Are you in the market for a used phone? Do you want to make sure that it will work with your carrier? Then you need to know how to verify the ESN on a phone before buying it.
An Electronic Serial Number (ESN) is a unique code assigned to each mobile device by its manufacturer. Knowing how to verify this number is essential if you want to make sure that the phone is ready for use with your wireless provider.

In this article, we’ll go over how to check an ESN and why it’s important.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- Verifying the ESN on a phone before buying it is essential to ensure that it will work with your carrier and to protect you from any potential liability issues down the road.
- Checking for stolen items on databases is important before buying a used phone.
- Contacting the service provider is important to confirm that the device is ready for activation and to determine if the device has any outstanding contracts or fees associated with it.
- Using a third-party tool can help you avoid any unnecessary fees or fraud risks associated with buying an ESN that isn’t active or compatible with your carrier.
What is an ESN?
You may be wondering what an ESN is, and it’s actually quite simple: it’s a unique number that identifies your mobile device. This number has been used in the telecommunications industry since the 1970s and allows companies to track the electronic serial numbers of phones they have in their database.
Knowing this history of ESN is important because it shows how long it has been around and its legality as part of the purchasing process. When you are looking to buy a phone from someone, verifying the ESN can help ensure that you don’t purchase something stolen or with illegal activities associated with its past use.
In addition to checking for stolen items on databases like StolenPhoneChecker or IMEI24, you should also check if the seller has proof that they legally own the device so that you know who owns it now. It is important to remember that when verifying an ESN, there are certain legal obligations involved.
It’s always best to have all necessary documentation before purchasing any type of mobile device, as this will protect you from any potential liability issues down the road. Doing research ahead of time can save you from making a costly mistake later on!
How to Verify the ESN?

Verifying the ESN of a phone before buying it is very important. You can check the manufacturer’s database, contact the service provider, or use a third-party tool. All of these methods will help you ensure that you’re getting what you expect when purchasing a new phone.
To verify the ESN, simply follow one of these methods. Don’t take any chances when it comes to buying a new phone. Ensure that it’s legitimate and won’t cause you problems down the line.
Check the Manufacturer’s Database
Checking the manufacturer’s database is essential when verifying a phone before buying it. Often, you’ll find over 90% of all IMEI numbers listed in their system.
By checking the database for the ESN number associated with the phone, you can learn important details about its condition and whether or not it’s ready for activation.
Knowing this information will give you peace of mind during the purchase process and ensure that the device will go through an easy activation process when it arrives.
Make sure to check your manufacturer’s database before making your purchase so that you know exactly what kind of phone you’re getting.
Contact the Service Provider
Before completing your purchase of a used phone, it’s important to contact the service provider to confirm that the device is ready for activation. It may be necessary to enter the ESN into the company’s system in order to determine if the device has any outstanding contracts or fees associated with it.
This will depend on how old and what type of cellular network technology is used with the phone. If there are any active service contracts, you will need to make sure they are paid off before attempting to activate the device with a new service plan.
Another reason why contacting the service provider is important is that it allows you to verify that all network settings have been reset correctly and that no other accounts are connected with it.
You can also check which cellular networks are compatible with your device, as well as whether or not there are any hidden fees or restrictions associated with its use.
Use a Third-Party Tool
You’ll want to use a third-party tool to make sure the phone you’re considering is ready for activation. This can help you avoid any unnecessary fees or fraud risks associated with buying an ESN that isn’t active or compatible with your carrier.
With a third-party tool, there are several benefits:
- Your ESN will be checked quickly and easily against thousands of carriers spanning North America and abroad.
- You can get real-time results on whether the phone is active or not, as well as its compatibility with your chosen carrier.
- Many third-party services don’t charge a fee for checking ESNs, so you won’t have to worry about any hidden costs when verifying the ESN on a phone before purchase.
Conclusion
By considering the steps outlined above, you can trust that the ESN on a phone is verified and ready to use. When buying an unlocked phone, it’s important to make sure that the ESN has been properly checked and verified.
This can be done by using a third-party tool such as IMEI Checker or GSMArena. These tools will provide detailed information about the phone’s history, including whether or not it has been reported lost or stolen. Additionally, they will also tell you if the ESN is valid and in good standing with its carrier.
Once you have confirmed that the ESN is valid and in good standing, you can proceed with your purchase knowing that your new device is safe to use. It’s also important to remember that even after verifying an ESN, there are still other factors to consider when buying an unlocked phone such as compatibility with your current network provider and any additional fees associated with unlocking a device from its original carrier.
By taking these extra precautions when purchasing an unlocked phone, you can ensure that your new device will work properly without any issues down the line. With these tips in mind, you’ll be able to confidently buy an unlocked phone knowing that its ESN has been thoroughly checked and verified for safety and reliability.
As a professional trainer and a gadget lover, I’ve spent a lot of money and time buying wearable activity trackers, smartwatches, and gadgets, and checking them out. My site is focused on helping you with your activity tracking and smart technology journey. I try to provide the most helpful updated content on this subject. Hopefully, you will love my blogs and be a regular around here.