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[Q] Help, I don't know what company my phone is Locked to

Hi, I found a Nokia C3 in my closet and I travel the world a lot, I do not know which company I picked it up from.
I popped in a sim card and it is locked.
NOKIA Model C3-00 Type RN-14
Does anyone know how to unlock it? I do not know the provider it is locked to.
I tried going on unlocking websites but they all ask for the provider.

Two options;
1) Find an unlocking shop and let them do it,
2) Borrow SIM cards off your mates until you find one that works.

I usually buy my codes off eBay as they are like $5...the unlocking stores here charge $25 - $50 which is bogus.
Is there a way to search the IMEI code somewhere to find out where its from?

imtiax said:
I usually buy my codes off eBay as they are like $5...the unlocking stores here charge $25 - $50 which is bogus.
Is there a way to search the IMEI code somewhere to find out where its from?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes - if you happen to work for a mobile phone company.
Try my second suggestion. And ... remove your IMEI number from the OP.

The thing is, I travel the world a lot. I don't remember which Country I picked up the phone from. It is not a phone purchased in my Country

imtiax said:
The thing is, I travel the world a lot. I don't remember which Country I picked up the phone from. It is not a phone purchased in my Country
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess that you have two choices then; either pay the money for a shop to do it or throw it back in a drawer for another couple of years

Okay thanks, I'll see if I can get it done at a store for cheap. Or find an online Service that uses USB to unlock. Thanks

Edit: I did number 2, The phone is locked to Rogers canada.

If its a phone that is now out of contract the carrier should give you the MSL for free, at least that's how carriers in the states work. I know years back when I was on AT&T I was still in my contract and I called and requested the MSL so that I could use overseas SIM cards (gave them a story of how I was about to be deployed and they said their SIM should work overseas, I told them that because of the cost of the calls I was going to be using a pre-paid SIM to make local calls while abroad and they gave me the MSL with no issue, but if it has been sitting in a drawer long enough that you don't know which carrier it was locked to then most likely it is out of contract...now if you terminated it early, they may not give you the MSL, but I would try to talk them out of it prior to paying for something they can give you for free.

imtiax said:
Edit: I did number 2, The phone is locked to Rogers canada.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad to have helped - should be easy for you to unlock now, either online or as the poster above said.

Region Lock Europe

Hey, I've bought an S8+ from Germany. I have to use 5 minutes a SIM from Europe, but I have none. I sent an email to Samsung, but customer service told me that it would take 1-2 weeks. I saw that it is an app to region unlock te S7. It would be hard to make it for the S8?
Thanks in advance!

If you're still in Germany, why don't you just walk to a electronic/Samsung store
and borrow a SIM card from an employee and do the 5 minutes voice call, just a thought!
Mine is being done by the store that I've bought it from since I'm in Canada!

I have the same problem but unfortunately I got back to my country and have not that option like samteeee suggested. I got decision to fly back to Europe and try to make everything to unlock my new s8+. I tried to ask help from Samsung in Poland, UK and Germany but they can not able to help me. I really disappointed of this situation but there is only one solution for me is go back to Europe.
---------- Post added at 01:07 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:55 PM ----------
Me 09:04:06
I bought Samsung galaxy s8+ SM-G955F in Poland. I did 6 minutes phone call with local carrier sim card to do region unlock for other carriers sim cards. Unfortunately, when she came back to my country and fitted into the phone local sim card I received pin code request. So I tried to fit in another sim cards form different local carriers an it was the same message. Then I tried to type in PIN code of my sim card, that is exactly known, and it was not take effect. Now phone is asking PUK code. But that sim card works perfect with Samsung galaxy s7 edge without any pin or puk requests.
Samsung 09:04:08
Welcome to Samsung Support. Please allow me a moment to read through your enquiry.
Hi there Leonid, thanks for getting in touch with us today!
I can see through reading through your query that this is an issue you would need to contact your service provider about.
Is there anything else I can help you with at all today?
Me 09:07:56
But I tried many others sim cards form other carriers and it was the same problem.
When we fitted in UK O3 sim card it works without pin or puk requests.
Samsung 09:10:00
Ok, bear with me a second
Me 09:10:15
ok, thank you
Samsung 09:10:33
So, does the device work with a UK sim card in the UK?
Me 09:12:47
Device worked with UK sim card in my country. My father was here couple of days (he is UK citizen), and we tried he's sim card.
Samsung 09:16:34
Ok, some UK networks have corresponding carrier networks in various countries so you can use your device while travelling abroad without the need to change SIM cards. I think that may have been why your fathers SIM card worked. Can I ask where you bought the device from? was it bought from a Samsung retailer, or from a network carrier?
Me 09:18:39
I bought it in Poland, Euro Net in Gliwice. and I have all documents confirming phone purchase.
Samsung 09:20:11
And is Euro net a network provider? Like O2 or Vodafone in the UK
Me 09:21:56
No it is not network provider. At the phone box was a warning "European sim card only". I did more than 6 min phone call with local carrier sim card to do region unlock. unfortunately it was not take effect.
Samsung 09:22:40
So you rang a phone box in Poland from your mobile for 6 minutes?
Me 09:23:28
Exactly right, sir.
Samsung 09:23:41
Ok, that is why your device isn't region unlocked
You should of been advised to make a 5 minute phone call to another mobile device, ringing a landline would not activate the region unlock
Me 09:24:16
How can I fix this problem?
Samsung 09:24:36
did you see my previous message there Leonid?
Me 09:25:33
Yes, but now in my country I have not polish sim card or other European sim card to do it
Is there is another solution to unlock the phone?
I heard that Samsung may give me unlock code. I have all purchase documents.
Samsung 09:29:55
It's not guaranteed to work, but you could try using a SIM card you know works like a UK O2 SIM, like your fathers, and make a 6 minute call with that to another EU mobile device. That may work, but I couldnt guarantee it. We do not have those codes to give out, the locks are put on devices by network carriers themselves
Me 09:32:17
If I came back to Poland I be able to unlock the phone?
Samsung 09:33:23
That is actually the most obvious solution to your problem... I just didn't want to suggest it straight of the bat, as travelling across Europe seemed a little extreme
But a 6 minute phone call to another EU mobile device in Poland should solve your problem. But it must be an EU registered phone, with an EU network provider
Me 09:37:39
Would you be so kind to ask some one else about how to fix that problem? As you said travelling to Europe is not so good solution. And I do not know where I can reach EU registered sim card here.
But thank you anyway.
Samsung 09:39:01
I already asked 6 colleagues. The General consensus was either getting a sim on the same network as your father and just using that, the solution I suggested earlier, or going back to Poland
But other than that trying your local network providers and see if any of them could help with your issue
Me 09:41:00
Ok, thank you so much.
Samsung 09:41:42
Thank you, you enjoy the rest of your day, and I hope someone can help you locally... Just to make you aware, you have come through to Samsung UK
Perhaps contacting Samsung in your region may offer help, they would have a better understanding of network carriers in your region
Me 09:43:06
I will try contact them. Have a nice day.

Solpadein said:
I have the same problem but unfortunately I got back to my country and have not that option like samteeee suggested. I got decision to fly back to Europe and try to make everything to unlock my new s8+. I tried to ask help from Samsung in Poland, UK and Germany but they can not able to help me. I really disappointed of this situation but there is only one solution for me is go back to Europe.
---------- Post added at 01:07 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:55 PM ----------
Me 09:04:06
I bought Samsung galaxy s8+ SM-G955F in Poland. I did 6 minutes phone call with local carrier sim card to do region unlock for other carriers sim cards. Unfortunately, when she came back to my country and fitted into the phone local sim card I received pin code request. So I tried to fit in another sim cards form different local carriers an it was the same message. Then I tried to type in PIN code of my sim card, that is exactly known, and it was not take effect. Now phone is asking PUK code. But that sim card works perfect with Samsung galaxy s7 edge without any pin or puk requests.
Samsung 09:04:08
Welcome to Samsung Support. Please allow me a moment to read through your enquiry.
Hi there Leonid, thanks for getting in touch with us today!
I can see through reading through your query that this is an issue you would need to contact your service provider about.
Is there anything else I can help you with at all today?
Me 09:07:56
But I tried many others sim cards form other carriers and it was the same problem.
When we fitted in UK O3 sim card it works without pin or puk requests.
Samsung 09:10:00
Ok, bear with me a second
Me 09:10:15
ok, thank you
Samsung 09:10:33
So, does the device work with a UK sim card in the UK?
Me 09:12:47
Device worked with UK sim card in my country. My father was here couple of days (he is UK citizen), and we tried he's sim card.
Samsung 09:16:34
Ok, some UK networks have corresponding carrier networks in various countries so you can use your device while travelling abroad without the need to change SIM cards. I think that may have been why your fathers SIM card worked. Can I ask where you bought the device from? was it bought from a Samsung retailer, or from a network carrier?
Me 09:18:39
I bought it in Poland, Euro Net in Gliwice. and I have all documents confirming phone purchase.
Samsung 09:20:11
And is Euro net a network provider? Like O2 or Vodafone in the UK
Me 09:21:56
No it is not network provider. At the phone box was a warning "European sim card only". I did more than 6 min phone call with local carrier sim card to do region unlock. unfortunately it was not take effect.
Samsung 09:22:40
So you rang a phone box in Poland from your mobile for 6 minutes?
Me 09:23:28
Exactly right, sir.
Samsung 09:23:41
Ok, that is why your device isn't region unlocked
You should of been advised to make a 5 minute phone call to another mobile device, ringing a landline would not activate the region unlock
Me 09:24:16
How can I fix this problem?
Samsung 09:24:36
did you see my previous message there Leonid?
Me 09:25:33
Yes, but now in my country I have not polish sim card or other European sim card to do it
Is there is another solution to unlock the phone?
I heard that Samsung may give me unlock code. I have all purchase documents.
Samsung 09:29:55
It's not guaranteed to work, but you could try using a SIM card you know works like a UK O2 SIM, like your fathers, and make a 6 minute call with that to another EU mobile device. That may work, but I couldnt guarantee it. We do not have those codes to give out, the locks are put on devices by network carriers themselves
Me 09:32:17
If I came back to Poland I be able to unlock the phone?
Samsung 09:33:23
That is actually the most obvious solution to your problem... I just didn't want to suggest it straight of the bat, as travelling across Europe seemed a little extreme
But a 6 minute phone call to another EU mobile device in Poland should solve your problem. But it must be an EU registered phone, with an EU network provider
Me 09:37:39
Would you be so kind to ask some one else about how to fix that problem? As you said travelling to Europe is not so good solution. And I do not know where I can reach EU registered sim card here.
But thank you anyway.
Samsung 09:39:01
I already asked 6 colleagues. The General consensus was either getting a sim on the same network as your father and just using that, the solution I suggested earlier, or going back to Poland
But other than that trying your local network providers and see if any of them could help with your issue
Me 09:41:00
Ok, thank you so much.
Samsung 09:41:42
Thank you, you enjoy the rest of your day, and I hope someone can help you locally... Just to make you aware, you have come through to Samsung UK
Perhaps contacting Samsung in your region may offer help, they would have a better understanding of network carriers in your region
Me 09:43:06
I will try contact them. Have a nice day.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had already this problem with an Samsung J7, and I had to send an email to h[email protected]. They ask for the IMEI, SM, Model, Country you live and carrier you want to use it. They take around 2 weeks. Yesterday I talked with online chat service, and they asked me for the same information, and an invoice from Amazon.de. The thing is that I don't want to wait for 2 weeks T_T. There is an app for S7 that can release the region lock, but there is no new updates about it

It is really sad, the phone is not so cheap I paid for it 1100 USD and can not understand why there is such a big problem for samsung to give me unlock code even more I did what is written on box side under warning sticker I mean 5 min phone call for unlock but it is not take effect. Samsung screwed me up and I can't do nothing with this only get back to Europe and pray that phone will be unlocked with another local sim.

No one knows any solution?

I had the same issue before with my S7 Edge and i had to get a prepaid EU sim on ebay and place a 5 mins call to unlock it.
BTW, I got my Netherlands version S8+ from nevermsrp and it's not region locked. Put my TMO sim in and it works right out of the sealed box. It doesn't even have the EU region lock warning label on the box.

I bought it on amazon.de and it's shipping. I'm talking with some other people in the same situation and the problem is that Amazon gives you a 30 days for returns, so we need to make sure Samsung will provide the codes, otherwise we need to send them back and ask for a refund.
Does Samsung always send the codes and it's just a matter of time?

Anyone tried lycamobile to unlock the region lock? I bought 2 s8+ today from the official Samsung store in frankfurt germany.
*They asked me if want to unlock your phone and i was in hurry so i had to go catch other stuff.
i didn't open the phones yet!
I never used or had a phone which is region locked
Another story.
I was talking to the guy who works at the store and i asked him about the blue,grey, red tints issue if it's true or not and he confirmed that the problem is present due curved screen and different viewing angles of the phone and he simply said - you can change the colours from adaptive display to manual colours and see what is the best for you.. i know i am a fool i bought the phone knowing that this phone has a (manufacturer defects) i had no other options
Sent from my SM-N910G using Tapatalk

I have the same issue ive bought S8+ in poland only to feel like i was robbed by Samsung. Im new to convert to Samsung from 10 years with iPhone however my boasting about Samsung is now a feeling of egg on my face. Ive been robbed by Samsung as i live in Australia and im now forced to buy another phone because i travel around the world for work. Samsung you're a bunch of crooks to treat fully paying customers like this im so disappointed.

If you are willing to pay, http://www.cellunlocker.net/ can unlock it for you. Might be faster than two weeks :/

lol theres a big sticker on the side of the box...can hardly be a surprise. Get 2 cheap sims and call it.

Region lock
For anyone who wants to know because they still ship them with the regionlock: I heard from my provider it is because the US model is cheaper and the device doesn't meet the EU quality requirment standards. In order to prevent the US version of the device being shipped of to EU for cheap they put a region lock on some devices. You must use your phone for about an hour or so send a few text messages, use internet and stuff. I got notified it ISN'T a PERMANET lock. Just use the device in the EU for a while when you buy it. :good:

When i was in egypt i saw the galaxy s8+ and decided i want to buy it right away. I have to say i live in Switzerland else. I went into a shop and we started talking and he explained to me its stupid to buy the s8 in egypt if i live in Switzerland. Electronics shipped to egypt are not produced with as tight tolerances like the ones shipped to Switzerland/Europe. I was somehow perplexed and asked other retailers if this is true and ALL of them told me yes.
Gesendet von iPhone mit Tapatalk

Amar.B said:
Anyone tried lycamobile to unlock the region lock? I bought 2 s8+ today from the official Samsung store in frankfurt germany.
*They asked me if want to unlock your phone and i was in hurry so i had to go catch other stuff.
i didn't open the phones yet!
I never used or had a phone which is region locked
Another story.
I was talking to the guy who works at the store and i asked him about the blue,grey, red tints issue if it's true or not and he confirmed that the problem is present due curved screen and different viewing angles of the phone and he simply said - you can change the colours from adaptive display to manual colours and see what is the best for you.. i know i am a fool i bought the phone knowing that this phone has a (manufacturer defects) i had no other options
Sent from my SM-N910G using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you can unlock the region lock with Lyca SIM i did it once for my s7 edge brought in UK. And used a five minute call using my Lyca UK SIM from India

SK Chowadry said:
Yes you can unlock the region lock with Lyca SIM i did it once for my s7 edge brought in UK. And used a five minute call using my Lyca UK SIM from India
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I already did it 2 month ago lol anyways thank you for your reply
Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk

Anyone with any solution? Got the same problem here, bought a SM-G950F in Swiss and made the 5min call to another swiss cellphone. When I arrived in Brazil, found that any of my local SIM work and it keep asking me the (now) PUK code.
I've already searched the whole internet and no one have any solution. Only those not-so-safe unlock sites. (can it be trustworthy?)

Riechard said:
Anyone with any solution? Got the same problem here, bought a SM-G950F in Swiss and made the 5min call to another swiss cellphone. When I arrived in Brazil, found that any of my local SIM work and it keep asking me the (now) PUK code.
I've already searched the whole internet and no one have any solution. Only those not-so-safe unlock sites. (can it be trustworthy?)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A "PUK"-code is SIM related: you must fill in this code, after 10x entering the WRONG SIM-password=code
The PUK-code is/was provided together with your SIM; call customer service of your provider...

henklbr said:
A "PUK"-code is SIM related: you must fill in this code, after 10x entering the WRONG SIM-password=code
The PUK-code is/was provided together with your SIM; call customer service of your provider...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what i got wrong...
I've already did it, i wrote down the SIM related PIN/PUK, it says the network request was unsuccessful and blocked the PIN, now it only asks for PUK of the NETWORK, already call the carrier, Samsung Brazil, Samsung Schweiss, none of them can help me!

kieboy said:
If you are willing to pay, http://www.cellunlocker.net/ can unlock it for you. Might be faster than two weeks :/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, Im in Argentina.... I sent all the info to SAM Germany last Friday... Im a little impatient here...
is this site to unlock trustful?
any other experience with the answer times with SAM Germany?

Where i can find an A8 (2018) with 64 GB capacity

Hi,
in some tests and reviews they are talking about devices with 64GB internal storage capacity. But if i search for it, it's almost impossible to find offers. I found two offers. Both sellers present phones with EAN 8801643085445. Can somebody confirm this capacity?
Thanks in advance
*edit*
After a long search i found it. Samsung sells the Galaxy A8 with 64 GB in middle east. I have no clue why it's restricted to this region.
Here's the number: SM-A530FZKGXSG
Here's the samsungpage: (i am not allowed to post as new member)
There are some sellers which import it to europe. But i have no experiences in warranty. 4G shall work...
I ordered one piece with crossed fingers and hope it works. At least, I hope the post will help somebody, who is searching for it too

Hi there!
I was looking for the same model and have realized the same thing you've found.
About availability, I found it on eBay. Where did you find it?
About warranty, if you need local warranty, you have to buy it into your country.
If you're ok with European warranty, it has to be sold by an European entity with rights to do so.
If you don't care about warranty, well you can get it whenever you like it.
I'm seriously thinking in trying to understand in how to keep it under the 32Gb
Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

Hi Pirata, Here are my experiences:
I ordered it on ebay. There are some sellers which are specialized in grey imports Some of them offer a one year warranty. I paid 345€.
As opportunity there's a onlinestore called techinthebasket. They deliver from GB. But you have to pay a fee of 20 €, if you want send the phone back.
No import fee as long as they deliver from european country. Most of them deliver from GB as long as GB is part of EU ^^
At least, every A8 with 64GB is imported from Middle East I bet. Its working with european simcards. I readed to start the phone without simcards (also to install updates and doing resets). If the phone is resetting with simcards, the country ID (MID/MID/MID) will be changed and as a result you don't get updates anymore.
I am very happy with this phone. Its a big boost in compilation to my old Honor 5X
It's unique here... and it's mine ^^

BotoxxotoB said:
Hi Pirata, Here are my experiences:
I ordered it on ebay. There are some sellers which are specialized in grey imports Some of them offer a one year warranty. I paid 345€.
As opportunity there's a onlinestore called techinthebasket. They deliver from GB. But you have to pay a fee of 20 €, if you want send the phone back.
No import fee as long as they deliver from european country. Most of them deliver from GB as long as GB is part of EU ^^
At least, every A8 with 64GB is imported from Middle East I bet. Its working with european simcards. I readed to start the phone without simcards (also to install updates and doing resets). If the phone is resetting with simcards, the country ID (MID/MID/MID) will be changed and as a result you don't get updates anymore.
I am very happy with this phone. Its a big boost in compilation to my old Honor 5X
It's unique here... and it's mine ^^
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi there and thank you for sharing your experience.
I have some questions regarding your post. Please let me know.
You say that the shop you mention imposes you to pay €20 in case you need to send back phone for any reason.
Do you know why about that?
You say that they deliver from GB. Can you tell me if the invoice is from GB or from some other EU county or worldwide country?
Where have you read about the fact of not turning on the device for the first time, or reset to default, or wipe, or update the device with the ota updates with the local European sim card inserted?
Which should be the correct procedure for using a 64Gb A8 in Europe? Simply do those four things I mentioned all without any sim inside?
Do you know why about that? What are the precise consequences of doing that with the sim inside? Only not receiving otas updates? Is there a return back possibility, or if I forget to remove the sim card and do one of those things the phone ends up in not receiving any ota updates, not even if I wipe everything away with no sim inserted and start all over again??
Thank you very much.
Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

it seems, the online store techinthebasket provides a german and an english page. The return-fee of 20€ is noticed at the german page only. I don't know the reason. At least I didn't bought it there.
The update policy of Samsung is pretty annoying. If they don't sell officially a phone in a country, they don't provide software updates. When you insert the simcard before you start the phone first, it will recognize its a different simcard and ask you to restart for configuration. This "configuration" will change the language and countrysettings. Once it's changed, theres only the opportunity to flash a stockrom.
There are several german threads because it's not selled official here.
greetz

BotoxxotoB said:
it seems, the online store techinthebasket provides a german and an english page. The return-fee of 20€ is noticed at the german page only. I don't know the reason. At least I didn't bought it there.
The update policy of Samsung is pretty annoying. If they don't sell officially a phone in a country, they don't provide software updates. When you insert the simcard before you start the phone first, it will recognize its a different simcard and ask you to restart for configuration. This "configuration" will change the language and countrysettings. Once it's changed, theres only the opportunity to flash a stockrom.
There are several german threads because it's not selled official here.
greetz
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So wait a minute...if I start the phone for the first time without sim, once I insert it, it changes configuration and since that time on I will no longer ota updates????
Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

When you start the phone first time with inserted simcard, it will ask for a restart. You can skip and ignore it.
If you allow the restart / configuration, then you are in danger to not get Ota-updates anymore. That's why it's recommended to remove simcards when you reset or update

BotoxxotoB said:
When you start the phone first time with inserted simcard, it will ask for a restart. You can skip and ignore it.
If you allow the restart / configuration, then you are in danger to not get Ota-updates anymore. That's why it's recommended to remove simcards when you reset or update
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So first boot, reset or update better to do without sim cards inserted, and every time I get an ota update, remove all sim before applying the update.
Is this correct?
Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

That's right

I bought in eBay the 64 gb model and I've got 2 OTA updates with the SIM inserted, one of them oreo. I live in Spain.
Enviado desde mi SM-A530F mediante Tapatalk

I have the middle east version and it's globally unlocked, has original warranty, supports LTE/4G, has 64/4 gb, and just received the latest oreo update.
If you have any questions I'll be glad to help you.

BaraaModallal said:
I have the middle east version and it's globally unlocked, has original warranty, supports LTE/4G, has 64/4 gb, and just received the latest oreo update.
If you have any questions I'll be glad to help you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Somewhere over the rainbow
Literally, you can only get it in one country and i think that is china

Ehm, no. The last time I searched for this phone I found it in online stores of the middle east. Also my phone software version is tagged with MID/MID/MID

Is Google scamming Japanese customers?

I am a German citizen living in Japan.
Today I have received a Google Pixel 3a (lock free, model G020H) that I ordered directly from the Japanese Google store.
When inserting my Japanese SIM card I got a message saying "SIM card isn't supported Ask SoftBank if this device can be unlocked". When I inserted my German SIM card I got the same message. The mobile network options are all greyed out/disabled. The phones software is up to date as far as I can tell (Security patch level August 1, 2019 and no available updates in the Google play store).
Either SIM card works fine in both my lock free Galaxy S8(European version) and my wife's lock free iPhone 7 (Japanese version). I have used the German SIM card as well as local SIM cards with the Galaxy S8 in Europe, USA, Australia and various Asian countries and never encountered any problem.
SoftBank(formerly Vodafone Japan) is a Japanese cell phone carrier like Verizon in the USA or Vodafone in Europe. As the message suggested I went to a local SoftBank store and was told that I either have to get a SoftBank contract or, if I want to use the Pixel 3a with any other carrier, have to register my personal information with SoftBank and pay ¥3000 (~28$ | 25€) to unlock the phone.
There was no mention of SoftBank - or any other carrier for that matter - and no mention of necessary registration with third parties and/or additional fees that have to be paid in order to be able to use the phone as advertised (lock free) during the ordering process.
I'll try to get in touch with the Google support tomorrow to make sure that this is not somehow a big misunderstanding or something.
Perhaps someone else had a similar experience or has an explanation? Because I am totally baffled.

day 2
The support was very polite but sadly not very helpful.
According to the Google tracking system I haven't received the phone yet even though the parcel tracking system from the company that delivered it shows it as delivered.
They didn't know the IMEI of the phone they sent to me or really anything related to my account/order other than the country my google play store is registered to. The answers to all of my questions were something along the lines of sorry, we don't know and have to confirm this. They promised to get back to me by phone or e-mail. Hasn't happened today.
After doing some searching I found other Japanese customers who had a similar experience. I am not allowed to post links yet but if you search for "Google Pixel 3a SIMフリー 『SIMフリーなのにロックが掛かっている』 のクチコミ掲示板" you should find a forum thread.

day 3
Today I got a call from a California phone number (around midnight California time), it was the same lady I spoke to yesterday. Apparently Google is routing calls from Japan to the USA and then back to Japan.
This time she was able to see the sim lock in their system and unlock it. A message saying " Carrier lock removed The device can now be used on any network" popped up and the phone had a signal. She said I'll get a ¥1500 coupon code for the Play store by mail and ended the call.
I can't really complain about the support other than the very strict business process flow that they apparently have to follow. After double checking the package I noticed that the senders address was written down as Singapore even though it was shipped from Hong Kong. And since the support didn't know which phone was shipped to me, I assume Googles Asia Pacific logistics/inventory management is a bit wonky?
The phone itself is great so far btw, especially the battery life. I haven't charged it since I received it with something around 80% which is now down to 40% with 4h SoT of which ~3h were setting it up, restoring data and so on. Sadly Google dropped eSIM support from the Japanese model in favor of FeliCa.

Understanding how OTA updates are distributed

Hi all,
I have just ordered an S10e, US model, from Aliexpress and am trying to understand if it will get OTA updates or if I am going to have to flash it. I live in the UK.
Does the update server determine whether to issue the update based on the SIM card that is installed in the phone? If so, will the US model only permit updates to be installed if a SIM card from a supported US carrier is installed, or will any supported carrier do (my carrier in the UK also sells the S10e, although presumably the UK version).
Finally, if it's as simple as having the right SIM card, if I happen to be in the US and borrow or buy a SIM card for a supported network, could I just temporarily install that SIM and wait for the update to be delivered?
Apologies for the newbie questions, any help appreciated.
Thanks

You will probably need to flash it but it's not a big deal. However it's not a good idea to buy Samsung from Aliexpress, it will be 99% some refurbished phone without water resistance, with used battery etc. Non-chinese genuine goods on Ali are rare and so the only reason they sell US phones in China is because they repair or restore cheap broken or used phones and then sell them as new in box with fake seal. Rating doesn't matter as most buyers cannot tell if the phone is new or not. Once you receive the phone try to install Phone Info app from Store and do a refurbishment check + check battery cycles. But even if the phone won't be new you will have hard time making a dispute with the seller because some of them are stating on their pages that the app is not from Samsung and therefore shows "incorrect information".

Thanks for the great advice. I should have known that the price was too good to be true - I've cancelled the order as it hasn't shipped yet.
I don't suppose you happen to know where I can get an S10e at a good price in the UK? Most places are sold out.

Sorry, I'm not from UK, but it seems S10e is being sold out almost everywhere...

Thanks anyway, appreciate all your help.
For future reference for those who might be wondering the same thing, I ended up ordering it from Laptops Direct in the UK for £550.

I got a "renewed" Samsung Galaxy S10e from Amazon.
It was a T-Mobile carrier-unlocked phone that arrived with no SIM card.
As soon as I connected it to my home WiFi, it downloaded and updated itself twice, with the 2 major Android updates, all with no SIM card inserted and no phone number!
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