yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Galaxy Note 3 General] cowgaR:
Enter PIN - different issue to unlock the screen

I have bought Note 3 (N9000) in UK and all was fine for many months up until I traveled to Saint Petersburg for my photography session.

I had a screen lock set up to unlock the screen - upon arrival and getting to roaming network the code stopped working.:eek: and I could not unlock my phone...

I'm pretty sure it worked just fine (I used that code million times) before my travel but it simply doesn't work now - even when back in London on my current mobile provider network. Not sure what happened, but was unable to use phone in Russia, and I'm only able to receive phone calls now. I've tried around thousands of various code combinations, waiting 30 seconds for another 5 tries. My best hobby whilst in Russia :silly:

Anyone experienced something like this? I would not like to do factory reset as too many data on my phone to do this, but I need to bypass the screen lock. Now I'm not sure if region lock has triggered something dodgy once I have went to Russian mobile provider networks... Ah, yes, phone is mine in case you're wondering :D
[Galaxy Note 3 General] dmitrik:
give photo
[Galaxy Note 3 General] hari smart:
wat abt buying n9005 model in uae and using in india??? does it work properly?.......really confused whether to buy n9000 or n9005 .......9005 is better but many reported that it rejects indian sim cards and im gonna use in india alone....:confused::confused:
[Galaxy Note 3 General] jdomadia:
U can use N9005 in India no problem.
[Galaxy Note 3 General] asif.malick:
Region Lock and Baseband

I have a question, Baseband shows in region locked phones or not? I have a n9005 with 4.4.2 and It has no baseband Please reply Thanks
[Galaxy Note 3 General] hari smart:
ive seen many people complaining about network failure of n9005

---------- Post added at 10:54 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:50 AM ----------

does note 4 also have region lock???

:confused:

---------- Post added at 11:00 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:54 AM ----------

pls suggest some offline as well as some online stores as my uncle from dubai is gonna purchase it......
[Galaxy Note 3 General] bubblesmoney:
Just switch off the auto switch between wifi and network. It is poor samsung software. Had that problem on my note 3 but not s4. Also if there is weak 3g signal if defaults to 2g or keeps flipping between the two giving poor data signal. So in network setting remove auto switch and change to wcdma only then reception is more stable bit don't forget to change to auto when moving to area with stronger signal so that you can get 4g if available. Wifi issues get sorted on my note 3 if I switch off all the auto switch features showing that it is poor samsung software and not hardware. My S4 and one plus one had no issues on same wifi network or 3g network or 4g network.

---------- Post added at 10:04 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:01 AM ----------

Click on my username and see my recent posts from today on the s5 forum where I have linked a post on the note 3 from India samsung store unlocked that got region locked to wipe europe region while travelling in Europe and Indian sim could no longer be used!
[Galaxy Note 3 General] mathieulh:
It actually is a Qfuse (Qualcomm's patented eFuses) at least on variants with snapdragon SOC. At least that's what Qualcomm's specs sheets refer them to. Of course one could argue that technically wise those are just your average eFuses.

As far as I know, Samsung's added a new signature in kernels for knox, so flashing a pre knox official kernel would still trigger the routine since the knox enforced signature would be missing, even from an untouched Samsung kernel.
[Galaxy Note 3 General] smeddy:
My finger was on the 'purchase' button, and this has been my most anticipated tech launch of the year...

Goddamn you Sammy... Phoning them to register my disgust, like an angry person in a local paper :)

Seriously, we're a global economy now and travel is a big part of that. Very silly and sneaky practice.
[Galaxy Note 3 General] lucfeenstra:
Guess I can return the smart dock, screen protectors, s-view cover etc all as well now :| Serious bad move Samsung, you have just lost yourself another customer.
[Galaxy Note 3 General] DjeMBeY:
Hehe, same sh*t different name :p

Anyway, I wasn't talking about flashing previous Kernel, I'm talking about creating system.img.ext4 with modified CSC built in.. (cache.im.ext4 excluded from .tar) That's it, just to test the "CSC SIM Un/Lock Theory.." ;) No other modifications..
[Galaxy Note 3 General] TEKHD:
Damn... Another **** to look for... When buying the note 3 @ T-Mobile store...
[Galaxy Note 3 General] mathieulh:
Hum... that should work, assuming system.img.ext4 isn't hashed/signed and verified by the bootloader.
[Galaxy Note 3 General] Shtihi:
what with this?

it wont work?

http://www.redmondpie.com/how-to-sim-unlock-samsung-galaxy-s4-gt-i9505-for-free/
[Galaxy Note 3 General] mathieulh:
No, it's not the same type of lock at all, the MCC lock is in the CSC. Besides, you can't access that part of the service menu anymore. It's disabled in the radio firmware since a few updates ago on the galaxy s4.
[Galaxy Note 3 General] iakovl:
the simple answer is to wait

the N3 is "too new" people don't have them in hand so they can't find way to unlock them, root , ect'... things take time
[Galaxy Note 3 General] fonejacker:
Samsung own Goal!

ARRGGGHHHH!!!!!

I just received Galaxy Note 3 N9005 model variant today. Nice phone but has the "European Model" sticker.

The seller has agreed to take back. Presumably they can return handsets to Samsung for refund, as Samsung kept hidden this vitally important anti-consumer feature from their resellers.

This really pisses me off as I travel to Hong Kong and South Africa regularly, and roaming charges from my UK home carrier are a damned sight more expensive than charges using a PAYG local sim in these two countries.

Is the way round this to buy a Mi-Fi? They cost around 40 pounds from my UK carrier. I understand one can stick any old sim in the Mi-Fi and the Note 3 will link wirelessly with the Mi-Fi unit? Normally these are used for mobile broadband in UK, but should be able to be used in any country for by passing region lock for data comms like browsing and skypeing etc. This way getting security advantage over public Wi-fi, and not being totally reliant on local Wi-fi spots.

Any guesses to say if there is likely to be a version on sale without any restrictions in future, maybe shipped from a country not in a sim locked region? In this case maybe worth while waiting to buy later. For interest anyone know what sim region South Africa is in?

It is possible only LTE Note 3 phones have region locks, or will 3G Note 3 phones likely also have a region lock.

I hope there will soon be a do-it-yourself remedy available from the hacking boffins at Xda and elsewhere to get round this complete own-goal by Samsung!

:(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(:( GRRRRRR!
[Galaxy Note 3 General] BarryH_GEG:
It's too early to say what type of SIM restrictions are being applied to U.S. phones as none of them are in people's hands yet. All the regional locks reported have been on (theoretically) unlocked phones sold by Samsung direct. There's no such thing as an "unlocked" phone in the U.S. as 100% of Samsung's phones are sold as carrier versions in the U.S. With SIM locking restrictions currently being discussed at the Presidential-level in the U.S. this wouldn't be the best time to introduce even more egregious SIM locking tactics. If the regional SIM lock can't be defeated and the U.S. phones don't have it this could be the first time ever a carrier phone offered more flexibility than the phones Samsung's sold themselves. Kind of ironic.
[Galaxy Note 3 General] kiyodi:
Yep I got the quad core 9005 let variant and there is no restriction.
[Galaxy Note 3 General] Pulverizer:
Hongkong and Vietnam model may full unlocked

I got some information our korean community. (from Clien.net)

Vientnam & Hongkong note3 are restrict sticker not pasted on the box. It means Asia region may not restrict Country.

(not confirmed, but ASIA model likely that not restirct any country)

Also I known that korean localizing (SKT/KT/LG) model also not restirct country. But never recommend any korean note3 models.

Because korean model too many locallizing frameworks & telephony & too many have bloat ware. (normally 10 more have operator apps.)

It will cause always unstable system and sometimes make a hidden reset. (sometimes booting sound play loudly in my pocket :silly: )

If hongkong version is fully unlocked(connect on any carrier), I think Hongkong note3 is really fullly unlocked version. :good:
[Galaxy Note 3 General] BarryH_GEG:
Negri Electronics is a big reseller of Samsung gray market phones in the U.S. A lot of their inventory comes from Latin America. They posted this on their site yesterday for the Octa N3.
[Galaxy Note 3 General] tiep:
Well, I was just about to buy a Note 3 from Clove in the UK, but I won't be doing so now. This restriction is outrageous! We need to get this into the national press round the world so that Samsung are shamed into reversing this lunacy. I hope they loose at lot of money over this - $100M sounds like a nice round sum!
[Galaxy Note 3 General] DjeMBeY:
I'm preparing Test FW - STOCK N9005XXUBMH1 with modified CSC - and we'll see how it goes.. Hopefully someone will test it for us ;)

I've checked CSC from N900 (Asian 3G version) and there's NO lock at all!! :/ It looks like only LTE Versions are affected :/
[Galaxy Note 3 General] mathieulh:
The South American versions of the N900 are MCC locked afaik. All the EU MCCs are on the list.
[Galaxy Note 3 General] cybermessiah:
This really is disappointing.

Note 3 gets released here in Taiwan in the next few days...I will definitely be checking for any sim restrictions... though I have a feeling the Taiwan model wont be locked down [fingers-crossed].:mad::mad:

Still.. gonna wait for the release of the HTC One Max expected here on October 17 before choosing between the two.:D:D
[Galaxy Note 3 General] BarryH_GEG:
The carriers, not Samsung, benefit the most from this. Not being able to use local SIMs when traveling outside a customer's home region will force people to use their subscribed carriers roaming agreements. International roaming is quite profitible for the carriers. Samsung's voided the warranty on gray market phones for years so they actually save money on support when people buy phones outside their regions. Forcing people to buy phones from only within their regions ups Samsung's warranty costs. They may pick up some revenue from currency exchange by eliminating people buying phones in other countries to save money but that doesn't seem like the primary motive. So I'm kind of confused outside carrier's pushing Samsung in this direction why they introduced this new "feature."
[Galaxy Note 3 General] keennay:
Can anyone else with an Asian region Note 3 confirm this?
[Galaxy Note 3 General] Pulverizer:
Above my post include Asian note3 information. (#156)

http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=45937676&postcount=156

Hongkong / Veitnam / Korea note 3 are restrict sticker not pasted.(may fully unlocked) :good:
[Galaxy Note 3 General] DjeMBeY:
Hmmm...... Interesting...

I was checking all CSC codes from CSC_OXX_N9005OXXBMH1 and some Countries have Network Lock and some NOT??!!

There's 16 codes/countries in total.. and here's the 6 codes/Countries without any restrictions:

CYO - Greece (MTN, CYTAVODA)

ETL - Czech Republic (T-Mobile CZ, O2 - CZ, Vodafone CZ)

MEO - Portugal (P TMN)

ORX - Slovakia (Orange, T-Mobile SK, O2 - SK)

TLA - Sweden (Telia, TELIA DK, Call me, FIN SONERA, NetCom)

TMN - Portugal (P TMN)

Anybody with CSC codes from above can test if they can use NON-EU SIM-Cards.. ;)

Here is the list of all locked Networks from customer.xml

[b]
<Security>
<NbNetworkLock>38</NbNetworkLock>
<NetworkLock>460BB</NetworkLock>
<NetworkLock>250BB</NetworkLock>
<NetworkLock>255BB</NetworkLock>
<NetworkLock>502BB</NetworkLock>
<NetworkLock>510BB</NetworkLock>
<NetworkLock>401BB</NetworkLock>
<NetworkLock>525BB</NetworkLock>
<NetworkLock>452BB</NetworkLock>
<NetworkLock>505BB</NetworkLock>
<NetworkLock>515BB</NetworkLock>
<NetworkLock>470BB</NetworkLock>
<NetworkLock>404BB</NetworkLock>
<NetworkLock>405BB</NetworkLock>
<NetworkLock>603BB</NetworkLock>
<NetworkLock>602BB</NetworkLock>
<NetworkLock>432BB</NetworkLock>
<NetworkLock>604BB</NetworkLock>
<NetworkLock>416BB</NetworkLock>
<NetworkLock>424BB</NetworkLock>
<NetworkLock>425BB</NetworkLock>
<NetworkLock>724BB</NetworkLock>
<NetworkLock>370BB</NetworkLock>
<NetworkLock>338BB</NetworkLock>
<NetworkLock>374BB</NetworkLock>
<NetworkLock>706BB</NetworkLock>
<NetworkLock>734BB</NetworkLock>
<NetworkLock>714BB</NetworkLock>
<NetworkLock>712BB</NetworkLock>
<NetworkLock>740BB</NetworkLock>
<NetworkLock>704BB</NetworkLock>
<NetworkLock>708BB</NetworkLock>
<NetworkLock>710BB</NetworkLock>
<NetworkLock>744BB</NetworkLock>
<NetworkLock>748BB</NetworkLock>
<NetworkLock>736BB</NetworkLock>
<NetworkLock>621BB</NetworkLock>
<NetworkLock>620BB</NetworkLock>
<NetworkLock>639BB</NetworkLock>
[/b]
[Galaxy Note 3 General] lucfeenstra:
Just found out that Samsung Switzerland has told their customers that once you use a European sim card, that you can use non EU simcards afterwards (for Swiss devices at least). This is something that was already mentioned in this thread earlier.. could it be right?

Check out the link for yourself (use google translate if you don't speak german):

https://www.facebook.com/SamsungSwitzerland/posts/600488789993594
[Galaxy Note 3 General] fonejacker:
Manufacturers usually segment markets in order to increase total profitability. If they can segment markets then they can have different selling prices in different markets and maximize the selling price to customers in each market. This region lock may prevent large numbers of phones moving from one region to another. For example they may sell phones at higher price to distributors in the UK than in the US, because the UK market is less competitive, and distributors in UK pass on higher price to willing UK customers.

If it is Samsung's doing and not the carrier's then market segmentation could be a reason in addition to warranty charges. Although if its the carrier's general request and not Samsung, then it is likely as mentioned in earlier posts the carrier's wanting to protect their exhortative roaming charges to foreign countries. Example a USA to USA call on the UK Three PAYG sim costs 1.40 pounds per minute, which if made on a local USA sim would cost only peanuts, and a skype call only 0.014 pounds per minute (excl. tax), one hundred times less expensive!

If it is Samsung's project it will backfire and anyone who takes long holidays or business trips abroad will have good reason convert to another brand of phone.
[Galaxy Note 3 General] DaOldMan:
There is another reason. I am sure that Samsung earns on Exynos 5 Note 3 device more then on the Snapdragon 800 ones. If they make you buy the Exynos product they are sure they will make higher profit. For instance, here in Israel many people buy their device abroad. The cost of Note3 here is supposed to get as high as 1250$. Buying one abroad is cheaper and also you can get the Snapdragon 800 one instead of the Exynos 5 that is going to be sold here. People want to get 4K recording, Lte and cheaper price.

Now with this locks problem, people may be forced to buy local Note 3 with Exynos for 1250$. I am sure this is not a problem in Israel alone. This may be a good enough reason for Samsung to "eu-unlock" their devices.

My 5 cents,

Thomas
[Galaxy Note 3 General] KevinsH:
Today I unlock my Note 3 N9005 ( bought in London ) with this service.

Now phone work with Russian SIM without any problem.

http://xdaforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=2284420&stc=1&d=1380204637
[Galaxy Note 3 General] BarryH_GEG:
I totally get all that. But for example "all the Americas" and "all the EU" still allows for a huge disparity in pricing across a wide swath of countries. And so far Asia’s phones don’t seem to be affected which will have the opposite effect of what you’re describing and drive people to purchase from those regions to get a “real” unlocked device. Samsung's rigid stance on not supporting gray market phones for warranty repair (an EU phone can only be repaired in the EU) already introduced penalties for buying outside a specific selling region. So what's changed for them to introduce region-based SIM locking? In the B2B market this is going to piss off a lot of their largest multinational corporate accounts just at the time their pushing Knox to try and attract them. I have no idea what's really behind this move but I don't think it's as simple as to further their cause of getting consumers (B2C) to only buy phones within their "home" region.

I think this is a more logical reason. But I'm just guessing and my guesses aren't any more educated than anyone's here.

Agreed. There's a big difference between locking bootloaders which 95% of the world doesn't care about and screwing around with what and how people choose to use a high-end mobile device where multiple competitive products exist. On the surface, this is a pretty ballsy and risky move on Samsung's part. And I guarantee you countries in the EU and the U.S. will want a complete explanation of why Samsung's chosen this direction. And also why there was no public disclosure other than introducing a sticker on the product's box to communicate a pretty material policy change. Samsung’s market position makes the latter especially problematic for them.
[Galaxy Note 3 General] lucfeenstra:
Interesting, was your phone showing the lock screen before?
[Galaxy Note 3 General] hpacura:
Congrats bro. Is your phone sim-free? Is your phone also restricted like other users? Thanks
[Galaxy Note 3 General] KevinsH:
Before unlock phone work with T-mobile SIM and didn't with Russian SIM , asking for unlock PIN.

After unlock working with both.
[Galaxy Note 3 General] Pulverizer:
GREAT! You're awesome!!

What site support Smasung Europe or Samsung LTA unlock?

And How much is it?

If you have a little time, please make a mini lecture about how can you unlock via unlock support website.

It must be helpful all international Note3 users. :)
[Galaxy Note 3 General] Eddiemc:
No offence mate, but if the UK phone was region locked to Europe you shouldn't need to unlock it to make it work, as it's already open to Europe, and most of Russia is in Europe, unless I've missed something..?
[Galaxy Note 3 General] hpacura:
Was your phone locked with T-Mobile when you purchased or it's a sim-free phone? We need to determine whether only sim-free phone is regional locked or both sim-free and carrier-locked.
[Galaxy Note 3 General] lucfeenstra:
Of course, but at least it is a solution for people like me who need the phone to work as soon as possible or else to return it.

Another question, are you currently using the phone in Russia or still in the UK?

Also read this people: https://twitter.com/alexdobie/status/383237903356145666
[Galaxy Note 3 General] OmeTer:
i was visiting the BelCompany store here in the Netherlands today checking out the unlocked Note 3 and i asked the Sales man if there's any kind of indication on the device stating that its locked for use within europe only and he denied stating there's no kind of indication and your unlocked phone should be working outside of Europe as well (in the US...)
[Galaxy Note 3 General] Tubgirl:
Article on Android Authority...

http://www.androidauthority.com/galaxy-note-3-europe-america-region-lock-277262/

Also two Swedish tech sites just published articles about this... keep spreading the word!

http://www.idg.se/2.1085/1.525358/s...galaxy-note-3-ar-regionslast-i-usa-och-europa

http://www.mobil.se/nyheter/galaxy-note-3-nu-i-butik-1.526944.html

Brgds...
[Galaxy Note 3 General] Eddiemc:
Sure, I'm also anxious to see if we can get it unlocked.

I'm just worried that an already European locked phone being "unlocked" to work in Russia could still be completely region locked, because it would have worked in Russia from the get go.. So maybe the unlock didn't do anything..?

Edit: never mind, must have missed this:

"Before unlock phone work with T-mobile SIM and didn't with Russian SIM , asking for unlock PIN.

After unlock working with both."

Good find:)
[Galaxy Note 3 General] Timberwind:
Samsung Switzerland confirmed following:

If you buy a Swiss Note 3, you must activate it with a Swiss SIM-Card. Afterwards you can use it outside and inside of Europe with every SIM-Card you want.

Source:

Facebook Samung Switzerland.

Can't post link, because I am a new user.

Here is the original german quote from Samsung Schweiz:

"Hoi [...], wir haben extra für dich nochmals alles mit unseren Experten abgeklärt. Wir bleiben bei unserer Aussage: Wer in der Schweiz ein Note 3 kauft und mit einer Schweizer SIM-Karte aktiviert, kann es danach auch ausserhalb von Europa und mit aussereuropäischen SIM-Karten verwenden."
[Galaxy Note 3 General] lucfeenstra:
Earlier in this thread he mentioned that it didn't work with his russian sim though?

Hah just missed your edit.

---------- Post added at 03:03 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:00 PM ----------

Yes, I mentioned that earlier.

https://www.facebook.com/SamsungSwitzerland/posts/600488789993594
[Galaxy Note 3 General] prashantjcha:
Check this out

Here’s the statement Samsung sent in to AllAboutSamsung.de:

Some current Samsung products are now provided with a local SIM card lock. This means that devices purchased in the European Union, with SIM cards of mobile operators from Germany and from the European Union and the European Economic Area (the “European region”) work as usual.

Users of these Samsung devices can continue to use these together with their SIM card of a mobile operator from the European region via roaming service to appropriate roaming charges to their wireless service provider around the world. If purchased in the European Union and not yet been put into use to be activated for the first time abroad, users can unlock their device for the region free from local Samsung service partners.

The regional SIM card lock only affects the following Samsung models that are produced from the end of July 2013, and provided with a corresponding sticker:

Samsung GALAXY S III, II, GALAXY Note, GALAXY S4, S4 GALAXY mini and the GALAXY Note 3

Devices that have been delivered by Samsung and are in camps or even at retail are not affected.

Specifically, there is a functionality of the devices with SIM cards of mobile operators from the following countries:

Countries of the European Economic Area (EEA):

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands , Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, UK, Switzerland, Croatia

- Non-EU/EEA:

Albania, Andorra, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, San Marino, Serbia, Vatican City
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] leboreiro:
I flashed via odin the pana I9300UBEMH2	I9300UWHEMH1 . but when i went back to the stock one i have imei 0049 - I tough this could happen only with mg4 roms . i flashed the panama one and i got my signal and imei back. but im not sure of wich roms can i flash now

can u help me?
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] danarama:
Please read general > Sticky roll-up thread / IMEI / EFS - Know this stuff.

Every ROM since July changes EFS. Why would only July ROMs do the upgrade then not August?
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] leboreiro:
i have just 2 or 3 simple questions. especific quesitons that i cannot find the answer on your post. or maybe the answer is on the next 11 pages? you mention on your post only MG4 roms or newer. don't say anything about Mh2 . so the questions is kinda easy, would i am able to have signal and imea read on a 4.1.2 if i flash a mg4 modem after install ? . and same thing happen to 4.2.2 or 4.3 will i have to always flash a custom modem to have my imea readden?