REQUEST][MOD] Region Lock Removal Tool
hello modders
I and others who travel a lot will need a tool which will remove region lock provided to all new galaxy phones since July 2013
Reference: http://gigaom.com/2013/09/26/seriously-samsung-sorry-european-roamers-but-the-new-galaxy-note-3-is-region-locked/
we need to find the code that was used to unlock the note 2 but now does not work on note 3 we can then acess secret menu and maybe unlock all regions hope we can find the engineer code.
This one below
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2037017
Yah, this is true and for me it doesn't make sense.
I can confirm that when i got the Galaxy note 3 yesterday it has a sticker on it, I checked the retailers here also S4 boxes have that sticker too.
okloub said:
Yah, this is true and for me it doesn't make sense.
I can confirm that when i got the Galaxy note 3 yesterday it has a sticker on it, I checked the retailers here also S4 boxes have that sticker too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just purchased mine in Hong Kong, No Sticker or warning of any kind.
No idea where this information comes from and which countries Note version/s it refers to, but I just got my N9000 (SM-N900) here in Bangkok, Thailand and tried it with European SIM cards (roaming, as I am still in Bangkok) and they all work just fine.
EDIT: Also no sticker or warning of any kind.
It is only for the first time you activate the phone. E.g. If you are in Europe with an European phone, activate using a European sim, you are OK to use other Sims when you travel.
But if u try using a say a American sim to activate the European ph on first boot then u are ****ed.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk 4
dcracks said:
It is only for the first time you activate the phone. E.g. If you are in Europe with an European phone, activate using a European sim, you are OK to use other Sims when you travel.
But if u try using a say a American sim to activate the European ph on first boot then u are ****ed.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not exactly ****ed. You can still unlock it via code or the service center.
Updated details here: http://www.sammobile.com/2013/09/27...cking-works-and-its-not-as-bad-as-we-thought/
Others have already shown that this is a software lock done via the CSC. I don't have a Note 3, but based on my experience with the Galaxy S4, this is something that would be very easy to remove.
Related
Hi, my cousin bought a note 3 SM-N9005ZWEXSI for me from UAE and he said there is no region lock sticker on it! It is the LTE model. Can this be possible?
hayat55 said:
Hi, my cousin bought a note 3 SM-N9005ZWEXSI for me from UAE and he said there is no region lock sticker on it! It is the LTE model. Can this be possible?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Asian and middle east phones doesn't have this issue AFAIK.
Sent from the New S Pen
Apparently one bought in kuwait has same restriction. Refer here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=46011608
Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 2
The way the region lock works is that you have to use a Sim from THAT region you bought the phone when you first activate it. Then you can use it elsewhere. If you activate it with a different region Sim then its locked to THAT region of the Sim you used to activate the phone.
Sent from my LG-E980 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Jammol said:
The way the region lock works is that you have to use a Sim from THAT region you bought the phone when you first activate it. Then you can use it elsewhere. If you activate it with a different region Sim then its locked to THAT region of the Sim you used to activate the phone.
Sent from my LG-E980 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So even though it is from UAE and doesn't have the sticker on it should I still put the UAE sim in first? Thanks
Jammol said:
If you activate it with a different region Sim then its locked to THAT region of the Sim you used to activate the phone.
Sent from my LG-E980 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is that locking which you describe to the SIM of THAT different region a process which:
- requires no further Samsung intervention as it all happens automatically courtesy of the software with which the phone originally shipped; OR
- requires you to go to the local Samsung service centre to get it unlocked and realigned to that different region.
If the locking to THAT different region is embedded in the phone software which it ships with, is there any way of explaining the source of this information because it would seem to imply every phone will contain in advance of activation the different whitelists/ blacklists applicable to all the different region locks so that it can cope with whatever SIM happens to be the first one inserted?
hayat55 said:
So even though it is from UAE and doesn't have the sticker on it should I still put the UAE sim in first? Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I would still put the Phone's origin Sim in there to activate it that way it doesn't lock out others. Apparently ALL of the N3 are like that no matter where you get them unless you get the Unlocked International ones.
dxzh said:
Is that locking which you describe to the SIM of THAT different region a process which:
- requires no further Samsung intervention as it all happens automatically courtesy of the software with which the phone originally shipped; OR
- requires you to go to the local Samsung service centre to get it unlocked and realigned to that different region.
If the locking to THAT different region is embedded in the phone software which it ships with, is there any way of explaining the source of this information because it would seem to imply every phone will contain in advance of activation the different whitelists/ blacklists applicable to all the different region locks so that it can cope with whatever SIM happens to be the first one inserted?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://www.talkandroid.com/176951-s...onal-sim-lock-situation-not-so-bad-after-all/
This is where I got my information from. I did some more digging into it and it appears that it is legit. Unfortunately for the US, I'm pretty sure they are going to have it locked down even MORE.
Lol, i don't have a uae sim.
Jammol said:
Yes I would still put the Phone's origin Sim in there to activate it that way it doesn't lock out others. Apparently ALL of the N3 are like that no matter where you get them unless you get the Unlocked International ones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Jammol said:
Yes I would still put the Phone's origin Sim in there to activate it that way it doesn't lock out others. Apparently ALL of the N3 are like that no matter where you get them unless you get the Unlocked International ones.
http://www.talkandroid.com/176951-s...onal-sim-lock-situation-not-so-bad-after-all/
This is where I got my information from. I did some more digging into it and it appears that it is legit. Unfortunately for the US, I'm pretty sure they are going to have it locked down even MORE.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you read the comments on that article..phone bought in the Netherlands..was using multiple dutch sim card...than when the guy popped in a Thai sim...walla..still locked!
Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 2
hayat55 said:
Hi, my cousin bought a note 3 SM-N9005ZWEXSI for me from UAE and he said there is no region lock sticker on it! It is the LTE model. Can this be possible?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i bought mine from bahrain last night, had no sticker on it either...
Here in Malaysia also without those stickers
Sent from my SM-N9005 using xda app-developers app
nope.. it doesn't happen
Send my Nexus 4, Galaxy S4 LTE, Galaxy Y and Note 3 LTE to xda
Bought my device today in Qatar....no sticker as well.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk 4
Jammol said:
The way the region lock works is that you have to use a Sim from THAT region you bought the phone when you first activate it. Then you can use it elsewhere. If you activate it with a different region Sim then its locked to THAT region of the Sim you used to activate the phone.
Sent from my LG-E980 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please don't quote PR messages that were not verified before. Everybody should be aware now that this is not true at all, moreover, Samsung intend to enforce this policy to older devices through kitkat and 4.3 upgrades.
refer to the SIM Region lock here : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2457964
Didn't quote anything or anyone. I posted what was supposed to be a work around that worked for someone else. If you don't like it or know of another way or NO way, then go let them know.
Sent from my LG-E980 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Region Lock?
Ather said:
i bought mine from bahrain last night, had no sticker on it either...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the Note3 from O2 here in the UK and although I have registered it with the O2 sim it will NOT accept a sim from another region. I made a call to O2 and was told they will send me the Sim unlock key within 7days.
Ok it may solve the problem but why Samsung do we have the problem in the first place!!
Canadian phones do not have the sticker either!
Hi all,
Quick question, Im heading to New Zealand in April and ill be taking my note 3 which i bought out right from JB Hifi, with no sim locks as far as im aware.
Question: Will i have the regional lock problem if i were to purchase a NZ Sim card and use it in my phone?
Im currently on Android 4.3 with a Optus Simcard.
Thanks in advance!
iceghost1210 said:
Hi all,
Quick question, Im heading to New Zealand in April and ill be taking my note 3 which i bought out right from JB Hifi, with no sim locks as far as im aware.
Question: Will i have the regional lock problem if i were to purchase a NZ Sim card and use it in my phone?
Im currently on Android 4.3 with a Optus Simcard.
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Region lock was supposed to be disabled after using your phone to make phone calls for about 5 minutes...
Whether the lock may affect you is anyone's guess but the UK & European phones that come with region lock have a sticker on the outside.
I don't believe you will have any problems but that is still just a guess....
So far as I know genuine Australian Note 3 handsets are not region locked. Was there a sticker on the box when you got it? If not then you are good to go.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk
Ahh thats good, ive seen pictures of the stickers on the boxes saying that the phone is region locked, my box has no such sticker so i guess im in the clear.
I cant take my optus simcard over to nz as its not mine, so i cant do the 5 min call part, but i might grab a prepaid simcard just incase.
Greetings they will bring me galaxy s5 from fujairah,my bro said me that inside the phone writes ''american sim only''.
The person who sell it to my bro told him that with an adapter works for all countries (europe and non europe)
my question is: will it work with an adapter? :/
I am on Greece..
PS.dont ask about shops etc..my bro is travellings with cargo ships..
Airboner said:
Greetings they will bring me galaxy s5 from fujairah,my bro said me that inside the phone writes ''american sim only''.
The person who sell it to my bro told him that with an adapter works for all countries (europe and non europe)
my question is: will it work with an adapter? :/
I am on Greece..
PS.dont ask about shops etc..my bro is travellings with cargo ships..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your brother will need to SIM Unlock the Galaxy S5 he is bringing to you for it to be able to work in your region.
Sent from my iPhone 5s using Tapatalk
SolarTrans said:
Your brother will need to SIM Unlock the Galaxy S5 he is bringing to you for it to be able to work in your region.
Sent from my iPhone 5s using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sim unlock how?
the seller told him that with an adapter will work..
but here i asked some friends and told me that will not work..
btw i will go tomorrow to cosmote and ask them..
Airboner said:
sim unlock how?
the seller told him that with an adapter will work..
but here i asked some friends and told me that will not work..
btw i will go tomorrow to cosmote and ask them..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no SIM "adapter" that will make a phone work in different regions.
Maybe he was talking about the outlet plug in the wall for power?
Sent from my iPhone 5s using Tapatalk
SolarTrans said:
There is no SIM "adapter" that will make a phone work in different regions.
Maybe he was talking about the outlet plug in the wall for power?
Sent from my iPhone 5s using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no he didnt tell to my bro about plug power..
he told him about sim adapter
i searched it and i find this
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3-in-1-Na...170?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item417f57de22
there is sim adapter..
but dude what do y mean with sim unlock?what i have to do?
Those SIM adapters change the physical size of the SIM card to fit in different devices, and have no effect on network compatibility.
Google SIM unlocking Galaxy S5, and you'll get much more information than what I can give you.
Sent from my iPhone 5s using Tapatalk
As far as I know, Samsung reacted to the outcry against region locking by not really region locking them - the just need to be first used (I guess activated, so to speak) with a sim from the original region. After doing that, you should be able to use them with any sim. At least that's what it says on the side of my box (this is an S5 bought in Germany though, US carriers may have locked their phones down)
Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk
cherrytontonne said:
As far as I know, Samsung reacted to the outcry against region locking by not really region locking them - the just need to be first used (I guess activated, so to speak) with a sim from the original region. After doing that, you should be able to use them with any sim. At least that's what it says on the side of my box (this is an S5 bought in Germany though, US carriers may have locked their phones down)
Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
and if you dont have a sim of original region?
SolarTrans said:
Those SIM adapters change the physical size of the SIM card to fit in different devices, and have no effect on network compatibility.
Google SIM unlocking Galaxy S5, and you'll get much more information than what I can give you.
Sent from my iPhone 5s using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok i will search it,meanwhile i will go to cosmote and ask them wtf is going with locks..
i asked on samsung hellas and they told me that it cant be unlock cauze is non europe..
and its has region lock..
so my question is..here in xda forum is there any app so we cant unlock facking phone on our region?
No. You'll have to activate the phone with a SIM card from the carrier it was purchased from, and make a 5 minute phone call. After that, it is ABLE to be region unlocked. You'll then need to contact the original carrier and request an unlock code.
There are some websites that will sell you unlock codes, but 1. They won't work unless you activate on the original carrier and make a 5 minute call
2. I have no idea of the legitimacy of some unlock websites.
I've heard good things about many of those sites, but I've never used one myself so I can't vouch for their validity.
Sent from my iPhone 5s using Tapatalk
Airboner said:
i asked on samsung hellas and they told me that it cant be unlock cauze is non europe..
and its has region lock..
so my question is..here in xda forum is there any app so we cant unlock facking phone on our region?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First off, where did your brother get the phone?
In he got it in the United States, then the phone is not region locked but it would probably be carrier locked (unless it is from Verizon).
If he got it from the European Economic group then it is region locked and it has to be activated first in the original region and then can be used anywhere.
Good luck to you
koyanishi said:
First off, where did your brother get the phone?
In he got it in the United States, then the phone is not region locked but it would probably be carrier locked (unless it is from Verizon).
If he got it from the European Economic group then it is region locked and it has to be activated first in the original region and then can be used anywhere.
Good luck to you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
my bro works on cargo ships as 2nd captain.
he was on fujairah and he bought it but when he opened the device he saw that the back of the phone writes ''american sim only''
..
yesterday he told me that he put on galaxy s5 greek sim from iphone and it worked perfect..
so i guess that the seller he done all the job before he sell it
btw today i will have news cauze its returned his home
Hi,
Looking for some advise here.
I want to buy a Note 3 for use outside of the US.
Lack of research led me to purchase a Sprint variant which was internationally locked and is now a lovely brick on my desk.
Is there any model that I can purchase straight off of ebay that is internationally unlocked?
Thanks in advance guys!
N900
Sent from my SM-N900 using Tapatalk
@Puff1911 I have n9005 . There is a sticker on its box which says its only for EU and US but im using it in Pakistan and I bought it from Pakistan.
Sent from Galaxy Note 3 SM-N9005
deadlyheart4u said:
N900
Sent from my SM-N900 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
isn't n900 the general model number?
the variations I know are N900V (Verizon), N900P (Sprint), N900A (AT&T), N9005 (International?)
thahim said:
@Puff1911 I have n9005 . There is a sticker on its box which says its only for EU and US but im using it in Pakistan and I bought it from Pakistan.
Sent from Galaxy Note 3 SM-N9005
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok.. i'll look into that one..
someone told me the Verizon model comes internationally unlocked.. can anyone verify that?
I bought mine from amazon. It is a N9005 LTE international version region unlocked.
Look for the amazon description that says it. You cannot get LTE in USA though.
Mine came without the "region lock" sticker so I assume it is not locked.
xdm9mm said:
I bought mine from amazon. It is a N9005 LTE international version region unlocked.
Look for the amazon description that says it. You cannot get LTE in USA though.
Mine came without the "region lock" sticker so I assume it is not locked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
trying to avoid buying it brand new.. I just used them for testing and playing around..
Currently have HTC 8X as my main phone.. but I have 3 HTC One that I use for testing in various conditions and ROMS..
Want to try out some of the Samsung line as well..
But that's why I was checking on eBay for the phone.. so I could get a used phone in good condition to play with.
Puff1911 said:
trying to avoid buying it brand new.. I just used them for testing and playing around..
Currently have HTC 8X as my main phone.. but I have 3 HTC One that I use for testing in various conditions and ROMS..
Want to try out some of the Samsung line as well..
But that's why I was checking on eBay for the phone.. so I could get a used phone in good condition to play with.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just ask the vendor to uncheck the reactivation lock on the phone or you can`t boot it up (enter sim code) after a wipe cause it asks you for a password (Samsung account of the former owner).
gee2012 said:
Just ask the vendor to uncheck the reactivation lock on the phone or you can`t boot it up after a wipe cause it asks you for a password (Samsung account of the former owner).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It will take more than that.. the international lock is set by the service provider.. in the case of Sprint.. as with the phone I bought.. the phone has to be active on their service for 6months and in good standing for them to do the international unlock.
As it is now.. it's locked to US domestic networks only... I can sim unlock and root etc.. but I won't recognize any sim outside of the US.
I'm not sure of any of the service providers have their phone internationally unlocked by default.. I was told Verizon's phones are internationally unlocked.. but haven't been able to get confirmation on that.
Puff1911 said:
It will take more than that.. the international lock is set by the service provider.. in the case of Sprint.. as with the phone I bought.. the phone has to be active on their service for 6months and in good standing for them to do the international unlock.
As it is now.. it's locked to US domestic networks only... I can sim unlock and root etc.. but I won't recognize any sim outside of the US.
I'm not sure of any of the service providers have their phone internationally unlocked by default.. I was told Verizon's phones are internationally unlocked.. but haven't been able to get confirmation on that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thought you we`re looking to buy the unlocked international N9005 I`am glad i`am not with a US provider, we don`t have these absurd rules here in the EU thank god.
gee2012 said:
Thought you we`re looking to buy the unlocked international N9005
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well if that turns out to be the only option then yeah.. but hoping to be able to get one of the others to work with... i'll check up the 9005 though.
Puff1911 said:
isn't n900 the general model number?
the variations I know are N900V (Verizon), N900P (Sprint), N900A (AT&T), N9005 (International?)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can get the list of All Available Models in my app's description: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.vndnguyen.phoneinfo
SM-N900, SM-N9002, SM-N9005, SM-N9006, SM-N9007, SM-N9008, SM-N9009, SM-N900A, SM-N900D (SC-01F), SM-N900J (SCL22), SM-N900K, SM-N900L, SM-N900P, SM-N9000Q, SM-N900R4, SM-N900S, SM-N900T, SM-N900V, SM-N900W8, SM-N900X
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For international use you should get SM-N900 (Exynos octa-core) or SM-N9005 (Qualcomm quad-core).
Hello everyone,
I've recently bought a new Galaxy note 4 SM-910H International Unlocked version, The ad confirmed that it works with any operator in any country, Only after I received the phone and tried to use it in my home country, I found that it's American SIM only (Meaning that it needs to be activated with a SIM from America with a 5 Minutes call) ... I'm now stuck out of my new phone and I can't seem to be able to fix this after days and days of research ... I tried contacting the seller who directed me to Samsung and I tried contacting Samsung US several times but they keep giving me conflicted info (Once to refer to the buyer, another to refer to American Carrier and third that they can't provide a region unlock code).
I need an advise from you guys please, This has been a nightmare and It seems I'm stuck with only one option which is buying the unlock code online
Your kind usual support is highly appreciated.
Thank you
Belman90 said:
Hello everyone,
Your kind usual support is highly appreciated.
Thank you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From what I understand about the region lock is that your phone will be locked to whatever region you use it in first unless it is first used in whatever region it was sold for then there will not be a lock on it. If I understand you correctly you should be able to use it in your region without issue until you try to use it in a different region.
The "H" variant, is for Asia. The "F" variant is the international unlocked version.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2883741
Sent from my SM-N910F
JagDave said:
The "H" variant, is for Asia. The "F" variant is the international unlocked version.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2883741
Sent from my SM-N910F
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually that is incorrect. The H Variant is design for use with 3G Cell Networks only and should be International Unlocked. Unless you have purchased a EU/UK model.