Hey guys. I just bought a brand new note 3 from Italy. the phone is region locked. without knowing about that i bought the phone to sri lanka. connected to wifi and now updated it to 4.4.2 running on latest firmware. to remove the regional lock via chainfire's app. we have to be in 4.3 now im basically unable to use my note 3 until i back in italy and take a call for 5 minutes is there a way to downgrade to 4.3?? i tried installing OMEGA rom but it doesnt have any effect. samsung agents were like they cant unlock the phone the only method is bring the phone back to italy and use it for at least five minutes. please help me guys :crying::crying::crying:
I read this thread and there is no statement that says it only works on 4.3?
vndnguyen said:
I read this thread and there is no statement that says it only works on 4.3?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Compatible devices
- Galaxy Note 3 SM-N9005 (MI7, MJ1, MJ3 firmwares)
its upgraded to kitkat.
Deeshana2912 said:
Compatible devices
- Galaxy Note 3 SM-N9005 (MI7, MJ1, MJ3 firmwares)
its upgraded to kitkat.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then you need to read this thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-note-3/help/region-unlock-code-samsung-t2852653
TLDR - you need to contact Samsung and they can provide you an unlock code; in my experience not all Samsung representatives in all countries are equally knowledgeable or helpful - I do not know precisely about those in Italy but I can say that most will try to bull**** you parallel explanations. The absolute best guys are those from Germany, and if the Samsung representatives from Italy (which SHOULD be responsible for fixing your problem since you are THEIR customer) fail you, then you should:
a) complain about the guys from Italy to Samsung home directly
b) in parallel try again to write to Samsung Germany; ideally for minimum waiting time you should try to write in German (using Google Translate if you do not have a better way) and they very likely will provide you an unlock code.
Related
Hello,
I post this thread, helpless finding a solution..I hope it is not a duplicate..
My uncle bought me a SM-N900 Unlocked Note 3 from Bestbuy Florida, USA. He did not touch the phone till he brings it here, Turkey. When he deliver me the phone i could not use it with my Turkish sim card and i was shocked of course.. I searched for solutions on the net and found some answers about it. Here is (actually are) what i did to overcome;
1) Firstly i rooted the phone and tried the Region Lock Away app from Chainfire, unluckily the app doesnt support my model, i found out from the forums (or it was what i understood)
2) Next i communicated with Samsung Turkey and deliver the phone to Technical Support. After 10 days they gave me the phone back telling that they tried a code to unlock it, but it didn't work so they gave back the phone unfixed.
3) I searched for reliable unlocking sites, tried 4 of them but no result. Now i am also coping with refunds..
4) I take the risk and tried custom ROMs hoping that it would help but it also did not solve my problem as i found out that region lock is not a security system that is bound with the firmware..(as my understanding it is a whitelist that is embedded with the baseband (?) (bios?))
5) The last thing i tried was changing the firmware, i removed the TTT (Trinidad&Tobago) firmware and installed Saudi Arabia Firmware.. But no solution..
Now i have a 800$ phone (not even including the extra fees to register the phone in Turkey…) and not working as a phone...HOW NICE!!
Regards,
P.S. HELP MEEEEE!!!! (((
Gosh it should be working.
Sent from Samsung Galaxy Note 3.
If you like my post hit thanks .
deadlyheart4u said:
Gosh it should be working.
Sent from Samsung Galaxy Note 3.
If you like my post hit thanks .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i've the same problem
Hello guys, I have a Galaxy Note 3 SM -9005 not branded
and I'm still not receiving the update via OTA. I also tried Kies but that didn't help me. Does someone know how to get the update without flashing?
I'm in Germany and the KitKat update is already available (since one month now)
PS. Knox counter is 0x0
N79 said:
Hello guys, I have a Galaxy Note 3 SM -9005 not branded
and I'm still not receiving the update via OTA. I also tried Kies but that didn't help me. Does someone know how to get the update without flashing?
I'm in Germany and the KitKat update is already available (since one month now)
PS. Knox counter is 0x0
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you were rooted, then dat would explain why you didn't get OTA notification.
But anyways, as far as I know, only VD2 - Vodafone, VIA - O2 and DTM - Tmobile are available for Germany now and unless your phone belongs to one of these categories or should i say regions, then maybe you shouldn't actually get KK officially yet. Dial *#1234# to check.
And even if you fall into one of the above, you can still jst flash it in ODIN, Kn0x should stay at 0x0 as long as you do not root.
Cheers.
As far as I know the update should already be available, is getting March by now. I'm with O2. But anyway thanks for your reply
Have O2 actually pushed the update? OR are you referring to the Unbranded Kitkat that has been pushed? -- cause both are very different. - Also If O2 is anything like it is in the UK they're slow as hell to push out updates. Often last and very late.
I have a unbranded Note 3, but I'm using a O2 Sim card. I was referring to the unbranded update but I think since I'm using O2 it's recognized as a O2 phone, even in play store it shows my Note 3 as: O2 SM -9005
It should still register as an unbranded model due to your firmware. -- Mine is unbranded also and in play store I have O2 Appspace / O2 SM-N9005 like you. - Could try grabbing the actual unbranded ROM from Sammobile and flash it via Odin.
DBT unbranded just confirmed now.
Yep, update started here too
Lol. That escalated quickly!
Hi
I have Galaxy Note 3, and I live in Egypt. My friends also have Galaxy Note 3, and them phones have arrived the Software Update to 4.4.2, but my phone hasn't arrived this Update. I think this issue because my phone is region locked (Europe), but my phone's manuals are Arabic, not English.
the question is: How I can update my phone to Android 4.4.2 by OTA?
moh_algoblan said:
Hi
I have Galaxy Note 3, and I live in Egypt. My friends also have Galaxy Note 3, and them phones have arrived the Software Update to 4.4.2, but my phone hasn't arrived this Update. I think this issue because my phone is region locked (Europe), but my phone's manuals are Arabic, not English.
the question is: How I can update my phone to Android 4.4.2 by OTA?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try this app https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=eu.chainfire.regionlockaway&hl=nl to remove the region lock. Its a paid app but if it doesn`t work within 15 minutes you get a refund of the amout you paid. The procedure takes about a minute itself.
...
gee2012 said:
Try this app to remove the region lock. Its a paid app but if it doesn`t work within 15 minutes you get a refund of the amout you paid. The procedure takes about a minute itself.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, but I don't flash root on my phone, so do you have any way else to update my phone without Odine ?
moh_algoblan said:
Hi
I have Galaxy Note 3, and I live in Egypt. My friends also have Galaxy Note 3, and them phones have arrived the Software Update to 4.4.2, but my phone hasn't arrived this Update. I think this issue because my phone is region locked (Europe), but my phone's manuals are Arabic, not English.
the question is: How I can update my phone to Android 4.4.2 by OTA?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You might want to start by checking if 4.4.2 is even out for your CSC...
I would have posted this under the S5 'T-Mobile' section, but I think it might be more of a generic discussion.
I am considering in purchasing the S5 Plus (G901F). From what I can see right now, this is only available in Germany, UK and just about now, Netherlands. Problem is that it's exclusive to respective providers and therefore - "branded"
I can find it cheaper from Germany - which is subject to T-Mobile / Telekom (same thing?) branding.
I have asked the shop and they confirmed that the phone is factory unlocked to any provider/country and that there is no "hardware branding" on the phone. Meaning no stickers, no logos or anything else physically on the phone.
However, there is "software branding". Meaning the firmware itself and whatever bloatware the provider has put inside that ROM.
Now, I have read that I can use ODIN and find the least crapware-loaded ROM (from any country) and flash it *without* compromissing the knox bit. So far so good.
What I would like to know is that: What happens when finally Samsung releases a pure, non-branded ROM for the G901F? I can still use ODIN to flash - no problem. But what about future releases. I mean future non-branded firmwares. Would I be able to use OTA from that point on, or would I have to keep an eye and update via ODIN? Can someone please elaborate and explain this?
I get it - that's a 'newbie' type of question, but I would be really grateful towards some help here. All I can do for someone who will spend 2mins for writing a useful/accurate answer is say 'thanks'
Didn't find an exact answer to what I ask here, hence me writing this. Hope it's not a double-post!
jstoner said:
I would have posted this under the S5 'T-Mobile' section, but I think it might be more of a generic discussion.
I am considering in purchasing the S5 Plus (G901F). From what I can see right now, this is only available in Germany, UK and just about now, Netherlands. Problem is that it's exclusive to respective providers and therefore - "branded"
I can find it cheaper from Germany - which is subject to T-Mobile / Telekom (same thing?) branding.
I have asked the shop and they confirmed that the phone is factory unlocked to any provider/country and that there is no "hardware branding" on the phone. Meaning no stickers, no logos or anything else physically on the phone.
However, there is "software branding". Meaning the firmware itself and whatever bloatware the provider has put inside that ROM.
Now, I have read that I can use ODIN and find the least crapware-loaded ROM (from any country) and flash it *without* compromissing the knox bit. So far so good.
What I would like to know is that: What happens when finally Samsung releases a pure, non-branded ROM for the G901F? I can still use ODIN to flash - no problem. But what about future releases. I mean future non-branded firmwares. Would I be able to use OTA from that point on, or would I have to keep an eye and update via ODIN? Can someone please elaborate and explain this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi jstoner,
I think that while using an unbranded ROM would probably prevent you from receiving OTA's from your provider you would still be left wih the Samsung tool for getting new updates - Kies.
It has the options to check for updates and to flash them.
The geeky option is indeed to keep your eyes out for updates and fire up Odin
Disclaimer: I never used Kies to update my phone so I might be wrong here
Sent from my Android powered Tricorder
I forgot to mention - I live in Greece (but I m thinking of buying the phone from Germany, as it's not available here yet)
Does KIES list all ROMs from ALL regions/providers for a particular phone?
vrl13 said:
I think that while using an unbranded ROM would probably prevent you from receiving OTA's from your provider you would still be left wih the Samsung tool for getting new updates - Kies.
r
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello,
It seems there is a firmware for Greece for you
http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/download/40735/G901FXXU1ANK3_G901FEUR1ANL1_EUR.zip/
Oh good
Does that mean it's about to be released in Greece soon???
thierry_b said:
Hello,
It seems there is a firmware for Greece for you
http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/download/40735/G901FXXU1ANK3_G901FEUR1ANL1_EUR.zip/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nobody knows man. But you can always flash the newest updates via odin without triggering knox. After a few month only German Vodafone is building an update. T- mobil stii stuck on h5 firmware. So if there will be an unbranded oce ever ever ever.........you have odin
Wonder if that Greek ROM is unbranded or not
As for hardware branding, it seems that all G901F units sold in Germany under Telekom/T-Mobile have that "LTE+" at the back (also on the retail box). Instead, those EE (UK) units seem to have no hardware branding at all - it just has the "Samsung" logo at the back cover (and nothing on the retail box)
teichy1 said:
No Body knows man. But you can always flash the newest updates via odin without triggering knox. After a few month only German Vodafone is building an update. T- mobil stii stuck on h5 firmware. So if there will be an unbranded oce ever ever ever.........you have odin
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are a few Providerapps inside. All Roms i tested for 901F has the normal Samsung Bootloaderscreener. No Provider startup. So nothing to worry about . Mine has also the LTE+ logo, but former T-Mobile Devices have also Coverbrands on it...Thanks God these not
Hi guys,
I am new to Samsung but like many I was tempted by the Note 4. I bought my Note 4 in Dubai (unlocked and not tied to any provider) but when I tried using it in the UK with a UK SIM (EE) I am not able to make/receive calls when set on LTE/WCDMA/GSM but I can when I select GSM Only. Samsung UK is not interested, Samsung Dubai poit me towards Samsung Egypt (because apparently this is an Egypt region phone) and Samsung Egypt do not understand what my problem is and keep sending my region unblock codes when the phone is not region locked.
Has anyone had this before and if yes what did you do to fix this?
AP: N910CXXU1ANK5
CP: N910CXXU1ANK5
CSC: N910COJV1ANK5
I have been reading a lot about rooting and flashing ROMs but being new to this I am not confident enough to get into all that. I hope there is a solution without the need for rooting !!!
KK2244 said:
Hi guys,
I am new to Samsung but like many I was tempted by the Note 4. I bought my Note 4 in Dubai (unlocked and not tied to any provider) but when I tried using it in the UK with a UK SIM (EE) I am not able to make/receive calls when set on LTE/WCDMA/GSM but I can when I select GSM Only. Samsung UK is not interested, Samsung Dubai poit me towards Samsung Egypt (because apparently this is an Egypt region phone) and Samsung Egypt do not understand what my problem is and keep sending my region unblock codes when the phone is not region locked.
Has anyone had this before and if yes what did you do to fix this?
AP: N910CXXU1ANK5
CP: N910CXXU1ANK5
CSC: N910COJV1ANK5
I have been reading a lot about rooting and flashing ROMs but being new to this I am not confident enough to get into all that. I hope there is a solution without the need for rooting !!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's recent update for dubai region, u can update & try may they resolved this problem. R u sure your Service provider supporting 4g for your sim?
jdomadia said:
There's recent update for dubai region, u can update & try may they resolved this problem. R u sure your Service provider supporting 4g for your sim?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
SIM works on my HTC One and 4G signal here good so I do not think it is the SIM. I updated firmware two days ago using Kies but no change. I am starting to suspect some sort of network blacklisting by Samsung but not sure. I also spoke to my network provider and problem not with them.
I want to test the phone in Middle East first to make sure that it is not some hardware fault bit if not my only option may be rooting and flashing different ROMs. I am also hoping that Lollipop may solve it but no way to get it now as I am not rooted yet.
KK2244 said:
SIM works on my HTC One and 4G signal here good so I do not think it is the SIM. I updated firmware two days ago using Kies but no change. I am starting to suspect some sort of network blacklisting by Samsung but not sure. I also spoke to my network provider and problem not with them.
I want to test the phone in Middle East first to make sure that it is not some hardware fault bit if not my only option may be rooting and flashing different ROMs. I am also hoping that Lollipop may solve it but no way to get it now as I am not rooted yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Download Samsung phone info from play store, check your region, also you can check knox warranty is void? U can also check refurbishment check from same app, seems to me u purchased online, not from authorised store of dubai.
KK2244 said:
SIM works on my HTC One and 4G signal here good so I do not think it is the SIM. I updated firmware two days ago using Kies but no change. I am starting to suspect some sort of network blacklisting by Samsung but not sure. I also spoke to my network provider and problem not with them.
I want to test the phone in Middle East first to make sure that it is not some hardware fault bit if not my only option may be rooting and flashing different ROMs. I am also hoping that Lollipop may solve it but no way to get it now as I am not rooted yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This are the mine screen shot for dubai rom, u can compare.
Thanks for the screenshots. I compared with yours and it is now even more clear that mine is an Egypt phone. Do you know if I can flash the UAE firmware on my phone with or without rooting and if that would work so that the CP, SP and CSC are the same as yours rather than the Egypt ones?
KK2244 said:
Thanks for the screenshots. I compared with yours and it is now even more clear that mine is an Egypt phone. Do you know if I can flash the UAE firmware on my phone with or without rooting and if that would work so that the CP, SP and CSC are the same as yours rather than the Egypt ones?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes root is not required to flash U.A.E firmware, u will get all as mine, u need to clear cache & data before & after flashing through odin.
---------- Post added at 02:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:02 PM ----------
KK2244 said:
Thanks for the screenshots. I compared with yours and it is now even more clear that mine is an Egypt phone. Do you know if I can flash the UAE firmware on my phone with or without rooting and if that would work so that the CP, SP and CSC are the same as yours rather than the Egypt ones?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Before u flash first match your imei dial *#1234# & under battery.
KK2244 said:
Hi guys,
I am new to Samsung but like many I was tempted by the Note 4. I bought my Note 4 in Dubai (unlocked and not tied to any provider) but when I tried using it in the UK with a UK SIM (EE) I am not able to make/receive calls when set on LTE/WCDMA/GSM but I can when I select GSM Only. Samsung UK is not interested, Samsung Dubai poit me towards Samsung Egypt (because apparently this is an Egypt region phone) and Samsung Egypt do not understand what my problem is and keep sending my region unblock codes when the phone is not region locked.
Has anyone had this before and if yes what did you do to fix this?
AP: N910CXXU1ANK5
CP: N910CXXU1ANK5
CSC: N910COJV1ANK5
I have been reading a lot about rooting and flashing ROMs but being new to this I am not confident enough to get into all that. I hope there is a solution without the need for rooting !!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
my friends have this similar problem and its fix
This is how "you need a working sim from the country when you buy the samsung phone"
all you have to do is make a international call for 15 minutes to the original country
example u bought the phone in egypt so u need a working egypt simcard just call the operator in egypt and listen to the operator for 15 minuts from UK after 15 minutes (make it 20 minutes just in case) turn off your phone and change it with the UK sim card
this method works for me
u dont need to flash or root the phone
just remember this method only work with samsung unlock phones from middle east