Hi,
I have a Galaxy S5 which is region locked to the Americas. I'm trying to use it in other region, but when inserting non-USA SIM it asks me for a PIN code to unlock.
I have stumbled acrosst his site (with another one that offers the same service):
---.fastgsm.com/en/page/how-to-unlock-samsung-via-imei-s5230-star-s5620-monte-galaxy-tab-s3370
replace --- with www
Do you think it is safe? What other alternatives I have rather than going to the USA and making a five minutes call?
Sounds like SIM-Lock rather than Region Lock. - Both are different and I think you may have confused them
SIM-Lock means it is locked to a carrier, region lock would show no signal and no service etc until you had bypassed it by making that 5minute phone call
radicalisto said:
Sounds like SIM-Lock rather than Region Lock. - Both are different and I think you may have confused them
SIM-Lock means it is locked to a carrier, region lock would show no signal and no service etc until you had bypassed it by making that 5minute phone call
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, it's SIM unlocked. I get message saying to insert "SIM network unlock PIN" which is region-lock, according to search in google.
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.) To use SIM cards from other regions, a cumulative call over five minutes must first be made with the SIM card from European operators.
I'm having the same problem with the SM-G900H from America. I'm in Singapore now. Is it possible to use a USA-sim to unlock the phone WITHIN Singapore?
timweri said:
I'm having the same problem with the SM-G900H from America. I'm in Singapore now. Is it possible to use a USA-sim to unlock the phone WITHIN Singapore?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure, I would try this with roaming but I guess the system is smarter and will check for location.
I ended up buying an unlock code from Cellunlocker.net. They are very fast and responsive, and the code did the work for me.
etaiso said:
I'm not sure, I would try this with roaming but I guess the system is smarter and will check for location.
I ended up buying an unlock code from Cellunlocker.net. They are very fast and responsive, and the code did the work for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure. I think you're lucky...
I purchased a code from them but it doesn't work. I asked them and got this:
Hi
We do not unlock region locks. We only unlock the network.
This was written in red font on our website while placing your order:
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.
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.
*All USA and European Carriers ARE subject to Region Locking
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I totally ignored this as on their website, above this part says:
PLEASE READ THIS DISCLAIMER: If you have a Samsung Galaxy S3, S4, Note 2, Note 3 or your Android version is Android 4.4 (KITKAT)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there any other site that can really unlock a region lock?
Try this:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1...e-at-t-t-mobile-metropcs-rogers-bell-etc_tech
Try this
timweri said:
I'm not sure. I think you're lucky...
I purchased a code from them but it doesn't work. I asked them and got this:
I totally ignored this as on their website, above this part says:
Is there any other site that can really unlock a region lock?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I selected the "Phone freeze + network unlock" from their menu. They provided 4 different codes, and when first used the network unlock code it didn't work, but I then entered the freeze code and it did the job.
cellunlocker.net:
Dosn't provide codes for Region Lock only for decives that open for Region Lock & Close for network lock !
*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
http://www.cellunlocker.net/samsung-unlock.php
Only fastgsm.com help to unloack SIM lock + region lock ...
etaiso said:
I have a Galaxy S5 which is region locked to the Americas. I'm trying to use it in other region, but when inserting non-USA SIM it asks me for a PIN code to unlock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Samsung region locks to make it difficult to do exactly what you are trying to do. Reliable information on the topic is difficult to come by as it doesn't affect most of us.. hence most of us have little direct experience with region locking. And those affected frequently make assumptions and guesses but seldom study the issue methodically.
Some very knowledgeable people say that a normal SIM unlock will likely remove the region unlock as well. So that may be the best option for many. The question of whether using an Americas SIM, e.g. a prepaid SIM for example outside of the America's will release the region lock? The question gets raised from time to time but I have yet to see an authorative answer.. so the only thing that we can say is that it would probably work.
Lastly, one can, with root, directly examine and modify the region lock blacklist. So it is easily circumvented if you root your phone. I can vouch for the later. The other suggestions should work as well, but were not tested myself.
.
what about the people who already bought the phone and came back to their own country.?
it s too late for me to use a sim based in the purchase country. my phone has no sim lock, when i put the sim and try to call someone it says "not registered on network". I wonder is this because region lock or a different problem?
i would appreciate any kind of help.
I suppose you could try flashing firmware from your region and change your CSC. Worth trying since you don't have much choice.
russ18uk said:
I suppose you could try flashing firmware from your region and change your CSC. Worth trying since you don't have much choice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for the advice but my phone is G900H and G900FQ is the phone available in my region
i will try to change CSC when i get my phone back. It is in samsung service now. They are trying to fix it but no luck so far
My friend use .fastgsm.com to unloack SIM lock + region lock ...
I wounder if there is a way with root to unloack it ?
for some reson no one in XDA didn't give a solution to the problem...
anyone know another web to unlock SIM lock + region lock for non-rooted?
what about root deviecs?
Region lock on the 900A
I am looking to buy the galaxy s5 for use in several Sub-saharan African countries. I already have an old ATT sim with me and I will probably be ordering the 900A in/from the US and i want to make sure that the region-lock is not an issue. Will i be able to region unlock with an ATT sim card while in Africa or do i need to have someone make the 5min call for me while the phone is in the US? and is this call meant to be to or from the s5? Also, can the american s5 models be bought already sim-unlocked? (meaning only the region lock is left)?
Thanks!
timweri said:
I'm having the same problem with the SM-G900H from America. I'm in Singapore now. Is it possible to use a USA-sim to unlock the phone WITHIN Singapore?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
are u sure that u have g900H? cauze the specific model is unlocked for all regions/countries
http://swappa.com/specs/samsung-galaxy-s-5-g900h
Galaxy Note 4 European locked
I have note 4 which is region locked, I have tried most of all the online unlock services, but they ether do not unlock region lock or they did not find my IMEI in the database.
the region lock away app will not work cause it only for not 3
I emailed Samsung support and they just say you cannot unlock
and I cannot go to Europe to make five or ten minute call to activate and come back
so the only question now which have been asked before, if using a European sim card outside Europe and make a roaming call will solve it or not?
I hope that someone can try it and let us know it will be very much helpful
Similar problem in Alpha
I face a similar problem with my Samsung Alpha....
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-alpha/help/region-lock-issue-help-required-t3044934
Can someone give me a lead on how to proceed with directly examining and modifying the region lock blacklist.
I have my device rooted.
Also, I read somewhere that installing a stock ROM from different Region, will not help with Region Unlocking.
Can some members please clarify and guide a way forward.
Thanks !!
Related
I am totally new to a Note 3. Bought one yesterday which is an AT&T one not unlocked. How can I check if it is having region lock on or not? Previous owner was using it on AT&T. I have read that once you use it on original carrier, the region lock is disabled. Is this true? Does the lock gets reset when the phone is factory reset? How can I check if the region lock is active or not? I can purchase an unlock code. But they insist that the region lock needs to be off before entering the code. Any help is appreciated.
Try using the phone with another SIM-card that does not belong to the lock-setting operator. If it works (can make calls), you are good to goi. Otherwise, region lock is there.
Hello guys,
How can i find for what carrier my phone is or if is factory unlocked or not?
For the moment i use a sim card and everything works ok, but i'm afraid that i woul make an software update and my phone will be locked or relocked.
Thanxs!
You can use this app to see your phone's details
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.vndnguyen.phoneinfo
THANX!
I used this app and show me Austria!
But the carrier no!
"Mobile Operator Name" is the carrier.
Dear Jopat
Now show me RO VODAFONE RO...
Is the carrier of my sim...
I don't know if the phone is factory unlocked or not...
sergiuhusca said:
Dear Jopat
Now show me RO VODAFONE RO...
Is the carrier of my sim...
I don't know if the phone is factory unlocked or not...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Whats the model number of your phone?
sergiuhusca said:
Dear Jopat
Now show me RO VODAFONE RO...
Is the carrier of my sim...
I don't know if the phone is factory unlocked or not...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check your phone's active CSC, they usually have the same lock status for every phone.
Easiest method is to use another carrier sim card and test it on your unit.
gridflash i have the smg900f model
jopat...now i use my carrier...but i'm afraid if i make an update the phone will be locked,relocked...
sergiuhusca said:
gridflash i have the smg900f model
jopat...now i use my carrier...but i'm afraid if i make an update the phone will be locked,relocked...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, updating the software doesn't change the carrier lock status. If it was previously locked and was unlocked, it will stay unlocked. If you will update through flashing, just be sure that you are flashing the correct software intended for your unit to avoid problems. If you flash your phone with a different firmware with locked csc, your phone will be locked.
Thx Jopat...
In the past i have a Samsung Galaxy s3 and after one update the phone relocked himself...
]Thx Jopat...
In the past i have a Samsung Galaxy s3 and after one update the phone relocked himself...
How do i know if my csc is unlocked?
sergiuhusca said:
gridflash i have the smg900f model
jopat...now i use my carrier...but i'm afraid if i make an update the phone will be locked,relocked...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This appears to be an unlocked International version for the EU. But the Forum Moderators checking into the update issue.
You can check http://samfirmware.com/ to find what country your CSC code was built for. This is the CSC for Austria (A1) : G900FVFG1ANE1
This senior member says the towelroot works for the G900F
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=53424837&highlight=g900f#post53424837
sergiuhusca said:
]Thx Jopat...
In the past i have a Samsung Galaxy s3 and after one update the phone relocked himself...
How do i know if my csc is unlocked?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what you have to know yourself. If the network you are using has a history of locking the sim, then it's almost 100% sure that your S5 is locked. S5 was well-prepared for its distribution so the CSC of the network is surely fully configured. Look around here on XDA and take note of the firmwares they are using for modding their custom roms, that'll give you a good idea which firmware is easy to configure. You can start reading with gridflash's suggestion.
No...the s3 initialy was locked on VODAFONE UK!i UNLOCKED AND THEN,WHEN I MADE FIRST UPDATE THE PHONE RELOCKED HIMSELF.
THE S5 I BUY FROM A GUY...AND HE TELL ME THAT THE PHONE IS NEVERLOCK.
I LOOCK FOR THE CSC AND FOR THE AUSTRIA IS THE SAME FOR TELERING AND T MOBILE...
AND THE SAME CSC IS FOR AN UNKNOWN COUNTRY...
Try this website. Enter your IMEI number there.
http://iphoneimei.info/
jopat said:
Try this website. Enter your IMEI number there.
http://iphoneimei.info/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
iS FOR IPHONE...
CSC IS TTR
WHAT COUNTRY IS TTR?
^Someone told me it works for others too. Anyway, just ignore it, there's a fee for the query when I tried it just now.
Anyway, why not just borrow or buy another carrier's sim card and try it on?
I use it with a romanian sim card VODAFONE RO!
i DON'T KNOW THE ORIGINAL CARRIER...THAT'S ALL!
sergiuhusca said:
I use it with a romanian sim card VODAFONE RO!
i DON'T KNOW THE ORIGINAL CARRIER...THAT'S ALL!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm getting very confused which info you really want to know. If you want to know the original and/or current carrier, Phone Info will give you that info as previously stated. Every other details, Phone Info will provide, only exception is the network/carrier lock status.
I have a T-Mobile USA SM-N900T currently running [ROM][KERNEL][4.4.2-NE4][SM-N9005]CivZ_FlexKat_Rev3.5
The ROM is listed as "region free" however when I attempt to insert one2free Hong Kong prepaid SIM-card I got a 'network locked sim card inserted' error?
I can't use "Region Lock Away" as it's no-longer functional on 4.4.2 - and I can't downgrade to 4.3 because I assume my bootloader has already been upgraded.
Any solution here?
Shouldn't a "region free" ROM no longer enforce the region lock?
re: region lock
jbcholdings said:
I have a T-Mobile USA SM-N900T currently running [ROM][KERNEL][4.4.2-NE4][SM-N9005]CivZ_FlexKat_Rev3.5
The ROM is listed as "region free" however when I attempt to insert one2free Hong Kong prepaid SIM-card I got a 'network locked sim card inserted' error?
I can't use "Region Lock Away" as it's no-longer functional on 4.4.2 - and I can't downgrade to 4.3 because I assume my bootloader has already been upgraded.
Any solution here?
Shouldn't a "region free" ROM no longer enforce the region lock?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check out this rom: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2487425
It is region free but it's a N9005 custom rom and it works fine with a N900T Note 3
phone. The only thing which it will lack is wifi calling.
After flashing the rom you will need to flash the wifi/nfc/bluetooth fix in recovery
in order to get the wifi working. (not wifi calling!)
Here is the link to the wifi/nfc/bluetooth fix zip file: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/45687485/Needed_Files_BT_WIFI_NFC_Flashable.zip
Good luck!
Misterjunky said:
Check out this rom: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2487425
It is region free but it's a N9005 custom rom and it works fine with a N900T Note 3
phone. The only thing which it will lack is wifi calling.
After flashing the rom you will need to flash the wifi/nfc/bluetooth fix in recovery
in order to get the wifi working. (not wifi calling!)
Here is the link to the wifi/nfc/bluetooth fix zip file: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/45687485/Needed_Files_BT_WIFI_NFC_Flashable.zip
Good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same results with this ROM Boots to a "Enter SIM unlock key", and "Network locked SIM inserted" screen.
I don't understand - as my understanding was the region-lock was only for the INITIAL activation of the phone in it's home market, IE it was activated at some point in the US with a US sim!?
It would figure now that it has been rooted/ROM replaced it wouldn't region lock again?
The phone did have a black-listed IMEI - but worked on roaming here with my US sim prior to porting the number to Google Voice smh
jbcholdings said:
Same results with this ROM Boots to a "Enter SIM unlock key", and "Network locked SIM inserted" screen.
I don't understand - as my understanding was the region-lock was only for the INITIAL activation of the phone in it's home market, IE it was activated at some point in the US with a US sim!?
It would figure now that it has been rooted/ROM replaced it wouldn't region lock again?
The phone did have a black-listed IMEI - but worked on roaming here with my US sim prior to porting the number to Google Voice smh
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
region free and sim lock are 2 different things.
sounds like you need the sim unlock code
I used freeunlocks.com,you have to do a trialpay thing but there may be one that suits your needs?
cost me just under £5 and I got 4 unlock codes,network,provider,sub-provider and defreeze.
my phone is now sim unlocked and sim unlock also does region lock
jbcholdings said:
I have a T-Mobile USA SM-N900T currently running [ROM][KERNEL][4.4.2-NE4][SM-N9005]CivZ_FlexKat_Rev3.5
The ROM is listed as "region free" however when I attempt to insert one2free Hong Kong prepaid SIM-card I got a 'network locked sim card inserted' error?
I can't use "Region Lock Away" as it's no-longer functional on 4.4.2 - and I can't downgrade to 4.3 because I assume my bootloader has already been upgraded.
Any solution here?
Shouldn't a "region free" ROM no longer enforce the region lock?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
I had the same problem with my European Note 3 when going in Israel.
The solution was to unlock the phone by using a European sim and calling somebody (for instance your voicemail) for 5 minutes or more.
Then it was unlocked...
Try it if you have an American Sim somewhere...
Hope it will help...
RaphaelBEN said:
Hi,
I had the same problem with my European Note 3 when going in Israel.
The solution was to unlock the phone by using a European sim and calling somebody (for instance your voicemail) for 5 minutes or more.
Then it was unlocked...
Try it if you have an American Sim somewhere...
Hope it will help...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you, I'll give it a shot.
I went to a Samsung Service Center (in Hong Kong), and they told me I would have to get my "American Carrier" to unlock the phone and that they could not help me.
As I am not a customer of T-Mobile USA anymore I don't think there is much I can do- as I don't think they will help me over the phone or would have any idea what to do at a normal T-Mobile USA store.
I might try to find an American Pre-paid SIM and try that option.
I bought galaxy s5 from saudiarabia
Now I want use this in India
Then how to unlock regional lock
firoo said:
I bought galaxy s5 from saudiarabia
Now I want use this in India
Then how to unlock regional lock
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The purpose of the region lock is to stop you from doing exactly that.
It would have been nice if you had tried searching for the answer in existing threads before posting. The answer wouldn't have been hard to find. A SIM unlock code should remove the region lock as well. Purchasing a foreign SIM from the original region and placing some calls with it would probably work (untested by me). Or root your phone and manually edit the blacklist in customer.xml.
.
I've looked all over the forums and all the threads on carrier switching refer to switching US S8 variants to US carriers.
Can someone please explain or point me to a thread that explains how to carrier switch Canadian providers that would be fantastic. In particular I want to go from Rogers to Freedom Mobile (aka wind mobile) . My phone has been factory unlocked.
howellinmad said:
I've looked all over the forums and all the threads on carrier switching refer to switching US S8 variants to US carriers.
Can someone please explain or point me to a thread that explains how to carrier switch Canadian providers that would be fantastic. In particular I want to go from Rogers to Freedom Mobile (aka wind mobile) . My phone has been factory unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can tell you from experience that freedom does not have any carrier specific features, so doing a firmware switch wont benefit you in any way I dont think.
You can however go onto sammobile and download the firmware for freedom and flash it using Odin. Again probably no real benefits. You would benefit if you were going the other way tho, as Rogers, Bell and Telus have carrier specific settings in their firmwares.
But since you are carrier unlocked, you could try a factory reset then put your freedom sim in it and boot up. It might install the freedom files. My S7 worked this way when i went from a Bell locked phone to a Koodo sim...
Edit: That link has an unlocked canadian firmware as well, you could use that firmware too.
Open the dialer and type *#243203855# then select GLW, this will change your csc to wind mobile/freedom, it'll wipe your phone..
peachpuff said:
Open the dialer and type *#243203855# then select GLW, this will change your csc to wind mobile/freedom, it'll wipe your phone..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Peachpuff. I have an unlocked S8 phone from a Bestbuy canada marketplace seller. I tried using your code to change to the Telus CSC so I can get VOLTE but got the invalid MMI code error message. The about phone says its an SM-G950FD, and the only code the phone appears to accept is the one displaying the EMEI.
Hope you have some guidance on that ?
Thanks
starview332 said:
Hi Peachpuff. I have an unlocked S8 phone from a Bestbuy canada marketplace seller. I tried using your code to change to the Telus CSC so I can get VOLTE but got the invalid MMI code error message. The about phone says its an SM-G950FD, and the only code the phone appears to accept is the one displaying the EMEI.
Hope you have some guidance on that ?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's not a canadian s8, its an international one, so that code won't work and i doubt you'll get volte working at all.
Just enjoy your root friendly multi sim phone.