Here is how to unblock IMEI number of a phone you blocked on CEIR, once it is safely back with you: tell the police, then use Un-Block Found Mobile with your Request ID and an OTP. Operators then lift the block on their networks and the handset works with a SIM again.
If you have not blocked it yet, see how to block a lost mobile. This page also explains how to check the status of a block, what to do if you lost the Request ID, and why a phone blocked by the police has to be unblocked through them. It is an independent guide; the actual request is made only on the official portal.
Quick facts
Option on CEIR
Un-Block Found MobileYou need
Request ID, OTP on the mobile number, a reasonBefore unblocking
Inform the police that the phone is foundStatus check
Check Request Status with the Request IDLost the ID
Forgot Request ID, by OTPPolice-raised block
Unblock through the same police unit
When you should unblock
Unblock only when the phone is physically in your hands. A phone that someone says they have found, but has not returned, should stay blocked. A blocked handset is of no use to whoever holds it, and that protects you.
Before unblocking, tell the police station where you filed the complaint that the phone has been recovered. They may want to see it or close the complaint. If the police recovered it for you, ask whether they will raise the unblock themselves.
Sanchar Saathi status check for your request
People often search for mobile lost complaint tracking. On CEIR this means the Check Request Status option. Enter the 18-digit Request ID you got when blocking, and the portal shows where the request stands.
Open the CEIR service from ceir.sancharsaathi.gov.in, which is part of Sanchar Saathi. The same check works after you submit an unblock, so you can confirm the unblock has gone through before trying the phone on the network.
Status shows the progress of your request only. It does not show where the phone is, and it does not reveal who used it. Any updates about tracing come from the police. Read how lost phones are traced for what to expect.
How to unblock IMEI number on CEIR, step by step
- Go to the CEIR portal and choose Un-Block Found Mobile.
- Enter the Request ID from your block request.
- Enter the mobile number for OTP, as the form asks, and request the OTP.
- Choose or type the reason for unblocking, for example that the phone was found or recovered.
- Enter the OTP and submit. Note any new reference shown.
- Use Check Request Status after some time to confirm.
After the request is accepted, telecom operators unblock the IMEI in their networks. Then insert your SIM, restart the handset and test a call.
If you lost the Request ID
Use Forgot Request ID on CEIR. It sends an OTP to the mobile number that was used in the block request and then shows the ID. This is why keeping the same number active, on a duplicate SIM if needed, matters even after recovery.
If you no longer have that number at all, the recovery by OTP will not work. Visit the police station that handled your complaint and ask how they can help, since they have the complaint record.
Blocked by the police: unblock through them
Police units sometimes register the block from ZIPNET, CCTNS or a state police site instead of the owner using CEIR. These requests may not show on the CEIR status page, and you may not have a Request ID of your own.
In that case, go back to the same police station or cyber cell, show the recovered phone and your complaint copy, and ask them to raise the unblock. Carry ID proof and the bill if you have it.
Is there a CEIR portal login?
Citizens do not create an account or password on CEIR. Each block, status check and unblock request is confirmed with an OTP on your mobile number. A login option on the site is meant for authorised users such as police and operators, as shown on the portal.
So if a website or caller asks you to log in to CEIR with a username and password, or to share your OTP so they can unblock the phone, treat it as a scam. The steps above are all you need.
Problems after unblocking and fixes
| Problem | Why | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Still no network | Operators may not have updated yet | Check status, restart the phone, try again later |
| One SIM slot works, other does not | Possibly only one IMEI was in the request | Check that both IMEIs were in the request |
| Request ID not accepted | Typo or wrong ID | Use Forgot Request ID |
| No OTP | Number inactive | Reactivate the number with your operator |
| Status not found | Police raised the block | Ask the police unit to unblock |
If the status says unblocked and the phone still shows no service, visit your operator's store with the handset.
Bought a used phone that is blocked?
You cannot unblock a phone that someone else reported lost. Only the person who blocked it, using their Request ID, or the police who raised the block can undo it. A blocked phone offered for sale is a warning sign that it may be stolen.
Before buying any used handset, check its IMEI with KYM: text KYM plus the IMEI to 14422; the Sanchar Saathi portal and app offer the same check. The reply tells you if the IMEI is valid or blacklisted. Our IMEI checker confirms only the format and check digit, not the block status.
If you find someone else's phone, hand it to the nearest police station. Do not try to unblock or reset it.
For the full lost phone journey, start at the CEIR portal guide.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check if my phone has been unblocked?
Use Check Request Status on CEIR with your Request ID. When it shows the unblock as done, insert your SIM and restart the phone.
Can I unblock without the Request ID?
Use Forgot Request ID, which sends an OTP to the number used in the block request. If the police raised the block, ask them instead.
Do I have to tell the police before unblocking?
Yes, informing the police station where you filed the complaint is the right first step. They may need to close the complaint or note the recovery.
Can I unblock a phone I bought second hand?
No. Only the original owner through CEIR, or the police who raised the block, can unblock it. Check any used phone with KYM before paying.
Does unblocking bring back my old SIM?
No. The SIM is separate. If you blocked the old SIM, keep using the duplicate SIM the operator issued for the same number.
Is there any fee to unblock?
No. Unblocking on the official CEIR portal is free. Ignore anyone who asks for money to do it.