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Who's buying the VZW exclusive pixel?

Since the Pixel in Google store is all sold out and will be delayed by 6 to 8 weeks, is anyone going to pick up the vzw one? I am tempted but its the bootloader that is unlockable swaying my way from vzw. Looks like I will be waiting 6 to 8 weeks......

I would have bought 2 from VZW, instead had to get them from Google because of the locked bootloader bs.

mdmogren said:
I would have bought 2 from VZW, instead had to get them from Google because of the locked bootloader bs.
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Click to collapse
So they are saying it's impossible to break the bootloader?
Sent from my Nexus 6P using XDA-Developers mobile app

lucky_strike33 said:
So they are saying it's impossible to break the bootloader?
Sent from my Nexus 6P using XDA-Developers mobile app
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Click to collapse
It's way too soon to call it "impossible" -- but we definitely can't count on it, and I'm not risking my $800 phone being bootloader locked.

Work will pay for my phone only if I order through Verizon, so unless I can sell it NIB (which I don't know if I am allowed) and turn around and buy the Play Store version, I am pretty much stuck with a locked down phone. Here's hoping that an unofficial unlock happens at some point.

I have one on the way from VZW. Will be here in 2 days. I don't care that it's locked. Silver FTW.

NetworkingPro said:
I have one on the way from VZW. Will be here in 2 days. I don't care that it's locked. Silver FTW.
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Click to collapse
I thought won't be out till the 20th.
Sent from my Nexus 6P using XDA-Developers mobile app

NetworkingPro said:
I have one on the way from VZW. Will be here in 2 days. I don't care that it's locked. Silver FTW.
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Click to collapse
BS.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hmmm... I'm thinking the same.
I got my 128 in black before the preorder page officially launched, still said Oct 21-24. I work for vzw but there's no way I'd buy it thru them simply bc I want an unlocked bootloader!! But the vzw ones aren't shipping until later in the month as well...

Is the locked bootloader the only difference between the VZW and google store model? Well, only difference for now...we'll see when the first update comes.
Signed...still angry about my VZW Galaxy Nexus

lanternca said:
Is the locked bootloader the only difference between the VZW and google store model? Well, only difference for now...we'll see when the first update comes.
Signed...still angry about my VZW Galaxy Nexus
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Every Verizon phone I've owned came packed with Verizon bloatware. NFL Mobile, VZ Navigator and a whole bunch of other trash. I imagine the same will be true with their pixel.

TheSt33v said:
Every Verizon phone I've owned came packed with Verizon bloatware. NFL Mobile, VZ Navigator and a whole bunch of other trash. I imagine the same will be true with their pixel.
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Found this. Says it'll be VZ Messages, VZ, and Go90. I could live with that actually, but not going to matter since I switched to AT&T anyway
http://www.droid-life.com/2016/10/06/verizons-bloatware-pixel-will-minimal-maybe-just-3-apps/

I have one coming from the google store and one from verizon. MY girl is still on verizon so it made sense to get it on payment plan plus 100 gift card at best buy. i dont need to unlock her phone... so it makes sense

jerflash said:
I have one coming from the google store and one from verizon. MY girl is still on verizon so it made sense to get it on payment plan plus 100 gift card at best buy. i dont need to unlock her phone... so it makes sense
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I was kind of in the same boat. On vzw. Was able to get $200 credit total for my M8 plus a free VR daydream. I'm a little griped I can't just buy the device protection from google but it only seems to be apply to phones purchased direct through their store. I'm ok with the lock bl because I'm not going to be running ROM variants on this particular. Root will be fine enough. So it was easier for me to make the choice to get it through vzw than google. If I don't like the phone, I can return and get another phone.

Just read that Verizon will control updates. That's a deal breaker for me. http://thenextweb.com/google/2016/10/07/verizon-google-pixel-update/#gref

Just wait... Verizon sucks!

I'm still torn. I preordered on VZW then heard that Verizon was going to control updates so I cancelled and ordered on Google. But now I'm hearing that WiFi calling won't work on the unlocked version on Verizon. And visual voice mail won't work either. So now I'm pretty torn which one I want. I don't need an unlocked bootloader, but do like the latest versions as soon as they're available.

According to Google support, WiFi calling will work on Verizon:
Thanks for writing in. Hope you're doing well!*
First, I'd like to take this*opportunity*to apologize for the delay in responding to your email.
I have checked with my product specialists and I'd like to inform you that,*all the Google devices have the *Wi-Fi calling option pre-installed. However, you just need to contact the Verizon support once you setup the device and they'll enable the service on your device. Once Verizon enable the services you can go ahead and make the Wi-Fi calls.
You can contact the carrier ( Verizon ) using the below contact details.
Verizon1-800-922-020424 hours/day, 7 days/week
Full service: 6:00 AM–11:00 PM Mon-Fri, 8:00 AM-9:00PM Sat-Sun

v3rn said:
According to Google support, WiFi calling will work on Verizon:
Thanks for writing in. Hope you're doing well!*
First, I'd like to take this*opportunity*to apologize for the delay in responding to your email.
I have checked with my product specialists and I'd like to inform you that,*all the Google devices have the *Wi-Fi calling option pre-installed. However, you just need to contact the Verizon support once you setup the device and they'll enable the service on your device. Once Verizon enable the services you can go ahead and make the Wi-Fi calls.
You can contact the carrier ( Verizon ) using the below contact details.
Verizon1-800-922-020424 hours/day, 7 days/week
Full service: 6:00 AM–11:00 PM Mon-Fri, 8:00 AM-9:00PM Sat-Sun
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Click to collapse
strange

Just saw this article:
http://phandroid.com/2016/10/12/verizon-pixel-updates-simultaneously/
Basically, if you don't care about the locked bootloader, then you don't need to buy the phone from Google. You shouldn't have to worry about the updates and there are only 3 bloatware apps which take you less than 30 seconds to uninstall.

Can the Pixel be rooted?

I'm very confused. Some people say I can root it just like a nexus, some say that Google would just brick my phone, and I also heard I would need a custom ROM first. I'm super confused. Can anyone help me out please? Rooting is very important to me. Also it's the pixel XL if for some reason it could make a slight difference in what I would install/use.

OK. All pixels or pixels XL can be bootloader unlocked and rooted except for Verizon and EE variants running the 7.1.1.
Read in the dev section. It's much like a nexus, only thing is the two partitions need to be accounted for.
I'm running Dec 7.1.1 stock rooted with twrp. No issues at all.

Have you looked in the development forum at all?
If you have a pixel from Google you can unlock the bootloader and root it.
If you have a Verizon pixel you can only root if the bootloader is unlocked. The only way you can u look k the bootloader is if you are on 7.1. if you have updated to 7.1.1 you cannot unlock the bootloader therefore you can't root.

aholeinthewor1d said:
Have you looked in the development forum at all?
If you have a pixel from Google you can unlock the bootloader and root it.
If you have a Verizon pixel you can only root if the bootloader is unlocked. The only way you can u look k the bootloader is if you are on 7.1. if you have updated to 7.1.1 you cannot unlock the bootloader therefore you can't root.
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Is anyone working on a bootloader unlock for 7.1.1 on VZ? Just got my Pixel today and took the update before I knew better.

Squintz said:
Is anyone working on a bootloader unlock for 7.1.1 on VZ? Just got my Pixel today and took the update before I knew better.
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Click to collapse
To my knowledge there is no one working on an unlock for the VZW devices on 7.1.1. The "method" previously used was stumbled across. Even though I am unsure of how Verizon blocks enabling bootloader unlocking I very highly doubt that a new method will be found. Every device in Verizon's history that could either be exploited or had an unlocked method exposed had a patch issued to block it. Once patched there has never been a second exploit found.

FernBch said:
To my knowledge there is no one working on an unlock for the VZW devices on 7.1.1. The "method" previously used was stumbled across. Even though I am unsure of how Verizon blocks enabling bootloader unlocking I very highly doubt that a new method will be found. Every device in Verizon's history that could either be exploited or had an unlocked method exposed had a patch issued ro block it. Once patched there has never been a second exploit found.
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Click to collapse
Yea Verizon sucks. S3 and s5 both eventually were unlocked and stayed that eay

aholeinthewor1d said:
Yea Verizon sucks. S3 and s5 both eventually were unlocked and stayed that eay
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Click to collapse
I completely agree. The first S4 was released with the MDK bootloader. Loki was the exploit. That device lived to see both an AOSP 7.1 and OptimizedCM 14.1. The first OTA they pushed blocked it and many were quite upset. A new method was never discovered. Not sure if Big Red still uses the same "excuse" as back then but they claimed they were protecting network security. Blow that smoke up someone else's ***. I'm not so easily suckered.

FernBch said:
I completely agree. The first S4 was released with the MDK bootloader. Loki was the exploit. That device lived to see both an AOSP 7.1 and OptimizedCM 14.1. The first OTA they pushed blocked it and many were quite upset. A new method was never discovered. Not sure if Big Red still uses the same "excuse" as back then but they claimed they were protecting network security. Blow that smoke up someone else's ***. I'm not so easily suckered.
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Click to collapse
Yup and now I'm stuck with them unless I wanna give up unlimited data

aholeinthewor1d said:
Yup and now I'm stuck with them unless I wanna give up unlimited data
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Click to collapse
You could always return that and buy a pixel from Google, you could still use it on Verizon and i would think still keep your plan.
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

jreink01 said:
You could always return that and buy a pixel from Google, you could still use it on Verizon and i would think still keep your plan.
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Click to collapse
I already unlocked my bootloader so I'm good thankfully. Just in general I am sick of Verizon cause most of the time we can't unlock bootloader. Got lucky with the pixel for a little. Sucks for new people getting it though who can't unlock

aholeinthewor1d said:
I already unlocked my bootloader so I'm good thankfully. Just in general I am sick of Verizon cause most of the time we can't unlock bootloader. Got lucky with the pixel for a little. Sucks for new people getting it though who can't unlock
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OK, with that being said, your probably out of luck on rooting then. Was just providing another possible option.
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

jreink01 said:
OK, with that being said, your probably out of luck on rooting then. Was just providing another possible option.
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Click to collapse
Not sure what you are talking about. I have a Verizon pixel with unlocked bootloader and I am rooted. I was just stating that on general I hate Verizon because they require bootloaders to be locked. We got lucky with the pixel because there was an exploit found to unlock it..Which is how I was able to unlock mine.
Now that the recent update patched the exploit it sucks for other people getting Verizon pixels cause once they ship with the update they will not be able to unlock bootloader

aholeinthewor1d said:
Not sure what you are talking about. I have a Verizon pixel with unlocked bootloader and I am rooted. I was just stating that on general I hate Verizon because they require bootloaders to be locked. We got lucky with the pixel because there was an exploit found to unlock it..Which is how I was able to unlock mine.
Now that the recent update patched the exploit it sucks for other people getting Verizon pixels cause once they ship with the update they will not be able to unlock bootloader
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's not the only things that sucks for those still waiting and wanting to unlock. I am hearing of clerks in the store activating them before giving it to the customer. They are buying an unlocked device and being given a locked device.

FernBch said:
That's not the only things that sucks for those still waiting and wanting to unlock. I am hearing of clerks in the store activating them before giving it to the customer. They are buying an unlocked device and being given a locked device.
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Click to collapse
Well that's normal procedure for any carrier. You get a phone they open it and try to activate and test. You just have to say "WAIT" and explain that you have to change a setting before activating. Then take sim out and skip everything and turn off auto updates in developer options. Use your best judgement based on the rep you are dealing with. With best buy before even going there to exchange my pixel.. I thankfully got someone who did the same tinkering I did with phone so I was honest with him and I got him to exchange my phone straight out.. without having to do the whole return thing with verizom and mess up my plan. I also examined why I had to take the SIM out and not active and he was cool with it. I walked in and have him my box and he gave me another and that was it haha.
But dealing with verizon you could simple say you heard the update causes issues so you wanna test without it first.. if they say no then argue. They may be required to activate but they definitely don't have any kind of policy that says you can't skip activation during setup and do it right after.

FernBch said:
That's not the only things that sucks for those still waiting and wanting to unlock. I am hearing of clerks in the store activating them before giving it to the customer. They are buying an unlocked device and being given a locked device.
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Click to collapse
It depends on whether or not you're dealing with a knowledgeable Verizon Corporate Store associate (I don't deal with authorized resellers.) He does not have to open the box to activate the phone. He's required to record the IMEI and the SIM IDs, but those values are printed on the box for the last 2 years. The majority of the time, I walk out with still-shrinkwrapped phones. (Obviously, that doesn't guarantee that that particular phone still has an unlockable firmware.)
---------- Post added at 12:38 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:35 PM ----------
aholeinthewor1d said:
Well that's normal procedure for any carrier. You get a phone they open it and try to activate and test. You just have to say "WAIT" and explain that you have to change a setting before activating. Then take sim out and skip everything and turn off auto updates in developer options. Use your best judgement based on the rep you are dealing with. With best buy before even going there to exchange my pixel.. I thankfully got someone who did the same tinkering I did with phone so I was honest with him and I got him to exchange my phone straight out.. without having to do the whole return thing with verizom and mess up my plan. I also examined why I had to take the SIM out and not active and he was cool with it. I walked in and have him my box and he gave me another and that was it haha.
But dealing with verizon you could simple say you heard the update causes issues so you wanna test without it first.. if they say no then argue. They may be required to activate but they definitely don't have any kind of policy that says you can't skip activation during setup and do it right after.
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Click to collapse
^^^^
He is dead on. You can simply say "I don't want it unwrapped."

quangtran1 said:
It depends on whether or not you're dealing with a knowledgeable Verizon Corporate Store associate (I don't deal with authorized resellers.) He does not have to open the box to activate the phone. He's required to record the IMEI and the SIM IDs, but those values are printed on the box for the last 2 years. The majority of the time, I walk out with still-shrinkwrapped phones. (Obviously, that doesn't guarantee that that particular phone still has an unlockable firmware.)
---------- Post added at 12:38 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:35 PM ----------
^^^^
He is dead on. You can simply say "I don't want it unwrapped."
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Click to collapse
True, but that is what they are doing. I've been on VZW for years. When I got mine they opened the package and went to insert the SIM and I told them to stop. They said "We have to make sure it activates before you leave the store". I said "No you don't, If you place a SIM in and activate it the deal and sale is off". Long story short I left with a device that did not get powered on. And this was at the VZW store, not a reseller.

I was told at the Verizon store when I got mine, as long as you go to the big corporate store they don't have to set it up, but If you go to the little retail ones they do. I put my sim card in. Had absolutely no problem. I just didn't click on the 7.1.1 update. it didn't automatically update while I set it up. I got home and unlocked. What worries me the most is me going and breaking this thing and getting another one past 7.11, I really wish I would have gone through Google.

mac796 said:
I was told at the Verizon store when I got mine, as long as you go to the big corporate store they don't have to set it up, but If you go to the little retail ones they do. I put my sim card in. Had absolutely no problem. I just didn't click on the 7.1.1 update. it didn't automatically update while I set it up. I got home and unlocked. What worries me the most is me going and breaking this thing and getting another one past 7.11, I really wish I would have gone through Google.
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Click to collapse
Yup that's my fear to. If I ever have an issue and need a replacement I'm screwed.

mac796 said:
I was told at the Verizon store when I got mine, as long as you go to the big corporate store they don't have to set it up, but If you go to the little retail ones they do. I put my sim card in. Had absolutely no problem. I just didn't click on the 7.1.1 update. it didn't automatically update while I set it up. I got home and unlocked. What worries me the most is me going and breaking this thing and getting another one past 7.11, I really wish I would have gone through Google.
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Click to collapse
aholeinthewor1d said:
Yup that's my fear to. If I ever have an issue and need a replacement I'm screwed.
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Click to collapse
I should have bought from Google, too. Since I didn't the first thing I bought after getting the phone was the Defender case. Third device I've bought that case for and it hasn't let me down yet.

aholeinthewor1d said:
Not sure what you are talking about. I have a Verizon pixel with unlocked bootloader and I am rooted. I was just stating that on general I hate Verizon because they require bootloaders to be locked. We got lucky with the pixel because there was an exploit found to unlock it..Which is how I was able to unlock mine.
Now that the recent update patched the exploit it sucks for other people getting Verizon pixels cause once they ship with the update they will not be able to unlock bootloader
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is pretty easy... Just buy your phone from Google. Verizon has nothing to do with it, be an adult and buy what you want.
Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Google Store model screwed by Verizon update?

Hey folks! This forum has helped me so much in the past, but this is my first time posting here.
I had been using a Verizon Pixel since November with PN without any issues up until last week when the phone had an audio hardware failure and I had to RMA the device. I decided to process the RMA through Google directly, rather than risk ending up with a Verizon version of the phone with a locked down bootloader. After about a week of waiting, my replacement unit arrived today in the mail. The phone came with software version NOF26V, which is a non-Verizon build and should be unlockable.
I inserted my Verizon SIM card (poor choice) before booting it up without realizing that this would put it on the Verizon update path. I was trying to unlock my bootloader first thing, but after restarting the phone it automatically updated to NHG47O without any prompt or anything - WTF! So now I'm on a friggin Verizon build with a locked bootloader. Did I just ruin this thing? Is there any way to revert from NHG47O to the factory image? Does this phone now have a permanently locked bootloader?
Any suggestions? I wonder if Google would be willing to send me another one even though this was obviously my own fault....

That's not the way the way it works. The software version does not lock it. The IMEI is in a database that the phone talks to and gets permission to unlock. Your phone was already on a newer version....it would not have unlocked.
Google sent you a phone tagged as a VZ phone.... unlockable. That is what they do if you send them a VZ phone. Not always, sometimes they send a google phone. But not often.
And yes, you are permanently locked. There is no going back.

Hey TonikJDK, thanks for the response.
I'm sorry, but I'm not sure I understand what you're saying. First you say
TonikJDK said:
Your phone was already on a newer version....it would not have unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then you say
TonikJDK said:
Google sent you a phone tagged as a VZ phone.... unlockable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To be clear - I spoke with a Google Rep about receiving a replacement phone from Google specifically because I wanted to have an unlockable bootloader and I was assured that my replacement would be unlockable. I am trying to understand but it seems to me that the quotes above contradict each other. Are you saying that I wouldn't have been able to unlock the device even if I hadn't accidentally installed the VZ update?

To be clear. You bought a Verizon device with the understanding it has a locked bootloader. That's what you got. If you don't like it, sell it. If you BUY a Google phone it's unlocked. Not if you get one thru replacement for your Verizon device. It's really that simple.
Sent from my Pixel using XDA-Developers Legacy app

CapriciousCrawdad said:
Hey TonikJDK, thanks for the response.
I'm sorry, but I'm not sure I understand what you're saying. First you say
Then you say
To be clear - I spoke with a Google Rep about receiving a replacement phone from Google specifically because I wanted to have an unlockable bootloader and I was assured that my replacement would be unlockable. I am trying to understand but it seems to me that the quotes above contradict each other. Are you saying that I wouldn't have been able to unlock the device even if I hadn't accidentally installed the VZ update?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The statements do not contradict each other.
Google shipped you a Verizon phone with NOF26V on it. That is 7.1.1, you would not have been able to unlock it even if you tried before it updated. If it had 7.1 on it, yes the old depixel8 method would have worked.

Alright, sorry for the misunderstanding and thank you for clarifying. I get it now. The phone would've only been unlockable via depixel8 on 7.1 (because it's a VZ model) and since it shipped with 7.1.1 I was SOL from the start.
Either Google support didn't understand what I was asking or they outright lied to me about my replacement being unlockable. I am sad.
In any case, I appreciate your help. Thanks for your patience.

Happy to help. I think Google is honest, the rep screwed up.

Unlocked versus Verizon

Is there actually a difference in the VZW version if you buy it in the store and put a Tmobile sim in it?

km8j said:
Is there actually a difference in the VZW version if you buy it in the store and put a Tmobile sim in it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nothing other than you can't unlock the bootloader.
Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

And Can You Buy A Phone From VZW without service?

km8j said:
And Can You Buy A Phone From VZW without service?
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Click to collapse
Some stores yes and online no.
Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

So, this might be a silly question, but how do we know whether our phone is Verizon or Unlocked? I bought from Target for my Verizon account. The box doesn't have any Verizon label,, neither does the phone. Also, there is a refreshing lack of bloatware versus other Verizon phones. I know it's probably something obvious, but I just can't figure out which one Target sells.

btonetbone said:
So, this might be a silly question, but how do we know whether our phone is Verizon or Unlocked? I bought from Target for my Verizon account. The box doesn't have any Verizon label,, neither does the phone. Also, there is a refreshing lack of bloatware versus other Verizon phones. I know it's probably something obvious, but I just can't figure out which one Target sells.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If it is blue 100% Verizon version as that's exclusive. If your phone had a Verizon sim already inside then it's a Verizon version and bootloader can't be unlocked. Rumor has it but not confirmed from what I have seen even if you had an unlocked version and put a Verizon sim it wouldn't let you unlock the bootloader.
Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

Tidbits said:
If it is blue 100% Verizon version as that's exclusive. If your phone had a Verizon sim already inside then it's a Verizon version and bootloader can't be unlocked. Rumor has it but not confirmed from what I have seen even if you had an unlocked version and put a Verizon sim it wouldn't let you unlock the bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Phone is black, but I think it had a SIM preinstalled. Sounds like it is likely a Verizon device. I'll still give the unlock process a chance tomorrow when I get to my computer. Fingers crossed.

btonetbone said:
Phone is black, but I think it had a SIM preinstalled. Sounds like it is likely a Verizon device. I'll still give the unlock process a chance tomorrow when I get to my computer. Fingers crossed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just unlock developer mode and go in there and see if you can toggle the OEM unlock(you need to have this toggled or you can't fastboot unlock).
If it had a sim installed then it is a Verizon versions and that toggle will be greyed out.
Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

Tidbits said:
Just unlock developer mode and go in there and see if you can toggle the OEM unlock(you need to have this toggled or you can't fastboot unlock).
If it had a sim installed then it is a Verizon versions and that toggle will be greyed out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, it's greyed out. But didn't I read somewhere in this forum that some unlocked phones had it greyed out as well until some firmware update came through and they did a factory reset? I could have dreamed that, though.

btonetbone said:
Yeah, it's greyed out. But didn't I read somewhere in this forum that some unlocked phones had it greyed out as well until some firmware update came through and they did a factory reset? I could have dreamed that, though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That was an error but if you had a sim that = Verizon which means no unlock.
Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

Tidbits said:
... Rumor has it but not confirmed from what I have seen even if you had an unlocked version and put a Verizon sim it wouldn't let you unlock the bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google search on this, and this thread came up.
Adding my (recent) experience:
Bought unlocked from Google.
During setup, phone asks you to put in sim.
Put in Vzw SIM and continued setup.
Saw it try to install 3 VZW apps. Cancelled (repeatedly!) their installation. My Verizon, VZW's Messages (messenger?), and a go90 app that streams junk.
Phone worked (works) on VZW.
Then got Google Project Fi working, sans SIM (eSIM in these phones). On side note, used 2nd Google account (Fi rep claimed phone would have to be setup originally with account for Fi - not from my experience).
Just checked, and...
Bootloader is unlockable.

OEM Unlocking grayed out

Purchased from Google unlocked.
Running .30 version.
When I initially received the device I pulled the SIM from my OG pixel 1 and inserted and booted the 3. Set it up (running on AT&T) and used it. This morning I decided to root for theming only to notice it was grayed out. First thought was to factory reset and reboot with no SIM inserted. Did that. Still gray.
Am I missing something new?

mostyle said:
Purchased from Google unlocked.
Running .30 version.
When I initially received the device I pulled the SIM from my OG pixel 1 and inserted and booted the 3. Set it up (running on AT&T) and used it. This morning I decided to root for theming only to notice it was grayed out. First thought was to factory reset and reboot with no SIM inserted. Did that. Still gray.
Am I missing something new?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you sure you received the google version phone and not the Verizon one? Did you notice if it was grayed out before you inserted your sim?

Badger50 said:
Are you sure you received the google version phone and not the Verizon one? Did you notice if it was grayed out before you inserted your sim?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wouldn't the fact that it takes my AT&T SIM mean it is the unlocked variant?
To answer though... I did not notice.
UPDATE: Called Google. The tier 1 guy said, "Per our engineering documentation this option is designated as disabled on the pixel 3 line."
I have requested an RMA even though I hope he was wrong and that someone can enlighten me before I send it back.

mostyle said:
Wouldn't the fact that it takes my AT&T SIM mean it is the unlocked variant?
To answer though... I did not notice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sim unlocked yes. But not bootloader unlockable. I'm guessing you have the Verizon variant.

Badger50 said:
Sim unlocked yes. But not bootloader unlockable. I'm guessing you have the Verizon variant.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When my RMA is completed how will I specify that I don't want the Verizon variant?
As I'm sure you already know the store offers only three options and I verified that I chose the 'unlocked' option. Anything I can do to get what I need should I decide to reorder?
Also the store says the verizon variant comes with a SIM card which was not included in my packaging.
I'm really steamed at the moment... I do thank you for replying.

mostyle said:
When my RMA is completed how will I specify that I don't want the Verizon variant?
As I'm sure you already know the store offers only three options and I verified that I chose the 'unlocked' option. Anything I can do to get what I need should I decide to reorder?
Also the store says the verizon variant comes with a SIM card which was not included in my packaging.
I'm really steamed at the moment... I do thank you for replying.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Again my friend, I'm just guessing. It could also be possible that from what I've read, the P3's were initially sim locked to Verizon only, even if you ordered the google version. It could be possible that when you installed your at&t sim, it locked the bootloader. Again, I'm just guessing.

Badger50 said:
Again my friend, I'm just guessing. It could also be possible that from what I've read, the P3's were initially sim locked to Verizon only, even if you ordered the google version. It could be possible that when you installed your at&t sim, it locked the bootloader. Again, I'm just guessing.
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Click to collapse
Sure... I get that. I have been approved for an advanced RMA. Wasn't trying to seem harsh. The rep that gave me the advanced RMA did say that it SHOULD allow toggle. I'll be sure to attempt bootloader adjustments before inserting a SIM this round.

I don't think the Google version was sim locked to Verizon. That doesn't make sense at all. The device needs to connect to the internet in order for the switch to become active from what I understand. So if you don't put a sim in then you will need to connect to wifi. Something is amiss or we're not getting the full picture. Why would a Google bought Pixel anything not allow bootloader unlock? Even if you put in a Verizon sim it should still be active.

bobby janow said:
I don't think the Google version was sim locked to Verizon. That doesn't make sense at all. The device needs to connect to the internet in order for the switch to become active from what I understand. So if you don't put a sim in then you will need to connect to wifi. Something is amiss or we're not getting the full picture. Why would a Google bought Pixel anything not allow bootloader unlock? Even if you put in a Verizon sim it should still be active.
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My thoughts exactly. The grayed out switch does say 'connect to the internet or contact your carrier' below the toggle. All while there's an LTE signal indicator on the status bar. I'm perplexed, truly. This isn't my first Android rodeo and I've never encountered this before.

I bought mine through Project Fi. I tried to unlock the boot loader first thing but the OEM unlock was greyed out. I had to activate the phone on the Project Fi Network before OEM unlock became available (I used the eSim). I wonder if they've linked the OEM unlocking switch to the network activation somehow. Has anyone bought a Network unlocked Pixel 3 from the Google Store, stuck a Verizon simcard in it, and then tried to unlock the bootloader?

karthakon said:
I bought mine through Project Fi. I tried to unlock the boot loader first thing but the OEM unlock was greyed out. I had to activate the phone on the Project Fi Network before OEM unlock became available (I used the eSim). I wonder if they've linked the OEM unlocking switch to the network activation somehow. Has anyone bought a Network unlocked Pixel 3 from the Google Store, stuck a Verizon simcard in it, and then tried to unlock the bootloader?
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Thought of this, but don' have access to a Verizon sim card.

karthakon said:
I bought mine through Project Fi. I tried to unlock the boot loader first thing but the OEM unlock was greyed out. I had to activate the phone on the Project Fi Network before OEM unlock became available (I used the eSim). I wonder if they've linked the OEM unlocking switch to the network activation somehow. Has anyone bought a Network unlocked Pixel 3 from the Google Store, stuck a Verizon simcard in it, and then tried to unlock the bootloader?
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Click to collapse
I unlocked mine with a Verizon Sim in it. No problems at all. I also did the same with 3 different pixel 2's when the pixel 2 was first released. Again, not one problem with any of them. I see a lot of talk about the unlock possibly being tied to the SIM. It isn't. I know first hand.

I bought my 3xl carrier unlocked from Google. I inserted a vzw sim and activated my phone. After all that I tried to oem unlock and it is greyed out. My phone is running build PD1A.180720.31 and as far as I know it is the vzw build. Tried factory reset several times and still greyed out. Also tried sideloading .30 but it didn't work. Any help would be appreciated.

i bought the unlocked pixel 3 from google on launch, i was able to unlock the bootloader and flash images with no issue. I didnt have my verizon sim in it tho

.31 is the verizon variant.
.30 should be the unlocked variant.
I'm on the phone now... For a third time trying to get an RMA issued. Google support is horrific.
Issued me 2 RMA requests that had a link that was already used.

I was on the phone with them this afternoon and they are sending me a new phone. Hopefully it will be the .30

TommyB322 said:
I was on the phone with them this afternoon and they are sending me a new phone. Hopefully, it will be the .30
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That's the scary thing for me. Mine is .30 and I was able to factory reset today and try a TMO SIM with the same result.
I processed my advance RMA today as well so we'll see.

mostyle said:
That's the scary thing for me. Mine is .30 and I was able to factory reset today and try a TMO SIM with the same result.
I processed my advance RMA today as well so we'll see.
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Interesting. On a side note 2 vzw apps showed up randomly in my app drawer. I was able to uninstall them but they weren't there before. One was messenger and the other I think was My Verizon.

TommyB322 said:
Interesting. On a side note 2 vzw apps showed up randomly in my app drawer. I was able to uninstall them but they weren't there before. One was messenger and the other I think was My Verizon.
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Those got installed when you inserted the VZ SIM.
For those of you getting RMAs best of luck. Their RMA department is a mess, they are not shipping anything. Some of us have RMAs open since day one. There is thread here on it, and a pretty big one on Reddit.

mostyle said:
.31 is the verizon variant.
.30 should be the unlocked variant.
I'm on the phone now... For a third time trying to get an RMA issued. Google support is horrific.
Issued me 2 RMA requests that had a link that was already used.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think this is right. I bought the unlocked variant from Verizon & unlocked the bootloader no problem.
Build number .031