Bootloader unlock allowed and Batch number - Sony Xperia ZL

I asked sony mobile tech support today about how I can get a device with bootloader unlock status allowed: yes,
I asked him do all carriers lock the bootloader and he said carriers dont do anything to the bootloader status, carriers
only put the simlock on so it discourages you from switching to another carrier...
Then I asked why some have allowed: yes and some allowed: no, he just said some batches will have yes and some no,
when the shipment of phones goes to the carriers from the factory some are just factory bootloader locked allowed = no,
He said he knows different people with same sony device from same carrier and one guy will have allowed = yes and some allowed = no...
I dont know if what the guy said is true or not, what do you guys think?
For those of you that bought the device factory unlocked from amazon or some online retailer, can you chime in
what your batch number is?

I don't think that's true, why would Sony bother to make those type of changes without a request from carriers, but with android handset manufacturers, sometimes you just dont know.
It would make sense to flash the phones all the same.
I haven't heard of a carrier ZL with an unlocked boot loader, that's what I've been asking people.
Do you have one? Is it a carrier phone, and is the boot loader locked or unlocked?
I get mine Friday from Newegg, ill report back as soon as I can.

coilbio said:
I don't think that's true, why would Sony bother to make those type of changes without a request from carriers, but with android handset manufacturers, sometimes you just dont know.
It would make sense to flash the phones all the same.
I haven't heard of a carrier ZL with an unlocked boot loader, that's what I've been asking people.
Do you have one? Is it a carrier phone, and is the boot loader locked or unlocked?
I get mine Friday from Newegg, ill report back as soon as I can.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I get mine from Newegg tomorrow, I'll also check.

Just ordered from shopblt...
I want an unlockable bootloader......dont know how sony is "supporting the developer community" by allowing carriers
to hard lock the bootloader status...
Gotta assume the tech guy on the sony mobile canada support guy was just screwin with me since everyone on the
internet has same results of no unlocked bootloader from carrier unit...
Im forced to order from shopblt cuz I live in Canada and no where can you buy a factory oem mobile device in this country,
and they wont even sell you the carrier locked phones outright....you have to sign a three year contract or sign up a
month-to-month plan and you have to pay for the first time activation and first months fee......
Couldnt order from newegg cuz they dont ship to Canada...
Expansys has it for 700 while shopblt is 575.....
Is there anywhere else that sells c6506 at ~600 and can ship to Canada?
my only fear right now is Im praying I dont get exactly One (1) or Two (2) dead pixels since sony wont consider a device defective with 2 or less dead pixels.......shopblt also has no return or exchange policy on this phone =(
If I do get 1 or two dead pixels plz dont be in the middle of the screen lol =/

hardbrick123 said:
Just ordered from shopblt...
I want an unlockable bootloader......dont know how sony is "supporting the developer community" by allowing carriers
to hard lock the bootloader status...
Gotta assume the tech guy on the sony mobile canada support guy was just screwin with me since everyone on the
internet has same results of no unlocked bootloader from carrier unit...
Im forced to order from shopblt cuz I live in Canada and no where can you buy a factory oem mobile device in this country,
and they wont even sell you the carrier locked phones outright....you have to sign a three year contract or sign up a
month-to-month plan and you have to pay for the first time activation and first months fee......
Couldnt order from newegg cuz they dont ship to Canada...
Expansys has it for 700 while shopblt is 575.....
Is there anywhere else that sells c6506 at ~600 and can ship to Canada?
my only fear right now is Im praying I dont get exactly One (1) or Two (2) dead pixels since sony wont consider a device defective with 2 or less dead pixels.......shopblt also has no return or exchange policy on this phone =(
If I do get 1 or two dead pixels plz dont be in the middle of the screen lol =/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I ship to Canada. Haha.
Sent from my C6506

Pretty sure all carrier locked versions come with permanently locked bootloaders.
If you want to please join this bounty to give developers extra incentive to crack the locked bootloaders:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2245293

it is possible to find the tool that the carriers use to no allow bootloader unlock? Why if Sony is development aware, the carriers don't??

My bootloader is unlockable White 6503 model from Germany

Related

Bootloader unlock no

is there a way to install a different rom like from another country and have bootloader unlock through flashing?? right now im using ftf c6506 firmware unbranded us .423
dragonmhawk said:
is there a way to install a different rom like from another country and have bootloader unlock through flashing?? right now im using ftf c6506 firmware unbranded us .423
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This should go in the Q & A section, not developement.
I have a locked bootloader c6506 as well, currently there is no way around the locked bootloader if you aren't allowed to unlock it through the official way.
Bootloader unlock allowed no solved. Its locked by your carrier. You have to call your carrier and talk to them and push hard to get what you want. Or call Sony. carrier lock is the problem here. The bootloader is locked by the carrier. not Sony. After its carrier unlocked if u cant unlock the bootloader then you have to take it to a sony technician to get your bootloader unlocked Hit thanks if I helped in any way and pls check forums for my other posts and projects thanks again
dragonmhawk said:
Bootloader unlock allowed no solved. Its locked by your carrier. You have to call your carrier and talk to them and push hard to get what you want. Or call Sony. carrier lock is the problem here. The bootloader is locked by the carrier. not Sony. After its carrier unlocked if u cant unlock the bootloader then you have to take it to a sony technician to get your bootloader unlocked Hit thanks if I helped in any way and pls check forums for my other posts and projects thanks again
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wait wait wait
Can you clarify exactly how you went about this? You call Bell Tech Support and they unlocked it? What do you mean "if you can't unlock the bootloader, take it to Sony". Were you able to unlock or no? Where do I find a Sony technician?
Thanks
I called bell and they said they could carrier unlock my phone for 75$ charged to my bill. this should unlock bootloader if not find an asain area with cell phone services they should be able to help and r licensed technicians as well.
Anybody with rogers try this?
Sent from my HTC One X using xda app-developers app
dragonmhawk said:
I called bell and they said they could carrier unlock my phone for 75$ charged to my bill. this should unlock bootloader if not find an asain area with cell phone services they should be able to help and r licensed technicians as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Carrier unlock IS NOT bootloader unlock. The ONLY way at the moment to get a guaranteed BL unlockable device, is to get it DIRECTLY from Sony Store (USA). I contacted the few Sony Stores in Canada (GTA area) and many of the people I talked to didn't even know what the BL is so it's not reliable. I got mine off ebay and got the seller to check before I bought it. Only the C6506 variants direct from the Sony Store are likely to have unlockable BL. No technician (unless they work for Sony) will be able to unlock the bootloader.
Also, $75 is WAAAY to much for carrier/SIM unlock. You can probably find it for $20-$40 from a cell unlock website. Cheaper than that if you're lucky.
bell was going to unlock my phone and send me a code to unlock the bootloader. so there you go. I talked to them and figured it out. its the carrier who locked the bootloader not sony
dragonmhawk said:
bell was going to unlock my phone and send me a code to unlock the bootloader. so there you go. I talked to them and figured it out. its the carrier who locked the bootloader not sony
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That doesn't sound right. If it was that easy to unlock the BL more people would do it, and it would be more known in the community. And I'm pretty sure you can't unlock the BL with just a code. It's an incredibly more complex procedure than that. See http://unlockbootloader.sonymobile.com/instructions. It sounds like they are misleading you to believe it will unlock the bootloader, rather than just SIM unlock. Of course it is the carrier who locks the bootloader, that's why I said the only way to get an unlockable ZL is straight from Sony, who has no carrier branding.
dragonmhawk said:
Bootloader unlock allowed no solved. Its locked by your carrier. You have to call your carrier and talk to them and push hard to get what you want. Or call Sony. carrier lock is the problem here. The bootloader is locked by the carrier. not Sony. After its carrier unlocked if u cant unlock the bootloader then you have to take it to a sony technician to get your bootloader unlocked Hit thanks if I helped in any way and pls check forums for my other posts and projects thanks again
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you're confusing people... the OP is asking for BOOTLOADER unlock, not a carrier unlock, calling Bell (Or any other carrier for that matter) will NEVER solve the problem, it's not the carriers that lock the bootloader, it's SONY. And calling them wont help either, unless it's a developer phone purchased directly through Sony, you won't be able to unlock.
I'm sure with time, some group of diligent Devs will crack the bootloader problem the same way that Revolutionary.IO cracks through S-Off for HTC's
In the interim, you're out of luck.
This is somewhat depressing. Gods, how I miss Cyanogenmod on my S3. I find it very difficult to believe that there is no solution for this. Sure, it hasn't yet been developed, but there is always a way.
Just be patient folks. Something will pop up sooner or later.
I hope.
pm2gonzales said:
Of course it is the carrier who locks the bootloader, that's why I said the only way to get an unlockable ZL is straight from Sony, who has no carrier branding.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Almost, it's not the carrier that locks it, or even the carrier that requests it be locked, it's Sony locking it before sending it. Unlocking the bootloader is a DEVELOPMENT option, not a CONSUMER option, anything that is going to the hands of a consumer gets locked, ie. ALL CARRIER phones.
Unlocking the bootloader mean you can write to the system partitions without using EXPLOITS to gain root access (Which is what we're doing now)
It's the fastest way for a consumer to brick their phone, which is why they all leave the factory locked, unless you're buying directly from them, at which point, they assume you aren't a consumer, and you may then unlock your bootloader by use of http://unlockbootloader.sonymobile.com/ and FastBoot in the Android Dev Kit.
Not to beat a dead horse or get into a he said she said scenario, But let me explain how it all works to the best of my ability.
First do not call any carrier and think they will understand what it means to unlock a bootloader, for the most part they are not aware of the bootloader. this is not covered in they're training.
Now Sony locks the bootloaders for carriers, this is a request from the carriers. Sony could care less if it's locked or not. The carriers care, why do they care you may ask. well if the phones they sold had unlocked bootloaders than you could more easily sim unlock you phone and move on. on top off that the ability to brick your phone increases 10 fold. now how many users would mess up their phone and just return it and lie to get a new phone. now the carrier sends it back to Sony under warranty and Sony does not honor the warranty as they know it was tampered with.
Sony is pretty good at supporting Dev's and even has an aosp 4.3 version for user's to try.
last thing i want to say is don't hold your breath on a hack to un lock a locked down bootloader. our batteries are not removable and this makes the processes harder. I bought my Xperia S the week it was launched and a solution for that phone never came. well at least not one I could confirm works. See when the xperia s was released it's was Sony's first phone they made without Ericson. from my understanding this was part of the reason why it got harder. we need access to the SE s1 server and last I checked it was offline fopr over a year, came online for a week and a few users were able to pay 60 us to have there unlockable bootloaders unlocked. as Sony devs could do it with the S1 server and apologize to SE move on.
I'm not sure if this will help or not but do a Google search on how unlocking phones started and read how it has evolved. a good place to start is to search for se s1 server.
hope this helps.
I will explain again my convo i had with bell about unlocking my phone and bootloader. they even asked me do i understand i will lose warrenty if i unlock my bootloader. i said yes they were gonna send me the code to unlock the bootloader. but i couldnt cause i didnt have the phone for 90 days. it can only be done through ur carrier cause they send u the bootloader unlock code u need to unlock it. unlocking the phone they do through the imei. It costs 75$ extra added onto ur phone bill though. but for the price of one gaurenteed way to unlock it its worth it. they said they had to contact sony too in the convo i had with the bell guy. it was a supervisor i talked to and understood exactly what i wanted done. he knew what i was talking about as well. so its possible. just hasn't been confrimed yet. and heres a huge hint. someones working on a hack for this. eta idk. im gonna be one of the testers for this hack/exploit. i cant say much else. top secret of course.
dragonmhawk said:
I will explain again my convo i had with bell about unlocking my phone and bootloader. they even asked me do i understand i will lose warrenty if i unlock my bootloader. i said yes they were gonna send me the code to unlock the bootloader. but i couldnt cause i didnt have the phone for 90 days. it can only be done through ur carrier cause they send u the bootloader unlock code u need to unlock it. unlocking the phone they do through the imei. It costs 75$ extra added onto ur phone bill though. but for the price of one gaurenteed way to unlock it its worth it. they said they had to contact sony too in the convo i had with the bell guy. it was a supervisor i talked to and understood exactly what i wanted done. he knew what i was talking about as well. so its possible. just hasn't been confrimed yet. and heres a huge hint. someones working on a hack for this. eta idk. im gonna be one of the testers for this hack/exploit. i cant say much else. top secret of course.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you get the code? Are you now able to install a custom kernel? If not, then this is completely irrelevant. If so, you've saved a lot of people a pretty decent headache.
We need you to confirm this as $75 is a steep fee for something nobody is even sure is legit. Sure, you say it is, and I'm not disputing you, but I need evidence before I give Bell free money. I need to be 100% sure.
If you can install Cyanogenmod, that's all I want.
[Also, I saw in your signature you're being screwed by Rogers. High-five, me too!]
well i still have to wait a bit. hasnt been 90 days since i got my first xperia zl. first one i bricked second one fell down the stairs on my third one now. 90 days to wait for my new one but im gonna try and see if i can get the code and use it on mine if it works yay will let u guys know for sure.
dragonmhawk said:
well i still have to wait a bit. hasnt been 90 days since i got my first xperia zl. first one i bricked second one fell down the stairs on my third one now. 90 days to wait for my new one but im gonna try and see if i can get the code and use it on mine if it works yay will let u guys know for sure.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
100% guaranteed they're talking about SIM unlock. Sorry. 'Unlocking the bootloader' is not something you can do with a code provided by a carrier, and a 90 day wait is *precisely* Rogers' policy for SIM unlocks. They are going to give you a SIM unlock code and charge you a lot of money for it. You could get it now, for $8, from any one of a bunch of unlock sellers.
I will explain one last time for those who dont have the time to understand. I called bell myself. Have any of u even tried calling ur carrier? Probably not. This works. I called bell i asked my phone to be fully "unlocked" this includes the bootloader. They said they could unlock the carrier onlt but i would have to wait for my bootloader unlock code to be sent to me by someone else. Only one else that could be is sony. So there. Anyone else not gonna actually try calling their carrier? I even talked to sony they said only they can send the bootloader unlock code but to do that i have to have my carrier unlock my phone fully for me and have my carrier contact sony to send me my bootloader unlock code. I havent had my phone long enough to do this but it works clearly. Sony confirmed it to me over the phone. One of the higher ups. Asked for a supervisor and i got one of their devs on. So anyone else want keep trolling this thread? I only speak the truth. Those who have doubt in life will fail. Have no doubt or fear and you will always succeed
dragonmhawk said:
I will explain one last time for those who dont have the time to understand. I called bell myself. Have any of u even tried calling ur carrier? Probably not. This works. I called bell i asked my phone to be fully "unlocked" this includes the bootloader. They said they could unlock the carrier onlt but i would have to wait for my bootloader unlock code to be sent to me by someone else. Only one else that could be is sony. So there. Anyone else not gonna actually try calling their carrier? I even talked to sony they said only they can send the bootloader unlock code but to do that i have to have my carrier unlock my phone fully for me and have my carrier contact sony to send me my bootloader unlock code. I havent had my phone long enough to do this but it works clearly. Sony confirmed it to me over the phone. One of the higher ups. Asked for a supervisor and i got one of their devs on. So anyone else want keep trolling this thread? I only speak the truth. Those who have doubt in life will fail. Have no doubt or fear and you will always succeed
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Weird I contacted Sony myself also and I was told by them that if it says no for bootloader they can't unlock the bootloader. Seems to be some mis information but it also depends on who you talk to. We need to find a alternate way to unlock
Sent from my C6506 using Tapatalk 4
U have to be " persistant" or u wont get anywhere ask for a supervisor don't give up. one guy knew exactly what i was talking about.

Locked or not locked?

I have an unusual question that I am hoping soneone can help me with. I purchased a Sony Xperia Z mobile phone from a seller on eBay. He listed the phone as "ohne Vertrag" meaning off contract. Nowhere in the listing was it suggested it was branded or locked.
When I received the phone I discovered it is in fact locked to T-Mobile Germany. And not only that, it is also hard locked from too many unlock attempts.
The German T-Mobile web site has a place where customers can request unlock codes. When I enter this IMEI number it comes back as not SIM locked or not sold by t-mobile. Very odd.
Why would the phone not be shown as locked by T-Mobile when it clearly is, according to the service menu, and is branded with their splash screens?
I can't see why anyone would take an unlocked phone and then SIM lock it when it wasn't locked in the first place.
The seller I bought it from may have acquired it from "as good as new", a reputable seller of second hand phones in Germany. The box has their stickers on it. I doubt they would have sold a locked device without informing the buyer.
Any ideas? Obviously I have logged a dispute with the seller but so far he is ignoring all communication. I'm wondering if anything I can do to get this device unlocked?
Follow up: Maybe it's T-Mobile Austria. The phone's last weather location setting appears to have been Vienna...
BTW surely there must be a way to get the phone to show me WHICH provider it is locked to?

Google Pixel XL Sim Lock EE UK

Hello, I bought this phone on ebay, but I had not seen that the latter is blocked on the operator EE UK
Do you know how to unblock this phone knowing that I have unlocked the bootloader, and install a rom stock, and that it keeps blocking?
Sorry for the translation, but it's Google
Go on eBay for a unlock code very cheap
Apparently the codes do not work with this phone, it takes another method
On sorry mate don't know, update us when you find a way.
Contact ee they have to unlock it by consumer law protection even if you didn't buy it from them
ravi_gandhi said:
Contact ee they have to unlock it by consumer law protection even if you didn't buy it from them
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is this true? anyone managed to successfully get them to do this? My understanding is even though you are not the original owner, because the handset is so new, they wont unlock till at least 6 months later.
6 months is differed ownership only for people in contract with them, and you own the phone so yeah the 6 months doesn't apply to you, if you contact them just say i bought the phone without contract. Also you can fill in a form on their website and request a unlock for a fee of £8.99
If you're from the UK take it to your local EE shop should unlock it for you, By law they can't refuse don't know if they charge or not but shouldn't be more then £10
Don't know how it would work overseas :crying:
EE
same here
called EE , refuse to unlock b4 6 months
doesnt matter if u r on contract or PAYG
no solution around?
ac-milan said:
same here
called EE , refuse to unlock b4 6 months
doesnt matter if u r on contract or PAYG
no solution around?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you not tried using the dePixel8 method and reflashing the stock EU ROM?
vkh2k1 said:
Have you not tried using the dePixel8 method and reflashing the stock EU ROM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are confusing bootloader lock with carrier SIM lock. Unlocking the bootloader and flashing any ROM will have no effect on carrier SIM lock.
cam30era said:
You are confusing bootloader lock with carrier SIM lock. Unlocking the bootloader and flashing any ROM will have no effect on carrier SIM lock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh! what a pain that is then! Wonder if the software updates have to be pushed by EE as well !
vkh2k1 said:
Oh! what a pain that is then! Wonder if the software updates have to be pushed by EE as well !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, Google.
Google control the unlock too. It now works like Apple's remote unlocks. So this allows them to update the EE models same as the others whilst maintain control of the sim lock for EE. EE have to request the IMEI of the device has its Sim Lock flag unlocked and then Google push the unlock to the device. It's why there is no way of generating a third party unlock code
Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk
If that's the case then Google can go to h..l. I've bought a Pixel XL from EE mainly because there was none available elswhere. Nobody told me it was locked. Now I want to use it on other networks and absolutely can't unlock it. Not until 6 month's have passed.
After owning Samsung devices for 2 years in a row I thought it would be refreshing to use a pixel and buy one but Google just fu...d it up for me and others.
I'm selling this device and Google can forget about me as a customer.
Robi-K said:
If that's the case then Google can go to h..l. I've bought a Pixel XL from EE mainly because there was none available elswhere. Nobody told me it was locked. Now I want to use it on other networks and absolutely can't unlock it. Not until 6 month's have passed.
After owning Samsung devices for 2 years in a row I thought it would be refreshing to use a pixel and buy one but Google just fu...d it up for me and others.
I'm selling this device and Google can forget about me as a customer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Whilst Google are responsible for pushing the unlock at EE's request, that is only because if the exclusive deal EE negotiated.
EE are by far the most strict mobile network in the UK when it comes to unlocking devices on their network and the most customer unfriendly.
Had any of us known that before we purchased these Pixels that turned out to be on EE then I am sure we would not have bought them.
However the fault here is both ours for not researching more before purchase (in my case the reseller essentially missold me) and moreover the fault of EE (for being the biggest ****fest carrier). Google are the lesser at fault here.
Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk
i can unlock google pixel ee block if u have bootloader unlocked or u havent updated to 7.1.1 who pached the unlocking depixel method.
warrior26ro said:
i can unlock google pixel ee block if u have bootloader unlocked or u havent updated to 7.1.1 who pached the unlocking depixel method.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there any way to downgrade back to 7.1.1 for this method? I stupidly ordered one from eBay not realising about the unlock so now I'm going to be stuck with it for a while if not
there is no method to unlock bootloader for 7.1.1 at this moment but im sure will be very soon.
Hi all, I am back in the UK (British Citizen) and decided to buy a Google Pixel XL which I done so 25 hours ago (yesterday). I am heading back to Australia on Friday 17th and I will be using my new Pixel phone in Oz on another network. I paid 690GBP for the phone yesterday, plus new SIM and credit and was advised if it's locked they would unlock it online for around 8GBP. Of course, as I paid full price for the phone, I wholly own the phone to do whatever I please to do with it. So I have called EE and advised that I am travelling to Australia for a length of time and will need to purchase a local SIM in Australia to use whilst there. They advise me that they will not unlock the phone until 6 months after the purchase date, which of course is absurd.
It looks like I will be returning the phone first thing tomorrow morning and buying the same phone again from PC world or similar. Unless anyone can advise a way around this before then which I doubt is possible, having read the posts here in this thread. I updated to 7.1.1 as soon as the phone said it was available. The great thing about UK consumer rights, law is that we are protected to allow us to return goods to the place of purchase for a full refund.
Completely absurd!
dieselboy said:
Hi all, I am back in the UK (British Citizen) and decided to buy a Google Pixel XL which I done so 25 hours ago (yesterday). I am heading back to Australia on Friday 17th and I will be using my new Pixel phone in Oz on another network. I paid 690GBP for the phone yesterday, plus new SIM and credit and was advised if it's locked they would unlock it online for around 8GBP. Of course, as I paid full price for the phone, I wholly own the phone to do whatever I please to do with it. So I have called EE and advised that I am travelling to Australia for a length of time and will need to purchase a local SIM in Australia to use whilst there. They advise me that they will not unlock the phone until 6 months after the purchase date, which of course is absurd.
It looks like I will be returning the phone first thing tomorrow morning and buying the same phone again from PC world or similar. Unless anyone can advise a way around this before then which I doubt is possible, having read the posts here in this thread. I updated to 7.1.1 as soon as the phone said it was available. The great thing about UK consumer rights, law is that we are protected to allow us to return goods to the place of purchase for a full refund.
Completely absurd!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do EE sell them on pre-pay ?
They only sell them on contract. It's in their terms and conditions that they will only unlock a contract phone after its 6 months old.
Even if you bought the phone off someone else, it just means they sold you a phone that was originally a contract / upgrade.
If you bought it from a shop as NEW and unlocked or labelled as EE PAYG, take it back as the phone simply can not be PAYG on EE.
However if when you bought it and it was labeled as locked to EE then it is up to the store if they will take it back. You don't have an automatic right for a 'change of mind', you would have to prove you were missold.
Many of us have made the mistake ... Sadly
If they do accept the return, take it and buy an unlocked model from Carphone warehouse or PC World/Curry's. Good luck.
Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Sprint carrier locked bootloader is driving me nuts

So much I want to root my Pixel 3a but OEM unlocking is greyed out because it is carrier locked. I owe $250 to Sprint to pay it off. Would they allow it to be unlocked once it's payed? Or will I need to make up some excuse why I need it unlocked besides saying I want to root it?
Any help is appreciated, thanks
Gregbmil1 said:
So much I want to root my Pixel 3a but OEM unlocking is greyed out because it is carrier locked. I owe $250 to Sprint to pay it off. Would they allow it to be unlocked once it's payed? Or will I need to make up some excuse why I need it unlocked besides saying I want to root it?
Any help is appreciated, thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My friend, it's killing me too, thinking of starting a bounty to get a work around...I just got my phone and from what I gather, once it's paid off, they will carrier unlock it and that should allow the bootloader to be unlocked as well
Would anyone be willing to throw in on a bounty to get someone to unlock it?
BakedTator said:
My friend, it's killing me too, thinking of starting a bounty to get a work around...I just got my phone and from what I gather, once it's paid off, they will carrier unlock it and that should allow the bootloader to be unlocked as well
Would anyone be willing to throw in on a bounty to get someone to unlock it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I highly doubt sim unlocking a phone would allow the bootloader to be unlocked. For example the Verizon Pixel 2 XL is sim unlocked out of the box, but the bootloader to this day is locked.
Sent from my Pixel 3a XL using Tapatalk
---------- Post added at 10:36 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:34 AM ----------
Gregbmil1 said:
So much I want to root my Pixel 3a but OEM unlocking is greyed out because it is carrier locked. I owe $250 to Sprint to pay it off. Would they allow it to be unlocked once it's payed? Or will I need to make up some excuse why I need it unlocked besides saying I want to root it?
Any help is appreciated, thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can always ask to have it sim unlocked before it is payed off. The longer you have had their service, the more likely they may be to unlock it. Once it is payed off, they should unlock it for you.
Once it is sim card unlocked, the bootloader unlock button will start working.
daniel4653 said:
I highly doubt sim unlocking a phone would allow the bootloader to be unlocked. For example the Verizon Pixel 2 XL is sim unlocked out of the box, but the bootloader to this day is locked.
Sent from my Pixel 3a XL using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That because you have a Verizon phone. It's the only US carrier that bootlocks the Pixel phones.
You live in the Cleveland area(from your profile), so can you tell them you need a sim unlock because you got a job across the lake in Canada and want to use a Canadian carrier to cut down on costs - or even say your new(fake) employer has a work sim for you to use? It's a practical and believable excuse as people do commute across the border regularly for work.
& if the sim unlock gets you the OEM unlock option - BOOM: you're all set.
*It's just a little white lie to a giant corporation that lies to consumers all the time(sprint has the best service? my a**). You've got nothing to lose, so why not try?
Bob nesta said:
You live in the Cleveland area(from your profile), so can you tell them you need a sim unlock because you got a job across the lake in Canada and want to use a Canadian carrier to cut down on costs - or even say your new(fake) employer has a work sim for you to use? It's a practical and believable excuse as people do commute across the border regularly for work.
& if the sim unlock gets you the OEM unlock option - BOOM: you're all set.
*It's just a little white lie to a giant corporation that lies to consumers all the time(sprint has the best service? my a**). You've got nothing to lose, so why not try?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would saying I am going to visit Canada work?
Bob nesta said:
You live in the Cleveland area(from your profile), so can you tell them you need a sim unlock because you got a job across the lake in Canada and want to use a Canadian carrier to cut down on costs - or even say your new(fake) employer has a work sim for you to use? It's a practical and believable excuse as people do commute across the border regularly for work.
& if the sim unlock gets you the OEM unlock option - BOOM: you're all set.
*It's just a little white lie to a giant corporation that lies to consumers all the time(sprint has the best service? my a**). You've got nothing to lose, so why not try?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I called and said I will be visiting Canada soon. Sprint said I will have no problems using my phone out there, lol. I will have roaming charges is all. Then he tried upgrading my plan, lol.
I'll say I'm going to Australia for a while. If that don't work I will straight up ask what's a guy gotta do to get that bootloader unlocked:laugh:. I'm worried that paying it off still won't unlock it
Gregbmil1 said:
I called and said I will be visiting Canada soon. Sprint said I will have no problems using my phone out there, lol. I will have roaming charges is all. Then he tried upgrading my plan, lol.
I'll say I'm going to Australia for a while. If that don't work I will straight up ask what's a guy gotta do to get that bootloader unlocked:laugh:. I'm worried that paying it off still won't unlock it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maaaan... I guess my little plan failed then. Sorry to hear that. But it was worth a shot.
And I'm curious about the unlock after you pay it off too, but I have heard in the past on some devices Sprint does give you OEM unlock once it's fully paid for. Verizon is the main carrier where you are stuck no matter what...paid off or not.
I wish the you best & hope you find a solution sooner rather than later.:fingers-crossed:
Bob nesta said:
Maaaan... I guess my little plan failed then. Sorry to hear that. But it was worth a shot.
And I'm curious about the unlock after you pay it off too, but I have heard in the past on some devices Sprint does give you OEM unlock once it's fully paid for. Verizon is the main carrier where you are stuck no matter what...paid off or not.
I wish the you best & hope you find a solution sooner rather than later.:fingers-crossed:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I called and straight asked what I need to do to enable OEM unlocking. She said all I need to do is pay it off and it will be no problem no matter the reason I want it unlocked. Sadly I have to wait at least 2 weeks before I can do that
Gregbmil1 said:
I called and straight asked what I need to do to enable OEM unlocking. She said all I need to do is pay it off and it will be no problem no matter the reason I want it unlocked. Sadly I have to wait at least 2 weeks before I can do that
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's been 2 weeks... any status update? I can't seem to find anyone who has actually gotten the sim unlock and the bootloader unlocked with it, all people saying that is how it is, but nobody saying they did it.
Thanks,
Strawboy said:
any status update? I can't seem to find anyone who has actually gotten the sim unlock and the bootloader unlocked with it, all people saying that is how it is, but nobody saying they did it.
Thanks,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure what you mean. As long as we aren't talking about Verizon, there are plenty of people that have gotten their phones unlocked from the carriers and then had the bootloader unlock work. Google has simply tied the bootloader unlock to the SIM lock which makes sense because if you could bootloader unlock the phone, I'm sure there would be a way to SIM unlock it. There isn't anything special that Sprint needs to do other than SIM unlock the phone - the phone will automatically allow bootloader unlocking once the phone is SIM unlocked.
The Verizon models should be considered bootloader locked forever. There were some reports that people have been able to bootloader unlock the Verizon model, but I would chalk that up to early errors on Verizon's part vs a change in their company's policy.
If you are looking for a way to get Sprint to SIM unlock the phone, then that is another issue. Obviously the company policy is to only unlock phones that have been paid off unless there are special circumstance (ie you are traveling out of the country). I will say that calling the customer service line is the hardest method of getting a phone unlocked. The most success comes from people DM the carrier using Twitter. That must go into a different group and they seem to be much more likely to unlock a phone than the normal call center. But you are always at the mercy of the person handling the request because it is generally an exception to the rule.
sic0048 said:
Not sure what you mean. As long as we aren't talking about Verizon, there are plenty of people that have gotten their phones unlocked from the carriers and then had the bootloader unlock work. Google has simply tied the bootloader unlock to the SIM lock which makes sense because if you could bootloader unlock the phone, I'm sure there would be a way to SIM unlock it. There isn't anything special that Sprint needs to do other than SIM unlock the phone - the phone will automatically allow bootloader unlocking once the phone is SIM unlocked.
The Verizon models should be considered bootloader locked forever. There were some reports that people have been able to bootloader unlock the Verizon model, but I would chalk that up to early errors on Verizon's part vs a change in their company's policy.
If you are looking for a way to get Sprint to SIM unlock the phone, then that is another issue. Obviously the company policy is to only unlock phones that have been paid off unless there are special circumstance (ie you are traveling out of the country). I will say that calling the customer service line is the hardest method of getting a phone unlocked. The most success comes from people DM the carrier using Twitter. That must go into a different group and they seem to be much more likely to unlock a phone than the normal call center. But you are always at the mercy of the person handling the request because it is generally an exception to the rule.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sic,
Wow, this is fantastic, and exactly what I was looking for. I've been hesitant to pull the trigger on buying a 'sprint locked' Pixel 3 XL because I haven't seen anybody who has actually said "Yes, I've done this." Only folks who said stuff like you, but I think I'm gonna go for it. I'm very confident of getting sprint to SIM unlock it.
Thanks again for your help.
Couldn't you just buy a sim unlock code from a service other than your carrier, unlock it and problem solved??

Can I unlock a carrier locked bootloader (T-Mobile) by using the pixel factory flash

Hello. I just got a pixel 3a xl, but it is bootloader locked to T-Mobile, I see Google has a pixel repair tool to reflash the pixel to stock. My question is it asks for your carrier, if I change the carrier to a different carrier that doesn't lock the bootloader will o be able to unlock my bootloader to flash root.
While I could not say for sure, I suspect the answer would be 98 percent no.
Thanks I want to try but it's my only phone and if it is down for a while I have no phone and I need 2FA for work.
If I try I will post here
Sent from my Pixel 3a XL using Tapatalk
You cannot unlock it from T-Mobile or unlock the bootloader, even with the flash tool... The flash tool does not/cannot modify that part of the phone, if it was that simple people would be doing it all the time.
Only T-Mobile can unlock the SIM, once that is done you can unlock the bootloader. Your only other option is to go through a 3rd party unlock code service, which can be sketchy according to some people (I have done it a few times without issue though).
I want to verify this.
SO if I buy a used T-Mobile 3a XL that is paid in full, I should be able to get it SIM unlocked by the carrier correct and if its carrier SIM unlocked, I CAN unlock the bootloader?
kdoggy said:
I want to verify this.
SO if I buy a used T-Mobile 3a XL that is paid in full, I should be able to get it SIM unlocked by the carrier correct and if its carrier SIM unlocked, I CAN unlock the bootloader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As long as it is not the Verizon model 3a, then yes. You can bootloader unlock it once it is SIM card unlocked. Only the Verizon models permanently lock the bootloader.
Question 2...
SO lets say I buy a T-Mobile 3a XL and it works fine with a T-M SIM but is SIM locked... Can I pay someone to unlock it and then still unlock the boot loader?
Someone know has a new in the box T-Mobile Pixel 3a XL I can have for $225.00 but its never had service on it and it sounds like it has to be active on T-Mobile AND have had seriver for 40 days to get them to do it.
kdoggy said:
Question 2...
SO lets say I buy a T-Mobile 3a XL and it works fine with a T-M SIM but is SIM locked... Can I pay someone to unlock it and then still unlock the boot loader?
Someone know has a new in the box T-Mobile Pixel 3a XL I can have for $225.00 but its never had service on it and it sounds like it has to be active on T-Mobile AND have had seriver for 40 days to get them to do it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've seen unlock services being advertised, but I have also seen people post that they don't work. It would require that someone hacked or has access to the T-Mobile locking software which isn't out of the realm of possibility, so it's possible some services do work.
Hello friends, I need your help! Who can help me raise my brick and make a full backup of my smartphone using qpst?
Update. So I ended up buying a T-Mobile Pixel 4 XL when they went on sale.
Search my name and look at the thread reply I just posted in the Pixel 4 XL forum about T-Mobile unlocking.
I included pictures.
I just purchased a Pixel 4 XL, I'm brand new T-Mobile subscriber, the phone is not paid off and I have it on a lease and I've only been on the service for 4 days.
I currently have the T-Mobile Pixel 4 XL with both a full SIM card unlock and OEM bootloader unlock.
I'm currently running the phone with an AT&T physical SIM and a T-Mobile eSIM.
acejavelin said:
You cannot unlock it from T-Mobile or unlock the bootloader, even with the flash tool... The flash tool does not/cannot modify that part of the phone, if it was that simple people would be doing it all the time.
Only T-Mobile can unlock the SIM, once that is done you can unlock the bootloader. Your only other option is to go through a 3rd party unlock code service, which can be sketchy according to some people (I have done it a few times without issue though).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have any recommendations? I have a brand new Pixel 4 that an online retailer lied about being unlocked & is T-Mobile carrier locked & they're completely unwilling to release the Sim from their network. I'll take the sketchy unlock service. I tried one in ATL friend gave me a number but most only do Samsung's or iPhones for obvious reasons.
---------- Post added at 06:06 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:05 PM ----------
sic0048 said:
As long as it is not the Verizon model 3a, then yes. You can bootloader unlock it once it is SIM card unlocked. Only the Verizon models permanently lock the bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not just Verizon though right? I heard Sprint does too.
Nightshadex543 said:
Have any recommendations? I have a brand new Pixel 4 that an online retailer lied about being unlocked & is T-Mobile carrier locked & they're completely unwilling to release the Sim from their network. I'll take the sketchy unlock service. I tried one in ATL friend gave me a number but most only do Samsung's or iPhones for obvious reasons.
---------- Post added at 06:06 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:05 PM ----------
Not just Verizon though right? I heard Sprint does too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Keep in mind there are SIM locks and bootloader locks. Every US carrier SIM locks you phone if it was bought in an installment plan. Once the phone is paid off, I think every carrier will SIM card unlock the phone.
All recent Pixel versions have to be SIM card unlocked before the bootloader unlock option is available. So you have to have a SIM card unlocked phone before you can bootloader unlock. But Verizon is the only US carrier that has asked Google to permanently bootloader lock their phones. Sprint and others don't weigh in on the subject and Google's policy is to allow bootloader unlock. This isn't necessarily true with other phone brands however.
As far as getting the phone SIM unlocked, the policy is to not do it, so it's rare to find a call center person that is willing to do it whether you call in or chat with someone online. However, the success stories that I do see are usually done by DMing the carrier's support group on Twitter of all places. Explain that you need to get the phone unlocked and many times they will do it.
sic0048 said:
Keep in mind there are SIM locks and bootloader locks. Every US carrier SIM locks you phone if it was bought in an installment plan. Once the phone is paid off, I think every carrier will SIM card unlock the phone.
All recent Pixel versions have to be SIM card unlocked before the bootloader unlock option is available. So you have to have a SIM card unlocked phone before you can bootloader unlock. But Verizon is the only US carrier that has asked Google to permanently bootloader lock their phones. Sprint and others don't weigh in on the subject and Google's policy is to allow bootloader unlock. This isn't necessarily true with other phone brands however.
As far as getting the phone SIM unlocked, the policy is to not do it, so it's rare to find a call center person that is willing to do it whether you call in or chat with someone online. However, the success stories that I do see are usually done by DMing the carrier's support group on Twitter of all places. Explain that you need to get the phone unlocked and many times they will do it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can confirm this. I'm on TMO and I reached out on Twitter and got results. I'm not a big Twitter fan nor do I really use it, but customer services seems to be more in the loop there. I told them that I wanted to try the dev preview of android 11 and I needed to bootloader unlock. For that to happen I needed them to permanently sim unlock my phone. (Technically you can install the preview with a locked BL, but since it's a preview you can't re-flash anything lower or rollback without the BL being unlocked). Hence the dev preview. Anyways, I was polite and truthful about my intentions and they got it sim unlocked, fairly quickly too.
sic0048 said:
Keep in mind there are SIM locks and bootloader locks. Every US carrier SIM locks you phone if it was bought in an installment plan. Once the phone is paid off, I think every carrier will SIM card unlock the phone.
All recent Pixel versions have to be SIM card unlocked before the bootloader unlock option is available. So you have to have a SIM card unlocked phone before you can bootloader unlock. But Verizon is the only US carrier that has asked Google to permanently bootloader lock their phones. Sprint and others don't weigh in on the subject and Google's policy is to allow bootloader unlock. This isn't necessarily true with other phone brands however.
As far as getting the phone SIM unlocked, the policy is to not do it, so it's rare to find a call center person that is willing to do it whether you call in or chat with someone online. However, the success stories that I do see are usually done by DMing the carrier's support group on Twitter of all places. Explain that you need to get the phone unlocked and many times they will do it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its bootloaders unlocked I was almost done rooting it but haven't; refrained because I don't want to violate the software warranty incase I need to return it, & find another way to do so for a refund. I called support multiple times same answer, & then Twitter dm'd last night they were again unable to do anything so they say.
They cite "privacy issues" but I know it's a ****ing money grab they don't want to unlock it unless you want to pay for one of their plans & get tied in a contract for a minimum amount of days first & I'm not going to ****ing do that. It's ridiculous to me carriers behave this way. This is why I believe in hacking because you can't trust companies for absolutely ****.
You got results? Look at my next post, can you tell me your secret because they're being serious assholes here. Not a single company involved with this situation is helping at all.
Nightshadex543 said:
You got results? Look at my next post, can you tell me your secret because they're being serious assholes here. Not a single company involved with this situation is helping at all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm a little confused. You say it's bootloader unlocked and you were about to root it but decided not because of warranty concerns correct?
Typically, whenever you unlock a bootloader your warranty is void then and there. That is in most cases and I assume is the same in this case, though I don't know that for a fact with a TMO Pixel 3a XL. I just assumed it was and most likely is. The reason being is you can flash anything you want, and there is no way to guarantee that whatever has happened to warrant a claim wasn't due to user error or unofficial software. A locked bootloader kind of guarantees that nothing unofficial was flashed and that's why warranties are usually based around their status and why a flag is marked when it is. So even if you re-lock it, the flag still shows it was unlocked at one point.
As for actually unlocking it via TMO, the phone uses a TMO app to actually unlock it. It basically checks your imei against their server to see if it is eligible for unlocking. As for citing privacy concerns, basically you have a TMO phone and no account it seems, and you want it unlocked. For all they know it could be stolen, and as far as proving it's yours legally without any account... probably more than they want to deal with and I'm sure they have liability reasons as well.
All I know is, I've had an account for quite some time. I've bought several phones through them, so no issues. Technically I'm still on installments with this phone, so they could have easily said no, not until it's paid off, but I like to think they said "Oh it's Airwalk... he's cool af, go ahead".
41rw4lk said:
Typically, whenever you unlock a bootloader your warranty is void then and there. The reason being is you can flash anything you want, and there is no way to guarantee that whatever has happened to warrant a claim wasn't due to user error or unofficial software. So even if you re-lock it, the flag still shows it was unlocked at one point.
As for actually unlocking it via TMO, the phone uses a TMO app to actually unlock it. It basically checks your imei against their server to see if it is eligible for unlocking. As for citing privacy concerns, basically you have a TMO phone and no account it seems, and you want it unlocked. For all they know it could be stolen, and as far as proving it's yours legally without any account... probably more than they want to deal with and I'm sure they have liability reasons as well.
All I know is, I've had an account for quite some time. I've bought several phones through them, so no issues.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only Sprint & Verizon manufacturers lock the bootloaders of their phones T-Mobile doesn't. TWRP doesn't even exist for Pixel 4 because dude's too busy with wife & kids to update so flashing is difficult until you root it first unless you feel like doing a tethered through ADB. I know Samsung has the "Knox" & figured it's similar to that. Unless it's tripped it's negligible.
I know how the unlocking app works. Also, It's not stolen my situation is similar to the below it's "super whitelisted" I've had multiple services run the IMEI & it's come back clean. The phone meets all the unlocking criteria of which is being legit paid for is one of them.
They're just not releasing from the network. I need a workaround, I'm not trying to go through an entire claims process & have it sent back when aside from "network lock" it works just fine.
****ing Greedy ass corporations.
Nightshadex543 said:
Only Sprint & Verizon manufacturers lock the bootloaders of their phones T-Mobile doesn't. I'm TWRP doesn't even exist for Pixel 4 because dude's to busy with wife & kids to update so flashing is difficult until you root it first unless you feel like doing a tethered through ADB. I know Samsung has the "Knox" & figured it's similar to that. Unless it's tripped it's negligible.
I know how the unlocking app works. Also, It's not stolen my situation is similar to the below it's "super whitelisted" I've had multiple services run the IMEI & it's come back clean. The phone meets all the unlocking criteria of which is being legit paid for is one of them.
They're just not releasing from the network. I need a workaround, I'm not trying to go through an entire claims process & have it sent back when aside from "network lock" it works just fine.
****ing Greedy ass corporations.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, Pixel 4 needs sim unlocked, I was confused because this is 3a XL and I wasn't paying enough attention. I see your frustration now. I don't know about that one, just (bonito) here and it was all easy for me. I suppose that if you don't meet their requirements it's all too easy to just lock you into their script. I can't help you here, sorry. I think you'll just have to be 'that guy' and persist with them. Good luck.
Nightshadex543 said:
TWRP doesn't even exist for Pixel 4 because dude's too busy with wife & kids to update....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No quicker way to loose all goodwill and help from people than bad mouthing the generous developers.
Feel free to come up with your own TWRP solution. Until then, STFU.
sic0048 said:
Feel free to come up with your own TWRP solution. Until then, STFU.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That isn't even the subject of the thread. If you're going to ignore everything else I was saying & completely miss the point to focus on a single cherry-picked remark that triggered you then you can take a hike. Don't respond. Go invest your frustrated energies elsewhere
You know what? Maybe I will take the source code & develop my own unofficial TWRP build for it. Hacking & Technological communities don't just stop because you want to "move on with your life" we still need these tools. You think journalists whistleblowers & Chinese protesters can "do without" Tor?

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