Samsung introduced Region Lock system on Galaxy Note 3 which forces owners to use the device first on the region where it was purchased. But Samsung Germany clarified that you only need to make a voice call - incoming or outgoing - for at least five minutes to remove the lock.

Five Minutes of Voice Call

It doesn't have to be a SIM from the region where it was purchased but requires voice calling using a SIM card from any European carrier for the European variant of the Samsung Galaxy Note 3.

Samsung Germany explained that a voice call for at least five minutes whether incoming or outgoing will unlock the device from the Region Lock system feature. For instance, purchase Galaxy Note 3 from any European region then insert its first SIM card from network carriers of Europe but not limited to the area where it was bought and finally make a call.

Voice calls mean making the regular and traditional cellular method not using Skype, WeChat or any other similar clients. After that, the Region Lock from Samsung becomes deactivated and enables you to use any SIM thereafter in any carrier across the globe.

Unable to Deactivate via Voice Calls

In case you cannot deactivate the Region Lock on the European Galaxy Note 3 using the voice call method for some reason, you may simply visit the nearest Samsung care centre which removes the security system. However, it is uncertain if you may have to pay for the unlocking service.

RegionLock Away App

The third options or alternative from the voice call is downloading and using an application called RegionLock Away. RegionLock Away was created by ChainFire, an XDA developer member, which is available at the Google Play Store.

Its main requirement is to have your Galaxy Note 3 rooted before it can be used by the phablet but the advantage of RegionLock Away reaches over any variant of the newest phablet.

RegionLock Away app bypasses the security implementation of Region Lock by Samsung which is why you need to root the device. According to the XDA developer main thread, the app works perfectly with the T-Mobile and AT&T Galaxy Note 3 variants.

It is also not a guarantee to unlock SIM restrictions between variants but owners can use unlock codes online costing $20 or more to have the Region Lock and SIM lock disabled.

Reminders

Region Lock is security implementation as a measure for network blacklisting. It is unknown when will the network blacklist get an update and any firmware updates from Samsung can cause the reactivation of Region Lock.