# Will an unlocked GSM phone that is blacklisted work on any US cellular service? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 2, 2015, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-an-unlocked-gsm-phone-that-is-blacklisted-work-on-any-us-cellular-service/721437 "2015-06-02T14:42:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Linden\_Arden](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/53a042/32.png) [@Linden\_Arden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Linden_Arden)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2015, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-an-unlocked-gsm-phone-that-is-blacklisted-work-on-any-us-cellular-service/721437/1 "2015-06-02T14:42:41Z")
4G LTE of course. Will it at least work on a GSM network? ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2015, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-an-unlocked-gsm-phone-that-is-blacklisted-work-on-any-us-cellular-service/721437/2 "2015-06-02T15:30:31Z")
Blacklisted, as in “disabled”? WAG I’m pretty sure that means, by definition, that it will not work on ANY network. ---
**Author:** ![Turble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Turble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turble)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2015, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-an-unlocked-gsm-phone-that-is-blacklisted-work-on-any-us-cellular-service/721437/3 "2015-06-03T15:42:54Z")
On an unlocked GSM phone the phone number and other customer info is stored on the SIM card. Just put in a new SIM card with a new number from any carrier. CDMA phones keep the phone number in the phone and it can only be changed by the phone company. If the phone is blacklisted for nonpayment or reported stolen you have to deal with the original phone company to get off the list before you can change to a different carrier. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2015, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-an-unlocked-gsm-phone-that-is-blacklisted-work-on-any-us-cellular-service/721437/4 "2015-06-03T17:32:25Z")
> [@Turble](#): > > On an unlocked GSM phone the phone number and other customer info is stored on the SIM card. Just put in a new SIM card with a new number from any carrier. The device itself has an associated [IMEI](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Mobile_Station_Equipment_Identity) number, and that is what is used to blacklist it. ---
**Author:** ![Turble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Turble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turble)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2015, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-an-unlocked-gsm-phone-that-is-blacklisted-work-on-any-us-cellular-service/721437/5 "2015-06-03T17:45:32Z")
I stand corrected. Ignorance fought. Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![Saturn\_Dreams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@Saturn\_Dreams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saturn_Dreams)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2015, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-an-unlocked-gsm-phone-that-is-blacklisted-work-on-any-us-cellular-service/721437/6 "2015-06-04T00:32:03Z")
> [@Linden\_Arden](#): > > 4G LTE of course. > > Will it at least work on a GSM network? Short answer: No. Longer answer: Not impossible, but you’ll need a special device and certain know-how to change or spoof the IMEI to get the device “un-blacklisted”