your IMEI blacklist removed. The original owner can contact the original carrier to remove the blacklist if their device was blacklisted because of reported loss or theft by mistake or due to unpaid bills or contract disputes.