What is blacklisting or bad IMEI? By definition, according to the dictionary, it is something that “should be avoided and unacceptable.”
In the smartphone, cellular, and wireless industry, blacklisting is a widely used term to describe and categorize a smartphone’s relationship to wireless carriers and it’s potential to access wireless service and signal. Blacklisting is also referred to as a phone having a bad imei.
Often people confuse a blacklisted iPhone as being locked. This is not necessarily true. FRP/Icloud/Google/Samsung locked phones are independent of carrier restrictions. These are physical locks on the smartphone/device and in the manufacturers system or cloud. The relationship between the wireless carrier and manufacturer is independent of one another. Even though a device could be locked and blacklisted simultaneously, these are two separate things and have to be dealt with separately. Your phone itself is not blacklisted. This is why it could still be used for basic internet usage over wifi and its basic functions outside of calling and mms texting through the carrier.
Basically the serial number or IMEI within your phone is blacklisted, meaning no US carriers such as At&T, T-mobile, Sprint will not allow service to the particular phone’s imei or serial number. This can be caused by several factors such as unpaid bill when phones are financed and also devices being reported lost and stole and filed on insurance claims. 
Often time when phones are blacklisted the own has no use for the device because it cannot be activated in the US And look to sell the phone for cash.
A few things you must keep in mind if you find yourself in this situation is that a blacklisted iPhone is typical worth about 70% Less then it would be if the same device was not blacklisted. The reason being is that typical the phone are only good for parts and can never be used in the us on any of the major carriers. As always, contact us for all of your smartphone needs. We appreciate your business. Have a great week!
