I can get the Verizon Pixel for a good deal. But I have some questions. Does the Verizon version allow side loading of updates? Also how much bloatware is on this version, and is there a ugly looking Verizon LOGO on the back of the phone? And if I wanted to put a T-Mobile sim in it, would it work? Also what about updates, does Verizon handle this or is it Google?
Thanks
falcon26 said:
I can get the Verizon Pixel for a good deal. But I have some questions. Does the Verizon version allow side loading of updates? Also how much bloatware is on this version, and is there a ugly looking Verizon LOGO on the back of the phone? And if I wanted to put a T-Mobile sim in it, would it work? Also what about updates, does Verizon handle this or is it Google?
Thanks
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As long as the phone hasn't been updated to 7.1.1 you can us depixel8 to unlock the bootloader which will allow you to sideload the updates. There are no Verizon markings on the phone anywhere. When you put a Verizon sim in the phone will download 3 Verizon apps that are user removable, no other Verizon bloat. For updates, they're pushed at the same time regardless of if it's a Google store or Verizon store phone. My gf's Verizon phone receives them about a week after I do but others have stated that they come in at the same time. So as long as it hasn't been updated yet, you're good to go on all your questions. Only one I can't answer is the T-Mobile sim question but I'm pretty sure I've seen comments through the forums of people using them on T-Mobile.
falcon26 said:
I can get the Verizon Pixel for a good deal. But I have some questions. Does the Verizon version allow side loading of updates? Also how much bloatware is on this version, and is there a ugly looking Verizon LOGO on the back of the phone? And if I wanted to put a T-Mobile sim in it, would it work? Also what about updates, does Verizon handle this or is it Google?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are no Verizon markings on the phone, I didn't know that I couldn't update and still root and updated to 7.1.1. I went over a friend's house though and put in her T-Mobile sim and it seemed to work and let me make a call so I think the Verizon pixel is the same but after the update is just bootloader locked.
First of all, I don't live in the US. I have a friend there who can order one and ship it to me.
The Kinda Blue Pixel 2 looks nice and I wonder if I can just order it despite being limited to Verizon option? I don't root my phone so the bootloader locking isn't really an issue for me. I have read some threads saying that it's not carrier-locked. Can someone please clarify if I can just order it and ignore all the Verizon things? Will I need to register the SIM card that is included (can I just throw it away)? With whom do I need to contact if I were to send it back for replacement later? (Google or Verizon)
Any additional info is appreciated, thanks.
You can buy the kinda blue and put your own sim in. It is not carrier locked. You will have all the Verizon bloatware on it which you can disable. But it'll work. I almost did it too, but decided to go with Google black one in case I wanted to flash it although likely hood is very low.
docmalc said:
You can buy the kinda blue and put your own sim in. It is not carrier locked. You will have all the Verizon bloatware on it which you can disable. But it'll work. I almost did it too, but decided to go with Google black one in case I wanted to flash it although likely hood is very low.
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I believe you can't unlock the bootloader for the Verizon version. The Pixel was that way. You had to use a hack to do it. There may be some delay as the original tool may not work this time around.
Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk
Tidbits said:
I believe you can't unlock the bootloader for the Verizon version. The Pixel was that way. You had to use a hack to do it. There may be some delay as the original tool may not work this time around.
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Yeah, I'm pretty sure I've seen in confirmed somewhere that you cannot unlock the bootloader on the Verizon Pixel 2 (just like with the Pixel 1). Also, I think you will be dependent on Verizon for software updates (although with the Pixel 1, I think they have just stuck to Google's schedule). I don't think it's worth it for just a color.
My understanding for the bloatware, however, is that it's on all of the Pixels (that's, I believe, how it worked with the Pixel 1). It just doesn't show up unless you put a Verizon SIM in the phone.
So from what I have read online, Verizon phones will have the bootloader locked. The bloatware will come pre-installed on "Verizon" branded phones. The unlocked phones will get Verizon crap if a Verizon sim is installed. I believe about 4 programs will be pushed down. However, it could be uninstalled vs just being disabled. As for the software updates, Google will release updates to both versions of the phone. Verizon will not be able to touch the software and will have to release it immediately to "Verizon" branded Pixels.
Hello everyone,
This is me posting for the first time here.
I've found a really cheap Pixel 3, but it is carrier locked to a Japanese carrier called Softbank. Is it possible to remove the carrier lock by rooting the phone? If not, what are the other options should I pursue to buy it?
With many regards,
Emir.
shemafied said:
Hello everyone,
This is me posting for the first time here.
I've found a really cheap Pixel 3, but it is carrier locked to a Japanese carrier called Softbank. Is it possible to remove the carrier lock by rooting the phone? If not, what are the other options should I pursue to buy it?
With many regards,
Emir.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If it's carrier locked it's more than likely bootloader locked. If so, you can't root the phone and most likely can't do anything about the carrier lock. You could call the carrier and ask them if they'd unlock it or, That's about your only option I'd guess. Unless you can get in touch with the carrier and get them to unlock it, I'd stay away. Cheap or not, it's not worth a dime if you can't use it after you get it. Just my 2 cents worth.
I haven't purchased a new phone since before 802.11ax came out. It's been... a long time, to say the least.
I'm reading mixed signals. Can I unlock, root, and do whatever anyone else can do with this hardware - or will they strangle my balls still?
I'm on Verizon too, but purchased the unlocked version. The Verizon bootloaders have driven me nuts in the past...
Fully unlocked amas in carrier unlocked. Only way you can unlock the bootloader of a pixel 7 device in the USA is if you bought an u locked variant directly from Google. You can't unlock any Android device bought from Verizon.
Usually it means you can't unlock the bootloader but that's only after the first firmware update.
So if you don't update it and wait then it should work. That's how it went with the vzw variant of the pixel XL anyways... I bought 2 of them because like a dupe I let it update without even thinking.
Then I got another and before anything I unlocked the bootloader, installed twrp, got root and then put my sim card in and I manually installed Google's updates and everything was fine.
Dunno if that changed or not...but it will ship with the ability to unlock it, or should because it's flashed with the stock Google firmware
The above post only applies to the original Pixel 1.
When Verizon says "unlocked" they mean carrier unlocked.
You can only get a bootloader unlocked if you buy direct from Google and buy the Google version of the phone, not the Verizon one they list.
What @jdoe6783 and @TonikJDK said. When all United States carriers volunteer information about "unlocking", they only mean carrier unlocking - i.e. you can then use your Verizon Pixel 7 Pro on a different carrier.
As I say in Post 2 in my thread:
roirraW edor ehT said:
Verizon variants:
Will never be able to have their bootloader unlocked. It's like winning the lottery, and just as rare and relatively random. There is nothing that anyone on XDA can do to help you unlock your Verizon variant.
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Curious why you would even buy the carrier variant from the google store? I mean if you are paying in full, just buy the unlocked version.
Ok. Thank you, all. Once the device is carrier unlocked, will I be able to remove the Verizon bloatware? That's my biggest concern now. I can live with a locked bootloader as long as the provided OS allows me to control what software is and is not running.
I bought the carrier variant for a few reasons:
I've already settled on Verizon as my carrier for the long haul. I bounced around between MVNOs, Google Fi, and T-mobile before landing on Verizon ~18mo ago. It has been a better experience for a little less money after taking advantage of so many promotions - several of which hinge on my home ISP being Verizon as well.
The trade-in value is pretty solid. I don't value it at $700 like they say as it's really just $19/mo off my bill for 3 years. It's not clear to me what happens if I upgrade my device or decide to cancel service in that time... they just stop providing the discount?
I never felt the need to root my last phone. I did it for a while, and many of my necessary apps detected this and stopped working. I've gathered that this is something the community has addressed now, but it still speaks to the time/benefit of going through the process to root and try out different things that rooting enables. I have less time to research and try out various options than I once did. My suspicion is that I'll be happy enough with the factory OS. The only things that would change this would be if I cannot remove Verizon bloatware. I'm not forefiting that kind of control of my $1k phone for a $20/mo reimbursement.
mmWave sounds cool, but I'm not convinced it'll have a meaningful impact on my usage. Perhaps when I'm in a large city and there's congestion on the other bands... This is a very minor point.
shiftr182 said:
Curious why you would even buy the carrier variant from the google store? I mean if you are paying in full, just buy the unlocked version.
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agreed...
you can always buy the Google unlocked variant and just activate it on your carrier (in this case, Verizon as OP's carrier), instead of purchasing the specific carrier variant.
At the very least I plan on purchasing the unlocked variant and activating it on Verizon....
If anything, @SethW, if it is truly important to you to do all the additional "fun" stuff like root, tether, custom ROMs, and all the other stuff (like it is to many/most of us on this forum)...you should still be in the return period. You might want to try the route of returning it and purchasing the Google unlocked variant to be certain you can unlock the bootloader -- and therefore root and other things.
EDIT
@SethW's reply just popped up while I was replying and just got in right before my post, so I wanted to address it...
SethW said:
Ok. Thank you, all. Once the device is carrier unlocked, will I be able to remove the Verizon bloatware? That's my biggest concern now. I can live with a locked bootloader as long as the provided OS allows me to control what software is and is not running.
I bought the carrier variant for a few reasons:
I've already settled on Verizon as my carrier for the long haul. I bounced around between MVNOs, Google Fi, and T-mobile before landing on Verizon ~18mo ago. It has been a better experience for a little less money after taking advantage of so many promotions - several of which hinge on my home ISP being Verizon as well.
....My suspicion is that I'll be happy enough with the factory OS. The only things that would change this would be if I cannot remove Verizon bloatware. I'm not forefiting that kind of control of my $1k phone for a $20/mo reimbursement.
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It's okay to be on Verizon. I've been with them for decades and okay with them. It's good that you tried out a bunch and have your reasons to use them. By all means, you can/should use the P7P with them.
But to address your other concerns about the Verizon bloatware -- I'm fairly certain if you purchased the carrier specific Verizon variant, it will have its bloatware and you will not be able to remove it. There might be tricks to hide & help ignore it, but [usually] you aren't going to be able to remove it (at least without root, which you will not be able to do since Verizon bootlocks their devices; also, if it were rootable, you would have an unlocked variant and would not have bloatware in the first place ) [fun fact: in the earliest days of Android smartphones, the whole reason to root one's phone was to get rid of said bloatware; now, one has to purchase directly from Google and get their variant to even get a chance to root outside of carrier control]. Now I've never purchased a carrier variant from Google nor have I met anyone who has, so it might be different since you purchased it from Google store and not Verizon store, but I can't imagine Verizon wouldn't hold Google to their restrictions even if it's from Google's store -- I mean, what's the difference/purpose selling a carrier variant without any of said carrier's restrictions when Google could just sell Google's unlocked variant and just load it on the carrier's network?
TL;DR If it's a carrier (Verizon) variant, it most likely will have the carrier's bloatware; and you cannot remove it; even if the OS is as customizable as Android.
I'm definitely thinking about a return already. The agreements states 'unlocked after 60 days' which I read as fully unlocked, rather than some partial unlocking they've come up with. It really hinges on whether or not I can fully control the OS of the phone after it's 'carrier' unlocked.
EDIT - in response to @simplepinoi177 's edit
Well then. Returning it for sure. Didn't even think to mention ad-blocking apps and such but I rely on those. Makes my stomach turn when I see someone using a device without robust ad-blocking. Without root, that's probably on the chopping block too.
SethW said:
I'm definitely thinking about a return already. The agreements states 'unlocked after 60 days' which I read as fully unlocked, rather than some partial unlocking they've come up with. It really hinges on whether or not I can fully control the OS of the phone after it's 'carrier' unlocked.
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Keep in mind, it's not just Verizon. All U.S. carriers, when they say unlocked, they only mean carrier unlocked. It's not just something Verizon came up with. As far as they're concerned, it will be fully unlocked.
SethW said:
EDIT - in response to @simplepinoi177 's edit
Well then. Returning it for sure. Didn't even think to mention ad-blocking apps and such but I rely on those. Makes my stomach turn when I see someone using a device without robust ad-blocking. Without root, that's probably on the chopping block too.
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Good luck with your return and re-purchase!
simplepinoi177 said:
you can always buy the Google unlocked variant and just activate it on your carrier (in this case, Verizon as OP's carrier), instead of purchasing the specific carrier variant.
At the very least I plan on purchasing the unlocked variant and activating it on Verizon....
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The unlocked phone from Amazon is the same as the unlocked one from Google, isn't it?
Wi1son said:
The unlocked phone from Amazon is the same as the unlocked one from Google, isn't it?
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Yep
Wi1son said:
The unlocked phone from Amazon is the same as the unlocked one from Google, isn't it?
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EtherealRemnant said:
Yep
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Also, if you check the Amazon description, under "Wireless Carrier", it states "Unlocked", so it's a safe bet that it's actually unlocked like the Google variant and not the way carrier's state "unlocked" like it's not "contractually bound" or "locked" to the carrier....
If you have the Verizon model, you can disable some of the VZW bloatware with ADB, but not all of it. If you disable some of the VZW specific packages, it won't boot and you will have to go through recovery. I was really annoyed when I found out that I couldn't unlock the bootloader on the VZW model of my Pixel 3XL. On my previous phone I had relied on particular mods to make my life easier (I'm unilaterally deaf).
I would certainly return it for the unlocked Google version while the window is open, just in case you ever need to unlock the bootloader.
Refused delivery and requested FedEx return it to sender - as instructed by Google Support. In spite of this, FedEx tried to delivery every day for the past week. They're finally sending it back to Google. I suspect they'll refund it soon. I'm really annoyed that I'm apparently going to miss out on the $200 google store promotion. I was looking forward to trying out the pro earbuds for free.
Happy New Year everyone!
I purchased a brand new Moto Z4, but it's setup up for Verizon. I was hoping that by reinstalling the firmware using the Motorola rescue tool, I could get the phone back to an unbranded state, i.e. I don't want any trouble with calls on my non-Verizon network. From what I've read on this forum, the Verizon boot screen is merely cosmetic, so can someone tell me how to remove whatever Verizon put on the phone to lock the phone to their network only?
Much thanks in advance
I know this is an old thread, but thought I'd chime in on something you've probably figured out by now.
The only way to get rid of branding and verizon's garbage is to use adb to disable or uninstall the offending items. There are guides everywhere including on one of the main xda pages.
Network wise if you bought it new as old stock I'd call up big red and request to have it unlocked (network). There's nothing to be done as far as bootloader unlocking.
Best of Luck in this New Year!