Database Users

No region lock sticker!

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!

[Q] American Sim only-Working on GreecE?

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
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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
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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

[Q] Sim Unlock Note 4?

Can anyone with experience of the Note series tell me if it's usually a hassle to Sim Unlock them? Also, is there usually much of a delay between general release of the phone and the paid unlock codes becoming available?
Due to contract complications I'll be getting the Note 4 with 1 provider and using with another from day 1 (hopefully).
Thanks!

If you're ready to pay for it, http://www.cellunlocker.net/unlock-samsung-galaxy-note-4.php
I don't know if it's up, but it will soon enough.

That is who I plan on using but one more question?
Since I preordered the Note 4 I had to get with it a new sim card and plan. I plan on being overseas for several weeks at the end of the month. I plan to cancel my
plan and simply use my current sim card on my current $30 per month plan. Now ,in order to avoid region locking they say first activate the phone in the US first. If I just pop in my current old sim card will that count as having activated the phone or do I need to put in the new sim card? When I preordered the phone the lady I Talked to charged me the full price for the phone but the $40 plan she put me on is not yet charged to me, presumably that gets activated when I activate the phone. Can I just ignore that $40 plan and go merrily along with my old plan. By the way the only reason I pre ordered the Note 4 was to get the $200 Samsung rebate deal, otherwise I would have prefered getting it in the store. Best Buy sounds like they have a better rebate deal in a way but they do not handle T Mobile pre order deals. I am glad to know the phone will be quickly unlockable when it comes out.
Bill

Found out today that the phone comes unlocked when purchased through mobiles.co.uk so that's that problem solved!
Thanks for the rellies.

I'd also like info on this. But i guess i'll have to wait until more people get the note 4. Mine comes monday. and the website mentioned above says "note 4" but then later on it refers to it as " note 3." hopefully it gets updated with in a day or two of people receiving the phone. Or other websites pop up.

Are there any new info in this?
I will buy mine in Portugal (Meo carrier). I very curios about this too? Is there any way to sim unlock it?
Thank you and best regards.

Yes it works (Unlocked n910w8).
I used http://www.cellunlocker.net
No problem, got the code in no time.

Get note 4 unlock apk from google play. I got my unlock code in 45 minutes. 900f vodafone romania

if your note 4 are region lock they don't provied it you will not get refunds in this wed site.
http://www.cellunlocker.net/samsung-unlock.php
PLEASE READ THIS DISCLAIMER: (info from cellunlocker.net)
If you have a Samsung Galaxy S3, S4, S5, Note 2, Note 3 or your Android version is Android 4.4 (KITKAT)
All SAMSUNG devices manufactured after the date of JULY 2013 and Samsung devices running on Android version is Android 4.4 (KITKAT) are subject to REGION LOCKING
If your phone has been used previously with the original carrier, this will not apply to you. However, if your device is BRAND NEW, your must activate it with the original carrier and make a call of 5 minutes or longer.
If your Samsung device becomes Region locked, you will not be able to fully factory Unlock your Samsung devices so it can be used internationally. Even the correct code will not work anymore.
In order for your Samsung device NOT to be region locked, you MUST activate (FIRST USE) your S3, S4, S5, NOTE 2, NOTE 3 with your ORIGINAL carrier at least ONCE to take your region lock OFF. After your Region lock is off, you can Sim Unlock your device via Unlock Code.
*All Canadian Carriers are NOT subject to Region Locking
*All USA and European Carriers ARE subject to Region Locking
*There will be absolutely no refunds, if your device is Region Locked and an Unlock code is provided for your Samsung Device.
*If you are not sure please contact us first before placing your order
Where region lock are? (base on S5 info)
European Model:
This product should be activated with a SIM card issued from a mobile operator within Europe. (as defined EU/EEA
Switzerland and the following Non-EEA countries Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (F.Y.R.O.M),
Monaco, Montenegro, San Marino, Serbia and Vatican City.)
Countries in the European Economic Area (EEA):
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania , Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, UK, Switzerland, Croatia
Non-EU/EEA countries:
Albania, Andorra, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, San Marino, Serbia, Vatican City
American Model:
North, South, Central America, and the Caribbean.​
So what to do?
1.call with local sim more then 5 min.
2.if you didn't do that:
the only wesite I know that will give you codes for region lock + network lock (you have to check the your model and orignal contry of the device) :
http://www.fastgsm.com/en
this one I don't know how are reliable: (switch to english)
http://puman.ru/index.php?route=product/product&path=61&product_id=133

Thank you calinormy,
And can you tell me how much did you pay to unlock it?
Thank you.

Aprox 25 USD (20 €). I got my unlockcode in 40 minutes. Payed with PayPal.

There's a possible free unlock solution detailed here:
http://drippler.com/drip/how-unlock-galaxy-note-4-free

Medved77 said:
There's a possible free unlock solution detailed here:
http://drippler.com/drip/how-unlock-galaxy-note-4-free
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It doesn't work on SM-910F
*#197328640# doesn't do anything
*#0011# brings up the service menu but all the options seem to be read only apart from the HD voice one

thecrater said:
It doesn't work on SM-910F
*#197328640# doesn't do anything
*#0011# brings up the service menu but all the options seem to be read only apart from the HD voice one
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It might be a little too late for you but I've had the worst luck with cellunlocker. I use swiftunlocks.com and they have the best customer service. They answer your emails and keep you posted unlike cellunlocker that just disappears for days when they actually say it takes 1 - 5 hours.
Hope that helps.

Note 4 unlock
Well I have galaxy note 4 European locked and I have tried the codes but not working, and also I have tried FASTGSM but did not work as they say that my IMEI was not found in the database and they refunded me.
so I hope if someone find a solution to unlock it without rooting it will be great.

mm213 said:
Well I have galaxy note 4 European locked and I have tried the codes but not working, and also I have tried FASTGSM but did not work as they say that my IMEI was not found in the database and they refunded me.
so I hope if someone find a solution to unlock it without rooting it will be great.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got mine unlocked here took about 15mins to get the code:
http://www.imei-unlocker.com/samsung-galaxy-note-4-unlock#

you are lucky
Joey2o11 said:
I got mine unlocked here took about 15mins to get the code:
****://***.imei-unlocker.com/samsung-galaxy-note-4-unlock#
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I already send them email about my phone and they said they cannot unlock it, sure that you are lucky
at this moment no one was able to unlock my phone, so I am left with two options ether sell my phone on eBay or give it to someone who will travel to EU so he can unlock it by using the 5 minute call.

mxoxm said:
I already send them email about my phone and they said they cannot unlock it, sure that you are lucky
at this moment no one was able to unlock my phone, so I am left with two options ether sell my phone on eBay or give it to someone who will travel to EU so he can unlock it by using the 5 minute call.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this is how i did region unlocked my note 4 from germany =) you can try
http://forum.xda-developers.com/note-4/help/region-unlocked-t2969890

Bunnydollies said:
this is how i did region unlocked my note 4 from germany =) you can try
http://forum.xda-developers.com/note-4/help/region-unlocked-t2969890
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct me if I am wrong...I understand that if I have EU card then I can do a roaming call with that sin from my country and it will unlock it... Right?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA Free mobile app

mm213 said:
Correct me if I am wrong...I understand that if I have EU card then I can do a roaming call with that sin from my country and it will unlock it... Right?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes , it should work. Check your phone package,which region it has and use simcard from that ragion.(Make factory reset first,if you did try another ragion's sim) put ragion's simcard in,Make a call , Call for 5 mins or more. It should unlocked after that.
My note 4 is SM-N910F,EU region. Please tell me a result too. :fingers-crossed:

Is my S8 Unlocked? (UK)

Hi,
So I purchased my phone directly from Samsung here in the UK and therefore assume its an unlocked variant. I am using a vodafone SIM in there currently but I was wondering if this has now locked the phone to Vodafone or if it is still unlocked so that I can use it abroad with SIM's overseas?
Thanks.

Sundawg89 said:
Hi,
So I purchased my phone directly from Samsung here in the UK and therefore assume its an unlocked variant. I am using a vodafone SIM in there currently but I was wondering if this has now locked the phone to Vodafone or if it is still unlocked so that I can use it abroad with SIM's overseas?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unlocked means unlocked. Phones sold and distributed by Samsung directly are almost always unlocked. The U.S. being an exception.

If you bought it from Samsung UK, it's unlocked. However, if you are not already aware, just ensure that before you use the phone overseas, or in any region other than the one you bought it from, you complete a five minute call.
I'll just quote Samsung's own sticker:
To use sim cards from other regions a cumulative call over five minutes must first be made with the SIM card from European operators.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Source: http://www.phonearena.com/news/You-...ore-the-Galaxy-S5-is-unlocked-for-use_id55042
(even though this article is written about the S5, it still applies)

Check before you leave by trying a SIM from another carrier. I got my S8 from Samsung (Canada) It was unlocked but locked to the first carrier SIM I put in. Then I had to use the unlock code included with my shipping notice to unlock.
I purchased an S6 through Expansys when they were in Canada. I got the UAE model and it was unlocked. I never used it on a network from there however the moment I turned it on it updated so maybe that's why.

My sm-g950fd is region locked! Need help here!

I got the phone as a gift from an uncle in Saudi Arabia, it was intact.So there was no call made through it in Saudi and now it's asking for network unlock code (Current region is Bangladesh) :crying::crying::crying: .It says on the box "For Middle East and North Africa only".
Now if I flash the stock rom for SM-G950FD that has a region (BNG) compatible with my current country's SIM, will it unlock the region lock? Or is it just gonna get bricked or bootloop?
PS - Online unlock-code-for-cash isn't an easy option since I don't have a credit card.I can do it by a third party though and it's gonna cost me a bit too much money.I'd like to give the flashing a try first
EDIT - I unlocked it!I took it to a servicing center,they inserted a roaming Saudi sim and now it's unlocked!It cost me around 19$.I also contacted Samsung Saudi Arabia and provided them the info they required.And now they're processing the code and said it will take 5 working days to send me the code.

I think you have to use the phone for 5 minutes in the country it was sold so the region lock is dismissed, i don't believe flashing will get rid of the region lock.

BFahim said:
I got the phone as a gift from an uncle in Saudi Arabia, it was intact.So there was no call made through it in Saudi and now it's asking for network unlock code (Current region is Bangladesh) :crying::crying::crying: .It says on the box "For Middle East and North Africa only".
Now if I flash the stock rom for SM-G950FD that has a region (BNG) compatible with my current country's SIM, will it unlock the region lock? Or is it just gonna get bricked or bootloop?
PS - Online unlock-code-for-cash isn't an easy option since I don't have a credit card.I can do it by a third party though and it's gonna cost me a bit too much money.I'd like to give the flashing a try first
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flashing will not remove the lock it basically changes the carrier apps and such on it. There are free services you can try here https://forum.xda-developers.com/android/general/cool-unlocking-samsung-z3x-box-free-t3648947 This guy is pretty good but may take him a day or 2 to get around to you as I am sure he is quite busy

peachpuff said:
I think you have to use the phone for 5 minutes in the country it was sold so the region lock is dismissed, i don't believe flashing will get rid of the region lock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't live there so it's not possible.I need an alternative.

TheMadScientist said:
Flashing will not remove the lock it basically changes the carrier apps and such on it. There are free services you can try here https://forum.xda-developers.com/android/general/cool-unlocking-samsung-z3x-box-free-t3648947 This guy is pretty good but may take him a day or 2 to get around to you as I am sure he is quite busy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I checked it out but I'm confused.Do I need to root my device in order to avail his service?
Edit-I figured it out.Thanks.

BFahim said:
I got the phone as a gift from an uncle in Saudi Arabia, it was intact.So there was no call made through it in Saudi and now it's asking for network unlock code (Current region is Bangladesh) :crying::crying::crying: .It says on the box "For Middle East and North Africa only".
Now if I flash the stock rom for SM-G950FD that has a region (BNG) compatible with my current country's SIM, will it unlock the region lock? Or is it just gonna get bricked or bootloop?
PS - Online unlock-code-for-cash isn't an easy option since I don't have a credit card.I can do it by a third party though and it's gonna cost me a bit too much money.I'd like to give the flashing a try first
EDIT - I unlocked it!I took it to a servicing center,they inserted a roaming Saudi sim and now it's unlocked!It cost me around 19$.I also contacted Samsung Saudi Arabia and provided them the info they required.And now they're processing the code and said it will take 5 working days to send me the code.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did the phone unlock after inserting Saudi Sim card and placing a call for 5 minutes? Or you waited 5 days for the code to unlock it? My dad is bringing the phone for me and its region lock but I am sure he will be having a local sim card with him so can I do the stuff here in India with Saudi Sim card or I should be there!?

emad26 said:
Did the phone unlock after inserting Saudi Sim card and placing a call for 5 minutes? Or you waited 5 days for the code to unlock it? My dad is bringing the phone for me and its region lock but I am sure he will be having a local sim card with him so can I do the stuff here in India with Saudi Sim card or I should be there!?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can ask your dad to bring a Saudi SIM card and make/receive at least 5 minutes of calls to it while it's in your S8.
My aunt had the same issue with a Note 8 from the Middle East - once you complete 5 minutes of calls it's fully SIM unlocked to any carrier in the world.
Samsung used to do region locking for European phones too, but nowadays the only phones I see region locked are those from the Middle East - apparently they're priced way cheaper (~$100-200?) compared to the rest of the world over there for some reason, and Samsung doesn't want you exporting them fresh in the box to regions where they're more expensive.
Above aunt gets sent like 2 Galaxy S/Note phones a year just from credit card rewards

emad26 said:
Did the phone unlock after inserting Saudi Sim card and placing a call for 5 minutes? Or you waited 5 days for the code to unlock it? My dad is bringing the phone for me and its region lock but I am sure he will be having a local sim card with him so can I do the stuff here in India with Saudi Sim card or I should be there!?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, using a local sim card should do the job.

Hurrian said:
You can ask your dad to bring a Saudi SIM card and make/receive at least 5 minutes of calls to it while it's in your S8.
My aunt had the same issue with a Note 8 from the Middle East - once you complete 5 minutes of calls it's fully SIM unlocked to any carrier in the world.
Samsung used to do region locking for European phones too, but nowadays the only phones I see region locked are those from the Middle East - apparently they're priced way cheaper (~$100-200?) compared to the rest of the world over there for some reason, and Samsung doesn't want you exporting them fresh in the box to regions where they're more expensive.
Above aunt gets sent like 2 Galaxy S/Note phones a year just from credit card rewards
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Thanks for letting me know. I really appreciate it. Yes, in the middle east the phones are way cheaper especially considering very low tax rates.