> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.verifone.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.verifone.com/support-us/verifone-hq/device-management/deleted-blacklisted-devices.md).
# Deleted / blacklisted devices
This section discusses deleting devices and managing deleted and blacklisted units in VHQ.
{% hint style="info" %}
**Use this when** you need to delete, undelete, or blacklist a device.
{% endhint %}
{% hint style="danger" %}
**Do NOT use this when** you intend to blacklist a device without being certain — blacklisting cannot be undone from VHQ.
{% endhint %}
The **Delete** devices area under **Device Management** > **Manage Devices** lists all devices with the statuses *Deleted* or *Blacklisted*, making it easier to find them.
## Delete a device
{% stepper %}
{% step %}
### Select the device
Go to **Device Search**, select the device(s), then **Actions** > **Delete**. You can select and delete a single device or multiple ones.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
### Or delete from Device Profile
Alternatively, reach **Device Profile** by searching for the device's serial number or device ID, or by going to *Device Search* and clicking the device's *Serial #*.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
### Confirm the deletion
On the *Device Profile* page, click the **Delete Device** icon.
A confirmation popup followed by a warning message is displayed.
{% hint style="info" %}
When a device is deleted or permanently deleted from the API, a confirmation and warning message are displayed as well.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}
## Undelete a device
If you accidentally deleted a device, reload it back into the VHQ estate using **Undelete** from the *Deleted/Blacklisted Devices* screen. Once undeleted, the device's status returns to what it was before deletion (for example, an active device that was deleted returns to *Active*), and its device keys are retained on the VHQ server — no key exchange is required again.
## Blacklist a device
{% hint style="danger" %}
If a device is accidentally blacklisted, it is **NOT** possible to undo this from VHQ. Contact the Verifone VHQ support team to undo it.
{% endhint %}
You can blacklist a device from the *Device Profile* screen.
## Guidelines
* A deleted device can additionally be marked as blacklisted if it should never return to the device estate.
* Deleting a device removes it from the estate; a record is retained for audit purposes and viewable from the *Deleted Devices* feature. Any heartbeat from a deleted device is ignored, and the server generates the *Deleted Device Contacting* alert.
* Blacklisted devices remain in the same status. Any heartbeat from a blacklisted device is ignored, generating the **Blacklisted Device Contacting** alert — this also applies when a blacklisted device tries to register. VHQ does not purge data for blacklisted devices, but follows purge guidelines for logs and history. Blacklisted devices can be viewed on the **Deleted Devices** page.
* Deleted devices retain the same VHQ status (*Active*, *Inactive*, etc.) they had at the time of deletion. If the VHQ server receives a message from a device in *Deleted* status, it will **NOT** accept the message and generates the *Deleted device contacting* alert. The device's profile remains viewable from the *Deleted Devices* screen.
Keywords
Also called: delete device, undelete device, blacklist device. Search terms: deleted devices, blacklisted devices, delete device contacting.
---
# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.
## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.
Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:
```
GET https://docs.verifone.com/support-us/verifone-hq/device-management/deleted-blacklisted-devices.md?ask=&goal=
```
`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.
Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.