After getting more involved with the "aftermarket" community, I have this question that's been on my mind for a while now. Since rooting and flashing a custom ROM on an Android phone doesn't give one SIM unlock that means that the SIM lock settings must be stored somewhere else in the phone's memory.
My theory goes that the SIM lock information is stored in or along with the baseband. Is this true? And if so, are there any "alternative" or "aftermarket" baseband firmware images? And finally, who makes the baseband firmware - the carrier, or the phone manufacturer?
The SIM lock stuff is in a separate ROM chip that is not part of the normal phone storage, AFAIK. It's manufacturer/device dependent. Definitely nothing to do with the baseband (and you can certainly flash other basebands).
The SIM lock is stored in the Radio NVRAM, is not changeable, but they did the unlock by flashing a patched HBOOT with S-ON and that will report a different SIM lock status (my unlocked phone still says SIMLOCK in fastboot mode - another proof of that is that the fastboot mode now contains a Chinese URL)
Region Lock ensures that you can only use a smartphone in a country the device is made for. In this way, Samsung prevents their devices from being bought up in one market and sold again in another market. If you buy a smartphone in the Netherlands via the official channels, this is a device for the Dutch market. If you want to use this device with an Asian or American SIM card, you can't make calls or use the device with the device.
It is very easy to permanently cancel Samsung Region Lock. All you have to do is call for 5 minutes with a SIM card from the same market as the device. For example, do you want to use a European telephone with an Asian SIM card? First call someone for at least 5 minutes with a European SIM card. The regional lock will be lifted, so you can use your Samsung device with SIM cards from every region. Do you have a dual SIM? Then Use the second SIM card for 5 minutes as well.
Smartphones are already powerful on their own. Throw in a SIM card, and you have a device for communicating with others and accessing the internet. The SIM card gives you a phone number that identifies your phone on the issuing carrier's network. Whether it's a 5G phone or a budget Android phone, you can contact your carrier to lock your SIM card if it's stolen.
A thief can remove a SIM card from a phone and put it into another phone for nefarious purposes. To prevent theft, Android phones have a feature called SIM card lock that adds an extra layer of security to protect your SIM card. This guide discusses a SIM lock and how to activate it on your Android phone.
A SIM card lock is a layer of security that prevents carrier services from being used unless the SIM is unlocked. This is different from a phone being carrier locked, which means a phone can only use SIM cards from a certain carrier. The lock is a PIN, which must be entered each time the phone is turned on, even if the SIM is moved to a different phone. This prevents someone from using your SIM on your phone or another phone without knowing your SIM unlock PIN.
The reason for activating a SIM card lock is due to SIM phishing. Scammers use SIM phishing, also known as SIM swapping, to gain access to your SIM card to control your phone. For this, they collect as much of your personal information as possible from your social media and other accounts that use two-factor authentication or similar verification methods. Then, they trick your carrier and its customer executive into believing you contacted them and asked them to transfer your number to a spare SIM card they (the scammer) own.
Setting up a SIM card lock requires you to enter the default passcode set by your operator. The default SIM PIN is often on the packaging that comes with your phone, so make sure to save it when you get a new SIM. Make sure you know the default PIN before setting up the SIM card lock, as you will be locked out of your SIM after a few incorrect attempts.
You can test that this feature is working by restarting your phone. When the SIM is transferred to a different phone, whether an iPhone or Android, you can't use it until it's unlocked. Here's what you see when you insert your locked SIM into another iPhone or Android device:
If you accidentally locked your SIM card due to three failed attempts, your phone prompts you to enter a Personal Unlock Key (PUK), an eight-digit number. This number is located on the packaging your SIM card came in. If you don't have the box, contact your carrier and verify yourself to get the PUK from them. We recommend storing your new SIM PIN in one of the top password managers on Android so that you never lose it.
You can still activate a SIM card lock if you have an eSIM. Even if you have a SIM card lock on a physical SIM, anyone can remove it and work on unlocking the SIM on another device. An eSIM is more secure because it can't be removed from your phone, so it's harder to unlock it without the SIM PIN. Follow the steps listed above to activate a SIM lock on an eSIM.
Adding a SIM lock to your phone protects against SIM phishing and keeps your accounts safe. You can take other steps to protect yourself, such as good password hygiene. If you get too many spam calls and texts, block the spam callers or block the spam messengers. There are also ways to spot and report phishing emails to keep yourself and your community safe. If you click a phishing link, take steps to minimize data loss from phishing.
Zach has been an Author at Android Police since January 2022. He specializes in Chromebooks, Android smartphones, Android apps, smart home devices, and Android services. He has a special interest in Google Pixel phones and other devices. You'll usually find him writing how-to guides, but you may see him write features from time to time when he has strong opinions.
Zach loves unique and fun hardware and software features as well as products with a sustainability focus. He holds a Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering and a Master's in Energy Engineering from the University of Massachusetts, Lowell, giving him unique insight into the sustainability and engineering side of the industry.
Zach's first Android phone was a Motorola Droid Turbo 2 he got in 2016 after switching from an iPhone 5S. Even though the rest of his family has switched to iPhones, he could never do it. His current daily driver is a Pixel 7, which he uses alongside Pixel Buds Pro and a Pixel Watch 2. He writes on an HP Chromebook x2 12 and a 2023 Asus ROG Zephyrus G14.
When he's not writing, Zach works as an energy consultant. In his free time, he loves being outside and spending time with his family. He is one of the few people who used Google Stadia, which he misses dearly. He also is a fan of Magic: the Gathering and soccer (or football for those not in the US).
I just got my p1p, and its suddenly turned out to be chinese version. I did not know that its possible and i cant bind it to my eu account (eu, us, others). In bambu lab pc app i can change region(in android app i cant) to china but it requires chines phone to register. The only way to use the printer is use sd card, i cant update firmware for get lan mode even.
it will not work also even u have china number. the machine need to connect to the server of china to get the QR code and then u use your bambu studio handy to bind it. i have try using the VPN of china server still not working as well
I have the same issue as all of you. Bought a P1S from Pakistan without any clue that there is such a thing as region lock. Anyway, while I cannot connect via their cloud, I am still able to use the Local LAN option and connect it with the Bambu Studio. Just got my first test print from the Bambu Studio via Wifi (local LAN).
The highly recommended way of unlocking any type of screen lock on Android phone without password is by using Tenorshare 4uKey for Android software which is very effective and convenient to use. Follow the steps below to unlock your android phone without the requirement of the password.
Most mobile phones can be unlocked to work with any GSM network provider, but the phone may still display the original branding and may not support features of the new carrier. Besides the locking, phones may also have firmware installed on them which is specific to the network provider. For example, a Vodafone or Telstra branded phone in Australia will display the relevant logo and may only support features provided by that network (e.g. Vodafone Live!). This firmware is installed by the service provider and is separate from the locking mechanism. Most phones can be unbranded by reflashing a different firmware version, a procedure recommended for advanced users only. The reason many network providers SIM lock their phones is that they offer phones at a discount to customers in exchange for a contract to pay for the use of the network for a specified time period, usually between one and three years. This business model allows the company to recoup the cost of the phone over the life of the contract. Such discounts are worth up to several hundred US dollars. If the phones were not locked, users might sign a contract with one company, get the discounted phone, then stop paying the monthly bill (thus breaking the contract) and start using the phone on another network or even sell the phone for a profit.[2] SIM locking curbs this by prohibiting change of network (using a new SIM).
In some countries, SIM locking is very common if subsidized phones are sold with prepaid contracts. It is important to note, however, that the technology associated with the phone must be compatible with the technology being used by the network carrier. A GSM cell phone will only work with a GSM carrier and will not work on a CDMA network provider. Likewise, a CDMA cell phone will only work with a CDMA carrier and will not work on a GSM network provider.[3][4] Note that newer (2013+) high end mobile phones are capable of supporting both CDMA and GSM technologies, allowing customers to use their mobile devices on any network. Examples of these mobile devices are the Apple iPhone 5c, 6 and newer, Motorola's G4, G5, X Pure, Samsung's Galaxy S6, S7, S8 smart phones, mostly phones based on a Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset or radio.
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