Free tool

IMEI check: is this phone blacklisted in Canada?

Enter the 15-digit IMEI to make sure the number is valid, then run it through Device Check Canada, the free lookup from the Canadian Telecommunications Association. It tells you if the phone was reported lost or stolen, which blocks it on Canadian networks. Do this before you buy any used phone.

Check an IMEI

This check runs in your browser. We don't send or store the number.

How to find your IMEI

  1. Dial *#06#Works on almost every phone. The IMEI appears on screen.
  2. iPhoneSettings > General > About. Scroll to IMEI.
  3. AndroidSettings > About phone. On some Samsung phones it is under Status information.
  4. The box or SIM trayThe original box has an IMEI sticker. Some iPhones print it on the SIM tray.

Phones with two SIMs, or a SIM and an eSIM, have two IMEIs. Check both.

What the result means

ResultWhat it meansWhat to do
Not reportedNo lost or stolen report on participating Canadian networks.Check the locks below before you pay.
Reported lost or stolenParticipating Canadian carriers will not activate it.Don't buy it. Only the carrier that blocked it can remove the block.
Not a valid IMEIThe number has a typo, or it is not a real IMEI.Read it again with *#06#. A seller who can't give a valid IMEI is a red flag.

What an IMEI check won't show

  • iCloud Activation LockOn the iPhone, open Settings and make sure no Apple Account is signed in. A locked iPhone can't be set up by anyone else.
  • Google account lockOn Android, check Settings > Accounts. The seller must remove their Google and Samsung accounts before a reset, or the phone stays locked.
  • Carrier lockA locked phone only works on one carrier. Put in your own SIM, or ask the seller to show it unlocked.
  • Unpaid financingA phone can be reported and blocked after you buy it. Buy from a seller who offers returns and a warranty.

New reports can take up to 48 hours to reach the list, so a clean result today is not a guarantee.

Every phone we sell is checked

The IMEI of every phone we sell is checked against carrier blacklists and lost or stolen reports, and every phone is unlocked. It comes with up to a 1-year warranty on refurbished devices and 14-day returns. See our promise.

Selling a phone? We can't buy phones that are blacklisted, reported lost or stolen, or locked to an iCloud or Google account. See how selling works.

Shop checked, unlocked phones

Questions people ask

What is an IMEI number?
A 15-digit number that identifies one phone's cellular connection. No two phones share one. Carriers use it to block phones that are reported lost or stolen.
Is an IMEI check free?
Yes. The validator on this page is free, and so is Device Check Canada.
What does blacklisted mean?
The phone was reported lost or stolen to a carrier. Participating Canadian carriers check the list before they activate a phone, so a blacklisted phone won't connect to their networks.
Can a blacklisted phone be unblocked?
Only the carrier that blocked it can remove the block, usually when the account holder who reported it asks. If you are buying, walk away.
Does an IMEI check show iCloud or Google lock?
No. Device Check Canada only shows lost or stolen reports. Check for iCloud Activation Lock and Google account lock on the phone itself, as shown above.
Can a phone get blacklisted after I buy it?
Yes. If the original owner reports it lost or stolen later, the block can still apply. That is why buying from a seller with a warranty and returns matters.
Does a valid IMEI prove the phone is genuine?
No. The last digit is a check digit, so the validator catches typos and made-up numbers. It doesn't prove the phone is genuine, unlocked or unreported.
Why does my phone have two IMEIs?
Phones that take two SIMs, or a SIM and an eSIM, have one IMEI for each. Check both before you buy.
Do you check the phones you sell?
Yes. The IMEI of every phone we sell is checked against carrier blacklists and lost or stolen reports. See our promise.