What does imei locked mean?

IMEI locked refers to a situation where a mobile device's International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number is restricted or blacklisted by a carrier or manufacturer. This typically occurs when a phone is reported stolen or lost, or if there are issues related to unpaid bills or contract violations. As a result, the device can no longer connect to mobile networks, rendering it unusable for making calls or accessing data services. To unlock it, the owner usually needs to resolve the underlying issue with the carrier.