Database Users

[Q] Samsung Galaxy S4 Region Lock help!!

Hi everybody, I'm new here and I'm in dire need of help, I recently bought a Samsung Galaxy S4 I9500 from KSA, but travelled outside to malaysia first. I opened the phone here and used a different sim card first thing it asked me was for a "Sim Network Unlock Pin". now i already started it with a local sim, how am i supposed to over come this? ive also tried using online sites for codes but it was no help, what should i do to unlock??

next time, search.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1693491
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2282683

SilentRazor said:
next time, search.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1693491
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2282683
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried both methods but none of them worked :/

some suggestions...
Sorry you're having this trouble, qnfk... and that your welcome here by the above poster was not only less than friendly, it was unhelpful, since the solutions he recommended are for a different problem, namely unlocking a carrier lock not the region lock. Your phone is likely to have only one or the other.
I noticed that you have found the thread, Region Lock Unlocking for i9500 S4, though it hasn't become very active yet.
I have 3 suggestions for you:
A. Type *#12580*369# on your phone to check RF Cal for the date of manufacture and *#1234# for the firmware version codes for AP, CP & CSC.
B. Follow these directions to access the MCC blacklist in your device's customer.xml file:
dxzh said:
...use a file manager app like ES file explorer to look at the file /system/csc/customer.xml and then look for the lines starting:
<Settings>
- <Main>
- <Security>
<NbNetworkLock>...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
C. Read this entire thread: Check the countries that you can’t use your galaxy S4 in. Consider posting your questions there with the above information. It's a fairly active thread and I'm sure you'd be welcome... in fact, you'll find that the OP referenced your situation last week.
Your circumstances are unusual since Asian phones are officially supposed to be region unlocked. If you do post on that thread, you might consider also providing information about the background of your phone, such as where you bought it, how the seller represented its origin to you and whether or not it had a region-lock sticker on the box.
Good Luck!

midnite_blue said:
Sorry you're having this trouble, qnfk... and that your welcome here by the above poster was not only less than friendly, it was unhelpful, since the solutions he recommended are for a different problem, namely unlocking a carrier lock not the region lock. Your phone is likely to have only one or the other.
I noticed that you have found the thread, Region Lock Unlocking for i9500 S4, though it hasn't become very active yet.
I have 3 suggestions for you:
A. Type *#12580*369# on your phone to check RF Cal for the date of manufacture and *#1234# for the firmware version codes for AP, CP & CSC.
B. Follow these directions to access the MCC blacklist in your device's customer.xml file:
C. Read this entire thread: Check the countries that you can’t use your galaxy S4 in. Consider posting your questions there with the above information. It's a fairly active thread and I'm sure you'd be welcome... in fact, you'll find that the OP referenced your situation last week.
Your circumstances are unusual since Asian phones are officially supposed to be region unlocked. If you do post on that thread, you might consider also providing information about the background of your phone, such as where you bought it, how the seller represented its origin to you and whether or not it had a region-lock sticker on the box.
Good Luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much for your help I'll continue to post my problem in the other thread.

almost giving up on GT-I9500
I have a GT-I9500 that is Region locked(Middle East),I tried almost everything but nothing works for me.....H*ll I don't mind paying for unlocking codes,but i read somewhere that Region Locked is different,so buying unlocking codes might not really work,the phone comes with the new bootloader(phone made 2013.10.13),pls if anybody has a solution/suggestion or even a reliable website that can provide genuine "Region Unlocking codes" should share.
what i ve tried so far but still did not work
1-Region unlock app by @Chainfire
2-Try entering service mode by *#0011#
3-Root and install a custom rom(Crash Rom)
4-Terminal Emulator (to calculate unlock codes)
5-Change the Modem (tried all the modems,more than 10)
If anybody can help,pls kindly assist....
Thank you all

nuramohammed26 said:
I have a GT-I9500 that is Region locked(Middle East),I tried almost everything but nothing works for me.....H*ll I don't mind paying for unlocking codes,but i read somewhere that Region Locked is different,so buying unlocking codes might not really work,the phone comes with the new bootloader(phone made 2013.10.13),pls if anybody has a solution/suggestion or even a reliable website that can provide genuine "Region Unlocking codes" should share.
what i ve tried so far but still did not work
1-Region unlock app by @Chainfire
2-Try entering service mode by *#0011#
3-Root and install a custom rom(Crash Rom)
4-Terminal Emulator (to calculate unlock codes)
5-Change the Modem (tried all the modems,more than 10)
If anybody can help,pls kindly assist....
Thank you all
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have same problem would love some help is there any way to open region lock ?

yaarz said:
I have same problem would love some help is there any way to open region lock ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same situation, someone help in this regard.

goutham960 said:
Same situation, someone help in this regard.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
same by me ...

midnite_blue said:
Sorry you're having this trouble, qnfk... and that your welcome here by the above poster was not only less than friendly, it was unhelpful, since the solutions he recommended are for a different problem, namely unlocking a carrier lock not the region lock. Your phone is likely to have only one or the other.
I noticed that you have found the thread, Region Lock Unlocking for i9500 S4, though it hasn't become very active yet.
I have 3 suggestions for you:
A. Type *#12580*369# on your phone to check RF Cal for the date of manufacture and *#1234# for the firmware version codes for AP, CP & CSC.
B. Follow these directions to access the MCC blacklist in your device's customer.xml file:
C. Read this entire thread: Check the countries that you can’t use your galaxy S4 in. Consider posting your questions there with the above information. It's a fairly active thread and I'm sure you'd be welcome... in fact, you'll find that the OP referenced your situation last week.
Your circumstances are unusual since Asian phones are officially supposed to be region unlocked. If you do post on that thread, you might consider also providing information about the background of your phone, such as where you bought it, how the seller represented its origin to you and whether or not it had a region-lock sticker on the box.
Good Luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What if the RF Cal version says not active?

RegionLock

Hi,
I have a question.
My phone Note 3 AP: N9005XXUBMJ3
CP: N9005XXUBMJ2
CSC: N9005OXXBMJ3
So I rooted using Kingo, then applied the RegionLock Away, but the phone is still region locked.
Now I have a SIM from the region where the phone is, but no roaming.
My question is, is there a way to speak the 5 minutes on that sim without the roaming or money on it for that matter?
Or at least make it believe that I did it?
Just wild guessing.
Thx.

lion_sta said:
Hi,
I have a question.
My phone Note 3 AP: N9005XXUBMJ3
CP: N9005XXUBMJ2
CSC: N9005OXXBMJ3
So I rooted using Kingo, then applied the RegionLock Away, but the phone is still region locked.
Now I have a SIM from the region where the phone is, but no roaming.
My question is, is there a way to speak the 5 minutes on that sim without the roaming or money on it for that matter?
Or at least make it believe that I did it?
Just wild guessing.
Thx.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No roaming with an original-country SIM? That is strange.
What does this program say that the CSC currently is?
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.manniakk.cscselector

xclub_101 said:
No roaming with an original-country SIM? That is strange.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No roaming on the original country sim isn't that strange, some operators don't allow roaming unless you specifically request it.

radicalisto said:
No roaming on the original country sim isn't that strange, some operators don't allow roaming unless you specifically request it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I assumed that one was checked - meaning that the SIM roams in another phone it is OK. If it does not I do not see why he mentions it here.

xclub_101 said:
I assumed that one was checked - meaning that the SIM roams in another phone it is OK. If it does not I do not see why he mentions it here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My CSC is ROM (Romania).
I mentioned that is not activated, the roaming, because, if I had it, I could speak the 5 mins and the phone would be region unlocked.
PS Not any closer to a solution.

lion_sta said:
My CSC is ROM (Romania).
I mentioned that is not activated, the roaming, because, if I had it, I could speak the 5 mins and the phone would be region unlocked.
PS Not any closer to a solution.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am probably missing something - the roaming is not activated on the SIM or does not work on the phone? (or in other words - does the SIM work in another phone?)
If the SIM can not roam it is of no help, and even if it can you might STILL see unpleasant surprises (reported by plenty of users around - having problems even after doing the 5 minutes thing).
Have you tried posting in the the RegionLockAway thread so that Chainfire could have a chance to see what is wrong? MJ3 is clearly listed there are working so there might be only something minor that is missing, and Chainfire could be the guy that understands what is that thing missing.
I am not even asking if you have checked that the root is indeed working (with a root-checker or similar)
The alternative is to write directly to Samsung (mentioning your original warranty card and so on) and ask for a region-unlock code - I believe 2-3 users have reported success on that (after 2-4 weeks usually).

xclub_101 said:
I am probably missing something - the roaming is not activated on the SIM or does not work on the phone? (or in other words - does the SIM work in another phone?)
If the SIM can not roam it is of no help, and even if it can you might STILL see unpleasant surprises (reported by plenty of users around - having problems even after doing the 5 minutes thing).
Have you tried posting in the the RegionLockAway thread so that Chainfire could have a chance to see what is wrong? MJ3 is clearly listed there are working so there might be only something minor that is missing, and Chainfire could be the guy that understands what is that thing missing.
I am not even asking if you have checked that the root is indeed working (with a root-checker or similar)
The alternative is to write directly to Samsung (mentioning your original warranty card and so on) and ask for a region-unlock code - I believe 2-3 users have reported success on that (after 2-4 weeks usually).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you clarify on how to write to Samsung?
I thought about writing on the thread, but Chainfire is very busy and seldomly answers, especially on that thread lately.

Region Lock
I have just bought a european N9005 with 4.3 with region lock in it. I am in india since india does not have N9005. I have decided to install 4.3 from Hong Kong on this phone as there is no region lock on Hong Kong N9005. will the region lock go away when i replace the european firmware with the Hong Kong Firmware
Thanks in Advance

vinodup said:
I have just bought a european N9005 with 4.3 with region lock in it. I am in india since india does not have N9005. I have decided to install 4.3 from Hong Kong on this phone as there is no region lock on Hong Kong N9005. will the region lock go away when i replace the european firmware with the Hong Kong Firmware
Thanks in Advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My best guess would be no. But you should take a look at this post. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=50818287&postcount=566
Also post the CSC, firmware and baseband - dial *#1234#.

vinodup said:
I have just bought a european N9005 with 4.3 with region lock in it. I am in india since india does not have N9005. I have decided to install 4.3 from Hong Kong on this phone as there is no region lock on Hong Kong N9005. will the region lock go away when i replace the european firmware with the Hong Kong Firmware
Thanks in Advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As long as I know Region lock is not controlled threw firmware, It might serial number or mac address.

jdomadia said:
As long as I know Region lock is not controlled threw firmware, It might serial number or mac address.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it is not true else region lock away from chain fire would not work mate.
hope there is some other reason or it may work. i guess there is something related to modem and csc file.

vinodup said:
it is not true else region lock away from chain fire would not work mate.
hope there is some other reason or it may work. i guess there is something related to modem and csc file.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you do what I told you to?

vinodup said:
it is not true else region lock away from chain fire would not work mate.
hope there is some other reason or it may work. i guess there is something related to modem and csc file.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bro..I have phone from dubai, I flashed poland firmware, I am still using in dubai without any problem, in a sort time I m going to come mumbai, I will see its works or not.
---------- Post added at 12:13 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:09 PM ----------
vinodup said:
I have just bought a european N9005 with 4.3 with region lock in it. I am in india since india does not have N9005. I have decided to install 4.3 from Hong Kong on this phone as there is no region lock on Hong Kong N9005. will the region lock go away when i replace the european firmware with the Hong Kong Firmware
Thanks in Advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also carefull to flash hongkong firmware, they have diffrent type of firmware.

what if we install singapore firmware on the european firmware with android 4.3 will the modem file change unlock the region lock.

vinodup said:
what if we install singapore firmware on the european firmware with android 4.3 will the modem file change unlock the region lock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did replaced my region locked ROMania with BTU UK (supposedly region free) and the phone was still region locked. Only after updating the modem to an earlier version (from MJ3 to MJ1) was I able to use the regionlock away tool.

If I m not mistaken using region lock away tool means knox 0x1
Sent from my SM-N9005 using xda app-developers app

jdomadia said:
If I m not mistaken using region lock away tool means knox 0x1
Sent from my SM-N9005 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are wrong, I am the living proof of that.
The knox is tripped usually when rooting.

lion_sta said:
You are wrong, I am the living proof of that.
The knox is tripped usually when rooting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dear All, the question is very simple.
1. Does the region lock go away if a European region lock Firmware (unlocked cellular network N9005) is replaced with Singapore (no region lock) firmware.
2. Since MCC of sim is linked to CSC code which is also linked to the Product code which in turn links the modem software which embeds the black listed networks. we need clarity on it. if the Product code is the culprit then can we change the product code of European model to unlocked region product lets say singapore and then install the singapore firmware. will this remove the region lock.
3. Has any one tried the above two and got any answers. Developers please intervene.
Thanks in Advance..

vinodup said:
Dear All, the question is very simple.
1. Does the region lock go away if a European region lock Firmware (unlocked cellular network N9005) is replaced with Singapore (no region lock) firmware.
2. Since MCC of sim is linked to CSC code which is also linked to the Product code which in turn links the modem software which embeds the black listed networks. we need clarity on it. if the Product code is the culprit then can we change the product code of European model to unlocked region product lets say singapore and then install the singapore firmware. will this remove the region lock.
3. Has any one tried the above two and got any answers. Developers please intervene.
Thanks in Advance..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. If the firmware is equal, not less, and you are willing to take a small risk, but first do some research if this will not brick your phone, try it yourself. I would say no, but unless it is dangerous give it a try.
2. Too long for me, also too complex. Try it with the vets.
3. This is a thread started by me, so it is unlikely it has a great coverage. Try writing in some of the big threads or create a new one.
PS I will do anything I can to help, but all the info is in this post written also by me http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=50818287&postcount=566

[Q] SM-N910C LTE not working in UK

Hi guys,
I am new to Samsung but like many I was tempted by the Note 4. I bought my Note 4 in Dubai (unlocked and not tied to any provider) but when I tried using it in the UK with a UK SIM (EE) I am not able to make/receive calls when set on LTE/WCDMA/GSM but I can when I select GSM Only. Samsung UK is not interested, Samsung Dubai poit me towards Samsung Egypt (because apparently this is an Egypt region phone) and Samsung Egypt do not understand what my problem is and keep sending my region unblock codes when the phone is not region locked.
Has anyone had this before and if yes what did you do to fix this?
AP: N910CXXU1ANK5
CP: N910CXXU1ANK5
CSC: N910COJV1ANK5
I have been reading a lot about rooting and flashing ROMs but being new to this I am not confident enough to get into all that. I hope there is a solution without the need for rooting !!!

KK2244 said:
Hi guys,
I am new to Samsung but like many I was tempted by the Note 4. I bought my Note 4 in Dubai (unlocked and not tied to any provider) but when I tried using it in the UK with a UK SIM (EE) I am not able to make/receive calls when set on LTE/WCDMA/GSM but I can when I select GSM Only. Samsung UK is not interested, Samsung Dubai poit me towards Samsung Egypt (because apparently this is an Egypt region phone) and Samsung Egypt do not understand what my problem is and keep sending my region unblock codes when the phone is not region locked.
Has anyone had this before and if yes what did you do to fix this?
AP: N910CXXU1ANK5
CP: N910CXXU1ANK5
CSC: N910COJV1ANK5
I have been reading a lot about rooting and flashing ROMs but being new to this I am not confident enough to get into all that. I hope there is a solution without the need for rooting !!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's recent update for dubai region, u can update & try may they resolved this problem. R u sure your Service provider supporting 4g for your sim?

jdomadia said:
There's recent update for dubai region, u can update & try may they resolved this problem. R u sure your Service provider supporting 4g for your sim?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
SIM works on my HTC One and 4G signal here good so I do not think it is the SIM. I updated firmware two days ago using Kies but no change. I am starting to suspect some sort of network blacklisting by Samsung but not sure. I also spoke to my network provider and problem not with them.
I want to test the phone in Middle East first to make sure that it is not some hardware fault bit if not my only option may be rooting and flashing different ROMs. I am also hoping that Lollipop may solve it but no way to get it now as I am not rooted yet.

KK2244 said:
SIM works on my HTC One and 4G signal here good so I do not think it is the SIM. I updated firmware two days ago using Kies but no change. I am starting to suspect some sort of network blacklisting by Samsung but not sure. I also spoke to my network provider and problem not with them.
I want to test the phone in Middle East first to make sure that it is not some hardware fault bit if not my only option may be rooting and flashing different ROMs. I am also hoping that Lollipop may solve it but no way to get it now as I am not rooted yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Download Samsung phone info from play store, check your region, also you can check knox warranty is void? U can also check refurbishment check from same app, seems to me u purchased online, not from authorised store of dubai.

KK2244 said:
SIM works on my HTC One and 4G signal here good so I do not think it is the SIM. I updated firmware two days ago using Kies but no change. I am starting to suspect some sort of network blacklisting by Samsung but not sure. I also spoke to my network provider and problem not with them.
I want to test the phone in Middle East first to make sure that it is not some hardware fault bit if not my only option may be rooting and flashing different ROMs. I am also hoping that Lollipop may solve it but no way to get it now as I am not rooted yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This are the mine screen shot for dubai rom, u can compare.

Thanks for the screenshots. I compared with yours and it is now even more clear that mine is an Egypt phone. Do you know if I can flash the UAE firmware on my phone with or without rooting and if that would work so that the CP, SP and CSC are the same as yours rather than the Egypt ones?

KK2244 said:
Thanks for the screenshots. I compared with yours and it is now even more clear that mine is an Egypt phone. Do you know if I can flash the UAE firmware on my phone with or without rooting and if that would work so that the CP, SP and CSC are the same as yours rather than the Egypt ones?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes root is not required to flash U.A.E firmware, u will get all as mine, u need to clear cache & data before & after flashing through odin.
---------- Post added at 02:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:02 PM ----------
KK2244 said:
Thanks for the screenshots. I compared with yours and it is now even more clear that mine is an Egypt phone. Do you know if I can flash the UAE firmware on my phone with or without rooting and if that would work so that the CP, SP and CSC are the same as yours rather than the Egypt ones?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Before u flash first match your imei dial *#1234# & under battery.

KK2244 said:
Hi guys,
I am new to Samsung but like many I was tempted by the Note 4. I bought my Note 4 in Dubai (unlocked and not tied to any provider) but when I tried using it in the UK with a UK SIM (EE) I am not able to make/receive calls when set on LTE/WCDMA/GSM but I can when I select GSM Only. Samsung UK is not interested, Samsung Dubai poit me towards Samsung Egypt (because apparently this is an Egypt region phone) and Samsung Egypt do not understand what my problem is and keep sending my region unblock codes when the phone is not region locked.
Has anyone had this before and if yes what did you do to fix this?
AP: N910CXXU1ANK5
CP: N910CXXU1ANK5
CSC: N910COJV1ANK5
I have been reading a lot about rooting and flashing ROMs but being new to this I am not confident enough to get into all that. I hope there is a solution without the need for rooting !!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
my friends have this similar problem and its fix
This is how "you need a working sim from the country when you buy the samsung phone"
all you have to do is make a international call for 15 minutes to the original country
example u bought the phone in egypt so u need a working egypt simcard just call the operator in egypt and listen to the operator for 15 minuts from UK after 15 minutes (make it 20 minutes just in case) turn off your phone and change it with the UK sim card
this method works for me
u dont need to flash or root the phone
just remember this method only work with samsung unlock phones from middle east

Note 3 N9005 LTE 4G Doesn't Work, Do I need CSC change?

I've searched the forums and no one seems to have an exact FIX for my issue. So I have a Galaxy Note 3 N9005 32GB black version, the phone works well in 3G, never had an issue with it but now my network provider recently upgraded their plan and offers 4G internet but my phone doesn't want to connect. The provider offers 4G through BAND 1 2100MHz and Note 3 N9005 does have that band but it doesn't want to connect. It only works on 3G and when I enable Mobile Data it says H+! Not once has it connected to 4G!
I wanna mention that my friend has the exact same N9005 phone and his phone works on 4G all the time. Both of us have the same contract with the same network provider!
The only difference between our phones is the CSC region, we have different CSC. MY SIM card works in 4G on his Note 3 and his sim card doesn't work on 4G on my phone. (we exchanged the SIM cards for testing). So the problem is from my phone not from the SIM card. My phone is also original, its not a Chinese clone! Its confirmed with "Samsung Phone Info" app from Play Store.
Here's a few things I already did that some of you may be inclined to recommend to me:
1 - My APN is correctly set
2 - I am on official stock Android Lollipop 5.0 latest version and the phone is not rooted
3 - I already did a factory reset + wipe cache partition
4 - I saw others suggesting that people may not be in the range of a 4G tower! Not the case! Like I said, I switched the SIM cards with my friend on a public bench, out in the open, not even behind walls. Of course and his phone connects to 4G with his SIM card and also with MY SIM card while my phone doesn't connect to 4G with neither of these SIM cards.
5 - In Mobile Networks > Network Mode, my phone is of course already set on 4G/3G/2G (auto connect) and by the way, my friend's Note 3 says LTE/WCDMA/GSM (auto connect) instead of 4G/3G/2G with the same language set on both phones. Why?? I know its the same thing and I know 4G stands for LTE and 3G for WCDMA but why does it appear differently on these phones?
6 - I already went to Service Mode via *#0011# and manually selected BAND 1 LTE, it says "no service" or "emergency calls only" if I do that so I switched back to "Automatic"
So what the heck is going on? This phone is giving me headaches! I'm close to smashing my phone! After this I sweared to my self this is the last Samsung phone I ever buy. Probably I will be switching to Asus or Lenovo in the future. Or any other phone that does NOT have this CSC BS! This CSC thing is a complete rip-off!
Im thinking that the problem could be my CSC perhaps?? My friend's Note 3 N9005 has a COA CSC (Cosmote Romania) and I have a XEF CSC (Unbranded France). Both phones are factory unlocked and work in all networks. They are not branded by any phone maker! His COA CSC is unbranded. Yes it belongs to a phone retailer but that retailer doesn't brand their phones, no bloatware, no SIM lock. If you buy a phone from Cosmote (with COA CSC) it works in all networks, unlike Vodafone or Orange who lock their phones and brand them.
What should I do? Should I attempt to change my CSC? If so, how? My phone warranty has expired a long time ago, so I shouldn't care that much about triggering Knox though not triggering it would be preferred.
Which path should I pursue? Should I simply use ODIN and flash a STOCK COA CSC (Cosmote Romania) or STOCK ROM CSC (Unbranded Romania) from SamMobile.com with the latest version of Lollipop? Would this trigger Knox? Will it affect my all networks unlocked status? I mean, I won't have to unlock it after that, right???
OR should I ROOT my phone, change CSC, then UNROOT? If so do you know of any method to root Lollipop 5.0 without triggering Knox?
What do you guys think? Whats the problem with my phone? Why doesn't it work on 4G? Because of CSC? Or is it something else?
Thanks!

The best way to confirm the model # would be to boot into Odin mode and look there.

audit13 said:
The best way to confirm the model # would be to boot into Odin mode and look there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What do you mean? Can you be more specific? I already told you my model number, its N9005!! Do you want a screenshot?

Dear OP, have you tried the other Samsung secret code? *#2263# then program it to accept LTE only.
That's the only foolproof way to get the Note to connect to LTE. In my country I only get 2-3 of the 5 LTE bars, so the Note wouldn't automatically connect to LTE or immediately stoop down to 3G through the settings. That specific secret code and setting is LITERALLY THE ONLY WAY TO GET MY NOTE 3 TO CONNECT TO LTE IN MY EXPERIENCE.
If that still doesn't get your phone to run LTE, either your carrier is whack or your phone is, and no amount of Cyanogenmod can fix it because your hardware modem inside the phone might be whack and you can't really do anything if that's the case...
Sent from my Galaxy Note 3 using XDA Labs

Odeira.Oloap said:
Dear OP, have you tried the other Samsung secret code? *#2263# then program it to accept LTE only.
That's the only foolproof way to get the Note to connect to LTE. In my country I only get 2-3 of the 5 LTE bars, so the Note wouldn't automatically connect to LTE or immediately stoop down to 3G through the settings. That specific secret code and setting is LITERALLY THE ONLY WAY TO GET MY NOTE 3 TO CONNECT TO LTE IN MY EXPERIENCE.
If that still doesn't get your phone to run LTE, either your carrier is whack or your phone is, and no amount of Cyanogenmod can fix it because your hardware modem inside the phone might be whack and you can't really do anything if that's the case...
Sent from my Galaxy Note 3 using XDA Labs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have already explained that there is nothing wrong with my carrier because I switched my SIM card with my friend's phone who has exactly the same N9005 model and it perfectly works on 4G on his phone. The only difference I could find in our phones is the CSC.
As for the other suggestion you sent me, I already said that I've been to SERVICE MODE. The code you've given me does nothing on my phone but as I can see from your screenshots, it gets you to SERVICE MODE. I've already been there through *#0011# switched to LTE/GSM only or LTE/WCMA only and I've explained that it still doesn't do anything.
Can someone please answer me this? Would it help if I change the CSC? Could this be the problem I'm having???

It may help if your CSC is changed it can do no harm .

JJEgan said:
It may help if your CSC is changed it can do no harm .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, thanks! So how do I do this?
My phone warranty has expired a long time ago, so I shouldn't care that much about triggering Knox though NOT triggering it would be preferred.
As far as I know there are 2 methods to change the CSC. So how should I do it?
Should I simply use ODIN and flash a STOCK COA CSC (Cosmote Romania) or STOCK ROM CSC (Unbranded Romania) from SamMobile.com with the latest version of Lollipop? Would this trigger Knox? Will it affect my all networks unlocked status? I mean, I won't have to unlock it after that, right???
OR should I ROOT my phone, change CSC, then UNROOT? If so do you know of any method to root Lollipop 5.0 without triggering Knox?
Thanks

Booting into download mode will confirm the model #. Looking under the ROM's settings is not guaranteed to display the proper model #.
Both phones are running the same ROM, bootloader, and modem?

audit13 said:
Booting into download mode will confirm the model #. Looking under the ROM's settings is not guaranteed to display the proper model #.
Both phones are running the same ROM, bootloader, and modem?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes confirmed, same model, same baseband, same everything. The only thing different is the CSC. So whats next?

Did you try changing the csc by dialling *#272*enter IMEI#? Not sure if this method will work for your model of note 3.

audit13 said:
Did you try changing the csc by dialling *#272*enter IMEI#? Not sure if this method will work for your model of note 3.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No I haven't I'm trying now. Wow if this works Im gonna buy you a beer!

It doesn't work! just my luck! I entered this code: *#272*IMEI-number# and pressed call button, it says "Connection problem or invalid MMI code."

I just tried it on my Note 2 and S4 and it works. Maybe the phone is not running a multi-csc stock ROM?
I don't have a note 3 to try.

audit13 said:
I just tried it on my Note 2 and S4 and it works. Maybe the phone is not running a multi-csc stock ROM?
I don't have a note 3 to try.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Perhaps the code you gave me only works on older version of Android such as KitKat or whatever you have on Note 2... anyway Im using Samsung Phone Info app from Play Store and my CSC is XEF and under Available CSC Codes there is a bunch of CSC codes. Here I've made a sccreenshot:
From as far as I know there are only 2 ways to change the CSC: root or flash a different stock ROM

Yes, the note 2 has kit kat but the s4 is running stock lollipop.

audit13 said:
Yes, the note 2 has kit kat but the s4 is running stock lollipop.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well unfortunately the code doesn't work on my phone. Anyway if you know for a fact, could you tell me this? Is it safe to reflash another STOCK rom from sammobile? Will it affect my phone in any way?
Thanks

Yes, it is safe to flash stock ROMs from sammobile.com.

I just flashed a local stock ROM and guess what, when I go to Phone Info app it still shows the same CSC! I still have XEF CSC, how can this be? Why hasn't the CSC change?

After flashing the stock rom, did you try the csc code I mentioned? Same thing happens when I flash a Rogers carrier rom over a Telus carrier rom. Once I select telus as the carrier from the csc menu, the Rogers app will disappear and the Telus app appears.

Ok after further researching I found a lot of interesting stuff so I'm gonna write it all down for other people who may need it in the future.
1 - If you have a multi-CSC phone and you flash a different CSC but which is in your "Available CSC" list but which you cannot choose or change without root, your CSC will NOT change. For example: I have flashed ROM CSC (Open Romania) on my XEF CSC (Open France) and guess what after the flash was successful and all, the CSC didn't change! It was still on XEF because ROM was in my "available list".
2 - If you try to flash a different CSC which is NOT in your list, then Odin will FAIL and softly brick your phone. For example: I got my phone bricked, trying to flash 2 CSCs which are not in my "available list": COA (Cosmote Romania) and DBT (Open Germany). In order to fix this issue all you have to do is to reflash YOUR OWN CSC, in my case it was XEF. Or you can even flash one of those CSC which are "available" or compatible so to say, such as "ROM" for example.
This is the firmware I currently have on my phone:
http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/download/61565/N9005XXUGBOK6_N9005OXXGBOJ2_XEF/
These are the two firmwares I tried to flash on my phone, hoping to replace XEF with:
http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/download/63441/N9005XXUGBOK6_N9005COAGBOK1_COA/
http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/download/61464/N9005XXUGBOK6_N9005DBTGBOI1_DBT/
BOTH FAILED in Odin!
There are ONLY 2 ways to change the CSC on newer Samsung phones. Most guides online are based on KitKat 4.4 or older guides but for 5.0 Lollipop or even NEWER there are ONLY 2 ways to change your CSC:
1 - Root your phone and change the CSC. There are plenty of guides on how to do that online.
2 - You can avoid rooting your phone and use Odin instead, BUT accompanied by your stock firmware, you will also have to find and use a PIT file because Samsung as of 5.0 Lollipop uses different partitions for all the different regions. HOWEVER messing with PIT files is super risky and it can permanently brick your phone so its just better to root your phone instead! Dont waste your time trying to flash different regions/csc which is not in your available csc list, it won't work!
What can I say? Samsung is trying hard to block their users from changing their CSC... Why? They prefer their users buy new phones. Its pure greed yes but its what it is... For me, this was the last Samsung phone I ever buy. Im truly disappointed.

G950FD from Iran (THR) with pre-installed Persian/Iranian Calendar

I bought an unlocked G950FD which turns out to be CSC THR (part of OXM) so should mean it's from Iran. I have found it generic enough in almost every way to be used internationally (in English) with two noticeable exceptions that i'm trying to solve.
1) there is pre-installed Persian Calendar in the OS which appears after the Gregorian date on the AOS and lock screen. I also noticed this extra date appearing on the Samsung Calendar app under the western date, but i don't use this app at all so can easily ignore. The AOS and lock screen is seen all the time and would displays: "MON, JUNE 5 (KHOR 15)". I looked through every settings on the phone and many forums online, and there is no software way to turn this off.
I thought a potential solution would be to replace this stock ROM with another region since any of the multi-CSC OXM firmwares should be compatible with the phone. So I tried to flash another region using Odin. I tried Singapore (SIN and STH) and completely reset/wiped the phone two separate times. However, despite flashing a large (almost 6GB) file onto the phone it still remains in THR when i looked in settings. I guess I misunderstood the purpose of different firmware regions, I thought i would be changing my phone's existing firmware to another region and get a different set of default apps and localization behavior. But the Persian date is still there on all the same screens.
Am I flashing the rom incorrectly? Is there some setting that i omitted that would give me the desired result of a Singapore OS? Any other ways to change CSC and get rid of unwanted parts of a regional firmware?
2) Another problem is when i receive calls on my local sim card, the phone number shows up without the country code, but if i store my numbers (on Google contacts) in "+<country code> <phone number>" format then the contact is not linked to the incoming call.
Apparently this is fairly common with international phones being used in another market. There is a workaround where i can edit my numbers on google to not have any numerical country codes but instead use the flag drop-down menu on google to indicate country associated with the number. I'm ok with that solution but is there another way? Would flashing a regional firmware that is my location solve this? The region that i intend to use the phone is not part of the OXM multi-CSC list of countries since they only sell the snapdragon variant here.
I would like to find solutions that would avoid root and custom roms, but if that is the only option here, i am not against going down that route.
Thanks a lot in advance.

My eventual solution and what i've learned.
So as i described above, i tried to flash many different versions of G950FD or G950F firware with multi-CSC OXM, but never saw my CSC change from THR. Nothing changed on my phone despite installing large files through odin which was always confusing to me. For the record, i tried BTU (UK), STH (Singapore), and SIN (Singapore) which are all part of the OXM.
I learned from another forum that the sim-card installed matters, so i was just trying different non-middle-east regions by picking UK or Singapore but my actual home region does not support this model/cpu variant. I don't have a sim-card from any OXM regions, only Hong Kong and US ones.
Then i found an old Australian (Optus) sim card from a trip and found a G950F firmware version with CSC OPS on Updato. Not part of CSC OXM but same PDA/Phone version and was told it's safe to flash. When i flashed that firmware with the AU sim card installed, i got the AU OS and all the old regional apps were gone. I got some Australian ones but nothing i can't uninstall. My caller ID problem also seem to be fixed. So i consider the problem fixed.
In all of this, the PDA version numbers were always the same (AQDG), so i'm still a bit unclear as to what the CSC file is specifying and doing.
Am i correct to assume that multi-CSC OXM firmware contained regional apps/settings for all the various regions but without a sim card installed to tell it which one to pick, it kept selecting the factory region of THR? And when i flashed the Optus firmware, did i really need the sim-card installed? Would it have changed the firmware to OPS because it's outside the multi-CSC OXM group?

You live in Hong Kong, right ?
I do too, and have a UAE S8, and Samsung Pay doesn't work.
Does your working around things allow you to use Pay, or you get stuck on the splash screen as well ?

tarkil said:
You live in Hong Kong, right ?
I do too, and have a UAE S8, and Samsung Pay doesn't work.
Does your working around things allow you to use Pay, or you get stuck on the splash screen as well ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes i live in HK, so with the AU Optus Firmware I got a AU version of Samsung Pay with all AU ads and suggested businesses. I can get past the splash and login using my normal Samsung Account, which shouldn't have a region. BUT so far i haven't had any success adding any of my HK credit cards, i assume it's a version compatibility issue. There is no way to pick which regional version of Samsung Pay on the Play Store, so i guess it looks at your phone's origin to determine that part of the app.
I am not that keen to use Samsung Pay, but of course interested to know if it is possible. It says to call the banks to get my credit cards added, so maybe there is still a chance and i will post if i do succeed.
Do you think Samsung Pay is particularly good for HK? Would using Android Pay be comparable here? I'm not that experienced with mobile payment apps in the past. Seems like the membership card storage function will still work on my Samsung Pay so at least i have that and can slim down the wallet a bit.

Hey there buddy,
Finally found a thread that represents my problem also, in my case i have a s8 G950FD that shows the same thing on my lockscreen, by me it shows (KHOR18)!
Is there any way around it, i mean a fix?? I would greatly appreciate any help

Yes that's the Iranian calendar date so the day will increment everyday. Khor is abbrev for the current month.
Yes I have a solution (read my second post in thread) but involves flashing with a sim card and 950f or 950fd firmware of the same region as the sim card. You will need to reset and erase phone data.
If you need help flashing stock firmware there is a long thread on this forum and where I found the answer about how the sim card installed might make difference.
What region/sim are you currently trying to use your s8?

derf574 said:
Yes that's the Iranian calendar date so the day will increment everyday. Khor is abbrev for the current month.
Yes I have a solution (read my second post in thread) but involves flashing with a sim card and 950f or 950fd firmware of the same region as the sim card. You will need to reset and erase phone data.
If you need help flashing stock firmware there is a long thread on this forum and where I found the answer about how the sim card installed might make difference.
What region/sim are you currently trying to use your s8?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey there again,
Thank you very much for the time. I am in SE Europe, to be more precise Republic of Kosovo. My SIM is from Kosovo ( we are considered i believe to be in Europe carrier wise)
I do need help flashing the phone as i have no experience whatsoever i just recently switched from Iphone to Samsung, this being said i must also mention the fact that i would definitely need help. I dont want to mess up the phone i just got it like 2 days ago

Things to consider:
- You can flash both 950F and 950FD firmware on your 950FD.
- You need to find your desired firmware. And that region needs to match your sim card, use Updato or SamMobile but the firmware package is a >3GB file and takes a while to download. Make sure you only look for versions for model 950F or FD.
- You will need to download Odin and Samsung usb drivers to flash the firmware onto your phone. Follow the thread "OFFICIAL STOCK Firmware-update (Odin) thread Samsung GALAXY S8 SM-G950F" for the guide.

Colonel_Kosova said:
Hey there again,
Thank you very much for the time. I am in SE Europe, to be more precise Republic of Kosovo. My SIM is from Kosovo ( we are considered i believe to be in Europe carrier wise)
I do need help flashing the phone as i have no experience whatsoever i just recently switched from Iphone to Samsung, this being said i must also mention the fact that i would definitely need help. I dont want to mess up the phone i just got it like 2 days ago
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you decided to go the "SIM card CSC" method then follow this step by step:
https://www.sammobile.com/forum/showthread.php?t=37711
But I personally think you should do it through flashing a firmware with odin but properly and pay attention to step 6:
https://www.sammobile.com/forum/showthread.php?t=37508
Hope they help you resolve your issues.
Good luck.

samteeee said:
If you decided to go the "SIM card CSC" method then follow this step by step:
https://www.sammobile.com/forum/showthread.php?t=37711
But I personally think you should do it through flashing a firmware with odin but properly and pay attention to step 6:
https://www.sammobile.com/forum/showthread.php?t=37508
Hope they help you resolve your issues.
Good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Again thank you very much for everything i do have one last question please. Regarding the step 6 should i do it or not i am not sure

Colonel_Kosova said:
Again thank you very much for everything i do have one last question please. Regarding the step 6 should i do it or not i am not sure
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, if you are changing country/code of CSC, then the system needs to recalculate the partitions.
And don't forget no short cuts! Every step should be done.
Good luck.

ooo man this things is killing me now the problem i have after i have rooted the phone is that the computer wont recognize my phone in download mode ??????????

Hey Peeps,
Small update on how things are for the time being. I have been following all steps as described with odin. Last night i had issues with my laptop not recognizing my phone in download mode, got rid of this issue by changing laptops. Once the procedure was finished i ended up with the same thing on my phone???
I have flashed a european software ( from france) but still no go on removing or changing the region!!!
To be honest dont really know what to do again help is appreciated since that date thing is really annoying

Any other way to get rid of khor on aod/aos
Went through the whole thread. Def not keen to flash or run csc. Any other way to turn off khor date from aod? Help !!!

Hey there all, again just a quick thank you for the tips and tricks. To be honest i dont really know what i did exactely but it worked for me.
What did the change by me was the first step, namely: https://www.sammobile.com/forum/showthread.php?t=37711
i really cant tell how but it worked ( used a sim card i have from Slovenia)
till the next one thank you again