Can you still use a phone with a bad ESN?

A bad ESN means you can’t activate an iPhone on your current carrier. For example, if you purchase an iPhone with a bad ESN from someone who used it on Verizon, then you won’t be able to activate that phone on Verizon.

What is Verizon ESN?

ESN means Electronic Serial Number and is 11 digits containing both numbers and letters. If you’re switching to Verizon and you want to keep your device, you’ll need to provide the IMEI or MEID. Verizon doesn’t require the ESN when activating a device on our network.

Can a blacklisted Verizon phone be unlocked?

Contact Verizon and tell them you’re trying to remove a phone from being blacklisted. Give the IMEI of the device. They’ll give you information as to why it was blocked. If they’re all settled, they’ll proceed to unblock or activate the phone.

How do I check an ESN number for Verizon?

To find your serial number (ESN): Android devices: Settings > About Phone….You’ll be asked to provide the following info:

Type of device.
Model name/number.
Place of purchase.
IMEI.

Can a phone with a bad IMEI be used?

A phone that is blacklisted will have a bad Equipment Serial Number (ESN) or International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number. As a result, the phone cannot connect to cell towers in the United States, and you can’t use it to connect to the internet or make calls.

Is ESN and IMEI the same thing?

Manufacturers assign a unique number to every phone they produce depending on the technology it supports. Those that support CDMA use an identification number known as Electronic Serial Number (ESN), while those that GSM ones use International Mobile Equipment Identification (IMEI).

What is my ESN number?

For Android Phones: You’ll find it in the fine print near the bottom and it’s usually one of the last numbers. Be careful using this method because the backplate or SIM tray of an iPhone could have been changed.

How long does Verizon blacklist a phone?

The Federal Communications Commission has granted Verizon permission to keep newly purchased phones locked to its network for a period of 60 days. As a result, the leading US carrier says it will soon do exactly that, claiming it’s meant to prevent fraud and identity theft.

How do I check if an ESN is clean?

How to check if a T-Mobile iPhone has a clean ESN:

Go to the Verify IMEI T-Mobile page on T-Mobile’s website.
Type your IMEI number into where it says “IMEI status check”
Wait for the next page to load – it will tell you if your device is compatible.

What happens if you use a blacklisted phone?

Blacklisting works by blocking your phone’s unique identifier (IMEI number). When a phone is blacklisted because it has been lost or stolen, it cannot make or receive calls or use data.