All Devices · Blacklist Check

Lost & Stolen Device Database

Check whether a device has been reported lost, stolen, or blacklisted by carriers. The most important safety check before buying any used phone.

15-digit IMEI

Dial *#06# on the handset to display its IMEI.

This check runs against a live device database. Create a free account to run it.

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Understanding Blacklists

What is the IMEI Blacklist?

The IMEI blacklist is a shared database maintained by carriers and the GSMA (Global System for Mobile Communications Association) that records devices reported as lost, stolen, or involved in fraud. When a device's IMEI is blacklisted, it is blocked from connecting to mobile networks — it cannot make calls, send texts, or use mobile data.

Blacklisting is the most serious status a device can have. Unlike a carrier lock (which can be removed), a blacklisted phone is essentially useless for cellular connectivity. The block often extends internationally, as carriers share blacklist data across borders.

Always check the blacklist status before buying a used phone. If a device is blacklisted after you've purchased it, you'll have no recourse — the phone becomes a brick.

Blacklist Status Types

Clean

Not reported — safe to buy and use

Blacklisted

Reported lost, stolen, or fraud — blocked from networks

Warning: Buying a blacklisted phone is essentially buying a paperweight. It cannot be used on any mobile network and has near-zero resale value. Always check before paying.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a blacklisted phone be unblacklisted?

In some cases, yes. If the original owner reports the device as found, the carrier can remove it from the blacklist. If the blacklisting was due to unpaid bills, paying the balance can resolve it. However, phones blacklisted for theft are extremely difficult to unblock.

Does the blacklist work internationally?

Yes. The GSMA shares blacklist data between carriers globally. A phone blacklisted in the US will also be blocked in the UK, EU, and most other countries. Some less connected networks may not check the blacklist, but major carriers worldwide do.

Is buying a blacklisted phone illegal?

Buying a blacklisted phone is not necessarily illegal, but selling a known stolen device is. The bigger issue is practical — a blacklisted phone cannot connect to mobile networks, making it essentially useless as a phone.

How do phones get blacklisted?

The most common reasons are: the original owner reported it lost or stolen to their carrier, the device was involved in insurance fraud, or the original buyer stopped making payments on a financed device.