Last updated on January 21st, 2025 at 01:04 am
As you might know, every smartphone counts on a unique IMEI number containing several device specifications and is used by carriers to have a record of which phone belongs to which user, and to report devices if flagged as lost or stolen. This also applies to iOS handsets, which are better known as iPhones and are all cellular devices manufactured by Apple and of course, count with their respective IMEIs, so they can be blacklisted as phones from all other brands worldwide.
If that’s your case and you’re dealing with a reported IMEI on a phone that’s clearly yours, don’t worry, UnlockHere can help you figure out if that’s really a blacklist lock and unlock iPhone 11 if that’s the type of lock you have. To do so, we’ll answer today the most common questions people ask in these cases and show you all about the safest, simplest, and fastest unblacklisting method nowadays.
What is a Blacklist Report and why would my Current Carrier do it?

IMEI/blacklist locks are the result of the reports made on the international blacklist database, which are made by network providers when an iPhone is flagged as lost or stolen. What this report does is that it leaves a record for all other carriers to know that it’s not being used by its legitimate owner and lock it out of their networks.
With that, all the cellular functions on your phone are rendered useless, so you end up not being able to place calls, send SMS messages, use mobile data, or anything associated with the device’s connectivity, which are basic features on a cellular device. However, this doesn’t mean the iPhone in question was necessarily stolen, this lock can be enabled also in phones financed on installment plans that were not paid for or on devices associated with some sort of illegal/fraudulent activity.
How can my iPhone be Blacklisted if I didn’t report it?
It happens a lot that people find themselves stuck with this lock when they’re the rightful owners of their devices. If your iPhone is locked but you didn’t make the report, it is possible that someone submitted a report using the wrong IMEI number or that you bought a second-hand device without noticing the seller had reported it. Both scenarios are very common, but before you look for ways to unlock your iPhone, it’s better to confirm it is reported because there’s a chance you’re simply having connectivity issues, so let’s see how.
Steps to Check if your iPhone is Blacklisted without contacting your Carrier
Reported iPhones are regulated by the U.S. wireless communications industry, which is represented by the CTIA, so the best way to get reliable information about your iPhone’s IMEI-lock status is by using the CTIA’s Stolen Phone Checker platform. You’ll find an IMEI checker on that page, where you’ll only be asked to enter the IMEI of the phone you think has been blacklisted by its network carrier and that’s it, the website will show if it’s reported or not.
The steps to run the IMEI/blacklist verification of your iPhone 11 (Pro Max) are very simple, you only have to visit the website we mentioned before, click on the option it says “customer”, enter your iPhone’s IMEI number (MEID/ESN numbers are also supported), and submit your request. This is overall a very easy process, but if you don’t know what’s your IMEI/MEID/ESN, it’s better to look it up beforehand because you’ll not only need it for this verification but also for the iPhone unlocking process itself.
Finding the IMEI Number of your Smartphone
- Dial *#06# from your iPhone’s keypad.
- Look it up on the iPhone’s settings app.
- Check if it appears on a sticker in the device’s original box.
- Check if it’s printed on the iPhone’s back cover or its SIM card tray.
Is it possible to IMEI Unlock iPhone 11 with IMEI Number without contacting the Carrier?
It sure is possible to unblacklist your iOS device, in fact, various alternatives might help you sort out this problem, so it’s just a matter of checking the options and deciding which is best for your specific situation. For example, the very first method to consider is always contacting your original carrier and placing an unlock request, but that can be very difficult because they take two or three weeks for the unlock and it involves a lot of paperwork, so it’s easier to look for external alternatives like UnlockHere’s service.
Can I Unlock my Blacklisted iPhone directly with Apple?
Unfortunately, Apple cannot help you fix your IMEI-locked handset because they don’t have anything to do with IMEI reports, so it’s kind of out of their hands. They do offer unlocking services for locks that they enable and control like, for example, the iCloud Activation Lock for when you forget your Apple ID, but they can’t do anything with blacklist reports.
Is it a Good Idea to Unlock my iPhone through a Jailbreak?
Not really, if you jailbreak your mobile device, you’ll void Apple’s warranty, will probably damage the phone, and will make it vulnerable to cyberattacks. This is a very invasive bypass method and not recommended at all because there are other methods more effective, less risky, and way easier like UnlockHere’s AI-powered unblacklisting service.
Guide to Unlock iPhone 11 for Free with IMEI Number: Steps and Benefits
Unblacklisting your Apple device using UnlockHere’s services is very easy and practical because everything is processed online, so there’s no need to install IPA files on the phone or go personally to a branch office to complete it. So, if you already found your IMEI number and are ready to permanently unlock your phone with our AI-powered unlock platform, simply place your request by following this easy step-by-step:
- Visit UnlockHere’s module for iOS devices.
- Select the brand of your device, which is Apple in your case.
- Enter the IMEI number of your iPhone.
- Enter your name and email address.
- Submit your request and follow the instructions on the page.
Benefits of Permanently unlocking your iPhone with UnlockHere
The principal benefit of completing the unblacklisting process with us is, of course, that you’ll be able to use your iPhone as normal once again because the connectivity restriction will be completely removed. However, our platform offers several advantages over other methods like, for example, the process with your carrier; these include that our software is completely free to use, there are no requirements, you can unblacklist second-hand devices, and we offer full privacy protection, just to name a few!
Fix any iPhone with the IMEI Number using our AI-Powered Unlock Service!
UnlockHere’s platform is widely compatible with all cellular Apple device references because it operates remotely, which means that our program doesn’t get affected by your phone model or iOS version installed. It doesn’t really matter if you’re trying to fix an iPhone 6s, an iPhone 11, or the last iPhone 15 Pro Max, you can still unlock the phone without any restrictions or limitations and, of course, without having to change the IMEI number.
In addition, it’s worth clarifying that our iPhone unlock service can be used using any smart device as long as it counts on a stable internet connection and has access to a browser. It doesn’t matter if it’s a PC with MacOS or Windows, a tablet, or another cellular device, our website can be accessed 24/7 worldwide and there’s no need to download or install anything.
How Long does it take to Unlock an iPhone Free with the IMEI Number?
One of the greatest advantages that we offer is that our process only takes a couple of minutes while carriers, for example, take weeks to process these types of requests. Now, that’s not because our service is less effective, it’s simply because as carriers run the official unlock, they need to do a lot of verifications and it has to be approved by a lot of departments, but we are a third party, so we get to simply eliminate the report and that’s it.
Trying to Unlock iPhone with IMEI Number for Free: FAQs
Now that you know the ins and outs of unlocking blacklisted iPhones using IMEI, we’ve put together a list of the most frequently asked questions we get from our readers. Take a look to clear up any lingering doubts you might have, and if you still have questions, don’t hesitate to dive into more articles on our blog!
How can I check my IMEI Number Online for Free?
If you think your iPhone might be blacklisted, the best thing you can do is run a quick IMEI verification because that way you’ll get to discard other types of connectivity problems. For example, there are many cases in which users only needed to remove SIM locks from their phones and there were no IMEI reports. For that, we recommend using either CTIA’s Stolen Phone Checker or UnlockHere’s IMEI Checker, which are tools that can give immediate results at no cost for all iPhone models.
Can I Unlock iPhone Free with IMEI Number?
With UnlockHere, you can definitely eliminate your phone’s blacklist report once and for all, everything from the comfort of your home and without any unlock policies or requirements. All you need to do is provide us with the IMEI of the locked iPhone and that’s it, we’ll remotely remove the blacklist status, ensuring your device is completely and permanently unlocked in less than an hour!
Does Jailbreaking an iPhone unlock it?
Yes, jailbreaking an iPhone can unlock it, but it’s a very risky procedure because it involves removing software restrictions imposed by Apple, which voids your warranty and exposes your device to security vulnerabilities. Also, it is worth mentioning that jailbreaking does not eliminate the blacklist report but just temporarily bypasses the network restrictions, which means that if your iPhone is blocked, it will remain so in the eyes of all carriers.
What is the Best iPhone Unlocker Online?
UnlockHere’s AI-powered lock removal platform offers the #1 external method to unlock phones free with IMEI! Our advanced and free unlock service uses sophisticated technology to remotely remove IMEI blacklist reports, all in less than an hour and without the need of even connecting your iPhone to the computer. With UnlockHere, you can enjoy a hassle-free unlocking experience that guarantees your iPhone will be unlocked securely and efficiently, so don’t hesitate and get your iOS smartphone back to normal in no time!
How do I get the IMEI Number of my Mobile Phone?
The very first thing you should try to get the IMEI number (International Mobile Equipment Identity) of your iOS device, is to check if it appears printed on its SIM tray. If not, you can also go ahead and dial *#06# on the device for the code to appear on your screen (it’s as if you were making a call and typing that code on the phone keypad). In addition, there is also the option of looking it up in the iPhone’s Settings app >> “Settings” >> “General” >> “About”; there, you’ll see the IMEI number listed along with other device information.