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Unlock bootloader - EE

hello,
I'm due to take delivery of my Pixel from EE. Is it true that the booloader cannot be unlocked via normal fastboot oem unlock? Are there any other EE user that confirm?
thanks

EggZenBeanz said:
hello,
I'm due to take delivery of my Pixel from EE. Is it true that the booloader cannot be unlocked via normal fastboot oem unlock? Are there any other EE user that confirm?
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Depends on the software version. See this thread
https://forum.xda-developers.com/pixel/help/google-pixel-7-1-1-ee-model-bootloader-t3548611

vkh2k1 said:
Depends on the software version. See this thread
https://forum.xda-developers.com/pixel/help/google-pixel-7-1-1-ee-model-bootloader-t3548611
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Interesting, thanks! Let's hope it's one from the back of the warehouse then

EggZenBeanz said:
Interesting, thanks! Let's hope it's one from the back of the warehouse then
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I've received 2 phones direct from EE (1 replacement arrived last week) , and both were on 7.1 out of the box. So there's hope for you being able to unlock the bootlader. Just make sure you skip Wi-Fi setup during the installation process, or turn off automatic updates within Developer options to avoid updating to 7.1.1.
Then use Depixel8 to unlock the bootlader.
http://theroot.ninja/depixel8.html

Thanks for letting me know. Worst case I'll swap it and go with o2. Coming from a oneplus3 it's disappointing to be back with development unfriendly devices

EggZenBeanz said:
Thanks for letting me know. Worst case I'll swap it and go with o2. Coming from a oneplus3 it's disappointing to be back with development unfriendly devices
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I pulled my sim out of my Verizon model before I turned it on to stop any updates along with skipping wifi setup before I unlocked the bootloader. Thankfully mine was on 7.1. Unlocking was one of the first things I did. After that you can upgrade without locking it back up.

EggZenBeanz said:
Thanks for letting me know. Worst case I'll swap it and go with o2. Coming from a oneplus3 it's disappointing to be back with development unfriendly devices
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As mentioned, don't put a sim in it and skip wifi setup until you get it unlocked. They download the update quickly....And it installs in the background and if that happens you are done.
You will be fine.

There is about 3 threads a week asking the same exact question..
After posting this I just saw the same exact one right under this one.

Guess it must be a popular question.
Sent from my ONEPLUS A3003 using Tapatalk

Verizon Pixel XL - unlocking bootloader on Oreo

Hi,
I have Oreo on Pixel XL, and was wondering if there's any way to unlock the bootloader with dePixel8 or otherwise so I can install TWRP/root?
Thanks!

No

I was given the phone from a family member. I'm assuming it was Verizon, but I use it on Sprint now. Under developer options, OEM unlocking is greyed out, and it says to go online or talk to carrier.
Surely there's a way to root this phone?

H0wdy said:
I was given the phone from a family member. I'm assuming it was Verizon, but I use it on Sprint now. Under developer options, OEM unlocking is greyed out, and it says to go online or talk to carrier.
Surely there's a way to root this phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If it's a Verizon phone (sounds like it is), no. There is currently no way to root. If it's a Google phone, it can be done. However, for the option in developer options to not be greyed out, you need to be connected to the internet one way or another. If you are connected and it's still greyed out, it's almost certain that it's a Verizon phone.

robocuff said:
If it's a Verizon phone (sounds like it is), no. There is currently no way to root. If it's a Google phone, it can be done. However, for the option in developer options to not be greyed out, you need to be connected to the internet one way or another. If you are connected and it's still greyed out, it's almost certain that it's a Verizon phone.
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Click to collapse
Robocuff,
Thank you. That seems to be my situation, but I was wondering why this isn't an option?
https://www.xda-developers.com/verizon-pixelpixel-xl-bootloader-unlock-has-been-released/
Does it no longer work? I understand it probably doesn't, but I didn't know if there was another way.

H0wdy said:
Robocuff,
Thank you. That seems to be my situation, but I was wondering why this isn't an option?
https://www.xda-developers.com/verizon-pixelpixel-xl-bootloader-unlock-has-been-released/
Does it no longer work? I understand it probably doesn't, but I didn't know if there was another way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
dePixel8 doesn't work anymore. It only worked for a couple months. Google patched the hole that dePixel8 exploited in the December security update. So, any Verizon phone that was updated in December or anytime after and wasn't all ready unlocked, became unlockable after that.

robocuff said:
dePixel8 doesn't work anymore. It only worked for a couple months. Google patched the hole that dePixel8 exploited in the December security update. So, any Verizon phone that was updated in December or anytime after and wasn't all ready unlocked, became unlockable after that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. I guess I'll wait to see if something else occurs.

I wonder if overwriting the Verizon Pixel's bootloader with a non-Verizon bootloader from one of the factory images would work. The logic behind this is that all G-2PW2100s seemd to have identical hardwares, and factory images contain all the bootloader/radio partition images; so in theory, flashing a non-Verizon factory image should make the device non-Verizon.
(Please note that this is just a theory & I have not tested this. There's a chance that doing this will brick the device.)

AncientDeveloper said:
I wonder if overwriting the Verizon Pixel's bootloader with a non-Verizon bootloader from one of the factory images would work. The logic behind this is that all G-2PW2100s seemd to have identical hardwares, and factory images contain all the bootloader/radio partition images; so in theory, flashing a non-Verizon factory image should make the device non-Verizon.
(Please note that this is just a theory & I have not tested this. There's a chance that doing this will brick the device.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't believe this will work. The accepted theory is that Verizon locks the bootloader by IMEI number, so if your phone has an IMEI that is on the list, it will be locked no matter what. However, I'm not sure if anyone has tried to change their IMEI to test this theory. I'm also not sure if you can change your IMEI without root. That would require an unlocked bootloader, so probably no way to test.

jmartin72 said:
I don't believe this will work. The accepted theory is that Verizon locks the bootloader by IMEI number, so if your phone has an IMEI that is on the list, it will be locked no matter what. However, I'm not sure if anyone has tried to change their IMEI to test this theory. I'm also not sure if you can change your IMEI without root. That would require an unlocked bootloader, so probably no way to test.
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Click to collapse
But the bootloader is still locked locally. So even the phone sends the IMEI to Verizon, and Verizon sends some command back to the phone to lock it, it shouldn't require changing the IMEI to unlock.

AncientDeveloper said:
But the bootloader is still locked locally. So even the phone sends the IMEI to Verizon, and Verizon sends some command back to the phone to lock it, it shouldn't require changing the IMEI to unlock.
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Click to collapse
I wish someone could figure out how to get it done.

Hi - My Verizon Pixel XL is on Oreo OPR3 and OEM unlocking is *not* greyed out but bootloader status is LOCKED. Is it possible with my setup?
Edit: OEM unlocking is *not* greyed out even on Wifi

nyisles said:
Hi - My Verizon Pixel XL is on Oreo OPR3 and OEM unlocking is *not* greyed out but bootloader status is LOCKED. Is it possible with my setup?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, Google has messed up on quite a few phones. Hit that slider now. That won't unlock it, you still have to issue the fastboot command. But moving that slider now will future proof you if you want to unlock.

jmartin72 said:
I wish someone could figure out how to get it done.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
While I haven't figured out a way to gain the ability to write to the eMMC, it seems that the last byte on the eMMC controls whether the device is unlockable.

Pixxlman said:
What if we could overwrite the bootloader and leave the sim out of the phone and activate it with wifi then verizon can't check the imei and can't lock it? i have a verizon pixel XL i can try this with if someone could walk me through overwriting a bootloader
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There are multiple problems with that theory. First, Verizon does not lock them. They all come locked, when they start up they phone home to Google and get permission to unlock. And two, the SIM has nothing to do with locking.

What is the point of Google shipping the phones with two different bootloaders and unlocked and locked states.

Some hope with the clkscrew exploit? Sounded like the phone needed to be rooted to work, but being able to pull trustzone keys from a Google variant could possibly enable a workable patch for the Verizon variant.
Have no idea, but sure sounds plausible.

H0wdy said:
Robocuff,
Thank you. That seems to be my situation, but I was wondering why this isn't an option?
https://www.xda-developers.com/verizon-pixelpixel-xl-bootloader-unlock-has-been-released/
Does it no longer work? I understand it probably doesn't, but I didn't know if there was another way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
robocuff said:
dePixel8 doesn't work anymore. It only worked for a couple months. Google patched the hole that dePixel8 exploited in the December security update. So, any Verizon phone that was updated in December or anytime after and wasn't all ready unlocked, became unlockable after that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google did not close the exploit. Verizon did with the release of 7.1.2 in November 2016.
AncientDeveloper said:
I wonder if overwriting the Verizon Pixel's bootloader with a non-Verizon bootloader from one of the factory images would work. The logic behind this is that all G-2PW2100s seemd to have identical hardwares, and factory images contain all the bootloader/radio partition images; so in theory, flashing a non-Verizon factory image should make the device non-Verizon.
(Please note that this is just a theory & I have not tested this. There's a chance that doing this will brick the device.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The package will probably fail to install after modifying because of improper signature. It has been tried before....
AncientDeveloper said:
While I haven't figured out a way to gain the ability to write to the eMMC, it seems that the last byte on the eMMC controls whether the device is unlockable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Probably encrypted, you don't have access to the correct tools, or both.

Would flashing the original image from Google onto the phone and running depixel then. Would that work? Or has that been tried?
Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

gobi42 said:
Would flashing the original image from Google onto the phone and running depixel then. Would that work? Or has that been tried?
Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk
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No. You can't downgrade with a locked bootloader.

How to get round oem unlock?

I have a device which is locked to the network, meaning I cant enable oem unlock to unlock the bootloader. Is there any way round this? Thanks

If it is a Verizon Pixel 2 and has newer than January's release in it, there's nothing you can do

jakeman19751023 said:
If it is a Verizon Pixel 2 and has newer than January's release in it, there's nothing you can do
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Click to collapse
It's EE and its older than that

Connor1744 said:
It's EE and its older than that
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Contact your service provider.

Question Is Pixel 6a SIM unlockable on A13?

New to all of this. I used to jailbreak, unlock iPhones but am unfamiliar with this side of things. I was able to remove the passcode and Google account off the Pixel 6a which was on A13 and updated to the most recent patch (Let me know if you need instructions as that was not easy for me to find). But now I found that it is locked to AT&T which I do not have. Is it possible?

You may have bought a locked model by accident

txcoffeeguy said:
I was able to remove the passcode and Google account off the Pixel 6a which was on A13 and updated to the most recent patch (Let me know if you need instructions as that was not easy for me to find).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd be interested to learn how you did this. I'm assuming a factory reset via recovery isn't enough?

If you have bought a carrier locked device, you may need to contact them to see if it can be unlocked

Lada333 said:
I'd be interested to learn how you did this. I'm assuming a factory reset via recovery isn't enough?
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Click to collapse
Not sure what's allowed on the forum so dm me and I'll send you the link I used. Factory reset is not enough.

MrUrgit said:
If you have bought a carrier locked device, you may need to contact them to see if it can be unlocked
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Click to collapse
I bought it from a private party who will not help me.

txcoffeeguy said:
I bought it from a private party who will not help me.
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Click to collapse
Zounds very fishy in that case. Buying new is always safer. I got mine from bestbuy

I bought it for 4 days. And is not installed.

txcoffeeguy said:
I bought it from a private party who will not help me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could try method #2 from here:
How to Unlock a Carrier-Locked Phone: Your Guide to Mobile Freedom
If you're phone is carrier-locked, you'll need this guide to unlock it.
www.makeuseof.com
I have never had to unlock a device before, so not 100% sure it will work.

Question Can all Pixel 6A phones have their bootloader unlocked???

Hi. As the title says, can all Pixel 6A phone have their bootloader unlocked? I plan on buying a Pixel 6A on Ebay in July (if i get enough money) that has the carrier unlocked. Is there a good chance that I can unlock its bootloader?

mbudden89 said:
Hi. As the title says, can all Pixel 6A phone have their bootloader unlocked? I plan on buying a Pixel 6A on Ebay in July (if i get enough money) that has the carrier unlocked. Is there a good chance that I can unlock its bootloader?
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I don't have personal experience but I've read that some Pixel phones that are sold on such platforms can't be unlocked.
If it's possible ensure that you buy phones that can be unlocked

beeshyams said:
I don't have personal experience but I've read that some Pixel phones that are sold on such platforms can't be unlocked.
If it's possible ensure that you buy phones that can be unlocked
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Click to collapse
thanks!

Verizon ones definitely can't be bootloader unlocked.

mike.s said:
Verizon ones definitely can't be bootloader unlocked.
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Even if the phone is carrier unlocked?

mbudden89 said:
Even if the phone is carrier unlocked?
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Verizon ones definitely can't be bootloader unlocked.

mike.s said:
Verizon ones definitely can't be bootloader unlocked.
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Really? I was told by someone in a Discord server that as long as it's carrier unlocked it can have its bootloader unlocked.

mbudden89 said:
Really? I was told by someone in a Discord server that as long as it's carrier unlocked it can have its bootloader unlocked.
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Click to collapse
Verizon models cannot have their bootloader unlocked.

Lughnasadh said:
Verizon models cannot have their bootloader unlocked.
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oh okay. well i found this seller on ebay that states that i want a model that can have its bootloader unlocked i just have to choose the "factory unlocked" option. so that's good.

mbudden89 said:
oh okay. well i found this seller on ebay that states that i want a model that can have its bootloader unlocked i just have to choose the "factory unlocked" option. so that's good.
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Click to collapse
I recommend you buy directly from the Google Store.

dexlemaffo said:
I recommend you buy directly from the Google Store.
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Click to collapse
I don't have that kind of money. That would be like over $500 CAD.

Can the bootloader on a T-Mobile model be unlocked?