How To Know If IMEI Is Blacklisted, Unlocked, Or Fake?

International Mobile Equipment Identity or IMEI is a unique number that is given to each smartphone by the smartphone manufacturer.

If you have recently bought a used smartphone or are interested in getting one, and you want to know if it’s blacklisted, unlocked, or fake, then this guide is for you.

Here is an article on my website that you must read, its about Your IMEI Number & Device don’t Match | What Causes it and What To Do?

In this WearToTrack Guide, I will share the different methods which you can use to know if IMEI is blacklisted, unlocked, or Fake! Let’s get started.

How To Check If IMEI Is Blacklisted?

If you are interested in buying a used smartphone, it’s very important that you check the IMEI of the device. If the device is blacklisted, it means that it’s stolen, or there could be other reasons.

If you want to learn what happens when the IMEI number is blacklisted, check this guide where I have explained everything in detail.

Now, let’s come to our main topic, which is how to check if IMEI is blacklisted. These are the different ways that you can use to check if IMEI is blacklisted or not.

Use IMEI.info

When it comes to checking Blacklisted IMEI, the sites like IMEI.info comes in handy because they allow you to check IMEI through various carriers’ databases.

The best thing about IMEI.info is that it maintains the individual database of most network carriers around the world which makes it easier to find if the IMEI is blacklisted or not. Here’s how you can check the IMEI using IMEI.Info.

• Go to the official website IMEI.info.
• Enter the IMEI Number in the search bar
• Now clear the reCAPTCHA
• Click “Check.”
• That’s it.

The system will check the IMEI Against all available databases, and it will let you know if there’s any record of it in the databases.

Use IMEI24.com

IMEI24.com is another very popular website that allows you to check if the IMEI is blacklisted or not. Like the previous website, IMEI24.com is also pretty fast and reliable. Here’s how you can check the IMEI with IMEI24.com.

• Go to IMEI24.com
• Enter the 15-Digit IMEI Number
• Complete the ReCAPTCHA Verification
• Click Check, and that’s it.

The system will check the IMEI Against all databases and will show the details, including status, model release date, and more.

Use Website of Local Telecom Authority

Many countries around the world have their own Local Telecom Authorities, and many of them offer free services to check the IMEI Number.

If your country has the Telecom Authority, visit the official website, and from there, you can check the IMEI Status of your smartphone.

These are the three ways to check if the IMEI of your smartphone is blacklisted or not. If your device is blacklisted, there’s a process that you can follow to remove it from the Blacklist, and I have explained it in my guide “How to Unlock a Blacklisted Phone for free”.

How To Check If The IMEI Is Unlocked?

Many Network carriers allow their consumers to buy smartphones at discounted prices, but the catch in this offer is that they sell Locked Devices, which means that your device can only connect with their Network.

If you are buying a device and you want to check if the IMEI is unlocked or locked, then you can do it by using the following method.

The quickest way to find if the IMEI is Unlocked is to use an Online IMEI Checker. You can use the sites such as IMEI.info or IMEI24.com to check the status of your IMEI.

Alternatively, you can use the services of your network providers to check it. Many Network Service Providers such as Verizon & AT&T have their own IMEI Checkers, which allow their users to check the IMEI Status of their smartphone.

How To Check If The IMEI is Fake?

IMEI Changing is an illegal process, and it’s punishable in many countries. However, many people often change the IMEI of stolen phones and sell them in the open market.

So if you are getting a used smartphone and want to check if it has Fake IMEI, there are two ways to do it.

The first method is to use the Online IMEI Checker websites such as IMEI.info or IMEI24.com. These websites will provide the details of the smartphone which is registered with that IMEI, and you should verify the details by matching them.

If there’s a discrepancy, don’t buy that smartphone and report it to a local law enforcement agency as that phone might be stolen.

The second way to check fake IMEI is to use the official checker of your smartphone company. Many smartphone companies such as Xiaomi have their own product verification tools which allow you to verify the authenticity of the device using IMEI.

Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs]

Can A Blacklisted Cell Phone Be Unlocked?

If you are the owner of the phone and you have proof of ownership, then you can unlock the blacklisted phone by contacting the local law enforcement agency.

Does changing IMEI remove Blacklist?

If you change the IMEI of your device, you will be able to access the Network with the new IMEI, but it comes with many challenges. On top of that, it’s illegal to change IMEI in many countries.

Can Your Phone Be Blacklisted For Non-payment?

Yes, if you don’t clear your dues after multiple notices, your network carrier has the right to put you on the Blacklist. Also, the only way to get out of the Blacklist is to pay your pending dues.

How can I Check my IMEI for Free?

There are free websites such as IMEI.info and IMEI24.com, which allow you to check the IMEI for free.

Conclusion

You can accurately evaluate the device before purchasing the product via IMEI. The IMEI number is a universal approval measure. In fact, you can check the authenticity of the products via IMEL. 

Moreover, you can know whether the IMEI is blacklisted, unblocked, or fake by applying those procedures. In addition, by using the IMEI, you can know the specification of the device.