By Updated: Nov 5, 2026
Quick verdict
Always check the IMEI on Sanchar Saathi before you pay. Since the Telecom Cyber Security Amendment Rules 2025, sellers of used phones must check each IMEI against the government's blacklist. A blacklisted phone may not work on Indian networks, and an IMEI that has been tampered with is a criminal matter.
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Not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules, duties and plan prices change often. Always confirm with the official source (PTA/DIRBS and FBR in Pakistan, DoT/Sanchar Saathi and TRAI in India) and with your operator before you pay.
The rules in plain language
India tightened its rules on second-hand phones in late 2025. According to DoT and PIB:
- The Telecom Cyber Security Amendment Rules 2025 (G.S.R. 771(E), October 22, 2025) require entities that buy and sell used phones to check each device's IMEI against the blacklist of reported devices.
- The rules created a Mobile Number Validation platform for verifying mobile numbers.
- Manufacturers and importers must register new phones' IMEIs on the Device Setu portal before sale.
- Tampering with an IMEI can bring up to 3 years in jail, a fine of up to ₹50 lakh, or both, under s.42(3)(c) of the Telecommunications Act 2023.
Step-by-step: checking a used phone
- Dial *#06# and note every IMEI.
- Check that the IMEI matches the box and the bill.
- Verify the IMEI on the Sanchar Saathi portal.
- Ask for the original bill and the seller's ID if buying privately.
- Make sure the phone is signed out of the seller's Google or Apple account and factory reset in front of you.
- Insert your SIM and make a call before you pay.
Physical checks
| Check | How |
|---|---|
| Battery health | iPhone: Settings > Battery > Battery Health; Android: brand diagnostics app |
| Screen | Look for dead pixels, burn-in and touch problems on a white background |
| Cameras | Try every lens and the flash |
| Charging | Plug in and check it charges |
| Buttons and speakers | Test every button, the speaker and the mic in a call |
| Water damage | Check for fogging under the camera glass |
Where to buy used phones safely
Certified refurbished sellers that follow the 2025 rules should do the IMEI check for you. Private sellers on classifieds may not. If a deal is far below market price, treat it as a warning sign.
If your phone is lost or stolen
Use Sanchar Saathi to block it. Blocking it stops the device being used on Indian networks, which reduces its value to a thief and protects you.
A note on the Sanchar Saathi app
The government's November 28, 2025 order to pre-install the app was withdrawn on December 3, 2025, and the app remains voluntary. You can use the portal without installing anything.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Paying an agent who promises to "unblock" a phone without official registration. Only official channels can register a device.
- Ignoring the deadline. Missed deadlines usually mean the phone stops working on local networks.
- Not checking both IMEIs on dual-SIM phones.
- Keeping no record. Save your payment slip, receipt and IMEI screenshots.
Where to get official help
In Pakistan, use the PTA DIRBS portal and FBR's mobile device pages. In India, use the Department of Telecommunications' Sanchar Saathi portal and its helplines. Social media posts and YouTube videos are often out of date, so check the date on any guide you follow, including this one.
Key terms explained
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| IMEI | A 15-digit number that identifies your phone on mobile networks |
| DIRBS | PTA's Device Identification, Registration and Blocking System in Pakistan |
| PSID | The payment slip ID you get when you apply to register a phone in Pakistan |
| Filer / ATL | A taxpayer on FBR's Active Taxpayers List in Pakistan |
| Sanchar Saathi | India's DoT portal to check IMEIs and block lost or stolen phones |
| Device Setu / ICDR | India's portal where makers and importers register IMEIs before sale |
Real-life situations
"My relative brought me a phone from abroad"
In Pakistan, the phone must be registered and taxed. Registration on passport must happen within the traveller's 60-day window. After that, CNIC rates apply, which are usually higher.
"I bought a used phone and it stopped working on my SIM"
The phone may be unregistered, blocked or reported stolen. Check the IMEI. In Pakistan, a non-registered phone can usually be registered by paying the tax; a phone blocked after theft cannot be fixed by the buyer. In India, a blacklisted phone should be returned to the seller.
"My phone was stolen"
Report it to the police, then block it: in India through Sanchar Saathi, and in Pakistan through your operator or PTA's channels. Keep the IMEI and the bill; you will need them.
Bottom line
India's 2025 rules make the second-hand market safer, but they do not remove the need for your own checks. Verify the IMEI on Sanchar Saathi, insist on a bill, make sure the phone is signed out of the old owner's accounts and test it with your SIM before money changes hands. A few minutes of checking protects you from the two biggest risks: a blacklisted phone and a phone locked to someone else's account.
How we keep this page current
Phone prices, operator packages and government rules in Pakistan and India change more often than in most markets. Prices move with the rupee, new budgets change taxes, and operators rename or reprice packs without much notice. We date every page and list the exact sources we used, so you can see how fresh each number is. When something changes, we update the table and the "Updated" date at the top. If you spot a price or rule that has changed, check the official source linked below first, then let us know in the comments so we can fix it for other readers. Your feedback helps keep this guide accurate for everyone.
Pros and cons
Pros
- New rules push sellers to check IMEIs
- Free official tools for buyers
- Clear penalties for IMEI tampering
Cons
- Private sellers may skip checks
- Used phones carry battery and repair risk
- Blacklisted phones may not work
Used phones often come without accessories. A new case, screen protector and charger make a second-hand phone feel new. Browse cases, chargers and screen protectors at the BriskNest shop.
FAQ
Is it legal to buy a used phone in India?
Yes. The rules require sellers to check IMEIs; buyers should check too.
How do I check if a used phone is stolen?
Check the IMEI on the Sanchar Saathi portal.
What is the penalty for IMEI tampering?
Up to 3 years in jail, a fine up to ₹50 lakh, or both.
Do I need the Sanchar Saathi app?
No. The portal works without the app, and the pre-install order was withdrawn.
How we researched this
This guide is research-based. We did not test these phones in hand. Prices and plan details come from the retailer listings, operator information and official pages named in the sources list, checked or published on the dates shown. Prices in Pakistan and India change with stock, exchange rates and promotions, so treat every number as a dated snapshot and re-check on the day you buy.
Sources
- DoT: Telecom Cyber Security Amendment Rules 2025
- PIB / DoT: IMEI registration under Telecom Cyber Security Rules
- PIB: Government removes mandatory pre-installation of Sanchar Saathi
- PIB: Action against IMEI tampering (Telecommunications Act 2023)
Updated: Nov 5, 2026. Sources were checked on Nov 5, 2026.