yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Galaxy S 4 General] dxzh:
I do not know - but it would be incredibly useful to find out the ON/OFF state of each lock without having to try and figure it out through trial and error through use of different SIMs.

There used to be an easy way on Samsung phones to show the state of each lock prior to Jelly Bean, which was to dial *#7465625# (or if look at letters on keypad, dial *#SIMLOCK#). That has gone on latest SGS IV and Note 3 (and later builds of other phones). I have not found anything helpful under Network Lock in the Service Menu (reached by dialling *#0011#) - perhaps someone else will have a better idea of where such a lock status screen or file might be found (particularly if already have root).

FYI, in earlier Samsungs like the SGS and SGS3, the "Personalizatiob" screen, which set out the state of each of the Network, Network Subset, SP and CP locks, was part of the Perso apk found at system/app/Personalization.apk (together with the associated Personalization.odex). It was this apk which was called up when *#7465625# was dialled. Some of the code in this app is set out at http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=44129126&postcount=51.
[Galaxy S 4 General] don_gabrielli:
Only models manufactured after July 31st will be affected. Type this on the phone *#12580*369# and check RF Cal. Its the date of manufacture.
[Galaxy S 4 General] AvelonTs:
Is that confirmed from an official source?
[Galaxy S 4 General] Paparasee:
That was what was mentioned by Android Police.

See: Samsung has begun sim-locking its phones
[Galaxy S 4 General] NoOneCanHelpMe:
incorrect! my phone has build date 29.05.2013 and still have the lock!
[Galaxy S 4 General] hifonicy:
Mine is RF cal 2013.04.29 and still have the lock too...
[Galaxy S 4 General] dxzh:
Will upgraded phones become regionally locked?

As you point out, anyone with a phone like a Note 2, SGS 3, SGS 4 built before this Summer who is upgrading it to stock firmware issued since July 2013 can expect to have the MCC block list included in the CSC if that list would be in the equivalent CSC of a new phone with that same CSC code (eg AUT, OXX). There may be some with a CSC for a country which is not to be subject to the regional lock and therefore who are fortunate not to have a MCC block list in the same way as, currently, new phones with a CSC for that country do not have a MCC block list. However there are already some who have upgraded and uncovered a MCC block list in the new CSC - for example, see http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=46162702&postcount=867 and for links to the different MCC lists and phones seen to be affected so far http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=46247315&postcount=968.

Even if there is a MCC block list in the CSC, it may still be necessary for a lock to be already switched ON in the phone for the phone to become regionally locked. There is though a concern that, while accepting an upgrade to a CSC with a MCC block list may not be sufficent to result in an upgraded phone becoming regionally locked as no lock is turned ON at the time of upgrade, there is the possibility that Samsung might also turn a lock ON (in circumstances where all relevant locks before then were switched OFF) and thereby (or in some other way) cause the regional network locks based on the MCC block list to be switched ON. It would be good if Samsung would confirm that unlocked phones will not become regionally locked following acceptance of an upgrade or, at least, set out precisely the circumstances in which they could become regionally locked.
[Galaxy S 4 General] hifonicy:
What about if we flash a gpe firmware on the GT-I9505? I know that its not stock like the gpe but the compiled gpe for the GT-I9505... is this one locked too?
[Galaxy S 4 General] don_gabrielli:
When you say it has the lock, you mean there is the list of region locked providers in the xml file or if you put another SIM in your phone it locks? Having just the list does not matter. Mine is 2013.05.24 and it is not locked. My provider is not in the xml file so in theory it should not allow my SIM. And yes for a question earlier about the July 2013 it was mentioned on Android Police and other sites as well:

http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_simlocking_droids_built_after_072013_to_continent-news-6866.php
[Galaxy S 4 General] dxzh:
I do not follow your theory. If, say, one took an MCC (415) for Lebanon, then to block SIMs from every Lebanese network you would expect to see the following entry in the customer.xml file:

<NetworkLock>415BB</NetworkLock>

where "BB" is a wildcard for every MNC in that MCC.

If that NetworkLock entry is not there, then the phone is not expected to be regionally blocked in a way which would prevent it being used with a Lebanese network SIM.

If that entry is there, it may still not be blocked if the phone has been wholly unlocked already using say a NCK unlock.

Moreover, no MCC block list seen so far (see http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=46247315&postcount=968) includes Lebanon so would not expect a Lebanese SIM to be blocked anyway.
[Galaxy S 4 General] Aitch:
Does using Cyanogen remove this lock?
[Galaxy S 4 General] don_gabrielli:
Are we sure <NetworkLock> means blacklisted network and not locked to this network? So only those networks in the list would work? But I think you are correct mine is Netherlands region and I see no Netherlands network in the list. And logically it should work on their network. My bad. Sorry.
[Galaxy S 4 General] dxzh:
I believe so. No worries.

It would be great if you could compare your list to the two European lists so far (one has 38 and the other 63 MCCs) and also confirm the full CSC file name, as a spread of information may help all of us try and work out over time some of the idiosyncracies of the regional lock's implementation.
[Galaxy S 4 General] hifonicy:
Mine is the same as in the first post ( mine is #8 )
[Galaxy S 4 General] don_gabrielli:
Mine is also the same as OP. And here is my csc filename (attached)
[Galaxy S 4 General] Aitch:
The articles on this thread indicate that the Lock is deactivated when you initially insert an approved SIM - so this is really a non-issue? Or am I getting that wrong?
[Galaxy S 4 General] dxzh:
As the mechanic is not understood, there is a healthy sceptism around the Samsung claim of "activation" releasing the region lock. See OP first post. Is insertion of a particular type of SIM really triggering a release of a lock?

Even if release really occurs following insertion of a particular SIM, there is more uncertainty and concern around:

- how long it takes to release the regional lock,

- how long the regional lock remains released, if not permanently released,

- what SIM can be inserted to release it;

- what might happen when a phone, which has already been in use for months, is upgraded to firmware containing a regional lock;

- why some regional locks persist.
[Galaxy S 4 General] Oleander:
I'm guessing that it is just that - a first time activation.

Anything else will probably run afoul of many countries consumer protection laws, and be a class action lawsuit waiting to happen.

If they in any way try to limit where I can use my phone, I know that its a dealbreaker and according to the consumer protection laws here, I'm entitled to them fixing it free of charge or refund me the full price of the phone.

I'd love to see them try!
[Galaxy S 4 General] dxzh:
I agree that would be nice but ...

- there have been a lot of examples of the regional lock applying to consumers, even after first use with a home region SIM, and no lawsuit yet.

- it seems odd to be introducing a "first activation" regional lock through a stock upgrade to large numbers of existing phones (SGS3, SGS4, Note 2 etc) given that those phones have been in use for months prior to the upgrade.

- most consumers are buying the phone on express notice (by sticker on box) that it is only compatible with SIMs issued by operators in the European region.

- many countries do not have a particularly class action friendly legal system, the UK included.

- Samsung have refused, when asked, to make clear in writing that the region lock will be a one-off test, never to be repeated.
[Galaxy S 4 General] htcplussony:
I was reading following that tread on the note3 side for a long while. Just seem to me that first time activation with a local sim to disable the regional lock is just either bs, lies or samsung itself doesn't understand what its really doing or not doing.
[Galaxy S 4 General] hifonicy:
That's why I am happy to own a nexus 4 too... google uploads all firmware images and let you flash every stock firmware and let you develop them too... and no region lock and that with under the half price of an s4
[Galaxy S 4 General] ocubano:
I dont know how works the region lock, but i bought my S4 in Brazil, and the box say "Locked for all AMERICA only, Notrh, Central and South America" I use the phone for a few weeks and them i travel to Spain, Italy and Japan, and for my surprise my phone work on that all country with a regional SIM. A friend told me the lock is only for the 1rst use of the phone. Some thing like "activate the phone".
[Galaxy S 4 General] hifonicy:
Which firmware do you have on your s4???
[Galaxy S 4 General] dxzh:
The Americas region lock used by Samsung has, so far, only listed 20 countries' MCC codes - see http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=46124007&postcount=814 for expected list. Therefore, I would expect SIMs only from network operators in those MCC countries to be blocked by the regional lock, not all countries outside the Americas, even though the Samsung sticker is really misleading on this point. The list on its own though is not enough - even if there is this list in your phone the regional lock must also continue to be switched on in order for the MCC block list to stop SIMs from the MCC blocked country working.

Difficult to tell for you though whether your regional lock is switched on, because you did not visit any of those 20 countries on the likely MCC block list in your phone. If you can help, please do post the name of your CSC file - you can find this by dialling *#1234# in your telephone dialler. If you want to be really helpful, please check in your file system/csc/customer.xml and see if you can confirm whether you have the same MCC block list in your S4 as the list seen in the post linked to above.
[Galaxy S 4 General] difyel:
Samsung is playing a very dirty game, they are trying to black op the region lock subject in a variety of way. After a first negative reaction by the consumers to the region lock, they leaked an unofficial statement saying that just insert your SIM card from an originating region, et voila your phone is unlocked and you can use it anywhere.

Blogs around the web were quick to exonerate Samsung by Saying look the issue is not as bad as we earlier thought. But soon consumers discovered that is actually a fallacy, but wait Samsung is not guilty since it’s only a leak nothing official. So what was successfully achieved by Samsung was to shade some doubt about the issue “Will it be unlocked or locked”, and they were successful in making the majority of the blogs downplay the issue.

But consumers were alert, even though a large number of blogs stick with Samsung story , so here come the times for another absurd fantasy by Samsung . Look your phone is not directly region unlocked after inserting a regional SIM card!! Who said anything about this!? NO your phone will be region unlocked after an uncertain amount of time, or when they detect a regular usage. How, when, who are all unknown variables! Just wait they say. But really, Wait for what? For Samsung France to issue or not a statement saying that you can cannot use your phone outside Europe @ all or for Samsung Switzerland to issue a statement saying yeh you can to only to retract It later ?

It’s evident that Samsung is transforming this subject into a moot point. Anyway I want to thank everyone - especially dxzh - who has contributed to this thread , and I will try to update the first post regularly with new information .
[Galaxy S 4 General] htcplussony:
Doesn't which region it locks out depend on which region the phone/firmware csc comes from? Its too bad all those region specific s4 threads were got locked. Well the jokes on us.
[Galaxy S 4 General] Aitch:
I think (hope!) Samsung are being as vague as possible because they plan on sending out an update soon. Perhaps originally it was a full and permanent lock, but now that they have seen so much back lash, they are looking to change it to a first activation lock only?

In the end, if having a lock loses them a lot of sales, they will back-peddle pretty damn quickly!
[Galaxy S 4 General] PanNet:
I am not sure mate. My is from 05.2013 and has been locked when I upgraded it by OTA.
[Galaxy S 4 General] faouz:
custom rom

Hello

I also have the blocklist in custom.xml

I use wanam 1.4

My question is can i use the phone outside europe,

with a local simcard for example morocco because i am using a custom rom or not?
[Galaxy S 4 General] difyel:
Check The production Date of your phone by typing this in the phone app *#12580*369# and check RF Cal. Its the date of manufacture. If it's anything before July you should not be affected by this block list according to Samsung but we need some people to confirm this .

If it's after June then you have to check the customer.xml and see if thecountry that you want to use the phone in , is listed , if so then you will not be able to use it . To my knowledge there is no app to remove region locking for the s4 yet .
[Galaxy S 4 General] dxzh:
Samsung say (see post at http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=46193928&postcount=915):

"3) Which devices are affected, in which countries and when will this feature be in effect?

This feature is now part of GALAXY Note 3 devices. It can also be found in the GALAXY Note II, GALAXY S4 devices via a software update in selective markets."

Also note that examples of S4 users acquiring phone well before July 2013 and upgrading to find region lock list in upgraded CSC. For example of May 2013 purchase of S4 see posts at http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=46131919&postcount=819 and http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=46135087&postcount=829.

Note: it is speculated that it may not be the end of the world to be upgraded to a CSC containing the MCC block list, particularly if all levels of locks are already switched OFF on your phone because there are many who have the MCC NetworkLock list in the CSC without it being enforced. Sadly though there are some who may not be quite so lucky. Samsung is not exactly being forthcoming or reassuring in its stock statements in explaining the practical effect of its regional SIM lock policy on upgrade, leaving many to assume they might be adversely impacted.
[Galaxy S 4 General] hifonicy:
I think that people with no regionlock have to post the firmware with the csc that had no lock... that we can download this csc to flash it on our divices ( s4 and note3 )...
[Galaxy S 4 General] elpicard:
So, custom ROM or CSC could solve the problem? Im have to decide this week to buy or not buy.........
[Galaxy S 4 General] jackthomas251:
Can we use it for other phones like LG Optimus G Pro?
[Galaxy S 4 General] rahulrai:
i have flashed the south african firmware for my s4 i9500 and found in the /device -> system -> csc -> customer.xml file codes for singapore & india as well, I'm staying in india. i'hv visited singapore for 2 mnths and used the device without any issues at all. so what i understand from this file is that it allows these countries to allow ur device to work on their specified networks. may be i'm wrong but there is no problem with my device.
[Galaxy S 4 General] difyel:
[MENTION=3424396]jackthomas[/MENTION]

no this will only work with the note 3
[Galaxy S 4 General] dxzh:
Is there any chance that you can confirm:

- What is the name of the CSC file by dialling *#1234# (is it OVJB....)?

- What number is set out in the customer.xml file in the field marked "NbNetworkLock" (eg 20, 38, 50 or 63 - this field should be at the top of the list of blocked NetworkLock fields saying how many blocked NetworkLock fields there are)?
[Galaxy S 4 General] Tsukumogami:
I just checked my RF Cal date and it says July 1st 2013. Yet in the customer.xml I have no block list entries, actually not even a Security entry.

Does that mean my phone will stay fully unlocked even after upgrading to Android 4.3?
[Galaxy S 4 General] hifonicy:
If it is so you have to say us which firmware you have with all three files :)
[Galaxy S 4 General] Tsukumogami:
Can you explain to me what files you mean and where I can find them? I'm not sure which firmware I have but I didn't change or update anything so it's the out-of-the-box Android 4.2.2.
[Galaxy S 4 General] hifonicy:
Tipe *#1234# and post these filenames...

galaxy s4
[Galaxy S 4 General] Tsukumogami:
Ok, here they are:

AP: I9505VJUAMDM

CP: I9505VJUAMDM

CSC: I9505ZTOAMDM
[Galaxy S 4 General] hifonicy:
Ok that's why you don't had a lock... you are on the knox free bootloader!

galaxy s4
[Galaxy S 4 General] Tsukumogami:
Does that mean I can install the 4.3 update or any other updates currently available without having to worry that I will get that Knox bootloader or a locked phone?
[Galaxy S 4 General] hifonicy:
No. That mean you are with the old bootloader. If you go official than with all new updates from august and newer than you load knox on your device and it will lock. You have to wait for a custom rom.

galaxy s4
[Galaxy S 4 General] Tsukumogami:
Ok then I will wait a bit and see what people come up with. Thanks for the help!
[Galaxy S 4 General] pnrb:
Anybody upgraded to official 4.3 & their phone became Region Locked?

Im on the latest official DBT 4.2.2 & my phone is not region locked. Im afraid to upgrade OTA as I need to travel next month
[Galaxy S 4 General] pnrb:
Ok, installed 4.3 OTA & there is no region lock. Tried my Thai roaming sim & it works perfect :)

There are 62 countries in the network lock list ( more than the list on 4.2.2 )

CSC : I9505OXAEMJ5
[Galaxy S 4 General] hifonicy:
Can you post the blocklist please? :)
[Galaxy S 4 General] pnrb:
<NbNetworkLock>62</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>

<NetworkLock>286BB</NetworkLock>

<NetworkLock>429BB</NetworkLock>

<NetworkLock>413BB</NetworkLock>

<NetworkLock>454BB</NetworkLock>

<NetworkLock>259BB</NetworkLock>

<NetworkLock>437BB</NetworkLock>

<NetworkLock>438BB</NetworkLock>

<NetworkLock>436BB</NetworkLock>

<NetworkLock>428BB</NetworkLock>

<NetworkLock>400BB</NetworkLock>

<NetworkLock>282BB</NetworkLock>

<NetworkLock>283BB</NetworkLock>

<NetworkLock>412BB</NetworkLock>

<NetworkLock>520BB</NetworkLock>

<NetworkLock>456BB</NetworkLock>

<NetworkLock>414BB</NetworkLock>

<NetworkLock>457BB</NetworkLock>

<NetworkLock>606BB</NetworkLock>

<NetworkLock>420BB</NetworkLock>

<NetworkLock>418BB</NetworkLock>

<NetworkLock>732BB</NetworkLock>

<NetworkLock>722BB</NetworkLock>

<NetworkLock>730BB</NetworkLock>

<NetworkLock>716BB</NetworkLock>

</Security>
[Galaxy S 4 General] difyel:
As per this article ,Samsung was fined $340,000 For fake Online Comments Against HTC , so it's not surprise at all that they have yet to make a truthful statement about the unlocking of regional locked device , they did acknowledge though that regional locking is causing some confusion amount its user base , but it's here to stay .
[Galaxy S 4 General] BabelHuber:
I just bought a SGS4 without contract for my GF (her SGS3 was stolen :( )

It is the original European version without any carrier branding. Knox is activated, and there is a sticker on the box with the countries this phone will work in.

This is a little bit annoying, but according to an article in the latest c't-magazine (a German computer magazine), once you use the SGS4 for at least 10 days in a 'valid' country, the SIM-lock is gone.

Afterwards, you can travel to any country and put any SIM card into the phone, it will work.

So it seems that Samsung did this because of all the Grey Market phones which were sold.

I still do not like it, but as long as you know the limitations you should be able to get along with this.

I also would expect this to be a 'feature' of the Samsung ROM, so with AOSP you should always be fine. But since we do not plan to get on vacation during the next 9 days, I cannot prove this.
[Galaxy S 4 General] Yair1101m:
My SGS4 GTI9500 (international unlocked version) has the MCC block list on it with 20 MCCs, all are on the European region lock lists.

I bought it in the US and checked it with a non-US sim card (Israeli sim card), and it worked fine. Went back to Israel few days later, and it refused to work with my sim or any other Israeli sim card for that matter.

The MCC block list contains my country code among others - 425 (no surprise there).

I'm trying to solve this issue with Samsung, but without much progress so far.

Could flashing the device with a costume ROM (or a different MCC list) solve this issue?
[Galaxy S 4 General] difyel:
we have a second case with confirmed phone not working because of regional locking

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2521331

let s hope someone comes up with a solution for this .
[Galaxy S 4 General] midnite_blue:
I'm sure that was frustrating, Yair1101m.

It's a surprising turn of events. Can you tell us what your FW build was at the time you experimented with the Israeli sim in the States? Also, if you updated after that and prior to your discovery in Israel that the sim didn't work, what was your build when you made that discovery?

Thanks!
[Galaxy S 4 General] Yair1101m:
Well, i didn't check the FW build when i was in the states. Bear in mind that no one was aware at the time that Samsung started that policy so had no reason (+ being a total noob at android) to check. Also, i didn't authorize any update, but if there is an auto update that could affect that, it may have taken place since i had WiFi. The build version now is : JDQ39.I9500UBUUBMG9.

If there's a way to check whether an update took place or not, let me know and I'll check if it had.

Hope this helps.