(Region Locked) Galaxy S9 Purchased from Europe and planning to use in the USA?

[itsonlyme]

Recently I just purchased an Unlocked Galaxy S9 phone from my local Tech shop here in Europe (Hungary) and the box says that its a EU Model and must make a 5 minute call when using the same EU SIM. Here what I dont understand.

Do I need to do the following in order to Region Unlock my phone as stated below:

1. First of all, what EU Number should I be calling for 5 minutes when I arrive to the US? I dont have famliy here in Europe that I can call for that period of time.

2. Before leaving to the USA, do I need to call any local European number using my EU local SIM card for 5 minutes?

3. Then, I have to make the same call FROM the USA TO  Hungary and try to talk for 5 minutes again and then finally I can use any US SIM card?

4. And do these calls have to made to and from Hungary or ANY European country?

The sticker on the box is not very detailed in explaining the steps to Region Unlock the phone, so hopefully someone here can provide me guidance.

I need as much step by step details or instructions as possible on how to Region Unlock my phone.

Thanks!
 

[AndrewL]

Hi @itsonlyme

If you are currently in Hungary then you will need to make a 5-10 minute cumulative call to a local number in that region, using a SIM card from a local network. This will unlock the phone for use with networks outside the EU - you don't need to worry about making calls to Europe once you are in the States. Hope this helps.

[itsonlyme]

So just to confirm, after arriving in the USA, I DO NOT have to make a call to a Hungarian number with my Hungarian SIM card? 

So the only time I need to make a 5 minute call is to call a Hungarian number with my Hungarian SIM card for 5 minutes BEFORE leaving to the USA?

Is this correct?

If so, I would like to thank you very much for this helpful explanation.

[AndrewL]

@itsonlyme, that's correct, yes

[itsonlyme]

One last final question regarding this topic.

When making the 5 minute requirement call while I am still here in Hungary (in order to Region Unlock my phone) does the call have to be 5 minutes straight per call?

Thanks again for the help!

[AndrewL]

As far as I'm aware it is a 5 minute 'cumulative' call, meaning it can be multiple calls that add up to 5 minutes. Just to be on the safe side though I'd recommend making a 5 minute call plus 5 minutes worth of calls to make sure the process completes successfully.

[itsonlyme]

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@AndrewL wrote:
As far as I'm aware it is a 5 minute 'cumulative' call, meaning it can be multiple calls that add up to 5 minutes. Just to be on the safe side though I'd recommend making a 5 minute call plus 5 minutes worth of calls to make sure the process completes successfully.

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And just to confirm again and to be clear, these calls are to be made to a Hungarian number while still being in Hungary using my Hungarian SIM card and once I arrive in the USA, I dont have to worry about making these calls again from the USA to Hungary?

Can the call be made from my mobile to another mobile or to a landline as well?

Just want to be sure.

Thanks

[AntS]

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@itsonlyme wrote:

 And just to confirm again and to be clear, these calls are to be made to a Hungarian number while still being in Hungary using my Hungarian SIM card and once I arrive in the USA, I dont have to worry about making these calls again from the USA to Hungary?

 Yes, you've got that right, itsonlyme. :robothappy:

Can the call be made from my mobile to another mobile or to a landline as well?

Either to a mobile or to a landline is fine. The important bit is that the Hungarian SIM gets used for the total calltime needed.

[itsonlyme]

One last question (hopefully) regarding this topic.

Once the Region Unlock is successful, what if I were to perform a Factory Reset on the phone? Will It go back to Region Lock again?

[AntS]

A Factory Reset shouldn't affect the Region Lock, so once it's unlocked to all regions it'll stay that way.