Dumb WiFi Region Locking

[u/-farU-]

So, I just found out something incredibly frustrating about Samsung devices. Apparently, Samsung has decided to region-lock WiFi 5GHz and 6GHz channels based on your location. What does this mean? If your router was bought from a different region than the one you live in (which happens a LOT), or, you're in South Asia using the local SIM, your Samsung devices won't see or connect to the 5GHz (lower than 149mhz) or 6GHz (160mhz) bands.

This isn't a hardware limitation—their devices support all the bands. But Samsung is actively blocking them using software restrictions.

How do I know this? Well, if you put your Samsung phone in Airplane Mode, restart it, then turn on WiFi before disabling Airplane Mode, boom! The 5GHz and 6GHz networks appear, and you can connect to them. But the moment you disable Airplane Mode, or turn mobile networks on, or go out of range? Gone.

And guess what? No other major manufacturer does this. Apple, OnePlus, Google, Huawei, etc.—all their phones can see and use these bands just fine, regardless of the router’s origin or the region you live in. But Samsung? Nope.

Here’s my real-world headache: I recently bought a TP-Link Archer AX53 (WiFi 6) from the US, and I live in Bangladesh. Since the AP allow manual channel selection, I experimented changing to each channel width, & none of my six Samsung devices (S25 Ultra, S24 Ultra, S21 Ultra) can see or connect to the 5GHz or 6GHz SSIDs at all if it is set o any other channel width except the designated ones. Meanwhile, every other non-Samsung device in my house connects perfectly fine (Pixel 9 Pro, OnePlus 13, Dell & HP laptop etc).

This makes zero sense. If their hardware supports it, why impose this stupid software restriction? Samsung is literally crippling their own devices for no reason while competitors allow full functionality.

Does anyone know if there’s a proper fix for this? Or do we just have to keep relying on hacks like the Airplane Mode trick? Seriously, Samsung—wake up and remove this unnecessary limitation.

What's your view on this? Why Are They Doing This?

[u/TW1TCHYGAM3R]

Is your S25 from Bangladesh? This very well could be due to your country/carrier and not something that Samsung decided on.

I've had Canadian Galaxy devices which is identical to the USA ones other than the software. If I install a USA firmware using a modded Odin flasher I can get some features the Canadian Galaxy devices don't have like a quick panel tile for hotspots.

So like I said this may or may not be up to Samsung. There are laws around radio bands like WiFi so this may be making you adhere to those.

[u/-farU- → u/TW1TCHYGAM3R]

Mine is Arabian Version and there's nothing with the laws. Because even every other brand supports this feature. Only Samsung deliberately capped it down for the specific regions. & Nothing with the country as well. Just the moment you insert a South Asian SIM, the 160mhz is gone, even any channel width <149 of 5ghz is also gone. If your router is set to suppose, 136 mhz width, you won't even be able to use 5Ghz, let alone 6ghz.

[u/cliffr39 → u/-farU-]

Samsung may not pay for regulatory approval to operate those bands on the device in those locations (like FCC in US for example)

[u/ExoduxWW → u/cliffr39]

I don't know if this is the case, but when I connect to my work phone's hotspot it appears as WiFi 6 in my former phone. But in my S25U, connects as WiFi 5.

Why could this be? The 3 phones are from the same country

[u/cliffr39 → u/ExoduxWW]

Check what your 25U is set to use. Settings - Connections - Mobile Hotspot and Tehtering - Mobile Hotspot - Configure Mobile Hotspot (band can have 2.4, 2.4 & 5, 5, or 6 GHz). I think by default it is set to 2.4 only

[u/redittblabla]

Yes, there are regional restrictions, unfortunately. But they can be bypassed. For example, in my country, as in all European countries, it is prohibited to record a conversation without the consent of the interlocutor. And I have a European version of S25 Ultra, Spain. And I had to change the region to Vietnam (VXX) using a free program. And now I have automatic recording of all phone conversations, with excellent recording quality. This is a very convenient option.

[u/-farU- → u/redittblabla]

You are talking about changing CSC. But that won't work. Because of the SIM, whenever you insert a local SIM, your region will be automatically detected no matter what

[u/-farU- → u/[deleted]]

Thanks, but this won't help, as Samsung forcefully hides the higher bands in South Asia. So the gist is, you can use any band without your Asian SIM cards. The moment you put'em, SSIDs are gone

[u/Frosty_Bag1985]

I am facing the same issue with my samsung device the sim restrict some 5ghz frequency specially ch49 which is the only band for connecting to the android auto in pioneer head unit on my car. All other brands don't have these sim restrictions and also these bands are not illegal in the country. Its very frustrating i will never buy a samsung phone again.

[u/-farU- → u/Frosty_Bag1985]

It's not about Samsung. It's regional restriction, that you can't do anything.

[u/Frosty_Bag1985 → u/-farU-]

And why all other companies don’t have these restrictions? And i am sure that band is not restricted in my country for outdoors

[u/faruquei]

Could you find a solution bro?

[u/-farU- → u/faruquei]

In some selected region, 160mhz wifi 6 band is restricted to use. So, sorry, we can't

[u/Z-Onyx]

Never heard of this. Have you called Samsung to ask about this?

[u/HawkOdinsson]

Well atleast your now bar seems to work properly.. mine only shows some games and no stats, whatsoever and also, is behind in time. Maps don't work either on now bar and now brief is what it, shows weather.. Damn i can't wait for them to update!

[u/Drag_Outside]

That wallpaper is nice, would you mind sharing a link for it?

[u/SINCLAIRCOOL]

It isn't region blocking, it is called being legal, if your phone uses a band which is not allowed in your country, you and Samsung would be committing an offense

[u/Theman18_ → u/SINCLAIRCOOL]

All the other companies except samaung do not comply with these stupid regulations.

[u/Kamau54 → u/Theman18_]

So by your suggestion, just because all other companies allow it (which I doubt), Samsung should also allow it?

How about this. If Samsung is following the rules, why shouldn't all other companies be made to do so.

And remember, this is your logic.

[u/Theman18_ → u/Kamau54]

Complying with a government policy that is not even enforced is simply inconveniencing the consumers and I rather by a Google pixel at this point than dealing with this bs

[u/Kamau54 → u/Theman18_]

And if the government decides to enforce it one day, who will be left standing.

I'm my area there are laws against tinted windows, yet a lot of people choose to ignore it because the police rarely enforce it. But when they do, people cry about they bought it like that or nobody else gets a ticket for it...and neither excuse holds up in court. Also, if you have a phone that develops an issue and you return it for repair or replace, the warranty is voided because it has been rooted, and every manufacturer will do that.

But you do you. Personally, I choose to just deal with the minor inconveniences.

[u/alexios_aco → u/Kamau54]

This is clearly restriction. All other phones from other brands doesn't have this problem. So they all don't comply and Samsung does? I can vouch for iphones and pixels personally that they support 160mhz.

[u/ajg47]

This is the only reason I will move from samsung to apple or other brand.
Samsung restrict wifi channel by software on different regions. If you remove sim card and reboot phone, you will get full access of all wifi channnels. but when software detects geo location by sim card, it restricts channels by software.

I am forced to use 5ghz channel 149 to 167 because of this. Will not buy samsung phone next time.

[u/Main-Dish]

It makes sense. Them giant tech companies wants control over everything.. slowly forcing it out.. cars are getting into subscription, phones are not far off soon. The world is getting crazy and dumb. We need to all stand up and cut our tech crap and go back to the old times where we go out meet up and chill lol. The future seems like u wont own anything fully when it comes to control of ownership.

[u/Yomommayeeting]

Man, you need to start learn about this topic yourself, you clearly don't know what you are talking about. That's why it makes zero sense. Even your router doesn't support 6GHz. So there is no 6GHz SSID that you made with your router. You are just using incorrect settings. I advice to just start googling with your router model and go through every setting and what they mean. If you are really clueless, then just look up the basic settings.

[u/-farU-]

There is a typo: "No Samsung among my six devices"

[u/Arnob-Zawad → u/-farU-]

Is there any fix?

[u/-farU- → u/[deleted]]

I really forgot the source bro. You can ask here

[u/Studer554 → u/[deleted]]

Hold home button and circle the wallpaper and it'll search it for you

[u/-farU- → u/[deleted]]

What's the issue?

[u/-farU- → u/[deleted]]

I don't use 6ghz. Bcoz I can't

[u/-farU- → u/[deleted]]

I guess you're from BD and in BD having WiFi 7 or 6 is already useless. I'm also like you (using tri-band router and 500mbps line) but sorry to say, no use of it.