ESNs on phones can be bad, which indicates that the carrier has blacklisted the phone, and carriers use ESNs to identify specific phones and blacklist those that have been stolen.
The blacklist is a database of all the reported IMEI or ESN numbers; if your phone has a blacklisted number, your carrier may block services, and in the worst case, local law enforcement may seize your phone.
Unfortunately, if the previous owner blacklisted the device by reporting it as lost or stolen, then the carrier will not be able to remove or unlock the blacklisted phone.
Can You Use a Phone With a Bad Esn
If you buy an iPhone with a bad ESN from someone who previously used it on Verizon, for instance, you won’t be able to activate that phone on Verizon because it won’t work with your current carrier.
Can a Bad Esn Phone Be Unlocked
You can switch carriers to unblock your phone in some cases, but you may also need to use software to flash, or install a new operating system, on your phone. All carriers have access to a phone’s ESN or IMEI, but one carrier may not always recognize another’s blacklist.
What Does Esn Mean on a Cell Phone
An Electronic Serial Number (ESN) or a Mobile Equipment Identifier (MEID), which some mobile devices may display under the battery, below the battery, or on the back of the phone, uniquely identifies every mobile device.
Why Is Esn Bad
The following conditions will qualify an ESN as “bad”: The phone is still in use (receiving calls, texts, etc.); the wireless account has an unpaid balance; the phone has been reported lost or stolen.
Does Bad Esn Mean Blacklisted
ESNs on phones can be bad, which indicates that the carrier has blacklisted the phone, and carriers use ESNs to identify specific phones and blacklist those that have been stolen.
How Do I Change My Esn
- Select Validate ESN and follow the instructions to confirm the new ESN is free to use.
- Enter the new ESN in the field provided.
- Select Change ESN.
- Finally, select Network Provisioning.
Is Esn and Imei the Same Thing
The ESN was used by CDMA carriers like Sprint and Verizon, whereas the IMEI is used by GSM carriers like T-Mobile and AT&T. Both the IMEI and the ESN are used to uniquely identify a mobile device, but they are not the same.
Can a Bad Imei Be Fixed
Ask your carrier if you can bring your account current to get your ESN/IMEI off the blacklist if it has been blacklisted for non-payment. Once it is off the blacklist, you can either keep using it or sell it.
What Happens if Your Imei Is Blocked
When a phone is blacklisted due to loss or theft, its unique identifier (IMEI number) is blocked, preventing it from making or receiving calls or using data.
How Do You Tell if Your Phone Is Blacklisted
Go to Settings > About on an Android device, or Settings > General > About on an iPhone.
How Do I Check if My Esn Is Clean
Visit the T-Mobile website’s Verify IMEI page and wait for the subsequent page to load, which will indicate whether your device is compatible.
Can I Activate a Blacklisted Phone
Unfortunately, if the previous owner blacklisted the device by reporting it as lost or stolen, then the carrier will not be able to remove or unlock the blacklisted phone. Once your device is off the blacklist, you can either use it or sell it.
Can a Blacklisted Phone Be Unblacklisted
The blacklist is a database of all the reported IMEI or ESN numbers; if your phone has a blacklisted number, your carrier may block services, and in the worst case, local law enforcement may seize your phone. If a phone is blacklisted, it means that the device has been reported lost or stolen.
Can You Use a Blacklisted Phone With Prepaid
In response to your question, the global Blacklist is shared by all carriers and serves to prevent any lost or stolen device from being activated on a cellular network.
Does Clean Esn Mean Unlocked
A phone can be both unlocked and clear ESN, which means you can use it with any carrier and that it was not reported stolen.
Can You Unlock a Blacklisted Phone
Unfortunately, if the previous owner blacklisted the device by reporting it as lost or stolen, then the carrier will not be able to remove or unlock the blacklisted phone. Once your device is off the blacklist, you can either use it or sell it.
How Long Does a Phone Stay Blacklisted
Due to the potential for longer detection times, phones used in fraudulent activity may be blacklisted for up to 120 days after the incident.