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Does anyone know if the Telus sold Pixel XL is bootloader unlocked? Not that I want to start messing around right away, but I consider this a 2 year + investment, and once the 1 year warranty is up, I like having options.
I checked the Model number of the demo phone at the local Telus store this morning and it is: G-2PW2100 . I'm not sure that helps directly as from what I can find, that is the US play store and Verizon specific model number.
Is anyone on Telus and been able to unlock the bootloader the "easy" way? I am worried about a future OS update disabling the Verizon bootloader unlocks if they are also required for the Telus model.
Thanks in advance.
Hy bro,
I unlocked mine with the dePixel8 tool. It worked like a charm and i rooted with chainfire boot to root img and it worked.
If you have questions just ask me!
I have the Verizon model and used the dePixel8 tool as soon as I got it. The OTA that is expected to block it isn't expected until Nov 7 or so. So why not use the verizon method if the easy way doesn't work?
Also i tested and i was able to lock it back and unlocked it After with the command oem unlock no need for dePixel8 so i assume that when you relock it it lock with Google lock not telus lock
Marghost said:
Hy bro,
I unlocked mine with the dePixel8 tool. It worked like a charm and i rooted with chainfire boot to root img and it worked.
If you have questions just ask me!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you have a Telus phone and it did require the dePixel8 method?
This is going to be a corporate phone so I don't know that I can get it ahead of the Nov 7th OTA with the red tape involved. Also, I don't necessarily want to unlock it now, I just want to know my options going forward.
Thanks for the reply!
I also have a telus corpo pixel XL and i needed dePixel8. If you dont unlock it before the ota i think you Will need another way to unlock the bootloader.
Marghost said:
I also have a telus corpo pixel XL and i needed dePixel8. If you dont unlock it before the ota i think you Will need another way to unlock the bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for confirming, this is exactly what I wanted to know, and also exactly what I feared.
I'll have to wait it out a bit and see if dePixel8 unlock, or some variation, still works after the November update.
All the best, I'm off to the Moto Z forums to see what is up over there as a possible alternative
Would the Nov 7 OTA be applied automatically to a new phone? Wouldn't you still have to accept the OTA once the phone is activated? I am just wondering, I am in the exact same corporate situation as you (wanting to replace my LG G5, which has sadly gone unrooted thus far).
yosifcuervo said:
Would the Nov 7 OTA be applied automatically to a new phone? Wouldn't you still have to accept the OTA once the phone is activated? I am just wondering, I am in the exact same corporate situation as you (wanting to replace my LG G5, which has sadly gone unrooted thus far).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good question. I'm worried that by the time I got my Pixel XL it might come with the update pre-applied (it could take a while around here). Then I'd be waiting/wondering if there would be another unlock available and how persistent that would be etc. I guess I was hoping for the play store version from Telus, where I could run it stock for a while, possibly until the warranty is up, and then easily unlock and start messing.
After exploring all the options available from Telus I am genuinely disappointed that nothing they offer has reasonable aftermarket ROM support. The Pixel line was my last hope, but with this bootloader lock thing I'm not sure I want to fight that battle.
Maybe I can convince work to get me a ZTE Axon 7 or Oneplus 3.
Good luck
I can say from my experience with the G5, that with the current versions of Android, being able to bypass the protections to root/TWRP is not guaranteed by any means. The problem with the G5 was that people gave up - the scene died fairly quickly, and anyone out there who might have the skills to crack it has moved on. For the Pixel, I am fairly certain that there will always be people who are ready (and able) to take on the challenge of bypassing the protections... or, maybe I just haven't learned my lesson yet.
chrispayne said:
Good question. I'm worried that by the time I got my Pixel XL it might come with the update pre-applied (it could take a while around here). Then I'd be waiting/wondering if there would be another unlock available and how persistent that would be etc. I guess I was hoping for the play store version from Telus, where I could run it stock for a while, possibly until the warranty is up, and then easily unlock and start messing.
After exploring all the options available from Telus I am genuinely disappointed that nothing they offer has reasonable aftermarket ROM support. The Pixel line was my last hope, but with this bootloader lock thing I'm not sure I want to fight that battle.
Maybe I can convince work to get me a ZTE Axon 7 or Oneplus 3.
Good luck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any ETA on when you think you might get the phone? I doubt even if you got it in December, if it would have the OTA pre-applied.
death2all110 said:
Any ETA on when you think you might get the phone? I doubt even if you got it in December, if it would have the OTA pre-applied.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, possibly depending on their stock levels it might still be the older OS I suppose.
Regardless, I'm just tired of fighting every step of the way for a device that presumably we (me or the company) owns. It's frustrating, and I'm not even sure what they are protecting? It's not like bootloader unlock would carrier unlock it, or even un-obligate us from the device subsidy given that Canada has a device blacklist they could put it on if we bailed.
If I were a personal customer, I would be getting an unlocked device and exercising my right to change carriers, that's for sure.
Thanks
The carriers don't want you to be able to break the phone, and then try to have it repaired on warranty. Considering that their recommended solution to pretty much every problem is a factory reset, they can't have you messing with the system partition.
Marghost said:
I also have a telus corpo pixel XL and i needed dePixel8. If you dont unlock it before the ota i think you Will need another way to unlock the bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wait, so there is an OTA coming from Telus that'll make it harder to unlock the bootloader?
Not from telus but from google. The exploit used un depixel8 Will surely be fixed in the next update
That is crappy news, I am currently waiting for my Telus Pixel XL to arrive through the ambassador program and was NOT expecting it to be the Verizon style one with the locked bootloader. Sure hope it arrives without the update or else I might have to go through the Google store. Can't take the chance of having a locked bootloader as it defeats the whole purpose for me and my love of custom roms.
Reechings said:
That is crappy news, I am currently waiting for my Telus Pixel XL to arrive through the ambassador program and was NOT expecting it to be the Verizon style one with the locked bootloader. Sure hope it arrives without the update or else I might have to go through the Google store. Can't take the chance of having a locked bootloader as it defeats the whole purpose for me and my love of custom roms.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly. Please let us know which version you get, and if it is updated or not.
Thanks
chrispayne said:
Exactly. Please let us know which version you get, and if it is updated or not.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will do. I might just go straight to bootloader mode and depixel8 when I get it to make sure I don't accidentally get an update (it better not be updated already)
Reechings said:
Will do. I might just go straight to bootloader mode and depixel8 when I get it to make sure I don't accidentally get an update (it better not be updated already)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome plan - I will have my Pixel XL in 2-3 days and will likely try the same, and will post my specs here after I do. I'm sure any nefarious OTA could easily be blocked at first boot if necessary though, just start the phone with no SIM and don't connect to wifi.
Seriously guys, I don't know much about Google's supply lines, but there has to be at least a couple weeks before a phone with the latest OS preloaded can make it into your hands - keep in mind that you are buying this phone from a Telus distributor, which only compounds that time. That's why I am buying my phone now.
Good news from depixel8 developers - it still works after update
https://twitter.com/TheRootNinja/status/795745576801292288
Hey everyone, technically this only applies for my girlfriend's Pixel XL, I was able to unlock my bootloader with dePixel8 prior to updating. We recently jumped to T-Mobile with their #GetOutOfTheRed promo, but I noticed that the option to OEM unlock is still unavailable for both of us (obviously irrelevant in my case). I contacted Google's chat support about the issue and she didn't seem to know enough to be knowledgeable, but said as far as she knew there was no way to unlock a Verizon or BB Pixel regardless of whether it is a Verizon server-side flag or not. Is this something that could be cleared up by calling Verizon and asking to be placed on a whitelist, or is it impossible to unlock a Verizon Pixel bootloader even if you're off Verizon's service?
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
Impossible to unlock a VZW Pixel bootloader that's on 7.1.1 or above, regardless of carrier. Don't waste your time calling VZW.
Yeah, figured as much. Thanks
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
StrizzMatik said:
Hey everyone, technically this only applies for my girlfriend's Pixel XL, I was able to unlock my bootloader with dePixel8 prior to updating. We recently jumped to T-Mobile with their #GetOutOfTheRed promo, but I noticed that the option to OEM unlock is still unavailable for both of us (obviously irrelevant in my case). I contacted Google's chat support about the issue and she didn't seem to know enough to be knowledgeable, but said as far as she knew there was no way to unlock a Verizon or BB Pixel regardless of whether it is a Verizon server-side flag or not. Is this something that could be cleared up by calling Verizon and asking to be placed on a whitelist, or is it impossible to unlock a Verizon Pixel bootloader even if you're off Verizon's service?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I noticed this as well when I switched to TMO using the same promo, I saw it was still locked and carried on.
Moderator Warning,
Thread cleaned. Getting google to RMA your verzion device so you can get an unlockable bootloader is considered fraud. We do not support this at all.
I originally bought a Pixel 3 XL to take me in the future. Aside from getting the newest updates and newest operating systems for the next 2/3 years, I've always found these devices to be The easiest to unlock, root and mod.
My plan was too keep Android stock until Google announced that it wouldn't do further updates then I would unlock bootloader, root and mod. However I have been reading on the forums how some providers are fixing exploits that would not allow us to mod the phone (mostly verizon). This makes me question if it is worth waiting.
I am currently with bell Canada. Does anyone have any experience with Bell and there willingness to block unlocking and rooting? Should I be worried that bell will fix these exploits in the future? Has anyone unlocked the bootloader with bell yet or run into any issues when doing it with bell?
Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk
If you bought the phone FROM Google, carrier shouldn't be able to enforce a lockdown. If you got it from your carrier you may not be able to unlock it at all. The Verizon/Best Buy versions are not unlockable but the Google Store ones are, even when being used on Verizon's network.
You can unlock the bootloader and not root, but you may lose access to some apps due to SafetyNet checks. Android Pay I believe is one that won't work, Pokemon Go, Netflix used to, not sure if they still do or not. If you unlock your bootloader and root, then install Magisk or similar, I believe you can spoof SafetyNet and get around that. If you don't have any concerns with SafetyNet you could just unlock and root later.
If the phone is from Google as far as I know it will always be unlockable no matter what so the only risk of waiting is that you'll have to wipe when you unlock it. I haven't rooted since my Pixel XL 1 so I'm not up on the current processes. Rooting may still require a wipe beyond the one induced by unlocking the bootloader.
Clarification. Bootloader unlock depends on one thing, did it come from Google or did it come from a carrier that bootloader locks it.
There is no exploit needed to unlock a Google phone. There is no exploit available for any that the carrier locked, such as Verizon in the US.
Google will not lock their versions, they support bootloader unlocking.
It is my understanding that Bell sells a pure Google version.
What are the first two numbers of your IMEI? If it is 99 you are good to go.
Downside to waiting is that unlocking causes a full wipe, there is no avoiding that.
Mine was bought through Bell. The imei starts with 35. I should have looked into this further before I bought the phone. I didn't realize pixel s were carrier locked like that. I'm going to have to try to unlock the bootloader sooner then I expected just to be safe.
Thanks for the help.
Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk
icanrule said:
Mine was bought through Bell. The imei starts with 35. I should have looked into this further before I bought the phone. I didn't realize pixel s were carrier locked like that. I'm going to have to try to unlock the bootloader sooner then I expected just to be safe.
Thanks for the help.
Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've heard that some of the European providers sim lock their device until it's paid off. They then carrier unlock it and sometimes allow bl unlock. I have no idea what the IMEI number is, however. If you're only unlocking for future device support after 3 years I wouldn't worry about it much. You'll probably have a new device by then hopefully. The only other option is to sell it now while it's relatively new and purchase a Google branded one. General consensus is that there will not be an exploit in order to allow bl unlock on these devices. It will probably cost you about $100 on the swap. I lost close to $150 on my Pixel 3 this week and it was mint condition.
I have a Virgin Mobile Pixel 3 XL & just unlocked bootloader after reading this. Since Bell & Virgin basically same company and carry the same phones you should be good! (IMEI Starts with 35)
TonikJDK said:
Clarification. Bootloader unlock depends on one thing, did it come from Google or did it come from a carrier that bootloader locks it.
There is no exploit needed to unlock a Google phone. There is no exploit available for any that the carrier locked, such as Verizon in the US.
Google will not lock their versions, they support bootloader unlocking.
It is my understanding that Bell sells a pure Google version.
What are the first two numbers of your IMEI? If it is 99 you are good to go.
Downside to waiting is that unlocking causes a full wipe, there is no avoiding that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am currently looking into getting the Rogers version. Is the bootloader unlockable and that version rootable? I am not sure what the IMEI would start with either.
Also is the carrier locking the bootloader different the lock which fastboot commands unlock?
spncr_wu said:
I am currently looking into getting the Rogers version. Is the bootloader unlockable and that version rootable? I am not sure what the IMEI would start with either.
Also is the carrier locking the bootloader different the lock which fastboot commands unlock?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes carrier locking and bootloader locking are different. Carrier locks mean you can only use that phone on one network, bootloader lock controls the software on the phone.
It's mildly confusing because some carriers also restrict bootloader unlocking (like Verizon).
fury683 said:
Yes carrier locking and bootloader locking are different. Carrier locks mean you can only use that phone on one network, bootloader lock controls the software on the phone.
It's mildly confusing because some carriers also restrict bootloader unlocking (like Verizon).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was asking about the bootloader restriction. So for the Verizon version what is limiting it's ability to be rooted? No exploit yet?
spncr_wu said:
I was asking about the bootloader restriction. So for the Verizon version what is limiting it's ability to be rooted? No exploit yet?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The software checks the IMEI against a database to see if it is unlockable or not. When you first boot the phone if you try to turn on OEM unlocking in settings it requires a network connection in order to verify the IMEI on that list. If it's a blocked carrier (like Verizon) it won't let you turn it on (it gets grayed out).
Exploits were found for previous Pixel devices but I don't know if anyone is pursing them anymore.
If I buy from Google and set it up with Sprint, can I root?
I'm currently on HTCU11, and thought it was one of the most recent you could root of using Qualcomm phones.
You can root this even if it's using Qualcomm chip?
spncr_wu said:
I was asking about the bootloader restriction. So for the Verizon version what is limiting it's ability to be rooted? No exploit yet?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
mcwups1 said:
If I buy from Google and set it up with Sprint, can I root?
I'm currently on HTCU11, and thought it was one of the most recent you could root of using Qualcomm phones.
You can root this even if it's using Qualcomm chip?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you buy from Google you can unlock and root no matter what carrier you use the device on. The carrier imposed bootloader locks are only imposed on phones sold by that carrier, not any phone used on that carrier's network.
fury683 said:
The software checks the IMEI against a database to see if it is unlockable or not. When you first boot the phone if you try to turn on OEM unlocking in settings it requires a network connection in order to verify the IMEI on that list. If it's a blocked carrier (like Verizon) it won't let you turn it on (it gets grayed out).
Exploits were found for previous Pixel devices but I don't know if anyone is pursing them anymore.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is good news because I have oem unlocking available in settings and was able to toggle the option. I may try to unlock the bootloader in the next week because Bell is big and I don't trust them. It may be unlocking now but may not be in the future.
I hate living in fear like this.
Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk
bobby janow said:
I've heard that some of the European providers sim lock their device until it's paid off. They then carrier unlock it and sometimes allow bl unlock. I have no idea what the IMEI number is, however. If you're only unlocking for future device support after 3 years I wouldn't worry about it much. You'll probably have a new device by then hopefully. The only other option is to sell it now while it's relatively new and purchase a Google branded one. General consensus is that there will not be an exploit in order to allow bl unlock on these devices. It will probably cost you about $100 on the swap. I lost close to $150 on my Pixel 3 this week and it was mint condition.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm Canada we get robbed here. My cellphone costs 1300 off contract, and according to eBay (if it's reliable) I can only get 1000 for it. That is a pretty big loss to me.
Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk
I am happy to say that I was able to unlock the boot loader and reboot the phone. We now know that Bell Canada Pixel 3 XL can have the bootloader unlocked.
I got this phone on amazon for 110$ us then seen it on ebay for around 65$ only after I orded it.
regardless the oem boot loader is grayed out.
its a gsm unlocked works fine with my tmobel sim.
came with stock 7.1 tryed to unlock then upgraded to 8.1 still grayed out and now 10.0 still grayed out.
If the boot loader cant be unlocked I most likely will send it back thanks for you time
Sounds like it is a Verizon/unlocked model and they indeed do have encrypted boatloaders. If you had stayed on the old version of android you were on when you got it I believe there's a Verizon unlock boatloader thread here on XDA but it has to be on an older version of Android to work.
I bought my XL off eBay for $135 new a few months ago. Its confusing because some people that aren't like us XDA peeps, they don't fully understand the whole unlocked deal and most don't know wth a bootloader is or if they have Verizon unlocked model or also over on pixel 2 and 2xl eveb the refurnished units from Google have encrypted boatloaders and the thing isn't even greyed out but it won't unlock because they're encrypted as well. I've seen several reports of this on here, reditt and on Google's own help site people tripping out because they received replacement devices that had the encrypted bootloaders. I'd be sooooooo pissed!! If you run some fastboot commands and it can't be unlocked, if you end up not being able to return it and want one that doesn't have the locked down bootloader od throw it on swappa and sell it and get one. Swappa is cool because many of the people there are here in the forums or have been and they known what they have. Good luck. Sorry that happened to you man. It gave me anxiety after I looked for a month for a decent deal and read all the reports all over the internet.
There are Verizon Pixel & XL that are carrier unlocked but still have the locked bootloader and work on some gsm carriers. This sounds like it may be the case with yours. I'd throw it on a cord and type in the unlock fastboot command anyway just to see.
flash713 said:
Sounds like it is a Verizon/unlocked model and they indeed do have encrypted boatloaders. If you had stayed on the old version of android you were on when you got it I believe there's a Verizon unlock boatloader thread here on XDA but it has to be on an older version of Android to work.
I bought my XL off eBay for $135 new a few months ago. Its confusing because some people that aren't like us XDA peeps, they don't fully understand the whole unlocked deal and most don't know wth a bootloader is or if they have Verizon unlocked model or also over on pixel 2 and 2xl eveb the refurnished units from Google have encrypted boatloaders and the thing isn't even greyed out but it won't unlock because they're encrypted as well. I've seen several reports of this on here, reditt and on Google's own help site people tripping out because they received replacement devices that had the encrypted bootloaders. I'd be sooooooo pissed!! If you run some fastboot commands and it can't be unlocked, if you end up not being able to return it and want one that doesn't have the locked down bootloader od throw it on swappa and sell it and get one. Swappa is cool because many of the people there are here in the forums or have been and they known what they have. Good luck. Sorry that happened to you man. It gave me anxiety after I looked for a month for a decent deal and read all the reports all over the internet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for the update Im not longer getting phones that has the boot bootloader locked.
i figured something was up and all ready boxed the phone up about 30 mins ago and sending it back thanks
raven.warsong said:
thanks for the update Im not longer getting phones that has the boot bootloader locked.
i figured something was up and all ready boxed the phone up about 30 mins ago and sending it back thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Np. All Android devices come with the bootloader locked and if the carrier that the device was sold on doesn't make their models to have the extra security, with an encrypted bootloader to where it's impossible to unlock the bootloader for anyone except the one who encrypted it, in this case the carrier.. I've never heard of a device that had the encrypted bootloader being unencrypted by request from user on whatever carrier the device came from. If they're encrypted, unless someone else finds a work around, and it would be here somewhere if they did,,, then they stay locked and can't be rooted.
Verizon devices that they sell CANNOT be bootloader unlocked because that's how they decided to sell their phones. Almost all Android's sold by USA carriers are that way these days with the exception of many Motorola/Lonovo devices and a few others in the mix here and there.
I had a moto g6 Play (Boost mobile) before my Pixel XL (which I named Jesus because it saved me ??) and my G6 Play had a quad core 1.4 GHz CPU while all other models of the same phone had an eight core chips Boost sold the runt and I was in a hurry the day I purchased it and the lady at Boost shook her head when I walked in the store and told her what I wanted she confirmed that it had an eight core CPU and me being in such a hurry that day grabbed it, paid and left only to find out later it was laggy and the lady in the store had no clue about what I said or wasn't paying attention just shook her head as I talked.. lol. So after I unlocked the BL and rooted it with good ole TWRP recovery & Magisk I was then able to debloat it and take off like 30-40 apps, all kinds of sales trash, then the lag almost went away and it made it at least usable thanks to the great work of PHH on GSI roms and everyone else who participates in the GSI development. So you gotta really watch for these CDMA USA carriers because they're the ones who have many phones with specs cut down in half like that.. I'll never buy anything but Pixel and OnePlus again! Too much headache and to me in my opinion those are the best devices.
It's become a real mission these days to purchase a good Android device that doesn't have an encrypted bootloader because that's the way most carriers sell them so the only way to go is buying factory unlocked and confirming that the device can indeed be bootloader unlocked before purchase. Thing is many people who sell phones online don't care to answer a question like that and they buy their phones in bulk and half of them don't know what the heck they have. lol.. A good phone salesman knows what we mean when we say the word "bootloader." They're like, "Aaaah hell another one of those xda rooting tech gurus." ?? Back in the day almost all Android's could be bootloader unlocked by user if they wanted to. Now it's a mess of confusion for those who want to mod their device.
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.