For all the SM-920xxx variants, which are able to get full root & unlocked bootloader
There are so many threads with conflicting information scattered about, so I am just going to ask...
If I want an S6 (SM-G920xx) to use on AT&T but do not want to get the actual AT&T SM-G920A because of lack of root and whatnot, which model should I go for that will allow me to gain full app/abd root as well as unlocked bootloader?
Thank you.
You're not going to get an unlocked bootloader, but if you want root, your best bet in the US will be either getting the T-Mobile or Verizon variant. Verizon's is unlocked out of the box, T-Mobile you'd have to get unlocked from T-Mobile. T-Mobile's is also missing one of the bands that ATT uses for coverage, but it lacks carrier branding on the back--if you use a skin or a case, this isn't important--, and the G920F is what you want if you're getting an international model.
Hi guys, I am hoping I can get some help since I am needing to get a 5g phone on T-Mobile and root it to tether with. And since I am adding a line, I could take advantage of their half-off deals, but I need to know if there are any 5g phones on T-Mobile that will let me root it while it is technically still locked to their service. I know when I rooted a phone earlier this year it was just assumed that it needed to be carrier unlocked first, so it's hard to go look at individual phone forums and see if their unlock methods would work for me or not. Is it possible for any of their offerings to be rooted while still be locked to the carrier?
Thanks in advanced.
One of the phones T-Mobile sells with 5G is the OnePlus 8...
Nate Rules said:
Hi guys, I am hoping I can get some help since I am needing to get a 5g phone on T-Mobile and root it to tether with. And since I am adding a line, I could take advantage of their half-off deals, but I need to know if there are any 5g phones on T-Mobile that will let me root it while it is technically still locked to their service. I know when I rooted a phone earlier this year it was just assumed that it needed to be carrier unlocked first, so it's hard to go look at individual phone forums and see if their unlock methods would work for me or not. Is it possible for any of their offerings to be rooted while still be locked to the carrier?
Thanks in advanced.
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All that really matters is if the device has an unlocked bootloader or, at least, a bootloader that can, in fact, be unlocked using a known/proven method for that exact device.
Devices that have an unlocked/unlockable bootloader can easily root using the Magisk method and/or TWRP, but, not all devices have TWRP available to them. But, the Magisk method works for most devices, provided that they have an unlocked bootloader.
Yes, it can be locked to a carrier and still be rooted. When you see guides discussing unlocking a device in order to root the device, they are not referring to carrier unlocking the device in order to root, they are referring to unlocking the bootloader, which must be done in order to make modifications(such as rooting) to the system software.
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Need to pick up a few phones to play with. Since they all seem to have their own bootloaders (or do they?), should I go with Verizon, ATT, Sprint phone, or?
XDASikpupy said:
Need to pick up a few phones to play with. Since they all seem to have their own bootloaders (or do they?), should I go with Verizon, ATT, Sprint phone, or?
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Virtually all models of devices from the major US carriers are going to have locked bootloader with no way to unlock them. I suggest getting the devices directly from the manufacturer or buying international non branded devices because the majority of them have unlocked bootloader or bootloader that can at least be unlocked.
If a US phone is "unlocked", does that mean the bootloader is unlocked or just unlocked for carrier use? I also hear phones directly from Samsung are locked also.
XDASikpupy said:
If a US phone is "unlocked", does that mean the bootloader is unlocked or just unlocked for carrier use? I also hear phones directly from Samsung are locked also.
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When you buy a phone that says it is unlocked, yes, it is referring to the fact that it is SIM/carrier unlocked to be used on other carrier networks.
Unlocking bootloader is a very specific procedure in order to modify the device or add/remove pieces of system level software If you're looking to use custom recovery and custom ROMs, you will definitely need to make certain that it is a model that has the bootloader already unlocked or has a stock firmware version that has a bootloader that can successfully unlocked. Typically, the older the firmware version for a specific device model number is the safest bet, the later, newer updated firmware for that specific device model number tend to have locked bootloaders. And it gets worse as the devices get newer and more improved with security features and roadblocks.
A safe bet is a Non US Google Pxel device, they are all very well supported here. Regardless of the device in question, you don't ever want anything that Verizon has to offer, period. AT&T and Sprint are just as bad.
Droidriven - Thanks for the info, thats what I have been reading, and, what makes me wonder. If I can get unlocked phones with locked bootloaders, and I am not going to mess with he bootloader, is there one "locked" bootloader better than the other?
I'm thinking about buying a Google Pixel 3 XL on Amazon, it's renewed. It is factory unlocked and I was wondering if it means it can be OEM unlocked. Does factory unlocked mean it doesn't come with a carrier?
Factory Unlocked means it's unlocked for all carriers.
xXx yYy said:
Factory Unlocked means it's unlocked for all carriers.
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Thank you, so that means no blocking of OEM unlock?
xXx yYy said:
Factory Unlocked means it's unlocked for all carriers.
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Because I heard Verizon blocks OEM unlocking.
Factory Unlocked ( read: device without network/SIM lock ) and OEM Unlock ( read: device's bootloader is unlocked ) are completely different things, they don't relate.
Whether the phone in question can get OEM unlocked or not I don't know: I don't own such a device.
xXx yYy said:
Factory Unlocked ( read: device without network/SIM lock ) and OEM Unlock ( read: device's bootloader is unlocked ) are completely different things, they don't relate.
Whether the phone in question can get OEM unlocked or not I don't know: I don't own such a device.
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So factory unlocked doesn't have a carrier and can choose any or not have any?
xXx yYy said:
Factory Unlocked ( read: device without network/SIM lock ) and OEM Unlock ( read: device's bootloader is unlocked ) are completely different things, they don't relate.
Whether the phone in question can get OEM unlocked or not I don't know: I don't own such a device.
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Google Pixels on Verizon can't be bootloader unlocked, I want to make sure I don't get Verizon. Factory Unlocked mean you don't have any, right?
ATBG said:
Google Pixels on Verizon can't be bootloader unlocked, I want to make sure I don't get Verizon. Factory Unlocked meand you don't have any, right?
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Factory unlocked means it is SIM/Carrier unlocked so that the device can be used on any carrier network. This has nothing to do with OEM unlocking.
OEM unlock only applies to unlocking the bootloader so that the software on the device can be modified or install custom software.
Verizon blocks OEM unlock on all of its devices, you can't unlock the bootloader on Verizon devices, this means you can't use Magisk, TWRP, custom ROMs and you can't modify the software on the device.
Do you understand the difference now? If you want to be able to root a device or install TWRP and custom ROMs, do not buy a Verizon device because you will not be able to do these things on a Verizon device. Don't waste your money on a Verizon device.
Droidriven said:
Factory unlocked means it is SIM/Carrier unlocked so that the device can be used on any carrier network. This has nothing to do with OEM unlocking.
OEM unlock only applies to unlocking the bootloader so that the software on the device can be modified or install custom software.
Verizon blocks OEM unlock on all of its devices, you can't unlock the bootloader on Verizon devices, this means you can't use Magisk, TWRP, custom ROMs and you cant modify the software on the device.
Do you understand the difference now? If you want to be able to root a device or install TWRP and custom ROMs, do not buy a Verizon device because you will not be able to these things on a Verizon device. Don't waste your money on a Verizon device.
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Okay, so factory unlocked means no Verizon?
Droidriven said:
Factory unlocked means it is SIM/Carrier unlocked so that the device can be used on any carrier network. This has nothing to do with OEM unlocking.
OEM unlock only applies to unlocking the bootloader so that the software on the device can be modified or install custom software.
Verizon blocks OEM unlock on all of its devices, you can't unlock the bootloader on Verizon devices, this means you can't use Magisk, TWRP, custom ROMs and you cant modify the software on the device.
Do you understand the difference now? If you want to be able to root a device or install TWRP and custom ROMs, do not buy a Verizon device because you will not be able to these things on a Verizon device. Don't waste your money on a Verizon device.
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I understand.
ATBG said:
Okay, so factory unlocked means no Verizon?
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No, Verizon may offer factory unlocked devices, but, that only means the device can be used on non-Verizon networks, it does not mean that it can be rooted, customized, modified or use custom software.
All devices have a bootloader, whether they are factory unlocked or not, the bootloader has nothing to do with "factory unlocked" and whether the bootloader is unlocked or not has nothing to do with "factory unlocked" and has nothing to do with whether or not a device has a bootloader. We are talking about two different kinds of "unlock" and they each have nothing to do with the other, they are each, their own specific purposes. "Factory unlocked" applies to the network(s) a device can be used on, "OEM unlock" applies to what software is allowed to be used on the device itself. You are confusing the two of them and associating them to each other in a way that is not correct, separate the two ideas in your head and understand each of them alone, without the other.
If you want a device that you can root and modify or use TWRP and custom ROMs on it, DO NOT BUY A VERIZON DEVICE. None of these can be done on Verizon devices unless you go all the way back to using devices such as a Verizon Galaxy S3 or S4 or older devices. Everything that Verizon has sold since the Galaxy S5 era has been bootloader locked to prevent root and custom software modifications.
Droidriven said:
No, Verizon may offer factory unlocked devices, but, that only means the device can be used on non-Verizon networks, it does not mean that it can be rooted, customized, modified or use custom software.
If you want a device that you can root and modify or use TWRP and custom ROMs on it, DO NOT BUY A VERIZON DEVICE. None of these can be done on Verizon devices unless you go all the way back devices such as a Verizon Galaxy S3 or S4 or older devices. Everything that Verizon has sold since the Galaxy S5 era has been bootloader locked to prevent root and custom software modifications.
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How do I make sure it's not Verizon?
ATBG said:
How do I make sure it's not Verizon?
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By not buying a device that is branded by Verizon, sold by Verizon or has a Verizon model number. Do a search using the model number, if it is a Verizon model number, your search results will show that it is Verizon. All or most of the US versions of Pixel devices for the different US carriers(i.e. Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, etc...) are bootloader locked, buy directly from Google or by an international version of pixel with an international model number.
Droidriven said:
By not buying a device that is branded by Verizon, sold by Verizon or has a Verizon model number. Do a search using the model number, if it is a Verizon model number, your search results will show that it is Verizon. All or most of the US versions of Pixel devices for the different US carriers(i.e. Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, etc...) are bootloader locked, buy directly from Google or by an international version of pixel with an international model number.
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What about OnePlus devices? I found a OnePlus 7 Pro, I kinda want to use OnePlus instead. Does Verizon lock OnePlus too?
ATBG said:
What about OnePlus devices? I found a OnePlus 7 Pro, I kinda want to use OnePlus instead. Does Verizon lock OnePlus too?
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What are you trying to do? What kind of "unlocked" are you looking for?
Do you want a device that is SIM/Carrier unlocked (also known as "factory unlocked") so that it can be used on a different network than it was "made" for?
Or do you want a device that has an unlocked bootloader or has a bootloader that can be unlocked by using the "OEM unlock" in order to root the device, install TWRP and custom ROMs or otherwise modify the stock software?
If you want a device that can be used on any network, you're looking for any kind of "factory unlocked" device. Many different carrier branded devices can be factory unlocked but I know that Verizon does not like allowing this on their devices.
If you're looking for something that can be customized and can use custom software, you are locking for a device that has an unlocked bootloader or at least a bootloader that can be unlocked via the "OEM unlock" setting or via fastboot commands, then, you do not want any kind of Verizon device, as in, NONE OF THEM. Stop asking about Verizon devices because I'm sure a Verizon device will not allow whatever it is you're wanting to do. Stop considering Verizon branded devices/model numbers. Stay away from Verizon devices, you'll only be wasting your money on a device that you will not be able to do anything with except use the device on their network using only the software that they install/allow.
Please stop beating your head against the wall, it isn't going to give or miraculously change into the answer that you "want" it to be.
Droidriven said:
What are you trying to do? What kind of "unlocked" are you looking for?
Do you want a device that is SIM/Carrier unlocked (also known as "factory unlocked") so that it can be used on a different network than it was "made" for?
Or do you want a device that has an unlocked bootloader or has a bootloader that can be unlocked by using the "OEM unlock" in order to root the device, install TWRP and custom ROMs or otherwise modify the stock software?
If you want a device that can be used on any network, you're looking for any kind of "factory unlocked" device. Many different carrier branded devices can be factory unlocked but I know that Verizon does not like allowing this on their devices.
If you're looking for something that can be customized and can use custom software, you are locking for a device that has an unlocked bootloader or at least a bootloader that can be unlocked via the "OEM unlock" setting or via fastboot commands, then, you do not want any kind of Verizon device, as in, NONE OF THEM. Stop asking about Verizon devices because I'm sure a Verizon device will not allow whatever it is you're wanting to do. Stop considering Verizon branded devices/model numbers. Stay away from Verizon devices, you'll only be wasting your money on a device that you will not be able to do anything with except use the device on their network using only the software that they install/allow.
Please stop beating your head against the wall, it isn't going to give or miraculously change into the answer that you "want" it to be.
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Okay, I understand now. I choose OnePlus now instead of Google since I want a fully de-Googled experience.
ATBG said:
Okay, I understand now. I choose OnePlus now instead of Google since I want a fully de-Googled experience.
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As long as it isn't a Verizon model of OnePlus.
Droidriven said:
As long as it isn't a Verizon model of OnePlus.
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I chose the Google Pixel 3a XL and it said it was international. That's good, right?
ATBG said:
I chose the Google Pixel 3a XL and it said it was international. That's good, right?
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Yes.
Droidriven said:
Yes.
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Thank you for helping me, man.