F.A.Q.

Which devices can I check on Kelpom?

Every iPhone, iPad, Mac (iMac, MacBook, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, Mac mini, Mac Studio, Mac Pro), Apple Watch and iPod, using its serial number. iPhones and cellular iPads can also be checked by IMEI.

For other brands (Samsung, Google Pixel, Xiaomi, Huawei…), the IMEI identifies the model and tells you whether the device is blacklisted. Samsung devices also get a Knox Guard lock check.

Accessories (AirPods, cables, chargers) and Apple TV are not supported.

Where do I find my device's IMEI or serial number?

• iPhone: dial *#06# on the keypad, or open Settings > General > About. The IMEI is also printed on the SIM tray and the original box.
• iPad and Apple Watch: Settings > General > About.
• Mac: Apple menu > About This Mac. The serial number is also engraved on the underside of most MacBooks.
• Android phones: dial *#06#, or search for "IMEI" in Settings.

If you are buying remotely, ask the seller for a screenshot of the About screen rather than a photo of the box: the box may belong to a different device.

What is the difference between a serial number and an IMEI?

The serial number is assigned by Apple to every device. It is 10 to 12 characters long (letters and digits) and exists on every Apple product, including Macs and Wi-Fi iPads.

The IMEI is a 15-digit number given to any device that can connect to a mobile network. It is what carriers use to blacklist a phone. A device with no cellular connection (Mac, Wi-Fi iPad, GPS Apple Watch) therefore has no IMEI.

If you only have an iPhone's serial number, the Premium Report finds the matching IMEI to check the blacklist.

Do I need an account to check a device?

No. The free check, Premium Reports and Premium FLEX Packs all work without an account. Your report is emailed to you and stays available at any time through its link.

A free account does give you more free checks, a history of your searches, and the ability to register your own devices.

Is this service free?

The basic check is free: it shows the device's exact model and, where available, its color, capacity, manufacture date and warranty status. Creating an account and registering your devices are free too.

To prevent abuse, free checks are limited over a rolling 24-hour window:

• 10 checks without an account, 20 with a Kelpom account.
• 10 extra checks for 24 hours after buying a Premium Report.
• Checking a number you already searched in the last 24 hours does not count.
• Devices registered in your account are never counted.

Once you reach the limit, you can wait for your quota to free up, or use a Premium FLEX Pack: as long as it holds tokens, your basic checks carry on with no limit and no token is deducted.

What does the Premium Report add?

The information that tells you whether the device is usable, not just what it is. There are three tiers for iPhones and cellular iPads:

• Classic: iCloud Lock, GSMA blacklist, SIM-lock and carrier, serial/IMEI conversion, color and capacity, estimated purchase date.
• Smart: everything in Classic, plus MDM lock (corporate devices), the Apple "Chimaera" block, demo or loaner units, and US carrier block.
• HD: everything in Smart, plus the retailer and country where the device was originally sold.

For Macs, the Mac Report (HD) covers the retailer and country of purchase, the detailed configuration (chip, memory, storage), iCloud Lock and MDM lock. Every check can also be bought on its own. Sample reports and prices are on the Pricing page.

What is a Premium FLEX Pack and how do tokens work?

A Premium FLEX Pack is a prepaid balance of tokens, handy if you check several devices: each Premium Report or single check costs a set number of tokens, and the price per token drops as the pack gets bigger.

Without an account, the pack is tied to a 6-character code sent by email, which you enter at checkout. With an account, the tokens are attached to it directly.

How long does a Premium Report take?

Usually under a minute. Some checks go through external databases that can be slower, so a full report may occasionally take a few minutes. The generation page shows progress live.

You can close the page without losing anything: the report is emailed to you as soon as it is ready (check your spam folder), with a permanent link to view it again.

What happens if a check fails?

If a check paid with tokens fails, the tokens are automatically credited back to your pack. If you paid directly and your report does not arrive, email contact@kelpom.fr with the number you checked: we will rerun the check or refund you.

What is iCloud Lock (Activation Lock)?

Activation Lock turns on automatically when Find My is enabled on an iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch or Mac. While it is on, the owner's Apple ID and password are needed to reset and reuse the device.

A used device that is still locked is useless to you. Check this status before any purchase, especially a remote one: if the seller cannot (or will not) turn it off, that often means they are not the legitimate owner. Note that the owner can turn Find My back on at any time while the device is still in their hands.

Can iCloud Lock be removed?

Only the account owner can remove it, from iCloud.com or from the device settings. Apple can also remove it on presentation of a proof of purchase in the requester's name. Be wary of services promising to "unlock iCloud": at best they do not work, at worst they exist to move stolen devices.

What is the difference between blacklist, iCloud Lock and SIM-lock?

They are three independent locks: a device can be affected by one without the others.

• Blacklist: the IMEI has been reported to the GSMA, usually for theft, loss or unpaid bills. The device can no longer connect to participating mobile networks, but it still turns on and works over Wi-Fi.
• iCloud Lock: managed by Apple. It stops the device from being used at all until the owner's account is removed.
• SIM-lock: the device only accepts SIM cards from one carrier. It is not a sign of theft, but it limits how the device can be used.

Can a Mac or Wi-Fi iPad be blacklisted?

No. Only devices with an IMEI can be blacklisted. For a Mac, a Wi-Fi iPad or a GPS Apple Watch, iCloud Lock and MDM lock are what you need to check.

What is MDM lock?

MDM (Mobile Device Management) lets a company or school manage the devices it owns remotely. A device enrolled in MDM can be reconfigured, restricted or locked remotely, even after a full reset.

An iPhone or Mac sold by a private seller while still tied to an organization is best avoided: the only fix is for the organization to release it.

What is the Apple "Chimaera" block?

It is an activation policy Apple applies to certain devices that prevents them from activating. Apple publishes neither the criteria for this block nor a process to dispute it, and no publicly known method removes it. It is rare, but an affected device is unusable, which makes it worth checking before a significant purchase.

Does a "clean" result guarantee the device is not stolen?

No, and no service can guarantee that. A recently stolen device may not have been reported yet, and a report depends on the owner contacting their carrier.

A report with no warnings greatly reduces the risk. For a safe purchase, also make sure iCloud Lock is off, that the number shown in Settings matches the listing, and ask for the purchase invoice.

Which payment methods do you accept?

Credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay and PayPal. Payments are processed by Stripe and PayPal: Kelpom never has access to your card details.

Can I get a refund?

Yes. You have 14 days after purchase to request a refund for an unused Premium Report or Premium FLEX Pack. Send a request stating the reason to contact@kelpom.fr: refunds are made within 5 business days. The full conditions are in our Terms of Sale.

Can Kelpom access my personal data through the serial number or IMEI?

No. These numbers only give access to information about the device itself. We cannot obtain the owner's name, their Apple ID or anything stored on the device. The only personal data we hold is what you give us: your email address and, if you create an account, your name.

Is my serial number recorded when I search?

Yes. Searched numbers are kept to compile statistics, improve the service and enforce the free-check limit. They are never made public or linked to your identity for third parties.

My device was lost or stolen. Can Kelpom help?

Yes, if you registered the device in your Kelpom account. Report it as lost or stolen from the My Devices page: anyone who checks its number on Kelpom will see the alert and can reach you with the "Contact the owner" button, without your email address being revealed until you reply.

Also report the loss to your carrier (to have the IMEI blacklisted) and turn on Lost Mode from iCloud.com.

Found a device? Check its number on Kelpom: if the owner reported it, you can contact them directly from the result page.

Someone has already registered my device on Kelpom. What should I do?

Contact us with proof that you are the legitimate owner (a purchase invoice, for example). We will remove the device from that account and suspend it. If you are selling your device, use the Transfer option on the My Devices page to move it to the buyer's account instead.

I am a professional. Do you have a business offer?

Yes. Resellers, repair shops and refurbishers can request a Pro account, which lets you check numbers in bulk. Apply from your account, or contact us to find out more.