How to Fix iPhone With no Service and Check if a Phone is Blacklisted

Summary

If an iPhone is unable to connect to the cellular network, troubleshooting options include restarting the phone and resetting the network settings.
Blacklisting occurs when a phone is reported stolen, and the network connection is blocked by the carrier.
When purchasing a new phone from an unofficial distributor, take extra precautions: check previous feedback and reviews. Consider whether the cost savings are truly worth the decreased peace of mind.
Continue reading below for detailed instructions on how to resolve an iPhone that won’t connect to a network, what options are available if a phone is stolen or blacklisted, and how to avoid being scammed into purchasing a stolen phone.

True story. Last month, my step-son accidentally dropped a 25kg weight on his iPhone XR, shattering the screen. Despite being a potential excuse to upgrade a seven-year-old phone, it was indeed an accident. We immediately began searching for a replacement while visiting family in Ireland at the time. Knowing that every moment without a functional phone would be agonizing for him, we quickly downloaded NordVPN and began browsing UK product listings in hopes of purchasing a replacement on the same day.

It had to be an iPhone, given his age. However, we weren’t willing to spend a fortune on the latest model. Luckily, older-generation iPhones can still be purchased brand new at a fraction of their original price, with the iPhone 14 currently retailing in the UK for just under £500.

But then, we stumbled upon a listing on eBay for a brand-new, carrier-unlocked, sealed-in-box iPhone 14 at £470, with an additional £15 off coupon. The seller had excellent feedback. What could possibly go wrong?

If you’re reading between the lines, you likely already know that this was the turning point where everything went awry, and we would later regret buying a new iPhone from eBay.

The new iPhone arrives

Two days later, the iPhone 14 arrived much sooner than expected. It was indeed brand new and sealed in the box. Everything seemed fine. Step-son was thrilled with this fantastic surprise. All seemed well.

We unboxed it, inserted the SIM, powered it on, and then spent the next few hours cursing Apple and wishing we had opted for a similarly priced Google Pixel 9a or Samsung Galaxy A56 instead as we struggled to regain access to his Apple ID – he had forgotten the login, and we couldn’t access the recovery accounts. Eventually, a new Apple ID was created, and we gained access.

However, WhatsApp wasn’t functioning, and the phone was practically unusable at this point. After realizing he hadn’t updated iOS in his haste to set up the phone, we resolved the issue, and WhatsApp began working correctly. As long as WhatsApp and TikTok were operational, everything else was secondary – after all, young people don’t use phones much for calls and texts.

We ordered a phone case to prevent a repeat of this entire ordeal, and all was well as the happy teenager returned to his room – only to emerge when hungry next time.

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

28 days later…

“Daaaaadddddd, I need to get a verification text but my phone’s got no service.”

“How long has it been like this?”

“I don’t know.”

“When did you last make a phone call or send a text?”

“I don’t know, probably a week ago?”

(You didn’t really think we left him in his room for 28 days to starve, did you?)

iPhone has no service

Now, mum steps in, as she handles the monthly phone bill. She immediately contacts the mobile operator, Three, and after confirming that there are no account issues or network problems in the area, they suspect that the SIM card may be faulty. A few days later, a new SIM card arrives in the mail, but the phone still won’t connect to the network – in fact, no SIM card seems to work in this phone. The issue lies with the phone. Back to us.

So, what do you do when an iPhone has no service? Let me tell you, as we attempted the following troubleshooting steps numerous times while also trying to avoid the realization slowly setting in: the phone is stolen, and we’ve been scammed.

How to fix an iPhone with no service

Turn it off and on again
Check for carrier updates at Settings > General > About
Check for iOS updates at Settings > General > Software Update
Toggle on Airplane mode, wait two minutes, and toggle it off again
Remove and reinsert the SIM card (also check for cleanliness)
Reset Network Settings at Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Wait, is this iPhone blacklisted?

We know this iPhone is carrier-unlocked, the operator has no issues, and the settings show that the SIM card, phone number, and carrier are recognized. However, it shows ‘Phone not allowed’ in the Network settings. In hindsight, this should have been our first clue that something was amiss.

The next step is to check the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number of your phone to ensure it isn’t blacklisted by the carrier. You can find this in Settings > General > About, on the back of the box, or by dialing *#06#. Then use a free IMEI checker to verify if it’s blacklisted.

Well, bingo! But you probably already knew that, right?

What is blacklisting?

Blacklisting occurs when a carrier blocks the cellular service on a phone, preventing it from connecting to the network. While you can’t use your cellular plan for calls, texts, or mobile data, you can still use apps and other phone functions over a wireless connection.

Blacklisting can happen for various reasons, typically due to non-payment for the phone or reporting it as stolen. This scenario often arises when someone sells a phone as new, then reports it as stolen to their insurance.

Blacklisting can take effect immediately or within a few weeks, meaning a phone reported stolen may initially work but later be disconnected from the network without warning.

What can you do when your phone is blacklisted?

There isn’t much you can do. Only the carrier can remove a phone from the blacklist, but identifying the carrier may be challenging. Furthermore, if you unknowingly purchased a ‘stolen’ phone, the carrier may sympathize but won’t lift the block. Focus on getting a refund instead.

Should I report a blacklisted phone to the police?

If you suspect the phone is blacklisted due to being reported stolen, informing the police can aid in their investigation. In the UK, you can use the non-emergency number – 101 – to report a blacklisted phone and obtain a crime number. Some local police forces also allow online crime reporting, which you can check at police.uk.

Can I get my money back after buying a blacklisted phone?

In our case, we were fortunate, and the seller provided a full refund. The seller wasn’t actually the culprit in this situation – as a reputable second-hand goods retailer, they were also a victim of the original scammer and handled the matter promptly.

Nevertheless, it resulted in a significant amount of hassle, an additional £45 to repurchase the phone from a trusted retailer, and some embarrassment at how easily we were deceived.

If the seller hadn’t refunded the purchase, we might have pursued a chargeback dispute with the bank. It’s advisable to use a credit card in such situations, as they typically offer better fraud protection than debit cards.

How can I avoid getting scammed when buying a new phone online?

For a second-hand phone, consider performing a free online IMEI check to ensure it isn’t blacklisted. This check can also be done for new, sealed-box phones, although passing now doesn’t guarantee passing later.

Verify the credibility of the seller. When buying from platforms like eBay, review the seller’s feedback score and previous reviews. Despite doing our due diligence and trusting the seller, we were still deceived due to a fraudster higher up the chain. Sometimes, even with all precautions taken, you can find yourself in trouble.

The best way to avoid being scammed is to purchase from an official and reputable distributor – they also offer iPhone deals. In our case, saving £45 wasn’t worth the trouble, and sometimes paying a bit more for peace of mind is worthwhile.

Lastly, don’t succumb to pressure and rush your purchase decision. If something seems suspicious, trust your instincts.

If you’re in need of a new phone, check out our buying advice for the best options across all price ranges, from premium phones to mid-range and budget phones.