Skipsoft unable to unlock my bootloader? Trying to root - Google Pixel 2 XL Questions & Answers

Hey, trying to use skipsoft to unlock my bootloader, install twrp, etc. I select the unlock bootloader option, it reboots to fastboot, notes that the bootloader is locked, but then says bootloader already unlocked no data will be wiped rebooting to android. What can I try to get around this? Thanks

GunnermanBill said:
Hey, trying to use skipsoft to unlock my bootloader, install twrp, etc. I select the unlock bootloader option, it reboots to fastboot, notes that the bootloader is locked, but then says bootloader already unlocked no data will be wiped rebooting to android. What can I try to get around this? Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which phone variant do you have? What is the status of the "Allow OEM Unlocking toggle" under Developer Settings? That has to be toggled on first. It should be clearly "on" and not greyed out. If you have the 2XL, you can run the IMEI through this link to verify the variant you have. Under Buyer Name It should say "Google_Open_64GB" or similar.

v12xke said:
Which phone variant do you have? What is the status of the "Allow OEM Unlocking toggle" under Developer Settings? That has to be toggled on first. It should be clearly "on" and not greyed out. If you have the 2XL, you can run the IMEI through this link to verify the variant you have. Under Buyer Name It should say "Google_Open_64GB" or similar.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
variant is GOOGLE_VRZ_128G
Allow Oem Unlocking Toggle is greyed out for some reason.

GunnermanBill said:
variant is GOOGLE_VRZ_128G
Allow Oem Unlocking Toggle is greyed out for some reason.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well unfortunately there is your reason. Your bootloader cannot be unlocked because your variant is Verizon. Verizon's are bootloader locked and this cannot be overcome. As such you will not be able to flash a custom recovery, flash full Google factory images, or root the phone.

v12xke said:
Well unfortunately there is your reason. Your bootloader cannot be unlocked because your variant is Verizon. Verizon's are bootloader locked and this cannot be overcome. As such you will not be able to flash a custom recovery, flash full Google factory images, or root the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well that's new as far as google phones go

GunnermanBill said:
Well that's new as far as google phones go
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry to say but it's not new for Verizon variants of Pixel or Nexus (or almost any other phone Verizon sells with very few exceptions). Verizon refuses to allow their users to unlock their own bootloader- including Google phones. Your Verizon phone is bootloader-locked and there is nothing you can do about it. Verizon phones are sometimes sold at deep discounts with the hook of a multi-year service agreement. Have you ever heard the term "The Red Devil" used for Verizon? It's not new either. Sorry to bring you the bad news, but it is true. There are many threads here on XDA which will confirm this. Best of luck.

v12xke said:
Sorry to say but it's not new for Verizon variants of Pixel or Nexus (or almost any other phone Verizon sells with very few exceptions). Verizon refuses to allow their users to unlock their own bootloader- including Google phones. Your Verizon phone is bootloader-locked and there is nothing you can do about it. Verizon phones are sometimes sold at deep discounts with the hook of a multi-year service agreement. Have you ever heard the term "The Red Devil" used for Verizon? It's not new either. Sorry to bring you the bad news, but it is true. There are many threads here on XDA which will confirm this. Best of luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's no big deal, my gf took the upgrade to Pie and hates it and I was just gonna root mine before it started prompting me. Someone will get it unlocked in a year or something like always. As far as I can tell the pixel line is the first that Verizon did this with, we had Galaxy Nexus' a long time ago and those weren't locked.

GunnermanBill said:
It's no big deal, my gf took the upgrade to Pie and hates it and I was just gonna root mine before it started prompting me. Someone will get it unlocked in a year or something like always. As far as I can tell the pixel line is the first that Verizon did this with, we had Galaxy Nexus' a long time ago and those weren't locked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Verizon users have been hoping for an unlock method since the 2XL's release.
Look at this thread for more information on that.

xunholyx said:
Verizon users have been hoping for an unlock method since the 2XL's release.
Look at this thread for more information on that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i mean it only happened for the regular pixels in 2016. I'm in no rush, like i said NBD

I'm also trying to relock, just used your link. I'm on the google version running android p. I unlocked a long time ago, but never ended up doing anything with it. I have an RMA coming and the option is grayed out and wugs is failing ... .. Thought about trying to downgrade to O and trying my luck on "android o"

kickenwing13 said:
I'm also trying to relock, just used your link. I'm on the google version running android p. I unlocked a long time ago, but never ended up doing anything with it. I have an RMA coming and the option is grayed out and wugs is failing ... .. Thought about trying to downgrade to O and trying my luck on "android o"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You may not have unlocked critical. There are two separate commands. Anyway, since your RMA is on the way just wait until it arrives, update it to Pie and then do a data transfer for all your settings/data. Once your new phone is set up, just do a FDR before sending it back. You do NOT need to relock the phone. They do not care. Just FDR to wipe your personal data off the phone. Lastly, you want to de-register or remove that old phone from your Google account before sending it back. Best of luck.

v12xke said:
You may not have unlocked critical. There are two separate commands. Anyway, since your RMA is on the way just wait until it arrives, update it to Pie and then do a data transfer for all your settings/data. Once your new phone is set up, just do a FDR before sending it back. You do NOT need to relock the phone. They do not care. Just FDR to wipe your personal data off the phone. Lastly, you want to de-register or remove that old phone from your Google account before sending it back. Best of luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much dude. I know you're right . I used the toolkit and nothing after unlocking ever worked and I'm assuming it's because of that .... I've been telling myself I need to learn it the old fashioned way but have never been able to properly install adb and all that stuff..

kickenwing13 said:
Thank you so much dude. I know you're right . I used the toolkit and nothing after unlocking ever worked and I'm assuming it's because of that .... I've been telling myself I need to learn it the old fashioned way but have never been able to properly install adb and all that stuff..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would encourage you to just "install" adb/fastboot. It is literally opening a zip file and extracting everything into a new folder. Then adding that folder to your path statement (Windows) means you can use the command from anywhere. For example I created a folder c:\adb and just dumped the files in there. I see you already have opened the flash-all.bat script and are poking around ... so in the beginning you can just cut and paste those commands if you want to do things manually -or- just run the script. You can always get the latest standalone binaries direct from Google. Ditch the toolkits and you will be glad you did. It is just not that hard, and you will know how to get yourself out of a jam later. :good:

I DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was cake. Thanks for the awesome directions. I just opened up through cmd insead of your second step, but dude! clutch . I relocked it.. took 2 seconds once my buddy helped me tpye my first command. But thank you again! Now debating getting more into it. This is the first phone i haven't installed a custom ROM on because the unlock and root stuff absolutely failed...

Related

No lockscreen or Market/Google Play

Hey there,
So I just got my GSM Galaxy Nexus in the mail today and found a couple things to be a bit odd. You see, my package came with 2 Galaxy Nexuses (or nexi?) and my brother's phone seemed completely normal. It had Android 4.0.4 which he instantly got an update for Jellybean. My phone on the other hand was a bit off, as stated previously. My Galaxy Nexus shipped with Android 4.0.1, when i went to the "about phone" tab, there was no option to even check for a system update, my lock screen doesn't work (security settings are on slide yet the power button just wakes my screen and no sliding to unlock required), I have no market or google play store, I can't add a Gmail account under the "accounts and sync" tab, and my home button wasn't working (factory resetting fixed this).
I'm honestly just stuck on what to do about this device. I've factory reset this device 5 times already and nothing else has worked except for fixing the home button which wasn't working on my initial boot up.
Is there any solution to this Nexus or do I just have a defective one?
U can get rif of lock screen in the setting>security>screen lock<none
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
In Settings - About Phone, what is your Build Number? Also your brother's?
Any why couldn't you have picked your brother's phone out of the box?
netbuzz said:
In Settings - About Phone, what is your Build Number? Also your brother's?
Any why couldn't you have picked your brother's phone out of the box?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Build Number: full_maguro-eng 4.0.1 ICL23D 347 test-keys
And why couldn't I have picked my brother's? Haha I don't know!
They sent you a phone with an early engineering build. This can be easily fixed by flashing the stock Google image.
Here's a guide with all the info you need. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1626895
If you are in the US flash the takju build. Elsewhere the yakju build.
I'll hang out here for a while. If you have any questions reply here and I'll help!
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
airkenada said:
U can get rif of lock screen in the setting>security>screen lock<none
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The problem is that my settings are set to slide yet my phone is acting as if it's set to none
El Daddy said:
They sent you a phone with an early engineering build. This can be easily fixed by flashing the stock Google image.
Here's a guide with all the info you need. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1626895
If you are in the US flash the takju build. Elsewhere the yakju build.
I'll hang out here for a while. If you have any questions reply here and I'll help!
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does this void any warranty?
BrokeEven said:
Does this void any warranty?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You won't have a problem with warranty if you are running a stock build.
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2011/11/nexnex20111117103746mat400mat400.jpg
Can you compare whether your phone and your brother's have some of these apps? I'm betting its your phone.....
maschiosoosai said:
Can you compare whether your phone and your brother's have some of these apps? I'm betting its your phone.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ha yeah! The not-so-normal apps that I have on my phone include "Angry GPS", "Dev Tools", and "SUB PBA Test". I checked with my Brother's Nexus running JB and he's got none of those. I called into Google's hotline for Nexus support and was able to get in touch with one of the supervisors. I was told that the device I received was a Developer's Model and that it was the "strangest thing ever".
El Daddy said:
You won't have a problem with warranty if you are running a stock build.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, the instructions involve unlocking my bootloader (a task I know very little about!). To be honest, I don't have much experience with the mobile development. The only thing I've done in terms of tweaking with phones is following the instruction with the ace hack kit to root my phone (which seemed a lot more simplier than these instruction) and flashing custom ROMs.
To further my previous question, since the instructions say unlock the bootloader, does that invalidate my phone's warranty if I were to return anytime within its warranty period with an unlocked bootloader running stock android? (Would they even check/realize?)
And lastly, how safe is this procedure (returning the stock?) Is there a chance to brick my device?
BrokeEven said:
So, the instructions involve unlocking my bootloader (a task I know very little about!). To be honest, I don't have much experience with the mobile development. The only thing I've done in terms of tweaking with phones is following the instruction with the ace hack kit to root my phone (which seemed a lot more simplier than these instruction) and flashing custom ROMs.
To further my previous question, since the instructions say unlock the bootloader, does that invalidate my phone's warranty if I were to return anytime within its warranty period with an unlocked bootloader running stock android? (Would they even check/realize?)
And lastly, how safe is this procedure (returning the stock?) Is there a chance to brick my device?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to unlock your bootloader to flash the images. You can always relock your bootloader if you wish. You won't have an issue with the warranty.
Flashing the images the way I provided is a good way to learn the basics and will be beneficial in the future. It's very easy to learn. Just follow the link step by step. Flashing with fastboot is the safest way to do things and there is a very small chance of you bricking your phone.
Also what did google tell you to do when you called them?
Development Tools
maschiosoosai said:
Can you compare whether your phone and your brother's have some of these apps? I'm betting its your phone.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just got another Nexus from Play Store.
It's in developer mode, without Google apps and filled with a bunch of testing tools, like AngryGPS and Screen Test, the same menu in this image from maschiosoosa.
I tried to call Google Support and they give me two options.. One is doing exactly what everybody does.. Flash a stock Google image (but they said: "it's a very difficult way" lol) or the second, they will call Samsung for a replacement.
It's not a defective device, but it's kind of getting a Windows 8 Consumer Preview. A thing that it's not finished yet. Shame on Goole. lol
I'll flash of course.. It seems the bootloader is unlocked and its probably easy to do the flash thing.
Hey BrokeEven, if you got your device from Play Store you can ask for a replacement (if you are not sure of the flash image).
And probably your bootloader is already unlocked (at least if you received this same dev tool device).
El Daddy said:
You need to unlock your bootloader to flash the images. You can always relock your bootloader if you wish. You won't have an issue with the warranty.
Flashing the images the way I provided is a good way to learn the basics and will be beneficial in the future. It's very easy to learn. Just follow the link step by step.
Also what did google tell you to do when you called them?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you, I'm gonna give it a shot!
When I called Google and talked to one of the supervisors, he was almost excited to hear about such an "interesting" story and said, "It looked like you may have gotten a rooted or developers model" and "If i got a dev model, I'd just keep it haha - but that's just me" I proceeded to ask him about whether or not it'd be a safe idea to keep the phone and do my own tweaking and such. He responded by telling me that even if i was to safely flash back to stock, it'd be "hard to prove" to Google or Samsung that I hadn't tampered with it. He was a cool guy
So let's say I did in fact get a rooted model by mistake, is there any way I'd be able to figure out if the bootloader is locked or not (even though rooted doesn't necessarily mean it has an unlocked bootloader)?
BrokeEven said:
Thank you, I'm gonna give it a shot!
When I called Google and talked to one of the supervisors, he was almost excited to hear about such an "interesting" story and said, "It looked like you may have gotten a rooted or developers model" and "If i got a dev model, I'd just keep it haha - but that's just me" I proceeded to ask him about whether or not it'd be a safe idea to keep the phone and do my own tweaking and such. He responded by telling me that even if i was to safely flash back to stock, it'd be "hard to prove" to Google or Samsung that I hadn't tampered with it. He was a cool guy
So let's say I did in fact get a rooted model by mistake, is there any way I'd be able to figure out if the bootloader is locked or not (even though rooted doesn't necessarily mean it has an unlocked bootloader)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep... The same case... The guys on Google are very funny. lol
Reboot your device and check if theres a unlocked locker at the bottom of the Google logo screen.
BrokeEven said:
Thank you, I'm gonna give it a shot!
When I called Google and talked to one of the supervisors, he was almost excited to hear about such an "interesting" story and said, "It looked like you may have gotten a rooted or developers model" and "If i got a dev model, I'd just keep it haha - but that's just me" I proceeded to ask him about whether or not it'd be a safe idea to keep the phone and do my own tweaking and such. He responded by telling me that even if i was to safely flash back to stock, it'd be "hard to prove" to Google or Samsung that I hadn't tampered with it. He was a cool guy
So let's say I did in fact get a rooted model by mistake, is there any way I'd be able to figure out if the bootloader is locked or not (even though rooted doesn't necessarily mean it has an unlocked bootloader)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Reboot the phone, when it's rebooting (showing google logo) if there's unlocked sign (lock that is unlocked) under the google logo, then it's unlocked Nexus. If you only see Google logo, then it's just locked Nexus
I don't know whether this is a curse or a blessing... I remembered when i ordered this phone I said "meh, I'm not gonna bother with rooting and flashing ROMs. I'll just stick to stock. And so Google sends me a Nexus with an unlocked bootloader and now force me to flash back to stock (or root) in order to get my phone fully functional
One pic is my unlocked bootloader, the other is a picture of my ALL the apps on my phone
Cool so you are already unlocked. Just download the images and flash away!
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
El Daddy said:
Cool so you are already unlocked. Just download the images and flash away!
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just one question and this may be a simple one...
It's step 8 under subsection C. What does it mean to open the command prompt in the same directory? And sorry in advance! I need you to be very simple in explaining this to me. To my knowledge, I thought you just open the command prompt. How do you open the command prompt in the same directory?
BrokeEven said:
Just one question and this may be a simple one...
It's step 8 under subsection C. What does it mean to open the command prompt in the same directory? And sorry in advance! I need you to be very simple in explaining this to me. To my knowledge, I thought you just open the command prompt. How do you open the command prompt in the same directory?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On windows just hold down shift while you right click in the folder. You will see open command prompt here or similar.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

Did I brick my device? :(

I was on 8.1 with Flash Kernel installed using images...I wanted to get back to stock...so unchecked OEM Unlocking in Developer Options, went to bootloader and locked bootloader using fastoboot flashing lock..and now I am getting "Can't find valid operating system. The device will not start". I can't unlock the bootloader now as I unchecked OEM unlocking in Developer Options and can't flash factory images also as it says Flashing is not allowed in Lock State, Did I brick the device?
Update: I have returned my device to Google and they processed a replacement
i am just curious, how were planning on flashing a rom with locked bootloader?
ram4ufriends said:
I was on 8.1 with Flash Kernel installed using images...I wanted to get back to stock...so unchecked OEM Unlocking in Developer Options, went to bootloader and locked bootloader using fastoboot flashing lock..and now I am getting "Can't find valid operating system. The device will not start". I can't unlock the bootloader now as I unchecked OEM unlocking in Developer Options and can't flash factory images also as it says Flashing is not allowed in Lock State, Did I brick the device?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea, I think you may have turned it into a fancy paperweight. Been there, done that. You should have waited to uncheck OEM unlocking until after you locked the bootloader, which wiped your phone. About the only thing I can suggest is to try and run Deuces script to see if you can rescue your device. Best of luck to you.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/pi...ol-deuces-bootloop-recovery-flashing-t3704761
ram4ufriends said:
I was on 8.1 with Flash Kernel installed using images...I wanted to get back to stock...so unchecked OEM Unlocking in Developer Options, went to bootloader and locked bootloader using fastoboot flashing lock..and now I am getting "Can't find valid operating system. The device will not start". I can't unlock the bootloader now as I unchecked OEM unlocking in Developer Options and can't flash factory images also as it says Flashing is not allowed in Lock State, Did I brick the device?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry for your loss, but you indeed have a fancy paperweight.
However I wonder if there isnt the QCom USB mode or something like that that exist on older devices, where you can access the phone partitions at a lower level and then restore whatever partitions is broken.
Paradoxxx said:
Sorry for your loss, but you indeed have a fancy paperweight.
However I wonder if there isnt the QCom USB mode or something like that that exist on older devices, where you can access the phone partitions at a lower level and then restore whatever partitions is broken.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With the new partitioning no idea if it still works. But OP has nothing to loose anyway i guess.
gee2012 said:
With the new partitioning no idea if it still works. But OP has nothing to loose anyway i guess.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah at that point... Not sure what is Google saying about that. Maybe RMA it ?
Saying something like that should work.
"I was using my device, and suddenly it froze and nothing responded. It suddenly rebooted and shown this error message."
gee2012 said:
With the new partitioning no idea if it still works. But OP has nothing to loose anyway i guess.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry didn't get, What do you mean by OP has nothing to loose?
Badger50 said:
Yea, I think you may have turned it into a fancy paperweight. Been there, done that. You should have waited to uncheck OEM unlocking until after you locked the bootloader, which wiped your phone. About the only thing I can suggest is to try and run Deuces script to see if you can rescue your device. Best of luck to you.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/pi...ol-deuces-bootloop-recovery-flashing-t3704761
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How did you recover your devices from that state earlier when you did the same thing?
ram4ufriends said:
Sorry didn't get, What do you mean by OP has nothing to loose?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
since your phone is now essentially a brick, you can try just about anything without worry of bricking your phone.
ram4ufriends said:
I was on 8.1 with Flash Kernel installed using images...I wanted to get back to stock...so unchecked OEM Unlocking in Developer Options, went to bootloader and locked bootloader using fastoboot flashing lock..and now I am getting "Can't find valid operating system. The device will not start". I can't unlock the bootloader now as I unchecked OEM unlocking in Developer Options and can't flash factory images also as it says Flashing is not allowed in Lock State, Did I brick the device?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You cannot flash full images, but you can still flash OTAs... download the full OTA instead, and install (sideload) it from the stock recovery. Be sure to select the SAME build number you were on to begin with- eg. If you were on 8.1, use the 8.1 OTA. There will be a mode there for "Apply update from ADB". You put the phone into "sideload mode" and then send the OTA to the phone via adb. This will work regardless whether you have usb debugging enabled or not. Follow the directions given on the included link.
ram4ufriends said:
How did you recover your devices from that state earlier when you did the same thing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't. They are still paperweights sitting in a drawer!
I got the same message yesterday after doing... God knows what. I can't even remember what went wrong.
My first thought was to flash a factory image. But it didn't helped at first. Probably, because i was trying to flash another factory image and not the one that came as stock on my phone.
So if you don't remember, which image it was, try all of them Hopefully, you'll get your phone booted again.
My first reaction was, is this april fools day? Is this an xda style joke? unchecked oem unlock?
dontbeweakvato said:
My first reaction was, is this april fools day? Is this an xda style joke? unchecked oem unlock?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Meh...you know how it is bro....**it happens!
Call google and just tell them your device wont boot all of a sudden; they will probably ask you to factory restore in the recovery, say the phone wont get past the google image. They will RMA that boy for you. You totally bricked. For future reference if you unlock the bootloader, dont waste your time trying to lock it again. Should have just fastboot flashed a factory image in the bootloader and called it a day. Having a unlocked bootloader doesn't effect you in anyway negatively.
ArminasAnarion said:
Call google and just tell them your device wont boot all of a sudden; they will probably ask you to factory restore in the recovery, say the phone wont get past the google image. They will RMA that boy for you. You totally bricked. For future reference if you unlock the bootloader, dont waste your time trying to lock it again. Should have just fastboot flashed a factory image in the bootloader and called it a day. Having a unlocked bootloader doesn't effect you in anyway negatively.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why is this Google's problem? This guy is at fault. Google shouldn't have to pay for it.
This is part of the reason these phones are so expensive.
Sent from my taimen using XDA Labs
mitchdickson said:
Why is this Google's problem? This guy is at fault. Google shouldn't have to pay for it.
This is part of the reason these phones are so expensive.
Sent from my taimen using XDA Labs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I never said it was the moral thing to do haha; but this guys best bet is to call Google and see if they will RMA it. They RMA'ed my Nexus 6p after the Android 7 twrp brick; and I told them my pone wouldn't boot anymore; they asked me to go to recovery and factory restore, I told them I couldn't boot into recovery and they RMA'ed it. It was my fault for the brick but they didn't care.
ArminasAnarion said:
Well I never said it was the moral thing to do haha; but this guys best bet is to call Google and see if they will RMA it. They RMA'ed my Nexus 6p after the Android 7 twrp brick; and I told them my pone wouldn't boot anymore; they asked me to go to recovery and factory restore, I told them I couldn't boot into recovery and they RMA'ed it. It was my fault for the brick but they didn't care.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you tell them it was your fault for the brick?
Sent from my taimen using XDA Labs
mitchdickson said:
Did you tell them it was your fault for the brick?
Sent from my taimen using XDA Labs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I told them I had an unlocked boot-loader and installed twrp. I had to send them back my old phone and they put a $500 hold on my account, once they received the device and determined the issue was real, they released the hold on my account. In that period of time they could have determined "Oh he bricked the device with twrp" lets charge him $500 for a new one, but they didn't. I mean whats wrong with calling Google and seeing if they will RMA it; sure the OP made a bad mistake but you have not because you ask not.
ArminasAnarion said:
I told them I had an unlocked boot-loader and installed twrp. I had to send them back my old phone and they put a $500 hold on my account, once they received the device and determined the issue was real, they released the hold on my account. In that period of time they could have determined "Oh he bricked the device with twrp" lets charge him $500 for a new one, but they didn't. I mean whats wrong with calling Google and seeing if they will RMA it; sure the OP made a bad mistake but you have not because you ask not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What's wrong with it? You're telling him to call Google and say that for some reason, all the sudden his device won't boot.
This is why I don't fault Verizon for selling bootloader locked phones.
Sent from my taimen using XDA Labs

Downgrade from Pie to Oreo, locked bootloader?

Verizon phone, hate my life.
Haven't upgraded yet but worried my stuff will stop working, and I'll be stuck. Sorry if this is covered elsewhere, I searched.
Alternative solution anyone want to trade for your unlocked phone? :crying:
Google has implemented a rollback prevention system on their devices. You cannot install an earlier version of Android over a later one. Attempting to do so generates an error message and the device will not boot. I believe this applies regardless of the lock status of the bootloader, but I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will chime in.
Sell your device on Swappa. Then purchase an unlocked model off Swappa, if available. No sane person is going to trade their unlockable device for your Verizon model.
if you unlock the bootloader, and wipe the device, you can downgrade to any version that google has published for the device.
If you do NOT unlock the bootloader, it is not possible.
@uicrnen: He has a Verizon device, so he can't unlock it.
Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
@uicrnen: He has a Verizon device, so he can't unlock it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
correct, therefore they cannot downgrade.
If they had an unlockable version of the phone, they could downgrade, should they desire to.
uicnren said:
correct, therefore they cannot downgrade.
If they had an unlockable version of the phone, they could downgrade, should they desire to.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which is why I gave your post a thumbs up. Rollback protection then is similar to Factory Reset Protection in this regard. So long as OEM Unlocking is enabled in developer options and the bootloader unlocked, neither will kick in.
uicnren said:
if you unlock the bootloader
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please can you recommend the safest/most reliable way to accomplish this.
uicnren said:
...and wipe the device, you can downgrade to any version that google has published for the device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Once I do this, I presume I can then relock the bootloader...?
I am finding that I prefer Oreo over Pie and my Pixel 2 XL has to be restarted more regularly than when I was on Oreo. Sigh....
I'm happy having a non-rooted device as my biggest peeve is the ads, so use DNS66 to block ads successfully.
Plus, I want to be able to use Google Pay and (Barclays) banking apps. Barclays mobile app doesn't show up in USA Google Play Store but does once you install it from APK. (Had a UK friend send me the APK. Seriously banks, do you think only folks from your country have accounts? ?).
Over the years I have frequently rooted from the get-go but am enjoying being able to update OTA and have Google Pay work seamlessly.
Most apps I use that are beneficial use the ADB Write Settings commands now which accomplish what rooted device did. Wish Titanium Backup could do this with ADB Write command.
Thanks for any help.
IconBoy said:
Please can you recommend the safest/most reliable way to accomplish this.
Once I do this, I presume I can then relock the bootloader...?
I am finding that I prefer Oreo over Pie and my Pixel 2 XL has to be restarted more regularly than when I was on Oreo. Sigh....
I'm happy having a non-rooted device as my biggest peeve is the ads, so use DNS66 to block ads successfully.
Plus, I want to be able to use Google Pay and (Barclays) banking apps. Barclays mobile app doesn't show up in USA Google Play Store but does once you install it from APK. (Had a UK friend send me the APK. Seriously banks, do you think only folks from your country have accounts? ?).
Over the years I have frequently rooted from the get-go but am enjoying being able to update OTA and have Google Pay work seamlessly.
Most apps I use that are beneficial use the ADB Write Settings commands now which accomplish what rooted device did. Wish Titanium Backup could do this with ADB Write command.
Thanks for any help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Assuming you have a Pixel 2 XL, which the bootloader is unlockable:
1. BACKUP. Save anything you deem important, as your device will be erased.
1a. Be sure you have the latest adb/fastboot installed/working, available from: https://developer.android.com/studio/releases/platform-tools
2. Enable developer options. Settings > System > About then tap on build number 7 times, follow prompts.
3. Settings > System > Advanced > either enable or make sure that 'OEM unlocking' is enabled.
4. Download (the version you wish to install) and follow ALL instructions from: https://developers.google.com/android/images ***this includes performing BOTH fastboot flasshing unlock AND fastboot flashing unlock_critical***
Thats all there is to it.
After doing above, re-enable developer options and again make sure to re-enable OEM unlocking. Be sure to do this BEFORE re-locking the bootloader.
If you wish to re-lock the bootloader, be 100% certain that you are completely stock ROM. There have been issues (sometimes catastrophic) when re-locking the bootloader when the device is not 100% stock.
Worth mentioning to him if he's on Verizon, it isn't gonna work.
Upgraded anyway. Handful of issues but not enough to regret it. I do regret buying through Verizon though...
forwardthinking said:
Verizon phone, hate my life.
Haven't upgraded yet but worried my stuff will stop working, and I'll be stuck. Sorry if this is covered elsewhere, I searched.
Alternative solution anyone want to trade for your unlocked phone? :crying:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sell it on swappa ms buy what you want.
uicnren said:
Assuming you have a Pixel 2 XL, which the bootloader is unlockable:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unlocked Pixel 2 XL bought from Google Store.
uicnren said:
Be sure you have the latest adb/fastboot installed/working, available from: https://developer.android.com/studio/releases/platform-tools
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will 15 Second ADB be sufficient, as I've always had success with that...?
Hopefully the ADB Fastboot file from Android Developer I can unzip and copy the updated contents to 15 Second ADB as their batch file installs system wide which is so helpful.
uicnren said:
2. Enable developer options. Settings > System > About then tap on build number 7 times, follow prompts
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Done that already. :good:
uicnren said:
3. Settings > System > Advanced > either enable or make sure that 'OEM unlocking' is enabled.
4. Download (the version you wish to install) and follow ALL instructions from: https://developers.google.com/android/images
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As my device is unlocked and not specific to any carrier, am I correct in choosing the sixth from bottom from the list:
Taimen 8.1.0 (OPM2.171026.006.H1, Jul 2018)?
uicnren said:
***this includes performing BOTH fastboot flasshing unlock AND fastboot flashing unlock_critical***
Thats all there is to it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Duly noted!
uicnren said:
After doing above, re-enable developer options and again make sure to re-enable OEM unlocking. Be sure to do this BEFORE re-locking the bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Once the device first boots from doing all this, is it okay if I skip all the Google account setup and just enable Developer Options and enable OEM unlock?
uicnren said:
If you wish to re-lock the bootloader, be 100% certain that you are completely stock ROM. There have been issues (sometimes catastrophic) when re-locking the bootloader when the device is not 100% stock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So the file I chose from the Android Developers Images page above, would be 100% stock?...and I can just go ahead and relock bootloader?
Should I factory reset after bootloader is relocked?
Thank you for clarifying the steps.

Haven't gotten December update yet

I'm using a sim-unlocked Verizon pixel 3 on Fi and (though I've hit the 'check for update' button, which should now get the update whether it was automatically available via OTA or not) I still haven't received the December security patch. I would just flash it, but the Verizon model has a locked bootloader so unfortunately that isn't an option. Is anyone else having this same issue? I know some over on Reddit were.
jacobsface said:
I'm using a sim-unlocked Verizon pixel 3 on Fi and (though I've hit the 'check for update' button, which should now get the update whether it was automatically available via OTA or not) I still haven't received the December security patch. I would just flash it, but the Verizon model has a locked bootloader so unfortunately that isn't an option. Is anyone else having this same issue? I know some over on Reddit were.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nothing wrong with your phone. Since you are BL locked you are just somewhere in the queue of the phased roll-outs and they complete 2-3 weeks after the first Monday every month. It's unfortunate because with some other GSM carriers, when you pay the phone off you can unlock the BL. The Red Devil does not work like that and there is no workaround.
v12xke said:
Nothing wrong with your phone. Since you are BL locked you are just somewhere in the queue of the phased roll-outs and they complete 2-3 weeks after the first Monday every month. It's unfortunate because with some other GSM carriers, when you pay the phone off you can unlock the BL. The Red Devil does not work like that and there is no workaround.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dang it sucks that the rollout can take that long. Someone on Reddit had said it should be out to all by yesterday because the patch is dated the 5th, but that obviously didn't happen. The thing is I didn't even buy it from Verizon, I got it from someone on Ebay who just said it was the unlocked version. At the time I didn't realize Verizon variants were bootloader locked and didn't think to ask for clarification on the bootloader. There's a whole other thread here for trying to unlock it that I've been following but there hasn't been much luck besides luck rma's. It'd be a lot easier if I didn't live in rural West Virginia with service only from a few locked down carriers who barely support any phones besides Galaxies and iPhones. Oh well!
Yeah, I haven't received Dec OTA either. I have a BL unlocked 3XL from Google Fi and normally flash the FULL factory image but I took the OTA last month and like that process better so I'll keep waiting...
jacobsface said:
Dang it sucks that the rollout can take that long. Someone on Reddit had said it should be out to all by yesterday because the patch is dated the 5th, but that obviously didn't happen. The thing is I didn't even buy it from Verizon, I got it from someone on Ebay who just said it was the unlocked version. At the time I didn't realize Verizon variants were bootloader locked and didn't think to ask for clarification on the bootloader. There's a whole other thread here for trying to unlock it that I've been following but there hasn't been much luck besides luck rma's. It'd be a lot easier if I didn't live in rural West Virginia with service only from a few locked down carriers who barely support any phones besides Galaxies and iPhones. Oh well!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hear ya. True statement, the images really *are** out to all who can flash it the first Monday of each month, and YES you can manually flash the OTA image with a locked bootloader. You should read up on getting ADB/Fastboot running on your PC. Instructions on how to flash OTA's are on Google's developer page. Get the latest toolkit you need HERE.* Getting ADB/Fastboot up and running on your PC is a necessary lifesaving skill and really just takes reading and paying attention. Off you go.
Just giving my 2 cents. Stock 3XL. No update here yet either.
v12xke said:
Hear ya. True statement, the images really *are** out to all who can flash it the first Monday of each month, and YES you can manually flash the OTA image with a locked bootloader. You should read up on getting ADB/Fastboot running on your PC. Instructions on how to flash OTA's are on Google's developer page. Get the latest toolkit you need HERE.* Getting ADB/Fastboot up and running on your PC is a necessary lifesaving skill and really just takes reading and paying attention. Off you go.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It worked finally! See, Verizon hid their recovery mode behind a button combination on the bootloader. That, and forcing anything to happen from the bootloader screen itself via adb was a no go. But, you have to do a button combination on it to be able to select to apply update from ADB
jacobsface said:
It worked finally! See, Verizon hid their recovery mode behind a button combination on the bootloader. That, and forcing anything to happen from the bootloader screen itself via adb was a no go. But, you have to do a button combination on it to be able to select to apply update from ADB
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Happy to see you were able to get it done. After a couple of times it just becomes routine. As for recovery button press, we can't blame that one on Verizon. That is the how the stock recovery works even on unlocked phones directly from Google. Don't feel bad, lots of people get tripped up on that too. Cheers :good:

How To Guide After Update Bootloop Fix

Since the inception of Android getting stuck in a bootloop after updating is a common problem. The Red Magic 6 Pro is no exception. For the purposes of this guide I'm referring to the global, or as known in the USA, the US version of the Red Magic 6 Pro. After receiving my device directly from Red Magic's website, I of course wanted to toy with it and see what I could and couldn't do with it. I downloaded the official global Rom from Red Magic's website for future possible fixes if anything went wrong unlocking the bootloader and rooting. I unlocked my bootloader and rooted via patching stock boot with Magisk as outlined in @chocolote4444 thread. After screwing around with Magisk modules and doing all I wanted to do, I decided to unroot and relock the bootloader. This is where the fun began.
After unrooting and relocking the bootloader, I placed the full update zip in root directory of internal storage and ran the local update. It wasn't necessary, but just to make myself feel better i did it anyway. After the update was complete and I rebooted it was stuck in boot animation bootloop. Factory resetting via recovery did nothing to alleviate the bootloop. Here's what I did to fix the bootloop:
1: Hold down power and volume down to reboot in to fastboot.
2:
Code:
fastboot getvar all
This will tell you what your current active slot is. Just look through the lines returned and you'll see it.
3: Once you see what your active slot is you're going to change the active slot to the opposite slot. If you're slot a you're going to change it to b and vice versa.
4: In order to change active slots you have to be bootloader unlocked if you aren't already. I won't detail here how to unlock because if you don't already know how to do it you shouldn't be doing this anyway.
5:Now to set your active slot,
Code:
fastboot --set-active=a
if you're on slot b or
Code:
fastboot --set-active=b
if you're on a.
6: At this point you can reboot. If all goes well you should reboot and the bootloop is gone. After rebooting and assuming everything has been done correctly, you should boot into system. After rebooting and you boot into system, you can reboot again into fastboot and relock the bootloader if you so wish.
The reason you're getting stuck in bootloop after update is it's not switching slots correctly after update. This is purely speculation on my part but it seems to fit. Thats it! You should now be up and running. I hope this helps someone whos stuck and as aggravated as I was.
Dang thank you for the guide, but rippers to people who still have their bootloader locked
CyberWolf92 said:
Dang thank you for the guide, but rippers to people who still have their bootloader locked
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it makes me cry that we cant get solution for this locked bootloader
Fastboot flashing unlock worked for me with no adverse consequences. Not sure why it wouldn't work for everyone else. I've unlocked and relocked a couple times with zero ill effects
bob24260 said:
Fastboot flashing unlock worked for me with no adverse consequences. Not sure why it wouldn't work for everyone else. I've unlocked and relocked a couple times with zero ill effects
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it just that ours oem unlock option didn't checked when the phone still alive, the update brick it then tadaaaa......
I see what you’re saying now. On my version, the US model, OEM unlock is enabled by default. Mine came turned on by default which surprised me.
Nocturne Seigneur said:
it just that ours oem unlock option didn't checked when the phone still alive, the update brick it then tadaaaa......
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
bob24260 said:
I see what you’re saying now. On my version, the US model, OEM unlock is enabled by default. Mine came turned on by default which surprised me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not my US variant, I told myself I wasn't gonna mess this phone up yet coz I had just gotten it so I didn't even toggled dev settings, guess that's my bad.
My BL is locked tighter than Fort Knox, when using fastboot flashing unlock, it returns:
FAILED (remote: 'Flashing Unlock is not allowed
')
CyberWolf92 said:
Not my US variant, I told myself I wasn't gonna mess this phone up yet coz I had just gotten it so I didn't even toggled dev settings, guess that's my bad.
My BL is locked tighter than Fort Knox, when using fastboot flashing unlock, it returns:
FAILED (remote: 'Flashing Unlock is not allowed
')
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you have the 6 or 6 Pro?
bob24260 said:
Do you have the 6 or 6 Pro?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's the 6 Pro
CyberWolf92 said:
It's the 6 Pro
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mines the 6 Pro as well. Screenshot your about section in settings and we can compare. Make sure you block out any personal information. I don’t understand why yours is different.
CyberWolf92 said:
It's the 6 Pro
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry I feel like an idiot. Yours is soft bricked?
bob24260 said:
Sorry I feel like an idiot. Yours is soft bricked?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes lmfao I was just gonna reply that its a brick. But yeah if it was unlocked I would be back up n running by now
CyberWolf92 said:
Yes lmfao I was just gonna reply that its a brick. But yeah if it was unlocked I would be back up n running by now
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Their recovery is totally different. Most stock recoveries have a way to flash stock zips. Just for sh*ts and giggles have you tried adb sideload? Probably won’t work with locked bootloader but you never know. Try it in stock recovery.
The recovery is strange on these models, only gives you a wipe, reboot and power off option but unfortunately there isn't any adb access that I'm aware of, only thing that can be used for sideloading is fastboot or EDL and with a locked bootloader, that just leaves EDL
CyberWolf92 said:
The recovery is strange on these models, only gives you a wipe, reboot and power off option but unfortunately there isn't any adb access that I'm aware of, only thing that can be used for sideloading is fastboot or EDL and with a locked bootloader, that just leaves EDL
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know the option isn’t present as far as what’s listed in the recovery options but it never hurts to try anyways. It’s weird because even after wiping data I was still able to unlock bootloader. For some odd reason my oem unlock was enabled without me have ever touching it.
bob24260 said:
I know the option isn’t present as far as what’s listed in the recovery options but it never hurts to try anyways. It’s weird because even after wiping data I was still able to unlock bootloader. For some odd reason my oem unlock was enabled without me have ever touching it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had already tried it a couple days ago lol, adb doesn't exist in this world of Nubia. The OEM Unlock option in dev settings typically survives simple factory resets which is all this wipe option in recovery does.
CyberWolf92 said:
I had already tried it a couple days ago lol, adb doesn't exist in this world of Nubia. The OEM Unlock option in dev settings typically survives simple factory resets which is all this wipe option in recovery does.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That’s strange because every Android device I’ve ever owned would set the oem toggle back to off if you even looked at the reset button lol. As sad as it is to say, I’m already bored with mine and am probably going to either trade it off or sell it. I want to try that Lenovo Legion Duel 2 or whatever it’s called. I also want the Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra. I’ve had several Xiaomi phones and they’ve all been excellent. Normally I’ll look at what’s currently hot in China and give that a try. If a phone is selling well in the land of electronics aka China then it’s probably a fairly decent device.
bob24260 said:
That’s strange because every Android device I’ve ever owned would set the oem toggle back to off if you even looked at the reset button lol. As sad as it is to say, I’m already bored with mine and am probably going to either trade it off or sell it. I want to try that Lenovo Legion Duel 2 or whatever it’s called. I also want the Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra. I’ve had several Xiaomi phones and they’ve all been excellent. Normally I’ll look at what’s currently hot in China and give that a try. If a phone is selling well in the land of electronics aka China then it’s probably a fairly decent device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see lol my experiences are mainly from Samsung/LG lmao so I thought it would be the same case since dev settings are pretty much mirrored across devices with a few regional/hardware exceptions. I haven't had a chance to get bored with mine yet, had to crawl back to one of my back up phones in the meantime xD But the Dual 2 does look really cool but at a $1.2k price tag and then with how picky Verizon is in what they support, it's a tough one. Never had an Xiaomi before but that's a good rule of thumb though that if it sells well over there, it's decent.
Edit: Mod please remove.
CyberWolf92 said:
I see lol my experiences are mainly from Samsung/LG lmao so I thought it would be the same case since dev settings are pretty much mirrored across devices with a few regional/hardware exceptions. I haven't had a chance to get bored with mine yet, had to crawl back to one of my back up phones in the meantime xD But the Dual 2 does look really cool but at a $1.2k price tag and then with how picky Verizon is in what they support, it's a tough one. Never had an Xiaomi before but that's a good rule of thumb though that if it sells well over there, it's decent.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Verizon can be a huge pia. I used them for quite a few years but got tired of 400-500$ bills. I highly recommend Xiaomi. I've had several of their devices and for the money you can't beat them. A good entry level device of theirs is the Mi 10T. On paper they look sort of meh but having had one I can attest to their overall decency.

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