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Hey guys
My country(Pakistan) does not have 4g yet so samsung did not officially release the 4g model. However, as I read a lot about how much the 4g version is better than the regular version, I decided to get one even if it meant no warranty.
I looked around the local markets and found only the t-mobile version available. I asked the retailer about it and he insisted that it is factory unlocked. I bought it and had to leave the country for 2 weeks.
So here I am in a foreign country with my new phone. I buy an internet sim card and use the 4g network. It works fine. I find out my phone has supersu installed. This makes me suspicious. Out of curiosity, I check t-mobiles imei check service. Turns out my device has been blocked by t-mobile. I can only guess it has been unlocked through software.
Other than this, the phone seems to be working great. It looks brand new with box/original accessories et al. In my one and a half week of usage, it seems to be working fine too. Only problem I found was that upon trying to update, I got the message that it was unable to do that because my software has been modified.
Once I return to my country, I will definitely have a word with the retailer, however the chances of him accepting and returning the phone are slim. Chances are, I'm stuck with the device.
My question, how bad of a position am I in? Will I be unable to flash future updates even manually? Is there risk that I could lose the software unlock?
I ask this because even if the retailer returns the device(1% chance), I will still need to go through the trouble of looking for another device. And as I said, this one seems to have no other defect. The silverlining though, is that this device came rooted...which saves me the trouble to do it myself.
Please guide me as to what my best course of action would be.
Thank you in advance =)
The reason it won't allow you to update is because it's rooted. That's what it's talking about when it says it's been modified. All you have to do is use Odin to flash back to complete stock and you will be able to update. If the phone is sim unlocked, flashing or updating the phone should not effect the unlock.
Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk 4
Ok. But the phone's IMEI appears as 'blocked' on t-mobiles imei verification website. Doesnt that mean this is a phone that has not been factory unlocked but software unlocked? Why else would someone root a brand new phone?
Also, given I do not want to lose my root, how should I update to new versions of android without losing my unlock?
The reason why the IMEI is blocked is probably because the device was stolen/taken.
The reason why it will not update automatically is because the device is rooted.
If you have a rooted device, you have to wait for someone to post the official update and then flash it through ODIN/TWRP.
The retailer will do nothing for you, there's nothing he CAN do unless he gives you a full refund for the device.
This sort of thing happens a lot when you buy devices from people / 3rd party retailers.
Sent from my SM-N900T using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Well I doubt it was stolen. It was brand new with box and all accessories. He had dozens more in stock. More likely someone is buying contract phones from tmobile and selling them witbkut paying the full contract.
How hard will it be to upgrade new roms for me? Could I lose my unlock in the process?
Edit: also, im reading a lot about how all versions of the n9005 come region locked. Since it isnt officially available in pakistan, does that mean I will need to unlock my phone regardless of where I buy it from?
Since it's rooted, you can always just flash custom roms based off whatever update comes out.
Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk
If it's blacklisted then it won't work with any T-Mobile services if you're in the US or whatever. As stated, once rooted you won't be able to update the phone through the software update from the phone. However, you're now free to flash any of the awesome roms that is out for the Note 3 and use it over there.
iphantomi said:
Well I doubt it was stolen. It was brand new with box and all accessories. He had dozens more in stock. More likely someone is buying contract phones from tmobile and selling them witbkut paying the full contract.
How hard will it be to upgrade new roms for me? Could I lose my unlock in the process?
Edit: also, im reading a lot about how all versions of the n9005 come region locked. Since it isnt officially available in pakistan, does that mean I will need to unlock my phone regardless of where I buy it from?
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Yea, he probably opened a bunch of accounts, payed the down payments for the phones ($0-$100) and now he's selling em full price.
And with the updating.
When a new update comes out, developers will make a rom from it, and then you can just flash the rom.
You will NOT lose unlock when flashing a rom.
Sent from my SM-N900T using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
And are all note 3 region locked? If I get a refund, will I need to unlock any new phone I buy as well?
I bought an XL from Verizon outright (paying full retail) because I use straightalk. My question is did I hurt myself by getting it through Verizon? Does Verizon somehow lock down the device or cause OTA updates to come from Verizon? Are there other pitfalls like rooting or unlocking the bootloader?
I don't think you can unlock the bootloader from Verizon
Read around. You can unlock the bootloader from Verizon.
...yup they figured how to unlock the Verizon phones now. So other than that I don't know of any other differences
nbhadusia said:
Read around. You can unlock the bootloader from Verizon.
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I did see that but if I understood it correctly that may change after the next update.
I have had nothing but Nexus phones since the Galaxy so I got used to cutting edge ROMs without having to jump through hoops.
I think, to be safe, I am returning it to Verizon and buy one from Google. I will have to eat a $30ish restocking fee.
Riley Martin said:
I did see that but if I understood it correctly that may change after the next update.
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But since your bootloader is unlocked you can flash whatever you want... Therefore you will have to manually update the phone monthly to stay up to date, but you can and that's the big plus. As for SIM unlock, Verizon doesn't lock any of there LTE phones
TechBSwift said:
But since your bootloader is unlocked you can flash whatever you want... Therefore you will have to manually update the phone monthly to stay up to date, but you can and that's the big plus. As for SIM unlock, Verizon doesn't lock any of there LTE phones
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So, correct me if I am wrong, once I unlock the bootloader I have the same abilities with the Pixel as I had with the other Nexus phones (5, 6, 6p, etc...)? I am used to having it unlocked, rooted, and install updates manually so I am very comfortable with that process. My only reason for rooting is Xposed.
Very small window we got for unlocking Verizon Pixels. Now that they are all back-ordered, if you order from Verizon, you have to hope that they don't ship with November updates. If they do, those of us that are waiting are all out of luck, unless another method is found.
spotmark said:
Very small window we got for unlocking Verizon Pixels. Now that they are all back-ordered, if you order from Verizon, you have to hope that they don't ship with November updates. If they do, those of us that are waiting are all out of luck, unless another method is found.
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Mine will be here Tuesday so I should be safe
What Spotmark said.
If you want an unlocked bootloader then buy from Google or T-Mobile.
You can unlock the Verizon Bootloader *today* but don't ever take an OTA update in the future without first checking the boards to see if unlocked bootloader gets lost somehow.
CZ Eddie said:
What Spotmark said.
If you want an unlocked bootloader then buy from Google or T-Mobile.
You can unlock the Verizon Bootloader *today* but don't ever take an OTA update in the future without first checking the boards to see if unlocked bootloader gets lost somehow.
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since when can you buy a Pixel from T-Mobile?
wase4711 said:
since when can you buy a Pixel from T-Mobile?
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Technically you buy it from Google and bring it to T-Mobile who gives you a huge money incentive, something like half your payments.
https://newsroom.t-mobile.com/news-and-blogs/pixel-offer.htm
13 dollars a month for 24 months; not that "huge" of a money incentive..
plus, you arent buying it from T mobile, its from Google..
The way I understand it (and I could be wrong) is that once you apply depixel8 to a verizon model, it breaks whatever verizon implemented preventing a bootloader unlock. After that, you can unlock the bootloader just like a GS version. There are no guarantees verizon won't be able to reengage the lock, but it seemed like Jcase and Firewaterdevs made it sound like once you run depixel 8 before the next update, the bootloader should remain unlockable. If that November patch is applied before depixel8 is, then it's locked. I don't think the November update will be able to reengage the lockout. So like the above, always check the boards first to find out what's safe and not.
Does anyone know if the Telus sold Pixel XL is bootloader unlocked? Not that I want to start messing around right away, but I consider this a 2 year + investment, and once the 1 year warranty is up, I like having options.
I checked the Model number of the demo phone at the local Telus store this morning and it is: G-2PW2100 . I'm not sure that helps directly as from what I can find, that is the US play store and Verizon specific model number.
Is anyone on Telus and been able to unlock the bootloader the "easy" way? I am worried about a future OS update disabling the Verizon bootloader unlocks if they are also required for the Telus model.
Thanks in advance.
Hy bro,
I unlocked mine with the dePixel8 tool. It worked like a charm and i rooted with chainfire boot to root img and it worked.
If you have questions just ask me!
I have the Verizon model and used the dePixel8 tool as soon as I got it. The OTA that is expected to block it isn't expected until Nov 7 or so. So why not use the verizon method if the easy way doesn't work?
Also i tested and i was able to lock it back and unlocked it After with the command oem unlock no need for dePixel8 so i assume that when you relock it it lock with Google lock not telus lock
Marghost said:
Hy bro,
I unlocked mine with the dePixel8 tool. It worked like a charm and i rooted with chainfire boot to root img and it worked.
If you have questions just ask me!
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Click to collapse
So you have a Telus phone and it did require the dePixel8 method?
This is going to be a corporate phone so I don't know that I can get it ahead of the Nov 7th OTA with the red tape involved. Also, I don't necessarily want to unlock it now, I just want to know my options going forward.
Thanks for the reply!
I also have a telus corpo pixel XL and i needed dePixel8. If you dont unlock it before the ota i think you Will need another way to unlock the bootloader.
Marghost said:
I also have a telus corpo pixel XL and i needed dePixel8. If you dont unlock it before the ota i think you Will need another way to unlock the bootloader.
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Click to collapse
Thanks for confirming, this is exactly what I wanted to know, and also exactly what I feared.
I'll have to wait it out a bit and see if dePixel8 unlock, or some variation, still works after the November update.
All the best, I'm off to the Moto Z forums to see what is up over there as a possible alternative
Would the Nov 7 OTA be applied automatically to a new phone? Wouldn't you still have to accept the OTA once the phone is activated? I am just wondering, I am in the exact same corporate situation as you (wanting to replace my LG G5, which has sadly gone unrooted thus far).
yosifcuervo said:
Would the Nov 7 OTA be applied automatically to a new phone? Wouldn't you still have to accept the OTA once the phone is activated? I am just wondering, I am in the exact same corporate situation as you (wanting to replace my LG G5, which has sadly gone unrooted thus far).
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Click to collapse
Good question. I'm worried that by the time I got my Pixel XL it might come with the update pre-applied (it could take a while around here). Then I'd be waiting/wondering if there would be another unlock available and how persistent that would be etc. I guess I was hoping for the play store version from Telus, where I could run it stock for a while, possibly until the warranty is up, and then easily unlock and start messing.
After exploring all the options available from Telus I am genuinely disappointed that nothing they offer has reasonable aftermarket ROM support. The Pixel line was my last hope, but with this bootloader lock thing I'm not sure I want to fight that battle.
Maybe I can convince work to get me a ZTE Axon 7 or Oneplus 3.
Good luck
I can say from my experience with the G5, that with the current versions of Android, being able to bypass the protections to root/TWRP is not guaranteed by any means. The problem with the G5 was that people gave up - the scene died fairly quickly, and anyone out there who might have the skills to crack it has moved on. For the Pixel, I am fairly certain that there will always be people who are ready (and able) to take on the challenge of bypassing the protections... or, maybe I just haven't learned my lesson yet.
chrispayne said:
Good question. I'm worried that by the time I got my Pixel XL it might come with the update pre-applied (it could take a while around here). Then I'd be waiting/wondering if there would be another unlock available and how persistent that would be etc. I guess I was hoping for the play store version from Telus, where I could run it stock for a while, possibly until the warranty is up, and then easily unlock and start messing.
After exploring all the options available from Telus I am genuinely disappointed that nothing they offer has reasonable aftermarket ROM support. The Pixel line was my last hope, but with this bootloader lock thing I'm not sure I want to fight that battle.
Maybe I can convince work to get me a ZTE Axon 7 or Oneplus 3.
Good luck
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Any ETA on when you think you might get the phone? I doubt even if you got it in December, if it would have the OTA pre-applied.
death2all110 said:
Any ETA on when you think you might get the phone? I doubt even if you got it in December, if it would have the OTA pre-applied.
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Click to collapse
Yeah, possibly depending on their stock levels it might still be the older OS I suppose.
Regardless, I'm just tired of fighting every step of the way for a device that presumably we (me or the company) owns. It's frustrating, and I'm not even sure what they are protecting? It's not like bootloader unlock would carrier unlock it, or even un-obligate us from the device subsidy given that Canada has a device blacklist they could put it on if we bailed.
If I were a personal customer, I would be getting an unlocked device and exercising my right to change carriers, that's for sure.
Thanks
The carriers don't want you to be able to break the phone, and then try to have it repaired on warranty. Considering that their recommended solution to pretty much every problem is a factory reset, they can't have you messing with the system partition.
Marghost said:
I also have a telus corpo pixel XL and i needed dePixel8. If you dont unlock it before the ota i think you Will need another way to unlock the bootloader.
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Wait, so there is an OTA coming from Telus that'll make it harder to unlock the bootloader?
Not from telus but from google. The exploit used un depixel8 Will surely be fixed in the next update
That is crappy news, I am currently waiting for my Telus Pixel XL to arrive through the ambassador program and was NOT expecting it to be the Verizon style one with the locked bootloader. Sure hope it arrives without the update or else I might have to go through the Google store. Can't take the chance of having a locked bootloader as it defeats the whole purpose for me and my love of custom roms.
Reechings said:
That is crappy news, I am currently waiting for my Telus Pixel XL to arrive through the ambassador program and was NOT expecting it to be the Verizon style one with the locked bootloader. Sure hope it arrives without the update or else I might have to go through the Google store. Can't take the chance of having a locked bootloader as it defeats the whole purpose for me and my love of custom roms.
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Exactly. Please let us know which version you get, and if it is updated or not.
Thanks
chrispayne said:
Exactly. Please let us know which version you get, and if it is updated or not.
Thanks
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Click to collapse
Will do. I might just go straight to bootloader mode and depixel8 when I get it to make sure I don't accidentally get an update (it better not be updated already)
Reechings said:
Will do. I might just go straight to bootloader mode and depixel8 when I get it to make sure I don't accidentally get an update (it better not be updated already)
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Awesome plan - I will have my Pixel XL in 2-3 days and will likely try the same, and will post my specs here after I do. I'm sure any nefarious OTA could easily be blocked at first boot if necessary though, just start the phone with no SIM and don't connect to wifi.
Seriously guys, I don't know much about Google's supply lines, but there has to be at least a couple weeks before a phone with the latest OS preloaded can make it into your hands - keep in mind that you are buying this phone from a Telus distributor, which only compounds that time. That's why I am buying my phone now.
Good news from depixel8 developers - it still works after update
https://twitter.com/TheRootNinja/status/795745576801292288
Bought a Pixel XL from Bestbuy. I unlocked the bootloader and disabled updates. Having second thoughts about keeping over the Google Store version. Since it's unlocked would you just keep it or flash stock, relock, and return and wait out google on my Note 3? I like flashing custom roms but don't want to have issues down the road with a bad flash and trying to fix a bootloop.
I do have a small scuff on the corner so I'm not sure if Bestbuy would even take it back.
Well, I bought mine from google store in hope for it to stay untouched from the corporate greedy hands of vzw, but unfortunately the first update I installed was vzw-exclusive update pushed to my google bought XL
On the other hand, fortunately, I already unlocked it before taking in the update, so for now I am safe. After doing a little research, it turns out that I am not the only one bought from google/fi and received vzw's 63X update.
So, pixel phones (whether bought from google/fi/bb/vzw) on vzw network is like your first used car(vzw exclusive update), you don't want it, but daddy's (vzw) gonna give it to you anyway! Therefore, personally I don't think it would be beneficial to return bb and buy from google since you gonna get the same updates anyway.
n3far1us said:
Well, I bought mine from google store in hope for it to stay untouched from the corporate greedy hands of vzw, but unfortunately the first update I installed was vzw-exclusive update pushed to my google bought XL
On the other hand, fortunately, I already unlocked it before taking in the update, so for now I am safe. After doing a little research, it turns out that I am not the only one bought from google/fi and received vzw's 63X update.
So, pixel phones (whether bought from google/fi/bb/vzw) on vzw network is like your first used car(vzw exclusive update), you don't want it, but daddy's (vzw) gonna give it to you anyway! Therefore, personally I don't think it would be beneficial to return bb and buy from google since you gonna get the same updates anyway.
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If you put in Vzw sim you will get a Vzw version of the update. It's nothing sinister apparently. Just fine tunes your device to work more efficiently with the VZW network. Mostly the radios. Also you may get several VZW applications that you are free to remove or use. So chillax and enjoy. If you put in AT&T sim you will get the GSM version of the updates instead.
I found someone looking to sell their new unopened VZW Pixel 2 XL. Is it still possible to unlock these models with software as long as a different carrier SIM goes through initial start up process? I used at&t personally. If so can you tell from a fastboot menu before purchase or using some other means without adb or a PC connection? I'm not up to date on the process but recall some got lucky with this method or from a handset replacement from Google direct.
Please advise as I have a day or two before attempting s purchase from the buyer and root using alternate ROMs is the only way I'll rid myself of the LG V30 I use currently.
#an confirming with seller if it's ever connected to the VZW network with sim or not.... He claims new in box arrived yesterday
reignlight said:
I found someone looking to sell their new unopened VZW Pixel 2 XL. Is it still possible to unlock these models with software as long as a different carrier SIM goes through initial start up process? I used at&t personally. If so can you tell from a fastboot menu before purchase or using some other means without adb or a PC connection? I'm not up to date on the process but recall some got lucky with this method or from a handset replacement from Google direct.
Please advise as I have a day or two before attempting s purchase from the buyer and root using alternate ROMs is the only way I'll rid myself of the LG V30 I use currently.
#an confirming with seller if it's ever connected to the VZW network with sim or not.... He claims new in box arrived yesterday
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Click to collapse
The short answer is...no. You can't unlock the bootloader on the Verizon variant phone. Some have got lucky with replacement models being the google version. But if it's a true Verizon phone, I'm afraid your outa luck