Galaxy S9 Phone Purchased from EU Region Locked...

[android_freak1]

I purchased my Galaxy S9 phone from Europe at a computer tech shop and the guys told me that it is Carrier Unlocked in which makes sense, baecause I paid the full price for the phone (about $750).

However, on the box, I noitced that since it is an EU phone, I have to first make 5 to 10 minute calls from the from local European SIM as advised from the below article.

Here is what I don't understand, I am planning to go to the US, do I need to make the 5 to 10 minute calls in order to Region Unlock my phone once I arrive in the US using my European country's SIM, or do I need to make those calls in my current European country BEFORE going to the US and then inserting a US SIM in my phone once I arrive?

So what numbers do I need to make these 5 to 10 minute calls to?
This, I do not understand. I don't have family or friends here in Europe. So what calling number should I call to Region Unlock my phone?

Would it be just best to walk in to my local Samsung Service Center and talk to them about this?

Please explain in detail on this, because I do not understand what numbers to call for 10 minutes to Region Unlock the phone since I have nobody to call to from the US once I arrive.

https://www.techadvisor.co.uk/how-to/mobile-phone/how-remove-samsung-region-locking-3590401/

 

[Rukbat]

According to the article, you have to make the call to a number in the EU. Since you don't know anyone there (and probably don't want to buy a 30 day account to use the phone for 5 minutes), walk into a Samsung service center.

If you already have a EU account, call Samsung and tell the CS (customer service) rep that you're taking the phone to the US, you don't know anyone in the EU, so you're calling Samsung to make the 5 minute call so that you can use the phone in the US. (They'll love that - if the particular CSR is allowed to, that means filing her nails or his playing an online game for 5 minutes, while you just turn the speaker on, put the phone down and do something else. Or they may get you the location of the nearest Samsung Service Center and ask you to bring it to them. [If they do, get the person's name. they usually answer with it, so be prepared to write before you dial. The Service Center rep may start grumbling. Don't be shy about saying "George, at your 12345 number, said to bring it to you here."])

 

[android_freak1]

Do I need to make the call to an EU number from the US or before leaving to the US? That part I am confused about.

Probably, the best thing to try is going into a Samsung Supprt Center if they can even region unlock it there at the Support Center here locally explaining my situation.

It’s worth a try, but they may charge a price for it though.

 

[lucianus_luciferus]

I think you should make that phone call before travelling to the USA just to make sure it works

 

[android_freak1]

But how and what phone number?
And when should I make the phone call? When I am already there in the US or here in Europe?

On the box (just like from the article) it says to use SIM cards from other regions, make a call for 5 minutes to a European region.

But to which number and can I make the call before going to the US?

 

[bhatech]

I mean you can find many local EU numbers, call a local restaurant number or any other business number. If you don't have a Sim there, then buy a prepaid sim with minimal balance and use that to make the call. If I were you and planning to use the phone in the US I would rather come here and buy the unlocked US model. But if you want to use the EU model because of whatever reason then just make a few calls there as mentioned. Because once you are here and if it's region locked still then good luck working with Samsung support

 

[android_freak1]

It’s getting more clear to me now, thanks.

Do these required calls have to be 5 minutes per call or can I just call any number each day to add those 5 minutes up?

Just to confirm, I can add those 5 minutes up to Region Unlock here in Europe and when I arrive to the US I should be fine?

So I can make these calls now here currently in Europe before going to the US, correct?

 

[android_freak1]

Just to confirm, I can add those 5 minutes up to Region Unlock here in Europe and when I arrive to the US I should be fine?

So I can make these calls now here currently in Europe before going to the US, correct?

 

[zipro]

Just to confirm, I can add those 5 minutes up to Region Unlock here in Europe and when I arrive to the US I should be fine?

So I can make these calls now here currently in Europe before going to the US, correct?

The minutes are cumulative, they have to be made with a European SIM installed (doesn't have to be EU) from withing Europe. If you don't have anyone to call, you can call me, I'm in Switzerland