Or type your status into the URL: ?status=blocked to deep-link.
All GSMA-related statuses at a glance
In a wholesale lookup report, each IMEI returns one of a handful of statuses. The first column is the label you will see; the second column is what it actually means; the third column is what to do as a wholesale buyer.
| Status | Meaning | Buyer signal | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clean | No active blacklist flag in the GSMA Device Registry. The device can be activated on participating carriers. | Proceed, then run iCloud / lock checks separately. | Low |
| Lost | Reported missing by the registered owner; usually filed via the carrier or insurance. | Do not buy for resale on regulated channels. | High |
| Stolen | Reported stolen by the owner or law enforcement. Carries chain-of-custody risk. | Do not buy. Receiving-stolen-goods exposure. | High |
| Blocked | Generic blacklist flag without specifying lost vs stolen. Treat as blacklisted until you know why. | Walk away unless seller can document why. | High |
| Blacklisted | Synonym for Blocked in most lookup tools; the IMEI is flagged on the global blacklist. | Same as Blocked. Avoid for legitimate resale. | High |
| Barred | Network-side restriction. Often carrier-specific rather than global. | Confirm which carrier; may still be usable elsewhere. | Medium |
| Suspended | Temporary hold, usually for unpaid bills or fraud investigation. May be lifted. | Wait or walk; verify with carrier if seller cooperates. | Medium |
| Insurance Lost | Owner filed an insurance claim for loss; insurer paid out and locked the IMEI permanently. | Almost always non-removable. Avoid for resale. | High |
| Insurance Stolen | Same as Insurance Lost but for theft. Permanently blacklisted in most cases. | Avoid. The insurer effectively owns the IMEI. | High |
| Fraud | Flagged for fraudulent purchase, often chargeback-related or stolen-identity-related. | Avoid. Permanent blacklist; legal risk. | High |
| Financed | Outstanding balance on a carrier financing plan. The IMEI is locked until the balance clears. | Only buy if seller can settle the financing balance. | Medium |
| Warranty Void | Not a blacklist flag. Indicates the device has been opened or repaired outside authorised channels. | Affects warranty resale value, not activation. | Medium |
What does this decoder actually do?
This tool maps the label you see in a GSMA, CheckMEND, Swappa ESN, or carrier lookup report to a plain-English explanation, a wholesale-buyer recommendation, and the expected impact on resale value. It does not query any database; it explains the labels you already have from another lookup. For the actual database query, use one of the sources listed below.
Where do I run the actual GSMA blacklist lookup?
The decoder above explains the labels. To get the labels in the first place you need a paid or authorised lookup. The three most-used sources for wholesale buyers:
- GSMA Device Registry. The industry standard. Paid access via certified resellers; volume pricing for wholesalers.
- CheckMEND. Strong UK and US carrier-insurance coverage. Per-IMEI pricing with volume discounts.
- Swappa ESN check. Free US-focused lookup covering Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile. Fast first-pass triage.
Frequently asked questions
Is this tool free?
Yes. The decoder is a static lookup running in your browser. No login, no charge, no logging. You can also deep-link to a specific status with ?status=blocked.
Will this tool tell me if a specific IMEI is blacklisted?
No. The decoder explains the statuses you already have from a GSMA, CheckMEND, or Swappa report. The actual IMEI lookup is a paid or authorised query; use one of the sources listed above. For format and Luhn checksum validation, use our IMEI Check tool.
Does Clean mean the phone is safe to buy?
It is the minimum baseline, not full proof. Clean only refers to the GSMA blacklist. A Clean phone can still be carrier-locked, iCloud-locked, MDM-enrolled, or under a financing balance. Always run the next-step checks before paying.
Can a blacklisted phone be cleared?
Sometimes, if the original report was filed in error and the original reporter cooperates. Insurance-paid blacklists are usually permanent because the insurer effectively owns the device. Unauthorised IMEI removal via reflashing is illegal in most jurisdictions and is the standard marker of grey-market refurb fraud.
Is GSMA status the same as iCloud Activation Lock?
No. GSMA blacklist and Apple iCloud Activation Lock are separate systems. A phone can be Clean on GSMA but still locked to a previous Apple ID. Always run an Apple GSX or paid iCloud-lock check on iPhones alongside the GSMA blacklist check.
Buy from verified counterparties only
Aikon is the B2B wholesale electronics trading platform. Every seller is a verified company; offers include structured fields for region, condition, and lock status. Free for verified companies.