How to Unlock a Blacklisted iPhone (FREE & Paid Removals)
- This article has solutions if you have a blacklisted iPhone that’s reported lost/stolen/unsettled bills
- If you want to un-blacklist it to use it, we show free & paid options to remove and activate your iPhone
- Believe it or not, but you can sell blacklisted iPhone’s, below are the companies that buy them
The purpose of this article is to help you get around the issue. If you want to un-blacklist the phone and use it, we’ll discuss both free and paid options to remove and activate it. Alternatively, you can sell the blacklisted iPhone to companies that will buy them (including iCloud activation lock).
In this article:
- How to Know if Your iPhone is Blacklisted?
- What Does Blacklisted iPhone Mean?
- Can You Sell Blacklisted iPhones?
- How to Remove & Unlock (FREE)
- How to Remove & Unlock (PAID)
- Blacklisted iPhone Options Summary
If you’ve ever purchased a used iPhone and discovered that it didn’t work normally once you inserted your SIM card, don’t lose hope just yet. If the purchased iPhone notifies you that your SIM card is invalid or not supported, the iPhone likely is on a blacklist.
What a blacklisted phone means is that someone may have reported the phone you purchased as lost or stolen. Generally, a carrier will refuse service to a blacklisted phone until the previous account holder removes the block.
Getting a blacklisted iPhone can be stressful, but that doesn’t mean it’s too late to get it fixed and use the phone as you normally would. You can still have your phone’s IMEI unblocked or removed from the carrier’s block list.
The easiest way to unlock blacklisted iPhone devices is to contact the previous owner and ask for their help. Unfortunately, most sellers of second-hand items will ignore calls or emails from previous buyers.
Below we have listed all the options to solve this problem…
How to Know if Your iPhone is on the Blacklist
If you suspect you have a blacklisted iPhone, start by checking the status of your iPhone with the proper tools.
Here we recommend the following free sites.
FREE Blacklist Checkers
- IMEI Pro (FREE)
- IMEI 24 (FREE)
Checking whether your iPhone is on the blacklist on either site is quite straightforward. Just visit either of the websites above and enter your IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) to check the status of your phone. You can do the check remotely and all you typically need is the 15-digit IMEI number.
Once you perform a check on the number, the sites will display whether or not your phone has been blacklisted. If you have no clue how to find your IMEI number, just check the official guide on Apple’s website
What Does It Mean If an iPhone Is Blacklisted?
An iPhone can become blacklisted for any number of reasons, including if the previous owner has unsettled bills or if someone reported it as stolen or lost.
A blacklisted device cannot get connected to any wireless carrier unless it becomes un-blacklisted.
Wireless carriers or iPhone owners tend to blacklist devices to help solve the problem of rampant iPhone theft. Blacklisting also helps to determine whether or not second-hand dealers are selling iPhones that previous owners have reported as lost or stolen.
The blacklist records the phone’s IMEI number, which is unique to every device. That makes it an accurate way for carriers to track iPhones that users have reported as stolen or lost and shut them out from their respective networks.
Can You Sell Blacklisted iPhones?
Yes, some companies will buy blacklisted iPhones for up to $900, you get an upfront quote, free shipping, and payment via check, PayPal, or Direct Deposit. Thousands of customers rate these companies highly on Trustpilot. The process is quite straightforward.
- Start by searching for your iPhone model here
- Select ‘Blacklisted’ in the filters to get an instant quote
- Ship it for free with the label the merchants provide
- Get paid via check, PayPal, or direct deposit
How to Remove & Unlock a Blacklisted iPhone (FREE)
If you check your device as mentioned above only to discover that your iPhone has been blacklisted, you can still unlock your phone, regardless of the carrier you use.
Most people who discover that they possess blacklisted devices choose to contact their carrier, as it’s absolutely free. Simply get in touch with the original carrier and find out the reason for the blacklisting of the phone in the first place.
That means you can contact AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, or T-Mobile.
In cases in which your carrier blacklisted the phone in error, you can ask them to remove it from the list for free. If the carrier blacklisted the device because of outstanding payments on the account, you’ll simply need to settle the bill before they will remove the device’s IMEI from the blacklist. Once your device is off the blacklist, you can either use it or sell it.
Unfortunately, if the previous owner blacklisted the device by reporting it as lost or stolen, then the carrier will be unable to remove or unlock the blacklisted phone.
How to Remove & Unlock a Blacklisted iPhone (PAID)
Unlocking a Device That’s Been Reported as Lost or Stolen
A third-party backlist removal service can assist you in your iPhone blacklist status.
Generally, unlocking your iPhone device and completing the blacklist removal process allows you to select any other carrier for your phone.
Third-party IMEI blacklist removal services offer the following;
- Ability to unlock blacklisted iPhone models remotely with only the IMEI number
- Legal and permanent service, so you’ll never have to worry about your device being locked again
- Compatibility with all iPhone models
You can pay to have your blacklisted phone unblocked with:
- https://www.imeiauthority.com/ (Verizon & T-Mobile ONLY – contact them to check first)
- https://expressunlocks.com/en_us (contact them to check first)
- https://directunlocks.com/en_us/unlock-iphone (contact them to check first)
It’s important to remember that both IMEI Authority, DirectUnlocks, and ExpressUnlocks charge a fee to remove your iPhone from the blacklist and unlock it.
They also no longer guarantee the removal of the blacklist if you can’t prove that you own the phone, so it’s always best to contact them first to make sure they can help you with your specific circumstances.
Unlocking a Blacklisted Verizon or T-Mobile Device
For this method, let’s use unlock service as an example. This is the process
- Visit the https://www.imeiauthority.com/ website
- Contact them to confirm they can unlock your blacklisted device
- Select your country and the network to which the device has been linked
- Submit your IMEI number
- Choose your device model
- Click “Continue”
Once you’ve made the payment, IMEI Authority will start processing your order. They should deliver in up to 24 hours, so all you have to do is wait.
Unlike other smartphones, your iPhone won’t need any network unlock codes.
Once you receive confirmation from the third party that your device is now unlocked, simply follow the steps below to use your iPhone.
- Remove the current SIM card from your device
- Insert another SIM card. The phone should be unlocked now.
- If that’s not the case, restart your iPhone and follow the steps shown on the iPhone screen.
It’s a fast and easy process.
Replacing your IMEI Chip
Replacing your IMEI chip may help you unblock a blacklisted iPhone. This method is fairly complex and even more difficult when dealing with the most recent iPhone models. The Blacklisted IMEI trick only works with much older iPhone models such as the iPhone 3GS and 4, which are practically obsolete now.
Unlike the method where you have to pay a third party to unlock blacklisted iPhone models, this method isn’t universal, and you may have a hard time finding a clean chip to use. Since this method isn’t ideal for most people, let’s move on to the next one.
Getting in Touch With the Seller
The last possible and most efficient option would be to contact the device’s previous owner. Unfortunately, this can be challenging since many sellers of second-hand devices won’t take calls or may even ignore messages or emails.
If you purchased your blacklisted device on eBay, you can follow the refund procedures to ensure that you at least get your money back.
Unlock Blacklisted iPhone Summary
Buying a used iPhone can be a great way to get your hands on some of the latest Apple devices without going broke. When you end up with a blacklisted iPhone, though, that doesn’t necessarily mean you can never use the device. People seek blacklist removal services mainly to allow them to use a blacklisted iPhone.
With the tips we mentioned in this post, you now know how to unlock blacklisted iPhone models and activate them. If you’re unable to unlock your device or simply want to avoid the hassle of unlocking it, you still have the option to sell the locked iPhone.
You won’t get as much money from selling a locked iPhone as you would an unlocked one, but you can still cash in without much of a struggle using a blacklist removal service.
Ultimately, you have three main options:
- You can sell the blacklisted iPhone on BankMyCell
- You can contact the carrier and unlock the device for free
- You can have it removed with IMEI Authority, Express Unlocks or Direct Unlocks if you prove you own it
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By Ash Turner
Author: Ash Turner
https://www.bankmycell.com/
Cell phone industry expert, blogger & owner of BankMyCell.com — we aim to deliver helpful cell phone advice as well as money saving and how-to guides. Brands, journalists and bloggers, feel free to hit me and the team up for any marketing opportunities.
What Is a Blacklisted Phone? What Does It Mean & What To Do
- Below you can find out what a blacklisted phone actually is, and how it impacts you.
- Can you sell a blacklisted phone? Yes. Below, we list trusted stores that buy them!
- See what you can do if you bought a device on a blacklist & how to deal with it step by step.
In this article:
- What Is a Blacklisted iPhone?
- How to Check if Your Phone Is Blacklisted
- Can You Sell Blacklisted Phones?
- What to Do if You Found a Blacklisted Phone
- Tools You Can Use
Nowadays, new phones are pricey, so buying one used can be the more economical choice. But how can you be sure a used phone isn’t blacklisted? Below, we’ll explain blacklisted phones, if you can sell them, and what to do if you’ve found or bought one.
What Exactly Is a Blacklisted iPhone?
A blacklisted iPhone is a phone reported lost or stolen by the prior or current owner. Another way a phone can be blacklisted is from an outstanding balance or unpaid contract bills.
When there are outstanding or unpaid balances and bills, the phone carrier reports it as a blacklisted phone.
Who Decides Which Phones are Blacklisted?
While it seems Apple would have the autonomy to blacklist an iPhone, this isn’t the case. Apple doesn’t blacklist iPhones due to their policy of not handling stolen devices. It’s up to phone carriers, such as AT&T or Verizon, to report stolen or lost phones.
The iPhone’s IMEI number (International Mobile Equipment Identity) allows phone carriers to identify the phone. If someone reports the iPhone as stolen, lost, or if it contains unpaid balances and bills, the phone carrier will label the IMEI number as blacklisted. Only the phone carriers can remove an IMEI number off the blacklist.
How Blacklisting Affects You
Blacklisted iPhones cannot access other phone carriers and therefore will not be activated until a phone carrier removes it from the list. Since blacklist reports are internationally monitored and traced, iPhones that are blacklisted cannot avoid foreign systems of trade.
Sometimes the carrier will not know right away if the phone is blacklisted. Therefore, a consumer could purchase a used, blacklisted phone without knowing it. With the correct knowledge of blacklisting and tools, the consumer can save time, money, and legal issues.
How to Check if Your Phone Is Blacklisted
- Find your IMEI number (Dial *#06#)
- Call your carrier with the number to verify
- Or check online: IMEI Pro (FREE) or IMEI 24 (FREE)
Find the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) or ESN (Electronic Serial number). You can find these numbers in your phone’s settings in the About section, on your battery, the phone box, or on the back of the phone.
Once you find the number, call your carrier to verify if it’s blacklisted. If you don’t want to spend time on the phone with your provider, check out IMEI Pro or IMEI 24, free online services that verify the device status.
If you choose not to verify your phone with either your carrier or an online diagnostic, you may find that your iPhone is blacklisted and won’t be able to activate your phone.
The bottom line is, when you buy a used phone you should always make sure and check if the phone is blacklisted with a bad IMEI ESN – or you’ll have a problem on your hands.
Can You Sell Blacklisted Phones?
You might be concerned about selling a blacklisted phone. Is it possible? Yes! You can sell a blacklisted phone through local pawn shops or repair shops, most of whom use these phones for parts. If you’re having a hard time finding someone to buy it from you, other online options, such as SellLocked, may buy your blacklisted phone.
Though your iPhone’s value won’t be the same as an unblocked phone, it’s still possible to make money. Also, there are ways to unblock your iPhone to raise its resale value. Some phone carriers offer to unblock phones for a fee. The cost to unblock an iPhone will vary on age, with older models being cheaper to unblock than the newest models.
#1 Rated Blacklisted Phone Buyer
Average Customer Rating:
5 out of 5 on Trustpilot
If any of these options don’t sound good to you, then a store rated 5/5 on Trustpilot called SellLocked will buy blacklisted phones off you – get a free quote today!
- Reviews: #1 Rated with 800+ reviews
- Payment: PayPal or Check
- Shipping: FREE Shipping & FREE Returns
Find My Device, Compare Quotes
What to Do if You Found a Blacklisted Phone
You bought an iPhone, called the carrier, and found it’s blacklisted. What should you do now? There are two ways to handle this, depending on how you bought the phone.
You bought the phone from a phone carrier.
The phone carrier will be responsible if you bought a refurbished or used phone from them. Once you tell them the issue, they should work with you to provide a refund or potentially get the phone off the blacklist.
You bought the phone from a private seller.
If you buy a blacklisted phone from a private seller, it might be a bit trickier. If you still know their contact information, contact them about the issue and ask for a refund, or if they can take the phone off the blacklist themselves by contacting the phone carrier for you. If they refuse, you could take this issue to a small claims court or report it to your local authorities.
Most of the time, if you’re the first person to report the blacklisted phone, you might get it taken off the blacklist. If you reach out to the original owner of the phone and they agree to remove it from the blacklist, it should be fairly easy unless they want their property returned.
If you found a blacklisted phone, it’s best to turn the phone over to its carrier or the original owner. If you purchased the device from a phone carrier, you could get a full refund depending on their policy. However, if it’s from an independent seller, you will not be guaranteed a full refund for your phone.
Tools You Can Use
CTIA — Accredited IMEI checker
Using this free IMEI checker will search the IMEI or ESN number for blacklisting if you purchase a refurbished or used iPhone. Remember to check the phone battery, box, or device setting for the IMEI or ESN number. Once located, go to the CTIA Accredited IMEI checker to verify your iPhone’s status.
Apple Activation Lock Status:
Using the Find My iPhone app, you can report if the device is lost and follow the app’s directions. For more information on how to verify the Activation Lock before buying, check out Apple’s Activation Lock tips. If your device is lost or stolen, AppleCare+ coverage will assist.
Phone Carriers:
If you’re using online resources and are still confused about your phone’s status, call your phone provider to ensure your iPhone isn’t on the blacklist. Phone carriers are the only ones who can reverse the blacklist status, not the previous owner or private seller. If your iPhone is on the blacklist, talk with your carrier about your options.
#1 Rated Blacklisted Phone Buyer
Average Customer Rating:
5 out of 5 on Trustpilot
If any of these options don’t sound good to you, then a store rated 5/5 on Trustpilot called SellLocked will buy locked phones off you – get a free quote today!
- Reviews: #1 Rated with 800+ reviews
- Payment: PayPal or Check
- Shipping: FREE Shipping & FREE Returns
Find My Device, Compare Quotes
Origins of Blacklisting
In the early 2000s, the need for tracing stolen phones increased as mobile devices became popular. In 2004, the GSMA, an association for GSM phone services, established efforts to track stolen phones in Europe. In September 2013, Canada launched the CWTA (Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Network) to aid its blacklisting efforts.
Later that year, in November, the United States joined the CTIA (Cellular Telephone Industries Association) after being associated with only a few operators.
This allows international blacklisted phones to join the database of phones reported Lost or stolen. In the same year, Apple incorporated a passcode safety feature after erasing its iPhone information, part of iOS 7.
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How to unblock a phone number from the black list on Android and iPhone
There are various reasons why a subscriber could be added to the ignore list. Often such decisions are made on emotions. After a few days, the heat of passion subsides, but not all users know how to unblock a phone number from the black list in order to resume communication.
Contents
- 1 View blocked callers on iPhone and Android
- 2 How to delete a number from emergency
- 2.1 Using the «Recent» section
- 2.2 Through the «Settings» section
- 2.3 Through the «Contacts»
- caller from an emergency using the tools of a mobile operator
- 5 Conclusion
Viewing blocked subscribers on iPhone and Android
Information about blocked subscribers is in a special section.
Its location varies depending on which firmware version is installed on the device.
To find this section on iPhone, you need:
- Go to the «Menu» and open the «Phone» section.
- Subscribers who were included in the emergency are in the «Blocked contacts».
To view blacklisted contacts on Android devices, follow these steps:
- In the «Phone» section, tap on the icon with three vertical dots.
- Go to the «Settings» menu and select «Call blocking».
A complete list of all blocked subscribers will be displayed. Here you can also add any contact to the emergency by clicking on the button to add a number.
How to delete a number from an emergency
The algorithm for deleting numbers from an emergency differs on different models of mobile phones.
You can unblock the subscriber’s number and continue communication using one of the methods described below.
Using Recent
This section stores information about incoming, outgoing and missed calls and other recent activities. If the subscriber was blocked no later than a few days ago, in order to unblock him from the emergency, you need to do the following steps:
- Open the standard call application.
- Go to the «Recent» section (located in the panel, which is pinned at the bottom of the screen).
- Select the contact to be removed from the emergency (you can find it through the search bar located under the top panel next to the magnifying glass icon).
- Hold down a blocked number with your finger until a small dialog box appears on the screen.
- Choose «Unblock» from the offered options.
- Confirm your choice by tapping on the corresponding key.
This algorithm is not suitable for all smartphones.
In some devices, information about subscribers in the black list is automatically removed from the «Recent» section. In such a case, you should use one of the following methods.
Through the “Settings” section
In the smartphone settings there is a section containing information about all blocked contacts. In order to unblock a specific contact from the black list, you need to follow the steps in this order:
- Open the standard application through which calls are made.
- Tap on the menu icon (gear).
- Go to the settings section by selecting the «Antispam» item.
- The «Black list» tab displays the complete list of contacts included in the emergency.
- To unlock, click on the cross icon and confirm your choice.
This method is suitable for most smartphones.
Through «Contacts»
The method is suitable for those who unintentionally added a contact to the black list and want to remove it from the list of blocked ones.
You will need to use the built-in Phone application by following these steps:
- Go to Contacts.
- Select the subscriber to be unblocked.
- Tap on the icon with three dots (located in the upper right corner).
- Press the Unlock button.
It remains to confirm your choice by clicking on the appropriate button.
Instructions for unblocking subscribers on phones without touch screens
Owners of push-button models that are not equipped with touch modules also have the ability to block unwanted contacts. In order to unblock the number, you need:
- Open the settings section.
- Go to «Calls» or «Menu».
- Select «Black list» and manually remove the desired number from it.
It should be noted that this method is not suitable for all models of push-button telephones.
How to remove a subscriber from an emergency using the tools of a mobile operator
Virtually all mobile operators have the Black List option.
- To remove a contact from the ignore list for Tele2 subscribers you need to send a USSD request *220*0# . The operator also has the option of unlocking all numbers at once.
- Subscribers of Beeline need to send a USSD request *110*775# . USSD command *110*770# allows you to remove all numbers from the black list.
- To delete a contact from an emergency at MTS , you must send a USSD request *442*24*84 phone number # or contact technical support by calling service number 0890. The mobile operator has the option to block contacts on certain days or hours.
- Subscribers of Megafon can delete single contacts using the USSD command *130*0phone number#.
Unblocking contacts is available in mobile applications, as well as in personal accounts on the official websites of mobile operators.
Conclusion
You can unblock a blacklisted phone number through settings, the Recent section, your contacts list, or a USSD request.
How to unblock a number from the black list on the phone
Probably every mobile phone owner once encountered a situation where an intrusive number did not give a minute of respite, calling at different times of the day and night.
In most cases, the result of such actions was the blocking of a certain number — blacklisting and getting rid of the problem.
Sometimes we want to cancel such an operation and unblock unwanted calls, because we accidentally blocked the number of another person.
An accidentally blocked number of someone from your family or friend, for example, on a Samsung j1 or j3 android phone, as well as on an iPhone, you can unblock it from the black list at any time.
[info]You can also have your phone say the caller’s name when you call. Very convenient — details here. — Samsung Galaxy.
A slightly different situation, when it was not you who did it, but the operator, for example, tele2 or mts, then the actions are different.
How to block someone’s number by blacklisting
Depending on the phone number that makes our life inconvenient, we can use several options to block it.
In the case of «SPAM», operators who have «black lists» come to the rescue and, at our request, can block incoming calls from these numbers.
The situation with private and institutional is somewhat more complicated. Operators do not have the authority to block such connections.
Then each user must take the appropriate steps to exclude certain numbers from the list of received incoming calls and blacklist them.
How to unblock a phone number — blacklisted by the operator and in the application
SMS code.
Each such activated service can also be deactivated. Information about the content of the codes for individual operators can be found on their websites.
Not all phones have a built-in functionality, the so-called «Black List» (who has how to unlock I will describe below), then such users will need applications from third-party software developers enthusiasts.
In case of blocking by a «third party», this is done by adding them to the «black list» using additional applications.
In this way, the unblocking is done by nothing more than removing him from the list in which you placed him and restoring his full ability to contact us.
Therefore, each decision can be reversed at the right time when you want to talk to a person.
How to Unblock a Blacklisted Number on iPhone
As in the case of transferring data to another device, iPhone users are again in a slightly better position than Android owners. The fact is that, starting with the iOS 7.
0 operating system, the option to block unwanted numbers is a system option.
Thanks to this, the lock does not require the installation of any special application. It is enough that in the list of incoming calls we find the one from which we do not want to receive calls, then we press the information symbol (lowercase letter and in a circle) — it is located next to the unwanted contact or number.
After opening the next view, we have various options — however, we are interested in the last item in the list: block the number. We click on it and it’s ready. The function works the same in the message list or in Face Time mode.
If by mistake we have blocked the right one or are no longer angry with the blocked person, we can remove this number from the black list. The list of blocked numbers can be found in the settings.
We need to click on «Phone» and then select blocking and call identification. This allows us to display a list of all blocked numbers — to remove a number from the blocked calls list, simply click «Edit» in the top right corner and select the relevant contact to remove from the list.
As with Windows Phone, this was not the case until recently. Only exceptionally, if we did a jailbreak, we could use third-party programs such as iBlacklist, which allowed us to block unwanted calls.
How to unblock a blacklisted number on android
As with iOS devices, Android smartphones can also block unwanted calls systemically. Unfortunately, this option was only introduced in the latest version of the operating system — android 7.0 Nougat.
To unblock the blacklist, you just need to click on the «Phone» icon, select settings «(ellipsis at the top right), select «Block numbers» and click on the «red minus» icons opposite those you want to unblock.
For those who don’t already have this feature, before your device gets — if any — a proper update, you have to manage it somehow.
It appears that the major manufacturers have already introduced a blocking option in their system overlays. An unwanted number can be blocked on Samsung, HTC or even LG phones.
This function is most commonly available in the Settings menu. Then go to connection settings and find the appropriate tab. How the menu item is described depends on the model and version of the operating system.
If you do not have a device that is equipped with an incoming call blocking system, one way is to permanently store the unwanted number in your voicemail forwarding list.
To do this, for an unwanted contact in the menu, select the option of forwarding the connection to voice mail. Thanks to this, every call from this number will go to your mailbox.
This simple trick can also be used to create your own blacklist. Just create one contact, described as «black list» for example, add unnecessary numbers to it and apply the above scheme. The best thing about this method is that this method works on most phones.
Among the call blocking programs we find many that will help get rid of the intruder. Avast recommended! Mobile Security, which, in addition to permanently blocking a number, has features that allow you to block numbers at a certain time.