Blacklisted Phone: What You Need to Know

What was the first thought that crossed your mind when you heard the term “Blacklisted Phone”? What did you think it meant?

You were…confused?

Don’t be bothered.

Even if you have absolutely no idea of what it means for a phone to be “Blacklisted”, as you will read every word of this article, you would become enlightened on this subject matter.  

Here, we would start with some basic information about what a blacklisted phone is and how you can recognize one. Later on, we would go into what you should do if you find out that your phone is blacklisted.

Without further ado, let’s explore this concept…

What is a blacklisted phone?

First off, let’s sort out what a phone blacklist means.

A blacklist is a database containing all the ESN and IMEI numbers that have been reported.

Basically, a blacklisted phone is one that has been reported missing or stolen by the original/ previous owner.

How else can a phone end up in a blacklist?

A blacklisted phone is not always one that has been reported stolen/missing. If the owner fails to pay off the phone’s financing, the phone might as well end up on the blacklist.

What happens if a phone is blacklisted?

If your device is blacklisted, your carrier may block services- and in the worst-case scenario, you might risk losing it to the local authorities.

Did I buy a blacklisted phone?

People buy used phones every day. Even though you might need to sell your old phone, the mere fact that it is a cheaper option when it comes to acquiring flagship phones gives it a competitive advantage. However, when it comes to buying used phones, you need to be extra careful so as not to buy a blacklisted phone.

But, how can you recognize one?

To do so, you need to know your IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identifier) number or your ESN (Electronic serial number) number.

If you don’t know it, it is just a stone throw from you.

Finding your IMEI /ESN number…

For most phones, you can find the number by dialing #06# into the dialer.

If you try this method and it doesn’t work, try any of the following methods:

• Check the device settings. Go to the section that gives you information about your phone. In most smartphones, it is always called “About” or “About phone”
•  Check the back of your phone.
• Check the SIM tray. Some manufacturers do print it there.
• Check the battery. Most times, phones with removable batteries have their IMEI number inscribed here.
• Check the original packaging.

Looking up the status of your IMEI/ESN number

Now that you know the identifier for your phone, you can determine whether your phone is clean or is IMEI blacklisted.

The easiest way to do this is to put a call across to the carrier. Although you might be put on hold for a while, the wait would be definitely worth it.

If you prefer to go through a different route, you could try using a mobile diagnostic like PhoneCheck.

What should you do if your phone is blacklisted?

If you find out that your phone is blacklisted, you can discuss how you would return the phone to the carrier or the original owner. Depending on the carrier, you might receive a refund. If you bought the phone from an individual seller, you might as well ask for a refund.

You should do this because the chances are low that a blacklisted phone still works- or would work- until it is unblocked.

Conclusion

That’s pretty everything there is to know about blacklisted phones. Now you know, do all you can to avoid buying one.