Develop Bugs

OEM unlock greyed out

Hi. I purchased pixel 2 xl from google store. My carrier is verizon, so i purchased the one with verizon sim already installed. before purchase i spoke to google rep. i asked if the both versions of the phone are exactly the same except one has verizon sim already installed, he said yes. so now when i go into developer options, oem unlock is greyed out. is this intentional or a bug that will be fixed like i've recently read about htc pixel 2? thanks.

CorePrime said:
Hi. I purchased pixel 2 xl from google store. My carrier is verizon, so i purchased the one with verizon sim already installed. before purchase i spoke to google rep. i asked if the both versions of the phone are exactly the same except one has verizon sim already installed, he said yes. so now when i go into developer options, oem unlock is greyed out. is this intentional or a bug that will be fixed like i've recently read about htc pixel 2? thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You bought the wrong one. Should have bought the Google version and transferred your sim from the previous one.

Yep looks like you received a Verizon version of the device. If I were you I'd take it back and ask for a Google variant.

son of a b****
ugh... we went for the buy 1 get 1 free valentines deal.... both came with verizon sims preinstalled...
man i really wish i had seen this thread before i bought those... was trying to install TWRP....
there isn't even an option for oem unlocking in dev. options (not greyed out, just not even there).
fastboot oem unlock gives a successful 'OKAY' finished... but remains locked...
guess i'm screwed.... this SUCKS so hard.... was planning in putting on that lineage 15 beta tonight.... and now its like i wanna throw a $1000 phone at the wall

Bailx said:
son of a b****
ugh... we went for the buy 1 get 1 free valentines deal.... both came with verizon sims preinstalled...
man i really wish i had seen this thread before i bought those... was trying to install TWRP....
there isn't even an option for oem unlocking in dev. options (not greyed out, just not even there).
fastboot oem unlock gives a successful 'OKAY' finished... but remains locked...
guess i'm screwed.... this SUCKS so hard.... was planning in putting on that lineage 15 beta tonight.... and now its like i wanna throw a $1000 phone at the wall
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You've got 15 days to return it. Probably won't get that bogo deal, but at least you can then get an unlocked one.

Bailx said:
son of a b****
ugh... we went for the buy 1 get 1 free valentines deal.... both came with verizon sims preinstalled...
man i really wish i had seen this thread before i bought those... was trying to install TWRP....
there isn't even an option for oem unlocking in dev. options (not greyed out, just not even there).
fastboot oem unlock gives a successful 'OKAY' finished... but remains locked...
guess i'm screwed.... this SUCKS so hard.... was planning in putting on that lineage 15 beta tonight.... and now its like i wanna throw a $1000 phone at the wall
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To me I use to flash left and right when I had previous phones. This one IMO there really is no reason to. But like others said, just return them and get the google version but you will have to pay for the other one then.

Gilley said:
To me I use to flash left and right when I had previous phones. This one IMO there really is no reason to. But like others said, just return them and get the google version but you will have to pay for the other one then.
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Click to collapse
well... i'll probably just hold out for a future dePixel8 type solution...
maybe they'll crack these newer phones eventually...
you are right that it is a really good stock rom,
but it's still very limiting on it's customization options.
worst ringtones EVER built into any phone too LOL
(but probably has the best wallpapers i've ever seen... those living wallpapers are really cool)

Bailx said:
well... i'll probably just hold out for a future dePixel8 type solution...
maybe they'll crack these newer phones eventually...
you are right that it is a really good stock rom,
but it's still very limiting on it's customization options.
worst ringtones EVER built into any phone too LOL
(but probably has the best wallpapers i've ever seen... those living wallpapers are really cool)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They will but I don't think it necessary since your #2 is entirely correct. It's a great stock rom. But as for customization, don't negate Substratum for non-rooted devices. It's themes for the most part but nice stuff.
Horrible ring tones. Get some older ones and drop them into the proper folder, reboot and you should find them. I do that all the time. The wallpapers are unbeatable.

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

Note 20 Ultra Verizon Unlocking bootloader with paid services

I need help I can't find where to go to get my bootloader unlocked with paid services

dr71399 said:
I need help I can't find where to go to get my bootloader unlocked with paid services
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check in the XDA Labs app for "Galaxy Bootloader Unlock".

airmaxx23 said:
Check in the XDA Labs app for "Galaxy Bootloader Unlock".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow i just did thanks they want 150 to unlock my bootloader...and then I hear they in Beijing That's a little sketchy If they were here new us... That would be a different story...

dr71399 said:
Wow i just did thanks they want 150 to unlock my bootloader...and then I hear they in Beijing That's a little sketchy If they were here new us... That would be a different story...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Has anybody had this done? It is tempting if they can actually do it!

Its real. My note is unlocked and rooted.

There's warning lights flashing with this one...
As much as I like (and miss) a rooted device, I would definitely err on the side of caution with this one especially if you use your phone for sensitive and personal things. Even then, with 3 mics and all those cameras the chance of spying is great! Definitely curious if this is real to have someone use network tools to see if indeed the modded devices are leaking things they shouldn't.

Plus 150 bucks is really outrageous! Where are the days you could just flash any rom you like...

blackspp said:
Plus 150 bucks is really outrageous! Where are the days you could just flash any rom you like...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since there is currently no other root method $150 isn't too bad really.

airmaxx23 said:
Since there is currently no other root method $150 isn't too bad really.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We're all entitled to an opinion!

Its not some random person, it actually Samsung token. Device is completely wiped during process to prevent gathering data. Nothing nefarious about it. Been unlocked and rooted for awhile as is a ton of others. A couple reputable developers are involved. But like previous post to each their own.
My Rooted SM-N986U Tapatalk

butchieboy said:
Its not some random person, it actually Samsung token. Device is completely wiped during process to prevent gathering data. Nothing nefarious about it. Been unlocked and rooted for awhile as is a ton of others. A couple reputable developers are involved. But like previous post to each their own.
My Rooted SM-N986U Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
^^^ What he says. It's a man on the inside of the samsung walls doing this.

So just to be clear. You can unlock the bootloader of a US Snapdragon Note 20 Ultra and all it costs is $150? Now this isn't the thing where you can only charge your phone to 80% and other stuff is it?

klbjr said:
So just to be clear. You can unlock the bootloader of a US Snapdragon Note 20 Ultra and all it costs is $150? Now this isn't the thing where you can only charge your phone to 80% and other stuff is it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Had my AT&T Phone unlocked, Paid the $150, and since I did the old payment method (wire transfer) Had to wait a few days.
Fully charges, and You can flash TWRP/Root and U/U1 Roms without fear of losing Unlock. The only downside is the Bootloader being unlocked Trips Knox which disables some things like Secure Storage App and Samsung Pay and I believe Samsung Pass. I didn't use those and I have Samsung Pay on my watch which still works.
Also, the process will factory reset your phone like any bootloader unlock procedure.

Am hearing about this 150 dollars to unlock the sm-n986u bootloader, but we're is the link or company that does this?

Try this site: https://www.sampwnd.com/

giggock said:
Try this site: https://www.sampwnd.com/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This still seems sketchy to me

airmaxx23 said:
Since there is currently no other root method $150 isn't too bad really.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's called Ransom!

oneandroidnut said:
This still seems sketchy to me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
to add some context, I now have usa source and do the unlocking myself directly (im in the usa) so no china source is involved in this process any longer.
but of course if you or anyone else has their reservations then its understandable. I wouldnt expect anyone to go through with something they are 100% on, i wouldnt either lol.
after all, my goal isnt to get paid its to offer a legit way to unlock the bl on devices that otherwise cant and of course to drive development on xda which im sure u can see theres more stuff being posted for usa models since this has become possible from twrp to mods to roms etc.

elliwigy said:
to add some context, I now have usa source and do the unlocking myself directly (im in the usa) so no china source is involved in this process any longer.
but of course if you or anyone else has their reservations then its understandable. I wouldnt expect anyone to go through with something they are 100% on, i wouldnt either lol.
after all, my goal isnt to get paid its to offer a legit way to unlock the bl on devices that otherwise cant and of course to drive development on xda which im sure u can see theres more stuff being posted for usa models since this has become possible from twrp to mods to roms etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats awesome, I remember during my unlock waiting on the source over in China so you being able to directly do it yourself is a time saver and probably a lot easier

elliwigy said:
to add some context, I now have usa source and do the unlocking myself directly (im in the usa) so no china source is involved in this process any longer.
but of course if you or anyone else has their reservations then its understandable. I wouldnt expect anyone to go through with something they are 100% on, i wouldnt either lol.
after all, my goal isnt to get paid its to offer a legit way to unlock the bl on devices that otherwise cant and of course to drive development on xda which im sure u can see theres more stuff being posted for usa models since this has become possible from twrp to mods to roms etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you can unlock here in the states now? Cheaper then $150 and not in china? PM me if you can still unlock the note 20 ultra!!

Question Bugs? Should I send my Verizon pixel back?

Just received my p6p in the mail from Verizon. But I'm reading and seeing a ton of bug issues all over the internet. Should I swap mine out for a iPhone 13 pro max or something before I'm locked in?

Razuuu said:
use s10 then use aosp rom of @Linux4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why would I use an S10?

Nickdroid86 said:
Just received my p6p in the mail from Verizon. But I'm reading and seeing a ton of bug issues all over the internet. Should I swap mine out for a iPhone 13 pro max or something before I'm locked in?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't you have 15 days to decide? Run through the updates and mess with it for a week. You don't like it send it back. This is kind of an open ended question that no one but you can decide on. Why would anyone here be able to tell you if you should buy an iPhone?

bobby janow said:
Don't you have 15 days to decide? Run through the updates and mess with it for a week. You don't like it send it back. This is kind of an open ended question that no one but you can decide on. Why would anyone here be able to tell you if you should buy an iPhone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not that extreme my friend lol. Just conversation based on all the horror stories I heard

For what it's worth for the hundreth time it seems this question has come up in the last few months:
I haven't had any of the major issues others have had on any months' update to the Pixel 6 Pro (October, November, December, January, and now February). A few very minor things, but nothing with signal like some less fortunate folks, and absolutely no problem with the fingerprint reader, ever.

Nickdroid86 said:
Just received my p6p in the mail from Verizon. But I'm reading and seeing a ton of bug issues all over the internet. Should I swap mine out for a iPhone 13 pro max or something before I'm locked in?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure if you know or not, but if you got your P6P from Verizon, you know you cannot unlock the bootloader right?
Outside of that, I have had very little problems with my P6P (Google unlocked bootloader version, on Verizon).
I'd say use the majority of you "return period" to play with and see if your device has any of the bug/issues. or shortcomings you don't want to deal with until fixed.
If you have a VZW bootlader locked device, many of the problems associated with rooting and flashing factory images you won't have to deal with.
As far as the other issues, only you can decide whether you have any of the issues, whether you're willing to deal with them until they're addressed, or if they make your new device no fun to have.
tl;dr
some users have a ton of issues with their P6P, others, like myself, have very, very few issues. I love the device, I expect hiccups with cutting edge tech so I'm not miffed about the learning curve

Az Biker said:
Not sure if you know or not, but if you got your P6P from Verizon, you know you cannot unlock the bootloader right?
Outside of that, I have had very little problems with my P6P (Google unlocked bootloader version, on Verizon).
I'd say use the majority of you "return period" to play with and see if your device has any of the bug/issues. or shortcomings you don't want to deal with until fixed.
If you have a VZW bootlader locked device, many of the problems associated with rooting and flashing factory images you won't have to deal with.
As far as the other issues, only you can decide whether you have any of the issues, whether you're willing to deal with them until they're addressed, or if they make your new device no fun to have.
tl;dr
some users have a ton of issues with their P6P, others, like myself, have very, very few issues. I love the device, I expect hiccups with cutting edge tech so I'm not miffed about the learning curve
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can never unlock the bootloader, even when it's paid off?

Nickdroid86 said:
I can never unlock the bootloader, even when it's paid off?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry to inform you, if you purchased the device through Verizon, that bootloader is locked pretty much forever.
My advice: return that puppy faster than the speed of light, get an unlockable bootloader P6P from Google. They have 0% financing available if you don't purchase it outright.

Nickdroid86 said:
I can never unlock the bootloader, even when it's paid off?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To clarify further, Verizon's devices have for the entire life of Android not allowed the bootloader to be unlocked. The more common cases of Verizon devices being rooted were without unlocking the bootloader - they were worked around by vulnerabilities that were found in those devices. Later on, there were two or so devices that either had a time-limited window where folks stumbled on a way to get the bootloader unlocked on a Verizon device (I did so on my Pixel 1 on Android 7.10 - Android 7.11 patched the vulnerability - just for an example), or other outright hacks that usually have to be paid for someone to remotely access your computer and phone in order to root them.
My Verizon LG G3 VS985 and LG Tablet 8.3 VK810 used a method called "Stump" to work around the unlockable bootloader, for another example.

Nickdroid86 said:
I can never unlock the bootloader, even when it's paid off?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For 95% of the population, they'll never unlock their bootloader, which is fine. My grandparents and my family will never unlock their bootloaders. But the one thing I always bring up is repairability. what happens in 2 years when you need to re- flash the phone? Nope. Not Possible with a Verizon model (only ota updates, where most of the time it won't fix your issue).
But I agree with the other comments, use it for 10 days and see how you like it. Only you can decide. If we said that 7% of people experience some small issues and 3% experience one major issue, what would you do then? Not try out one of the best phones ever made? Only you can decide. and this question comes up a lot on reddit because people read the bad and not the good.
(6 Pro - No issues except for Bluetooth Hi-res LDAC 990kbps Playback which will be fixed in 2 months)

Question Unable to Unlock Bootloader. What Phone Should I Switch to?

I have the UK Exynos variant (SM-S901B) of the S22. I have tried for about 2 weeks everything I've found about how to get the OEM Unlock option to appear, and nothing has worked. I've played with the dates, reflashed the stock ROM, and even actually waiting 8 whole days with the phone powered on the whole time. Nada.
To be clear, I can see the OEM Unlock option if I go into Developer Options immediately upon boot. I can then toggle and untoggle it all I like, but the option then disappears (if I back out and then return into Developer Options, OEM Unlock is gone). Attempting to unlock the bootloader fails regardless. Unless anyone has any other ideas, I've given up on being able to root this phone.
My question is if I sell the S22, what phone should I get instead? People don't seem to be as happy as I had expected with the Pixel 6 Pro. Any other suggestions for a new phone? The going rate on Swappa for a mint condition S22 is about $550. I don't want to put any more money into it. Must be rootable!

I found another thread with a UK variant having this issue in June.
Link here: Unable to unlock bootloader Samsung Galaxy S22 SM-S901B/DS
Yuna said:
> "Custom binary (VBMETA) blocked due to remaining installment balance"
That's seems like another layer of protection by Samsung, so that you first pay off the loan for the phone, and then you can root it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At the current last post of the thread dated Jul 21, 2022, the OP is still stuck.

post-mortem said:
My question is if I sell the S22, what phone should I get instead? People don't seem to be as happy as I had expected with the Pixel 6 Pro. Any other suggestions for a new phone? The going rate on Swappa for a mint condition S22 is about $550. I don't want to put any more money into it. Must be rootable!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Pixel 6 Pro is not nearly as buggy or awful as people would have you believe.
Remember, the vast majority of online comments and reviews are by hardcore fans expecting perfection OR midwits who think they're really tech savvy and aren't.
If you can actually get $550 for you S22 right now, DON'T HESITATE. Do it while the value is great.
The worst case scenario with a Pixel 6 is that you will have a new one that you can use to immediately trade-in for high value at Pixel 7 launch or with the S23 series if you want to try that.

vonDubenshire said:
If you can actually get $550 for you S22 right now, DON'T HESITATE. Do it while the value is great.
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Click to collapse
I saw that thread, and it took away much of the hope I had. I also read reports that installing Android 12 made people lose the ability to root. I think Samsung must have done something evil to us.
I'll be upgrading from an OG Pixel, so I'll probably be happy with another Pixel. I hadn't used Odin since my SGS3, and I'd really rather stick to vanilla Android. It's so much easier to flash.
God, if only I had known! NIB S22's are going for over $800 on Swappa.

post-mortem said:
I saw that thread, and it took away much of the hope I had. I also read reports that installing Android 12 made people lose the ability to root. I think Samsung must have done something evil to us.
I'll be upgrading from an OG Pixel, so I'll probably be happy with another Pixel. I hadn't used Odin since my SGS3, and I'd really rather stick to vanilla Android. It's so much easier to flash.
God, if only I had known! NIB S22's are going for over $800 on Swappa.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Gonna DM you!