How to find out if an iPhone 5 has a bad ESN/IMEI?

[richaye]

A family member has an iPhone 5 that was blocked for not paying their bill.

Does that mean it has a bad ESN or IMEI? What is the difference?

Thanks

 

[GoCubsGo]

Probably. Call the carrier.

 

[CEmajr]

They're almost the same thing. Bad ESN applies to CDMA networks like Verizon and Sprint who use ESNs to identify their phones.

Bad IMEI applies to GSM networks like AT&T and T-Mobile who use IMEIs to identify their devices.

Being blocked for non-payment means unusable no matter what carrier unless the original owner pays his/her debts.