I don't know if this is a dumb question or not. But I have a Galaxy S5 through verizon using a sim card on the prepaid $50 plan. It bums me out that the bootloader is locked on it. So no root. Started googling around and was wanting to get the note 4 in a few days. Turns out once again the bootloader is locked on that too. My question is are there any flagship verizon phones that will accept my sim card that don't have a locked bootloader so I can root? My main reasons for wanting to root are running CM/ removing bloatware/ Running xposed modules and being able to change the color of the text in the notification bar. I've rooted phones before. But I'm not sure if it's even possible to maybe get another carrier unlocked phone and use my sim in that instead so the bootloader would be unlocked allowing root. ex buying an ATT note 4 that has an unlocked bootloader and then putting my verizon sim in it. Just sucks verizon is LITERALLY the only provider available in my little town.
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?
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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
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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.
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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
Hello, does anyone know how to SIM unlock Sprint Google Pixel 3a (G020G) ?
I bought it from ebay and they told me it will work in Europe but it says SIM Card Is not supported. It runs the oldest Android 9 version and I can turn ADB on, OEM Unlocking can't be enabled.
You would need to take it to a Sprint store to unlock it. It is likely blacklisted though.
I have a funny story. I had a pixel3A bought from the google store but got the screen repaired under Sprint warranty. They sent me another device. However the device was locked. I went through weeks of calls with Sprint "unlocking" the device. But with it "unlocked" I was only able to use Sprint MVNOs. I get the same SIM error if I try to use a GSM SIM. Then to some degree I believe there is a big challenge regarding this device, at least using it with a non Sprint MVNO.
arusiasotto said:
You would need to take it to a Sprint store to unlock it. It is likely blacklisted though.
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I've been thinking of making this list for people who will be buying a Pixel 4 XL in future. It might come in handy to decide where to buy your phone from.
Please post in the thread what your seller/carrier did and I will update the list.
Note: You can buy a bootloader unlockable Pixel 4 XL directly from the Google Store.
UK greyed out OEM
EE
UK unlockable bootloader
Vodafone
US greyed out OEM
Verizon? (conflicting reports)
AT&T
TMobile
US unlockable bootloader
Best Buy
StrangerWeather said:
I've been thinking of making this list for people who will be buying a Pixel 4 XL in future. It might come in handy to decide where to buy your phone from.
Please post in the thread what your seller/carrier did and I will update the list.
Note: You can buy an unblocked Pixel 4 XL directly from the Google Store.
UK blocked OEM
EE
UK unblocked OEM
US blocked OEM
Verizon? (conflicting reports)
AT&T
US unblocked OEM
Best Buy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
TMobile variant is locked
StrangerWeather said:
I've been thinking of making this list for people who will be buying a Pixel 4 XL in future. It might come in handy to decide where to buy your phone from.
Please post in the thread what your seller/carrier did and I will update the list.
Note: You can buy an unblocked Pixel 4 XL directly from the Google Store.
UK blocked OEM
EE
UK unblocked OEM
US blocked OEM
Verizon? (conflicting reports)
AT&T
US unblocked OEM
Best Buy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
UK Vodafone is unblocked.
To be more clear I think you need to refer to it as Bootloader Unlock as OEM has no relation to that at all.
OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer btw
Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk
superchilpil said:
To be more clear I think you need to refer to it as Bootloader Unlock as OEM has no relation to that at all.
OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer btw
Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm, not too sure. It's not that the phones come with an unlocked bootloader, you still have to unlock it. But they are either OEM unlockable or not... Any other suggestions to make it clearer?
StrangerWeather said:
Hmm, not too sure. It's not that the phones come with an unlocked bootloader, you still have to unlock it. But they are either OEM unlockable or not... Any other suggestions to make it clearer?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well yeah none of them come with an unlocked bootloader. But your wording wasn't wrong to begin with, I just felt that referring to as bootloader unlockable is a more friendly way to put it especially for the noobs out there.
Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk
Where did you hear about AT&T not being unlockable?
mew1033 said:
Where did you hear about AT&T not being unlockable?
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Click to collapse
https://forum.xda-developers.com/pixel-4-xl/how-to/att-pixel-4-xl-locked-bootloader-t3989095
Bit of thread bump, but thanks!
Been searching everywhere to find out if Vodafone UK is un-lockable. Has anyone bought one recently to confirm they're still OK?
The Tmo variant can be unlocked after the sim lock is removed. I think it goes without saying for most that Fi and Google offer unlcockable versions but as this is for new guys it might be worth noting.
StrangerWeather said:
I've been thinking of making this list for people who will be buying a Pixel 4 XL in future. It might come in handy to decide where to buy your phone from.
Please post in the thread what your seller/carrier did and I will update the list.
Note: You can buy a bootloader unlockable Pixel 4 XL directly from the Google Store.
UK greyed out OEM
EE
UK unlockable bootloader
Vodafone
US greyed out OEM
Verizon? (conflicting reports)
AT&T
TMobile
US unlockable bootloader
Best Buy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
U.S. Cellular is unlocked for Pixel 4, would assume xl as well
Except for the Verizon model, all of the other US variants can be bootloader (OEM) unlocked when they are SIM card unlocked. However the SIM card being unlocked is a requirement to having the bootloader unlocked. If you purchase a device through a US service provider, it will generally have the SIM card locked down and you must request a SIM card unlock from your service provider. The "unlocked" version sold by Google (and Best Buy) comes with the SIM card unlocked already. Therefore it can immediately have it's bootloader unlocked.
Verizon variants will never be able to be bootloader unlocked - even if you are able to get Verizon to unlock the SIM card. (People who are successful in bootloader unlocking a Verizon model are the exception to the rule and simply got lucky - normally due to a MEID snafu).
This is the same across the entire Google Pixel line.
StrangerWeather said:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/pixel-4-xl/how-to/att-pixel-4-xl-locked-bootloader-t3989095
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm gonna remove that thread because the bootloader can be unlocked if you carrier unlock your device. Confirmed on my friend's Pixel 4 from AT&T.
StrangerWeather said:
I've been thinking of making this list for people who will be buying a Pixel 4 XL in future. It might come in handy to decide where to buy your phone from.
Please post in the thread what your seller/carrier did and I will update the list.
Note: You can buy a bootloader unlockable Pixel 4 XL directly from the Google Store.
UK greyed out OEM
EE
UK unlockable bootloader
Vodafone
US greyed out OEM
Verizon? (conflicting reports)
AT&T
TMobile
US unlockable bootloader
Best Buy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think Verizon is locked if you buy it from them. I bought mine through the Google store with Verizon as a "3rd party" and I got an unlockable XL
I think basically whatever the carrier, they are locked until they are fully paid, is that right? In that case, I might just close the thread as it's not very useful.
Does anyone know if the Spectrum Variant of the Google Pixel 4 xl Has an unlockable bootloader?
I called t mobile today told them I'm a developer and they gave me a permanent unlock for my phone for the OEM so I can't complain but call them, whoever's your provider and tell them you're a developer and you're trying to access the Android 11 operating system and because it's a Google phone they bound to unlock your phone. And my phone ain't fully paid off from T-Mobile so I'm good I'm happy with the results and right now I'm using Android 11 and this bad boy for preview is beautiful
Hello everyone
Any news on Pixel 4XL EE UK to unlock the bootloader after 6 months of use???
I'm on a Verizon variant which I purchased directly from Verizon. Initially I was unable to unlock my bootloader same as everyone else. However, I was recently in developmer options and noticed OEM unlocking was no longer greyed out (I was running Android 11 with Octobers update). I Didn't believe my eyes for a second and immediately toggled it on and got to work. Within a few minutes I was unlocked and rooted. Not sure if they messed up on the 11 update or if it was a mistake from one of the updates. I hadn't checked for a while previous to my discovery so I can't pin down the exact trigger.
Once you either fully payoff the device or get permission through your carrier then the carrier sends it over to Google's server which generates your unlock code then is sent to pixel 4xl as a update which will then unlock your sim. Once your sim unlocked it will allow you to highlight unlock bootloader. This is for tmobile,att, and sprint. Verizon variants however is an exception. You can get sim unlock, but will not highlight the unlock bootloader. Once in a while somebody gets lucky, but does not happen alot. Even tho it is a Google phone the carrier can still make the choice for the bootloader.
Hi,
I am in middle of buying used pixel 3 Verizon phone.
As far as I read the xda forum, only boot loader for Verizon model is locked but GSM should work fine, is this assumption correct?
I read few articles that pixel 3 were locked to Verizon to prevent thefts, does that mean I need to get this unlocked for using on AT&T network?
Thanks in advance!