Mexican phone in the UK

[Jeremy2]

I purchased an S20+ from an eBay UK store and have been sent a phone with Telcel branding from Mexico. Obviously this isn't ideal but before I send it back for a refund, would installing the stock firmware remove the branding and allow me to use the phone in the UK?

[AndrewL]

@Jeremy2: If the S20+ was purchased from Telcel by the original owner, then it may still be locked to that network. Have you tried inserting a UK SIM to see if it is accepted? If you get a notification to request a SIM unlock code, or PUK code, then this can only be obtained from Telcel themselves, which might be problematic. With the software and hardware variances that exist in our phones from region to region you're likely to encounter a few compatibility issues, but see how you get on with the UK SIM first of all. My own perspective is that you're better off sourcing a phone that was intended for use in the UK, in order to enjoy it's full range of features. 

[Jeremy2]

Thanks Andrew, that's my thoughts too, I brought it to replace my broken S10+ and it's a pain having to send it back and wait for a refund I figured changing the firmware would help with at least 1 of the issues but I'd feel alot more comfortable knowing it was a UK market handset. I did try a sim but it didn't work unfortunately

[Mallone]

If the eBay listing was deceiving then I'd personally contact eBay regarding this and see how they could help.

[BandOfBrothers]

Hi @Jeremy2 

Sounds like the phone is Region Locked unfortunately. 

I've imported a phone from Hong Kong before and it worked fine but that company deals in Region Unlocked phones that are sourced from Samsung Hong Kong.

It sounds like the Ebay store you purchased from deals in Grey imports.

The other issue is Samsung won't apply the 2 year manufacturing warranty to an imported phone.

Personally I'd send it back for a refund and start again.

I wish you all the best with this situation. 

[avigazed]

I have nearly the same issue. Except my phone worked fine (since October) until Sunday the 30th of January. The telcel message (in Spanish) said something to the effect of. ..disabled due to unpaid team fees.
I figured out the running process and stopped it. But while in Dex mode. I wouldn't be able to kill the process on the phone itself as when the popup appears the phone is unusable.
I'm waiting for the ebay seller to get back to me. But as per my previous experience with ebay in a technical issue, I have little hope of any solution.
It's too late for a refund.

I was going to ask about a stock firmware. That is something I've done on an old HTC, years ago though. I'd be apprensive at rooting and flashing but I d consider it.

Any help would be great.
Cheers

[Fabula]

Hi friend!
Do you remember what service it was?

[avigazed]

Sorry,
I have only checked this today.
I just logged in to post that message and never bothered looking again.