Can I Sell My Locked Phone?
Yes, you can usually sell a locked phone, but you typically cannot sell a blocked phone. Network-locked devices still have value, while blocked phones are often barred from resale. Here’s exactly what you need to know.
Perhaps you’ve forgotten your password, experienced a dreaded cracked screen, or had your phone lock due to other issues. Then you might have thought, “Can I ever sell my mobile?”
Selling your device, whether it’s locked or not, is easier than you think. We’ll explain why phones get locked and what to do if yours is locked. We’ll also clarify misconceptions about device wiping and how it affects selling.
Want to see how much your locked phone is worth? Get an instant quote in seconds.
Understanding locked and blocked phones
Locked to network
A locked-to-network phone is a smartphone that is tied or ‘locked’ to a specific network carrier, meaning it can only be used with that carrier’s network. However, as of 2021, all phones sold in the UK are unlocked as standard, making it easier to switch between contracts.
Blocked phones
A ‘blocked’ phone, however, is a device that has been barred or blocked from making calls, sending text messages, or using mobile data. This can happen for various reasons, such as reported theft or loss, lack of payment, or the phone being identified as fraudulently acquired.
Inaccessible phones
Many people also confuse the term ‘locked’ to mean they cannot access it because they do not have the lock screen passcode, password, or the crazy lock pattern that older phones favoured. This is sometimes no fault of the user. It could be an old phone you forgot the password for, or a broken screen that prevents you from accessing it.
Can you sell a blocked phone?
There are many reasons why manufacturers or carriers block phones, and this is a safeguard put in place to combat fraudulent activities:
Reported theft or loss: If a phone is reported as stolen or lost, to prevent unauthorised users from accessing sensitive information.
Non-payment: If the user has not paid their phone bills or has an unsettled account linked with the device.
Fraudulently acquired: If it’s reported or suspected that a device has been fraudulently acquired, for instance, in the case of large-scale theft.
Of course, if you’ve reported your phone as lost or stolen and later find it again, you must contact your service provider to unlock it, if possible. As a responsible phone recycling facility, we ensure that every phone we receive is a genuine sale by the owner. Any phones still blocked by the network will be notified to the network, and we’re unable to proceed with the sale.
Can I sell a network locked phone?
From December 2021, all phones sold in the UK must be unlocked. You can now switch to other network providers and explore other options for cheaper services once your contract expires.
However, if you still have an old iPhone or other smartphone locked to a network, don’t worry! You can still sell your device without any trouble if you have fully paid off your contract. So, if you are wondering whether you can sell your iPhone if it’s locked to an old network, the answer is a YES: you can!
But my phone is locked, and I can’t unlock it to wipe it!
When you forget your password or pattern, accessing your personal data and contacts becomes almost impossible. Even if you remember your password, a cracked screen can make it difficult to enter it because the touch screen is unresponsive.
You can still sell your broken phone to us and get an incredible price.
Other issues that could lock your phone include:
- Software glitches
- Virus attacks
- Security breaches
Data concerns when selling your locked phone?
If you ever find yourself with a locked and inaccessible phone for genuine reasons, don’t worry. Most phones will have a cloud that you can wipe the device from; for example, if you are looking to sell a Samsung S22, either log into your Samsung account or Google account. There could be an option to remove your accounts from a device you no longer use.
Rest assured, any data on the phones we receive is completely and securely removed during our processing.
Will wiping my phone myself remove any blocks?
You may have heard that wiping a device using software can remove any blocking or locking issues. While it may work in some cases, we want to let you know that at Mazuma, we have an extensive testing policy that allows us to access the entire history of the phone, including any network red flags.
So, even if you remove the blocks by wiping the device, any past issues will still show up in our systems. But don’t worry, we’re not here to judge or punish anyone. However, if we suspect this has been done to conceal criminal activities, we may need to report the situation to the network and place the device on hold until the issue is resolved. This is because we strongly commit to operating within legal parameters and keeping the marketplace safe and fair for everyone.
Ready to trade in your locked phone?
Whilst you can’t sell your blocked or barred phones, we’re more than happy to offer you a great price for your device if it is locked or restricted to a particular network. However, If you’re unsure about your phone, feel free to contact our helpful team.
They will review the issues you may have with your device and let you know if you can trade-in your phone. So whether you want to sell a locked iPhone or a Samsung locked to a network, Mazuma can give you a great price, so why not get a quote today?