2XL from Google directly on Verizon - updates - Google Pixel 2 XL Questions & Answers

I bought the phone from Google directly, but I popped my Verizon sim in immediately when I got it.
When I update the phone is there any fear of getting Verizon updates that could lock the bootloader? Or how is it handled?

Hobox10 said:
I bought the phone from Google directly, but I popped my Verizon sim in immediately when I got it.
When I update the phone is there any fear of getting Verizon updates that could lock the bootloader? Or how is it handled?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bootloader locking is dependent on the IMEI not software installed.

which one you get from google, the vzw model or the other model?

The bootloader from the vzw version is almost indefinitely locked. Unless someone comes up with an unlock for it. Even the Verizon pixel 1 is still locked.
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using XDA Labs

No, Verizon cannot lock your Pixel 2 XL purchased from Google via the Play Store.

Related

Verizon firmware but bought from Google

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.

Pixel XL 2: Unlocked and Verizon Variants in Google Store

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.

Non-Verizon with Verizon Lock?

Does anyone know definitively if a non-VZW pixel gets activated with VZW, does the bootloader become non-unlockable?
DevADX said:
Does anyone know definitively if a non-VZW pixel gets activated with VZW, does the bootloader become non-unlockable?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It doesn't.
Just did that myself. I put in the Vzw sim, have service and bootloader remains unlockable.
wtherrell said:
It doesn't.
Just did that myself. I put in the Vzw sim, have service and bootloader remains unlockable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is this true even after VZW OTA update? I'm thinking about buying an used Pixel but want to be certain that the bootloader is unlockable.
DevADX said:
Is this true even after VZW OTA update? I'm thinking about buying an used Pixel but want to be certain that the bootloader is unlockable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That, I don't know. I have not taken a Vzw ota in years.
DevADX said:
Is this true even after VZW OTA update? I'm thinking about buying an used Pixel but want to be certain that the bootloader is unlockable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a Google phone on VZ. It stays unlocked no matter what you do.
TonikJDK said:
I have a Google phone on VZ. It stays unlocked no matter what you do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So just to confirm, as long as it's not a Verizon variant of the Pixel, even if it's running stock VZW ROM & has received OTA updates while the bootloader is locked, it's still unlockable? I'd feel more confident buying an used one if this is the case; just need to confirm the SKU prior to purchasing.
nothing you do (besides manually relocking the device) will re-lock the bootloader.
My google bought xl runs a full verizon image.
Is there another way to differentiate the VZW & non-VZW Pixels besides the SKU on the box?
DevADX said:
So just to confirm, as long as it's not a Verizon variant of the Pixel, even if it's running stock VZW ROM & has received OTA updates while the bootloader is locked, it's still unlockable? I'd feel more confident buying an used one if this is the case; just need to confirm the SKU prior to purchasing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The non-Verizon Pixel has nothing to do with Verizon. The only thing Verizon about a non-Verizon variant is the Verizon sim card you put in. You mentioned it running a Verizon ROM however...the only way to have the Verizon ROM on it would to have unlocked the bootloader at some point and replaced the stock android with a Verizon ROM.
markcyst said:
The non-Verizon Pixel has nothing to do with Verizon. The only thing Verizon about a non-Verizon variant is the Verizon sim card you put in. You mentioned it running a Verizon ROM however...the only way to have the Verizon ROM on it would to have unlocked the bootloader at some point and replaced the stock android with a Verizon ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I should mention that I made a USUnlocked Pixel XL be never unlockable again.
Before putting in a VZN sim, I unlocked it. Sometime after, I got tired of the warning on boot-up and locked it.
The Verizon sim or the Google Verizon Image greyed out the Developer's Option of Unlock bootloader choice.
Forever. There was no way to get that icon to become alive again. So, the VZN sim or the VZN image will not relock
your phone, but it for sure prevents you from locking and unlocking it again. Felt like an idiot for relocking.
michaelbsheldon said:
I should mention that I made a USUnlocked Pixel XL be never unlockable again.
Before putting in a VZN sim, I unlocked it. Sometime after, I got tired of the warning on boot-up and locked it.
The Verizon sim or the Google Verizon Image greyed out the Developer's Option of Unlock bootloader choice.
Forever. There was no way to get that icon to become alive again. So, the VZN sim or the VZN image will not relock
your phone, but it for sure prevents you from locking and unlocking it again. Felt like an idiot for relocking.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wait a minute. You are leaving out some very pertinent information.
1. Was this a Google phone or a Verizon phone
2. Did you unlock with depixel 8 or not
3. After you locked the bootloader did you slide the switch over in dev options
This is the first I heard anything like that happening. If this is a Google phone then you can certainly return it stating what happened. You bought a developer device and somehow it became a consumer phone. That sounds like a warranty return to me.
bobby janow said:
Wait a minute. You are leaving out some very pertinent information.
1. Was this a Google phone or a Verizon phone
2. Did you unlock with depixel 8 or not
3. After you locked the bootloader did you slide the switch over in dev options
This is the first I heard anything like that happening. If this is a Google phone then you can certainly return it stating what happened. You bought a developer device and somehow it became a consumer phone. That sounds like a warranty return to me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1.) Bought directly from Google.
2.) Unlocked just after opening box and getting on Wi-Fi.
3.) Yes, after locking it, I enabled Dev Options and slid that slider back to locked stock status.
I basically ruined the phone for tinkering. Because it was locked, I could not go back to an Android version
that could be unlocked with depixel8.
michaelbsheldon said:
I should mention that I made a USUnlocked Pixel XL be never unlockable again.
Before putting in a VZN sim, I unlocked it. Sometime after, I got tired of the warning on boot-up and locked it.
The Verizon sim or the Google Verizon Image greyed out the Developer's Option of Unlock bootloader choice.
Forever. There was no way to get that icon to become alive again. So, the VZN sim or the VZN image will not relock
your phone, but it for sure prevents you from locking and unlocking it again. Felt like an idiot for relocking.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
michaelbsheldon said:
1.) Bought directly from Google.
2.) Unlocked just after opening box and getting on Wi-Fi.
3.) Yes, after locking it, I enabled Dev Options and slid that slider back to locked stock status.
I basically ruined the phone for tinkering. Because it was locked, I could not go back to an Android version
that could be unlocked with depixel8.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is concerning. So does this mean a Verizon SIM permanently locks all Pixel variants regardless whether it's a Google one or Verizon one?
michaelbsheldon said:
VZN sim or the VZN image will not relock your phone, but it for sure prevents you from locking and unlocking it again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I were to buy an used non-VZW Pixel that was activated with VZW, then the bootloader is no longer unlockable (given that it's stock & locked) even if I'll be using it with another carrier?
DevADX said:
This is concerning. So does this mean a Verizon SIM permanently locks all Pixel variants regardless whether it's a Google one or Verizon one?
If I were to buy an used non-VZW Pixel that was activated with VZW, then the bootloader is no longer unlockable even if I'll be using it with another carrier?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, in my experience. But I’m just 1 gumbah on 1 phone.
Maybe someone with HTC knowledge can tell us..
michaelbsheldon said:
1.) Bought directly from Google.
2.) Unlocked just after opening box and getting on Wi-Fi.
3.) Yes, after locking it, I enabled Dev Options and slid that slider back to locked stock status.
I basically ruined the phone for tinkering. Because it was locked, I could not go back to an Android version
that could be unlocked with depixel8.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So on your dev options under the grayed out oem unlock, what does it say? Depixel8 was only meant for Verizon phones not Google ones.
Have you tried calling Google? Because even on wifi only, no sim, you bought a device that you could unlock and develop with. Somehow that device malfunctioned and you deserve a replacement. It's as simple as that imo.
I don't believe this to be common. In fact I've never heard of this happening before.
Sent from my Pixel using XDA-Developers Legacy app
bobby janow said:
So on your dev options under the grayed out oem unlock, what does it say? Depixel8 was only meant for Verizon phones not Google ones.
Have you tried calling Google? Because even on wifi only, no sim, you bought a device that you could unlock and develop with. Somehow that device malfunctioned and you deserve a replacement. It's as simple as that imo.
I don't believe this to be common. In fact I've never heard of this happening before.
Sent from my Pixel using XDA-Developers Legacy app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Didn't call Google. It's now on a family T-Mobile line and still can't be unlocked. She likes it as it is.
michaelbsheldon said:
Didn't call Google. It's now on a family T-Mobile line and still can't be unlocked. She likes it as it is.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I get that. I don't unlock my bootloader and I'm perfectly happy too.
But you are correct, it's ruined for tinkering. Think in the future for a few. What about when you get a new device for the family member and yourself. Now you have a great device you can play with to either test stuff or mess with new roms or images. But you can't.
Just sayin. But it's always good for a trade in. I'd love to hear if this has happened to anyone else.
Sent from my Pixel using XDA-Developers Legacy app

Google Store Pixel 2 XL OEM Unlocked Greyed Out

Ok, so I went to the Google Store website and purchased the Verizon Panda (Black and White) version of the Pixel 2 XL.
It is my understanding that this phone, since purchased from the Google Store, should come with an unlocked bootloader. I have run through the settings to get it up and working and I can not get the OEM Unlocking to work.
I found the articles, though most of them were talking about the Pixel 2, not the 2XL, that stated you just needed to do a factory reset. I tried this and it didnt' work. So here's the questions:
If purchased from the Google Store should the Bootloader be locked?
Can the Panda version only be purchased on Verizon?
If the bootloader is locked on all Panda versions, what's the likelyhood of it being hacked?
Even though you bought from Google, if it's a Verizon variant your very likely not going to have an unlockable bootloader. There is a thread where people were returning their Verizon phones through Verizon and getting back a Google variant. If your stuck with Verizon phone the best you can hope for is a root exploit.
vMAC said:
Ok, so I went to the Google Store website and purchased the Verizon Panda (Black and White) version of the Pixel 2 XL.
It is my understanding that this phone, since purchased from the Google Store, should come with an unlocked bootloader. I have run through the settings to get it up and working and I can not get the OEM Unlocking to work.
I found the articles, though most of them were talking about the Pixel 2, not the 2XL, that stated you just needed to do a factory reset. I tried this and it didnt' work. So here's the questions:
If purchased from the Google Store should the Bootloader be locked?
Can the Panda version only be purchased on Verizon?
If the bootloader is locked on all Panda versions, what's the likelyhood of it being hacked?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Afaik it takes a few hours/days after setting up the phone for the Oem Unlocking option to show up. The bootloader is locked until the user unlocks it manualy.
vMAC said:
Ok, so I went to the Google Store website and purchased the Verizon Panda (Black and White) version of the Pixel 2 XL.
It is my understanding that this phone, since purchased from the Google Store, should come with an unlocked bootloader. I have run through the settings to get it up and working and I can not get the OEM Unlocking to work.
I found the articles, though most of them were talking about the Pixel 2, not the 2XL, that stated you just needed to do a factory reset. I tried this and it didnt' work. So here's the questions:
If purchased from the Google Store should the Bootloader be locked?
Can the Panda version only be purchased on Verizon?
If the bootloader is locked on all Panda versions, what's the likelyhood of it being hacked?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should return it to Google and get the unlocked version from them, it works just fine on Verizon. If you buy the Verizon phone from Google it will not come with an unlockable bootloader. Also, you can get a panda unlocked version from Google.
Make sure it connected to the internet then takes a few minutes to make it available.
Thanks all for your responses. I just called Google and was told it will have a locked bootloader. So they RMA'd it.
Sent from my [device_name] using XDA-Developers Legacy app
I had the same issue on my very first unit. I RMA it.
However I found that you MUST add your Google account to the phone in order for the pen unlocking option to turn on.
Like the others said above add your Google account and wait a few hours
You don't have to add Google account, just connect to internet via Sim or WiFi, and it'll be available almost instantly
Also, yes, the Verizon variant is bootloader locked even from Google store
That's what I hoped was not the answer.
Sent from my [device_name] using XDA-Developers Legacy app

If I buy refurbished Verizon Pixel 2 XL will it be sim locked?

I plan to buy a good price refurb pixel 2 xl from ebay. Just googled and found back-and-forth sim lock policy about Verizon phone (saw that from some time in 2018, they sim locked all phone and require staying on the network for some amount of days but doesnt apply to Pixel3???).
I know that Pixel2 XL was not affected when it first came out, but im not sure if this policy has been applied backwardly to unsold device in-stock or not.
I believe it has to do with which Android version and which bootloader the device is running.
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
romeokk said:
I plan to buy a good price refurb pixel 2 xl from ebay.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If it's a Verizon P2XL, unless you don't care about root or customization it's best to stay away. Verizon models have a locked bootloader and no one has yet been able to bypass the bootloader lock.
Confirm with the seller which P2XL this is before taking the plunge.
I'm not sure how it happened for me but I bought my 2XL October of 2017 and I could unlock the bootloader via OEM Unlocking. I got it from a Verizon store. Not sure how that is possible but it worked. Everything I've read says they're locked though
ird0 said:
I'm not sure how it happened for me but I bought my 2XL October of 2017 and I could unlock the bootloader via OEM Unlocking. I got it from a Verizon store. Not sure how that is possible but it worked. Everything I've read says they're locked though
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Plain and simple.....you got lucky and likely got a google variant phone by mistake. Just be thankful
No it will be Sim unlocked but will be bootloader locked which won't affect your ability to use the phone on another GSM carrier.
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

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