Develop Bugs

AT&T Unlock Bootloader

So I just picked up my ONE X from At&t..... Cannot unlock bootloader says MID not allowed???? Is there a way around this????

ealvinito said:
So I just picked up my ONE X from At&t..... Cannot unlock bootloader says MID not allowed???? Is there a way around this????
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not for the time being no my friend. If anything to go by in the tech blogs and on here it is a no go for the moment

So is this permanent??

ealvinito said:
So is this permanent??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://www.phonesreview.co.uk/2012/05/06/atts-htc-one-x-in-unlockable-bootloader-shock/
that might be worth reading. As regarding if it will be permanent i am not sure..guys on xda as such geniuses they will probably find a way to unlock it so time will tell

Until AT&T decide to be nice to you guys or someone develops an alternative method, you're stuck.

The AT&T One X has its own section:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=1538

No, nothing is bullet proof. Even the iPhone was jailbroken, right? Sony Playstation....And the list goes on and on. This phone has been available for less than a day. So I just imagine with some time, we'll see it unlocked. IF (and I know it's a big if) the Sense UI doesn't crash I may not even bother unlocking it in the future...The only reason why I'd want to see this phone unlocked is to put a ROM with stock Android ICS on there and also a ROM that would hopefully increase performance/battery (though we'll see how battery goes, apparently it's real good!) and of course to remove any pre-installed bloatware...The bloatware removal is perhaps the most important of all 3 benefits there with the custom ROM. Other than that, this phone is awesome! So get used it while you wait for the unlock and see what you do and don't like.

ealvinito said:
So I just picked up my ONE X from At&t..... Cannot unlock bootloader says MID not allowed???? Is there a way around this????
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, sell your AT&T version and buy an internation version.

tom_m said:
No, nothing is bullet proof. Even the iPhone was jailbroken, right? Sony Playstation....And the list goes on and on. This phone has been available for less than a day. So I just imagine with some time, we'll see it unlocked. IF (and I know it's a big if) the Sense UI doesn't crash I may not even bother unlocking it in the future...The only reason why I'd want to see this phone unlocked is to put a ROM with stock Android ICS on there and also a ROM that would hopefully increase performance/battery (though we'll see how battery goes, apparently it's real good!) and of course to remove any pre-installed bloatware...The bloatware removal is perhaps the most important of all 3 benefits there with the custom ROM. Other than that, this phone is awesome! So get used it while you wait for the unlock and see what you do and don't like.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can remove bloatware by disabling it in settings.
Sent from my HTC One X using xda premium

[Q] Will Cyanogenmod support Optimus G

I'm hoping the At&T and Sprint phones will be supported; it looks like a phone with great specs.

There's no telling for sure but with this phone being a flagship, it probably will be included eventually.

Probably comes with a locked bootloader.. in which case, CM is a no-go..
However, if it's unlocked, there should be awesome development on this phone. If you plan to buy the phone, I would suggest waiting for someone to confirm this has an unlocked bootloader.

I've never owned a lg phone before. Does lg usually lock the bootloader on their phones? Are they encrypted or are they able to be unlocked?
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium

musclehead84 said:
I've never owned a lg phone before. Does lg usually lock the bootloader on their phones? Are they encrypted or are they able to be unlocked?
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've never had one either but i've been lurking on the forums for other LG phones and everyone complains of the lack of support. Too bad, I like the specs a lot. But, as that other guy said, if it does become a flagship it should get pretty frequent updates.

sidthegreatest said:
Probably comes with a locked bootloader.. in which case, CM is a no-go..
However, if it's unlocked, there should be awesome development on this phone. If you plan to buy the phone, I would suggest waiting for someone to confirm this has an unlocked bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Has any phone on at&t ever come with an unlocked bootloader by default?

Snow_fox said:
Has any phone on at&t ever come with an unlocked bootloader by default?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Galaxy series if I remember right.

AndAllThingsWillEnd said:
The Galaxy series if I remember right.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea but that Samsung LOL even then the Verizon Version of the S III had Locked Bootloader So I hope this phone comes unlocked my HTC Vivid wasn't unlocked from AT&T & it was a pain the ass to unlock the phone LOL Plan on picking this phone up if it all goes well & it unlocked on the Bootloader side & we get good roms

AndAllThingsWillEnd said:
The Galaxy series if I remember right.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't remember all the details but, I know with the official 2.2 update they made an active attempt to inhibit modding.
I think the Galaxy series just has enough support that it quickly overcomes any issues.
I've generally assumed there are enough people getting galaxy devices to overcome any such issues..
I'll google a bit and see what comes up..I have a hard time trying to understand why any carrier/mfr locks down phones..

On Att I have owned the Captivate, S2, S3 and Note. All were easily to install custom roms. Bootloader never locked. For some reason Samsung and Att has always been a safe bet from my experience.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app

Samsung and lg usually don't lock bootloaders HTC and Motorola do... HTC usually puts out an official unlock though... the Verizon Moto's usually get support too... not sure why LG decided to lock the bootloader on the OG... The Samsung's have been unloocked because samsung had the Nexus device. The Nexus is stripped to show the raw power of the os... they should really just make all phones have unlocked bootloaders
Sent from my LG-E970 using xda app-developers app

HeadCracc said:
Samsung and lg usually don't lock bootloaders HTC and Motorola do... HTC usually puts out an official unlock though... the Verizon Moto's usually get support too... not sure why LG decided to lock the bootloader on the OG... The Samsung's have been unloocked because samsung had the Nexus device. The Nexus is stripped to show the raw power of the os... they should really just make all phones have unlocked bootloaders
Sent from my LG-E970 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I personally still feel it's a bit early to jump the gun and say why things are the way they are. They may have had to lock it for launch since At&t can be a PITA.
I mean Samsung can say "HAHAHAHA, BYE." And At&t suddenly loses out on a lot of impressive kit. Note II, SGS3, and others. Sure At&t still has iPhone but, Samsung is a major android player they don't want to lose.
LG? They probably exert a little more control over.

Samsung is definitely the next best selling phone maker to Apple... they advertise more than other android makers so people associate with them... Sammy's always get compared to the iPhone while people are like the htc what I've never heard of them I get that all day at work
Sent from my LG-E970 using xda app-developers app

The Droid X came with a locked bootloader and it eventually was supported by CM. It took a while and a couple software leaks to get there though.

To update this thread, there is a strong chance that Cyanogen Mod will have support for this device.

Ricardo Cerqueira would be the person to ask.

Pay attention to the AT&T LGOG Dev forum in the next few days, it seems lie something big is in the works. Hoping for an unlock, and then devs can start building ROMs. Hopefully Cyanogenmod won't be far behind.

Digil said:
Pay attention to the AT&T LGOG Dev forum in the next few days, it seems lie something big is in the works. Hoping for an unlock, and then devs can start building ROMs. Hopefully Cyanogenmod won't be far behind.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The unlock is most certainly coming and as of today, Nov 20 th... the bootloader has been cracked and is ready to install on the at&t and Sprint versions of the phone

Well it looks like the bootloader has been unlocked completely for the USA/CANADA/Korea versions and of course easy root tools have been released. Honestly, I can't imagine it being that difficult now that everything is in place, especially with the similarity to Nexus 4.
Any update to this at all?

I have done it. I have:
1. Rooted
2. Unlocked my bootloader
3. Flashed a custom recovery
4. Flashed CyanogenMod
5. Installed Google apps
All is fine. Except what matters most, my 3G data... 4G is not available in my area but i assume it is not working either. I think WiFi is working, but for now, that is all. I will repost if I get it to work, but for now, be careful my friends. From here I will troubleshoot, if I cannot get it working, I will create a nandroid backup and go back to stock JellyBean

Rooting is evolving

This doesn't sound too good for our Note 4.
Now that it may only be possible to root by modifying the kernel, it seems that unlocking a device will be a requirement going forward.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://www.androidpolice.com/2014/1...ew-modified-kernels-may-become-a-requirement/
Chainfire has already said his CF-ROOT method won't work on our Note 4 because the bootloader is locked.

That post was referring to devices with Android 5.0 or Lollipop. It cites the difficulty of rooting Android L due to Android closing up some security holes that allow devices to be rooted.
The takeaway from this that Note 4 users should adhere to is; ensure that you don't install any OTA updates from At&t if you want to root in the future with limited difficulty. At least that's what I believe the post boils down to.

antde201 said:
That post was referring to devices with Android 5.0 or Lollipop. It cites the difficulty of rooting Android L due to Android closing up some security holes that allow devices to be rooted.
The takeaway from this that Note 4 users should adhere to is; ensure that you don't install any OTA updates from At&t if you want to root in the future with limited difficulty. At least that's what I believe the post boils down to.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's a hard bargain considering I don't know anyone who WOULDN'T want to update to lollipop.

I'll stay of 5 if that means I can root this device. Honestly once rooted 5.0 roms can be developed and flashed so taking the Ota doesn't make sense for an xda community member.

Jspex said:
I'll stay of 5 if that means I can root this device. Honestly once rooted 5.0 roms can be developed and flashed so taking the Ota doesn't make sense for an xda community member.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To be honest, flashing a rom on an AT&T note 4 seems very very unlikely.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk

Yeah I know. It's looking more likely that this device may never be rooted. That is sad only because that is the main drawl to android for me is the ability to fully customize my device. I've never cared about the warrantee or tripping counters, I always know the risk I take. Maybe once I've paid off this phone I'll switch over to TMOBILE,that is as long as Google/Samsung haven't completely locked the phones down by then.

AT&T Locking down Note 4
Jspex said:
Yeah I know. It's looking more likely that this device may never be rooted. That is sad only because that is the main drawl to android for me is the ability to fully customize my device. I've never cared about the warrantee or tripping counters, I always know the risk I take. Maybe once I've paid off this phone I'll switch over to TMOBILE,that is as long as Google/Samsung haven't completely locked the phones down by then.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hell, if that's the way it's going to be, might as well switch to the iPhone 6 Plus....Yeah yeah I know....but at least with the iphone, NO BLOATWARE! I'll just overpay the $500 for the 128gb, and stick with that for at least 3, maybe 4 years....I know I'll be giving up widgets, and custom ROMS, but Hell, if we can't Root or unlock the bootloader, we're not going to have custom ROMs anyway. And all this bloatware is unacceptable. Oh well, I knew before I picked up the NOTE 4 yesterday, that ATT had locked down this phone, so it's my own fault I'm going to have to go through the tedious return process in less than 14 days from now...but at least Apple keeps getting away from dictating to ATT that they will NOT be allowed to put bloatware on the iphone.

lock10 said:
Hell, if that's the way it's going to be, might as well switch to the iPhone 6 Plus....Yeah yeah I know....but at least with the iphone, NO BLOATWARE! I'll just overpay the $500 for the 128gb, and stick with that for at least 3, maybe 4 years....I know I'll be giving up widgets, and custom ROMS, but Hell, if we can't Root or unlock the bootloader, we're not going to have custom ROMs anyway. And all this bloatware is unacceptable. Oh well, I knew before I picked up the NOTE 4 yesterday, that ATT had locked down this phone, so it's my own fault I'm going to have to go through the tedious return process in less than 14 days from now...but at least Apple keeps getting away from dictating to ATT that they will NOT be allowed to put bloatware on the iphone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Face to face, the note 4 decimates the iPhone. Root or no root. If you want root and don't care about the note features (which in assuming is the case since you're considering an elongated iPhone) why not get the nexus 6.

robstunner said:
Face to face, the note 4 decimates the iPhone. Root or no root. If you want root and don't care about the note features (which in assuming is the case since you're considering an elongated iPhone) why not get the nexus 6.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You know, you have an excellent point. IF ATT doesn't try to lock down the Nexus 6, I think that is exactly what I'll do, though I'll miss the s-pen, but not like the iphone had that either. Better make sure I get the 64gb version since it has no microsd card slot. Or I can wait for Sony's enticing Z4 rumored for a March launch....don't know if ATT will be locking that one down either though...
It's a shame too, because I could give up custom ROM's, but NOT Root! I need my Titanium back-up!

I doubt they would lock down the Nexus line. The whole point of getting a Nexus device is for the open source features ie root and unlocked bootloader. I can understand why they lock down Galaxy devices. They are aimed at productivity and business so it makes sense they want them to be as secure as possible. What I don't understand is why people still complain. This has been going on for years and we have known that ever since the GS4 all future Samsung phone on the AT&T network would be locked down so if it's anyone fault it's the user who buys the phone expecting things to change. It's insanity at its heart. I'm not dissapointed because I bought the Note 4 knowing full well it'll probably never get root or an unlocked bootloader. Besides doing so voids all warranty anyways and I wouldn't wanna risk pretty much a 900 dollar device. Also Samsung has made great strides at appeasing people who like customizing there phones and cleaning up the UI. Still there is always that slim chance someone at Samsung will leak the unlock keys for the device. It's happened before and with how popular the Note 4 is getting, this might very well happen. If not, nobody to blame but ourselves.
Sent from my AT&T Galaxy Note 4 using XDA Premium HD

Thermalwolf said:
I doubt they would lock down the Nexus line. The whole point of getting a Nexus device is for the open source features ie root and unlocked bootloader. I can understand why they lock down Galaxy devices. They are aimed at productivity and business so it makes sense they want them to be as secure as possible. What I don't understand is why people still complain. This has been going on for years and we have known that ever since the GS4 all future Samsung phone on the AT&T network would be locked down so if it's anyone fault it's the user who buys the phone expecting things to change. It's insanity at its heart. I'm not dissapointed because I bought the Note 4 knowing full well it'll probably never get root or an unlocked bootloader. Besides doing so voids all warranty anyways and I wouldn't wanna risk pretty much a 900 dollar device. Also Samsung has made great strides at appeasing people who like customizing there phones and cleaning up the UI. Still there is always that slim chance someone at Samsung will leak the unlock keys for the device. It's happened before and with how popular the Note 4 is getting, this might very well happen. If not, nobody to blame but ourselves.
Sent from my AT&T Galaxy Note 4 using XDA Premium HD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why complain ? Wanting more is absolutely normal. Aimed at business? Why would they do that? the most money is with everyday users. You remember that thing called blackberry ? Did they aim for business lol? Insanity at heart ? Such strong language. Usually there are ways to return back to stock so you wouldn't be risking much if such methods were avaliable.

Jspex said:
I'll stay of 5 if that means I can root this device. Honestly once rooted 5.0 roms can be developed and flashed so taking the Ota doesn't make sense for an xda community member.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you root on 4.4.4 and safestrap works to flash roms, you'll only be able to flash 4.4.4 roms, never a 5.0 rom.
That is, of course, unless the bootloader gets unlocked.

Right. To get to "L" with root you would either need an unlocked bootloader, or a root method that works on "L" after install.
4.4.x root + Safe strap won't ever get you to "L" by itself.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using XDA Free mobile app

Hell, I'm not that desperate to flash a custom rom anytime soon. I'd settle for Root so i can use my precious Titanium for backing up app/game save data AND to freeze Samsung and ATT's damn crapware.
I pledged $50 on the bounty thread for Root and No Trip Knox.
But as mentioned earlier, might take the Note 4 back and wait for Nexus 6.

You also could just get the tmobile note 4 and use it on att...
Sent from my Note3 Rocking DynamicKat or my G3

For backups you could use Helium.
But you are right, root would be very handy for bloat removal...
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using XDA Free mobile app

the funny thing...is that the lg g3 from at&t seem to have root even if it come with locked bootloader??

antde201 said:
That post was referring to devices with Android 5.0 or Lollipop. It cites the difficulty of rooting Android L due to Android closing up some security holes that allow devices to be rooted.
The takeaway from this that Note 4 users should adhere to is; ensure that you don't install any OTA updates from At&t if you want to root in the future with limited difficulty. At least that's what I believe the post boils down to.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
About the only reason, right now anyways, that I would want root is so I can turn off a few more of the "bloat" apps. Right out of the box I was able to disable many of the offending apps. Sure- they are still installed but at least they are not running.
for my average usage, I am easily able to get through the day, (off charger at about 6AM and back on for bed around 10PM), with about 25-30% left over.
If we get root, GREAT! I'll dance a little dance around a campfire at midnite. :fingers-crossed:
If we don't get root, I'll be ok. TB will be lost to me but there are alternatives.

antde201 said:
That post was referring to devices with Android 5.0 or Lollipop. It cites the difficulty of rooting Android L due to Android closing up some security holes that allow devices to be rooted.
The takeaway from this that Note 4 users should adhere to is; ensure that you don't install any OTA updates from At&t if you want to root in the future with limited difficulty. At least that's what I believe the post boils down to.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually it means that if you want a Note 4 on lollipop with AT&T you will not be able to have root.
Well at least without finding a way to unlock the boot loader. The only way to get root on lollipop is to modify the kernel. Which you CAN NOT do without an unlocked boot loader. So if root is a must have for you then you will be stuck on KitKat.
Unless some genius out there finds a way to unlock the boot loader having root on this phone will only last a short while.
Sent from my SHIELD Tablet using XDA Free mobile app
---------- Post added at 01:10 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:08 AM ----------
zxaz said:
the funny thing...is that the lg g3 from at&t seem to have root even if it come with locked bootloader??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They figured out how to unlock the borrower on the lg g3. Which gives me a small bit of how we will see it for a Note 4 as well, but they still haven't figured out the note 3 so I'm am not holding my breath.
Sent from my SHIELD Tablet using XDA Free mobile app

optimusv45 said:
Why complain ? Wanting more is absolutely normal. Aimed at business? Why would they do that? the most money is with everyday users. You remember that thing called blackberry ? Did they aim for business lol? Insanity at heart ? Such strong language. Usually there are ways to return back to stock so you wouldn't be risking much if such methods were avaliable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wanting more is normal but asking for something that's already been confirmed to not happen and for valid reasons is absolutely asinine and immature. There are ways to return to stock but there are not ways to fix KNOX from a voided phone. Seriously you make no sense. The Galaxy line has been indeed aimed more for business. Business is actually where the money is at. I'm not talking a couple small businesses buying a ten line bundle, I'm talking about corporate contracts, which is what Samsung is aiming for. You can't compare Blackberry to Samsung. Blackberry completely ignored the everyday user. Samsung aims at both but keeps business in mind first, hence why they are pushing KNOX and it is indeed working.

Chainfire comments on root and future Android

Chainfire posted a long writeup of what the future holds for root on Android phones including Lollipop. It's an interesting read.
"As stated above, it seems for now that modifications to the kernel package are required to have root, we cannot attain it with only modifications to the system partition.
Combine that with a locked bootloader (and optionally dm-verity) and a device becomes nigh unrootable - exactly as intended by the security guys.
Exploit-based roots are already harder to do thanks to SELinux, and now because of the kernel requirements for persistent root, these exploits will need to be run at every boot. Exploits that make the system unstable (as many do) are thus out as well.
It is now thus more important than ever to buy unlocked devices if you want root."
Edit: Tikerz beat me to it. His post is here. Mods delete if you want.

No real surprise to me. It was only a matter of time before it got locked down to the point of no easy exploit. I'm surprised it took this long, actually.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using XDA Free mobile app

man locking bootloaders is one thing.. but root??!?
its not even a poormans route anymore to get a carrier phone over a factory one, you need to choose between functionality or reception..
i wonder if Xposed is responsible for crazy bootloader security moving over to root.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using XDA Free mobile app

The lack of root in the foreseeable future really ruined my excitement for this phone I have gotten so used to all the nice features of root (in addition to custom ROMs) like Ti Backup, AdAway, customization, etc. that I do not want to fork out the money for a phone that doesn't feel truly mine.
That said, I'm confident the devs will find a solution. Just like every iPhone has been jailbroken there will be root for the Note 4!

There is a root for the note 4.....just not ours ...as intended...if we want root we bought the wrong device...I got it the day before it came out in the mail and was excited I wasn't aware that it was going to be so neglected...I was at least hoping for a safestrap like the note 3 I had that I don't anymore because it shattered and they gave me this as a replacement...now I can't get root...way too sleezy...they got me!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using XDA Free mobile app

I certainly don't see it as 'sleezy', as the devices were always known to be locked. It isnt like AT&T were endorsing root or safe strap in the first place... Or secretly locked it at the last minute without telling anyone.
But opinions on morality aside, it is disappointing that root may take a while. Though I'm still optimistic that it will happen eventually.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using XDA Free mobile app

JasonJoel said:
I certainly don't see it as 'sleezy', as the devices were always known to be locked. It isnt like AT&T were endorsing root or safe strap in the first place... Or secretly locked it at the last minute without telling anyone.
But opinions on morality aside, it is disappointing that root may take a while. Though I'm still optimistic that it will happen eventually.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you have a feel for how long it might take? How many phones have there been historically that never made it? Cheers!

funnycreature said:
Do you have a feel for how long it might take? How many phones have there been historically that never made it? Cheers!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Depends if you have a smart enough person with enough time / incentive.
Thus....the bounty thread we all made to hopefully catch a genius eye or 2

funnycreature said:
Do you have a feel for how long it might take? How many phones have there been historically that never made it? Cheers!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AT&T Note 3 still does not have an unlocked boot loader. I wouldn't hold out for one on this phone. Also everyone with locked boot loaders will loose root permanently when lollipop rolls out.
Sent from my SHIELD Tablet using XDA Free mobile app

pr0cl1v1ty said:
Depends if you have a smart enough person with enough time / incentive.
Thus....the bounty thread we all made to hopefully catch a genius eye or 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with you but "enough time" could be a whole year

mircury said:
It is now thus more important than ever to buy unlocked devices if you want root."
Edit: Tikerz beat me to it. His post is here. Mods delete if you want.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, if you can afford it, for the rest of us though, it sounds like we'll be out of luck.

Maybe we need to start looking at hardware hacks, like when chipping a console?

Maybe an insecure boot.img can root this phone.

Focus on the boot loader. If it gets unlocked we will be fine with root.
Sent from my SHIELD Tablet using XDA Free mobile app

ShrekOpher said:
AT&T Note 3 still does not have an unlocked boot loader. I wouldn't hold out for one on this phone. Also everyone with locked boot loaders will loose root permanently when lollipop rolls out.
Sent from my SHIELD Tablet using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which is why I will be buying the T-Mobile Note 4 and unlocking. They already have root and TWRP.

At the very least, I just want AdAway to be functional.

I may sell my att one when my bb pre-order arrives and buy a T-Mobile version...

mshinall said:
Maybe we need to start looking at hardware hacks, like when chipping a console?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That would be the way to go if the bootloader will not be unlocked. It.will be like Playstation 3 .

nice having posts like this just right up front.... I come to xda for the modding and mainly rooting of my phones.... att releases a totally locked down note 4 and already people are speaking out about its probably not going to get an unlock like the s5... I give up all hope of seeing a subsidized note 4 and start waiting on a nexus 6 to see if the bootloader is still unlockable.
So within 3 posts and less than 15 minutes I learned abandon the att n4... quick and easy... ty xda :highfive:

fbauto1 said:
I agree with you but "enough time" could be a whole year
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im coming from the S5 I have faith in the Devs here in the beginning with the S5 seemed like all hope was lost and then out of nowhere root was available. I'm going to enjoy the device and give whoever has the means enough time to do their thing it will happen eventually

is the unlocked version worth the price over Verizon buy one get one?

Looking to get the 3XL when it comes out through Verizon. Most likely Verizon is going to run a buy one get one with adding on a new line in.
With the phone being stock Android already but with a Verizon locked bootloader is it more beneficial to give up the buy-one-get-one and just buy an unlocked one through Verizon? If I go the buy-one-get-one route myself and my brother-in-law are going to be splitting the retail cost of the one we have to buy
EDIT 10/13/2018
Come to find out we cannot have any more smartphones on our line with it being a special plan that it is. So we can't take advantage of the buy one get one

If you want root, then do not buy the Verizon version. On all previous Verizon Pixel devices "OEM unlocking" in developer options has been disabled. With that disabled you can't unlock the bootloader. With a locked bootloader you can't install TWRP. Without TWRP you can't install Magisk. Without Magisk you have no root.
If having root is not important to you, then feel free to go for the Verizon version.

Face_Plant said:
If you want root, then do not buy the Verizon version. On all previous Verizon Pixel devices "OEM unlocking" in developer options has been disabled. With that disabled you can't unlock the bootloader. With a locked bootloader you can't install TWRP. Without TWRP you can't install Magisk. Without Magisk you have no root.
If having root is not important to you, then feel free to go for the Verizon version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know the whole locked bootloader, TWRP stuff. It's probably been since my Google Nexus and I believe my Note 4 or 5 that I messed with rooting, unlocked bootloaders and roms LOL
But with it being stock pure Google is there really anything truly beneficial to having the unlocked bootloader to allow for rooting possibilities. I used to root my phone's just to run custom roms to get rid of them bloatware that other manufacturers put on it. But since the pixel doesn't have a bloat or skin overlay, is there a real reason for rooting capabilities?

Androider4Life said:
I know the whole locked bootloader, TWRP stuff. It's probably been since my Google Nexus and I believe my Note 4 or 5 that I messed with rooting, unlocked bootloaders and roms LOL
But with it being stock pure Google is there really anything truly beneficial to having the unlocked bootloader to allow for rooting possibilities. I used to root my phone's just to run custom roms to get rid of them bloatware that other manufacturers put on it. But since the pixel doesn't have a bloat or skin overlay, is there a real reason for rooting capabilities?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's always good reasons to root. Ad blocking is the number one thing that comes to mind. Utilities like Better Battery Stats to see what's killing your battery, Titanium Backup to backup your apps or uninstall system apps, WakeBlock to block or limit wakelocks so your phone isn't waking up every 10 seconds to send analytics data to Facebook/Twitter/Google when it should be sleeping, etc.
Google phones still come with bloat, it's just not as bad as Samsung or LG phones. For example, my 6P came with a ton of Google apps installed (Play Games, Hangouts, Play Movies, Docs, Slides, and **** ton more) that I would probably never use or have a desire to use. Sure you can disable most of them, but I'd rather remove them entirely.

These are the best reasons for rooting. Ad blocking is a good one, and I just enjoyed flashing new and different roms. It was fun - there was a new cm nightly every day to flash. I've got away from that partly because of less development and partly because stock android is pretty good as is. New features like android pay are very security conscious and don't play well with root. It's up to you if you want to give up the ability to root. Half price on the phone is pretty tempting. If you can't handle staying stock you could probably get your price out of the phone on Swappa and buy from Google. If there is any development to get in to. I've been stock the past year and am happy with that.

dmb219 said:
These are the best reasons for rooting. Ad blocking is a good one, and I just enjoyed flashing new and different roms. It was fun - there was a new cm nightly every day to flash. I've got away from that partly because of less development and partly because stock android is pretty good as is. New features like android pay are very security conscious and don't play well with root. It's up to you if you want to give up the ability to root. Half price on the phone is pretty tempting. If you can't handle staying stock you could probably get your price out of the phone on Swappa and buy from Google. If there is any development to get in to. I've been stock the past year and am happy with that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did not think about the swappa thing. May be a good idea depending on what it's going for on there when it releases.
If I would stick with the Verizon variant, I would just need to stay off XDA and not read "what I could be doing with the unlocked variant" lol.

Androider4Life said:
Looking to get the 3XL when it comes out through Verizon. Most likely Verizon is going to run a buy one get one with adding on a new line in.
With the phone being stock Android already but with a Verizon locked bootloader is it more beneficial to give up the buy-one-get-one and just buy an unlocked one through Verizon? If I go the buy-one-get-one route myself and my brother-in-law are going to be splitting the retail cost of the one we have to buy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ill never understand why anyone would buy a device thats locked down if they dont have to.
Absolutely Id go for the nom Verizon version....its a no brainer.
Sent from my Note 9 exynos, S9 plus exynos, Pixel 2 XL or Note FE

Don't get a locked device, especially if you're hanging out on XDA!

galaxys said:
Don't get a locked device, especially if you're hanging out on XDA!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What he said ^^

galaxys said:
Don't get a locked device, especially if you're hanging out on XDA!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea, the fact that you're here is testament to the need for the unlocked Pixel. I've been mostly stock for the last couple years but tinker occasionally. I want the ability to tweak my phone even if I choose not to, especially if there is some development going on. I hope there is some life left in the Pixel community here, it's been kind of quiet. The phone is more difficult to mod and to be honest, the stock software is hard to improve on.

dmb219 said:
Yea, the fact that you're here is testament to the need for the unlocked Pixel. I've been mostly stock for the last couple years but tinker occasionally. I want the ability to tweak my phone even if I choose not to, especially if there is some development going on. I hope there is some life left in the Pixel community here, it's been kind of quiet. The phone is more difficult to mod and to be honest, the stock software is hard to improve on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That was my thought too about how stock software is hard to improve on to justify buying unlocked rather than the buy one get one thru Verizon ( if they offer it) and splitting the cost of the one we have to buy.

Androider4Life said:
That was my thought too about how stock software is hard to improve on to justify buying unlocked rather than the buy one get one thru Verizon ( if they offer it) and splitting the cost of the one we have to buy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have Verizon but if I got a Pixel for half price thru my carrier I might be on that. My son has Verizon and gets his phone free from his work. He was a hacker too but has been good with a stock Pixel XL since he got it. Monthly updates - hard to beat stock on the Pixels.

As others have mentioned, having an unlocked phone generally means you are able to root the device. However, I couldn't help but noticing Google's new Titan chip that is claiming to securing passwords and the OS. My question is, how is this new "chip" going to play with "rooting" the device. Will simply having an unlocked device bypass this new Titan chip?

At this moment Verizon's 128gb model is 30$ more at 1029.99 with 9% tax 1122.69 plus $30 upgrade fee. Total $1,152.69
Google's version is 999.99 with 9% tax $1089.99
So all in all with tax one is saving over roughly 62$
Verizon is doing BOGO on the 64gb only, and offering a wireless stand. Even without the BOGO it equalizes out.
I don't need the BOGO so buying from Google is cheaper for me

I haven't rooted in YEARS. The last phone I rooted was the 1+2. OEM vanilla android is so good now I'm not even tempted. I stopped specifically when I thought about why I was installing ROMs. I wanted one that hid from Android Pay (back in the day) and allowed me to clone my phone if it broke. So, I was installing software from suspect sources to make copies of my device and perform financial transactions... Dafuq was I thinking!
This probably isn't a popular thing to say, but... how much do you really trust random dudes calling themselves "SKREET/|/KLoWnzZ", or some ****, who put together the "(-XxX[DaRTh++KriMzON ].::.KaRBoN.::.SKuLLzZzXxX-)" ROM, anyway? You've probably got some kind of banking data on that phone, right? I'm not saying Devs are crooks, but I'm certain more than one dude out there isn't on the up-and-up, I promise you. Mathematics demands it to be so. My wife would choke the piss out of me if our account got drained because I compromised our data using a hot ROM cooked up in Romania.
NOW, I get unlocked phones so I can carry a blank phone and switch carriers for trips overseas. My Pixel 2XL will replace my Nexus 6 as my travel phone, and the Pixel 3XL will be my main phone

I have been purchasing my phones directly either from Google or HTC, just so I could unlock and root. But I haven''t been rooting, even with an unlocked bootloader. I am probably not going to unlock my Pixel 3XL since I want to use Android Pay, and also play PoGo (I know Magisk can hide it, but it's always a game of cat and mouse.)

Plus, you never know. The original Verizon Pixel was unlockable for a brief time. It's unlikely, but it could happen this time as well.

Androider4Life said:
I know the whole locked bootloader, TWRP stuff. It's probably been since my Google Nexus and I believe my Note 4 or 5 that I messed with rooting, unlocked bootloaders and roms LOL
But with it being stock pure Google is there really anything truly beneficial to having the unlocked bootloader to allow for rooting possibilities. I used to root my phone's just to run custom roms to get rid of them bloatware that other manufacturers put on it. But since the pixel doesn't have a bloat or skin overlay, is there a real reason for rooting capabilities?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since the Nexus? You didn't even unlock the 5X? So the question is should I spend an extra $1000 so I can possibly use Adaware? You won't need Titanium if you're not flashing roms, Better BS works perfectly without root, and there is no bloatware any longer. I understand if these things like flashing roms from Romania (lol that post above is funny) are important to you but you haven't rooted in like what, 5 years now? This is really a no brainer.
---------- Post added at 11:51 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:48 AM ----------
spotmark said:
Plus, you never know. The original Verizon Pixel was unlockable for a brief time. It's unlikely, but it could happen this time as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not gonna happen like it did for that one month. That flaw has been closed. I'm just waiting for a bounty thread for temp root. And I'm wondering even with temp root if you'd be able to unlock the bootloader on this device.

bobby janow said:
Not gonna happen like it did for that one month. That flaw has been closed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm well aware of that, thanks, but I prefer to be optimistic and hope that we may get lucky. When we get them in our hands, we'll know for sure.

spotmark said:
I'm well aware of that, thanks, but I prefer to be optimistic and hope that we may get lucky. When we get them in our hands, we'll know for sure.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do admire your optimism but they've been at this a long time and it seems they really have it locked down this time. Unless the Pixel 3s have an exploit I just don't see it. I do hope you're right though.
Sent from my [device_name] using XDA-Developers Legacy app