Bad Imei.

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Level 1

12 points

Bad Imei.

Hi,

please Is it possible for a brand new unopened / unused iphone to have a bad imei on a carrier’s network? I’ve come across ads like that and im wondering how possible that is. I’d really appreciate your thoughts. Thank you. Regards.

Posted on Mar 13, 2020 2:03 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

sberman

Level 10

268,359 points

Mar 13, 2020 2:22 PM in response to doxaenergy

doxaenergy wrote:

please Is it possible for a brand new unopened / unused iphone to have a bad imei on a carrier’s network?

Yes.

iPhones are designed for use on specific networks and/or in specific regions/countries. If a different cellular carrier network is used, or a different region/country, failure should be expected.

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Answer 2

sberman

Level 10

268,359 points

Mar 13, 2020 2:42 PM in response to doxaenergy

We need much more information from you. Examples:

What country was the iPhone purchased in?
What country is it being used in?
What is the exact model name and number of the iPhone?
What does “ an AT&T iPhone” mean?
Was the SIM card replaced? If so, what are the properties of the new SIM (carrier, country)?
How was the iPhone purchased?
Was the iPhone locked to AT&T? If so, did AT&T unlock it?

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Answer 3

doxaenergy Author

Level 1

12 points

Mar 13, 2020 3:25 PM in response to sberman

Okay so here it is: recently I was surfing through eBay and came across an ad of a brand new unopened and never used iPhone XS Max locked to AT&T with a bad imei which couldn’t activate on a cellular network. It was being sold for parts.

it got me confused cos how can an unopened iphone have a bad imei?? Does it mean the phone is useless and can never be used as real iPhone anywhere in the world?? Is there nothing the carrier can do about it ???

Thats why I decided to ask just to be sure what it really is.

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Answer 4

doxaenergy Author

Level 1

12 points

Mar 13, 2020 4:03 PM in response to deggie

Thanks @deggie

but that’s the point. How could an unused unopened brand new phone be “stolen or blacklisted” owing to payment issues which are the usual conditions of a bad imei?? That’s what I don’t get if you understand my point? I intend to have a talk with them tomorrow though.

thanks a lot again for your thoughts

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