Are you trying to find a guide on how to activate a blacklisted Verizon phone? Do you want a tutorial that’s complete and comprehensive to help you activate a blacklisted phone from Verizon?
Worry not, because, in this guide, we will be giving you all the steps you need to be able to activate a blacklisted Verizon smartphone!
To activate or unblock a blacklisted Verizon phone, the first method is to contact Verizon and ask if it can be activated or remove the block. Next, try using an IMEI blacklist removal service. Lastly, try replacing the IMEI chip of the phone.
In your journey of finding out how to activate blacklisted Verizon phone, it’s important to have a full understanding of what a blacklisted phone is. You may be wondering, why is my phone blacklisted?
Why is My Verizon Phone Blacklisted?
Blacklisting is an activity carried out by service providers to “block” or to restrict people from using the device. But what are the common reasons why blacklisting is done?
Part of the most common reason as to why blacklisting is done include:
- Incorrect or improper information
- Stolen/lost devices
- Unsettled and unpaid bills (debts)
- False reports of lost/stolen device (insurance fraud)
These are just some of the most recurrent reasons why phones and other devices are blacklisted.
What does it mean when a device is blacklisted, though? What can or what can’t you do?
What Are the Restrictions of a Blacklisted Device?
When a device is blacklisted, it doesn’t automatically mean that the phone will be shut off completely.
The following are the restrictions or the prohibitions of a blacklisted phone or device:
- Will be unable to send outgoing or receiving incoming texts
- Will be unable to make outgoing or receiving incoming calls
- Won’t be able to activate or turn on mobile data
Therefore, you’ll only be able to use it as a regular device when you have it connected to WiFi.
It can be such a nuisance when you find out that your phone is blacklisted after you purchased it.
But what if you’re not already able to return it? Is there something you can do to activate or unblock a blacklisted Verizon phone?
How to Activate a Blacklisted Verizon Phone?
Activating or unblocking a blacklisted device, regardless of where the IMEI or its serial number is blocked, is complicated.
Since most carriers wouldn’t have information about why it’s blocked, it’ll always often be judged negatively.
But, luckily for you, we’ll be outlining the steps on how you can activate a blacklisted Verizon phone!
We’ll give you different methods of activating or unblocking a phone from the blacklist.
Method 1. Through Verizon (Provider)
Step #1: Check the IMEI of the Phone
The first thing you want to do is to double-check the IMEI of your device. You’ll usually be able to see this in Settings > About Phone/About Device on an Android.
On an iPhone, though, you can find it by going into Settings > General > About Phone > IMEI.
List it down so you’re sure that it’s correct.
Step #2: Contact Verizon (Provider That Blacklisted the Phone)
The next step would involve contacting the provider that blacklisted the device, and in this case, Verizon.
In this step, you’ll need to inquire about the chances of being able to use the phone. And for that, you have to…
Step #3: Ask for the Unlock Code
In order to unblock blacklisted devices from the way they were blocked, you need the unlock code for the phone.
The unlock code is the code you need to input for the phone to be usable. To do this, follow these steps:
- 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.
Once that’s all done, your phone should be unblocked and be activated within two (2) hours from the time of the call.
From there, you can now use it with a different SIM card, given the fact that it’s unlocked.
This is the most favorite and most sought-after method because it’s free and it only requires you to contact the provider that produced the phone.
In most cases, blacklisted phones would be unblocked by these providers, especially since most blacklists are errors.
Method 2. Third-Party Blacklist Removal Services
The next method or process you can do is to contact a blacklist removal service to perform an unblocking of the IMEI.
There are several companies that offer the removal of an IMEI from the blacklist, enabling it to be used again with a different SIM card/provider.
By doing this method, you’ll be able to:
- Legally remove an IMEI or a phone from the blacklist permanently
- Use the phone/device again with a different SIM card
Although this method isn’t free, it’s a sure deal that your IMEI will be removed from the blacklist!
If the process fails, most, if not all of these companies offer a money-back guarantee, assuring you that their services are efficient and effective.
Method 3. Replacing the IMEI Chip
And last, but most definitely not least is to have your IMEI chip replaced. The IMEI is the unique identifier of smartphones, as well as other devices, and changing/replacing it can help you use your phone again!
For this method, it will require patience and knowledge of where you can get a clean and legal IMEI chip. To help you with it even further, here’s the usual flow of the process:
- Bring your phone to the nearest gadget store.
- Ask if they have an IMEI chip for the phone or the unit that you have.
- Request for an IMEI chip replacement.
NOTE: This method is the least favorite because it’s the most tedious and it’s the riskiest of all.
Besides the fact that it’s challenging to look for a store that offers the IMEI chip you’re looking for, not all devices have an IMEI chip that’s physical.
In fact, most of the devices we use today have their IMEIs embedded into the device itself, making it impossible to remove.
By doing any of these three methods, it’ll only be a matter of time until you’re able to activate and use the previously blacklisted phone to any network you wish to use it on!
Read Next: How to Upgrade a Phone on Verizon?
Conclusion
Activating a blacklisted Verizon phone can be done in a few different ways. You can do it through Verizon, through a third-party blacklist removal service, or by replacing the IMEI chip of the device.
There are many different tutorials online that you can check to learn how to activate a blacklisted Verizon phone. But, you wouldn’t be able to find a guide that’s as comprehensive and as complete as this!
The next time that you find yourself in need of a guide on how to activate a blacklisted device, you can go back to this tutorial any time!
Kevin has over five years of experience working in various Tech startups and providing Technical solutions. He has contributed to many Tech publications and websites.