Check device unlock status, carrier lock, and blacklist for any IMEI number
An IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number is a 15-digit unique identifier assigned to every mobile device. It's like a fingerprint for your phone — no two devices share the same IMEI. Mobile carriers use IMEI numbers to identify individual devices on their networks.
*#06# — the IMEI will appear on screenA carrier-locked phone can only be used with the mobile carrier it was originally purchased from. For example, if you bought a phone on a contract with Verizon, it may be locked to Verizon and won't work with an AT&T SIM card.
How to unlock a carrier-locked phone:
A phone's IMEI can be blacklisted for several reasons:
A blacklisted phone will be blocked from connecting to most mobile networks, rendering it unusable as a phone (though it may still work on Wi-Fi).
An IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is a 15-digit unique identifier for your phone. You can find it by dialing *#06# on your phone, checking Settings → About Phone, or looking at the original box.
A carrier-locked phone can only be used with the mobile carrier it was purchased from. You'll need to contact the carrier or use an unlock service to use it with other carriers.
A blacklisted phone is blocked from most mobile networks and cannot make calls or use cellular data. It may have been reported stolen, so it's best to avoid purchasing blacklisted phones.
IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is a unique 15-digit number assigned to every mobile phone and some satellite modems. It serves as a digital fingerprint for your device, allowing mobile networks to identify and authenticate devices. Each phone has two IMEI numbers (IMEI 1 and IMEI 2) if it supports dual SIM cards.
There are several ways to find your IMEI: dial *#06# on your phone (the IMEI displays instantly), check Settings > About Phone > Status on Android, check Settings > General > About on iPhone, look at the original phone box (sticker with IMEI barcode), check the SIM tray or back cover of older phones, or view it in your carrier's app. The IMEI is printed on the device and should match what *#06# shows.
An IMEI check provides valuable device information: device model and manufacturer, carrier lock status (locked to specific carrier or unlocked), blacklist status (reported stolen or lost), activation lock status (Apple Find My / Google Find My Device), device warranty and purchase information, regional restrictions, and whether the device has been blacklisted for non-payment. This information is crucial before buying a used phone.
A blacklisted IMEI means the device has been reported stolen, lost, or has unpaid bills associated with it. Blacklisted phones cannot access mobile networks in most countries. Even if the blacklisting carrier changes, the IMEI remains on international blacklist databases. A blacklisted phone can only be used with Wi-Fi or by flashing a different IMEI (which is illegal in many countries).
These are different issues: a carrier-locked phone is tied to a specific mobile network but is not stolen — you can unlock it after fulfilling contract terms. A blacklisted phone is reported stolen or has unpaid bills and cannot be unlocked to work with other carriers. Always check both carrier lock status and blacklist status before purchasing a used phone.
A 15-digit IMEI consists of: TAC (Type Allocation Code) — first 8 digits identify the device model and manufacturer, FAC (Final Assembly Code) — digits 9-14 identify the manufacturing location, CD (Check Digit) — the 15th digit is a checksum calculated using the Luhn algorithm to verify IMEI validity. IMEIs can be displayed with or without hyphens: 35-345678-901234-5 or 353456789012345.
Buying a used phone with a problematic IMEI can leave you with an unusable device. Always check: blacklist status (stolen/lost devices), carrier lock (whether you can use your preferred carrier), activation lock (Find My iPhone/Device locks), iCloud/Google account lock, and warranty status. IPIPAI's IMEI check tool helps verify these details before you commit to a purchase.
Changing or cloning an IMEI is illegal in most countries including the US, UK, EU, Australia, and India. It's used primarily to bypass blacklists on stolen phones. Carriers can detect IMEI tampering through network analysis, and doing so can result in criminal charges. If you need a clean device, buy from reputable sources with verified IMEI history.
IMEI identifies the physical device and tracks it across networks. Serial numbers are manufacturer-specific and used for warranty and manufacturing tracking. Both can be useful, but IMEI is the primary identifier for carrier-related checks (lock status, blacklist, network compatibility). For iPhones, you can also check using the serial number through Apple's coverage checker.
Dial *#06# on your phone. The IMEI will display immediately on the screen. You can also find it in Settings > About Phone (Android) or Settings > General > About (iPhone).
A blacklisted IMEI means the device was reported stolen, lost, or has unpaid bills. Blacklisted phones cannot connect to mobile networks in most countries and should be avoided when buying used phones.
A blacklisted phone can only be used with Wi-Fi. It cannot connect to mobile networks. Even if you try different SIM cards or carriers, the blacklist follows the IMEI across all networks.
IPIPAI provides free basic IMEI checks. Detailed reports including carrier lock history, blacklist databases, and warranty information may require premium services from official carrier or manufacturer channels.