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Hello,
A friend of mine recently bought on the Internet a Moto G which turned out to be carrier-locked. Now, I have no idea to what carrier it is locked and so I am asking you this: apart from the obvious solution which is cellunlocker.net, is it possible to root the phone, install a custom ROM such as CyanogenMod and use it with whatever carrier?
What woud you suggest for someone in our predicament?
Thank you!
zkvvoob said:
Hello,
A friend of mine recently bought on the Internet a Moto G which turned out to be carrier-locked. Now, I have no idea to what carrier it is locked and so I am asking you this: apart from the obvious solution which is cellunlocker.net, is it possible to root the phone, install a custom ROM such as CyanogenMod and use it with whatever carrier?
What woud you suggest for someone in our predicament?
Thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can probably unlock the bootloader and root the phone, despite it's carrier locked. That won't remove the lock tho and you won't be able to use it on another carrier just like that.
On the other hand you can always buy an unlock code off ebay for 2 euro or so.
liveroy said:
You can probably unlock the bootloader and root the phone, despite it's carrier locked. That won't remove the lock tho and you won't be able to use it on another carrier just like that.
On the other hand you can always buy an unlock code off ebay for 2 euro or so.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, liveroy! Just a quick question as I've never had to do this, if you don't mind: does it matter that I don't know the carrier to which the phone is locked?
zkvvoob said:
Thanks, liveroy! Just a quick question as I've never had to do this, if you don't mind: does it matter that I don't know the carrier to which the phone is locked?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Specifically for the Moto G, you need only the IMEI.
I have a E5 supra Cricket Phone. I want to keep the service with Cricket, I just want it Rooted. I have to wait 6 months with the phone - and the Motorola site wont let me do a OEM unlock. In developer mode it does let me turn it on.
Still possible to root? I am not interested in changing Rom, Simply having it Rooted. its a XT 1924-6
Note : its a spare phone, 10 Bucks a month - 4th line. Wife dropped it cracked screen. So not my main driver/ Main is a Tmobile Motorola Z2 Force that's Rooted and US cell Rom. Keep it at the house for house phone.
About the Carrier from the Original Question : The model Number like on my e5. : XT 1924-6 That dictates the Carrier. Look by the battery and google the number.
I would like to buy a carrier locked phone in the USA.
I do not live in the USA so my question is, can I take this phone home and then flash a new ROM on it?
Would that take care of the lock?
Thanks!
ronr34 said:
I would like to buy a carrier locked phone in the USA.
I do not live in the USA so my question is, can I take this phone home and then flash a new ROM on it?
Would that take care of the lock?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also,
When buying a no-contract phone, is it still locked?
Can I do the same to unlock this phone?
It depends on the phone and the carrier.
Planterz said:
It depends on the phone and the carrier.
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Click to collapse
I'm looking for a good new phone.
QuadCore and 5.0" and bigger.
Does anyone have any experience with this?
A specific model that this would work for?
ronr34 said:
I would like to buy a carrier locked phone in the USA.
I do not live in the USA so my question is, can I take this phone home and then flash a new ROM on it?
Would that take care of the lock?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi There,
Well Unlocking the Bootloader of your device Unlocks it to any Carrier.
If you want to know how to do that tell me which device you are using.
If Helped In Any Way Click THANKS.
DevRakeeß said:
Hi There,
Well Unlocking the Bootloader of your device Unlocks it to any Carrier.
If you want to know how to do that tell me which device you are using.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Carrier unlocking and bootloader unlocking are completely unrelated things.
ronr34 said:
I'm looking for a good new phone.
QuadCore and 5.0" and bigger.
Does anyone have any experience with this?
A specific model that this would work for?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Again, it depends on the phone and the carrier. Verizon phones are internationally unlocked out of the box. Which means if you buy it and try to use it in the US without unlocking it, it won't let you, but if you take it outside the USA, it's GSM unlocked. AT&T and T-Mobile phones can be unlocked and used globally too, but both require that they've been used with their service for a time. 40 days with T-Mobile, and with AT&T it has to be coming from an active or a prior account.
With AT&T and T-Mobile, you can purchase (through eBay or websites) unlock codes, which run like $30-40 for a flagship phone. Alternatively, you can buy new unlocked phones off eBay that once locked to a network, but the reseller bought the phone new, opened the box, unlocked the phone, then sells it. Or you can buy a used phone that has already been unlocked.
Don't buy a Sprint phone, it won't work.
IMO your best bet is to buy a Verizon "world phone", or buy a factory unlocked "international" version.
LTE bands are another matter. If you want LTE where you'll be taking it (assuming it's available), you might be best off with a Nexus 4 or 5, or a recent Sony Xperia Z - class model, as these have numerous LTE band compatibility.
Planterz said:
Carrier unlocking and bootloader unlocking are completely unrelated things.
Again, it depends on the phone and the carrier. Verizon phones are internationally unlocked out of the box. Which means if you buy it and try to use it in the US without unlocking it, it won't let you, but if you take it outside the USA, it's GSM unlocked. AT&T and T-Mobile phones can be unlocked and used globally too, but both require that they've been used with their service for a time. 40 days with T-Mobile, and with AT&T it has to be coming from an active or a prior account.
With AT&T and T-Mobile, you can purchase (through eBay or websites) unlock codes, which run like $30-40 for a flagship phone. Alternatively, you can buy new unlocked phones off eBay that once locked to a network, but the reseller bought the phone new, opened the box, unlocked the phone, then sells it. Or you can buy a used phone that has already been unlocked.
Don't buy a Sprint phone, it won't work.
IMO your best bet is to buy a Verizon "world phone", or buy a factory unlocked "international" version.
LTE bands are another matter. If you want LTE where you'll be taking it (assuming it's available), you might be best off with a Nexus 4 or 5, or a recent Sony Xperia Z - class model, as these have numerous LTE band compatibility.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the info, but my question was how to bypass the locks on the phone.
I know I can buy it unlocked but it's way more expensive.
I thought that the lock was software related and not hardware so that burning a new ROM would fix this.
Is that the case?
ronr34 said:
I thought that the lock was software related and not hardware so that burning a new ROM would fix this.
Is that the case?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is not the case. Carrier lock/unlock is in a different part of the device's firmware.
Planterz said:
It is not the case. Carrier lock/unlock is in a different part of the device's firmware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So does that mean that a new ROM flash will not solve this?
ronr34 said:
So does that mean that a new ROM flash will not solve this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How many times do I have to say the same thing?
Flashing a different ROM, be it from another carrier, or a custom ROM, does not give you the ability to carrier unlock a device.
Hi everyone,
I recently just get my new google pixel 3a from amazon,
but it seems like they send me the Verizon version of it.
The version of the phone is android 10 and I am trying to unlocked OEM under developer options in order to root my device,
but it's likely seems like there is no way that I can unlock the OEM...?
So I was wondering if anyone know the way of unlocking it or maybe there is a way that I can root without Unlocking the OEM.
Thank you!!
Skylar514 said:
Hi everyone,
I recently just get my new google pixel 3a from amazon,
but it seems like they send me the Verizon version of it.
The version of the phone is android 10 and I am trying to unlocked OEM under developer options in order to root my device,
but it's likely seems like there is no way that I can unlock the OEM...?
So I was wondering if anyone know the way of unlocking it or maybe there is a way that I can root without Unlocking the OEM.
Thank you!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Verizon is notorious for locking down their equipment!!! I would recommend seeing if you can return it and get the unlocked variant!
Sent from my GM1917 using Tapatalk
Just a heads up if anyone happens to find this after grabbing the $200 3a from Verizon: they claim they will unlock your phone after 60 days, something on their site I confirmed with a rep. I'll update January 24 if it does or doesn't happen as I plan to root then (for me, a $200 discount was worth a two month delay).
iamxaq said:
Just a heads up if anyone happens to find this after grabbing the $200 3a from Verizon: they claim they will unlock your phone after 60 days, something on their site I confirmed with a rep. I'll update January 24 if it does or doesn't happen as I plan to root then (for me, a $200 discount was worth a two month delay).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just so you are aware, the rep is talking about the SIM card lock. This is different than the bootloader unlock which is required to root your phone.
A SIM card unlock allows you to use the phone with other service providers. Most providers will lock the phone as long as you owe money on the phone. If you bought it outright or have paid the phone off, then the provider will generally SIM unlock the phone. Verizon won't even SIM card unlock the phone until it has been active for 60 days. They say this is to prevent pre-sale theft of their phones, but the policy is certainly more strict than any other provider. However do not misinterpret this to mean that Verizon will SIM unlock all phones after 60 days. If you owe money on the phone, they are not obligated to SIM card unlock it. It is possible sometimes to get the provider to SIM unlock the phone while you still owe money on the phone, but that can be hit and miss.
A bootloader unlock is needed to root the phone. Verizon is the one USA service provider that locks the bootloader of all their devices by policy. Even if a Verizon phone is SIM card unlocked, there is no guarantee that you will be able to bootloader unlock the phone or root it. Generally speaking, you should consider every Verizon phone to be bootloader locked and considering it "winning the lottery" if you are actually able to bootloader unlock it. There are times when Verizon messes up the IMEI numbers and allow phones to be unlocked, but that this just luck if it happens.
I've owned Verizon phones before that were bootloader locked and I will never buy another one. But that is my personal preference. If you have no interest in rooting your phone, then the bootloader isn't that important of an issue. But if you do want to root the phone (and it sound like you do), I would recommend that you see about returning the phone during the return period and purchasing the "Unlocked" version (the "NON-Verizon version).
Sic is correct. Verizon will only SIM unlock the phones. That was the main reason I left them back when I had to use rumrunner on my M7. Once it died and I had to get another phone, I left Verizon and never looked back. When they asked why I was leaving, I told them I might return if they ever let us unlock our bootloaders. The employee knew there was no saving me at that point.
If you want to have an unlocked bootloader, the best bet would be to have a non-carrier branded phone.
Does anyone know an unofficial way to unlock this? Otherwise it's going back.
Thanks
joemommasfat said:
Does anyone know an unofficial way to unlock this? Otherwise it's going back.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is it financed, or did you buy it outright? Mine is financed, but I assumed (like an idiot, after all this is at&t) that I would be able to unlock it after paying it off. Please don't tell me I'm stuck.
Mine is financed, but I have 14 days to return it. I thought it was a deal at $450, but if I can't root it, I'll have to get an unlocked one.
I'm not from the US but I think people on the OP7Pro would call up and saying there are going on a business trip abroad so could they please have the device unlocked.
It was a bit of a lottery if they got someone chill who would do it. The other option is to pay it off.
That might have been another US network though.
Sent from my Pixel 5 using XDA Labs
rav101 said:
I'm not from the US but I think people on the OP7Pro would call up and saying there are going on a business trip abroad so could they please have the device unlocked.
It was a bit of a lottery if they got someone chill who would do it. The other option is to pay it off.
That might have been another US network though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This was the locked t-mo model, and that's how I got mine unlocked. I don't work at at&t anymore but when I did there would be no way to unlock it without it being paid off. However I was contracted to work with at&t and not directly employed by them, maybe someone would have permission to do so I'm just doubtful.
joemommasfat said:
Mine is financed, but I have 14 days to return it. I thought it was a deal at $450, but if I can't root it, I'll have to get an unlocked one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Carrier locked is not the same as bootloader locked. As long as you can toggle the unlock bootloader setting in the developer options menu, you can root. You just can't insert the SIM of another carrier until your device is paid off.
You cannot toggle the OEM unlocking switch on carrier locked devices
joemommasfat said:
Mine is financed, but I have 14 days to return it. I thought it was a deal at $450, but if I can't root it, I'll have to get an unlocked one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOL, you just now discovered that carrier locked phones can't be rooted?
Tel864 said:
LOL, you just now discovered that carrier locked phones can't be rooted?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, I discovered when I received the phone that at&t was carrier locking this phone. I was asking if anyone had found a way to side step this.
Tel864 said:
LOL, you just now discovered that carrier locked phones can't be rooted?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's amazing the number of people who still don't know that carrier incentivized devices are locked and the exploit ship has long ago sailed away into the sunset.
l7777 said:
It's amazing the number of people who still don't know that carrier incentivized devices are locked and the exploit ship has long ago sailed away into the sunset.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What's truley amazing is that I thought I could ask a question on this forum without a bunch of 1337 know-it-alls being condescending.
joemommasfat said:
What's truley amazing is that I thought I could ask a question on this forum without a bunch of 1337 know-it-alls being condescending.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apologies, no condescension intended. It looks like you've been rooting devices all the way back to the HTC M8. That may well have been one of the last devices that could be bootloader unlocked via exploit. I find it hard to believe that you have been active on XDA all this time and never read any posts regarding bootloader unlocking of Verizon branded/locked devices. The answer regarding bootloader unlock and root has been the same for many years now. Thus my statement that I'm amazed people are still not aware of this.
I didn't know that either. Guess all the phones I've purchased have been unlock devices.. My last phone was a samsung note 10 whick couldn't be unlocked.
if pixel 5 is anything like pixel 4 then the oem bootloader unlock option is tied to the sim lock status. for example my p4 was carrier lock to EE but i paid it off right away so i can sim unlock. becuz i read that once sim unlocked, the oem unlock toggle ungreys itself. this is exactly what happened and i was then able to unlock bootloader.
i read posts about at&t models when early researching the p4 and the way i remember it being explained was it is like apple unlocking system. the serial gets whitelisted for unlocking on google servers which then sim unlocks phone. but this also controls the oem unlock toggle! so basically sim lock status = oem unlock toggle ability status. but again this was for p4.
if youre willing to pay it off early you should be able to unlock. im debating going to p5 because of batteyr life on p4. otherwise love the phone. choices choices! anyway hope this info helps mate, good luck
vdevl said:
if pixel 5 is anything like pixel 4 then the oem bootloader unlock option is tied to the sim lock status. for example my p4 was carrier lock to EE but i paid it off right away so i can sim unlock. becuz i read that once sim unlocked, the oem unlock toggle ungreys itself. this is exactly what happened and i was then able to unlock bootloader.
i read posts about at&t models when early researching the p4 and the way i remember it being explained was it is like apple unlocking system. the serial gets whitelisted for unlocking on google servers which then sim unlocks phone. but this also controls the oem unlock toggle! so basically sim lock status = oem unlock toggle ability status. but again this was for p4.
if youre willing to pay it off early you should be able to unlock. im debating going to p5 because of batteyr life on p4. otherwise love the phone. choices choices! anyway hope this info helps mate, good luck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for that. Unfortunately if you pay it off early, you have to pay full price (which is somehow more than buying it straight from google). The discounted price only applies if you submit to the 30 month lock in. I returned the phone. Guess I'm sticking with the trusty 2xl for a little longer.
The carrier unlock and SIM unlock are tied together for T-Mobile and AT&T, only Verizon has the "OEM unlock" permanently stuck to OFF and they will not unlock it. I think they need to be pressured but it will take work. They have no excuse.
But AT&T and T-Mobile will unlock the OEM toggle when they SIM unlock, it was confirmed with Pixel 4 when they started selling those carrier-locked. Just usually have to pay off unless you can convince them early.
FYI....T-Mobile only sells the 4a 5G, not the 5. Could change as 5 stock comes back. Short supply right now.
I got this as a gift through Verizon website and they don't know a thing about root/unlocked bootloader and they just got me the Verizon version. I'm not even going to try to explain why I want the unlocked version.
Aaannnyyywaaayyy lol. Is there a way I can just swap this out for an unlocked version or a site that does swaps like this? Is there maybe a root option without unlocked bootloader?
Someone suggested to buy the unlocked version and then return it with the Verizon one in the box. Probably not legal or would they even care? Probably won't do it anyway.
If you really want an unlocked one just sell the Verizon one through Swappa or a local marketplace as BNIB. Don't do #3 as they record the IMEI and serial number of the device that they send you. I'd imagine they'd give you an issue with returning the device when those don't match. Plus the whole legality issue.
zetsumeikuro said:
If you really want an unlocked one just sell the Verizon one through Swappa or a local marketplace as BNIB. Don't do #3 as they record the IMEI and serial number of the device that they send you. I'd imagine they'd give you an issue with returning the device when those don't match. Plus the whole legality issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I would sell but I don't have a phone to use until then.
sensation4gking said:
Yeah I would sell but I don't have a phone to use until then.
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Click to collapse
If your finances allow it grab the unlocked one from the Google Store. BF sale is about to drop so $100 off right out the gate. If you open the Verizon one the value will drop.
If it's paid off already call Verizon to carrier unlock it for you maybe by unlocking it you'd be able to root cause I've got the pixel 6 from visible few months ago and i was allowed to rooted and visible has the same variant as Verizon only difference is that visible sells their phones carrier unlocked
J0nhy said:
If it's paid off already call Verizon to carrier unlock it for you maybe by unlocking it you'd be able to root cause I've got the pixel 6 from visible few months ago and i was allowed to rooted and visible has the same variant as Verizon only difference is that visible sells their phones carrier unlocked
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Click to collapse
Didn't think they would allow that but wouldn't hurt to try. You'd think more people would suggest this.
sensation4gking said:
Didn't think they would allow that but wouldn't hurt to try. You'd think more people would suggest this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Carrier unlocking and bootloader unlocking are distinctly separate. Verizon variants are not bootloader unlockable.
J0nhy said:
If it's paid off already call Verizon to carrier unlock it for you maybe by unlocking it you'd be able to root cause I've got the pixel 6 from visible few months ago and i was allowed to rooted and visible has the same variant as Verizon only difference is that visible sells their phones carrier unlocked
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's controlled by IMEI whitelists. If Visible didn't specify they want OEM Unlocking to be disabled like Verizon does, Google doesn't blacklist the lots they buy.
Unlocked is $150 off on Google Store.