A used phone that won't connect to any network is one of the fastest ways to lose money on a second-hand deal. This guide explains what blacklisting means, how to check a phone for free in a few minutes, and what to do if you've already bought a blocked one.
Disclaimer:
This article is for general information only and is not legal advice. For a dispute over a purchase, contact your bank, your provincial consumer protection office or a lawyer.
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Blacklisted |
Carrier-Locked |
Activation-Locked |
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What it means |
The IMEI is reported lost or stolen |
The phone only works with one carrier |
The phone is still tied to the last owner's account |
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Who sets it |
The carrier that took the report |
The carrier that sold the phone |
Apple or Google, through the owner's account |
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Can you fix it? |
No, only the original owner's carrier can |
Yes, unlocking is free in Canada |
Only the last owner can remove it |
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What still works |
Wi-Fi only |
Everything, on that one carrier |
Nothing until it's removed |
What Does It Mean When a Phone Is Blacklisted?
A blacklisted phone has its IMEI number on a shared list, so Canadian carriers refuse to connect it to their networks.
What an IMEI Number Is
An IMEI is a 15-digit number that identifies the phone itself, not your SIM card or your account. Swapping in a new SIM doesn't change it. Phones that support eSIM or two SIM cards usually have two IMEIs, one for each line.
How Canada's National Blacklist Works
The Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (CWTA) launched the national list in 2013. When an owner reports a phone lost or stolen, their carrier adds its IMEI, and every participating carrier blocks it from that point on.
The list also connects to an international database run by the GSMA, so a phone reported stolen in the US can be blocked here too.
A few details matter if you're buying. It can take up to 48 hours for a new report to reach the list. And only the carrier that listed the phone can remove it, and only at the original owner's request.
That's why a reputable seller checks every phone before listing it, as part of a grading and inspection process that includes a clean IMEI.
How to Check if a Phone Is Blacklisted
A free check takes about two minutes, and it should happen before any money changes hands.
1. Find the IMEI
Dial *#06# on the phone and the IMEI appears on screen. You can also find it in Settings, under General and then About on an iPhone, or under About Phone on Android. On some iPhones, it's also printed on the SIM tray.
2. Make Sure All the Numbers Match
Compare the IMEI on the screen with the one in Settings, on the box and on the receipt. If any of them don't match, walk away. At our buy-back counter, an IMEI that doesn't match the box is one of the most common red flags we catch, often on phones with a swapped motherboard or a box from a different device.
3. Check Both IMEIs on Dual-SIM Phones
Many recent iPhones and Android phones list two numbers, often shown as IMEI and IMEI2. Check both, since one line can be blocked while the other looks clean. This is common on Samsung Galaxy phones and on any iPhone that supports eSIM.
4. Run the IMEI Through Devicecheck.ca
Enter each number on Devicecheck.ca, the free checker run by the CWTA. It tells you whether the phone has been reported lost or stolen to a participating carrier in Canada or abroad. Take a screenshot of the result with the date showing.
5. Test It With a Working SIM Card
Put your own SIM card in, or ask the seller to use theirs, and make a short call. A phone that shows "No Service" or "SIM not supported" may be blacklisted or carrier-locked. Either way, you want to know before you pay.
6. Get the IMEI on Your Receipt
Ask for a receipt that lists the seller's name, the date, the price and the IMEI. If the phone is ever flagged later, this is your proof of purchase for a refund or a payment dispute.
The Risks of Buying a Blacklisted Phone
A blacklisted phone costs you more than the price you paid for it.
Here's what you're taking on if a check comes back flagged:
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No cell service on Rogers, Bell, Telus or any carrier that uses the national list
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No way for you to clear it, since only the original owner's carrier can remove the listing
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Police can seize the phone if it turns out to be stolen property
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No trade-in or resale value, because reputable buyers check every IMEI
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A good chance it's also Activation Locked to the last owner's account
We turn away a handful of trade-ins every month because the IMEI comes back blacklisted, and the seller is often surprised. Many of them bought the phone second-hand themselves and never ran the check.
That's the cycle a free two-minute check breaks, and it's one reason we've checked every phone that comes through our doors since 1997.
Warning Signs a Phone Might Be Blacklisted
Most blacklisted phones show red flags before you ever type in the IMEI.
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The price is far below what the same model sells for elsewhere
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There's no box, no receipt and no clear story about where it came from
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The seller only wants to meet in a parking lot, not a store or police station lobby
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The listing says "works on Wi-Fi only" or "needs a new SIM"
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They want an e-transfer or cash before you can test the phone
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The phone still shows someone else's lock screen or Apple ID
None of these prove a phone is stolen. But two or more together should make you slow down. A listing's label can hide a lot too, so it's worth knowing what refurbished and pre-owned really mean before you compare prices.
What to Do If You Already Bought a Blacklisted Phone
Act quickly, because your options shrink the longer you wait.
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Contact the seller. Ask for a refund in writing and keep every message. A business is far more likely to fix it than a private seller.
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Dispute the payment. If you paid by credit card or PayPal, open a dispute right away. Most have time limits, often 60 to 120 days.
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Report it. If you think you were scammed, report it to your local police and to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. Include the IMEI, the listing and the seller's details.
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Don't try to change the IMEI. Altering it is against carrier terms and can get the new number blacklisted too. Don't resell the phone either, since that passes the problem to someone else.
If Your Own Phone Is Lost or Stolen
The same list that protects buyers also protects you if your phone goes missing.
Call your carrier or use its online account to report the phone lost or stolen. They'll suspend your line and add the IMEI to the national list, so a thief can't use it on any Canadian network. If it was stolen, file a police report too.
If the phone turns up later, tell the same carrier it's been recovered. They'll ask for it to be removed from the list, which usually takes about a day. In the meantime, a phone under $200 can keep you connected without a big spend.
Final Thoughts
A free IMEI check is the cheapest insurance you'll ever buy on a used phone. If you're in Montreal, you can see phones in person at our store on rue Paré, or shop certified pre-owned phones with a clean IMEI and shipping across Canada.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a blacklisted phone still be used on Wi-Fi?
Yes. Blacklisting only blocks the phone from cell networks, so apps, browsing and Wi-Fi calling apps like WhatsApp still work. But it can't make regular calls, send texts or use mobile data. If it's also Activation Locked, you may not get past the setup screen at all.
Does a factory reset remove a phone from the blacklist?
No. The block is tied to the IMEI on the carrier's side, not to anything stored on the phone. A reset wipes your data and apps, but the phone stays on the list until the original carrier removes it.
Can a phone be blacklisted in Canada for an unpaid bill?
The national list is meant for lost and stolen phones. Some carriers have also listed phones obtained through fraud, such as a contract signed under a fake identity. An ordinary missed payment usually doesn't lead to blacklisting, but practices vary by carrier, so ask the carrier directly if you're unsure.
Will a phone blacklisted in the US work in Canada?
Usually not. Canadian carriers share data with the GSMA's international database, which includes major US carriers. A phone reported stolen in the US will often be blocked here as well.
Is it illegal to buy a blacklisted phone in Canada?
Buying a phone you know is stolen can be a criminal offence. If you bought it in good faith, you're unlikely to face charges. But police can still seize stolen property, and you may not get your money back.
Do eSIM-only phones have an IMEI that can be blacklisted?
Yes. Every phone that connects to a cell network has at least one IMEI, including US iPhones from the iPhone 14 onward that have no SIM tray. Dial *#06# to see it, and check it the same way as any other phone.
Are paid IMEI checker websites worth it?
For blacklist status in Canada, the free CWTA checker is the source carriers rely on. Some paid sites add extras like carrier lock status, warranty dates or iCloud status. Those extras can help, but don't pay for a check you can get for free.
