Hello folks,
I am sorry for adding one more question to this dilemma?
I just got a refurb Pixel XL from ebay. I specifically told the seller that I am looking for a google version and not verizon but it seems, they sent me Verizon version as OEM Unlocking is grayed out in Developer options. Is that the only test there is to figure out if its Verizon or Unlocked google phone?
One of the threads linked http://www.imeipro.info/check_lg.html but it doesn't recognize IMEI of the phone I received.
Finally, I found this thread, https://forum.xda-developers.com/pixel-xl/how-to/how-to-unlock-bootloader-verizon-pixel-t3796030 Can these instructions be used for a Verizon device running Android Pie/9.0? If yes, I will keep the device as its in pristine condition.
Thanks in advance, for all helpful comments.
You can unlock the bootloader on Verizon yes.
fuzzychicken said:
Hello folks,
I am sorry for adding one more question to this dilemma?
I just got a refurb Pixel XL from ebay. I specifically told the seller that I am looking for a google version and not verizon but it seems, they sent me Verizon version as OEM Unlocking is grayed out in Developer options. Is that the only test there is to figure out if its Verizon or Unlocked google phone?
One of the threads linked http://www.imeipro.info/check_lg.html but it doesn't recognize IMEI of the phone I received.
Finally, I found this thread, https://forum.xda-developers.com/pixel-xl/how-to/how-to-unlock-bootloader-verizon-pixel-t3796030 Can these instructions be used for a Verizon device running Android Pie/9.0? If yes, I will keep the device as its in pristine condition.
Thanks in advance, for all helpful comments.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I actually bought an XL off eBay and sent it back as it was a Verizon, confirmed with a Google rep, and didn't know I could unlock the bootloader.
I bought another one and it was also a Verizon, but I did follow the guide after updating to Pie and it still works great. Now I'm fully rooted nad bootloader is unlocked.
Would unlocking the bootloader on a Verizon version essentially make it a normal Google Pixel XL? Any other differences? I want to use a Verizon Pixel for AT&T.
bobjohnson1221 said:
Would unlocking the bootloader on a Verizon version essentially make it a normal Google Pixel XL? Any other differences? I want to use a Verizon Pixel for AT&T.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No device difference. You would just use a GSM SIM for AT&T of course.
I just bought a pixel xl of 128gb, what is the exact way to know if it is a verizon version?
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
So if I'm shopping for a used Pixel XL, how can I tell with models have an unlockable bootloader?
I had previously read that only Play Store editions are unlockable, so I was surprised to see this thread say Verizon is unlockable.
Th3DaRk_Vampire said:
I just bought a pixel xl of 128gb, what is the exact way to know if it is a verizon version?
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To see if your phone is Verizon, go here ( https://www.verizonwireless.com/od/prepaid/bring-your-own-device/?imei=352630085164358#/checkDevice) and enter your IMEI. You'll get one of two responses:
If it's a Verizon phone, it will say "Awesome, your Google Pixel XL, Phone by Google is a perfect match for our network.."
If it's not Verizon, it will say "Awesome, your Google PIXEL XL NON-VZW is a perfect match for our network."
Related
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.
So I have a buddy who bought a Pixel 2 XL on verizon and he says he bought it "unlocked." He wants to sell it but I am on Google Fi. I thought I read somewhere that you can switch a verizon 2 XL to Fi but you wont be able to unlock the bootloader. Is this true? Has anyone successfully bought a used Verizon 2 XL and moved it to Fi and unlocked the bootloader for custom roms?
Have you looked into Google credit?
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
Woops should of read the whole thing first
I do believe that on xda there is a bounty for version pixel 2 xl to find flaws to un lock bootloader
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=3602691
Looks like it's going to be awial
edufur said:
So I have a buddy who bought a Pixel 2 XL on verizon and he says he bought it "unlocked." He wants to sell it but I am on Google Fi. I thought I read somewhere that you can switch a verizon 2 XL to Fi but you wont be able to unlock the bootloader. Is this true? Has anyone successfully bought a used Verizon 2 XL and moved it to Fi and unlocked the bootloader for custom roms?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, that is true. Bootloader unlock ability has nothing to do with the SIM that happens to be in there. If it were that easy, everyone who wanted bootloader unlock on Verizon would just have to swap out the SIM until it's unlocked and then swap back.
edufur said:
So I have a buddy who bought a Pixel 2 XL on verizon and he says he bought it "unlocked." He wants to sell it but I am on Google Fi. I thought I read somewhere that you can switch a verizon 2 XL to Fi but you wont be able to unlock the bootloader. Is this true? Has anyone successfully bought a used Verizon 2 XL and moved it to Fi and unlocked the bootloader for custom roms?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No bootloader unlock. When VZ says unlocked they mean SIM unlocked. It will accept and use the FI SIM.
are there any efforts to be able to unlock them? and if so, would that put them in a similar state as Fi's phones? Where there is an easy command to unlock and relock?
edufur said:
are there any efforts to be able to unlock them? and if so, would that put them in a similar state as Fi's phones? Where there is an easy command to unlock and relock?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would not expect any good news about locked Verizon devices getting unlocked.
Thankfully there are some talented devs willing to deal with the unlocked Google version.
Even with the unlocked Google version, many devs are not developing for it for several reasons.
So holding out hope for the locked version to get support is very likely a futile endeavor...
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
I purchased a Pixel XL from eBay because I read it was easy to unlock the bootloader. I must have received a Verizon model, because the OEM unlock option was disabled, despite spending an entire day trying every method to enable it that I could find. I finally gave up and returned the phone.
How do I go about finding a Pixel XL that's bootloader unlockable? The one I previously ordered was described as "New Google Pixel XL AT&T T-Mob Verizon", which indicated to me that it wasn't a Verizon specific model. Are there certain model numbers to look for? Does "factory unlocked" refer to the bootloader?
terzarima said:
I purchased a Pixel XL from eBay because I read it was easy to unlock the bootloader. I must have received a Verizon model, because the OEM unlock option was disabled, despite spending an entire day trying every method to enable it that I could find. I finally gave up and returned the phone.
How do I go about finding a Pixel XL that's bootloader unlockable? The one I previously ordered was described as "New Google Pixel XL AT&T T-Mob Verizon", which indicated to me that it wasn't a Verizon specific model. Are there certain model numbers to look for? Does "factory unlocked" refer to the bootloader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
People that put unlocked/Factory unlocked in their description usually mean carrier unlocked not bootloader unlockable or bootloader unlocked. If I remember correctly a Pixel XL with an IMEI that starts with 35 is not bootloader unlockable.
terzarima said:
I purchased a Pixel XL from eBay because I read it was easy to unlock the bootloader. I must have received a Verizon model, because the OEM unlock option was disabled, despite spending an entire day trying every method to enable it that I could find. I finally gave up and returned the phone.
How do I go about finding a Pixel XL that's bootloader unlockable? The one I previously ordered was described as "New Google Pixel XL AT&T T-Mob Verizon", which indicated to me that it wasn't a Verizon specific model. Are there certain model numbers to look for? Does "factory unlocked" refer to the bootloader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
https://swappa.com/mobile/buy/google-pixel-xl/unlocked
rodken said:
https://swappa.com/mobile/buy/google-pixel-xl/unlocked
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In this context, does "unlocked" mean the bootloader is unlocked or it's just not locked to the Verizon network?
terzarima said:
In this context, does "unlocked" mean the bootloader is unlocked or it's just not locked to the Verizon network?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not locked to Verizon.
The following phones can be unlocked using a simple fastboot command. Doing so will not void the device's warranty, as the manufacturer has intentionally included this functionality.
Google Pixel, Pixel 2, Pixel 3 (non-Verizon models)
Google Pixel XL, Pixel 2 XL, Pixel 3 XL (non-Verizon models)
Be certain to check the IMEI, Verizon models have an IMEI starting with 35 vs Google's 99
Keep in mind, SIM unlock and Bootloader unlock are two different things. You need to determine if your device is a Verizon SIM unlocked phone which allows you to use on any network with any SIM.
rodken said:
Not locked to Verizon.
The following phones can be unlocked using a simple fastboot command. Doing so will not void the device's warranty, as the manufacturer has intentionally included this functionality.
Google Pixel, Pixel 2, Pixel 3 (non-Verizon models)
Google Pixel XL, Pixel 2 XL, Pixel 3 XL (non-Verizon models)
Be certain to check the IMEI, Verizon models have an IMEI starting with 35 vs Google's 99
Keep in mind, SIM unlock and Bootloader unlock are two different things. You need to determine if your device is a Verizon SIM unlocked phone which allows you to use on any network with any SIM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If the bootloader is unlockable doesn't that mean you can use it on any carrier?
Homeboy76 said:
If the bootloader is unlockable doesn't that mean you can use it on any carrier?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is correct. Bear in mind that when you see a device advertised as unlocked, it is referring to the SIM not the bootloader unless other wise stated in the descrip.
rodken said:
Be certain to check the IMEI, Verizon models have an IMEI starting with 35 vs Google's 99
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So the only way to tell is to turn the device on and check the IMEI? I was hoping there would be something printed on the box or on the back of the phone, like a UPC or model number.
terzarima said:
So the only way to tell is to turn the device on and check the IMEI? I was hoping there would be something printed on the box or on the back of the phone, like a UPC or model number.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If it's not printed on the box, you would have to power on the device.
rodken said:
If it's not printed on the box, you would have to power on the device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What about the model number? I just noticed this on Wikipedia:
G-2PW2100 (North America)
G-2PW2200 (International)
Is the international version guaranteed to be non-Verizon? Would it even work in the US?
I also read somewhere that the non-Verizon model number includes 01x, while the Verizon model number has 02x. Is that accurate?
terzarima said:
What about the model number? I just noticed this on Wikipedia:
G-2PW2100 (North America)
G-2PW2200 (International)
Is the international version guaranteed to be non-Verizon? Would it even work in the US?
I also read somewhere that the non-Verizon model number includes 01x, while the Verizon model number has 02x. Is that accurate?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google Pixel XL G-2PW2100 32GB; Network compatibility with all four major carriers.
Google Pixel XL G-2PW2200; Network compatibility with only AT&T and T-Mobile.
Keep in mind that Wikipedia is not a reliable source. Wikipedia can be edited by anyone at any time. This means that any information it contains at any particular time could be vandalism, a work in progress, or just plain wrong. But it is always a great place to start.
rodken said:
Google Pixel XL G-2PW2100 32GB; Network compatibility with all four major carriers.
Google Pixel XL G-2PW2200; Network compatibility with only AT&T and T-Mobile.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a theory in that case. If the phone is listed as GSM only, then it's guaranteed to be non-Verizon. Right?
terzarima said:
I have a theory in that case. If the phone is listed as GSM only, then it's guaranteed to be non-Verizon. Right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If the phone does not have CDMA capabilities you would not be able activate the phone on Verizon. Whichever device you are considering needs to have the LTE band 13 for Verizon Wireless. Then it should also have the CDMA radios for Verizon Wireless unless it could function as an LTE only device with VoLTE. Verizon Compatibility Tool.
rodken said:
If the phone does not have CDMA capabilities you would not be able activate the phone on Verizon. Whichever device you are considering needs to have the LTE band 13 for Verizon Wireless. Then it should also have the CDMA radios for Verizon Wireless unless it could function as an LTE only device with VoLTE. Verizon Compatibility Tool.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, remember the question I'm trying to answer is how to ensure a phone I buy will be bootloader unlockable. I'm not interested in activating it on Verizon. My theory is that if the phone is GMS only, then it must be a Google model and therefore unlockable.
terzarima said:
Well, remember the question I'm trying to answer is how to ensure a phone I buy will be bootloader unlockable. I'm not interested in activating it on Verizon. My theory is that if the phone is GMS only, then it must be a Google model and therefore unlockable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Let's be clear, Google Pixel and Pixel XL have unlockable bootloaders, with the exception of models purchased from Verizon or a Verizon branded device. Your theory does have enough evidence to support the hypothesis, GMS only, Unlockable Bootloader.
I'm currently on a Pixel 3XL but have a Pixel XL international model and it works perfect on Verizon. When I bought it, it was too insure that I received one with an unlockable BL and not the Verizon variety.
Gulfstream 650 said:
I'm currently on a Pixel 3XL but have a Pixel XL international model and it works perfect on Verizon. When I bought it, it was too insure that I received one with an unlockable BL and not the Verizon variety.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have a Pixel/Pixel XL with an unlockable bootloader, not a carrier unlocked Pixel/Pixel XL you should be able to unlock the bootloader. Guide (#3 Unlock bootloader).
I see a lot of attempts to unlock the Verizon Pixel XLs bootloader, some seem to work sometimes, some do not
I'm in the market for a new original Pixel XL. It's only going to be used over wifi, so I do not care what model or networks it's on, etc.
What should I look for in a device if I want it to be the easiest possible one to unlock the bootloader? Are there versions of the pixel xl that *come* with an unlocked bootloader?
phnord said:
I see a lot of attempts to unlock the Verizon Pixel XLs bootloader, some seem to work sometimes, some do not
I'm in the market for a new original Pixel XL. It's only going to be used over wifi, so I do not care what model or networks it's on, etc.
What should I look for in a device if I want it to be the easiest possible one to unlock the bootloader? Are there versions of the pixel xl that *come* with an unlocked bootloader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Pixel XL is 5-6 years old. Not much chance of finding a new one. None come bootloader unlocked unless used. Only ones bought from Google store instead of Verizon are for sure bootloader unlockable.
Tulsadiver said:
The Pixel XL is 5-6 years old. Not much chance of finding a new one. None come bootloader unlocked unless used. Only ones bought from Google store instead of Verizon are for sure bootloader unlockable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, but only the last bit is relevant to my question
I am aware of how old the Pixel XL is. I am aware that I'm getting a refurbished or used one. Thanks.
So from what I am hearing, then, the ones Verizon sold still have issues with the bootloader unlock, whereas the ones Google sold are easy to bootloader unlock. And those were the only two sources?
Is there a way to distinguish between the two? Is there a different model number, serial number range, etc.?
THAT is the question I'm asking. Not whether I can get it new...?
phnord said:
Thanks, but only the last bit is relevant to my question
I am aware of how old the Pixel XL is. I am aware that I'm getting a refurbished or used one. Thanks.
So from what I am hearing, then, the ones Verizon sold still have issues with the bootloader unlock, whereas the ones Google sold are easy to bootloader unlock. And those were the only two sources?
Is there a way to distinguish between the two? Is there a different model number, serial number range, etc.?
THAT is the question I'm asking. Not whether I can get it new...?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just bought a new google one off ebay, they are still out there, you just might have to hunt a little and take a bit of a chance.
Probably don't go with the phones4all seller however, though new he seems to be selling what are original verizon models though carrier unlocked.
On the Pixel 2 forums people have been able to distinguish between verizon and google by contacting google w phone info, I don't know if there's any other good way.