Please note: This article is correct for iPhone models 6/7/8/11/X/XS/XR
If you’ve ever purchased a used iPhone only to find out that it didn’t function normally once you inserted your SIM card, then this article is for you. If an iPhone notifies you that your SIM card is not valid or not supported, the probability that it’s been blacklisted is pretty high.
Of course, the easiest way to resolve this problem is by getting in touch with the previous owner and asking for their assistance. However, unfortunately mostly sellers of used goods simply turn a blind eye to emails or calls. And that’s why we decided to write this article – to help you get around this issue.
We will take an in-depth look at how to unlock an iPhone that’s been blacklisted and cover topics such as:
- What does it mean if an iPhone is blacklisted
- How you know that your device has been blacklisted
- Activating an iPhone that’s been blacklisted
- Bonus content: Unlocking a device that’s been subjected to the iCloud Activation Lock
So, we’re pretty sure that you’d like to access the full functionality of your iPhone, so without further ado, let’s get cracking.
What Does it Mean if an iPhone is Blacklisted
If an iPhone has been blacklisted, this simply means that it’s been blocked by the powers that be. This might occur for any number of reasons including having it reported as lost or stolen or if the previous owner had unsettled bills on their account. If a device is blacklisted, it cannot be connected to any wireless carrier until such a time as it gets un-blacklisted.
Blacklisting devices is a security measure that was brought in to help solve the problem of rampant iPhone theft. It was also useful in determining whether or not second-hand dealers were selling stolen iPhones or ones that had been reported as lost.
The blacklist is connected to the IMEI number of devices and as these numbers are unique, this makes sense. It is an accurate way for carriers to track iPhones that have been reported as lost or stolen and shut them out from networks.
How Do You Know that Your Device Has Been Blacklisted
It is quite simple to check the blacklist status of your device and there are several online tools that can help you. We recommend taking a look at this reliable blacklist checker to accurately determine your device’s status.
The checker can help you determine with 100% accuracy whether or not your phone has been blacklisted and it’s a very simple process. The only thing you need to do is to go to the site and submit your IMEI number.
If you’re not sure what your IMEI number is or how to find it, just click here for Apple’s official guide to locating yours.
Unlocking or Activating a Blacklisted Device
If you go through the process noted above only to discover that your IMEI number and therefore your device has been blacklisted – don’t panic. There are still a number of ways to unlock your iPhone, regardless of which carrier you use.
There are four different methods to follow if you want to activate or unlock your blacklisted device. We will go through them separately, and if you have any questions or queries, simply drop us a comment or get in touch!
Contacting your Carrier – Only Free Blacklist Removal Option
This method is the solution of choice for most people as it doesn’t cost a cent. If you want to opt for the only free method of unlocking your blacklisted iPhone, you should get in touch with the original carrier and ask them why they blacklisted the phone in the first place.
If the device got blacklisted because there are outstanding payments on the account, you’ll simply need to settle the bill and your device’s IMEI will be removed from the blacklist.
However, if the device has been blacklisted because it was reported as lost or stolen, then the carrier will regrettably not perform the blacklist removal process. So, if that’s the case, you’ll need to go for one of the alternative methods mentioned below.
Unlocking a Device That’s Been Reported as Lost or Stolen
There are a few third-party services available that can assist you in removing your iPhone’s IMEI from the blacklist. Generally, they also allow you to select any other carrier for your iPhone once the removal is complete.
A third-party IMEI blacklist removal service offers the following:
- Ability to remotely unlock a blacklisted iPhone with only the IMEI number
- Permanent and legal service meaning your device will never be locked again
- Compatible with all iPhone models (iPhone 4 – 11)
Here it is important to remind you that these services, like DirectUnlocks and ExpressUnlocks, charge a fee for the removal process. But, each of them offers a 100% money-back guarantee which means that you’re entitled to a full refund should they not be able to successfully unlock your phone.
Unlocking a Blacklisted AT&T Device
For this method, we’ll use DirectUnlocks as the example. We used DirectUnlocks for the test and successfully unlocked a blacklisted iPhone 6 from AT&T.
This is how we went about it:
- Visit the IMEI blacklist removal service website.
- Choose your country and the network the device has been linked to.
- Submit your IMEI number.
- Choose your device model.
- Click “Continue”.
Once you’ve completed the payment process, they will start processing your order. Their delivery time varies between 1 – 24 hours and all you have to do is wait.
Did you know that we have a “Lucky Fan” promo currently on the go? Every month we’ll select three readers at random, and for each one we will assist in getting their devices unlocked by covering the payment for any blacklisted iPhone or iCloud/FRP-locked devices.
So, do you also want to be like Sarah – a Lucky Fan? Drop us a comment below stating your name, device and email address. Once a month we’ll contact three random readers via email and they will get their devices unlocked!
Replace your IMEI Chip
The third way of unlocking a blacklisted iPhone is by replacing your IMEI chip. Unfortunately, this method is not compatible with the most recent iPhones. It is fairly complex, will only work on older iPhone models (iPhone 3GS and 4) and basically obsolete by now.
Unlike the second method, this one isn’t universal and you may be hard pressed finding a clean IMEI chip to use. So, due to the fact that this method won’t work for most of our readers and can be quite difficult to get right – we’ll just move on to the next one.
Getting in touch with the Seller
The last possible method, and the most efficient one, will be to get in touch with the previous owner of the device. Unfortunately this can be quite difficult to do as many sellers of second-hand devices won’t take your calls and may even turn a blind eye to emails or messages.
If your blacklisted device was bought on eBay, there are refund procedures that you can follow that will ensure you at least get your money back.
Bonus content: Unlocking a device that’s been subjected to the iCloud Activation Lock
The iCloud Activation Lock has been causing headaches for second-hand iPhone users since its inception. It can also be very frustrating to go through all the trouble of getting your device removed from the blacklist, only to discover that it’s still iCloud-locked. Unfortunately, this is a fairly common problem.
But don’t fret! We can help you get your device successfully unlocked by following a very simple process.
AppleiPhoneUnlock is the best way of getting your iCloud Activation Lock lifted. AppleiPhoneUnlock offers a variety of services which means that not only can they help you get your device removed from the blacklist, but they can also help you unlock the Activation Lock!
All you need to do is follow these easy steps:
- Go to the iCloud Removal Service website.
- Choose your iPhone model and submit your IMEI number.
- Click “Unlock Now”
- Complete the payment.
And there you have it! AppleiPhoneUnlock’s delivery time is 24 – 72 hours, which is longer than it will take to remove your device from the blacklist, but it’s definitely worth the wait.
In Conclusion
So, there you have it – all you need to know about getting your blacklisted iPhone unlocked and activated. As we mentioned, in most cases we’d recommend an IMEI unlock (such as Direct Unlocks) as the best solution to your situation.
For any questions or queries, please just drop us a comment and we’ll get right back to you!
