FoneTool Unlocker > iPhone Unlock Tips & Tricks > How to Unlock Blacklisted iPhone: 2 Common & Easy Ways

How to Unlock Blacklisted iPhone: 2 Common & Easy Ways

When you get a blacklisted iPhone, how can you do to unlock it? Find ways in this passage and you can also get a handy iOS unlocker to unlock various iPhone screen passcodes.

Kathy by Kathy Updated February 10, 2025
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How do I remove iPhone 16 from blacklist or unlock it?

So some backstory, I bought an iPhone 16 Pro Max from someone on offer up (first mistake). At first I was able to transfer my esim from my iphone 15 to the 16. After a week I transfer the esim back to the 15 and stopped using the 16 for a a while until recently when I tried transfering back and I was not able to. I went to my carrier to see what I can do and they told me that the phone was blacklisted.

- Question from Reddit

When your iPhone is lost, stolen, or involved in other unforeseen circumstances, the device may end up on a blacklist. This can also occur if you have unpaid bills or contractual dues.

Being blacklisted is a security feature designed to help reduce the likelihood of device theft for users. However, it can be quite frustrating if your phone is accidentally blacklisted or if you purchase a second-hand device only to find it's on the blacklist.

How to tell the iPhone is blacklisted

If you recently purchased a used iPhone and discovered that it isn’t functioning properly after inserting your SIM card, it’s possible that the device does not support your SIM or displays an “Invalid SIM” message. In many cases, this indicates that the iPhone has been blacklisted by its previous owner.

Checking whether your iPhone is blacklisted is simple and can be done through various online services. To get accurate results, it’s best to use a trusted blacklist checker.

Simply visit a reliable website or app, enter your IMEI number, and you’ll instantly see the blacklist status of your device. If you’re unsure how to find your IMEI number, check Apple’s official guidelines for assistance.

unlock blacklisted iPhone

Can a blacklisted iPhone be unlocked?

The answer is Yes! If your iPhone is blacklisted due to unpaid bills or contract issues, you can contacts your carrier to unlock it. If your device has been blacklisted due to theft or loss, or if you have purchased a second-hand phone that is blacklisted, you may need to use professional unlocking software to unlock the device.

How to unlock blacklisted iPhone through your carrier

One of the simplest ways to remove your iPhone from the blacklist is by contacting the carrier that originally blacklisted it. They can provide details on why the device was blacklisted and whether it can be removed. Since this method is free, it’s worth trying.

If your iPhone was blacklisted due to unpaid bills or an outstanding balance on the associated account, the only way to resolve this issue is to pay off the balance. Once the payment is settled, the carrier should remove the device's IMEI from the blacklist.

However, if the iPhone was blacklisted because it was reported as lost or stolen, the carrier is unlikely to remove it from the blacklist. In that case, you may need to explore alternative solutions.

How to remove the IMEI blacklist

Since each IMEI number is unique, changing it on a blacklisted iPhone is extremely difficult. Some users may wonder if replacing the IMEI chip could unlock their device. Technically, the answer is yes, but this method is complicated and only works for older iPhone models like the iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4. It does not apply to newer iPhones.

If you still have one of these older models, you can attempt this method, but keep in mind that it requires specialized knowledge and tools.

Bonus: How to unlock iPhone screen passcode without entering

As a highly popular iOS unlock tool, FoneTool Unlocker can help you easily remove various types of screen passcodes.

Highlights:
· Delete iPhone screen passcode without entering anything in simple steps.
· Remove iTunes backup password when apps require it and you can't remember.
· Remove Apple ID when you forget or don’t know the password.
· Remove the screen time restrictions for certain apps on the iPhone.

Now you download FoneTool Unlocker on your computer and follow the guidances below to know how to unlock your iPhone without entering any unlock password.

Download Freeware Win 11/10/8.1/8/7/XP
Secure Download

Step 1. Launch FoneTool Unlocker > Connect your iPhone to the computer via a USB cable.

Step 2. Go to Remove iOS Screen Passcode > Click on Remove Now to continue.

unlock screen passcode

Step 3. Confirm the on-screen instructions and click Next. If your device is not detected or is experiencing issues, you need to put it into Recovery Mode first.

go to remove iOS screen passcode

Step 4. Choose the firmware file you need and click Remove Now to begin the task.

start to remove iPhone screen passcode

⚠️ Note: This action will erase all your iPhone current data, so it’s better to back up iPhone data first to avoid data loss.

Conclusion

How to unlock blacklisted iPhone? Here we offer 2 ways for you to make it. You can choose the suitable one to meet your needs. If you need a useful iPhone unlocker, FoneTool Unlocker might be a good way to make it efficiently.

FoneTool Unlocker - 1-Click iPhone Unlock Software

Easily unlock all passcodes and restrictions on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch.

  • iOS 18 Compatible
  • iPhone 16 Supported

Best iPhone Unlock Software

  • Unlock iOS Any Type of Screen Lock
  • Remove Apple ID Without Password
  • Bypass Screen Time Passcode
  • Remove iTunes Backup Encryption
  • Unlock iPhone Without Data Loss
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