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[Q] Do sim free phones get timely android updates?

Hi,
Am in a bit of a quandary. Am considering Nexus 4 or Samsung GS4 for next upgrade. I like the idea that I will get timely updates of the OS should I go with the google phone. But as I will be buying either phone sim free, would a phone such as the GS4 (or any sim free phone for that matter) receive OS updates quicker than the same phone on a contract?

Correct, I do mean though a dealer rather than a carrier. So assuming I get a SGS4 sim free, I guess this will come with touchwiz, but without any of the cruft that carriers like to put on top. So, in this case, I'm still unsure whether I could expect android updates before someone who buys the same phone on contract from vodafone/t-mobile et al.
I'm guessing that I could, as I would only be waiting for the phone manufacturer to issue the update, and not also the carrier to have to OK it. However, probably not as quick as the update would be available on a nexus.

Are Tmobile users waiting for lollipop screwed?

Since T-Mobile dropped the Z3... will they ever release the lollipop update for us? If not can we force a update on the phones through manual updates or the sony PC companion?

From what I seen its still in manufacturer development for our device. I'm guessing sony is still testing it before releasing to us t-mobile users

I am hugely disappointed with TMobile's support of the Z3. When I got this phone in January I was told Lollipop would be available by the end of February. I do not believe it is Sony dragging their feet anymore as they have released Lollipop to the rest of the world. It is TMobile dragging their feet "testing and qualifying" the update.

Wannaboo said:
I am hugely disappointed with TMobile's support of the Z3. When I got this phone in January I was told Lollipop would be available by the end of February. I do not believe it is Sony dragging their feet anymore as they have released Lollipop to the rest of the world. It is TMobile dragging their feet "testing and qualifying" the update.
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You are 50% correct in some ways. LOL ... TMO has to test out wifi calling feature which is not included in the standard OEM ROMs that sony pushes out. Wifi-calling and some other carrier based features or bloatware require oem rom manipulation much greater than just simply installing an app. This is why it takes so long to get the updates from the carrier. I believe this update will be showing up soon. It usually takes TMO about 2 weeks to test and have it re-certified if approved by TMO. IF the rom fails to provide satisfactory results, then the process starts all over again causing a minimum 2 week delay in pushing out the update. I used to be part of the process when i worked for TMO as a product specialist.
On that end, i doubt tmo will ever unlock the bootloader to this device. The main reason being that specific camera and security algorithims get destroyed during the unlocking process and i dont think TMO wants to deal with that or even support it.

This post say we will get a software update on May 2015 hope it is lollipop update so we can finally achieve root.
http://www.t-mobile.com/optional-services/coverage-phones-700.html
Sent from my D6616 using XDA Free mobile app

Pixel 2 e-sim question

I'm looking to buy a new Pixel 2 XL when it comes out. Researching the handset I found that it uses a new SIM, e-sim. Originally I thought it was a smaller SIM, however it looks like it's now a tiny chip permanently on the phones board.
I thought that this would act as a normal SIM, just unable to remove it from phone. However before spending money on the phone I wanted to confirm it would work OK on my network.
I'm currently with Sky Mobile in the UK and I asked them if they will support the e-sim and they were pretty vague and unsure if they would support it. Called a second person and got the same non-committal answer.
Anyone here know if it will work?
Many thanks
Tim

it may come different internationally, in the US a lot of networks didn't use sims while the UK and the rest of the world that uses GSM always has, this is only changing in america now that 4G is common as it is a GSM standard so requires a sim.
so I wouldn't worry about it yet, Google still hasn't officially announced the phones and on nearly every phone the US and international versions are different as outside of the US we use a lot more bands.
so basically wait for the official announcement as it wouldn't be anywhere close to the first time a US phone has had no actual sim while the international version have and it seems more likely this is geared towards keeping the US away for actually needing to start using sims in every device since their networks are a lot more tied down.
the non committal answer is likely due to the fact the phone hasn't been announced so the likes of EE who will actually stock it won't be allowed to answer if they have been pre briefed, while the other networks who wont stock the phone likely wont have any information until after the phone is announced and they start asking google.

It just occurred to me that the esim is going to suck for traveling abroad
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

My question is, if someone like me and a lot of others like to change phones often, how will we go about doing so?
Now we would just pop out our sim and put it in a different phone. How does the E-sim work? Once our numbers are on them I guess the nano/micro sims we have now are trash?

RoccoN4 said:
My question is, if someone like me and a lot of others like to change phones often, how will we go about doing so?
Now we would just pop out our sim and put it in a different phone. How does the E-sim work? Once our numbers are on them I guess the nano/micro sims we have now are trash?
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do you have a pixel xl, I guess if it was really important to you a pixel xl is still an amazing phone. I just got mine 2 months ago for around $500 on ebay brand new. Man it's such a sick phone. I really love it. Of course I want the new one but am really happy.
Hopefully the esim is just as easy to switch, would be nice if there was a tool where we could program it.

It will probably be like older CDMA phones. You will have to deactivate the phone and e-sim first before you can switch carriers. Once it is deactivated you will just have to give your carrier the IMEI and ICCID. Kind of a pain and you will lose your number due to deactivation unless you have a temporary phone to swap to but there should be no more missing sim card errors!

I had the regular Pixel. Sold it. Am playing with the Essential (it's not as bad as all these reviews). So I guess if I get the new Pixel 2 XL, I won't be able to swap sims back and forth?

Prediction: e-SIM won't be easy to switch, and older plans (e.g., Verizon grandfathered unlimited data plans) won't be permitted on the e-SIM as being "not compatible".
Just another means for carriers to take away control from end users. C'est la vie!

Definitely not keen on the idea of not being able to swap my sim from phone to phone. The few times I'd need to switch are usually emergency situations. I hope this rumor is wrong.

The idea of esim is still confusing for me, can anyone explain it to me?

Falitheman said:
The idea of esim is still confusing for me, can anyone explain it to me?
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You already have the answers you seek. http://bfy.tw/EEJb . I'm teaching you to fish.

zetsumeikuro said:
You already have the answers you seek. http://bfy.tw/EEJb . I'm teaching you to fish.
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Man, lmgtfy really stepped up their game. I haven't seen their results in probably a year or more. It used to be dripping with passive aggressiveness but now it's a deluge!

ok...let me ask another question: My 6P finally crapped out and Google is sending me a Pixel XL. I need to port my phone number to the Pixel. So does this mean a trip to the carrier ? ( TMO in my case )

eosaph said:
ok...let me ask another question: My 6P finally crapped out and Google is sending me a Pixel XL. I need to port my phone number to the Pixel. So does this mean a trip to the carrier ? ( TMO in my case )
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Nope, just use the SIM from the 6P.

eosaph said:
ok...let me ask another question: My 6P finally crapped out and Google is sending me a Pixel XL. I need to port my phone number to the Pixel. So does this mean a trip to the carrier ? ( TMO in my case )
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E-sim is not for the current Pixel....

galaxys said:
E-sim is not for the current Pixel....
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no one knows if its even for the next Pixel either

Falitheman said:
The idea of esim is still confusing for me, can anyone explain it to me?
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from my understanding the "SIM chip" is already in the phone and using serials and such I'm guessing there will be some black magic at the network end where they can push the SIM data to the chip on the phone, it may even end up like some of the older phones (more heard of it on the Apple side) where you actually have to go into the networks shop and have them activate the handset, either way I can see this being short lived as most of the world has used SIM cards since time began, so in these countries it will likely put a lot of people off if they have to keep dealing with the networks more so than they do now to get the network lock removed down the line.

Here in Germany you get a paper with a qr code. Just scan it and everything else happens automatically.

I hope everyone saw the announcement today, but if you haven't yet, the esim is for project Fi only. It will still have a sim tray for other carriers.

fiffan86 said:
I hope everyone saw the announcement today, but if you haven't yet, the esim is for project Fi only. It will still have a sim tray for other carriers.
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That's awesome. Man I just got my pixel XL like not even two months ago. They are pretty generous with the trade in offering $410. But I just can't figure out if it's worth it. Are allot of you guys moving from but first pixel XL to pixel XL 2

Oneplus 6 on Verizon

I haven't found too much on this topic. I have found a lot on the Oneplus 6. I am trying to get calls and texts on Verizon. Upon inserting a Verizon SIM card I get 3g but I do not get calls and or texts and from what I have read regarding the Oneplus 5 and verizon I should be able to get calls with along with 3g. I have tinkered with APN settings and the settings found under *#*#4636#*#* but have not been successful. Has anyone successfully gotten it to work on Verizon?

I am having a similar issue. I just received my OP6 and can only get Verizon data (either 4G and 3G data both work). No matter what SIM slot I use or if I set my preferred network type to only 3G/2G, I can NOT make or receive calls. For the record, I live in an area where I don't need LTE band 13. And since the phone has both Verizon 3G bands BC0 and BC1, in theory, I should be able to connect to BC0 and/or BC1 to make/receive calls. Roaming is enabled.
I'm coming from a ZTE Axon 7, where I was able to run my primary cricket sim in 4G, leaving the Verizon sim for phone calls only in 3G. On my ZTE Axon 7, I used cricket for calls/data/text, and used sim slot 2 for my work phone only for calls. APN settings I copied over from my working ZTE Axon 7.
Has anyone been able to get OP6 to receive and send phone calls working on Verizon? If so, any pointers you could pass along would be appreciated.

Not certified for vzw, they won't let it properly on the network.

mastibeta said:
Not certified for vzw, they won't let it properly on the network.
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This man is correct. The phone is only certified for ATT, T-Mob, and US Cel.
How can you buy a $500 dollar product and not check if it can be used on your network?

stevew7 said:
I am having a similar issue. I just received my OP6 and can only get Verizon data (either 4G and 3G data both work). No matter what SIM slot I use or if I set my preferred network type to only 3G/2G, I can NOT make or receive calls. For the record, I live in an area where I don't need LTE band 13. And since the phone has both Verizon 3G bands BC0 and BC1, in theory, I should be able to connect to BC0 and/or BC1 to make/receive calls. Roaming is enabled.
I'm coming from a ZTE Axon 7, where I was able to run my primary cricket sim in 4G, leaving the Verizon sim for phone calls only in 3G. On my ZTE Axon 7, I used cricket for calls/data/text, and used sim slot 2 for my work phone only for calls. APN settings I copied over from my working ZTE Axon 7.
Has anyone been able to get OP6 to receive and send phone calls working on Verizon? If so, any pointers you could pass along would be appreciated.
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It actually can work with Verizon and I actually got it to work! Previous Oneplus devices have worked with Verizon so it isn't that big of a shock that the 6 works with Verizon. For some reason the current Android 8.1 build of Oneplus's OS does not automatically detect and choose which cell bands to use. I installed the Android P Beta 2 that was released by Oneplus and I popped in the Verizon sim and it works. I get both data and talk/text. This build has an option to auto detect bands under *#*#4636#*#*. Installing the beta is very simple, no rooting or unlocking the boot loader needed. Oneplus actually has a forum post where they explain how to do it. The Android P beta 2 is actually daily driverable unlike the beta 1. I'm happy to go further in-depth on settings to check if you'd like, I want people to be able to use their Oneplus 6's on Verizon. Before I got mine to work I hadn't found anyone else who had given details as to how they got it to work on Verizon.

sterns said:
It actually can work with Verizon and I actually got it to work! Previous Oneplus devices have worked with Verizon so it isn't that big of a shock that the 6 works with Verizon. For some reason the current Android 8.1 build of Oneplus's OS does not automatically detect and choose which cell bands to use. I installed the Android P Beta 2 that was released by Oneplus and I popped in the Verizon sim and it works. I get both data and talk/text. This build has an option to auto detect bands under *#*#4636#*#*. Installing the beta is very simple, no rooting or unlocking the boot loader needed. Oneplus actually has a forum post where they explain how to do it. The Android P beta 2 is actually daily driverable unlike the beta 1. I'm happy to go further in-depth on settings to check if you'd like, I want people to be able to use their Oneplus 6's on Verizon. Before I got mine to work I hadn't found anyone else who had given details as to how they got it to work on Verizon.
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Please don't follow this man's advice. The device is not certified for use on Verizon network.

nabbed said:
Pleas don't follow this man's advice. The device is not certified for use on Verizon network.
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Is this an attempt to troll? Just because Oneplus doesn't pay Verizon to have their phones' IMEIs certified does not mean that it will not work. There have been plenty of people to get their Oneplus 5T to work with Verizon and the 5T and 6 are rocking the same radios internally. There is a post of reddit, which I cannot link since I do not have enough posts on my XDA account to provide links, titled "OnePlus 6 Android P Beta working with Verizon sim" which was posted 10 days ago where someone stated that they got the OP6 to work with the beta the only difference being is that they installed the first release of the beta which is not really usable for day-to-day while Oneplus's second release of the beta is what I am currently using and it is completely usable. The only issue is that bluetooth connectivity using the beta is spotty. I'm hoping that the actual release of Android P will allow for the same auto detection of bands.

sterns said:
Is this an attempt to troll? Just because Oneplus doesn't pay Verizon to have their phones' IMEIs certified does not mean that it will not work. There have been plenty of people to get their Oneplus 5T to work with Verizon and the 5T and 6 are rocking the same radios internally. There is a post of reddit, which I cannot link since I do not have enough posts on my XDA account to provide links, titled "OnePlus 6 Android P Beta working with Verizon sim" which was posted 10 days ago where someone stated that they got the OP6 to work with the beta the only difference being is that they installed the first release of the beta which is not really usable for day-to-day while Oneplus's second release of the beta is what I am currently using and it is completely usable. The only issue is that bluetooth connectivity using the beta is spotty. I'm hoping that the actual release of Android P will allow for the same auto detection of bands.
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Attempt to troll? Attempt to warn users against using false information.
Like its predecessors, the OnePlus 6 won’t work with Sprint or Verizon
https://www.androidauthority.com/oneplus-6-sprint-verizon-compatibility-866662/

nabbed said:
Attempt to troll? Attempt to warn users against using false information.
Like its predecessors, the OnePlus 6 won’t work with Sprint or Verizon
https://www.androidauthority.com/oneplus-6-sprint-verizon-compatibility-866662/
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Well I'm glad it seems as though you have done your own research on this forum and as a senior member of this forum I'm sure you are aware of the other posts on xda that reference others' ability to use the OP 5T on Verizon. Sprint whitelists IMEIs so to the best of my knowledge a OP6 would not work on Sprint. I would encourage anyone looking into trying to get a OP6 to read all other posts on this forum regarding OP's and Verizon/CDMA usage, as I learned a lot from doing so. My post on getting the OP6 to work on Verizon does not harm the device nor the user. My previous post is not encouraging others to buy a OP6 in the sole hopes they can get it to work on Verizon because other's mileage may very. If someone already has a OP6 and would like to try to get talk/texting to work on Verizon then I am encouraging them to try to installing Oneplus's second release of the Android P beta. I bought my OP6 with the intention of switching to T-Mobile but now that I have gotten it to work on Verizon for the time being then there is no reason for me to switch. I joined this forum and made my original post in search of other Oneplus 6 users that have gotten their OP6 to work with Verizon. I'm glad that the supportive community of xda senior members such as yourself came out to help, but as it stands I'm quite sure based on your previous responses that you have not tried to use a OP6 on Verizon, and at this point I wouldn't be surprised if you did not own a OP6. Thank you for taking a stance on a subject you do not know much about.

sterns said:
Well I'm glad it seems as though you have done your own research on this forum and as a senior member of this forum I'm sure you are aware of the other posts on xda that reference others' ability to use the OP 5T on Verizon. Sprint whitelists IMEIs so to the best of my knowledge a OP6 would not work on Sprint. I would encourage anyone looking into trying to get a OP6 to read all other posts on this forum regarding OP's and Verizon/CDMA usage, as I learned a lot from doing so. My post on getting the OP6 to work on Verizon does not harm the device nor the user. My previous post is not encouraging others to buy a OP6 in the sole hopes they can get it to work on Verizon because other's mileage may very. If someone already has a OP6 and would like to try to get talk/texting to work on Verizon then I am encouraging them to try to installing Oneplus's second release of the Android P beta. I bought my OP6 with the intention of switching to T-Mobile but now that I have gotten it to work on Verizon for the time being then there is no reason for me to switch. I joined this forum and made my original post in search of other Oneplus 6 users that have gotten their OP6 to work with Verizon. I'm glad that the supportive community of xda senior members such as yourself came out to help, but as it stands I'm quite sure based on your previous responses that you have not tried to use a OP6 on Verizon, and at this point I wouldn't be surprised if you did not own a OP6. Thank you for taking a stance on a subject you do not know much about.
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Oneplus 6 is not certified for use on Verizon network.
There will be no support from either Oneplus or Verizon for this phone.
Period.

nabbed said:
Oneplus 6 is not certified for use on Verizon network.
There will be no support from either Oneplus or Verizon for this phone.
Period.
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Thank you, duly noted. I think we are arguing over two different things.

sterns said:
Thank you, duly noted. I think we are arguing over two different things.
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I haven't argued a single time. I have only stated easily verifiable facts.

nabbed said:
I haven't argued a single time. I have only stated easily verifiable facts.
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Everything I have stated is verifiable.

sterns said:
Everything I have stated is verifiable.
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Verifiable by what? Installing a beta OS and basically hacking a device to work on an unsupported network?
Listen to yourself!

nabbed said:
Verifiable by what? Installing a beta OS and basically hacking a device to work on an unsupported network?
Listen to yourself!
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...the dudes just saying how he got it to work? Kinda what the post was made for lol. Who cares if it's "officially supported" smh lmao.

Logan0829 said:
...the dudes just saying how he got it to work? Kinda what the post was made for lol. Who cares if it's "officially supported" smh lmao.
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Who cares? Potential buyers. People spending hundreds of dollars.

nabbed said:
Who cares? Potential buyers. People spending hundreds of dollars.
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But he got it to freaking work so why does it matter lol. Potential buyers see what they're getting into if they're reading this. My God how dumb can people be ?*

nabbed said:
Who cares? Potential buyers. People spending hundreds of dollars.
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I would say that anyone looking to buy the OP6 with the intention to try to get it to work with Verizon know what they are getting into, including the possibility it does not work at all. The OP6 in general in the US is a bit of a nerdier phone to begin with. It's not what I would call mainstream.

Logan0829 said:
But he got it to freaking work so why does it matter lol. Potential buyers see what they're getting into if they're reading this. My God how dumb can people be ?*
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Potential buyers do see what they are getting into-
only because of my posts, and mustibeta's https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=76949730&postcount=3
This is the whole point!

nabbed said:
Potential buyers do see what they are getting into-
only because of my posts, and mustibeta's https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=76949730&postcount=3
This is the whole point!
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ORRRRR they see that if they buy the phone and use dp2 they can use Verizon ?? if they're okay with that then there's no issues with buying the phone.

T-Mobile Variant : Google Pixel 4XL (VERIZON Bootloader Unlock Process WONT WORK)

I purchased a T-Mobile Pixel 4 XL from T-Mobile due to the fact that they were price matching the device with a competitor's offer that contacted me, for the device to be $0 down and $28 monthly. Now because of the situation, i have been speaking to the "Retention" Department, which i found out today, that the department no longer exists.
I ordered the device already having experience with the OG Pixel XL Verizon Variant, which as most Pixel Users know, that if you boot the device for the 1st time with a different carriers SIM Card, the device Registers as a Google Edition Bootloader Unlockable device forever, AS LONG AS YOU BOOT FOR THE 1st TIME WITH A DIFFERENT SIM AND ENTER DEVELOPER OPTIONS TO ALLOW OEM UNLOCKING.
The Pixel 4 XL from T-Mobile and from Verizon ARE 2 TOTALLY DIFFERENT DEVICES... The above process does not and WILL NOT WORK on T-MOBILE Variants.. The WHACKED thing is, Verizon's Variant is Carrier Unlocked from the gate and is supposed to NOT be Bootloader Unlockable. T-Mobile on the other hand, owned by Deutch Telecom and a world carrier, sells the Pixel 4 XL Carrier LOCKEDand Bootloader LOCKED. WTF?
So, i have 18 days to send the device back if :
1) I cant crack it and Unlock Bootloader
2) I have John Legere's Assistant's email and i have emailed her to see if she can do anything. If i must send the device back to TMO to purchase the device directly from Google, and they want to keep me, They can credit my accout the different between the cost of the device from Google and what i would have paid forr the TMO variant.
3) I have been on the phone with Google the last 2 days awaiting a Level 2 Tech Support Supervisor to call me back. When i first got my OG Pixel XL, it was from a buddy, Verizon Sales Rep and i didnt know the Bootloader wasnt unlockable if not done immediatly. Contacted Google and they did a warrenty placement and even upgraded me to a BRAND NEW 128GB Pixel XL!
I have read that the Verizon Pixel 4 XL SIM MOD to unlock the bootloader IS STILL WORKING on the 4XL.
The reason I feel as though T-Mobile should help me is because there are NO Bootloader Unlock Policies in writing, which i asked for on several occassions and all i received back was their Carrier Unlock Policies. 99% of the employees at T-Mobile or any other carrier for that matter DO NOT know what a Bootloader is and i school them and tell them to pay me via credit to my bill. Because a Bootloader Policy does not Officially exist, there is my argument if i take legal action. Time will tell.....
I will Update the Post with any Updates I receive...
Update 11/25/19
I went to Twitter to rant and rave about my situation which is in the hands of (2) Major Companies, T-Mobile and Google Escalations Level 2 Tech Support. Saturday I was emailied by John Legeres's Assistant from T-Mobile asking me the best time to contact me by phone to rectify the situation. I sent a long email to her explaining everything from the sale the discounts I got on the device, which was over $300 for the down payment and $28 a month for the device. I gave T-Mobile the option 2 bill credit me the difference between getting the device through Google T-mobile. And I will gladly return the unit and get one direction Google that was one of the options I gave them. Because I was given two options 1 return the device within 20 days 2 pay the device off. In the T-Mobile help reps and no idea what they're talkin about saying that after the device is unlocked I will be contacted by the carrier with an unlock code for the bootloader Google phones do not require an unlock code for the bootloader so where they're making this information up or where she's getting this text book information during her "lunch break". Know me personally I just started using Twitter and I use it more for like news and stuff but I never tweet and at T-Mobile help is a Twitter account and I was on there for 5 hours Straight in front of my laptop going back and forth and sometimes waiting 20-30 minutes for a reply I understand their multitasking and dealing with multiple customers but 5 hours but I will say they usually get stuff done that care cannot.
So as of now I reefer reply or a phone call from T-Mobile's John Legeres assistant end I'm supposedly waiting for an email from a level two Tech support rep Google escalations. And I made both parties understand that this is a time-sensitive matter then I will not be stuck with the paperweight.
Also please keep in mind I always purchase unlocked devices since I've been with T-Mobile all I purchased was unlocked devicesn whether OnePlus directly from OnePlus we're international versions from Amazon unless I end up with the carrier version that I can crack I don't do it but something will be done here. I also suggested to the T-Mobile assistant I am emailing that a memo go out to everyone regarding bootloader unlocking what it is what is used for who requested it and so on and so forth. This was the deal I just couldn't pass up matching in Xfinity deal that was provided to me over the phone to consolidate my utility bills and I just heard pixel for nothing down in $28 a month then you got the bright idea to contact T-Mobile to see if they would match it and it took them a week to say yes and speak to different people but they said yes and here we are

Putting aside the merits of your argument in regards to what's right or wrong, which I agree with you btw.
I'm going to predict your stuck with a locked phone if you keep it. Neither the Pixel 2 or 3 ever got unlocked on the carrier versions. Google don't get involved as they offer it up unlocked at a premium. I can't imagine any scenario where a carrier gives a Rats ass about providing help on that front. It is a lose - lose situation for them. It opens up security concerns for their corporate partners and customers and creates a whole new warranty headache with people boning up their phones.

Could you link me to where you see the Verizon 4XL bootloader is still unlockable? Last I heard it was locked and the people who had unlocked it had potentially gotten lucky.

ThisPlaceIsaJoke said:
I purchased a T-Mobile Pixel 4 XL from T-Mobile due to the fact that they were price matching the device with a competitor's offer that contacted me, for the device to be $0 down and $28 monthly. Now because of the situation, i have been speaking to the "Retention" Department, which i found out today, that the department no longer exists.
I ordered the device already having experience with the OG Pixel XL Verizon Variant, which as most Pixel Users know, that if you boot the device for the 1st time with a different carriers SIM Card, the device Registers as a Google Edition Bootloader Unlockable device forever, AS LONG AS YOU BOOT FOR THE 1st TIME WITH A DIFFERENT SIM AND ENTER DEVELOPER OPTIONS TO ALLOW OEM UNLOCKING.
The Pixel 4 XL from T-Mobile and from Verizon ARE 2 TOTALLY DIFFERENT DEVICES... The above process does not and WILL NOT WORK on T-MOBILE Variants.. The WHACKED thing is, Verizon's Variant is Carrier Unlocked from the gate and is supposed to NOT be Bootloader Unlockable. T-Mobile on the other hand, owned by Deutch Telecom and a world carrier, sells the Pixel 4 XL Carrier LOCKEDand Bootloader LOCKED. WTF?
So, i have 18 days to send the device back if :
1) I cant crack it and Unlock Bootloader
2) I have John Legere's Assistant's email and i have emailed her to see if she can do anything. If i must send the device back to TMO to purchase the device directly from Google, and they want to keep me, They can credit my accout the different between the cost of the device from Google and what i would have paid forr the TMO variant.
3) I have been on the phone with Google the last 2 days awaiting a Level 2 Tech Support Supervisor to call me back. When i first got my OG Pixel XL, it was from a buddy, Verizon Sales Rep and i didnt know the Bootloader wasnt unlockable if not done immediatly. Contacted Google and they did a warrenty placement and even upgraded me to a BRAND NEW 128GB Pixel XL!
I have read that the Verizon Pixel 4 XL SIM MOD to unlock the bootloader IS STILL WORKING on the 4XL.
The reason I feel as though T-Mobile should help me is because there are NO Bootloader Unlock Policies in writing, which i asked for on several occassions and all i received back was their Carrier Unlock Policies. 99% of the employees at T-Mobile or any other carrier for that matter DO NOT know what a Bootloader is and i school them and tell them to pay me via credit to my bill. Because a Bootloader Policy does not Officially exist, there is my argument if i take legal action. Time will tell.....
I will Update the Post with any Updates I receive...
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I have t mobile and I bought my pixel 4xl from t mobile you have to pay the full price from t mobile in order to unlock bootloader my t mobile device is unlock. But you have to wait 40 days in order to get your phone unlock when purchase in full prices. Once you get the pixel 4xl unlock the bootloader will also be unlock. For me it took me 30 days to make it happen.

Why are you talking to Google? Hit up T-Mobile on Twitter or Facebook and they'll sim unlock it if you ask nicely.
Worked for me.

LLStarks said:
Why are you talking to Google? Hit up T-Mobile on Twitter or Facebook and they'll sim unlock it if you ask nicely.
Worked for me.
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Hey has to pay for his devices full price in order to unlock bootloader

No he doesn't. I didn't.
Customers in good standing can get an override.

If you're in good standing and tell them you're traveling internationally (especially to a country that isn't on their plus list), they'll usually do it from my experience.

brandon5491 said:
If you're in good standing and tell them you're traveling internationally (especially to a country that isn't on their plus list), they'll usually do it from my experience.
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I'm pretty stuff that is carrier unlock, not bootloader unlock.

CyberpodS2 said:
I'm pretty stuff that is carrier unlock, not bootloader unlock.
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That's right. I've read that carrier unlock is necessary for bootloader unlock no?

brandon5491 said:
That's right. I've read that carrier unlock is necessary for bootloader unlock no?
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I didn't know they had any influence on each other, but maybe I'm mistaken?

They don't. The carriers had Google use SIM unlock status as a check for being able to toggle OEM unlocking in dev options.
If you don't like your chances with T-Mobile support, FCC complaints have also apparently been effective at getting an unlock.

LLStarks said:
They don't. The carriers had Google use SIM unlock status as a check for being able to toggle OEM unlocking in dev options.
If you don't like your chances with T-Mobile support, FCC complaints have also apparently been effective at getting an unlock.
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Your posts contradicts itself.
Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

There's no contradiction.
My experience matches the experience of others, especially those with OnePlus phones and the Pixel 3A. Chatting with reps worked. May take more than one attempt. You can honest with them about what you want to do with your phone or claim a need to use overseas for a period longer than a temp unlock may allow for. Either way, make it clear that you're a loyal T-Mobile customer.
For other people, depending on your account type, credit class, and overall standing with T-Mobile, this may not work. Calling T-Mobile does not seem to work, ever. Calling Google does nothing.
An FCC complaint is a last resort nuclear option and worked for at least one poster here. Probably not worth it.
Paying off your phone and waiting 40 days is the proper way, but it's also for suckers. You probably also limit yourself to 2 unlocks per year this way. Kinda defeats the purpose of JOD and getting ready for rapid improvements to 5G phones.

aznsensazn29 said:
Could you link me to where you see the Verizon 4XL bootloader is still unlockable? Last I heard it was locked and the people who had unlocked it had po notentially gotten lucky.
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I can't remember where I seen it but there's a certain process that has to be done it has to be a brand-new out of the unit box never booted. You have to take the Verizon sim out replace it with another carrier Sim. Who did the voice the first time with the other carrier shim when it registers to the network it registers is a Google edition device instead of a Verizon Variant. This method has worked on all pixel models carried by Verizon. This method does not work on T-Mobile because another Sim cannot be registered on the network because it's carrier-locked. Do you have any other questions feel free to p.m. me. If you already booted your phone l o e m unlock in developer options is greyed out you can never bootloader unlock your device Google however will replace the device under warranty with another Verizon unit which most likely would be a new unit they tell you they prepare the units but they do not the unit is too new to have repaired units yet so anything within the first few months of release is going to be a brand new replacement.

williejack619 said:
I have t mobile and I bought my pixel 4xl from t mobile you have to pay the full price from t mobile in order to unlock bootloader my t mobile device is unlock. But you have to wait 40 days in order to get your phone unlock when purchase in full prices. Once you get the pixel 4xl unlock the bootloader will also be unlock. For me it took me 30 days to make it happen.
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I have no patience for stupid T-Mobile reps I have no patience for stupid people I'm past that and I was sold a device that I was told was told was bootloader unlockable. Clearly explaining the difference between carrier unlock and bootloader unlock. I'm still a little lost on the fact of why VZW Variant is carrier-unlocked with all the other device is being carrier-locked and it's a domestic company yet T-Mobile is global the device is carrier-locked and it just cost them x amount of dollars for a different version of software for that reason. It's all this is another version of firmware for the pixel 4.
T-Mobile isn't even aware that 95% of the Motorola's are bootloader unlockable even the Moto Z3 what exactly are they trying to protect when other devices they carry are boot literal lockable but still carrier-locked.

CyberpodS2 said:
Putting aside the merits of your argument in regards to what's right or wrong, which I agree with you btw.
I'm going to predict your stuck with a locked phone if you keep it. Neither the Pixel 2 or 3 ever got unlocked on the carrier versions. Google don't get involved as they offer it up unlocked at a premium. I can't imagine any scenario where a carrier gives a Rats ass about providing help on that front. It is a lose - lose situation for them. It opens up security concerns for their corporate partners and customers and creates a whole new warranty headache with people boning up their phones.
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Well like I previously said this is a time-sensitive matter to both parties Google escalations and the T-Mobile assistant. And again I will not get stuck with a paperweight whether they like it or not they may be unlocking this phone early. Google support level 1 already said they would replace the device under warranty but it would have to be with another T-Mobile variant which would not do me any good especially with the VZW SIM card swap not working on this model.

CyberpodS2 said:
I didn't know they had any influence on each other, but maybe I'm mistaken?
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Absolutely not it all depends on how its setup if it's set up via firmware or it is a separate component listening device but for example the Moto Z3 is carrier-locked but it is bootloader unlockable through Motorola I know for a fact a bootloader unlock free of them which all bricked when they upgraded from Oreo 2 Pie aka Treble.

ThisPlaceIsaJoke said:
Dude disappoint so be stupid like T-Mobile reps I have no patience for stupid people I'm past that and I was sold a device that I was told was told was bootloader unlockable. Clearly explaining the difference between carrier unlock and bootloader unlock. I'm still a little lost on the fact of why VZW Variant is carrier-unlocked with all the other device is being carrier-locked and it's a domestic company yet T-Mobile is global the device is carrier-locked and it just cost them x amount of dollars for a different version of software for that reason. It's all this is another version of firmware for the pixel 4.
T-Mobile isn't even aware that 95% of the Motorola's are bootloader unlockable even the Moto Z3 what exactly are they trying to protect when other devices they carry are boot literal lockable but still carrier-locked.
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Can someone translate this to English?

LLStarks said:
Why are you talking to Google? Hit up T-Mobile on Twitter or Facebook and they'll sim unlock it if you ask nicely.
Worked for me.
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It will what I did before work for me I hit up Google I had a Verizon variant with the OG Pixel XL they replaced it with a Google edition upgraded model to 128 gig brand new. I only have 20 days so I'm going to hit up anybody that I can that is willing to help. Google is the manufacturer T-Mobile is the carrier both parties are involved