Samsung region lock explained

By Karsten Looks

If a new Samsung phone says the SIM card is not allowed or asks for a "network unlock" code although it was sold unlocked, it is usually the region lock: the phone only accepts SIM cards from the region it was sold in until it has been activated there.

What the region lock is

• Samsung applies it to devices sold in certain regions, best known for Europe. The box usually carries a sticker naming the region.
• It is not a carrier (network) lock. A carrier-locked phone needs an unlock code from the carrier; a region-locked phone only needs a first activation with a local SIM.
• It has nothing to do with the firmware region (CSC). Flashing another CSC does not remove it, and the firmware on our pages does not change it.

The official way to lift it

Samsung's instructions: insert a SIM card from the region the phone was sold for and make outgoing calls totalling at least five minutes (several short calls are fine). After that the lock is gone for good and the phone accepts SIM cards from any region. Mobile data and SMS do not count – it has to be voice calls.

Bought abroad and no local SIM?

• Ask the seller or someone in that region to make the activation calls before shipping.
• Samsung service centres in the region of sale can lift the lock with proof of purchase.
• Avoid paid "region unlock" codes and tools. They are unofficial, often fail on current models and can leave the phone unusable.

How to tell which variant you have

The model number shows the target market (for example SM-S938B international, SM-S938U1 US unlocked, SM-S938N Korea). The active region code is under Settings › About phone › Software information › Service provider software version; see the list of CSC codes.