Paying for your phone plan is essential, especially if you want to be able to use your phone at all times. Verizon subscribers must be wondering if they have to pay the phone plan to be able to use their phone.

Verizon can lock your phone for nonpayment. Verizon will keep your phone blacklisted until the full payment that is owed is paid on the account. After paying the balance, Verizon will restore service to your phone. 

So if you have been blacklisted and want to find out exactly why and how to get service back on your phone, let’s dive right into it!

What Happens When You Cannot Pay Your Verizon Bill?

Most people have a cell phone or multiple phones on one plan that have to be paid every month to have full function of the cell phone. 

Sometimes the cell phone bill can get very expensive and it can be hard for you to pay it. 

If you do not pay your Verizon bill, they will contact you about the account being overdue and having a balance to pay within a certain time frame. If you are unable to pay it still, they will put your devices on a blacklist. 

If you know that you are unable to pay your upcoming bill, calling Verizon ahead of time may be your best option to avoid your devices being blacklisted. 

Verizon will be able to help you cancel your service and resume payment when possible.

What Does It Mean to Be Blacklisted by Verizon?

Now that you know Verizon can blacklist you, what does it even mean?

To be blacklisted means that Verizon will block the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number that allows networks to identify the make and model of the phone as well as information on the device. 

The IMEI number can be found in the settings of the device and on the box the device was bought in. 

Blacklisting only happens when you have not paid the outstanding balance on the Verizon account.

How Would I Know If My Phone Is on the Verizon Blacklist?

If you are unsure if your phone is on the blacklist, you can always check with this website. 

It is very easy, just follow these steps:

  • Dial *#06# on the device and the IMEI number should appear on the screen.Enter the IMEI number on the website.The website will show you whether or not the phone is clean and not on a blacklist.

This can become very useful if you are absolutely unsure if your device has been placed on a blacklist. 

If you bought a used device from a reseller, this is also a good way to check if it has been placed on a blacklist.

Can You Be Taken Off the Verizon Blacklist?

Luckily, your phone can be taken off the blacklist and be restored to full function. 

If you cannot pay your balance and want to move to another phone carrier, selling the blacklisted phone is an option. You can sell the device on any second hand websites that allow you to sell used phones. 

See below to learn how to take your phone off Verizon’s blacklist.

How Can I Be Taken Off the Blacklist?

Being taken off a blacklist is very simple: pay the balance owed to Verizon and your device will be restored to full functionality using Verizon service. 

Once you have done this, Verizon will  take your phone off the blacklist and restore the cellular service. 

Here are the steps to have Verizon take your phone off the blacklist:

  • Visit https://www.imeiauthority.com/Give them a quick call to confirm the eligibility to unlock your phone from the blacklist.Select your country and network the phone is associated withEnter the IMEI numberSelect which phone you haveSubmit information

Once you have followed these steps, it should not take longer than 24 hours to have your phone completely wiped from the blacklist. 

If you do experience any delay, try contacting the website support again and they may have to manually do it themselves. 

Contact Verizon to Restore Service to Your Phone 

Once you have paid your bill and want your phone taken off the blacklist, you can always contact Verizon customer support. 

You can also visit your local Verizon store to pay the balance and restore service to your phone. The employees are trained to help with your needs and this one in particular is very common. 

Conclusion

If you are interested in restoring service to your phone and having it taken off the blacklist, you should have all the information needed to do so.

Do not feel ashamed of an outstanding balance on the account, it is very common for people to just not pay their bill and try to never pay it. 

But if you need your device restored, this should help you whether you are tech savvy or not.