Buying a used iPhone
Check if an iPhone is blacklisted
Enter the IMEI or serial number. The free check identifies the model in seconds, no sign-up, plus the warranty for Apple devices. The blacklist status — reported lost or stolen — is paid: part of the Premium report for an iPhone, available on its own for other brands.
Works with any phone: iPhone, Samsung, Xiaomi, Google Pixel… For Android, use the IMEI.
What does “blacklisted” mean?
When a phone is reported lost or stolen, the carrier adds its IMEI to a blacklist shared by carriers worldwide and run by the GSMA.
A blacklisted phone turns on and works over Wi-Fi, but it cannot join any mobile network: no calls, no texts, no data. The block follows the IMEI, not the SIM card — a new SIM or a new carrier does not help.
Blacklist, iCloud Lock, carrier lock: three different things
A seller can honestly say the phone “isn’t locked” while thinking of only one of these. They are independent, so check all three.
Blacklist
Run by carriers, based on lost or stolen reports. It blocks the mobile network, not the device itself.
iCloud Lock
Run by Apple. If Find My is on, the iPhone stays tied to the previous owner’s account and asks for their password: the device is unusable.
Carrier lock
The mildest one: the device is legitimate but only accepts SIMs from the carrier that sold it. It can often be unlocked.
What a clean result proves, and what it doesn’t
A clean result means the IMEI is not reported lost or stolen as of today. That is a strong signal, not an absolute guarantee: a phone stolen yesterday may not be reported yet.
Before you pay, also check iCloud Lock, ask for the purchase receipt, and be wary of a price far below market or a seller in a hurry.
Only have the serial number?
The blacklist is checked by IMEI, but listings often show the serial number instead. That’s fine: from an iPhone serial number, the Premium report finds the IMEI and checks the blacklist.
Where to find the IMEI
- Dial *#06# in the Phone app: the IMEI shows up right away.
- Settings > General > About: the IMEI and serial number are both listed.
- On the SIM tray or the original box, handy if the phone won’t turn on.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check if an iPhone is stolen by IMEI?
Enter the IMEI above and choose the Premium report: if the device was reported lost or stolen, it shows as blacklisted. Check iCloud Lock too, since a stolen iPhone may not be reported yet.
Is the blacklist check free?
No. The free check identifies the model, plus the warranty for Apple devices. Blacklist status is paid: for an iPhone it is part of the Premium report, along with iCloud Lock and carrier; for any other phone it is sold on its own.
Can an iPhone be removed from the blacklist?
Only the carrier that blacklisted it can remove it, usually at the request of the rightful owner — for example when a lost phone is found or an unpaid bill is settled. Kelpom does not unlock devices: a blacklisted iPhone should not be bought.
Does it work for Samsung or other Android phones?
Yes. The blacklist is tied to the IMEI, not the brand, so it covers every phone: Samsung, Xiaomi, Google Pixel, Huawei… Enter the IMEI (a serial number is not enough for Android) and order the blacklist check from the result page.
Does a blacklisted iPhone still work?
Over Wi-Fi, yes: it turns on and apps work. But it cannot connect to any mobile network, in any country whose carriers share the list.
Can an iPad, Apple Watch or Mac be blacklisted?
Only devices with an IMEI — that is, with a cellular connection — can be blacklisted: iPhone, iPad Cellular, Apple Watch Cellular. A Mac or a Wi-Fi iPad has no IMEI, but can still have iCloud Lock, which is checked by serial number.
Check the phone before you pay
Free model check in seconds; blacklist status for any phone, and the full Premium report for an iPhone.