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Hello,
Me and my girlfriend are both going to India in December 2013. We are getting married -- YAY!!!:laugh:
Anyways, we both live in Canada and she has Note 3 (Snapdragon LTE model) N900W8 with Rogers Wireless and I have the similar model with Bell Mobility.
I was just wondering if there is a way to SIM unlock these devices so we can use it in India.
My phone is rooted with TWRP installed but as I read through the forums that I cannot use the RegionLock chainfire method.
What do I need to do to get these 2 devices unlocked? I don't want to pay a high unlocking fee. (I found quotes from cellunlocker dot net and it costs $14.99 for Rogers model and $32.99 for Bell Model)
Please help!.
Thanks in advance.!
roni2915 said:
Hello,
Me and my girlfriend are both going to India in December 2013. We are getting married -- YAY!!!:laugh:
Anyways, we both live in Canada and she has Note 3 (Snapdragon LTE model) N900W8 with Rogers Wireless and I have the similar model with Bell Mobility.
I was just wondering if there is a way to SIM unlock these devices so we can use it in India.
My phone is rooted with TWRP installed but as I read through the forums that I cannot use the RegionLock chainfire method.
What do I need to do to get these 2 devices unlocked? I don't want to pay a high unlocking fee. (I found quotes from cellunlocker dot net and it costs $14.99 for Rogers model and $32.99 for Bell Model)
Please help!.
Thanks in advance.!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi man, I am in the same spot more or less, How can I sim unlock my Samsung Note 3 N900W8 with out a sim code? Is there a way by rooting? Or maybe there is another kernel out that I can flash etc?
Also Cellunlocker.net has not refunded me my money for a sim code for this phone. I have messaged them and they keep sending me replies saying "pending". So I would not recommend using that site for the N900W8. Cheers
I have used cellunlocker.net for my Note 3 and received my unlock code within an hour. Had no issue unlocking and done many phones using their services.
You simply need to use the generic "ALL CANADIAN VERSION" option instead of your specific carrier and it goes much faster.
What I would be concerned about the compatibility of the GSM Band in India...
You know... like trying to use a canadian Note 3 with Verizon... ? Not compatible.
---------- Post added at 08:10 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:57 PM ----------
Also... the region unlock is not for the sim but a specific lock on the phone initial activation that can prevent the cellphone from being used in a different region of the world. The lock remove itself after first setup.
Canadian SM-N900W8 do not come with region lock anyway. So not an issue anyway.
All you need is an unlock code for the phone Sim lock.
Eagerly waiting to unlock my device.
I wouldn't mind unlocking by SIM Unlock code, but the prices are way too much..
Plus you said cellunlocker.net doesn't work on canadian models, so I'm skeptical to even try it out.
cellunlocker is my last resort anyway!!
roni2915 said:
Eagerly waiting to unlock my device.
I wouldn't mind unlocking by SIM Unlock code, but the prices are way too much..
Plus you said cellunlocker.net doesn't work on canadian models, so I'm skeptical to even try it out.
cellunlocker is my last resort anyway!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I unlocked my Telus samsung note 3 with them =] it was really easy. It works with all GSM sim cards i throw at it. (even wind and mobilicity)
I also heard there are a few options too. my friend has an S4 and downgraded the firmware and did a free unlock!
I couldnt find a free unlock for the Ntoe 3 =( If anyone knows it would have been graet.
1sagain said:
I unlocked my Telus samsung note 3 with them =] it was really easy. It works with all GSM sim cards i throw at it. (even wind and mobilicity)
I also heard there are a few options too. my friend has an S4 and downgraded the firmware and did a free unlock!
I couldnt find a free unlock for the Ntoe 3 =( If anyone knows it would have been graet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know older models of S4, S3, Note 1 and Note 2 can be unlocked via the phone menu on the device itself!!! Doesn't work with note 3...
Hence my only option is to order unlock code, but i will still wait as I have a few weeks before i leave
roni2915 said:
I know older models of S4, S3, Note 1 and Note 2 can be unlocked via the phone menu on the device itself!!! Doesn't work with note 3...
Hence my only option is to order unlock code, but i will still wait as I have a few weeks before i leave
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was able to unlock a stock T-Mobile N900T by first using URDLV to root as outlined here: http://www.theandroidsoul.com/universal-root-de-la-vega-script/ Rooting did not trip Knox, still says "Samsung Official"
Then I used Chainfires Region Lock Away app, instructions as found here: http://androidfannetwork.com/2013/10/06/sim-unlock-t-mobile-note-3-for-free/ but since I didn't have a T-Mobile Sim, I skipped the first two steps, leaving me with this:
3. Install RegionLock Away app
4. Run the app, and instead of rebooting say Reboot Later (THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT)
5. Power off the Note 3
6. Insert SIM of choice
7. Turned on the device – BOOM! no Region Lock, and NO SIM Lock.
I don't know for sure, but think this *may* work for those with N900W8 if the T-Mobile roms work with the same device. Follow above steps at your own risk, but please post results.
ncho2233 said:
I was able to unlock a stock T-Mobile N900T by first using URDLV to root as outlined here: http://www.theandroidsoul.com/universal-root-de-la-vega-script/ Rooting did not trip Knox, still says "Samsung Official"
Then I used Chainfires Region Lock Away app, instructions as found here: http://androidfannetwork.com/2013/10/06/sim-unlock-t-mobile-note-3-for-free/ but since I didn't have a T-Mobile Sim, I skipped the first two steps, leaving me with this:
3. Install RegionLock Away app
4. Run the app, and instead of rebooting say Reboot Later (THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT)
5. Power off the Note 3
6. Insert SIM of choice
7. Turned on the device – BOOM! no Region Lock, and NO SIM Lock.
I don't know for sure, but think this *may* work for those with N900W8 if the T-Mobile roms work with the same device. Follow above steps at your own risk, but please post results.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Heyy Just a quick question
I hear a lot about this Region Lock.
I never had the sticker warning on my box in Canada. but i see it on the boxes in U.S.A. and Europe.
Do you actually see on your phone screen itself saying "YOUR PHONE IS REGION LOCKED" ?
or something like that?
I am super curious. cuz on my note 3 which did not come with region lock stickers asked me for the SIM network unlock PIN (network unlocking message)
Noone so far has been able to show me anything close to region locking in real life yet. Many just show the SIM network unlock PIN message which isn't region locks
I am super duper curious
Thanks!!!
1sagain said:
Heyy Just a quick question
I hear a lot about this Region Lock.
I never had the sticker warning on my box in Canada. but i see it on the boxes in U.S.A. and Europe.
Do you actually see on your phone screen itself saying "YOUR PHONE IS REGION LOCKED" ?
or something like that?
I am super curious. cuz on my note 3 which did not come with region lock stickers asked me for the SIM network unlock PIN (network unlocking message)
Noone so far has been able to show me anything close to region locking in real life yet. Many just show the SIM network unlock PIN message which isn't region locks
I am super duper curious
Thanks!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HI, there was nothing on the phone screen saying it's region locked. Just wouldn't accept the SIM from another carrier, I think the error message was "INVALID SIM" before.
This is something that a lot of people are coming to us to ask at the moment and I haven't seen or heard of anything that suggests once an unlock code is entered on the "SIM Network unlock PIN" screen, which 1sagain mentioned, that the region lock hinders the user taking the phone internationally.
We've provided thousands of unlocks since the region locks became active and I haven't heard back from one person informing us that the region lock is still stopping them using their phone abroad. Although it isn't direct evidence that the region locks are removed by codes, it is a large enough sample for us to feel the lack of evidence can be used as evidence in itself.
Essentially, from what I know, remove the SIM Network unlock PIN request = removes the region lock.
mobileunlocked said:
This is something that a lot of people are coming to us to ask at the moment and I haven't seen or heard of anything that suggests once an unlock code is entered on the "SIM Network unlock PIN" screen, which 1sagain mentioned, that the region lock hinders the user taking the phone internationally.
We've provided thousands of unlocks since the region locks became active and I haven't heard back from one person informing us that the region lock is still stopping them using their phone abroad. Although it isn't direct evidence that the region locks are removed by codes, it is a large enough sample for us to feel the lack of evidence can be used as evidence in itself.
Essentially, from what I know, remove the SIM Network unlock PIN request = removes the region lock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So where can I purchase a code, i need 2 code, one for Rogers and one for my Bell N900W8.
Plus, how much does it cost?
Thanks.
roni2915 said:
So where can I purchase a code, i need 2 code, one for Rogers and one for my Bell N900W8.
Plus, how much does it cost?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm here to offer help where I can simply because we have knowledge in this area but I can't link to us as that would be voiding the terms of usage on XDA. You can find code sites by searching in search engines or Youtube.
ncho2233 said:
HI, there was nothing on the phone screen saying it's region locked. Just wouldn't accept the SIM from another carrier, I think the error message was "INVALID SIM" before.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm
I see,
Invalid SIM, however, implies many things as it has many factors.
Invalid sim can be due to incompatible network with your phone/old sim card that wont work on the note 3 but on other phones/plan on the sim is not compatible with your device/or Other damages or bugs
Best work arounds I see:
1. Replace the sim.
2. Try waiting at least 5 - 10 minutes with this sim inserted (knowing this is a fully activated sim card)
3. Make sure your phone is fully compatible with the Network (Make sure the Network doesn't use CDMA)
4. Make sure your phone is NOT asking for the SIM network unlock PIN (This means your phone is still SIM Locked (not region locked))
5. Restart the phone with the Fully activated new SIm inserted.
6. Call the new carrier you are using your unlocked phone with.
Many more things etc etc to try. etc etc
Pow35 said:
I have used cellunlocker.net for my Note 3 and received my unlock code within an hour. Had no issue unlocking and done many phones using their services.
You simply need to use the generic "ALL CANADIAN VERSION" option instead of your specific carrier and it goes much faster.
What I would be concerned about the compatibility of the GSM Band in India...
You know... like trying to use a canadian Note 3 with Verizon... ? Not compatible.
---------- Post added at 08:10 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:57 PM ----------
Also... the region unlock is not for the sim but a specific lock on the phone initial activation that can prevent the cellphone from being used in a different region of the world. The lock remove itself after first setup.
Canadian SM-N900W8 do not come with region lock anyway. So not an issue anyway.
All you need is an unlock code for the phone Sim lock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the tip I will try using the "ALL CANADIAN VERSION". I did receive a refund in the end, so no worries about them stealing your money. Cheers
Canada Note3 N800
roni2915 said:
Hello,
Me and my girlfriend are both going to India in December 2013. We are getting married -- YAY!!!:laugh:
.....................
Thanks in advance.!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi
I am from India so sharing my experience.
Can u be more specific of phone model? Pl post exact model no & FW.
I have SM-N800 (FW N900XXUBMI2) bought in USA, used with US SIM in US & working in India wout any region/sim lock issues.
1. LTE Bands in India are differnt than in USA & Canada. So you Cant use LTE in India
2. 3G & GSM will work in India as they are global bands
3. If you are already using the Note3 in Canada, are they carrier locked? Have u tried by swapping SIM between 2 of you and still the Note3 works? If Yes, then your phone is already Region & SIM unlocked and you don't need any unlock code to use phone outside Canada.
4. You can also contact Canada Samsung Service center to confirm if your phone is region/sim unlocked. They can tell. Also carry your US Bills for phone to India in case you have to visit Samsung India for help for any other issue.
Hope this helps.
Cheers!!!
ncho2233 said:
I was able to unlock a stock T-Mobile N900T by first using URDLV to root as outlined here: http://www.theandroidsoul.com/universal-root-de-la-vega-script/ Rooting did not trip Knox, still says "Samsung Official"
Then I used Chainfires Region Lock Away app, instructions as found here: http://androidfannetwork.com/2013/10/06/sim-unlock-t-mobile-note-3-for-free/ but since I didn't have a T-Mobile Sim, I skipped the first two steps, leaving me with this:
3. Install RegionLock Away app
4. Run the app, and instead of rebooting say Reboot Later (THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT)
5. Power off the Note 3
6. Insert SIM of choice
7. Turned on the device – BOOM! no Region Lock, and NO SIM Lock.
I don't know for sure, but think this *may* work for those with N900W8 if the T-Mobile roms work with the same device. Follow above steps at your own risk, but please post results.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What is the risk in performing these steps with my N900W8? I requested a code to unlock my phone from cellunlocker and now it is more than 12 hrs and I didn't get anything back from them except pending. please let me what is harm in performing those steps without rooting the device.
Pow35 said:
I have used cellunlocker.net for my Note 3 and received my unlock code within an hour. Had no issue unlocking and done many phones using their services.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's been over 14 hours and I still have not received the code from them.
E mail them. It works.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
nawkwan said:
It's been over 14 hours and I still have not received the code from them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where you able to unlock your phone. Cellunlocker refunded me the money because they could not find the code. what do I do? please help. My phone is in a drawer now. please help!!!!
Anyone try this method for the N900W8?
1.Remove the SIM from the Galaxy Note 3. Replace it with a SIM from another carrier.
2.Turn off the device then switch it back on.
3.Access the dial pad and type the following: *#197328640#.
4.Go back to the main menu and open UMTS.
5.Open Debug Screen> Phone Control > Network Lock.
6.Open Options and choose Perso SHA256 OFF.
7.Wait for 30 seconds.
8.Return to the main menu and choose back.
9.After completion, wait for the device to read "Network Lock."
10.Choose NW Lock NV Data INITIALLIZ.
If the user followed the procedures precisely, the device should read: "Asterisk Pound One Nine Seven Three Two Eight Six Four Zero Pound". Owners of Samsung Galaxy S3, Galaxy S4 and Note 2 can also use the following procedures to unlock their devices.
I've read about this region lock and hope someone can help clarify my situation.
I am getting a T-mobile from ebay (supposed to be clean IMEI)...I plan to sim unlock as I am using in Canada. I read about the region lock...and some say as long as you use it with the same region sim it's clear....so does it mean if I use a Canada SIM it will be ok since it's same region (North America)...or does it have to be T-mobile or US sim? Some of the unlock code providers says you need to unlock with original carrier...does it haev to be?
Also, is there anyway to tell if it's region lock if you're using in your original region...i.e. if sim unlocked and I use in Canada (assuming that's consider same region)...how can I tell if region lock has been disabled if I don't have a foreign sim to check? Is tehre a way to see?
Thanks
newr said:
I've read about this region lock and hope someone can help clarify my situation.
I am getting a T-mobile from ebay (supposed to be clean IMEI)...I plan to sim unlock as I am using in Canada. I read about the region lock...and some say as long as you use it with the same region sim it's clear....so does it mean if I use a Canada SIM it will be ok since it's same region (North America)...or does it have to be T-mobile or US sim? Some of the unlock code providers says you need to unlock with original carrier...does it haev to be?
Also, is there anyway to tell if it's region lock if you're using in your original region...i.e. if sim unlocked and I use in Canada (assuming that's consider same region)...how can I tell if region lock has been disabled if I don't have a foreign sim to check? Is tehre a way to see?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
T-mo phones are region locked, but not as much as some international phones, I think there were somewhere around 15 entries , where normally you would have around 40. If you root your phone, you can use Chainfire program to get rid of region lock if your phone is on Android 4.3, not sure about 4.4.2 update. You can see list of region codes that are locked on your phone inside customer.xml (network lock with numeric code), file is located inside /system/CSC directory, but you need root to see it. Your bigger problem may be a SIM lock (I don't think Canada is region locked on US phones anyhow), but some people claim Chainfire unlocks SIM as well, but I have no way to confirm it. Otherwise T-mo can unlock the phone if it was fully paid for or you can use paid service to unlock the SIM.
I hope you understand risks involved with buying phones on e-bay? If the phone was not fully paid for, it may not be locked in Canada, but if it was reported stolen, I think that info may be distributed to other carriers? Phone could have some defects or may even be a fake, so just be careful and understand the risks. And finally make sure frequencies are compatible , but I can't help you with that.
Anyway, good luck if you decide to go ahead with it, Note 3 is awesome phone.
pete4k said:
T-mo phones are region locked, but not as much as some international phones, I think there were somewhere around 15 entries , where normally you would have around 40. If you root your phone, you can use Chainfire program to get rid of region lock if your phone is on Android 4.3, not sure about 4.4.2 update. You can see list of region codes that are locked on your phone inside customer.xml (network lock with numeric code), file is located inside /system/CSC directory, but you need root to see it. Your bigger problem may be a SIM lock (I don't think Canada is region locked on US phones anyhow), but some people claim Chainfire unlocks SIM as well, but I have no way to confirm it. Otherwise T-mo can unlock the phone if it was fully paid for or you can use paid service to unlock the SIM.
I hope you understand risks involved with buying phones on e-bay? If the phone was not fully paid for, it may not be locked in Canada, but if it was reported stolen, I think that info may be distributed to other carriers? Phone could have some defects or may even be a fake, so just be careful and understand the risks. And finally make sure frequencies are compatible , but I can't help you with that.
Anyway, good luck if you decide to go ahead with it, Note 3 is awesome phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But the idea of region lock is if you use the sim from the same region the first time, it will not activate the lock anymore according to Samsung. So if a t-mobile (north america) phone is activated on a canadian sim..would that prevent the region lock? I am aware of the Sim lock issue...had bought t-mobile phones before for here....trying to see if I should root or get code this time. HOpefully won't be problem with the IMEI...seems like more problem nowadays than in the past..guess lots of people are scamming T-mobile by paying $200 and taking the phone and run.
I've got a UK S5 purchased sim free and have just made a 5 minute call in the hope the region lock will be removed, but does anyone know if there is a way to test this? I'm going abroad in a few months (Singapore) and would like to use the phone there but want to be certain this has been region unlocked beforehand.
Any ideas?
Thanks in advance
Spend $35-$40 on online unlock service, you will be worry free mate
babygau said:
Spend $35-$40 on online unlock service, you will be worry free mate
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't need SIM unlocking, the phone is factory unlocked, but just want to know if there is a way to check the status of the RegionLock (before going overseas and trying another sim)
p4j1 said:
I don't need SIM unlocking, the phone is factory unlocked, but just want to know if there is a way to check the status of the RegionLock (before going overseas and trying another sim)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
make 10-15 minutes more of calls just to be on the safe side? lol. but all kidding aside I have no idea how to check, and very quick/brief google search didn't turn up results (again very very quick search I may have overlooked it lol)..
I think you don't have to be worry about region lock. As far as i know, Singapore has the same mobile network (GSM) with Australia, theoretically you could use any sim to make phone calls in Singapore
p4j1 said:
I've got a UK S5 purchased sim free and have just made a 5 minute call in the hope the region lock will be removed, but does anyone know if there is a way to test this? I'm going abroad in a few months (Singapore) and would like to use the phone there but want to be certain this has been region unlocked beforehand.
Any ideas?
Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't need to verify this. It's already an acknowledged fact. Samsung just wanted to reduce sales in the grey market.
Not many user seem to read your question carefully or simply don't get what the problem is..
I will have the same problem as I will go to Korea in a few month. I guess we just have to believe what Samsung said about the 5 min. call. Even trying the phone with a foreign sim card (foreign friends etc) is not sure since it will connect to the same region operators. But maybe it's worth a try!
Sent from my SM-G900F using XDA Free mobile app
oTToToTenTanz said:
Not many user seem to read your question carefully or simply don't get what the problem is..
I will have the same problem as I will go to Korea in a few month. I guess we just have to believe what Samsung said about the 5 min. call. Even trying the phone with a foreign sim card (foreign friends etc) is not sure since it will connect to the same region operators. But maybe it's worth a try!
Sent from my SM-G900F using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
5 m8n is not enough, use it for 1 or 2 hours with not less of 15 min of call but 3-4 calls not only one and everything will be ok ( tested on my s5 and on s4 mini) i have multiple sim of france and othrr country outside of UE so i had experience of that probleme
Has anyone found a way to check if the phone is region locked? Would receiving 5 mins worth of calls on a regional SIM card be enough or does one have to make the calls?
There are some technical approaches but why not simply insert an out of region SIM card and try making a call? Does it work - or do you get an error? If you didn't plan ahead and don't have an out of region SIM on hand, a large, local mobile shop can probably furnish one for you to test.
Even if you had to purchase a prepaid SIM by mail order.. wouldn't that be worth it to know the answer? Otherwise you could be scrambling to fix it abroad under more difficult circumstances.
----> If you are rooted, you can do an authorative check by looking at your phone's blacklist file as described here
.
Some websites say that apart from making 5 mins worth of calls its also necessary to insert a regional SIM card before turning on the phone for the first time. Is this true?
lambada24 said:
Some websites say that apart from making 5 mins worth of calls its also necessary to insert a regional SIM card before turning on the phone for the first time. Is this true?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No way to know unless someone does rigorous testing. Samsung probably prefers the particulars to remain murky to make it harder for end users to buy lower priced phones from other countries.
.
How can I go about resetting my phone to as close to its factory state as possible? I want to go through the initial configuration process with the SIM card inserted as I had configured it without a SIM card.
lambada24 said:
How can I go about resetting my phone to as close to its factory state as possible? I want to go through the initial configuration process with the SIM card inserted as I had configured it without a SIM card.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A bit off topic in this thread. So you should start a new thread if you have any follow up questions..
But to answer, Settings > General > Backup and reset > Factory data reset > Reset
That should do what you want.
Be warned that this will delete all of your user data, files and apps. So do a backup first.
And optionally follow that by using Odin or Kies to flash a full OEM stock firmware image on the device.
The latter step isn't really necessary 99% of the time and does very little that the first step hasn't already done. But you did say.. as close as... possible
.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
did I mention that if it was my device being sold, etc, that I would also trash my encryption keys, do several dd passes over the flash memory, soft brick, repartition, then wipe again with forensic software while pondering whether I had any reasons to simply grind the handset into fine powder.. ?
Did both steps. At least if the phone decides not to work with a local sim card when I'm out of Europe I'll have a clean conscience
Thanks a million.
lambada24 said:
Did both steps. At least if the phone decides not to work with a local sim card when I'm out of Europe I'll have a clean conscience
Thanks a million.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hi Mate, was your phone region unlocked after 5 mins of call? M planning to buy one but its from other region. Also, will it get region locked again after any update?
Yes it worked fine for me with another regions sim card. I haven't been abroad again since I updated it so I don't know if it's still region unlocked.
I just got an s8 in switzerland, but the sim card lasted no time, as no credit. I have made several calls of about 2.50 minutes each to 0800 numbers (toll free) will this work?
Thanks
So the matter goes like this -
I bought a GS 7 Edge (SM-G935F single SIM International unlocked variant) from Ebay India recently. Everything is OK with the phone except that it is unable to search and connect to any Indian mobile network. It shows "NO SERVICE" even when a SIM is inserted and do not search for networks anyhow. After some search I came to know that it is Middle East specific variant so no Indian SIM card is working in it. So I guess it is suffering from that infamous "Region Lock" issue. I know the "5-minute call in region/home network" solution but unfortunately it is impossible to me to go to middle east just for this.
Is there anyone out there who had/has this issue and got it solved anyhow (other than 5-minute call method).
Please anyone including our great forum modders and devs, I request you to help me out from this awkward situation.
I think you can just get a sim card (turkish for example) from ebay? that will cost you like 10$
Apologies if im wrong
When you insert an indian sim does it ask for a SIM unlock code?
If it doesnt then its not a region lock problem. Your phone has a defect and youshould either return it or get it checked at a service centre.
If it does, then just contact the samsung middle east through e-mail, they'll help you out with the PIN
No it does not ask for any code.
Some more questions, please can some one answer?
1. Can I flash the phone with an Asia Pacific (which is my region) stock ROM?
2. If the answer is yes and everything is successful then will it remove the region lock?
3. Does anyone know whether the region lock is a hardware or firmware based restriction?
Any help is highly appreciated.
Unfortunately nothing worked for me. I successfully flashed the phone with Indian Stock ROM but the problem persisted. As a last resort I rooted the phone and used the "Region Lock Away" app. But unfortunately it did not work either giving "Unexpected error occurred" message. Now I think I can't do anything about this other than shelling out money at a Samsung service center.
@samsung - I must say Samsung, you are not doing it right at all by region locking the devices. It is the most stupid and bad-for-business move from your part. I mean come on! A user buys your phone spending a lot then he/she must be free to use it anywhere and anyhow without any restrictions. Why on earth I spend more money buying a SIM card, you are selling phones or promoting regional network operators along with it. Disappointed as I am, I will no longer buy a Samsung phone in the future and will make sure no other in my family and circle buys one. Besides being a blogger and social media influencer I will do as much as I can to make people aware about this restrictive and monopolistic attitude of yours. You will have to pay for this.
I'm with u
i bought it from India, and back to Singapore...
cant use it alerady a week. and Singapore samsung saying they cant help. contact indian operator / samsung service centre.
Hi Folks,
I am switching from an iPhone to S8 and noticed this annoyance. I spent 3+ hours setting up my S8 and proceeded to insert my SIM. After which, it totally erased my phone! I googled around and found out that this is apparently a "security feature".
I'm wondering if there's a way to disable this "feature"? I would want an option to pop-in the local sim when I am traveling abroad.
Thanks for your help!
I believe this only happens under initial setup or after a factory reset. When you insert a different sim from now on it will not reset everything.
Link to info you found on Google? So need to stick sim on it before we boot up if we're switching from say iPhone to S8?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Yes, definitely insert your sim before you do anything.
boomfunk said:
Yes, definitely insert your sim before you do anything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After initial setup are you allowed to swap sim as you see fit? Have a iPhone I'm going to share duties with.
Did you have the Canadian version? I saw this in S7 that was sold in Costco. Due to the unified rom, the first sim you put in will wipe the phone and configure it to that network.
This happens because when the SIM card is inserted, its carrier is detected and the phone switches from a generic CSC to the CSC of that carrier. Changing the CSC on a Samsung phone always results in a factory reset.
It is one of the reasons that carrier employees are supposed to insert the SIM card into the phone before giving it to the customer in the store. For those who receive their phone by mail, unfortunately there is no warning.
A good rule of thumb for Samsung phones (and probably a good idea for all Android phones in general) is to always insert the SIM card before doing any setup of any sort.
Yes, I have the Candian version and I'm with Koodo. As some of you pointed out, the restart indeed locked my phone. I can pop in another sim no problem now, but the phone prompts me for an unlock code.
A warning for mail orders would have been nice. But, such is life.
I also had this beautiful experience. I have not tried another SIM and have to admit I'm very hesitant to now, until I figure out a good backup process, now that I'm root-less. Did you try a SIM from a whole other carrier?
Edit: Sorry, misread and confused with my own experience. Unlock code = because you tried another carrier, right? I picked up elsewhere that the phones lock themselves to the first carrier they pick up, so you now need to get an unlock code from your carrier.
Geebus, I can't say I don't find this a bit annoying, I bought an unlocked device to avoid things like that. That's what you get for not researching, I suppose. :silly:
Edit 2: To impart a bit of what I found for other readers (since there aren't many threads about it, from what I can tell):
- Snapdragon phones since the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge come Region Locked, not just carrier-locked. A region lock is to combat grey market reselling, but it's not so bad; just place a five-minute phone call in the region the phone was intended for, and that constraint is gone.
- Next, carrier SIM lock codes are not new, but I guess I was surprised to find that my direct-from-Samsung device will lock itself to the first carrier it attaches to. You can get an unlock code from the carrier (especially if you are leaving/moving, or the contract is over, for example), or via third-party service for around $30 USD or less.
If anyone has evidence or experience of the contrary, by all means let me know!
kachunkachunk said:
Next, carrier SIM lock codes are not new, but I guess I was surprised to find that my direct-from-Samsung device will lock itself to the first carrier it attaches to. You can get an unlock code from the carrier (especially if you are leaving/moving, or the contract is over, for example), or via third-party service for around $30 USD or less.
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Click to collapse
This is correct. It is done this way so that only one set of firmware is needed for the entire country, despite us having almost a dozen different carriers. It would be too much work for Samsung to have to tweak each new firmware update for each individual Canadian carrier, so they put them all into a single package.
All SM-G955W units use the same firmware and said firmware contains the CSC settings and 'bloatware' of every Canadian carrier. The pre-installed firmware does not install any carrier bloatware; those apps just sit in waiting, hidden in the firmware. Once a SIM card is inserted for the first time, the phone detects said SIM card's carrier, reboots into recovery and 'updates' by locking itself to that carrier and installing that carrier's bloatware. That change is written permanently into the phone's internals; from this point on, any time you factory reset it will go back to this state, with that carrier's firmware installed, even if you have subsequently unlocked the phone and have a different carrier's SIM card inserted.
When you see firmware downloads for a Samsung phone and each one is listed from a different carrier, that is actually irrelevant. The resulting firmware is identical and the phone will take whatever settings, CSC, and apps from within the firmware and install according to which carrier it was originally locked to (even if it is now unlocked).
Sevael said:
Once a SIM card is inserted for the first time, the phone detects said SIM card's carrier, reboots into recovery and 'updates' by locking itself to that carrier and installing that carrier's bloatware. That change is written permanently into the phone's internals; from this point on, any time you factory reset it will go back to this state, with that carrier's firmware installed, even if you have subsequently unlocked the phone and have a different carrier's SIM card inserted.
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How does this affect a device that was a carrier device but flashed to the U1 firmware? Or, alternate question: I flashed 950U1, so if I need to factory reset, will it revert to Verizon's branding?
raduque said:
How does this affect a device that was a carrier device but flashed to the U1 firmware? Or, alternate question: I flashed 950U1, so if I need to factory reset, will it revert to Verizon's branding?
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It will factory reset to whatever the default is for the currently installed firmware.
Samsung phones from the US use a different firmware for each carrier. What was covered in this thread mostly applies to the Canadian firmware, which is just a singular firmware for all carriers throughout Canada.
Sevael said:
It will factory reset to whatever the default is for the currently installed firmware.
Samsung phones from the US use a different firmware for each carrier. What was covered in this thread mostly applies to the Canadian firmware, which is just a singular firmware for all carriers throughout Canada.
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Thanks for the reply. It's nice to know Verizon won't be coming back on factory reset.
Maybe it's a carrier thing. I factory reset my devices when I first get them and don't put the SIM in until I get my Samsung and Google accounts set up the way I want them. For my Exynos S8+ I had it almost completely set up before I went to AT&T to get its SIM cut. Whenever you remove a SIM from a phone where its currently being used you'll always get a "SIM removed - restart required." But it's a normal restart not a reset.
kachunkachunk said:
I also had this beautiful experience. I have not tried another SIM and have to admit I'm very hesitant to now, until I figure out a good backup process, now that I'm root-less. Did you try a SIM from a whole other carrier?
Edit: Sorry, misread and confused with my own experience. Unlock code = because you tried another carrier, right? I picked up elsewhere that the phones lock themselves to the first carrier they pick up, so you now need to get an unlock code from your carrier.
Geebus, I can't say I don't find this a bit annoying, I bought an unlocked device to avoid things like that. That's what you get for not researching, I suppose. :silly:
Edit 2: To impart a bit of what I found for other readers (since there aren't many threads about it, from what I can tell):
- Snapdragon phones since the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge come Region Locked, not just carrier-locked. A region lock is to combat grey market reselling, but it's not so bad; just place a five-minute phone call in the region the phone was intended for, and that constraint is gone.
- Next, carrier SIM lock codes are not new, but I guess I was surprised to find that my direct-from-Samsung device will lock itself to the first carrier it attaches to. You can get an unlock code from the carrier (especially if you are leaving/moving, or the contract is over, for example), or via third-party service for around $30 USD or less.
If anyone has evidence or experience of the contrary, by all means let me know!
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Click to collapse
If you purchased unlocked from Samsung Canada they included the unlock code and IMEI with the shipping notice email. The phone locks to the first carrier then you put in the next SIM and use the unlock code from the shipping order. It didn't reset anything when I used a Rogers SIM to unlock from Virgin.
Sent from my SM-T710 using Tapatalk
Fantastic, thanks for letting me know! It'll help others too I'm sure.
I remember my phone arriving before I got a notice, so I may need to do some digging. Can't quite find it just yet. : /
Edit: Ah, look for Tech Data, not Samsung.
Sevael said:
This is correct. It is done this way so that only one set of firmware is needed for the entire country, despite us having almost a dozen different carriers. It would be too much work for Samsung to have to tweak each new firmware update for each individual Canadian carrier, so they put them all into a single package.
All SM-G955W units use the same firmware and said firmware contains the CSC settings and 'bloatware' of every Canadian carrier. The pre-installed firmware does not install any carrier bloatware; those apps just sit in waiting, hidden in the firmware. Once a SIM card is inserted for the first time, the phone detects said SIM card's carrier, reboots into recovery and 'updates' by locking itself to that carrier and installing that carrier's bloatware. That change is written permanently into the phone's internals; from this point on, any time you factory reset it will go back to this state, with that carrier's firmware installed, even if you have subsequently unlocked the phone and have a different carrier's SIM card inserted.
When you see firmware downloads for a Samsung phone and each one is listed from a different carrier, that is actually irrelevant. The resulting firmware is identical and the phone will take whatever settings, CSC, and apps from within the firmware and install according to which carrier it was originally locked to (even if it is now unlocked).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there any way to flash out the settings and apps from the original Sim/carrier?
I.e. im going from Rogers to Freedom mobile and have factory unlocked my phone with a code; can I now go from a rogers branded phone to a Freedom mobile branded phone or more preferably an unbranded version and still utilize all the functions of Freedom mobile such as Wi-Fi calling?
howellinmad said:
Is there any way to flash out the settings and apps from the original Sim/carrier?
I.e. im going from Rogers to Freedom mobile and have factory unlocked my phone with a code; can I now go from a rogers branded phone to a Freedom mobile branded phone or more preferably an unbranded version and still utilize all the functions of Freedom mobile such as Wi-Fi calling?
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Click to collapse
Sorry for the late reply. I didn't get an email notification about this post for some reason...
With root access, you would normally be able to remove these apps from the system partition of the phone, but on an unrooted Samsung device, the best you can do is to disable those apps. Once disabled, they are completely dormant and you can go about your business as if they aren't there. The bloatware from all Canadian carriers is baked into the firmware and on every one of our phones regardless, so it's not like you could truly get an "unbranded" Samsung phone in Canada. At best, these apps are hidden. They are not taking up space in the user partition, so it's not like deleting them would free up any usable space anyhow.
As for WiFi calling, my understanding is that carriers that support WiFi calling have to flag that IMEI to allow WiFi calling on their network. Furthermore, it seems that the carriers only initially flag their own phones (i.e. the ones you buy directly from that carrier) and refuse to add devices by customer request. I've read that some people have had luck calling their new carrier and asking for their ported phone to be enabled for WiFi calling, but it appears that the vast majority of people are denied. So I can't really say whether or not you will have any luck enabling WiFi calling after bringing a phone that was originally from a different carrier. If I had to wager, I would say that it wouldn't work as that seems to be the general consensus.
My "unlocked" Canadian SM-G955W Galaxy S8 is currently set on the FIDO network, since it was the first SIM I inserted into it.
I didn't mind too much about the bloatware: they're easy enough to disable.
I was a little irritated that the FIDO firmware disabled the "data" and "wireless hotspot" quick tiles, but read of a way using adb to make them available; but that needs to be done again after every firmware update.
But now, I'm pissed to discover that the FIDO firmware removed the option to do Bluetooth tethering. What? That's what brought me to this thread, searching for a way to have a truly unlocked phone.
So there really is no way to do this without rooting? What would happen if I flashed a US firmware? or UK?
Thanks!
You can change the csc to the unlocked variant xac, Dial *#243203855# in the dialer. But this will wipe your device.