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!

SM-N900v region locked?

Hi guys
I got sent a verizon note 3 today, and long story short- i'm not from the U.S
Does anyone know if this thing is in fact region locked? the box doesn't have a sticker on it, and i had it pre-activated in the U.S to comply with samsung's bull****.
But now i'm informed that may not be enough, and chainfire's app supports only N9005 atm.
If anyone has any answer- i'd appreciate knowing.
If nobody knows- well, in a couple of weeks we'll all know....

I don't believe that VZW Note 3 is region locked. There is a thread about it in Note 3 international forum and it lists phones/countries and carriers which are/are not region locked, but it's been a while since I looked at that forum so can't provide you with a link

Thanks for the answer, i'll get right on searching, and post the link here for other users.
Also, when the device gets here, i'll post a decisive answer so others in my position wouldn't pull out hairs like i am right now

Is this the said thread?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2464445

I just got the device-
WOOHOO. It's not locked.
I thought it is- but it turns out you just have to do a very stupid activation procedure (activating without a sim, switching to global mode, inserting a sim)

Pika007 said:
I just got the device-
WOOHOO. It's not locked.
I thought it is- but it turns out you just have to do a very stupid activation procedure (activating without a sim, switching to global mode, inserting a sim)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey there,
I am in the usa from australia and want to buy the Verizon Verson tomorrow how did u get it to run global mode to work??
Also I have been told to set it up with a local sim and then boot it up with your sim.
Any advice would be awesome

Pika007 said:
I just got the device-
WOOHOO. It's not locked.
I thought it is- but it turns out you just have to do a very stupid activation procedure (activating without a sim, switching to global mode, inserting a sim)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Put your sim in and power up
Make sure you have the correct apn you'll need to change that.
Sent from my SM-N900V using xda app-developers app

Need help SIM unlocking my Note 3 (locked to Bell)

Hey guys, I need some help unlocking my Note 3 (N900W8). It's locked to Bell (in Canada).
I've tried two websites already - mobileincanada.com (used it many times before but they couldn't find the unlock code - got a refund) and quickphoneunlock.com (first time using it but they couldn't find it either - also gave a refund).
Does anyone know a website that can unlock a Canadian Note 3 or is there a free method somewhere out there?
Please note that I'm not with Bell so I cannot call them and ask as I would need a contract with them.
Thanks!

Anyone?
Sent from my SM-N900W8 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

MoeKz said:
Anyone?
Sent from my SM-N900W8 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
cellunlocker.net
used their service on many occasion.
choose "all Canadian network" instead of a specific carrier (much quicker)

please help I am having the same issue
I tried cellunlocker.net and they couldn't find the code. However I chose a specific carrier. Should I try again without a specific carrier "all Canadian network". Would that make a difference. If not is there any other way.

gilbertgk said:
I tried cellunlocker.net and they couldn't find the code. However I chose a specific carrier. Should I try again without a specific carrier "all Canadian network". Would that make a difference. If not is there any other way.
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Click to collapse
Were you able to unlock your Note 3? I'm having the same issue (Note 3 locked to Bell and need to use it on Virgin). I tried to use Unlock Canadagsm to unlock it but the code generated didn't work. Still waiting on a refund from them. Hesitant to use any other unlock service unless proven to work as $30 a pop isn't cheap. Any help would be much appreciated.

Yes it did work for me whe. I used "all canadien network". Also triple check the code you are sending. I made the exact same mistake and I sent a wrong code.
Sent from my SM-N900W8 using Tapatalk
---------- Post added at 10:22 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:19 PM ----------
tnmok said:
Were you able to unlock your Note 3? I'm having the same issue (Note 3 locked to Bell and need to use it on Virgin). I tried to use Unlock Canadagsm to unlock it but the code generated didn't work. Still waiting on a refund from them. Hesitant to use any other unlock service unless proven to work as $30 a pop isn't cheap. Any help would be much appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also if you choose "all canadien network" you will get it within hours if not less. Good luck.
Sent from my SM-N900W8 using Tapatalk

gilbertgk said:
Yes it did work for me whe. I used "all canadien network". Also triple check the code you are sending. I made the exact same mistake and I sent a wrong code.
Sent from my SM-N900W8 using Tapatalk
---------- Post added at 10:22 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:19 PM ----------
Also if you choose "all canadien network" you will get it within hours if not less. Good luck.
Sent from my SM-N900W8 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks a lot for the suggestion, will try and let you know if it works

sorry to kinda hijack your thread, my brother moved from france here to algeria, his Note 3 is locked to Bouygues Telecom, anyway the point
can't you just unlock it using root ? (i say this because i did the samething to a previeus S2 of mine)

you shouldnt need to unlock it if youre going from Bell to Virgin.

SgtMaadadi said:
sorry to kinda hijack your thread, my brother moved from france here to algeria, his Note 3 is locked to Bouygues Telecom, anyway the point
can't you just unlock it using root ? (i say this because i did the samething to a previeus S2 of mine)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
there is two types of unlock for the note 3. carrier lock and regional lock. I know for a fact that there is a Rom/mod for regional unlock. However I am not sure if there is a ROM or mod for carrier unlock.
Sent from my SM-N900W8 using Tapatalk

necrolobes said:
you shouldnt need to unlock it if youre going from Bell to Virgin.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what I assumed as well. I had a Note 2 from Bell, and was able to use it without unlocking when I put in my Virgin sim. With the Note 3 however it doesn't even prompt me to unlock the sim. There's a little stop sign on the top right taskbar (suggesting no service) and when I go to my mobile networks in my settings, it gives me the command 'Insert SIM card to access network services' even though my activated virgin sim card is in the phone. Someone suggested trying to unlock the phone with a sim card other than Virgin (i tried it with Rogers) with the unlock code that canadagsm sent me but that was unsuccessful as well.

Your imeiband baseband are intact?
sent from my mobile device

MoeKz said:
Hey guys, I need some help unlocking my Note 3 (N900W8). It's locked to Bell (in Canada).
I've tried two websites already - mobileincanada.com (used it many times before but they couldn't find the unlock code - got a refund) and quickphoneunlock.com (first time using it but they couldn't find it either - also gave a refund).
Does anyone know a website that can unlock a Canadian Note 3 or is there a free method somewhere out there?
Please note that I'm not with Bell so I cannot call them and ask as I would need a contract with them.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try Chainfire`s Region Lock Away. It`s made to remove region lock, but It usually unlocks SIM too (it did it for me, now i use SIMs from 2 countries, even though, phone was locked on one).
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2470551
Dunno if it will work on your phone version, it`s intended for 005... You can give it a try.

Update:
Took my phone to a Bell store to see if putting in a Bell sim card would activate the mobile network (seeing as it's a Bell phone) - no luck. The same 'stop sign' icon (which I've know learnt from the Samsung website refers to 'Indicates there is no signal available'). The guy helping me also reiterated my initially thoughts, which were:
1. The phone, if locked, should automatically pull up a sim unlock prompt upon turning it on. So far I've tried Rogers, Bell and Virgin activated sim cards and no prompt. Just the same no signal icon on my taskbar and no 'sim card inserted' message in my mobile networks.
2. As a Bell phone I should be able to use my Virgin sim card without having to unlock.
I have factory reset the phone several times and done numerous battery pulls.
This leads me to believe I may have a hardware issue. Any thoughts/suggestions? Phone isn't rooted nor have I ever rooted a phone

Solved! Thank you!
Thanks to the person who suggested trying www.CellUnlocker.net.
I tried two other websites who couldn't figure it out (even when they tried looking in multiple databases, including the "Samsung manufacturing database" [whatever that means]).
I tried rooting and ChainFire's Region Lock Away. (didn't work). Maybe because Canadian Note 3's are already region unlocked?
I tried the going to the “*#197328640#” system menu described here:
http://galaxynote2root.com/galaxy-note-2-tutorials/how-to-unlock-sim-for-free-on-gsm-galaxy-note-2/
All of the above with different version stock roms..
None of it seemed to work.
A local person said they would be able to unlock by modifying the imei. (Which I hear is illegal, so I really didn't want to go that route).
Finding this thread. I tried CellUnlocker with the "All Canadian Networks" as my provider, and it WORKED!
Here is video proof.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Psuco1bzcV0
Definitely worth the money and time I could've saved.

MoeKz said:
Hey guys, I need some help unlocking my Note 3 (N900W8). It's locked to Bell (in Canada).
I've tried two websites already - mobileincanada.com (used it many times before but they couldn't find the unlock code - got a refund) and quickphoneunlock.com (first time using it but they couldn't find it either - also gave a refund).
Does anyone know a website that can unlock a Canadian Note 3 or is there a free method somewhere out there?
Please note that I'm not with Bell so I cannot call them and ask as I would need a contract with them.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use phoneunlockingshopdotca a better source to get unlock codes for Canadian smartphones

[Q] carrier unknown lookup?

long time lurker first time poster....
I have recentlly bought a Samsung galaxy S4 model sgh-I337M off eBay to upgrade from my old beloved S2, It is refurbuished and was supposed to be unlocked.
I have inserted my videotron sim card and I was promted for a code.
I have ask the seller, and he replied that i should be unlocked, but since it is locked I can sent it back and get a refund. This is not the option I want as I got the phone for next to nothing.
Is there a way to know what carrier my phone is locked to? so I can get it unlocked?
I whould also like to had I do not plan on rooting this phone.
p.s Yes I have searched and found nothing.
thanks a bunch.

Sgh-I337M could be rogers
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

StolenVW said:
Sgh-I337M could be rogers
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
forgot to mention tried Rogers, fido, bell, telus, and videotron sim cards. (what's left koodoo, Virgin mobile, sasktel etc....)
is there a way to know what carier my phone is locked to? without trying every sim card from every compagnie.

ok so now its getting weird, or way more complicated.
found apps that tell me the phone carrier, and lock status
phone info tells me that: mobile operator name: (blank so should be free of a carrier)
Network info II tells me phone status: is sim locked and needs a code
Sim car manager tells me that network type: unknown
network operator name: blank
network operator code: 302610 what the hell is this anyways?
so thats pretty much where i'm at now. any help will be greatly apreciated!

A Google search says that network operator code is for bell canada
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

I will have to retry a bell sim card... ? Can a carrier in this case bell lock enven them selfs out of a phone?
curentlly unlocker republic.com is triyng to get me a unlock code, well see where that goes....

well its a no go withunlockerrepulic.com
anyone else have any clues.
still have yet to try another bell sim card..

[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
Click to expand...
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
Click to expand...
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