A stolen phone's blacklisted status is often permanent, as it's tied to the device's unique IMEI number, effectively making it useless on all major networks in that country unless the rightful owner proves ownership and requests removal. While the initial block can propagate within 48 hours, getting it removed by the carrier requires strong proof of ownership (like purchase receipts and ID) and can be a lengthy, difficult process, often involving police reports.
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). The blacklisted phone is not traceable.
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.
If the phone was reported lost or stolen then the phone is blocked and basically a brick and unable to use on another carrier. The right thing to do is back up your data if there are any and then return it to the insurance company.
In reality, what it takes to get your phone unlocked depends on your provider. But you should be mindful that you could be waiting for anything between a few days or up to 30 days for the process to be complete. To clarify your network's policy, check out our network-by-network guide below.
After 60 days of paid active service and ordinary usage, we will automatically remove the lock unless the device is deemed stolen or purchased fraudulently.
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.
If your phone is stolen, the thief will probably wipe it to sell it as fast as possible and your data won't be used. However, there's a chance they might try to hack into your accounts.
It's illegal to sell a lost or stolen phone, so recyclers are duty-bound to cooperate with law enforcement here. Only ever sell a gadget that is truly yours to sell.
Your network will usually send you a replacement SIM card, but they may charge an administration fee. Your network won't normally replace your phone free of charge and you'll have to carry on paying your monthly line rental until the end of your contract.
Once you have been blacklisted you will have a bad credit record for anything from 2 – 10 years, depending on the type of listing that you have against you, but even after this period of time, a judgment can be issued against you if you have not paid the money that you owe.
Law enforcement agencies can collaborate with carriers to track stolen phones through the IMEI blacklist system. Investigate digital traces within linked accounts and service.
If your device is on a blacklist because you didn't pay the money you owe, ask if there's a way to pay what you owe and take your device off the blacklist. Contact the Previous Owner: If the person who had the device before you reported it as lost or stolen, the phone company won't be able to fix or unlock it.
WhatsApp on Blacklisted Phones Works Over Wi-Fi Only. Blacklisted phones can be used with WhatsApp and other internet apps while connected to a Wi-Fi network, but cannot use data or access the internet when not on Wi-Fi.
Know Genuineness of Your Mobile Handset
It could be found on the mobile bill/invoice. 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.
Can I Sell a Blacklisted iPhone or Android Phone? YES, you can sell blacklisted phones safely and legally as long as you verify you are the rightful owner, or you mistakenly bought a blacklisted or stolen device.
Who owns the stolen goods you have bought. If you buy stolen goods, the general rule is that you are not the legal owner even if you paid a fair price and didn't know that the goods were stolen. The person who originally owned them is still the legal owner.
Three-finger gestures on iPhone primarily activate accessibility features like VoiceOver (for screen reading and navigation) and Zoom (magnification), allowing scrolling, zooming, and text manipulation (copy/paste/undo) with specific taps and drags, though some text actions work without VoiceOver enabled for quick editing. Common gestures include three-finger double-tap to toggle VoiceOver speech, triple-tap for the screen curtain, and pinching/spreading with three fingers for copy/paste actions, notes this YouTube video.
Use the Find My app
Open the app on another device that's signed in to your Apple ID, like a computer or iPad®. Select the Devices tab (you should see a list of devices), then select the name of the lost phone. Your phone's last known location should appear.
Where else are they taken? Algeria is another common destination for stolen phones, according to the Metropolitan Police. The force said that a man it arrested at Heathrow Airport on suspicion of handling stolen goods had travelled between the north African country and the UK more than 200 times in two years.
The IMEI number (International Mobile Equipment Identity) allows carriers to identify cell phones. If someone reports the iPhone as stolen or lost, or if it contains unpaid balances and bills, the phone carrier will label the IMEI number as blacklisted.
If your mobile device is lost or stolen
Make a report to NSW Police via the Community Portal. If you have tracking software installed on your device, let NSW Police know. Apps such as 'Find My Phone' or 'Find My Device' can often help locate a mobile device that has been lost or stolen.
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"
You should note that carrier locked phones still work perfectly in a technical sense, and the only restriction is the network you make calls, send messages, and send/receive cellular data through. You can sell your carrier locked phone with no issue at all.
If your smartphone was purchased from a network provider before December 2021, then it may be locked to their network. Also known as SIM locked, this means the phone can only be used on that network, so if you put a different network SIM in it, you'll just get an error message.