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Verizon Moto G Unlock Bootloader / Root?

Does anyone know if the Verizon version of the Moto G can be easily unlocked and rooted like the GSM version? Knowing Verizon's track record with locked down devices I wouldn't be surprised if it can't be unlocked. I'm thinking about buying one as a wifi/media device for my car, but I'd also like to play around with dev on it so a non-unlockable bootloader would be a deal breaker.

detonation said:
Does anyone know if the Verizon version of the Moto G can be easily unlocked and rooted like the GSM version? Knowing Verizon's track record with locking down devices I wouldn't be surprised if it is locked. I'm thinking about buying one as a wifi/media device for my car, but I'd also like to play around with dev on it so a locked bootloader would be a deal breaker.
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Just to be clear, *all* Moto Gs (GSM) ship with locked bootloaders, even if you buy one that is factory SIM-unlocked, but Motorola offers a way to unlock the bootloader on the phone (for free) via their web site after you register it and request an unlock code. In the U.S., doing so voids your hardware warranty.
So the question isn't whether or not the Verizon model will have a locked bootloader or not. It surely will, as they all do. The question is whether Motorola's on-line bootloader unlocker will work with Verizon-branded CDMA model or not. And at this point, given that it hasn't been released yet and nobody has one, how is anybody supposed to answer that question?
-- Nathan

nlra said:
Just to be clear, *all* Moto Gs (GSM) ship with locked bootloaders, even if you buy one that is factory SIM-unlocked, but Motorola offers a way to unlock the bootloader on the phone (for free) via their web site after you register it and request an unlock code. In the U.S., doing so voids your hardware warranty.
So the question isn't whether or not the Verizon model will have a locked bootloader or not. It surely will, as they all do. The question is whether Motorola's on-line bootloader unlocker will work with Verizon-branded CDMA model or not. And at this point, given that it hasn't been released yet and nobody has one, how is anybody supposed to answer that question?
-- Nathan
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It's actually available in some Best Buys right now and I think I've seen a few people say they've picked one up. I also updated the OP to use the right terminology though I'm sure everyone knew what I meant anyway.

detonation said:
It's actually available in some Best Buys right now and I think I've seen a few people say they've picked one up. I also updated the OP to use the right terminology though I'm sure everyone knew what I meant anyway.
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I was able to purchase one last night at my local Best Buy after proving to them that they were in fact somewhere in the store, and waiting for them to call their Verizon rep, I just attempted the bootloader unlock on the Motorola Developer (official bootloader unlock) and I can confirm that it is not eligible for unlock at this time. Huge letdown for me as I was gonna get one for myself soon, but the wife won't really care about it being unlocked so for her it's still a good deal.

I purchased the moto G today and it says it is not eligible for bootloader unlock.
I was able to get past the activation screen and not activate it.
Every time I turn the phone on it does ask for activation. Wish I could get rid of this...
Anybody have a way to unlock the bootloader on the Verizon version?

I am waiting for unlock and root for VZW version too before I get it

Moto-G bootloader...
I was fat and happy to buy a pair of these when they became available in my area, but not being able to unlock the bootloader, and also not able to obtain the code from Circle-M, has forced us to begin looking at other devices, and forget the 'G'.
Too bad, I was really looking forward to expanding its horizons, but not if the game is to maintain a lock on my own device, no thank you!

Moto G 》VZW 》Get past the activation screen
MustangChris04 said:
I purchased the moto G today and it says it is not eligible for bootloader unlock.
I was able to get past the activation screen and not activate it.
Every time I turn the phone on it does ask for activation. Wish I could get rid of this...
Anybody have a way to unlock the bootloader on the Verizon version?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How did get past the activation screen? Trying to use the moto g as a wifi/media only device. TIA

I got the US CDMA version for BoostMobile & had it unlocked 'n rooted w/in minutes of unboxing yesterday.
You sure you're entering the serial # correctly?
(I didn't take out all of the spaces the first time and got denied, then fixed it & unlocked)
Good luck!

kr338r said:
I got the US CDMA version for BoostMobile & had it unlocked 'n rooted w/in minutes of unboxing yesterday.
You sure you're entering the serial # correctly?
(I didn't take out all of the spaces the first time and got denied, then fixed it & unlocked)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought BoostMobile runs on Sprint's network?

there is no boost version that I'm aware of..
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

motrinHD said:
there is no boost version that I'm aware of..
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Click to collapse
Wait, but there is more...
http://www.hsn.com/products/motorola-moto-g-45-quad-core-no-contract-smartphone/7347964

So I'm very seriously thinking of getting one
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

So this may be a dumb question, but would it be possible to unlock the bootloader of a Boost Moto G and flash it to Verizon?

S_transform said:
So this may be a dumb question, but would it be possible to unlock the bootloader of a Boost Moto G and flash it to Verizon?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe you can't flash a Boost CDMA phone and use it on Verizon (and vice versa): CDMA phones don't have SIM card to identify carriers; instead the carriers keep a database of admissable IMEI. Boost IMEI obviously not on Verizon's database, in which case you are stuck.
(Feel free to correct me, but please hold your flame )

kr338r said:
I got the US CDMA version for BoostMobile & had it unlocked 'n rooted w/in minutes of unboxing yesterday.
You sure you're entering the serial # correctly?
(I didn't take out all of the spaces the first time and got denied, then fixed it & unlocked)
Good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can anyone with the Verizon version confirm that this works?

Just attempted to on a VZW MotoG with no success.

Well thats a bummer. I tried to unlock it but seem to have problems with the fastboot drivers on my pc. Ill mess with it a little bit later and post the results.

koebrah said:
How did get past the activation screen? Trying to use the moto g as a wifi/media only device. TIA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have to activate it and get a phone number to get past that screen. You dont have to pay anything, just select "pay later" both time it asks you. It'll give you a number and then you can connect to wifi to do the rest of the steps.
Altering the setup app in any way thereafter reboots the phone, so you'll always have the activate app in your drawer. Thanks, Verizon.

Verizon is ONE BIG PILE Horse-Chit.. I hate that company with a passion...
So I moved my Family to T-Mo and bought 2 Nexus 5's and 2 Moto G's!
I will NEVER-EVER go back to Verizon... EVER!
They are the most archaic, backward and Xpensive carrier in North America
Pleas do yourself a favor and leave that - HORRIBLE effin COMPANY
P.S. I REPEAT - I will NEVER-EVER go back to Verizon... EVER
Visit this site and read the horror stories: http://verizarape.com/

Buying Google Pixel VZW off eBay

Hi!
Thanks to VZW deals on Google Pixel, eBay is currently full of listing for brand new Pixels for less that $600. Most sellers claim phones to be factory sealed.
Question is: Can I buy this never opened Pixel and successfully activate and use overseas?
Thanks for your wisdom!

bige93 said:
Hi!
Thanks to VZW deals on Google Pixel, eBay is currently full of listing for brand new Pixels for less that $600. Most sellers claim phones to be factory sealed.
Question is: Can I buy this never opened Pixel and successfully activate and use overseas?
Thanks for your wisdom!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't receive my Pixel yet, but I bought an unlocked device from google's website. I did talk to a seller on eBay who has many Verizon Pixel phones and he claim that they are unlocked. Another thing he mentioned that these phones may have Verizon's bloatware apps. So if phone you are trying to purchase is unlocked, then it should work, but check the GSM bands if they are compatible with your carrier.

All Pixel phones are unlocked (we're not talking bootloader unlocked) no matter where you get it from. But good point in checking GSM bands to see if it's compatible in your country and carrier. As for bloatware there are only 2 apps from VZW and you can delete them easily.

So, no need for first activation with vzw SIM or something like that?

bige93 said:
So, no need for first activation with vzw SIM or something like that?
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Click to collapse
No need. Just take it out if the box and put your sim in. I bought mine from best buy and it's technically for Verizon but I just took out the Verizon sim that was in it, put my T-Mobile sim in and booted it up.
If you plan on using it overseas I suggest you unlock the bootloader and flash the international system images.

Just want Kinda Blue Pixel 2. Do I have to care if it's on Verizon? (not using in US)

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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.

Carrier Unlocked vs. Verizon model?

When I purchased my Nexus 6P several years ago, I just swapped my Verizon SIM out of my Note 4 and went on my merry way. My Dad asked for a phone recommendation and I recommended the Pixel 2, thinking it would work the same way. Now I discover there's a carrier-unlocked version and a Verizon version. I don't want the Verizon bloatware on his phone and would rather not have to begin by deleting a bunch of apps (if Verizon will actually allow me to uninstall any apps [they love to install bloatware as system apps])as I'm the first step in his tech support hierarchy. I doubt I'll root his phone but I definitely don't want to have a locked bootloader which seems to be the Verizon standard.
If I get him the carrier-unlocked version and put his Verizon SIM card in, will it work on Evil Red's, I mean Big Red's network? I couldn't find any radio differentiation on Google's tech specs page.
Thank you for any information you can provide me.

Narsil007 said:
When I purchased my Nexus 6P several years ago, I just swapped my Verizon SIM out of my Note 4 and went on my merry way. My Dad asked for a phone recommendation and I recommended the Pixel 2, thinking it would work the same way. Now I discover there's a carrier-unlocked version and a Verizon version. I don't want the Verizon bloatware on his phone and would rather not have to begin by deleting a bunch of apps (if Verizon will actually allow me to uninstall any apps [they love to install bloatware as system apps])as I'm the first step in his tech support hierarchy. I doubt I'll root his phone but I definitely don't want to have a locked bootloader which seems to be the Verizon standard.
If I get him the carrier-unlocked version and put his Verizon SIM card in, will it work on Evil Red's, I mean Big Red's network? I couldn't find any radio differentiation on Google's tech specs page.
Thank you for any information you can provide me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It'll work they are all the same. Just don't put the sim in until after the setup process. From my understanding if you get the one from Verizon it will not install Verizon apps if you setup the phone without a sim in it. However you couldn't unlock the bootloader(there's a hack for it I believe).

Verizon installs the MyVerizon and go90 apps from the play store after setup if you have a vzw sim in it which can both be uninstalled. (Google store version does this too)
Only difference in versions is the verizon branded model comes with a sim in it and oem unlock is greyed out

Thank you! I've ordered the Carrier-Unlocked model from the Play Store for him and will set it up for him when it arrives.

I like the blue version, but it seems that Verizon model has it and not the carrier unlocked version. So the question is, if I will pick Verizon from google store, will the unit come carrier unlocked or it will be locked to Verizon?

Charkatak said:
I like the blue version, but it seems that Verizon model has it and not the carrier unlocked version. So the question is, if I will pick Verizon from google store, will the unit come carrier unlocked or it will be locked to Verizon?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's carrier unlocked they all are. The only thing you can't unlock is the bootloader.
Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

Tidbits said:
It's carrier unlocked they all are. The only thing you can't unlock is the bootloader.
Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh, that isn't an issue for me. All I need the phone to be sim unlocked. I have heard that original pixel phone which was purchased form Verizon had also bootloader locked. What some users did, was that when they bought the phone new, removed Verizon sim, then turned of phone without the sim card and went through the set up. After that they were able to toggle OEM unlock. I don't know if it is the same for Pixel 2 phones.

Charkatak said:
Oh, that isn't an issue for me. All I need the phone to be sim unlocked. I have heard that original pixel phone which was purchased form Verizon had also bootloader locked. What some users did, was that when they bought the phone new, removed Verizon sim, then turned of phone without the sim card and went through the set up. After that they were able to toggle OEM unlock. I don't know if it is the same for Pixel 2 phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From this point around it Sims that was fixed. You won't get the apps but the bootloader stays unlockable.
Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

Distiguishing Branding

Hello all,
I have been considering picking up a Pixel 3, the problem is I live in China. It means I cannot buy it from google directly. There are several places selling it online here in China, problem is I don't want to get stuck with the Verizon variant. Is there any way, other than actually looking at the phone information in settings, to tell which version it is? Does the Verizon variant have a Verizon logo on it or something similar?
Thanks

There is no Verizon logo or branding that is different. Unsure if there is any other easy way to check other than having the device and trying to unlock the bootloader. Verizon models have the option disabled.

wangdaning said:
Hello all,
I have been considering picking up a Pixel 3, the problem is I live in China. It means I cannot buy it from google directly. There are several places selling it online here in China, problem is I don't want to get stuck with the Verizon variant. Is there any way, other than actually looking at the phone information in settings, to tell which version it is? Does the Verizon variant have a Verizon logo on it or something similar?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe you can look @ the built in settings.. use Google to search for verizon built number or Google built number.
https://www.verizonwireless.com/support/knowledge-base-219960/
If you have the phone in a box ususally a verizon built has 5 barcode stickers on the box, and Google only 4.
Another thing you can do is to look @ SKU on the box my phone is from google and it has GA00457-DE built.(DE means built for Germany).
The verizon google pixel has no branding at all and it's looking similar to the google pixel 3

Thanks for the responses, looks like I will just have to buy it and if it is a verizon version just send it back to the seller and complain. Will make sure if I buy it I get it from a place that accepts the return.