[Q] SM-N900T 4.4.2, rooted, region free, still region locked - Galaxy Note 3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

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.

Related

[Q] How to unlock Galaxy S4 SCH-R70 US Cellular

How to unlock the Samsung Galaxy S4 SCH-R970
I bough this phone online thinking that i will unlock and keep using on different carriers even outside the US (GSM)
I have done a lot of researches online and i cannot find any solution. The imei is only 14 Digits and almost all online unlocking services doesn't have this model.
The usually codes like *#0011#, *#27663368378# they doesn't work at all.
I have tried to go to unlock stores or guys who knows to unlock phones and he said that this phone cannot be unlocked.
phone has a sim card slot so it should be CDMA&GSM
When i insert a different sim card provider it says Invalid Sim Card so i cannot enter any unlock code
ANY IDEA or i will lose 500$ for bad phone
Uscc is not a gsm phone the sim card slot is used for thw 4g service the phone itself is cdma
Sent from my SCH-R970 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
jtjames003 said:
Uscc is not a gsm phone the sim card slot is used for thw 4g service the phone itself is cdma
Sent from my SCH-R970 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
??
Anyone know if its possible to unlock?
cynthiadx said:
??
Anyone know if its possible to unlock?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
did you find a solution? i have th same problem but my phone is s3
jtjames003 said:
Uscc is not a gsm phone the sim card slot is used for thw 4g service the phone itself is cdma
Sent from my SCH-R970 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you are wrong..when samsung fixed/made the phone give the phone all the feuatures..like thisphone can bee gsm and cdma phone..but uscc lock the gsm and they only want to use cdma..i contact samsung and they told me..all s4 models in every counrtys are same..but uscc lock the gsm network..now we have to 'brake' their lock or give us the unlock code..thatt all.. i also have the same promble..no solution yet..
SkilleR039 said:
How to unlock the Samsung Galaxy S4 SCH-R970
I bough this phone online thinking that i will unlock and keep using on different carriers even outside the US (GSM)
I have done a lot of researches online and i cannot find any solution. The imei is only 14 Digits and almost all online unlocking services doesn't have this model.
The usually codes like *#0011#, *#27663368378# they doesn't work at all.
I have tried to go to unlock stores or guys who knows to unlock phones and he said that this phone cannot be unlocked.
phone has a sim card slot so it should be CDMA&GSM
When i insert a different sim card provider it says Invalid Sim Card so i cannot enter any unlock code
ANY IDEA or i will lose 500$ for bad phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check this ##366633# the first code in dial app that works..even imei code dont work this code is going in one dm mode any ideas what is this?
Samsung gs4 sch-970c (cricket)
Samsung has told me this phone will work either gsm or cdma. Cdma is the way cricket first sold it. It cannot be unlocked. It is cdma. It has to be flashed to a new carrier after it is rooted. The sim is locked via software. Not many codes and all the unlock codes you read about are for gsm. The ##366633# code you mention gets you to a disable or enable developer mode.
i also have the same issue. Not resolved yet. but I did find out this that might help: if i pull up a website that checks the MEID number it gives me the whole description of my phone plus an extra digit on the IMEI number. I wonder if this is why third party unlock sites cant help me
Who has unlocked cricket sch-r970c?
Same problem. Cricket said they cannot find the unlock code if the phone was never activated. So this was never activated.
I have rooted it to OptimizedCM-12-1-20151130. Is it now unlocked?
OR, who has successfully flashed a custom ROM to unlock the software lock on it?
The struggle continues...
I just repaired my USC s4 LCD digitizer and now that I am no longer a USC customer wanted to unlock it so I did some checking, if you go to US cellular they will unlock the phone for you, I got my unlock code, but they said they couldn't complete the process if the phone was rooted (Which mine is), you would have to reinstall the USC original firmware, or the latest firmware, to get it to unlock, then root it. I am doing some research now to find out if there is indeed an alternative to unlock a rooted phone...
I just left US CELLULAR where I was told nothing below the s5 could be unlocked,and the only suggestion from any one employed there was to call customer service.
you try RegionLockapp ???
I unlocked my t mobile s4 with it, i had to flash to a earlier firmware, then root, then use RegionLockapp, then re-flash whatever rom you want.

How to unlock S5 region lock

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 !!

[Q] Weird problem with unlocked S4 LTE

Hi! first poster here.
I've just got this phone wich was recently unlocked from TELCEL MEX carrier. The weird thing here is that the phone work flawlessly with any domestic carrier sim cards, but not with my US T-Mobile sim card.
I've test this T-mobile sim card with other unlocked phones (Galaxy S4 i9500 and Alcatel Pop) here in México without problem, but in the S4 above mentioned asks for sim unlock code.
The cell phone is SGH-I337M with KitKat 4.4.2. and firmware CSC code TCE
Thank you very much in advance!
This may be relevant or not.
My previous phone was an HTC Desire S on O2UK.
O2UK give you a free unlock on all contract phones after 6 months and send a code by email to you.
Any time I tried changing sims to a different carrier it asked for the unlock code, except when it was Tesco Mobile UK.
It may be that the original carrier requires you to input the unlock code for anything other than certain providers.
I tried to get an unlock code for my I9505 LTE but they said it was factory unlocked so can't speak about the phone specifically but with the Desire S, also on O2UK, had a similar issue.
I've got the pin code
Thanks for your input, sure it's relevant.
I have the unlock code for the T-mobile sim card, but of course it's not recognized by the phone (or sim card?)
In the other phones tested the process was straight forward, just inserted sim, boot up and voilá.
Went to the Telcel's service center but the person there confirmed that it's unlocked.
I'ven reading about a "Regional Lock" of some Samsung devices, but i realy can tell if this the case.
Anybody else having this kind of issue?
Region locking I don't believe has anything to do with this. When the phone was unlocked, the region locking should also have been removed.

[Q] Help Requested > Samsung Galaxy S4 , SGH-i337 AT&T Sim Unlock (Sim not Allowed) !

[Q] Help Requested > Samsung Galaxy S4 , SGH-i337 AT&T Sim Unlock (Sim not Allowed) !
Hey guys I'm not aware much into upgrading rooting flashing etc my phone might be region locked when I insert sim it says Sim not Allowed at some Sim cards says sim not inserted on differet sim operators founds it but wont work properly cant dial cant do anything I've searched and read everywhere but I CANT SEEM TO FIND exact info for my model
Please Direct me to I need to root and region unlock it I really don't know what should I do
Device: SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 I have some AT&T applications I think it matters if it's AT&T or not
Android Version: 4.2.2 (I did hard reset it was 4.2.2 and still is)
Baseband Version: I337UCUAMF3
Kernel Version: 3.4.0-812098
Build Number JDQ39.i337ucuamf3
Selinux Status Permissive
Secure boot status Type: Samsung
actlover said:
Hey guys I'm not aware much into upgrading rooting flashing etc my phone might be region locked when I insert sim it says Sim not Allowed at some Sim cards says sim not inserted on differet sim operators founds it but wont work properly cant dial cant do anything I've searched and read everywhere but I CANT SEEM TO FIND exact info for my model
Please Direct me to I need to root and region unlock it I really don't know what should I do
Device: SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 I have some AT&T applications I think it matters if it's AT&T or not
Android Version: 4.2.2 (I did hard reset it was 4.2.2 and still is)
Baseband Version: I337UCUAMF3
Kernel Version: 3.4.0-812098
Build Number JDQ39.i337ucuamf3
Selinux Status Permissive
Secure boot status Type: Samsung
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AT&T phones are network locked. Not region locked. I used my S4 (with roaming on) in UK, Canada, Penama, Korea, Thailand where AT&T local network is available. To use local network or other network, your phone need to be network (sim) unlocked.
sway8966 said:
AT&T phones are network locked. Not region locked. I used my S4 (with roaming on) in UK, Canada, Penama, Korea, Thailand where AT&T local network is available. To use local network or other network, your phone need to be network (sim) unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
can you direct me are there any guides or perhaps u might know what should I do
Contact att to see about getting a free unlock code.
audit13 said:
Contact att to see about getting a free unlock code.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the thing is att it's in America i'm in Bulgaria
That should not matter. Contact them via email?
actlover said:
can you direct me are there any guides or perhaps u might know what should I do
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am an AT&T user for 20 years and AT&T always deny to give me the network unlock code. They do provide the network unlock code for the iphone users if they the phone was already paid off (after 2 years contract).
When I asked the network unlock code for my previous AT&T phones, (nokia, LG, HTC) AT&T told me to use the AT&T roaming network and they put me on the worldwide roaming program.
When I tried to unlock my S4 i337, AT&T asked me to go to a link for the unlock instruction but S4 was not listed in there. AT& T told me that if the phone is not listed they could not provide the unlock code.
I end up using cellunlocker.net for all my phones network unlocking. It cost about US$ 30.00 .
You can try to request unlock code from AT&T first at www.att.com. Explain to them about your situation. They might help you. If they denied, just use the paid service like I did.
If AT&T doesn't provide a free unlock code, try ebay.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2514607
Sent from my A0001 using Tapatalk
The free method seems to work on very old bootloaders and modems.

Galaxy S8 US Cellular

Hi .
I have bought a S8 locked to US Cellular on eBay, clean , not blacklisted and when I try a SIM card from my operator does not ask for unlock pin code and remains without registering on my network.
Does anyone know any website or any method to unlock It?
Many thanks in advance.
qryche said:
Hi .
I have bought a S8 locked to US Cellular on eBay, clean , not blacklisted and when I try a SIM card from my operator does not ask for unlock pin code and remains without registering on my network.
Does anyone know any website or any method to unlock It?
Many thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does it have a unlock app in apps drawer or in settings. It may be unlocked. If ure sim works. WhT carrier you on.
Thanks for your answer.
I live in Portugal and I tried 2 different SIM cards. The phone shows in upper left screen the message "SIM blocked". I searched for an unlock app too but I can't find any like in T-Mobile phones I bought in the past.
US Cellular is a CDMA network provider whereas in Portugal you probably have only GSM networks.
I think you should look into this and investigate this issues as well.
Another info: I flashed with Odin with the latest USC official Rom from sammobile. Can be this the cause?
This is 950U version and therefore has the GSM frequencies as well.
Even if it was only cdma it would prompt to insert the network unlock code....
Any help?
WHen I put a sim card it appears a forbidden sign on the top, where I should see the network signal...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yysQbPLf8l0&feature=youtu.be

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