What its an ESN?

[GuTs11]

I'm buying a phone and I would like to know what an esn is.

 

[Anonymouse]

It's the phone's unique serial number (I think?)

 

[hookbill]

Electronic Serial Number. You're right Anonymouse.

 

[eliassami5]

ESN = electronic serial number. Its a number given to every phone and no two are the same, this helps identify the phone and if the phone is ever stolen/lost, the ESN can be blocked for that particular phone so it cant be activated again.

 

[MrSpeed3]

how can this b block to activate a phone? i thought it wasnt possible.

 

[dylanthecat]

Your carrier won't activate your phone if the serial number has been reported as lost/stolen etc.

 

[eliassami5]

Your carrier won't activate your phone if the serial number has been reported as lost/stolen etc.

correct, once you report it lost or stolen your carrier will disable that ESN and the phone can not be activated unless the original owner reactivates it.

 

[GuTs11]

What is a bad esn

 

[IanG]

What is a bad esn

See above.

Also, check this out:

Google

 

[MrSpeed3]

So once its found will we b charged for the phone or how does that work after its found.

Sent from my Liquid Frozen Yogurt DROID!

 

[czerdrill]

if it's find by the original owner, i guess they would reactivate it, provided you bring it in and prove your the owner. Doubt they'd reactivate a blacklisted esn over the phone or online.

 

[MrSpeed3]

So can it b block or no?

Sent From My ShadowRom DROID!