Develop Bugs

Is the VZW version unlockable?

(edit)According to user ihatevz in post 7 (https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=72920750&postcount=7), the VZW edition is not unlockable
I see threads regarding TWRP and unlocking etc., but I can't find a straight answer regarding whether or not the bootloader on the VZW edition is capable of being unlocked.

Yeah this is exactly what I want to know. I'm starting to get frustrated about it to the point of going to Best Buy to get one just so I can try it and see.... because apparently no one here has one.

Rule of thumb is no for all Verizon phones.
Some people seems to do it by calling up tech support and trying to fool the other side that they have a non-Verizon device, but I don't think it's worth the effort.

eksasol said:
Rule of thumb is no for all Verizon phones.
Some people seems to do it by calling up tech support and trying to fool the other side that they have a non-Verizon device, but I don't think it's worth the effort.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would agree....if it weren't for the unlocked Nexus 6 I am currently using on Verizon. I understand that it is pretty unlikely for a non-nexus phone to be bootloader unlockable on VZW, but I am in need of a new phone and current deals have a z2 and a Pixel for the same price. I'd prefer this phone over a gen1 Pixel (assuming the VZW z2 is unlockable, ofc), so I'd like to know for sure and someone has one, so someone knows for sure.

I chatted with a VZW rep and they said there is no VZW specific Moto Z2 Play and the one you get from VZW comes straight from Motorola. When pressed for a concrete answer on the unlock-ability of the bootloader, I was given a link to chat with Motorola with the suggestion they'd have more detail. However, that chat didn't go far as the Moto mobile rep said they have no info on the bootloader, then gave a link to the Bootloader Unlock program (on which the z2 is not listed).

hooah212002 said:
I chatted with a VZW rep and they said there is no VZW specific Moto Z2 Play and the one you get from VZW comes straight from Motorola. When pressed for a concrete answer on the unlock-ability of the bootloader, I was given a link to chat with Motorola with the suggestion they'd have more detail. However, that chat didn't go far as the Moto mobile rep said they have no info on the bootloader, then gave a link to the Bootloader Unlock program (on which the z2 is not listed).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah that is why I have a feeling it might be unlockable... if there was a VZW version of the phone, it would be the Droid Z2, not the Moto Z2.
Also the bootloader unlock page says the list is not inclusive of all the models. You can try to unlock it and see what happens.
After this info, I feel more confident about giving this a try, so I am going to order a VZW Z2 Play from Best Buy tonight so I can pick it up tomorrow (I would do it now but I don't have my Best Buy credit card on me for the pickup). I recently learned that there is no restocking fee if I buy a phone and return it in Ohio, so I feel like its worth a try at least as I won't be out anything but time if I don't want to keep it.

Hello everyone. I went all the hassle to buy the verizon phone all the way from china to the usa and guess what? CANT BE UNLOCKED!!! DONT WASTE YOUR FRICKING TIME. So no. I would ask devs next time under the root forum to please indicate what they used to root and unlock the bootloader. Because Verizon cannot. Thanks bye
---------- Post added at 09:49 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:46 PM ----------
knightcrusader said:
yeah that is why i have a feeling it might be unlockable... If there was a vzw version of the phone, it would be the droid z2, not the moto z2.
Also the bootloader unlock page says the list is not inclusive of all the models. You can try to unlock it and see what happens.
After this info, i feel more confident about giving this a try, so i am going to order a vzw z2 play from best buy tonight so i can pick it up tomorrow (i would do it now but i don't have my best buy credit card on me for the pickup). I recently learned that there is no restocking fee if i buy a phone and return it in ohio, so i feel like its worth a try at least as i won't be out anything but time if i don't want to keep it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you guys are all wrong. The phone had the verizon logo on it and it came straight from moto. It sucks that it can't be unlocked. So dont waste your time. I hate the moto service too because they all are from india and think I mean that i want it carrier unlocked. they don't know what boot loader unlocking is.
---------- Post added at 09:57 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:49 PM ----------
And before all of you ask, yet I bought it from the motorola site and the only option to buy is the verizon version. the gsm one doesn't come out til later. So don't waste your time buying this phone if you want it to be an unlocked bootloader. Just an FYI. And it does come with the verizon logo on it. You can't buy it otherwise. I am pretty pissed off though because I did prior speak to a rep that was a tech that said it could be unlocked even if it was verizon, but what a liar. He must have thought I meant carrier, I am about done with motorola. I have the g5 plus right now and its great but I am tired of the bullsh&t verizon does by not allowing the bootloader to unlock. Like f*ck you verizon.

ihatevz said:
the gsm one doesn't come out til later. So don't waste your time buying this phone if you want it to be an unlocked bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well then here's the $64,000 question... will the unlocked phone support Verizon? Cause the Moto Z Unlocked does not.

KnightCrusader said:
Well then here's the $64,000 question... will the unlocked phone support Verizon? Cause the Moto Z Unlocked does not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nope. Bootloader is locked. Don't waste your money
---------- Post added at 10:20 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:17 PM ----------
KnightCrusader said:
Well then here's the $64,000 question... will the unlocked phone support Verizon? Cause the Moto Z Unlocked does not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh I reread. But nah I asked verizon on that already. They said that unless it has cdma with it that it wont work. So it sucks

ihatevz said:
Hello everyone. I went all the hassle to buy the verizon phone all the way from china to the usa and guess what? CANT BE UNLOCKED!!! DONT WASTE YOUR FRICKING TIME. So no. I would ask devs next time under the root forum to please indicate what they used to root and unlock the bootloader. Because Verizon cannot. Thanks bye.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry that you had to have such an experience, but thanks for being the guinea pig. You can at least hang your hat on that, I suppose. Greater good and all that jazz.

ihatevz said:
But nah I asked verizon on that already. They said that unless it has cdma with it that it wont work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So they actually said the unlocked version wouldn't have CDMA? Or just their canned line of "the phone has to have CDMA to be part of this network" they rattle off?
Also, wouldn't a phone with VoLTE work if it had VZW LTE bands even without CDMA?

He said it wouldn't come in the cdma form but who knows how he got that...

It's true. The phone only gets LTE. No CDMA roaming. Also texts don't get marked as sent, they do get sent to recipients, but your phone displays not sent.
I literally have tried every firmware, reflashing every modem. I've tried even flashing prl files on it, nothing. It's missing whatever the radio band or whatever it's called, that allows for roaming on verizons network. This means no 3g and no 1x. I often wake up with no bars at all anymore. It takes some time to reconnect. It's pretty bad, not sustainable for a phone.

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.

Pixel from USA in Poland

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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

mniedziel said:
Why Verizon one is not recommended?
Pixel 2 XL| Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Verizon LTE phones are carrier unlocked from the get go.

fiffan86 said:
Verizon LTE phones are carrier unlocked from the get go.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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?

Bootloader unlocking on Sprint/T-Mobile US Pixel 3/3 XL/3a/3a XL

It seems that Sprint and T-Mobile US both offer the Pixel 3/3 XL/3a/3a XL. Would Sprint/T-Mobile Pixels allow bootloader unlocking (unlike the Verizon versions)?

AFAIK, only verizon model has locked bootloader. There is no special model for Sprint/T-Mobile. This is only for the 3/3xl, 3a/3aXL is not out is not out yet. Nobody would really know.

wangdaning said:
AFAIK, only verizon model has locked bootloader. There is no special model for Sprint/T-Mobile. This is only for the 3/3xl, 3a/3aXL is not out is not out yet. Nobody would really know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was doing work at a T-Mobile store today, and they just got a shipment of the pixel 3a and pixel 3axl today. Don't say they aren't out. They had a demo out for the xl. Bootloader was locked also. Was unable to get developer options enabled on the regular 3a
---------- Post added at 11:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:03 PM ----------
abranson said:
I was doing work at a T-Mobile store today, and they just got a shipment of the pixel 3a and pixel 3axl today. Don't say they aren't out. They had a demo out for the xl. Bootloader was locked also. Was unable to get developer options enabled on the regular 3a
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Next time I'm at T-Mobile, I'll have to get pics, but I replace the hand scanners that go with T-Mobile iPads. Only way I knew they got them in today.

abranson said:
I was doing work at a T-Mobile store today, and they just got a shipment of the pixel 3a and pixel 3axl today.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Fair enough, but not many people have bought them or had time to play around with such things. There is not even a forum for them. I hope they make one or the Pixel 3/XL forums will be flooded with two devices each.

wangdaning said:
Fair enough, but not many people have bought them or had time to play around with such things. There is not even a forum for them. I hope they make one or the Pixel 3/XL forums will be flooded with two devices each.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is one, but it's empty, only due to it being announced today.
---------- Post added at 12:06 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:04 AM ----------
wangdaning said:
Fair enough, but not many people have bought them or had time to play around with such things. There is not even a forum for them. I hope they make one or the Pixel 3/XL forums will be flooded with two devices each.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is one, but it's empty, only due to it being announced today.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/pixel-3a

abranson said:
I was doing work at a T-Mobile store today, and they just got a shipment of the pixel 3a and pixel 3axl today. Don't say they aren't out. They had a demo out for the xl. Bootloader was locked also. Was unable to get developer options enabled on the regular 3a.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They could be "demo" units where developer options had to be locked (otherwise people could just steal phones by enabling OEM unlocking and running off). The Sprint/T-Mo Pixels may allow bootloader unlocking, they may not, who knows? I'd still prefer to buy carrier unlocked myself, but if the Sprint/T-Mo are bootloader unlocked then that makes my life easier if I buy used (or from a carrier).
I remember reading that the demo units of the European LG G5 were bootloader locked (maybe developer options grayed out) even when the retail versions weren't, so the Pixel 3/3a (XL) may be the same. But that was in 2016 (when I was hoping my Sprint LG G4 got bootloader unlocked somehow).

neelchauhan said:
They could be "demo" units where developer options had to be locked (otherwise people could just steal phones by enabling OEM unlocking and running off). The Sprint/T-Mo Pixels may allow bootloader unlocking, they may not, who knows? I'd still prefer to buy unlocked myself, but if the Sprint/T-Mo are bootloader unlocked then that makes my life easier if I buy used (or from a carrier).
I remember reading that the demo units of the European LG G5 were bootloader locked (maybe developer options grayed out) even when the retail versions weren't, so the Pixel 3/3a (XL) may be the same. But that was in 2016 (when I was hoping my Sprint LG G4 got bootloader unlocked somehow).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's possible. The manager was just tinkering with one he had bought this morning. The xl was a demo, but IDK. Anything is possible these days

neelchauhan said:
They could be "demo" units where developer options had to be locked (otherwise people could just steal phones by enabling OEM unlocking and running off). The Sprint/T-Mo Pixels may allow bootloader unlocking, they may not, who knows? I'd still prefer to buy carrier unlocked myself, but if the Sprint/T-Mo are bootloader unlocked then that makes my life easier if I buy used (or from a carrier).
I remember reading that the demo units of the European LG G5 were bootloader locked (maybe developer options grayed out) even when the retail versions weren't, so the Pixel 3/3a (XL) may be the same. But that was in 2016 (when I was hoping my Sprint LG G4 got bootloader unlocked somehow).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, please delete my comment. 8t appears I was speaking on incents last night.

smartymcfly said:
You can't enable unlocking oem unless you unlocked the bootloader first. You need to use a cpu to do that. Unlockable bootloaders would never be shipped to retail in an unlocked state.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What are you smoking? You have to enable oem unlocking in developer options in order to unlock bootloader

And this is a Sprint pixel 3 xl, unfortunately it looks like we will not be able to get root

rayraycarter4 said:
And this is a Sprint pixel 3 xl, unfortunately it looks like we will not be able to get root
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And here I was thinking of changing from the V40 to the Google Pixel 3XL
Sent from my LG V40 using XDA Labs

rayraycarter4 said:
And this is a Sprint pixel 3 xl, unfortunately it looks like we will not be able to get root
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Darn.
Would it be possible to enable OEM unlocking after SIM unlocking (like the T-Mobile OnePlus), or is this impossible.

One person on Reddit says T-Mobile Pixels allow bootloader unlocking: https://www.reddit.com/r/tmobile/comments/bmjw8x/pixel_3_bootloaders_can_be_unlocked/.
However, a T-Mobile employee said that you need to pay off the device before BL unlocking a T-Mo Pixel (like T-Mo OnePlus): https://www.reddit.com/r/tmobile/comments/bm9ayz/tmobile_says_pixel_3_devices_can_be_bootloader/.

As for sprint version, can we just flash the regular pixel firmware over sprints locked down version?

DR4LUC0N said:
As for sprint version, can we just flash the regular pixel firmware over sprints locked down version?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No.

About Sprint, I am assuming it's the same game as T-Mobile: you need to SIM unlock before you can bootloader unlock. I could be wrong.

DR4LUC0N said:
As for sprint version, can we just flash the regular pixel firmware over sprints locked down version?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no such thing as a Sprint software version, or a Verizon software version. There is only one software version, from Google.

TonikJDK said:
There is no such thing as a Sprint software version, or a Verizon software version. There is only one software version, from Google.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe you need to check google on that. I am not aware of sprint or tmobile, but the verizon model does live among us.

got my 3axl today from sprint. OEM locked.. ill be a guinea pig. dont really care if the phone bricks

wangdaning said:
Maybe you need to check google on that. I am not aware of sprint or tmobile, but the verizon model does live among us.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The software is the same on both. Can't believe after all this time this topic still comes up.

Pixel 3a XL - Bestbuy bootloader Unlocked?

Hi,
Anyone with the Best-buy Unlocked version can confirm if the bootloader is Unlocked? Perviously only the Verizon version was available with Bootloader locked, now with this models looks like all the devices will be bootloader unlockeable.
Thanks,

I guess a better question would be what pixel 3a XL have an unlocked bootloader? I am interested in buying one from t-mobile. I would assume the one sold at the google store has an unlocked bootloader.
Thanks for any information.

alphahere said:
I guess a better question would be what pixel 3a XL have an unlocked bootloader? I am interested in buying one from t-mobile. I would assume the one sold at the google store has an unlocked bootloader.
Thanks for any information.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bought the unlocked Pixel 3a XL at Best Buy today. The OEM unlock toggle in developer options is not greyed out. The bootloader is unlockable....

droidnew said:
I bought the unlocked Pixel 3a XL at Best Buy today. The OEM unlock toggle in developer options is not greyed out. The bootloader is unlockable....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you Sr.

alphahere said:
I guess a better question would be what pixel 3a XL have an unlocked bootloader? I am interested in buying one from t-mobile. I would assume the one sold at the google store has an unlocked bootloader.
Thanks for any information.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Per google all pixels are sold at carriers, except Verizon, are the same exact one sold from google store. They only include a sim for the carrier. Meaning they are sim unlocked, bootloader unlockable et ESIM ready. Verizon even on Pixel 3a had the ESIM removed or disabled. again. Do not buy from Verizon.
Best buy Unlocked, B&H video....are OK I will find out as soon as I pick mine from tmobile and will update this post.

nashi20002003 said:
Per google all pixels are sold at carriers, except Verizon, are the same exact one sold from google store. They only include a sim for the carrier. Meaning they are sim unlocked, bootloader unlockable et ESIM ready. Verizon even on Pixel 3a had the ESIM removed or disabled. again. Do not buy from Verizon.
Best buy Unlocked, B&H video....are OK I will find out as soon as I pick mine from tmobile and will update this post.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please do. I'm anxious to pull the trigger today on a couple of Pixels from T-Mobile but won't if the bootloader is locked.

I purchased the 3a XL at Best Buy and was able to unlock the bootloader. Works fine on T-Mobile. Plus, BB gave me a $100 gift card with the purchase.

Phariex said:
Hi,
Anyone with the Best-buy Unlocked version can confirm if the bootloader is Unlocked? Perviously only the Verizon version was available with Bootloader locked, now with this models looks like all the devices will be bootloader unlockeable.
Thanks,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes it's unlock-able just buy the carrier unlocked model not the Verizon one. Best Buy now sells all 4 models in the unlocked version.

TechOut said:
Yes it's unlock-able just buy the carrier unlocked model not the Verizon one. Best Buy now sells all 4 models in the unlocked version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also... Verizon Wi-Fi calling is working on my unlocked 3a XL. Just FYI stuff

droidnew said:
Also... Verizon Wi-Fi calling is working on my unlocked 3a XL. Just FYI stuff
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Each carrier (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and Sprint) all have a Pixel variant now so as long as the carrier supports Wi-Fi calling on a BYOD phone it should work for the major carriers.

I'm wondering if the AT&t T-Mobile Sprint very in school out for bootloader unlock or if they're going the same way as Verizon with it not being unlockable I prefer just to buy it from the Google store and get the unlocked one but Best buy has it for $100 cheaper if you activate it through them Even the unlocked one so I don't know how that works.

I have the Tmo one. I see that damn unlock app in my drawer and sure enough, it's locked to the network. :/

nashi20002003 said:
Per google all pixels are sold at carriers, except Verizon, are the same exact one sold from google store. They only include a sim for the carrier. Meaning they are sim unlocked, bootloader unlockable et ESIM ready. Verizon even on Pixel 3a had the ESIM removed or disabled. again. Do not buy from Verizon.
Best buy Unlocked, B&H video....are OK I will find out as soon as I pick mine from tmobile and will update this post.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just asked B&H about their listing and according to the B&H rep.. LTE Band 71 is missing on the B&H model. Does not make sense but that is what they told me and it is on the question and answer page. So if you are going to use T-Mobile avoid this model.
---------- Post added at 12:49 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:47 PM ----------
CHH2 said:
I have the Tmo one. I see that damn unlock app in my drawer and sure enough, it's locked to the network. :/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That it for me, I need a unlocked phone. Thanks! I am going to get the bestbuy version. Is the bootloader unlockable on the t-mobile version?

alphahere said:
I just asked B&H about their listing and according to the B&H rep.. LTE Band 71 is missing on the B&H model. Does not make sense but that is what they told me and it is on the question and answer page. So if you are going to use T-Mobile avoid this model.
---------- Post added at 12:49 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:47 PM ----------
That it for me, I need a unlocked phone. Thanks! I am going to get the bestbuy version. Is the bootloader unlockable on the t-mobile version?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The specs over on the Google store site says that band 71 is there. And I have no idea if the bootloader in unlockable? How do I check?

GokuSSJgod said:
I'm wondering if the AT&t T-Mobile Sprint very in school out for bootloader unlock or if they're going the same way as Verizon with it not being unlockable I prefer just to buy it from the Google store and get the unlocked one but Best buy has it for $100 cheaper if you activate it through them Even the unlocked one so I don't know how that works.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That would be a BB gift card. Google Store has the same $100 credit for the Google Store so I don't think that I'd say it was $100 cheaper at BB.

bobby janow said:
That would be a BB gift card. Google Store has the same $100 credit for the Google Store so I don't think that I'd say it was $100 cheaper at BB.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My main query was about the bootloader status if it's going to be like Verizon on the other carriers or if it's going to be like the unlocked from Google Which Best buy selling and yeah.

GokuSSJgod said:
My main query was about the bootloader status if it's going to be like Verizon on the other carriers or if it's going to be like the unlocked from Google Which Best buy selling and yeah.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I know that. I think that has been answered in that only the Verizon model will be bl locked. But I'd still like to see a few more confirmations of it.

CHH2 said:
The specs over on the Google store site says that band 71 is there. And I have no idea if the bootloader in unlockable? How do I check?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
https://www.techmesto.com/how-to-check-android-bootloader-lock-status-from-fastboot/

bobby janow said:
Yes, I know that. I think that has been answered in that only the Verizon model will be bl locked. But I'd still like to see a few more confirmations of it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Of course the Verizon is locked. I'm wondering if someone can answer the variants for T-Mobile, Sprint and at&t. Unless those models are just the Google store unlocked models which would be amazing!

CHH2 said:
I have the Tmo one. I see that damn unlock app in my drawer and sure enough, it's locked to the network. :/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But is the allow oem Unlocking toggle in dev options grayed out?