This is intended to be a community effort! Please submit any info or corrections you can offer.
I have used all the major carriers in the US and found Verizon to provide the most reliable service for my purposes (regrettably, despite their intrusive practices). I am a power-user and sometimes require root access to improve my overall experience, like using adblockers. Finally, I tend to use my devices for longer than the average device gets OS updates.
Given all of this; I always have a hard time finding bootloader unlocked or rootable phones for Verizon in the US, and my searches indicate that I am not alone.
To my knowledge there is no current, community maintained of moddable phones for Verizon US. Unless someone has found such a list and can share it, I'd love to try to make that list here. I'll need help!!
The List (draftwill need to be organized):
Verizon Certified
Moto X (2014)
Essential PH-1
Google Pixel 1,2,3,3a (non-verizon models)
OnePlus 6T?
Nexus 5x, 6, 6P
Sony Xperia XZ2 Family (Verizon certified)
Not Certified, but works
Moto E4
Moto G5(S) & G6 Play / Standard
Moto X4
Moto Z2
LG G5 RS988
LG G6 US988
LG V20 & V30 US Unlocked Variants
LG G7 (Don't know if there's a flashable recovery yet)
Unsure of support / Needs verification:
-OnePlus 7/t/Pro
-Samsung Galaxy S10 Lite (US Model - no, b/c snapdragon, right?)
Sources for some of above info:
https://www.reddit.com/r/verizon/comments/8y07vm/2018_rootable_verizon_phones/
Related
Dear Friends,
I am a US consumer. About to buy a Verizon LG G3. My number # 1 priority in a phone is, more of less development support for a phone. Number of ROMs being developed, how many choices, mods, frequent updates, and etc.
Clearly, the International version D855 is the King. Number 2 is probably D851, the T-Mobile US Variant with the Unlocked bootloader. International versions are expensive and hard to find in America and it's more or less the same for the T-Mobile version.
I browsed the Development section for all G3 variants on XDA, and surprisingly, the number 3 variant is the Verizon, US Model! Which is fine by me, because it can be unlocked and used on AT&T and I am moving to Verizon soon, for the better coverage and LTE speeds.
I am lined up to pull the trigger on buying the Verizon G3, as we speak, but I need some help confirmation from you guys:
1. Is it true, that with the BUMP'd/TWRP recovery, the Verizon G3 is as good as the Unlocked bootloader models, like D851 and D855? If not, what is the difference, disadvantage?
2. How would you rate the Development support for the Verizon variant of the LG G3?
Thank you for your help! I have the seller lined up, please respond as soon as you can, I would really appreciate it!
ProFragger said:
Dear Friends,
I am a US consumer. About to buy a Verizon LG G3. My number # 1 priority in a phone is, more of less development support for a phone. Number of ROMs being developed, how many choices, mods, frequent updates, and etc.
Clearly, the International version D855 is the King. Number 2 is probably D851, the T-Mobile US Variant with the Unlocked bootloader. International versions are expensive and hard to find in America and it's more or less the same for the T-Mobile version.
I browsed the Development section for all G3 variants on XDA, and surprisingly, the number 3 variant is the Verizon, US Model! Which is fine by me, because it can be unlocked and used on AT&T and I am moving to Verizon soon, for the better coverage and LTE speeds.
I am lined up to pull the trigger on buying the Verizon G3, as we speak, but I need some help confirmation from you guys:
1. Is it true, that with the BUMP'd/TWRP recovery, the Verizon G3 is as good as the Unlocked bootloader models, like D851 and D855? If not, what is the difference, disadvantage?
2. How would you rate the Development support for the Verizon variant of the LG G3?
Thank you for your help! I have the seller lined up, please respond as soon as you can, I would really appreciate it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi there.
1. On all G3 variants you will have no problems whatsoever with rooting and flashing TWRP. With or without BL unlocked. And yes you are correct that if the BL is locked then there is the Bumped method.
2. I agree that the King in Development is the D855 BUT the Verizon also has fantastic support and most ROMS here support ALL variants.
I have a D855 but to be honest if today I would have bought a Verizon with the amount of support there is, it would not make a huge difference...also Development is constantly moving...forward.
Ratings? Well if D855 is a 5 then Verizon is also in par with D851 these days at an equal 4 or 3.5
To give an example, have a look here in BlissPop and have a look at how much Development is available for all variants http://forum.xda-developers.com/lg-g3/development/rom-blisspop-v2-0-ls990-t3022685
BlissPop is FANTASTIC!!!!
I hope that my post was in time as I only saw it tonight and if I was of any help please press the thanks button.
Regards.
Moto E4 Plus announced in India. Get to know how is it. Also, these will be specifications for other regions as well. So make to check this link.
idroidlife.com/moto-e4-plus-launched-india-ultimate-powerhouse/
I have one xt1773, 2gb, 16gb. Brazil.
Hello just had a quick question. Considering buying this phone due to the insane battery life and wanted to know which version I should buy if I wanted to install custom ROMs. Would the Moto z play droid version from verizon allow me to install ROMs? I'm guessing no because its Verizon, and their phones are usually locked (boot loader wise) but just wanting to make sure. Or would I need the international gsm version?
justsomeguy007 said:
Hello just had a quick question. Considering buying this phone due to the insane battery life and wanted to know which version I should buy if I wanted to install custom ROMs. Would the Moto z play droid version from verizon allow me to install ROMs? I'm guessing no because its Verizon, and their phones are usually locked (boot loader wise) but just wanting to make sure. Or would I need the international gsm version?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are 3 versions of the Z Play, all with the initial ID prefix of XT1635:
-01- Verizon, locked Bootloader
-02- International/GSM, BL unlock capable
-03- Chinese, BL unlock capable but set as RETCN and lacking many US bands.
I almost purchased an XT1635-03 off of Gearbest/Banggood because it was only $250 USD, but turns out while it can be used with custom ROMs it's missing quite a few crucial network bands for use in the US.
Just waiting for the X4 release/fall sales and will probably snag a Z Play for cheap.
negusp said:
There are 3 versions of the Z Play, all with the initial ID prefix of XT1635:
-01- Verizon, locked Bootloader
-02- International/GSM, BL unlock capable
-03- Chinese, BL unlock capable but set as RETCN and lacking many US bands.
I almost purchased an XT1635-03 off of Gearbest/Banggood because it was only $250 USD, but turns out while it can be used with custom ROMs it's missing quite a few crucial network bands for use in the US.
Just waiting for the X4 release/fall sales and will probably snag a Z Play for cheap.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you!
I have seen mentions of various "variants" of the Moto Z2 Play phone, but no mention of how to find out which variant one owns. I have a Moto Z2 Play purchased from Verizon, in the USA. Which variant would this be, or how would I determine the variant? I gather that certain rooting methods are only for specific variants.
Hi, try this: http://www.phonemore.com/motorola-moto-z2-play/models/900
Look on the bottom of your phone by the charging port. It will probably show XT1710-02.
If it is the -02 model then you can't and probably never will be able to root it.
Sent from my Moto Z2 Play using Tapatalk
Unfortunately, that is what I have.
Sent from my XT1710-02 using Tapatalk
I'm new to buying phones out right. I'm coming from Pixel 3XL, I'm tired of the constant app issues from only having 3GB RAM and am tired of Google's proprietary accessories.
I'm looking at getting an S20+. I use Verizon and would like to be able to root and/or install custom ROMs. Will buying an unlocked one from Samsung allow all me to do all that? Also I see a SnapDragon and Exynos variants, how can I tell which one I will get?
Novakingwai said:
I'm new to buying phones out right. I'm coming from Pixel 3XL, I'm tired of the constant app issues from only having 3GB RAM and am tired of Google's proprietary accessories.
I'm looking at getting an S20+. I use Verizon and would like to be able to root and/or install custom ROMs. Will buying an unlocked one from Samsung allow all me to do all that? Also I see a SnapDragon and Exynos variants, how can I tell which one I will get?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not if it's a US variant, the only devices with unlocked bootloaders are International variants. Exynos devices have known issues for overheating and battery drain. Some users are reporting better performance after the latest OTA Update. There are typically more Custom ROM's developed for Exynos than the Snapdragon variants. If you purchase any variant besides the Verizon Branded device don't expect to retain all the call features Verizon offers. So it comes down to your priorities, custom ROM's or full call functionality. If you chose an unlocked bootloader variant the SM-G9860 from Hong Kong may be your best option.
varcor said:
Not if it's a US variant, the only devices with unlocked bootloaders are International variants. Exynos devices have known issues for overheating and battery drain. Some users are reporting better performance after the latest OTA Update. There are typically more Custom ROM's developed for Exynos than the Snapdragon variants. If you purchase any variant besides the Verizon Branded device don't expect to retain all the call features Verizon offers. So it comes down to your priorities, custom ROM's or full call functionality. If you chose an unlocked bootloader variant the SM-G9860 from Hong Kong may be your best option.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok thanks. I just got a Verizon compatible one from Best Buy. I've mostly been getting Nexus and Pixel phones and haven't been familiar with the other brands. Last one I had was a Note 3 and they were a lot easier to root and set up ROMs on. Now everything's locked. The one killer feature I really want is admin level based ad blocking. I do use Blokada.