i9505 Android 4.3 region locked? - Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hi,
I have read lately that there will be an update for some Samsung mobile devices, including the Galaxy S4 i9505, that will region lock those devices to their region of origin. As some version of the Android 4.3 update has already been leaked, is it known yet whether this lock will be included in this update?
Also, will originally as unlocked labeled phones be locked through such an update? I bought the international version from Hong Kong.

i actually read that this will be enforced starting android kitkat on any galaxy S or note device which has the warning or which was produced after july . my phone didn t originally have a warning on it but i can confirm that it contains a country block list while running android 4.2.2 you can check if your phone does by following this tutorial
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2466721
probably it s better to wait before updating to 4.3 for some users report
Sent from my GT-I9505

Wow, that would really suck. I specifically bought an unlocked phone as I have to travel between Asia and Europe a lot and have SIM cards for several countries there. I wonder if this would fall under the warranty if my phone is suddenly region locked even though there was no warning sticker on it.

That region lock may apply for new devices ... I don't think they will enforce it on old devices ... Because that would terribly problematic ... Also I believe that nowhere in the terms of use states that you have to use the device in a specific country or region so if I'm correct locking old devices will attract law suits from its own customers ... that's not a good way to advertise yourself especially in a stop competitive market such as this ... but you never know from those companies never ending greed

Thanks for your replies. In any case I will first check for feedback from oher users before applying any future update.

I updated to the leakes 4.3 rom of Galaxy S4 and now have many entries of Networklock in customs.xml in CSC folder of system.

thommygay24 said:
I updated to the leakes 4.3 rom of Galaxy S4 and now have many entries of Networklock in customs.xml in CSC folder of system.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you post that list? Would like to check if any of my countries are listed there.

<NbNetworkLock>62</NbNetworkLock>******* <NetworkLock>460BB</NetworkLock>******* <NetworkLock>250BB</NetworkLock>******* <NetworkLock>255BB</NetworkLock>******* <NetworkLock>502BB</NetworkLock>******* <NetworkLock>510BB</NetworkLock>******* <NetworkLock>401BB</NetworkLock>******* <NetworkLock>525BB</NetworkLock>******* <NetworkLock>452BB</NetworkLock>******* <NetworkLock>505BB</NetworkLock>******* <NetworkLock>515BB</NetworkLock>******* <NetworkLock>470BB</NetworkLock>******* <NetworkLock>404BB</NetworkLock>******* <NetworkLock>405BB</NetworkLock>******* <NetworkLock>603BB</NetworkLock>******* <NetworkLock>602BB</NetworkLock>******* <NetworkLock>432BB</NetworkLock>******* <NetworkLock>604BB</NetworkLock>******* <NetworkLock>416BB</NetworkLock>******* <NetworkLock>424BB</NetworkLock>******* <NetworkLock>425BB</NetworkLock>******* <NetworkLock>724BB</NetworkLock>******* <NetworkLock>370BB</NetworkLock>******* <NetworkLock>338BB</NetworkLock>******* <NetworkLock>374BB</NetworkLock>******* <NetworkLock>706BB</NetworkLock>******* <NetworkLock>734BB</NetworkLock>******* <NetworkLock>714BB</NetworkLock>******* <NetworkLock>712BB</NetworkLock>******* <NetworkLock>740BB</NetworkLock>******* <NetworkLock>704BB</NetworkLock>******* <NetworkLock>708BB</NetworkLock>******* <NetworkLock>710BB</NetworkLock>******* <NetworkLock>744BB</NetworkLock>******* <NetworkLock>748BB</NetworkLock>******* <NetworkLock>736BB</NetworkLock>******* <NetworkLock>621BB</NetworkLock>******* <NetworkLock>620BB</NetworkLock>******* <NetworkLock>639BB</NetworkLock>******* <NetworkLock>286BB</NetworkLock>******* <NetworkLock>429BB</NetworkLock>******* <NetworkLock>413BB</NetworkLock>******* <NetworkLock>454BB</NetworkLock>******* <NetworkLock>259BB</NetworkLock>******* <NetworkLock>437BB</NetworkLock>******* <NetworkLock>438BB</NetworkLock>******* <NetworkLock>436BB</NetworkLock>******* <NetworkLock>428BB</NetworkLock>******* <NetworkLock>400BB</NetworkLock>******* <NetworkLock>282BB</NetworkLock>******* <NetworkLock>283BB</NetworkLock>******* <NetworkLock>412BB</NetworkLock>******* <NetworkLock>520BB</NetworkLock>******* <NetworkLock>456BB</NetworkLock>******* <NetworkLock>414BB</NetworkLock>******* <NetworkLock>457BB</NetworkLock>******* <NetworkLock>606BB</NetworkLock>******* <NetworkLock>420BB</NetworkLock>******* <NetworkLock>418BB</NetworkLock>******* <NetworkLock>732BB</NetworkLock>******* <NetworkLock>722BB</NetworkLock>******* <NetworkLock>730BB</NetworkLock>******* <NetworkLock>716BB</NetworkLock>QUOTE=Tsukumogami;46161750]Could you post that list? Would like to check if any of my countries are listed there.[/QUOTE]
There are the following entries. But i dont know, if these entries are new in 4.3 or if they were in the file in 4.2.my s4 was bought in germany without a region lock sticker.See the list:

Thanks for the list. I bought an explicitly as global version declarated Galaxy S4 i9505 on Amazon, which came from Hong Kong. It turned out to be the Brazilian version and it didn't have any region lock sticker on it. I tried it with a Vietnamese and an Austrian SIM card and they both worked without problems. So I hope my phone won't be locked at least as long as I don't upgrade from 4.2.2.

Related

[Q] Galaxy S4 i9507 4.3 update

Hey guys, i've searched through the forums and as yet I havn't ran into anyone with the same problem. I bought a Galaxy s4 from gumtree, and it turns out its a i9507 with optus branded firmware. I really want to update to the new 4.3 software, but cant do that as optus hasnt released anything (and wont for ages). I'm wondering if any of you had the link for an unbranded version of the official samsung firmware, so in the future i can simply update when samsung releases new software. I've only ever found i9505 updates, and seeing though thats not my exact model number i've restrained from updating (as i'm not sure of any possible issues associated with this). I've attached a screenshot for reference, and any help would be greatly appreciated!
WAIT!!!!
WAIT!!!! Even if you find a firmware DONT DO IT!!! I have the galaxy S4 I9507, it's the newest version and only released in Australia and Hong Kong. I have an unbranded one (through virgin, which are owned by optus but you usually get a non carrier specific version)
It's not otus that isn't releasing the firmware, it's samsung, they have for other versions yes, but the I9507 has a different speed processor than all of them and a different processor all together than the earlier versions.
Unless you can get an unbranded firmware specifically for the I9507 (not I9506 or I9505) you could possibly damage your phone and definitely void any warranty or insurance.
I wan't to update to 4.3 but it's samsung that has to release that update for this model, optus can't do anything until they receive it, by which time we will have already found it without the optus branding elswhere.
You can maybe hound samsung but I doubt that will get you far, I am going to kee on it though, will let you know if I get anywhere
Forgot to mention: because it is only a AUS and HK version the only place it could possibly be released before here is Hong Kong. I doubt Samsung would wait long if at all to release the AUS firmware if not at the same time as the Hong Kong. Meaning as soon as the update is available it will be automatically notified to you through kies or an OTA update. Unfortunately there is no getting it quicker from elsewhere as there is no elsewhere right now.
broden25 said:
Hey guys, i've searched through the forums and as yet I havn't ran into anyone with the same problem. I bought a Galaxy s4 from gumtree, and it turns out its a i9507 with optus branded firmware. I really want to update to the new 4.3 software, but cant do that as optus hasnt released anything (and wont for ages). I'm wondering if any of you had the link for an unbranded version of the official samsung firmware, so in the future i can simply update when samsung releases new software. I've only ever found i9505 updates, and seeing though thats not my exact model number i've restrained from updating (as i'm not sure of any possible issues associated with this). I've attached a screenshot for reference, and any help would be greatly appreciated!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Region Firmware Question

I'm trying to update my SM-P605 Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 LTE to P605XXUBMJ9 and I am so confused by the manual process. I can't do OTA because I rooted and when I go to a ROM download site there are all these regions and carriers mentioned. I'm worried about bricking my device or carrier locking it to a company thousands of miles away. Can you help? Sorry for being so dumb but I've never bought a device outside of a store where they set everything up for you.
Current specs:
Android 4.3
P605XXUBMJ4 Baseband
3.4.0-1927787 [email protected] #1 Kernel
JSS15J.P605ZSUBMJ6 Build number
Enforcing SEPF_SM-P605_4.3_0002 SELinux status
I'm currently in the USA, using T-Mobile, and I was told by Amazon that the device is unlocked.
thatblokematti said:
I'm trying to update my SM-P605 Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 LTE to P605XXUBMJ9 and I am so confused by the manual process. I can't do OTA because I rooted and when I go to a ROM download site there are all these regions and carriers mentioned. I'm worried about bricking my device or carrier locking it to a company thousands of miles away. Can you help? Sorry for being so dumb but I've never bought a device outside of a store where they set everything up for you.
Current specs:
Android 4.3
P605XXUBMJ4 Baseband
3.4.0-1927787 [email protected] #1 Kernel
JSS15J.P605ZSUBMJ6 Build number
Enforcing SEPF_SM-P605_4.3_0002 SELinux status
I'm currently in the USA, using T-Mobile, and I was told by Amazon that the device is unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Being that its a ZS build it looks like its from China.
I would only flash P605ZS***** Builds if you are worried about locking it by mistake.
FYI: The first two digits after the model number are the region
http://www.cpkb.org/wiki/Samsung_firmware_naming_conventions#2._Region_code
scrosler said:
Being that its a ZS build it looks like its from China.
I would only flash P605ZS***** Builds if you are worried about locking it by mistake.
FYI: The first two digits after the model number are the region
http://www.cpkb.org/wiki/Samsung_firmware_naming_conventions#2._Region_code
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you a million times. I feel like such an idiot :S Do you know if there's an upgrade to MJ9 yet in the China region? Do I need to take any extra precautions to ensure it stays carrier unlocked and usable in the United States.
thatblokematti said:
Thank you a million times. I feel like such an idiot :S Do you know if there's an upgrade to MJ9 yet in the China region? Do I need to take any extra precautions to ensure it stays carrier unlocked and usable in the United States.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My understanding is the partition that holds the carrier info / locking info is not touched during a flash with Odin. HOWEVER, I never got into that unlocked device thing because I never had a need to.
Someone else may be better suited to the question than I but as long as you flash ZS based firmwares you should be fine as I did not see a carrier listed for that tablet in China so they may all be unlocked.
Actually, I only think the Verizon one is going to be the locked one but I dont know.
scrosler said:
My understanding is the partition that holds the carrier info / locking info is not touched during a flash with Odin. HOWEVER, I never got into that unlocked device thing because I never had a need to.
Someone else may be better suited to the question than I but as long as you flash ZS based firmwares you should be fine as I did not see a carrier listed for that tablet in China so they may all be unlocked.
Actually, I only think the Verizon one is going to be the locked one but I dont know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are very helpful in my quest to not ruin an expensive tablet. Do you know if there's an upgrade compatible with ZS for the MJ9 update? I honestly don't mind waiting if there's a chance I'll turn it into a paper weight. Not even a Kit Kat build just some bug fixes from what I understand.
Again, thanks for your help.
I just don't understand all the carrier builds of MJ9. Bloody heck some of em even have custom names which would be a good sign it's specific to region/carrier. So confused by this all
So maybe unroot your device and then you will have an Ota Update... Because if you'll use Odin for flash other firmware you won't be rooted yet, i think.
chabasse said:
So maybe unroot your device and then you will have an Ota Update... Because if you'll use Odin for flash other firmware you won't be rooted yet, i think.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Aren't OTA updates issued by providers? T-Mobile doesn't support this device so there's not going to be an MJ9 update. Ever. It's using an LTE frequency not even found in the States. I just bought it online because I didn't want to wait for somebody here to give me support. I'm simply trying to do a manual update without my device being a paperweight or waking up to expect a connection from cellular towers in Asia.

Why some regions Firmware get more & faster updates than others ?

Hi All:
I'm wondering Why some regions Firmware get more & faster updates than others ?
what is the problem with Samsung and why there is too many Firmwares ??!!
by the way is it safe and problem free to change my firmware region I mean like from i9500 A country to i9500 B country ?!
one-option said:
Hi All:
I'm wondering Why some regions Firmware get more & faster updates than others ?
what is the problem with Samsung and why there is too many Firmwares ??!!
by the way is it safe and problem free to change my firmware region I mean like from i9500 A country to i9500 B country ?!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is fine, I am in Australia and use the UK firmware.
You'll probably find that it's due to the networks in each country. before a firmware can be released, the network has to basically put in their customization and branding/logo's etc but they also need to liaise with samsung and give it the thumbs up before it is available to the public. Some networks will take longer to approve firmware and the way most companies are run, there will be an entirely separate department within the company for each country, hence why a firmware may be approved in T-Mobile USA but not in T-Mobile UK for example.
For non-branded/sim-free variants, they actually have to wait until ALL networks approve the firmware before it's released, hence why the stock UK BTU firmware is always the last to get updated.

[Q] Some versions dont get updates?

Hi all,
I've noticed something unacceptable and as a newbie I wanted your insight.
I hold a Samsung galaxy s4 I9500 that seems to come from Bangladesh or Vietnam, I;m not pretty sure. Anyway, I noticed that many many devices from these Asian regions do not get any updates since 2013 ! They were lasted updated to 4.3 Jelly bean and that is.
How do you explain the fact that the same devices take lollilop and others stay on Jelly bean?
How can I upgrade at least to Kitkat?
(I checked the Kies application and it says that I have the last updated firmware)
Thanks a lot!
Sammobile has 5.0.1 for Bangladesh and 4.4.2 for Vietnam. As to the discrepancy regarding firmware releases, carriers are the ones to decide whether to upgrade or not. So either you'll get it or not. Bangladesh chose to upgrade while Vietnam is holding back.
Yes, but there are other models which did not take any update.
For example this code: I9500XXUEMJ9 exists in 7 countries (Israel,Bangladesh,India etc.) and since 2013 hasn't done any updates. Still the firmware is 4.3.
Should the owners of these models wait for even more?
If their carriers choose not to provide an update, then yes, the owners of those devices will have to wait. Case in point: Straight Talk. Here in the US Straight Talk offers a S4 locked to Android 4.2.2 and refuses to provide updates for it. Worse for Straight Talk S4 owners, unlike the I9500 owners, they can't simply flash a ROM from a different region because their S4 is an exclusive model specifically made for Straight Talk. So they have to wait for an update that will never come. At least the tech-savvy I9500 owners have avenues available to them to get a more up-to-date stock ROM. Straight Talk S4 owners have to use custom ROMs, and risk losing their service doing so, as Straight Talk prohibits both rooting and custom ROMs in its terms and conditions.
First of all thanks for your info.
I've got two problems facing me right now.
First of all I can't figure out which specific country the phone comes from. This code appears in many countries.
Secondly I don't know which flash ROM I should use with this program called Odin. Should I choose randomly a version? Should I upgrade to lollilop or it is a must I pass from Kitkat first?
I value your help.
Please post the following information:
1. Model Number
2. Android Version, found by going to Settings > More > About device.
3. Firmware Version (AP, CP, CSC), found by dialing *#1234# in the dialer or by installing Phone Info from the Play Store and running it.
4. Service Provider
5. Country
6. Is the phone rooted? (Yes/No)
7. Is a custom ROM installed? (Yes/No, and the name of the ROM)
Some of this may seem redundant, but putting it all in one post makes it easier to help you.
1. GT-I9500
2. 4.3
3. Original csc code: TGY/TMB
Firmwares csc code: TMB
Csc country: Hong kong
country of origin: China
csc version: I9500XXUEMJ9
4. I dont get this
5. Country see above
6. No rooted
7. No
Number 4 is asking whom you use as a carrier. Also, your AP, CP, and CSC should have been posted as you had seen it on screen rather than "interpreting" it. Nevertheless, based upon the info you provided, the correct ROM for your device is here. Flash this ROM through Odin and you should be good to go.

replace Korean Samsung S8 (SM-G950N) stock ROM with another one from Spain.

Hi All,
Please excuse me in case this was already adressed in other post.
Case: I bought in South Korea a brand new Samsung Galaxy S8 (SM-G950N) Exynos version. Im very happy with the phone but there are a few diferences between this one and the spanish version of the phone. For example, since in Korea apparently is not legal to silence the shutter of the camera there is no option in the phone to remove this sound. Other things are for example the apps that by default are installed in the phone. In my case the carrier is KT and I have a ton of apps that I cannot use or Im not interested.
Questions:
Q1.- Is there a possibility to install the samsung stock rom for the S8 clean (from Spain for example) and get rid of all this crap and at the same time maintain all warranty and Updates as any other "not modified" phone?
Q2.- Will the software change once i insert the SIM car from my spanish carrier showing me option available in the S8 spanish software version that i cannot see now from the Korean version?
Q3.- can I use a baseband from any other carrier and if not is there compatible basebands with my phone?
any help will be much appreciated.
thanks in advance.
Sino537 said:
Hi All,
Please excuse me in case this was already adressed in other post.
Case: I bought in South Korea a brand new Samsung Galaxy S8 (SM-G950N) Exynos version. Im very happy with the phone but there are a few diferences between this one and the spanish version of the phone. For example, since in Korea apparently is not legal to silence the shutter of the camera there is no option in the phone to remove this sound. Other things are for example the apps that by default are installed in the phone. In my case the carrier is KT and I have a ton of apps that I cannot use or Im not interested.
Questions:
Q1.- Is there a possibility to install the samsung stock rom for the S8 clean (from Spain for example) and get rid of all this crap and at the same time maintain all warranty and Updates as any other "not modified" phone?
Q2.- Will the software change once i insert the SIM car from my spanish carrier showing me option available in the S8 spanish software version that i cannot see now from the Korean version?
Q3.- can I use a baseband from any other carrier and if not is there compatible basebands with my phone?
any help will be much appreciated.
thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a Korean phone (g950N) and have done everything that you want to it EXCEPT my warranty is void. Initially, I rooted the phone and flashed a different stock ROM. Since then, I've flashed a custom ROM (Renovate-ice) as it gives me far more options and flexibility. During the installation, you can choose the country you want and it will add all the relevant software and frequencies etc.
Sino537 said:
Hi All,
Please excuse me in case this was already adressed in other post.
Case: I bought in South Korea a brand new Samsung Galaxy S8 (SM-G950N) Exynos version. Im very happy with the phone but there are a few diferences between this one and the spanish version of the phone. For example, since in Korea apparently is not legal to silence the shutter of the camera there is no option in the phone to remove this sound. Other things are for example the apps that by default are installed in the phone. In my case the carrier is KT and I have a ton of apps that I cannot use or Im not interested.
Questions:
Q1.- Is there a possibility to install the samsung stock rom for the S8 clean (from Spain for example) and get rid of all this crap and at the same time maintain all warranty and Updates as any other "not modified" phone?
Q2.- Will the software change once i insert the SIM car from my spanish carrier showing me option available in the S8 spanish software version that i cannot see now from the Korean version?
Q3.- can I use a baseband from any other carrier and if not is there compatible basebands with my phone?
any help will be much appreciated.
thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AFAIK you will not get to the result you want, as long as you don't want to void your warranty (knox 0x1).
Flashing a g950F Firmware on a g950N device will lead to a not booting phone.
So:
Sino537 said:
Q1.- Is there a possibility to install the samsung stock rom for the S8 clean (from Spain for example) and get rid of all this crap and at the same time maintain all warranty and Updates as any other "not modified" phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Simpy, NO.
Sino537 said:
Q2.- Will the software change once i insert the SIM car from my spanish carrier showing me option available in the S8 spanish software version that i cannot see now from the Korean version?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also, no. Your CSC won't change when inserting a different SIM.
As to the third question, I can't answer.
But if you would be willing to void your warranty, you of course can change the csc to a spain one, get all the spain carrier bloatware and can deactivate the shutter sound.
voLTE ISSUE
I am facing a similar problem.
i bought a galaxy s8 (SM-G950n) from south korea. But here, in india, i can't use voLTE. i can use LTE and other band at ease except voLTE. Then googled and found that indian csc code installation may help. But the problem is that the phone i have is single sim and the indian model has dual sim. If i flash the indian stock rom will it brick? If it bricks i can't gp back to south korea to resolve that. i contacted the korean samsung service but their help didn't work.
Give me a strong solution.

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