What does an IMEI check actually tell me?
It depends on the check. A carrier and SIM-lock check tells you which network a handset is tied to and whether it is locked. A blacklist check tells you whether it has been reported lost, stolen or barred for unpaid bills. An iCloud or Find My check tells you whether activation lock will stop the next owner using it. A model lookup turns a bare IMEI or serial into the exact model, colour and storage size. Each service on our price list says what it returns before you buy it.
What is the difference between a blacklisted phone and a locked one?
A locked phone works, but only on one network until it is unlocked. A blacklisted phone has been reported to a carrier or police database and will be refused service on that country's networks regardless of which SIM you put in it. A phone can be clean and locked, blacklisted and unlocked, or any combination, which is why dealers usually check both before buying.
Can a blacklisted IMEI be cleaned or removed?
Be wary of anyone who promises to wipe any blacklist for a flat fee. A blacklist entry is held by the carrier or the reporting authority, and it can only come off through that party. What matters is the reason it was listed. So the order is always the same: run the check first, read the reason, and then we can tell you whether a removal is possible for that device and what it takes. We would rather tell you no up front than take money for something that cannot be done.
How long does a factory unlock take?
It varies by carrier and model. Each unlock service on our list shows its own delivery window before you order, and you get an email the moment the result lands. A factory unlock is applied at the carrier database, so the handset stays unlocked through updates and factory resets.
Is a factory unlock permanent?
Yes. A factory unlock changes the device's status in the carrier's own records, which is why it survives software updates and restores. It is not the same as a software or bypass unlock, which can be undone by an update.
What happens if a check comes back with no result?
You are refunded automatically. Suppliers occasionally return nothing for a valid IMEI, and you should not pay for an empty answer. The refund lands back on your balance without you having to ask.
Do I need an account to run a check?
Yes, but it is free to open one and there is no card required to start. Pay-as-you-go accounts pay per check at checkout. Business accounts run on prepaid credit at lower per-check pricing and need a short review before they go live.
What is the difference between the free tier and a business account?
The free tier is pay-as-you-go: nothing up front, no balance to maintain, and you pay for each check or unlock as you order it. A business account keeps a prepaid balance, gets dealer pricing on every service, and each order comes straight off the credit rather than through a card each time.
Which devices can you check?
Apple, Samsung, Motorola, Google Pixel and most other major brands, along with carrier and blacklist databases in the United States and several other countries. The full list with prices is on our services page and it updates as our suppliers change theirs.
Where do I find my IMEI?
Dial *#06# on the handset, or look under Settings, then General, then About on an iPhone, or Settings, then About phone on Android. It is also printed on the SIM tray of most iPhones and on the box. A serial number works for most Apple checks as well.
Still stuck?
Buying used stock? Our checklist for buying a used phone runs through the checks in the order a dealer would. Otherwise send us a message and a person will answer. If you are ready to start, the pricing page shows everything we sell and opening an account is free.