Per the title, I discovered that there were three Verizon apps installed on my Google Store device. I'm wondering if any other Verizon subscriber has noticed this?
I'm assuming they came in with the small OTA that occurred shortly after I moved my Verizon SIM to the device, but it's a bit disconcerting that VZW can just shove apps onto my device that way hidden inside what purports to be a 'system update'
Has anyone else in a similar situation noticed any VZW bloat getting installed? The apps were 'My Verizon' 'go90' and 'Verizon Messages'.
Those gets installed automatically when it detected that you're on Verizon but you can simply uninstall them. (Note: I'm on Verizon too and the only app I uninstalled was the Messages+, think I'll give go90 a try but chances are I'll uninstall that too. My Verizon I do use once in a blue moon to pay my bill when on the go)
Yeah, they all uninstall , so it's the exact same phone as the one strait from Google . No big deal . They could have done that crappy "DISABLE" feature.
To me this was a good sign. No one knows what the situation was but it looks like Google stood up to Verizon and did not allow them to brand the phone or screw it up. I'm so tired of my Verizon phones missing ENTIRE FEATURES , because Big Red is a communist dictatorship , who until now all the phone mfg have bowed down to. Go Google.
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
Mine was from Verizon and I did not any Verizon apps installed. I did however, install My Verizon to check data usage (Family Plan). The small update did not install them either.
You were lucky then. It is supposed to install them when it detects the Verizon sim.
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
My VZW Pixel never installed them either. I had to install the couple I use.
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
I don't really like the fact that I have several of these Verizon Wireless system apps installed on my Google Store Pixel.
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Yep, there are VZW apps in the ROM.... My Pixel XL from the Google Store had 'em before I was even on network, and you can always look to see where they are stored.
Putting a VZW sim in installs more.
khaytsus said:
Yep, there are VZW apps in the ROM.... My Pixel XL from the Google Store had 'em before I was even on network, and you can always look to see where they are stored.
Putting a VZW sim in installs more.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can confirm there are zero VZW apps installed on my phone. Perhaps they're stock on US phones and not Canadian phones (Since Verizon does not exist here). Though it seems weird Google would put VZW apps on all of their US phones since many users would obviously not be Verizon customers.
DanJRWalsh said:
I can confirm there are zero VZW apps installed on my phone. Perhaps they're stock on US phones and not Canadian phones (Since Verizon does not exist here). Though it seems weird Google would put VZW apps on all of their US phones since many users would obviously not be Verizon customers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Look harder. One way is to look at the Doze list.
Settings->Apps->Cog->Special Access->Battery Optimization->All Apps
Note they are NOT shown in the "All Apps" list, curiously.
khaytsus said:
Look harder. One way is to look at the Doze list.
Settings->Apps->Cog->Special Access->Battery Optimization->All Apps
Note they are NOT shown in the "All Apps" list, curiously.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, you're correct. They were hidden in a sub menu. Very interesting considering Verizon isn't even in Canada.
Those are built-in Nougat, look under the S and you will see a Sprint App.
They are not apps that could be installed from play store or user app at all
Remember Verizon and Sprint are not GSM carriers so Nougat needs those in case you put a Sprint or Verizon SIM to provision phones on their networks.
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
---------- Post added at 08:52 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:26 PM ----------
DanJRWalsh said:
Ah, you're correct. They were hidden in a sub menu. Very interesting considering Verizon isn't even in Canada.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not to worry, Sprint and Verizon are the only CDMA Carriers Google supports. That is why you see those apps.
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
---------- Post added at 08:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:52 PM ----------
Deocaedo said:
Per the title, I discovered that there were three Verizon apps installed on my Google Store device. I'm wondering if any other Verizon subscriber has noticed this?
I'm assuming they came in with the small OTA that occurred shortly after I moved my Verizon SIM to the device, but it's a bit disconcerting that VZW can just shove apps onto my device that way hidden inside what purports to be a 'system update'
Has anyone else in a similar situation noticed any VZW bloat getting installed? The apps were 'My Verizon' 'go90' and 'Verizon Messages'.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You see those apps because Verizon a CDMA carrier and Sprint is also. That is why there is also Sprint app. Those are so phone will work on Verizon or Sprint. Bloat apps are installed first time a Verizon SIM is installed but could be uninstalled.
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
cmhjr said:
Those are built-in Nougat, look under the S and you will see a Sprint App.
They are not apps that could be installed from play store or user app at all
Remember Verizon and Sprint are not GSM carriers so Nougat needs those in case you put a Sprint or Verizon SIM to provision phones on their networks.
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
---------- Post added at 08:52 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:26 PM ----------
Not to worry, Sprint and Verizon are the only CDMA Carriers Google supports. That is why you see those apps.
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
---------- Post added at 08:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:52 PM ----------
You see those apps because Verizon a CDMA carrier and Sprint is also. That is why there is also Sprint app. Those are so phone will work on Verizon or Sprint. Bloat apps are installed first time a Verizon SIM is installed but could be uninstalled.
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Except for when it's not. Multiple users including me have a VZW Pixel with a VZW sim activated and never saw a VZW app installed.
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
neyenlives said:
Except for when it's not. Multiple users including me have a VZW Pixel with a VZW sim activated and never saw a VZW app installed.
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here are the Verizon apps on My Pixel XL and I am on T-Mobile. Remember there use to be separate ROMS depending on which Network you were on. Look at the Nexus factory image page and you will see. Google is only making one ROM for the Pixel and have to include the CDMA carriers apps.
VZWAPN, That is Verizon APN (GSM carriers auto update during activation)
VZW_API. That is to use Verizon network applications
Verizon Login, That is to log in to Verizon Network most likely for data
VZW_MULTICAST_MW and VZW_OMA_Trigger, most likely are Verizon proprietary addin that may have something to do with their wifi calling and or tethering.
You will also notice SrintDM app, if Pixel worked on any other CDMA Carriers you would see apps from them also
Sent from my SM-T713 using Tapatalk
I am referring to the comment that Verizon apps get installed once you use the Verizon sim. Many people haven't seen that to be the case.
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
neyenlives said:
I am referring to the comment that Verizon apps get installed once you use the Verizon sim. Many people haven't seen that to be the case.
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In those cases it would may by based on the SIM, I know someone who used an old SIM and nothing was installed and another friend had a newer SIM and some apps were installed.
It may also depend on account because the one that had the apps installed actually pays and uses premium Verizon Visual Voicemail and that app installed.
The apps installed may also depend on account setup. The Friend who had apps installed was on single plan and the other friend was on a family plan but not primary and has nothing installed.
It may also be based on the IMEI, just to many variables to know for sure.
I do remember reading that Verizon apps may install but could be removed after activation but forget where I read it.
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
Both my VZW and GS models loaded Verizon apps, the ones in the screen-shot are present no matter what.
Go90, My Verizon, and Messages+ get downloaded automatically on both models though.
Dave
KrAsH86 said:
Both my VZW and GS models loaded Verizon apps, the ones in the screen-shot are present no matter what.
Go90, My Verizon, and Messages+ get downloaded automatically on both models though.
Dave
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That would seem to match what I read, if you don't want them you could uninstall them. They download as part of the initial setup and unless you do a factory resetv will not download again.
Not sure about future updates because Verizon may have apps download after a software update since they control those. Security updates google controls for all pixels
Verizon and GS models get their updates at the same time, this has been confirmed by both Verizon and Google. The only thing that occurs with the Verizon model before updates are sent out is locking the bootloader on the Verizon model, while the GS model still remains a developer-friendly device since it retains an unlockable bootloader. I'm probably going for the Verizon edition because I save $300 when I do purchase one, whenever that may be, and the software is already good enough where I don't really feel the need to download any custom ROMs on it.
Related
...seems like a dumb question, right? Here's the deal, I broke my (Google) 64GB Nexus 6 last Saturday night... sucks, but I have insurance! So I file a claim, pay $150, and Asurion sends me a Verizon (my carrier) 32GB Nexus 6... I called them up and they told me that's all they had. After talking to a couple of people and me saying I would cancel the insurance if they couldn't give me the same device I insured, they mentioned they could give me a Pixel XL 32GB!!! Having missed the original preorders I've been trying like hell to preorder a Pixel XL with no luck, so this was a no brainer (although it sucks that it's only 32GB).
Fast forward a day, and I have my phone!!! But there are a couple of things off about it. For one, it doesn't say Verizon anywhere on the box, phone, within Android, boot up... nothing! There are also zero preloaded Verizon apps?! I thought they would at least put "MyVerizon" on it... So is there anywhere I can look to determine which version I have? Another thing, I've had a hell of a time getting it activated on Verizon. I had switched back to my old S4 after breaking my Nexus 6, and had to go to Verizon to get a micro-sim card. Nobody at Verizon has been able to register the phone with the new SIM card, after hours on hold I gave up and just cut my S4 micro-sim card - problem solved... but why couldn't Verizon activate the phone? That might be unrelated, just something I was thinking about.
One last note, I already ran depixel8 (which succeeded) on the phone. I'm not sure what would happen if this was done on a non-verizon version... but I can't test this by unlocking the bootloader since that's already done!
TLDR: Got Pixel XL from Asurion to replace my broken Nexus 6 I had previously used on Verizon, and I can't find any mention of Verizon anywhere! Did they send me a Google version of Verizon version?
Verizon versions aren't branded.
It was all just an illusion
trickster2369 said:
Verizon versions aren't branded.
It was all just an illusion
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool, so how do I know?
bought mine at a verizon store and it came the same way so your good lol
If you have a Verizon phone your build# will be NDE63P
N3V3RS3TTL3 said:
If you have a Verizon phone your build# will be NDE63P
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then whats the Google phone on? L? jcase already commented on this and said that P is the current version regardless if it is from Verizon or Google.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/pix...xel-xl-unlocking-discussions-t3484497/page109
N3V3RS3TTL3 said:
If you have a Verizon phone your build# will be NDE63P
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think this necessarily means that it is a Verizon model since I have a Google Store purchased Pixel XL with the same build number.
My best guess to see if the phone is a Verizon model is if the bootloader is not unlockable.
Is the toggle in settings to allow bootloader unlocking grey or can you toggle it?
Sent from my Pixel XL
imnuts said:
Is the toggle in settings to allow bootloader unlocking grey or can you toggle it?
Sent from my Pixel XL
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I cannot toggle it (and couldn't before unlocking it either). Is this really the only sign that the phone is a Verizon? Other than the boatloader (which was easily fixed) I guess Verizon deserves props for not screwing with the device! Or Google deserves props for not letting Verizon screw with it, lol.
DracoDan said:
I cannot toggle it (and couldn't before unlocking it either). Is this really the only sign that the phone is a Verizon? Other than the boatloader (which was easily fixed) I guess Verizon deserves props for not screwing with the device! Or Google deserves props for not letting Verizon screw with it, lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Another thing you can do is look in "My Verizon" and see if it shows up as "Other Device" or Pixel XL. Other device would indicate a play store device which I highly doubt that they sent you.
Another thing you could do is install an app on the play store. When the drop down shows up it will say Verizon Google Pixel XL.
When I sign in to my Verizon account on my laptop, it lists my Google Pixel as: PIXEL NON-VZW.
DracoDan said:
...seems like a dumb question, right? Here's the deal, I broke my (Google) 64GB Nexus 6 last Saturday night... sucks, but I have insurance! So I file a claim, pay $150, and Asurion sends me a Verizon (my carrier) 32GB Nexus 6... I called them up and they told me that's all they had. After talking to a couple of people and me saying I would cancel the insurance if they couldn't give me the same device I insured, they mentioned they could give me a Pixel XL 32GB!!! Having missed the original preorders I've been trying like hell to preorder a Pixel XL with no luck, so this was a no brainer (although it sucks that it's only 32GB).
Fast forward a day, and I have my phone!!! But there are a couple of things off about it. For one, it doesn't say Verizon anywhere on the box, phone, within Android, boot up... nothing! There are also zero preloaded Verizon apps?! I thought they would at least put "MyVerizon" on it... So is there anywhere I can look to determine which version I have? Another thing, I've had a hell of a time getting it activated on Verizon. I had switched back to my old S4 after breaking my Nexus 6, and had to go to Verizon to get a micro-sim card. Nobody at Verizon has been able to register the phone with the new SIM card, after hours on hold I gave up and just cut my S4 micro-sim card - problem solved... but why couldn't Verizon activate the phone? That might be unrelated, just something I was thinking about.
One last note, I already ran depixel8 (which succeeded) on the phone. I'm not sure what would happen if this was done on a non-verizon version... but I can't test this by unlocking the bootloader since that's already done!
TLDR: Got Pixel XL from Asurion to replace my broken Nexus 6 I had previously used on Verizon, and I can't find any mention of Verizon anywhere! Did they send me a Google version of Verizon version?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Reboot the phone to bootloader. Issue command "fastboot OEM getcid" that will tell for sure what do you have.
jamexman said:
Reboot the phone to bootloader. Issue command "fastboot OEM getcid" that will tell for sure what do you have.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yay, a definitive answer, thanks!!!
The back story here is interesting...
There are so many refurbs this soon in the game that Google is already letting Asurion have them... AND, they can use them to replace other brands of phones.
The flickering screens and maybe BT issues seem to be racking up some casualties. Meanwhile many of us have been waiting near a month for XL 128's
So much blood at the bleeding edge.
Hmm I have a Verizon version but yet the unlock isn't greyed out and I'm able to enable it....
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
DracoDan said:
Yay, a definitive answer, thanks!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're welcome. What did the command tell you?
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
---------- Post added at 04:40 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:37 PM ----------
evobyte said:
Hmm I have a Verizon version but yet the unlock isn't greyed out and I'm able to enable it....
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
More than likely... You got a free for review phone no? Been discussed before...
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
So I got my phone yesterday and it did some updating while I was setting it up and noticed that the latest firmware it installed was NDE63X not V. I bought this from Google not Verizon paid all the money up front so it is fully mine. I have Verizon service, did they just hijack my phone? I have Googled a bit on it and can't find an answer. This worries me since I avoided buying from Verizon so they had no say on updates. I have not gotten any of the Verizon apps automatically added toy phone yet. Thanks for any answer.
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
If you have a Verizon SIM in the phone, it will get Verizon firmware images regardless of where you bought the phone.
I would recommend flashing the Google OTA's yourself when they release.
Don't worry. You got the verizon firmware because you have a verizon sim. The reverse is true for people who bought their phones from verizon and went to another carrier. Their phones updated to the US firmware automatically.
Verizon bootloaders cannot be unlocked. That is the only difference. Firmware versions are completely independent of this fact.
ahent said:
So I got my phone yesterday and it did some updating while I was setting it up and noticed that the latest firmware it installed was NDE63X not V. I bought this from Google not Verizon paid all the money up front so it is fully mine. I have Verizon service, did they just hijack my phone? I have Googled a bit on it and can't find an answer. This worries me since I avoided buying from Verizon so they had no say on updates. I have not gotten any of the Verizon apps automatically added toy phone yet. Thanks for any answer.
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. The software sees that you are using a Verizon sim and downloads the version that is optimized for Verizon networks.
Makes the radio work more efficiently with the bands Verizon uses and such things like that. Maybe downloads a set of unique Verizon apps you may want to use for your convenience. You can dismiss these apps or run some other firmware if you wish. It is not hijacking your phone and turning it into an evil, screwed up monster with a locked bootloader or rendering it unrootable.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk
Thanks, just the info I needed. If I switched carriers or traveled internationally and switched sim cards would this cause the phone issues?
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
ahent said:
Thanks, just the info I needed. If I switched carriers or traveled internationally and switched sim cards would this cause the phone issues?
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No.
Thanks again, I love XDA.
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
You may get slightly better performance overseas or on another carrier with different firmware due to the slight differences in the radio, but it will function the same otherwise.
Sent from my Pixel XL
If I have a Verizon version unlocked and take the Verizon firmware update is it possible for them to relock the bootloader? UPDATE - I looked on the forum and it seems like every agrees that it isn't possible for VZ to relock bootloader with firmware updates. Just want to confirm this is correct.
This may be premature since the phones haven't shipped yet but when I go to order the phone on Google's website they give an option for a Verizon version with a sim card or an unlocked version. If both phones are the same except one has a locked bootloader then why bother to do this? Why not let Verizon sell their own variant with a locked bootloader? Are there any disadvantages or missing features when using the unlocked version on Verizon???
If both phones were the same and acted the same when on Verizon then I'd be royally pissed if I bought the Verizon pixel from Google's site only to find it had a locked bootloader. I'll bet that a lot of people will buy the Verizon version from the Google store thinking that the bootloader can still be unlocked because they bought it from Google and not at the Verizon store. I'm surprised more people aren't discussing this and warning others. In the past if you bought a gen. 1 pixel from the Google store it was guaranteed to be unlockable but now it doesn't seem to be the case and Verizon probably convinced Google to con purchasers into doing this since they get such a hard-on about locking bootloaders.
Now if the unlocked version doesn't work the same on the Verizon network (I.e. Volte does not work or signal strength isn't as good then I don't feel too bad about Google selling both variants directly from their store.
Thoughts??
I don't believe the Gen 1 Verizon pixel was ever intended to have an unlockable bootloader.
No it wasn't but there was no way to purchase a Verizon Gen 1 pixel from Google like there is for the Gen 2. If you wanted an unlocked bootloader you just bought the only pixel offered on the Google store. Now there is two options from the same store. I'm just worried that people will get the Verizon version from the Google store (not Verizon store) thinking that it's unlocked because they bought it from Google, not Verizon.
Do both phones (Verizon and unlocked versions) operate on the same bands with same features when activated on Verizon network?
The option for the version states that a SIM is included. My only guess is that they toss a SIM card in the box for you if you select Verizon.
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
I was wondering the same thing, I plan on activating on Verizon when I receive my unlocked XL 2. But decided to buy the unlocked version just in case there was something stupid like a locked down bootloader or something weird.
I ordered mine so fast I'm worried I selected the Verizon version by accident. In order status it shows nothing about whether you ordered the unlocked or the Verizon version. Can someone that ordered a Verizon version check and see if their order status says Verizon or anything? Mine just says Pixel 2 XL (128 GB, Just Black). No mention of unlocked or Verizon anywhere.
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
sabbotage said:
I ordered mine so fast I'm worried I selected the Verizon version by accident. In order status it shows nothing about whether you ordered the unlocked or the Verizon version. Can someone that ordered a Verizon version check and see if their order status says Verizon or anything? Mine just says Pixel 2 XL (128 GB, Just Black). No mention of unlocked or Verizon anywhere.
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go in and reorder it, I switched from a Panda Verizon XL 2 128gb that was gonna get delivered Nov7-9th to just black 128gb xl 2 unlocked which said Oct 25th. The shipping dates havent really changed much.
sabbotage said:
I ordered mine so fast I'm worried I selected the Verizon version by accident. In order status it shows nothing about whether you ordered the unlocked or the Verizon version. Can someone that ordered a Verizon version check and see if their order status says Verizon or anything? Mine just says Pixel 2 XL (128 GB, Just Black). No mention of unlocked or Verizon anywhere.
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same for me: no mention of Unlocked or Verizon on order acknowledgment...
If you are unsure, the advice to cancel and reorder is good, just with penalty of
later shipping.
I ordered mine while *slightly inebriated" last night. This morning I simply canceled my order and reordered it while 100% sober so that I knew 100% that I ordered an unlocked version and not the Verizon model. The order history didn't state unlocked or Verizon so I just wasn't sure... You can't be too sure of these types of things lol =)
Thanks for the post. I made the mistake of ordering the Verizon version. It does say this in the description on the order confirmation. Reordered and delivery date was reduced to October 27 from Nov 20.
(64 GB, Just Black, Verizon SIM-enabled
Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk
It would be the first time for me to order a google (pixel) phone.
Im am from Germany, will the pixel from "Deutsche Telekom" (T-Mobile) be different than the one straight from the google store? :/
@EDIT: Asked the Support from Telekom Deutschland and tehy told me, that there isnt a difference between the Telekom Device and the Google Store Device in relation to Bootloader, updates or bloatware.
Can anyone verify if the unlocked version works the same as the Verizon version when on the Verizon network? Does volte and vvm work the same? Does the unlocked version have access to the same cell towers and lte bands? Or does Verizon cripple some features on the unlocked variant?
mattd860 said:
Can anyone verify if the unlocked version works the same as the Verizon version when on the Verizon network? Does volte and vvm work the same? Does the unlocked version have access to the same cell towers and lte bands? Or does Verizon cripple some features on the unlocked variant?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On the old Pixel XL it worked the same on either model. I had an unlocked Pixel XL and a Verizon Pixel and they both worked the same with features. VoLTE and VVM both worked fine. The only difference was the unlocked model showed as "other" Pixel device with a generic picture in my Verizon account and the Verizon pixel showed as "Verizon Pixel" with an actual picture of the phone.
---------- Post added at 08:24 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:19 AM ----------
greencat2 said:
Thanks for the post. I made the mistake of ordering the Verizon version. It does say this in the description on the order confirmation. Reordered and delivery date was reduced to October 27 from Nov 20.
(64 GB, Just Black, Verizon SIM-enabled
Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for confirming. I think I'm ok then since it looks like the Verizon version actually states it in the order status.
sabbotage said:
On the old Pixel XL it worked the same on either model. I had an unlocked Pixel XL and a Verizon Pixel and they both worked the same with features. VoLTE and VVM both worked fine. The only difference was the unlocked model showed as "other" Pixel device with a generic picture in my Verizon account and the Verizon pixel showed as "Verizon Pixel" with an actual picture of the phone.
---------- Post added at 08:24 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:19 AM ----------
Thanks for confirming. I think I'm ok then since it looks like the Verizon version actually states it in the order status.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would this also apply if you order the Pixel 2 XL from Verizon directly?
This is happening exactly as I predicted. People are being duped into buying the Verizon pixel 2 from the Google store thinking that the bootloader can be unlocked because they purchased from the Google store instead of the Verizon store.
mattd860 said:
This is happening exactly as I predicted. People are being duped into buying the Verizon pixel 2 from the Google store thinking that the bootloader can be unlocked because they purchased from the Google store instead of the Verizon store.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can get the Verizon version directly from them through my work for $350, that is why I was wondering.
Can someone who ordered the Verizon Pixel show a snippet of the confirmation page?
If VZW version is the same as the unlocked one, and Google is simply throwing in the SIM card, insert the VZW SIM card after turn on the phone and unlock the bootloader.
Google Customer service confirmed to me on the phone that bootloader for Verizon version is locked but should get OS and security patch updates directly from Google if bought from Google Store. He wasn't sure about OS updates if phone is bought from Verizon.
nomifm said:
Google Customer service confirmed to me on the phone that bootloader for Verizon version is locked but should get OS and security patch updates directly from Google if bought from Google Store. He wasn't sure about OS updates if phone is bought from Verizon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well last year was the Pixel different when ordering directly from Verizon with updates?
The boot loader unlocked really is not necessary in my case because I would be happy just to be on stock Android with regular updates.
Hello guys. I want to buy new Pixel 2 XL, and best offer I have found is brand new from USA. Price is much lower then in regular polish shops, so I want to ask, is there any possibility that the phone will not work right in Poland? Maybe some options will be locked? Or there will be problem with updates?
I have Samsung Galaxy Note 4 from USA now and I can't update it cause it's from AT&T (worst mistake i could do), and I don't want to be dissapointed again.
Also, second thing, is the screen really that bad as they write in reviews? How is it compared to Galaxy Note 4, worse? There are so many mixed reviews, some praise the screen, some say that it is crap. Are there different versions of this phone or what?
Thank you very much for help.
pixel updates are not regulated by carrier, however make sure the bands supported on the american pixel are same as the bands used in poland. as far as i know america uses different bands compared to europe and rest of the world.
some screens are worse than others, but there is now way of confirming as some people with newer batches have also had complaints with the screen. and if pixel is not officially available in your country, you wont be able to rma also and i'm not sure how the warranty would work there in poland.
I would think as long as it's an unlocked USA phone and not from Verizon it should be fine if your country's bands are listed.
As for the screen, the blue shift and black crushing is there but it's not that bad. My wife had the Note 4 and it was a good screen for the time of release but I would say it's worse than that.
waxjan said:
Hello guys. I want to buy new Pixel 2 XL, and best offer I have found is brand new from USA. Price is much lower then in regular polish shops, so I want to ask, is there any possibility that the phone will not work right in Poland? Maybe some options will be locked? Or there will be problem with updates?
I have Samsung Galaxy Note 4 from USA now and I can't update it cause it's from AT&T (worst mistake i could do), and I don't want to be dissapointed again.
Also, second thing, is the screen really that bad as they write in reviews? How is it compared to Galaxy Note 4, worse? There are so many mixed reviews, some praise the screen, some say that it is crap. Are there different versions of this phone or what?
Thank you very much for help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
Ok, seller says that it works in Poland. I just make sure that it is not from Verizon.
About screen, if it is better than Note 4, than it is just fine for me. I've made my decision, I will be Pixel 2 XL owner thank you very much for help.
Hey there! Neighbor here, I'm Lithuanian. 3 days ago I bought mine from USA as well. Works fine, just buy a USA to EU charger adapter beforehand
By the way, switched from Note 4. Screen is a bit more dull compared to Note 4 but I kinda dig it and you can always use Saturated mode, so that's not a problem.
Also, camera, I'm shooting everything everywhere, can't get enough of it.
waxjan said:
Ok, seller says that it works in Poland. I just make sure that it is not from Verizon.
About screen, if it is better than Note 4, than it is just fine for me. I've made my decision, I will be Pixel 2 XL owner thank you very much for help.
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Why Verizon one is not recommended?
Pixel 2 XL| Tapatalk
If you want to unlock the bootloader one day, you can't with Verizon. If that doesn't matter, then go ahead. The Verizon phone will work with the same SIM cards the carrier free US one does.
mniedziel said:
Why Verizon one is not recommended?
Pixel 2 XL| Tapatalk
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Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
mniedziel said:
Why Verizon one is not recommended?
Pixel 2 XL| Tapatalk
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It's because phones sold by carriers are locked to only that carrier. If you were to get the one from Verizon and put in your SIM card you'd get something like "Invalid SIM". Phones can be unlocked but Verizon would have to give you the needed info.
---------- Post added at 02:10 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:07 AM ----------
nikhil.agrawal said:
pixel updates are not regulated by carrier, however make sure the bands supported on the american pixel are same as the bands used in poland. as far as i know america uses different bands compared to europe and rest of the world.
some screens are worse than others, but there is now way of confirming as some people with newer batches have also had complaints with the screen. and if pixel is not officially available in your country, you wont be able to rma also and i'm not sure how the warranty would work there in poland.
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There is no "American" Pixel 2. It's the same phone sold everywhere. Either the phone supports the bands used in Poland or it doesn't. The original post did say the phone is sold in stores in Poland so I'm guessing the Pixel 2 supports bands used in Poland or stores wouldn't sell it.
jimv1983 said:
It's because phones sold by carriers are locked to only that carrier. If you were to get the one from Verizon and put in your SIM card you'd get something like "Invalid SIM". Phones can be unlocked but Verizon would have to give you the needed info.
---------- Post added at 02:10 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:07 AM ----------
There is no "American" Pixel 2. It's the same phone sold everywhere. Either the phone supports the bands used in Poland or it doesn't. The original post did say the phone is sold in stores in Poland so I'm guessing the Pixel 2 supports bands used in Poland or stores wouldn't sell it.
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Yes, my bad. I totally missed how the new phones support all bands. The band thing I said earlier used to be a thing of past. A few years back American phones didn't used to work in India or other countries due to the bands supported in states were different.
jimv1983 said:
It's because phones sold by carriers are locked to only that carrier. If you were to get the one from Verizon and put in your SIM card you'd get something like "Invalid SIM". Phones can be unlocked but Verizon would have to give you the needed info.
---------- Post added at 02:10 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:07 AM ----------
There is no "American" Pixel 2. It's the same phone sold everywhere. Either the phone supports the bands used in Poland or it doesn't. The original post did say the phone is sold in stores in Poland so I'm guessing the Pixel 2 supports bands used in Poland or stores wouldn't sell it.
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Verizon LTE phones are carrier unlocked from the get go.
fiffan86 said:
Verizon LTE phones are carrier unlocked from the get go.
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If that's true it's a very recent change. A co-worker of mine is on T-Mobile. He bought a used Pixel XL last November. He tried to put in his T-Mobile SIM card and it didn't work. He discovered that it was originally bought from Verizon. He put in a family member's Verizon SIM card and it worked fine.
I've also never heard of ANY carrier selling a phone that is carrier unlocked.
jimv1983 said:
If that's true it's a very recent change. A co-worker of mine is on T-Mobile. He bought a used Pixel XL last November. He tried to put in his T-Mobile SIM card and it didn't work. He discovered that it was originally bought from Verizon. He put in a family member's Verizon SIM card and it worked fine.
I've also never heard of ANY carrier selling a phone that is carrier unlocked.
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Verizon has had to sell LTE phones unlocked since their won the 700 mhz block c in 2008. They are actually about to lock the new ones down this year. I bought a pixel XL in Nov 2016 and switched to TMobile in June 2017 and didn't have a single issue. I know have a pixel 2 xl on TMobile with no issues. Interesting that he had issues with it.
https://www.droid-life.com/2017/10/09/which-google-pixel-2-verizon-or-unlocked/
Start reading at "Both versions work everywhere"
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
EeZeEpEe said:
https://www.droid-life.com/2017/10/09/which-google-pixel-2-verizon-or-unlocked/
Start reading at "Both versions work everywhere"
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
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That's strange. I only have the experience of one single phone so I can't really make a general statement. All I can say is that for that one phone what is said in that Droid Life article isn't true. The phone worked with a Verizon SIM but not a T-Mobile SIM. If the phone was unlocked then maybe something else could cause that?
The reason not to get a Verizon P2XL is they lock the bootloader so it can't be rooted. As noted above they don't SIM lock devices, and haven't done so for years. Prepaid may be the exception to that, but I stay away from Verizon.
fiffan86 said:
Verizon has had to sell LTE phones unlocked since their won the 700 mhz block c in 2008. They are actually about to lock the new ones down this year. I bought a pixel XL in Nov 2016 and switched to TMobile in June 2017 and didn't have a single issue. I know have a pixel 2 xl on TMobile with no issues. Interesting that he had issues with it.
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When you say "They are actually about to lock the new ones down this year."
What do you mean? There is a policy change on SIM locking?
Edit: Found my own answer.
https://www.cnet.com/news/verizon-will-lock-its-smartphones-to-combat-theft/
Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
The reason not to get a Verizon P2XL is they lock the bootloader so it can't be rooted. As noted above they don't SIM lock devices, and haven't done so for years. Prepaid may be the exception to that, but I stay away from Verizon.
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I don't think that is universally true. As I said in a previous comment the original Pixel XL, or at least one of them, was locked to Verizon. Did Verizon sell the Pixel XL as a prepaid phone? Maybe the Verizon Pixel XL my co-worker bought was originally sold as a prepaid device and that's why it was locked?
Maybe. I don't know and don't care to know as I don't do silly crap like buy Verizon or AT&T devices.
jimv1983 said:
I don't think that is universally true. As I said in a previous comment the original Pixel XL, or at least one of them, was locked to Verizon. Did Verizon sell the Pixel XL as a prepaid phone? Maybe the Verizon Pixel XL my co-worker bought was originally sold as a prepaid device and that's why it was locked?
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Google locks them all, theirs and VZs when they are first sold.. When they first start up they phone home and check a database on a server at Google to see if it has permission to unlock.
On the OG Pixel and OG XL there were quite a few errors in that system and VZ phones got permission to unlock. Still happens on the 2's but not as often.
That's it, a simple error in a database at Google.
TonikJDK said:
Google locks them all, theirs and VZs when they are first sold.. When they first start up they phone home and check a database on a server at Google to see if it has permission to unlock.
On the OG Pixel and OG XL there were quite a few errors in that system and VZ phones got permission to unlock. Still happens on the 2's but not as often.
That's it, a simple error in a database at Google.
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And that would cause a used Pixel XL that was already used on Verizon to work for ONLY Verizon but not for any other carrier? So when it was first activated on Verizon it was only unlocked for Verizon?
So going through app inspector, I find com.verizon.llagent listed.. What is anything verizon doing in a Sprint phone.. What does it do? I plan on uninstalling it via adb, like I have done a few apps already.
It comes in the unlocked one, too. Very likely it has something to do with the radio or other network things
Sent from my Google Pixel 3a XL using XDA Labs
Karitoriki said:
It comes in the unlocked one, too. Very likely it has something to do with the radio or other network things
Sent from my Google Pixel 3a XL using XDA Labs
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So far I have found 4 items to do with Verizon, and I'm uninstalling them.. Have no idea what it does, but as long as it doesn't affect the phone bye bye.
If I recall correctly, only the Verizon version of the Pixel 3a/XL is bootloader locked/restricted. All other versions are, in actuality, the Unlocked model with the respective carrier's SIM card pre-inserted. In other words, the Unlocked USA model probably has some things for all the carriers, Verizon included.
If true, it would explain why your Sprint Pixel 3a XL has Verizon stuff in it.
Has anyone seen this? Or tried it on the Sprint Version.. I would hate to try since it is my only phone.
https://www.xda-developers.com/unlock-bootloader-verizon-google-pixel-xl/
Well I gave it a try anyway.. It does not work with this newer phone.. I did exactly what was mentioned in that article, even though it refereed to Verizon. Did a factory reset and everything came back.. To me there is way to much in they way of carrier specific apps.. I mean you would have to pm uninstall -k --user 0 XXX a lot of crap to even think it would work Ex. carrier provision, sprintDM and a host of others. O well better luck next time.