2 questions cant unlock boot loader is the 32 GB Ver worth 110$? - Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers

I got this phone on amazon for 110$ us then seen it on ebay for around 65$ only after I orded it.
regardless the oem boot loader is grayed out.
its a gsm unlocked works fine with my tmobel sim.
came with stock 7.1 tryed to unlock then upgraded to 8.1 still grayed out and now 10.0 still grayed out.
If the boot loader cant be unlocked I most likely will send it back thanks for you time

Sounds like it is a Verizon/unlocked model and they indeed do have encrypted boatloaders. If you had stayed on the old version of android you were on when you got it I believe there's a Verizon unlock boatloader thread here on XDA but it has to be on an older version of Android to work.
I bought my XL off eBay for $135 new a few months ago. Its confusing because some people that aren't like us XDA peeps, they don't fully understand the whole unlocked deal and most don't know wth a bootloader is or if they have Verizon unlocked model or also over on pixel 2 and 2xl eveb the refurnished units from Google have encrypted boatloaders and the thing isn't even greyed out but it won't unlock because they're encrypted as well. I've seen several reports of this on here, reditt and on Google's own help site people tripping out because they received replacement devices that had the encrypted bootloaders. I'd be sooooooo pissed!! If you run some fastboot commands and it can't be unlocked, if you end up not being able to return it and want one that doesn't have the locked down bootloader od throw it on swappa and sell it and get one. Swappa is cool because many of the people there are here in the forums or have been and they known what they have. Good luck. Sorry that happened to you man. It gave me anxiety after I looked for a month for a decent deal and read all the reports all over the internet.
There are Verizon Pixel & XL that are carrier unlocked but still have the locked bootloader and work on some gsm carriers. This sounds like it may be the case with yours. I'd throw it on a cord and type in the unlock fastboot command anyway just to see.

flash713 said:
Sounds like it is a Verizon/unlocked model and they indeed do have encrypted boatloaders. If you had stayed on the old version of android you were on when you got it I believe there's a Verizon unlock boatloader thread here on XDA but it has to be on an older version of Android to work.
I bought my XL off eBay for $135 new a few months ago. Its confusing because some people that aren't like us XDA peeps, they don't fully understand the whole unlocked deal and most don't know wth a bootloader is or if they have Verizon unlocked model or also over on pixel 2 and 2xl eveb the refurnished units from Google have encrypted boatloaders and the thing isn't even greyed out but it won't unlock because they're encrypted as well. I've seen several reports of this on here, reditt and on Google's own help site people tripping out because they received replacement devices that had the encrypted bootloaders. I'd be sooooooo pissed!! If you run some fastboot commands and it can't be unlocked, if you end up not being able to return it and want one that doesn't have the locked down bootloader od throw it on swappa and sell it and get one. Swappa is cool because many of the people there are here in the forums or have been and they known what they have. Good luck. Sorry that happened to you man. It gave me anxiety after I looked for a month for a decent deal and read all the reports all over the internet.
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thanks for the update Im not longer getting phones that has the boot bootloader locked.
i figured something was up and all ready boxed the phone up about 30 mins ago and sending it back thanks

raven.warsong said:
thanks for the update Im not longer getting phones that has the boot bootloader locked.
i figured something was up and all ready boxed the phone up about 30 mins ago and sending it back thanks
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Np. All Android devices come with the bootloader locked and if the carrier that the device was sold on doesn't make their models to have the extra security, with an encrypted bootloader to where it's impossible to unlock the bootloader for anyone except the one who encrypted it, in this case the carrier.. I've never heard of a device that had the encrypted bootloader being unencrypted by request from user on whatever carrier the device came from. If they're encrypted, unless someone else finds a work around, and it would be here somewhere if they did,,, then they stay locked and can't be rooted.
Verizon devices that they sell CANNOT be bootloader unlocked because that's how they decided to sell their phones. Almost all Android's sold by USA carriers are that way these days with the exception of many Motorola/Lonovo devices and a few others in the mix here and there.
I had a moto g6 Play (Boost mobile) before my Pixel XL (which I named Jesus because it saved me ??) and my G6 Play had a quad core 1.4 GHz CPU while all other models of the same phone had an eight core chips Boost sold the runt and I was in a hurry the day I purchased it and the lady at Boost shook her head when I walked in the store and told her what I wanted she confirmed that it had an eight core CPU and me being in such a hurry that day grabbed it, paid and left only to find out later it was laggy and the lady in the store had no clue about what I said or wasn't paying attention just shook her head as I talked.. lol. So after I unlocked the BL and rooted it with good ole TWRP recovery & Magisk I was then able to debloat it and take off like 30-40 apps, all kinds of sales trash, then the lag almost went away and it made it at least usable thanks to the great work of PHH on GSI roms and everyone else who participates in the GSI development. So you gotta really watch for these CDMA USA carriers because they're the ones who have many phones with specs cut down in half like that.. I'll never buy anything but Pixel and OnePlus again! Too much headache and to me in my opinion those are the best devices.
It's become a real mission these days to purchase a good Android device that doesn't have an encrypted bootloader because that's the way most carriers sell them so the only way to go is buying factory unlocked and confirming that the device can indeed be bootloader unlocked before purchase. Thing is many people who sell phones online don't care to answer a question like that and they buy their phones in bulk and half of them don't know what the heck they have. lol.. A good phone salesman knows what we mean when we say the word "bootloader." They're like, "Aaaah hell another one of those xda rooting tech gurus." ?? Back in the day almost all Android's could be bootloader unlocked by user if they wanted to. Now it's a mess of confusion for those who want to mod their device.

Related

Will Verizon unlock the Pixel?

If you own the phone and there's no balance why can't Verizon unlock it so that I can unlock the bootloader? I have a Tmobile Oneplus 6t as well and I purchased it outright and the TMobile Rep unlocked it for me. Has anyone ever called Verizon to unlock the Pixel?
I've used my pixel on T-Mobile without any issues.
mackentosh said:
If you own the phone and there's no balance why can't Verizon unlock it? I have a Tmobile Oneplus 6t as well and I purchased it outright and the TMobile Rep unlocked it for me. Has anyone ever called Verizon to unlock the Pixel?
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slimc84 said:
I've used my pixel on T-Mobile without any issues.
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That is true I am also using the Verizon variante on TMobile but what I'm saying is my TMobile OnePlus 6t came with a greyed out OEM Unlock option. So I called TMobile and told them I want the phone unlocked and they did it. I just had to factory reset the phone and the option was no longer greyed out. So I'm wondering why can't Verizon do the same for the Pixel? I mean I do own the phone out right no finance.
Verizon will not allow the bootloader unlock and I highly doubt any devs are looking into it either.
slimc84 said:
Verizon will not allow the bootloader unlock and I highly doubt any devs are looking into it either.
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That's stupid specially if I own the phone, it's like they still have control over it even though I own it. I guess that's what I get for being impatient and rushing to get the Pixel instead ordering it from Google and waiting on the shipping
I'm in the same boat but to be honest the whole point of a pixel in my opinion is to get a pure Google experience.. I don't have a valid reason to root to be honest. Also my work apps won't work on a rooted phone so might as well be bootloader locked
As I'm in Ireland and bought the 3xl while on a work trip on launch day I'm tempted to see if Verizon might unlock it for me.. really it's not making much difference to me
mackentosh said:
That's stupid specially if I own the phone, it's like they still have control over it even though I own it. I guess that's what I get for being impatient and rushing to get the Pixel instead ordering it from Google and waiting on the shipping
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So please elaborate. You bought the phone from Verizon to use on another network? How and why would you do that? If I wasn't on VZW I'd never get the phone from them... oh wait, did you buy it from BB, i.e. the VZW version on discount? If so you probably need to return it if it's still possible. If not then you are locked forever. Only way is to sell it and buy another. Yes, you own the phone but they own the discount you got from BB and basically you're screwed. Damn that sucks man.
bobby janow said:
So please elaborate. You bought the phone from Verizon to use on another network? How and why would you do that? If I wasn't on VZW I'd never get the phone from them... oh wait, did you buy it from BB, i.e. the VZW version on discount? If so you probably need to return it if it's still possible. If not then you are locked forever. Only way is to sell it and buy another. Yes, you own the phone but they own the discount you got from BB and basically you're screwed. Damn that sucks man.
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When I say I bought it outright I mean no discount, I paid just over $1000 for the pixel 3xl from best buy but it's all good I'll sell it and buy another one from google
Mine unlocked within 10 hours after purchase. I've read that all their phones were locked to Verizon before they're sold to prevent theft.
shawn605 said:
Mine unlocked within 10 hours after purchase. I've read that all their phones were locked to Verizon before they're sold to prevent theft.
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Your bootloader or your sims card,?
Homeboy76 said:
Your bootloader or your sims card,?
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He's talking about the SIM card.
VZW will not and has never unlocked a BL on any phone that had a locked BL. They say it protects their nerwork... More like they hate people hacking their apps and loosing money.
Last unlocked BL they sold was Nexus 6... Correct me, cuz I did zero research on this... Just my cloudy damaged memory
Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk
airmaxx23 said:
He's talking about the SIM card.
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Thread: Pixel 3 XL Questions and Answers...
Question: Will Verizon unlock the Pixel?
I thought that's what he meant, I asked for clarification.
As for the bootloader, no they will not. I just moved to Pixel 3 XL after getting an OG Verizon PIxel XL right after launch (actually immediately after the dePixel exploit was published or I would have purchased direct from Google or chose another phone). This same discussion along with the same "it's not fair since I own the device" arguments has been going on for years. Look at Huawei for evidence that bootloader locking is becoming more restrictive and not less. You can only purchase the device outright, and even they have discontinued the bootloader code request system. Eventually an exploit might come around, but maybe it won't. jcase pretty much said the original dePixel find was an accident, and it took another year and a half or so to find another for a phone that was already being replaced. Either take a risk that one will be found knowing that it might never come, or bite the bullet and buy a Google version or a 6T (where even if you get it at full price from T-Mobile you might have to wait to get BL and carrier unlock).
MArtyChubbs said:
VZW will not and has never unlocked a BL on any phone that had a locked BL. They say it protects their nerwork...
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Does it protect their network if I never accept any OTA updates because such updates could fix any exploits that eventually will be used to allow me to root the phone that I bought and own?
I mean, I'm just wondering what they would say/do if a lot of people start telling them point blank that they are going to boycott all security and other updates until they allow BL unlocking.
andy214 said:
Does it protect their network if I never accept any OTA updates because such updates could fix any exploits that eventually will be used to allow me to root the phone that I bought and own?
I mean, I'm just wondering what they would say/do if a lot of people start telling them point blank that they are going to boycott all security and other updates until they allow BL unlocking.
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Easy answer. They don't care about consumer opinion until results are felt. They are concerned with brand, lawsuits , and corporate spending. Look at it this way, this thread was last posted on (by me) over a year ago, and there hasn't even been a sniff of an exploit or getting Big Red to change even once.
Once, a long time ago, Verizon carried bootloader unlockable phones. My Nexus 6 was from Verizon and it was fantastic. Google made a marketing decision for Verizon to push the Pixel OG exclusively, Verizon forced them to make a varient that could be locked down and full of Verizon crapware, just like every phone on their network. OG, 2, 3 and now 4, sold by Verizon will never get natively unlocked. The only hope would be a temp root solution and being able to toggle the unlock in developers options.
6 years ago unlocked "dev" phones weren't readily available, but Google sells an unlockable version now, with financing if you want, most people that want root just buy that.
mackentosh said:
When I say I bought it outright I mean no discount, I paid just over $1000 for the pixel 3xl from best buy but it's all good I'll sell it and buy another one from google
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Yea sell that for sure. I bought a new unlocked P3XL for 400.00 on Amazon last month.

Sprint Pixel 3Xl, Sprint said bootloader is not locked

Ok so here's the details... I speak to Sprint techs on a regular basis. (Used to work for Sprint many years ago). And according to them it's true that Sprint Pixel 3 and 3XL are not locked in any abnormal way that a simple Fastboot command will unlock them like normal. BUT if you have just purchased the phone and took advantage of the massive discount for leasing the phone , then you will be met with a Greyed out OEM UNLOCK just like Verizon and whoever else is locked. Only way to clear that and be able to switch OEM Unlock to on, is by paying the full remainder of your contract and they will unlock with an OTA. (I actually performed this on my friends 3XL so it's true). The question I'm asking is for people such as myself who didn't wanna cough up $700 , and took the 40% off if you sign up for 18mo lease. ... Is there anyone here who knows of a way to enable the OEM Unlock without Sprint Sim Unlocking it first?? The screen will tell you that "this option is unavailable on Network locked devices, consult your provider" ... Like is there a Z3x box, or Octoplus Box that can remove the network lock to flip that toggle? Fastboot will not accept any FLASH command without it being enabled. Or does someone know of a Shortcut master-style exploit to get me in the menu with the option being available?? Or hell is there a dirty network unlock even similar to the Carrier changing exploits from the Samsung phones that were Network locked... I searched here thoroughly and no one has mentioned it. Is there an ENGINEERING file for this phone ... For real .. I know it can be done but that's way above my pay grade.. any hints of a place to look.. something to flash.. I'm up for whatever .. I can brick this phone to **** and walk up to the counter and they will give me a new one.. so I'm not worried of possible errors... 50/50 is good enough success rate of any trick you may know. Thanks in advance
I'll do you one worse .. I had no clue until this evening that pixel 3 xl had more versions than Verizon and Google store . So one came up on one of those selling local apps and I checked to make sure the IMEI started with 99 and was clear.... Both were so this is great right??? Google Store version finally so I go buy it right away ..
I think the private Pyle staredown through the eyebrows before he goes insane in full metal jacket would properly describe my reaction as I find out I just purchased not only a locked bootloader pixel 3 XL but a network locked pixel 3 [email protected]#$%G XL...
I swear I'm done trying to pick through the different versions of Google's phones ... Just pony up the money and buy it from Google it's rediculous any other way .... So now what? Well I called Google support and sprint and got the usual go @#$® yourself run around ... So it's on me but a hard way to find out there are now network locked pixels out there ...... I had no idea and I follow this stuff much more than I should
I'll do you one worse .. I had no clue until this evening that pixel 3 xl had more versions than Verizon and Google store . So one came up on one of those selling local apps and I checked to make sure the IMEI started with 99 and was clear.... Both were so this is great right??? Google Store version finally so I go buy it right away ..
I think the private Pyle staredown through the eyebrows before he goes insane in full metal jacket would properly describe my reaction as I find out I just purchased not only a locked bootloader pixel 3 XL but a network locked pixel 3 [email protected]#$%G XL...
I swear I'm done trying to pick through the different versions of Google's phones ... Just pony up the money and buy it from Google it's rediculous any other way .... So now what? Well I called Google support and sprint and got the usual go @#$® yourself run around ... So it's on me but a hard way to find out there are now network locked pixels out there ...... I had no idea and I follow this stuff much more than I should
Unfortunately since it is a server side check/OTA to enable it there is no method currently to unlock the BL.
Been messing around with the Big Red version for a while now with no luck yet.....
Pixel 3 XL, haven't crashed it, YET
FernBch said:
Unfortunately since it is a server side check/OTA to enable it there is no method currently to unlock the BL.
Been messing around with the Big Red version for a while now with no luck yet.....
Pixel 3 XL, haven't crashed it, YET
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the sprint versions are abit different.. i was at sprint earlier snd checked em out.. the sprint p3xl says on the switch that it cannot be unlocked on carrier locked device or something rather..
vs. vzw i think says more along lines of connect to internet or contact carrier..
so maybe spr will get lucky and its tied to sim unlock vs. verizon being tied to imei?
also the spr versions have esim enabled too so they also got that goin for em at least
You could be right there. Unless the device is paid in full Sprint won't carrier unlock it, I think. At least that was how it was a few years back when I had Sprint.
Pixel 3 XL, haven't crashed it, YET
Well in the Sprint store they are setup so you can't mess with a bunch of stuff. I'm about to get one if y'all haven't done it yet.
Edit: So i got mine and its locked to sprint which is fine but i have to have it active for 50 days even though its not leased and technically not sprint's device. they have a promotion for a free line for employees for 12mo's so its just sitting. i got the pixel 4 and i like the 3xl better so im just testing the pixel 4 on my line but ill probably just switch back. too bad the pixel 4 is already bootloader unlocked.
Alright so I have the answers to everyone's question regarding the oem unlock. If you can get the carrier unlock completed you can oem unlock the phone. The downside is that there is some known issue and it requires Google to unlock it. I was working with Sprint for over 2 hours and then while on the phone with Sprint I did the chat with Google. It took 2 days and it just unlocked. I'm not sure if you need to have Sprint push the unlock first or what but that's it. Google did say there was a known issue on their end so this isn't something that's instant at the moment. Hopefully that helps everyone and I've explained everything.
cruckus said:
Alright so I have the answers to everyone's question regarding the oem unlock. If you can get the carrier unlock completed you can oem unlock the phone. The downside is that there is some known issue and it requires Google to unlock it. I was working with Sprint for over 2 hours and then while on the phone with Sprint I did the chat with Google. It took 2 days and it just unlocked. I'm not sure if you need to have Sprint push the unlock first or what but that's it. Google did say there was a known issue on their end so this isn't something that's instant at the moment. Hopefully that helps everyone and I've explained everything.
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@cruckus
How did you set this process in motion? Does Sprint open a ticket with Google or something?
cruckus said:
Alright so I have the answers to everyone's question regarding the oem unlock. If you can get the carrier unlock completed you can oem unlock the phone. The downside is that there is some known issue and it requires Google to unlock it. I was working with Sprint for over 2 hours and then while on the phone with Sprint I did the chat with Google. It took 2 days and it just unlocked. I'm not sure if you need to have Sprint push the unlock first or what but that's it. Google did say there was a known issue on their end so this isn't something that's instant at the moment. Hopefully that helps everyone and I've explained everything.
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I have a sprint pixel 3xl that I recently sim unlocked. The text below the greyed out oem unlock option previously said "unavailable on carrier locked devices", while it now says "please connect to wifi or contact your carrier". I am on Android 12 beta 2 and the carrier unlock was confirmed after a recent update form beta 1. Still can't unlock the Bootloader.

Buying Pixel 3 XL renewed on Amazon. How to tell if bootloader locked?

Searching on Amzn for Pixel 3 XL renewed devices and I don't know how to tell if the bootloader is locked (to Verizon) or unlocked.
I heard something about the unlocked version IMEI starting with 9900 but when a phone is listed on Amazon, the person isn't going to show the IMEI.
Any way to tell when reading the item description?
Thanks
(I guess I can also send a message and ask but was hoping to get device next day).
Dont quote me on this, but Ive read on Google's site that only the Verizon model is locked. Not surw about IMEI or anythibg. I got mine directly from google so its unlocked. If it's not Verizon, its not locked. I brliev3 the newer Verizon ones are also not locked but like i said, dont quote me on it. just avoid a Verizon version and you should be good.
You need the IMEI to be sure. 99 is Google, 35 is Verizon. When they say unlocked they mean SIM unlocked, so you can use it on any carrier. All of the Pixels I have seen purchased on Amazon are the bootloader locked versions. A couple have been unlockable, but it is super rare.
IconBoy said:
Searching on Amzn for Pixel 3 XL renewed devices and I don't know how to tell if the bootloader is locked (to Verizon) or unlocked. I heard something about the unlocked version IMEI starting with 9900 but when a phone is listed on Amazon, the person isn't going to show the IMEI. Any way to tell when reading the item description?
Thanks
(I guess I can also send a message and ask but was hoping to get device next day).
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I've bought 3 Pixel phones and a 6P on Amazon. Usually on Amazon Prime Day. All were new and unlocked. That being said, in the link you provided if you go to "questions" you will see the Seller giving the model number as VZPI3XL64JB. Looks to be a Verizon phone to me, and that means bootloader is locked and cannot be unlocked. Keep looking and you will find the right one.

Can I unlock a carrier locked bootloader (T-Mobile) by using the pixel factory flash

Hello. I just got a pixel 3a xl, but it is bootloader locked to T-Mobile, I see Google has a pixel repair tool to reflash the pixel to stock. My question is it asks for your carrier, if I change the carrier to a different carrier that doesn't lock the bootloader will o be able to unlock my bootloader to flash root.
While I could not say for sure, I suspect the answer would be 98 percent no.
Thanks I want to try but it's my only phone and if it is down for a while I have no phone and I need 2FA for work.
If I try I will post here
Sent from my Pixel 3a XL using Tapatalk
You cannot unlock it from T-Mobile or unlock the bootloader, even with the flash tool... The flash tool does not/cannot modify that part of the phone, if it was that simple people would be doing it all the time.
Only T-Mobile can unlock the SIM, once that is done you can unlock the bootloader. Your only other option is to go through a 3rd party unlock code service, which can be sketchy according to some people (I have done it a few times without issue though).
I want to verify this.
SO if I buy a used T-Mobile 3a XL that is paid in full, I should be able to get it SIM unlocked by the carrier correct and if its carrier SIM unlocked, I CAN unlock the bootloader?
kdoggy said:
I want to verify this.
SO if I buy a used T-Mobile 3a XL that is paid in full, I should be able to get it SIM unlocked by the carrier correct and if its carrier SIM unlocked, I CAN unlock the bootloader?
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As long as it is not the Verizon model 3a, then yes. You can bootloader unlock it once it is SIM card unlocked. Only the Verizon models permanently lock the bootloader.
Question 2...
SO lets say I buy a T-Mobile 3a XL and it works fine with a T-M SIM but is SIM locked... Can I pay someone to unlock it and then still unlock the boot loader?
Someone know has a new in the box T-Mobile Pixel 3a XL I can have for $225.00 but its never had service on it and it sounds like it has to be active on T-Mobile AND have had seriver for 40 days to get them to do it.
kdoggy said:
Question 2...
SO lets say I buy a T-Mobile 3a XL and it works fine with a T-M SIM but is SIM locked... Can I pay someone to unlock it and then still unlock the boot loader?
Someone know has a new in the box T-Mobile Pixel 3a XL I can have for $225.00 but its never had service on it and it sounds like it has to be active on T-Mobile AND have had seriver for 40 days to get them to do it.
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I've seen unlock services being advertised, but I have also seen people post that they don't work. It would require that someone hacked or has access to the T-Mobile locking software which isn't out of the realm of possibility, so it's possible some services do work.
Hello friends, I need your help! Who can help me raise my brick and make a full backup of my smartphone using qpst?
Update. So I ended up buying a T-Mobile Pixel 4 XL when they went on sale.
Search my name and look at the thread reply I just posted in the Pixel 4 XL forum about T-Mobile unlocking.
I included pictures.
I just purchased a Pixel 4 XL, I'm brand new T-Mobile subscriber, the phone is not paid off and I have it on a lease and I've only been on the service for 4 days.
I currently have the T-Mobile Pixel 4 XL with both a full SIM card unlock and OEM bootloader unlock.
I'm currently running the phone with an AT&T physical SIM and a T-Mobile eSIM.
acejavelin said:
You cannot unlock it from T-Mobile or unlock the bootloader, even with the flash tool... The flash tool does not/cannot modify that part of the phone, if it was that simple people would be doing it all the time.
Only T-Mobile can unlock the SIM, once that is done you can unlock the bootloader. Your only other option is to go through a 3rd party unlock code service, which can be sketchy according to some people (I have done it a few times without issue though).
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Have any recommendations? I have a brand new Pixel 4 that an online retailer lied about being unlocked & is T-Mobile carrier locked & they're completely unwilling to release the Sim from their network. I'll take the sketchy unlock service. I tried one in ATL friend gave me a number but most only do Samsung's or iPhones for obvious reasons.
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sic0048 said:
As long as it is not the Verizon model 3a, then yes. You can bootloader unlock it once it is SIM card unlocked. Only the Verizon models permanently lock the bootloader.
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Not just Verizon though right? I heard Sprint does too.
Nightshadex543 said:
Have any recommendations? I have a brand new Pixel 4 that an online retailer lied about being unlocked & is T-Mobile carrier locked & they're completely unwilling to release the Sim from their network. I'll take the sketchy unlock service. I tried one in ATL friend gave me a number but most only do Samsung's or iPhones for obvious reasons.
---------- Post added at 06:06 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:05 PM ----------
Not just Verizon though right? I heard Sprint does too.
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Keep in mind there are SIM locks and bootloader locks. Every US carrier SIM locks you phone if it was bought in an installment plan. Once the phone is paid off, I think every carrier will SIM card unlock the phone.
All recent Pixel versions have to be SIM card unlocked before the bootloader unlock option is available. So you have to have a SIM card unlocked phone before you can bootloader unlock. But Verizon is the only US carrier that has asked Google to permanently bootloader lock their phones. Sprint and others don't weigh in on the subject and Google's policy is to allow bootloader unlock. This isn't necessarily true with other phone brands however.
As far as getting the phone SIM unlocked, the policy is to not do it, so it's rare to find a call center person that is willing to do it whether you call in or chat with someone online. However, the success stories that I do see are usually done by DMing the carrier's support group on Twitter of all places. Explain that you need to get the phone unlocked and many times they will do it.
sic0048 said:
Keep in mind there are SIM locks and bootloader locks. Every US carrier SIM locks you phone if it was bought in an installment plan. Once the phone is paid off, I think every carrier will SIM card unlock the phone.
All recent Pixel versions have to be SIM card unlocked before the bootloader unlock option is available. So you have to have a SIM card unlocked phone before you can bootloader unlock. But Verizon is the only US carrier that has asked Google to permanently bootloader lock their phones. Sprint and others don't weigh in on the subject and Google's policy is to allow bootloader unlock. This isn't necessarily true with other phone brands however.
As far as getting the phone SIM unlocked, the policy is to not do it, so it's rare to find a call center person that is willing to do it whether you call in or chat with someone online. However, the success stories that I do see are usually done by DMing the carrier's support group on Twitter of all places. Explain that you need to get the phone unlocked and many times they will do it.
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I can confirm this. I'm on TMO and I reached out on Twitter and got results. I'm not a big Twitter fan nor do I really use it, but customer services seems to be more in the loop there. I told them that I wanted to try the dev preview of android 11 and I needed to bootloader unlock. For that to happen I needed them to permanently sim unlock my phone. (Technically you can install the preview with a locked BL, but since it's a preview you can't re-flash anything lower or rollback without the BL being unlocked). Hence the dev preview. Anyways, I was polite and truthful about my intentions and they got it sim unlocked, fairly quickly too.
sic0048 said:
Keep in mind there are SIM locks and bootloader locks. Every US carrier SIM locks you phone if it was bought in an installment plan. Once the phone is paid off, I think every carrier will SIM card unlock the phone.
All recent Pixel versions have to be SIM card unlocked before the bootloader unlock option is available. So you have to have a SIM card unlocked phone before you can bootloader unlock. But Verizon is the only US carrier that has asked Google to permanently bootloader lock their phones. Sprint and others don't weigh in on the subject and Google's policy is to allow bootloader unlock. This isn't necessarily true with other phone brands however.
As far as getting the phone SIM unlocked, the policy is to not do it, so it's rare to find a call center person that is willing to do it whether you call in or chat with someone online. However, the success stories that I do see are usually done by DMing the carrier's support group on Twitter of all places. Explain that you need to get the phone unlocked and many times they will do it.
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Its bootloaders unlocked I was almost done rooting it but haven't; refrained because I don't want to violate the software warranty incase I need to return it, & find another way to do so for a refund. I called support multiple times same answer, & then Twitter dm'd last night they were again unable to do anything so they say.
They cite "privacy issues" but I know it's a ****ing money grab they don't want to unlock it unless you want to pay for one of their plans & get tied in a contract for a minimum amount of days first & I'm not going to ****ing do that. It's ridiculous to me carriers behave this way. This is why I believe in hacking because you can't trust companies for absolutely ****.
You got results? Look at my next post, can you tell me your secret because they're being serious assholes here. Not a single company involved with this situation is helping at all.
Nightshadex543 said:
You got results? Look at my next post, can you tell me your secret because they're being serious assholes here. Not a single company involved with this situation is helping at all.
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I'm a little confused. You say it's bootloader unlocked and you were about to root it but decided not because of warranty concerns correct?
Typically, whenever you unlock a bootloader your warranty is void then and there. That is in most cases and I assume is the same in this case, though I don't know that for a fact with a TMO Pixel 3a XL. I just assumed it was and most likely is. The reason being is you can flash anything you want, and there is no way to guarantee that whatever has happened to warrant a claim wasn't due to user error or unofficial software. A locked bootloader kind of guarantees that nothing unofficial was flashed and that's why warranties are usually based around their status and why a flag is marked when it is. So even if you re-lock it, the flag still shows it was unlocked at one point.
As for actually unlocking it via TMO, the phone uses a TMO app to actually unlock it. It basically checks your imei against their server to see if it is eligible for unlocking. As for citing privacy concerns, basically you have a TMO phone and no account it seems, and you want it unlocked. For all they know it could be stolen, and as far as proving it's yours legally without any account... probably more than they want to deal with and I'm sure they have liability reasons as well.
All I know is, I've had an account for quite some time. I've bought several phones through them, so no issues. Technically I'm still on installments with this phone, so they could have easily said no, not until it's paid off, but I like to think they said "Oh it's Airwalk... he's cool af, go ahead".
41rw4lk said:
Typically, whenever you unlock a bootloader your warranty is void then and there. The reason being is you can flash anything you want, and there is no way to guarantee that whatever has happened to warrant a claim wasn't due to user error or unofficial software. So even if you re-lock it, the flag still shows it was unlocked at one point.
As for actually unlocking it via TMO, the phone uses a TMO app to actually unlock it. It basically checks your imei against their server to see if it is eligible for unlocking. As for citing privacy concerns, basically you have a TMO phone and no account it seems, and you want it unlocked. For all they know it could be stolen, and as far as proving it's yours legally without any account... probably more than they want to deal with and I'm sure they have liability reasons as well.
All I know is, I've had an account for quite some time. I've bought several phones through them, so no issues.
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Only Sprint & Verizon manufacturers lock the bootloaders of their phones T-Mobile doesn't. TWRP doesn't even exist for Pixel 4 because dude's too busy with wife & kids to update so flashing is difficult until you root it first unless you feel like doing a tethered through ADB. I know Samsung has the "Knox" & figured it's similar to that. Unless it's tripped it's negligible.
I know how the unlocking app works. Also, It's not stolen my situation is similar to the below it's "super whitelisted" I've had multiple services run the IMEI & it's come back clean. The phone meets all the unlocking criteria of which is being legit paid for is one of them.
They're just not releasing from the network. I need a workaround, I'm not trying to go through an entire claims process & have it sent back when aside from "network lock" it works just fine.
****ing Greedy ass corporations.
Nightshadex543 said:
Only Sprint & Verizon manufacturers lock the bootloaders of their phones T-Mobile doesn't. I'm TWRP doesn't even exist for Pixel 4 because dude's to busy with wife & kids to update so flashing is difficult until you root it first unless you feel like doing a tethered through ADB. I know Samsung has the "Knox" & figured it's similar to that. Unless it's tripped it's negligible.
I know how the unlocking app works. Also, It's not stolen my situation is similar to the below it's "super whitelisted" I've had multiple services run the IMEI & it's come back clean. The phone meets all the unlocking criteria of which is being legit paid for is one of them.
They're just not releasing from the network. I need a workaround, I'm not trying to go through an entire claims process & have it sent back when aside from "network lock" it works just fine.
****ing Greedy ass corporations.
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Ah, Pixel 4 needs sim unlocked, I was confused because this is 3a XL and I wasn't paying enough attention. I see your frustration now. I don't know about that one, just (bonito) here and it was all easy for me. I suppose that if you don't meet their requirements it's all too easy to just lock you into their script. I can't help you here, sorry. I think you'll just have to be 'that guy' and persist with them. Good luck.
Nightshadex543 said:
TWRP doesn't even exist for Pixel 4 because dude's too busy with wife & kids to update....
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No quicker way to loose all goodwill and help from people than bad mouthing the generous developers.
Feel free to come up with your own TWRP solution. Until then, STFU.
sic0048 said:
Feel free to come up with your own TWRP solution. Until then, STFU.
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That isn't even the subject of the thread. If you're going to ignore everything else I was saying & completely miss the point to focus on a single cherry-picked remark that triggered you then you can take a hike. Don't respond. Go invest your frustrated energies elsewhere
You know what? Maybe I will take the source code & develop my own unofficial TWRP build for it. Hacking & Technological communities don't just stop because you want to "move on with your life" we still need these tools. You think journalists whistleblowers & Chinese protesters can "do without" Tor?

Verizon G7 Power (XT1955-6)

So my Moto E5 Supra started smoking and almost caught on fire last week. I'd had it about a year but couldnt stand how Cricket had the bootloader locked and I couldnt root it. I decided i'd not get one of their phones and order one from Ebay.
The seller had it listed as an Unlocked G7 Power ATT/Cricket XT-1955 so I looked it up and made sure it would be rootable. It gets here, and its the XT1955-6 Verizon version. Calling works but has a constant notification of it not being a verizon sim which I could live with. But then I get on here and see it has a locked bootloader...
What can I do? I contacted the seller and he will allow me to return it. I know there arent magical workarounds for phones with locked bootloaders from going through this with the E5 Supra. I really like the phone though, so im going to order another one today from somewhere online and send this one back tomorrow. Which version is guaranteed to come with an unlocked bootloader and preferably work with GSM? I saw that 1955-5 could be flashed onto the international version and its actually cheaper and comes with more ram and space I believe. Not sure on battery size.
I want to make absolutely certain that what I get can be rooted, primarily because of how much im paying for mobile hotspot data and I enjoy the freedom. Are the international versions bootloader unlocked? I dont mind having to flash things on it or whatever in order to make it all work smoothly. Is the G7 International the way to go?
Thanks in advance!
GarrettVW67 said:
So my Moto E5 Supra started smoking and almost caught on fire last week. I'd had it about a year but couldnt stand how Cricket had the bootloader locked and I couldnt root it. I decided i'd not get one of their phones and order one from Ebay.
The seller had it listed as an Unlocked G7 Power ATT/Cricket XT-1955 so I looked it up and made sure it would be rootable. It gets here, and its the XT1955-6 Verizon version. Calling works but has a constant notification of it not being a verizon sim which I could live with. But then I get on here and see it has a locked bootloader...
What can I do? I contacted the seller and he will allow me to return it. I know there arent magical workarounds for phones with locked bootloaders from going through this with the E5 Supra. I really like the phone though, so im going to order another one today from somewhere online and send this one back tomorrow. Which version is guaranteed to come with an unlocked bootloader and preferably work with GSM? I saw that 1955-5 could be flashed onto the international version and its actually cheaper and comes with more ram and space I believe. Not sure on battery size.
I want to make absolutely certain that what I get can be rooted, primarily because of how much im paying for mobile hotspot data and I enjoy the freedom. Are the international versions bootloader unlocked? I dont mind having to flash things on it or whatever in order to make it all work smoothly. Is the G7 International the way to go?
Thanks in advance!
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Has the big battery if it the power
I am seeing a lot of blankflash posts and bricked devices posts. I really do like the Motos for the price, but I may just go an entirely different route. Im wondering are the International G7s bootloader unlocked? As far as the Power goes, the 1955-5 comes with an unlocked bootloader correct?
GarrettVW67 said:
I am seeing a lot of blankflash posts and bricked devices posts. I really do like the Motos for the price, but I may just go an entirely different route. Im wondering are the International G7s bootloader unlocked? As far as the Power goes, the 1955-5 comes with an unlocked bootloader correct?
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Click to collapse
The bootloader never come unlocked u have to do it certain carryors slow them to be unlocked some carryors won't allow them .if u get one that is international one most likely u can unlock boot loader and as for the brick ones most times they did something wrong I had same feeling so I got off a chat on tellagram and people there explained things to me and got an complete guied on how to do so do not brick it
Thank you for clarifying it but I didn't mean to say come unlocked. I realize you have to go through Motorola. I just don't want to go through this same issue again. Cricket had the G7 Power but they don't allow bootloader's to be unlocked on anything of theirs.
But as far as variants that are unlockable through Motorola, do you happen to know which ones have bootloader's that are 100% able to be unlocked?
I know this doesn't matter but my OEM unlock switch I am actually able to toggle. Was on the phone with Verizon and each rep moved me up the ladder until finally they tried to tell me Motorola is the one who locks them. That may be true, but at Verizon's request I would imagine ? Lol
One other thing. I've been reading and reading on here and other places. There was a guy on here who said he was going to flash the 1955-5 firmware on his 1955-6. I'm not sure if it was exactly those words, but he seemed to think some firmware could allow it. But from what I remember, the bootloader comes before all of that and are encrypted and I feel like flashing any different firmware even if stock and signed or whatever would brick his device ..
GarrettVW67 said:
One other thing. I've been reading and reading on here and other places. There was a guy on here who said he was going to flash the 1955-5 firmware on his 1955-6. I'm not sure if it was exactly those words, but he seemed to think some firmware could allow it. But from what I remember, the bootloader comes before all of that and are encrypted and I feel like flashing any different firmware even if stock and signed or whatever would brick his device ..
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Click to collapse
@zfk110 has a Verizon model I believe. Maybe @zfk110 can let you know if it can be unlocked or not.
Also join telegram group for Moto g7 power here: https://t.me/mG7Power
Very much appreciate the help.
flash713 said:
@zfk110 has a Verizon model I believe. Maybe @zfk110 can let you know if it can be unlocked or not.
Also join telegram group for Moto g7 power here: https://t.me/mG7Power
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Click to collapse
Thumb of the rule, any branded Motorola phone won't have unlocked bootloader.
Read here
https://forums.lenovo.com/t5/MOTO-G...ader-Unlock-Help-Please-post-here/m-p/3024663
if you're buying a new phone then make sure its IMEI works on Verizon first
Here
https://www.verizon.com/onedp/byod?kbid=121565#/
Edit: Once you do find that out, then make sure it's not a branded phone for Verizon, ATT, T-Mobile, MetroPcs. Normally those phones have logo's on the back and app installed on them if it's not then you might get lucky to have one which you can unlock the bootloader and still works with Verizon.
If your phone is branded then best bet to resale it and get a phone mentioned above, there is no work around to it.
zfk110 said:
Thumb of the rule, any branded Motorola phone won't have unlocked bootloader.
Read here
https://forums.lenovo.com/t5/MOTO-G...ader-Unlock-Help-Please-post-here/m-p/3024663
if you're buying a new phone then make sure its IMEI works on Verizon first
Here
https://www.verizon.com/onedp/byod?kbid=121565#/
Edit: Once you do find that out, then make sure it's not a branded phone for Verizon, ATT, T-Mobile, MetroPcs. Normally those phones have logo's on the back and app installed on them if it's not then you might get lucky to have one which you can unlock the bootloader and still works with Verizon.
If your phone is branded then best bet to resale it and get a phone mentioned above, there is no work around to it.
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Click to collapse
Thanks for the info.

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