Hello,
I recently purchased a used Sprint version of the Pixel 3a XL and after receiving it, I see that the bootloader is locked. My plan was to root this device and install a custom ROM to bring over to Verizon since all Verizon phone lock down the bootloader. Apparently I didn't do enough research as I assumed this bootloader would be unlocked.
After checking with Sprint this afternoon and confirming that there is no SIM lock, does anyone know if it is possible to unlock the bootloader? As mentioned, my goal is mostly to root the phone... then 'maybe' install a custom ROM.
Any help is greatly appreciated!
In dev options what does it say under oem unlocking? Is oem unlocking greyed out?
41rw4lk said:
In dev options what does it say under oem unlocking? Is oem unlocking greyed out?
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Click to collapse
Yes, unfortunately it is grayed out :-/
I would say that it is in fact sim locked. I have a TMO version and oem unlocking was greyed out for me. I had to hit up TMO and request a sim unlock to enable oem unlocking. You should persist and see if you can't get someone to sim unlock it. Might be worth popping the sim out and doing a factory reset, then boot it and see if oem unlocking is still greyed out, though it was for me. That was TMO though, but I doubt there is any difference as far as carrier locking is concerned. Does it say contact your carrier under oem unlocking? Another sign that it is sim locked.
41rw4lk said:
I would say that it is in fact sim locked. I have a TMO version and oem unlocking was greyed out for me. I had to hit up TMO and request a sim unlock to enable oem unlocking. You should persist and see if you can't get someone to sim unlock it. Might be worth popping the sim out and doing a factory reset, then boot it and see if oem unlocking is still greyed out, though it was for me. That was TMO though, but I doubt there is any difference as far as carrier locking is concerned. Does it say contact your carrier under oem unlocking? Another sign that it is sim locked.
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Thanks for this... once I noticed that OEM locking was grayed out (and after doing some reading), I called up Sprint and provided them the IMEI number and they indicated that it should already be unlocked and I can take it to Verizon (I assume all this means the phone is paid off and it is carrier unlocked).
I purchased this device online and there was not any kind of SIM card shipped with it. Also, I have not yet tried activating it on Verizon as I wanted to see if I could unlock the bootloader first.
gil_happy said:
Thanks for this... once I noticed that OEM locking was grayed out (and after doing some reading), I called up Sprint and provided them the IMEI number and they indicated that it should already be unlocked and I can take it to Verizon (I assume all this means the phone is paid off and it is carrier unlocked).
I purchased this device online and there was not any kind of SIM card shipped with it. Also, I have not yet tried activating it on Verizon as I wanted to see if I could unlock the bootloader first.
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Curious what Sprint number you called? They keep giving me the run around about needing the old account owners information and pin/password.
pyroboarder said:
Curious what Sprint number you called? They keep giving me the run around about needing the old account owners information and pin/password.
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I don't remember exactly which number I called, but I think during the automated prompts, I stated 'IMEI'. Once I was connected, I told them that I was looking to purchase a second hand phone and I needed to verify some info and they told me (not sure if it sounded like I knew what I was doing and made it sound like I was calling for a good reason, etc). I'm sure you've been here as well:
https://www.sprint.com/en/shop/bring-your-phone-to-sprint.html
Apologies for thread necromancy...
The short answer is yes, you can unlock the bootloader of a Sprint Pixel 3a. There are some caveats:
Only the original owner of the phone can ask Sprint to unlock the device.
You must have paid off the device, it can't be carrier subsidized.
You have to be running the stock ROM for Sprint.
I just went through this with two pixel 3a's I bought from the sprint store. I paid full price, but they came locked anyway. Won't make that mistake again, I'll buy the unlocked variants from google direct or best buy or whatever.
Sprint customer service was very friendly when asking to unlock them since I'm still a customer. All they needed was the IMEI numbers after I'd authenticated myself to the agent. If they ask for the MEID instead, give them the IMEI regardless. That's the difference between a 5 minute and 35 minute call and a transfer to "advanced tech support." From the stock rom phone app, dial *#06# will bring them up.
Once the phone is carrier unlocked, the option to unlock the bootloader will work as you expect.
HTH.
Hi, I think you are referring to carrier lock vs bootloader lock.
Correct, I am. However, you can't unlock the bootloader on a stock pixel 3a without first carrier unlocking it. The installed version of android won't let you. That was discussed much earlier in the thread.
I should also add that the 3A has an e-SIM. In the past on CDMA carriers, running the stock ROM was a requirement to reactivate the device on a new carrier. Haven't tried that on a newer device, but I wouldn't bring a phone running LineageOS to Verizon and expect it to properly activate.
Junkeon said:
I should also add that the 3A has an e-SIM. In the past on CDMA carriers, running the stock ROM was a requirement to reactivate the device on a new carrier. Haven't tried that on a newer device, but I wouldn't bring a phone running LineageOS to Verizon and expect it to properly activate.
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I tried reactivating my old 3A and lo, the lineageos 18.1 carrier sim activation tool gave me no joy after waiting hours for it to try. Reflashed to stock, and it activated within moments.
Related
Anyone unlock one of these? I seem to remember reading somewhere a few months back Bell (who now owns virgin) saying they will never unlock it.
However I see that there are "WWE" branded unlocks for my version, wtf?
Here is the url of the exact phone I have - http://www.virginmobile.ca/en/phones/phone-details.html?model=HTCWILD&colour=White
Please no "I unlocked my DerpCellular wfs, you can too!!" stupidity that most of these threads digress into, either you have the exact phone or not. Anyone who lives in Canada and deals with Bell will understand why this needs to be asked
Hey, another virgin canada user.
i have that exact phone (same colour too) with virgin. Mine unlocked just fine via the htcdev unlock. You just need to select the "Bell Mobility WWE" RUU when unlocking it.
unlocked and rooted. bye bye useless bell apps.
be sure to notice that the unlock does a factory reset. back your stuff (contacts!) up before you start on it.
So when you say unlocked using the DEV tool, does that mean its network and sim unlocked? Also just curious, I have a Bell SIM card, can I use this in this phone without unlocking the network/sim?
jhong88 said:
So when you say unlocked using the DEV tool, does that mean its network and sim unlocked? Also just curious, I have a Bell SIM card, can I use this in this phone without unlocking the network/sim?
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Click to collapse
nope, the htcdev bit only unlocks the bootloader. the sim lock and all the other bits of s-on remain in place. you'll need an xtc clip or an unlock code if you want the ditch the network shackles.
as for the virgin->bell, no idea. there seems to be conflicting information on whether bell/virgin sims are interchangeable or not. some people report it works, other report it doesn't.
compro01 said:
Hey, another virgin canada user.
i have that exact phone (same colour too) with virgin. Mine unlocked just fine via the htcdev unlock. You just need to select the "Bell Mobility WWE" RUU when unlocking it.
unlocked and rooted. bye bye useless bell apps.
be sure to notice that the unlock does a factory reset. back your stuff (contacts!) up before you start on it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Excellent, I was NOT expecting to be able to do this.
And now for a stupid question, what is a good way to back everything up for a quick reinstall?
AFAIK, There isn't one really, other than exporting your contacts and writing down all your apps names, as all the real useful backup methods require root.
OTOH, unless you like customizing extensively, it should only take a day or two to get things back to normal.
sent from my rooted wildfire s
I have a Canadian Bell S3 i747m which broke and I got some random guy to fix it for me. He frustratingly ended up installing a ROGERS circuit board(or so he says) without bothering to check the fact my phone was loaded with Bell bloatware or just asking me my carrier.
I now need to unlock the SIM in order to use it properly and I just want to be sure I have the correct information and I don't end up paying for an unlock code that will not work since I didn't provide the proper carrier.
My SIM card (not sure if that matters): BELL
My board/IMEI: ROGERS (Apparently)
I wanted to determine which carrier I was tied to but I see 0 bloatware in my phone which makes me think the guy is wrong/lying and it's not actually a Rogers board. Is there another way to determine which carrier my phone is tied to?
Cyclone112 said:
I have a Canadian Bell S3 i747m which broke and I got some random guy to fix it for me. He frustratingly ended up installing a ROGERS circuit board(or so he says) without bothering to check the fact my phone was loaded with Bell bloatware or just asking me my carrier.
I now need to unlock the SIM in order to use it properly and I just want to be sure I have the correct information and I don't end up paying for an unlock code that will not work since I didn't provide the proper carrier.
My SIM card (not sure if that matters): BELL
My board/IMEI: ROGERS (Apparently)
I wanted to determine which carrier I was tied to but I see 0 bloatware in my phone which makes me think the guy is wrong/lying and it's not actually a Rogers board. Is there another way to determine which carrier my phone is tied to?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The carrier doesn't matter. Once unlocked, it's unlocked for every carrier (unless it's unlocked by code).
You could go check the APN to see which carrier it's from.
BWolf56 said:
The carrier doesn't matter. Once unlocked, it's unlocked for every carrier (unless it's unlocked by code).
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Oh really? I was looking at the gsmliberty site for unlocking and it asks for a carrier. I can't post the link since I'm a new account but here it is split:
gsmliberty(dot)net/shop/samsung-galaxy-s3-unlock-codes-p-3528.html
I then went into their Terms of Service and it specifies that if I provide an incorrect carrier and the unlock code doesn't work then I won't get a refund. Does this mean this site is BS and I should avoid it and find another?
EDIT: Oh I see you added info about checking the APN. Don't know what that is but I'll Google it. Assuming I find it should I still avoid gsmliberty or should I give them a shot?
BWolf56 said:
The carrier doesn't matter. Once unlocked, it's unlocked for every carrier (unless it's unlocked by code).
You could go check the APN to see which carrier it's from.
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I went to Settings > Connections > More networks > Mobile Networks and it tells me this: Insert SIM card to access network services
EDIT: Ok I finally found the AP and CSC by dialing *#1234# and then comparing it to sammobiles firmware to find out which carrier it is tied to. Still worried about the fact I get the SIM error above but hopefully that will go away when I attempt to unlock it
Cyclone112 said:
I went to Settings > Connections > More networks > Mobile Networks and it tells me this: Insert SIM card to access network services
EDIT: Maybe I'm looking at the wrong spot. Here is my phone's about in case that helps:
View attachment 2807396
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Umm I though you'd have access to it w/o a sim card.
I'm not sure how else you could determine which carrier the motherboard is locked to.
BWolf56 said:
Umm I though you'd have access to it w/o a sim card.
I'm not sure how else you could determine which carrier the motherboard is locked to.
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I just ended up editing my last post a minute before you posted this. I did determine the carrier and it is in fact Rogers. I was planning on just getting an unlock code through a website. You mentioned that means it will only be unlocked for them which I'm fine with but I'm just concerned about the fact I have a Bell SIM. Will that cause any problems with the unlock process or future dealings with BELL?
Actually I have a better question. Can I just put Bell's firmware on my phone instead of Rogers using Odin and then get an unlock for Bell and theoretically I'll be back to where I was?
What bootloader is on the phone? If you have the 4.3 bootloader, you'll have to buy an unlock code. If you have the 4.1.1 bootloader and you are running a stock ROM (doesn't matter about the carrier), you can use the free method to unlock it. If you have the 4.1.2 bootloader, downgrade to the Rogers 4.1.1 ROM and unlock it using the free method.
audit13 said:
What bootloader is on the phone? If you have the 4.3 bootloader, you'll have to buy an unlock code. If you have the 4.1.1 bootloader and you are running a stock ROM (doesn't matter about the carrier), you can use the free method to unlock it. If you have the 4.1.2 bootloader, downgrade to the Rogers 4.1.1 ROM and unlock it using the free method.
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Click to collapse
I'm running 4.3 so I know I need an unlock code unfortunately. I have a Bell SIM card but have Rogers firmware. The site I was looking to buy an unlock code from asks for my carrier so I presume I need to use Rogers. Will that be fine or am I able to just throw Bell firmware on my phone and buy an unlock code specifying Bell as my carrier?
I am not sure of you can load the stock Bell firmware and change the phone so it is locked to Bell. If this were the case, owners could switch carriers by flashing different firmware.
Cyclone112 said:
I just ended up editing my last post a minute before you posted this. I did determine the carrier and it is in fact Rogers. I was planning on just getting an unlock code through a website. You mentioned that means it will only be unlocked for them which I'm fine with but I'm just concerned about the fact I have a Bell SIM. Will that cause any problems with the unlock process or future dealings with BELL?
Actually I have a better question. Can I just put Bell's firmware on my phone instead of Rogers using Odin and then get an unlock for Bell and theoretically I'll be back to where I was?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unlocking is permanent and unlocks to every carrier. Knowing which one you're locked to only matters to get a unlock code, after that, it's free for all.
BWolf56 said:
Unlocking is permanent and unlocks to every carrier. Knowing which one you're locked to only matters to get a unlock code, after that, it's free for all.
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Click to collapse
Gotcha, so there's no point in flashing Bell firmware at all. I just need the correct one for getting an unlock code in the first place. Thanks for helping a noob out.
AT&T has given me an unlock code to release the phone so i can use it on sprint. The instructions say that a prompt should appear when putting in the sim, but nothing has happened. I was wondering if there was a way to force the prompt so I can input the code.
I'm on ICE rom, could that be a reason why I'm not getting the prompt? Can I go to the AT&T store with the unlock code and have them sim unlock it?
thanks.
Akosp said:
AT&T has given me an unlock code to release the phone so i can use it on sprint. The instructions say that a prompt should appear when putting in the sim, but nothing has happened. I was wondering if there was a way to force the prompt so I can input the code.
I'm on ICE rom, could that be a reason why I'm not getting the prompt? Can I go to the AT&T store with the unlock code and have them sim unlock it?
thanks.
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Click to collapse
Are you sure the phone is locked to AT&T? You title says "Unlocked HTC 10....". Your device could already be unlocked. Also, which sim card are you inserting and expecting code prompt to appear?
This is how it is normally done:
Lets say your device is locked to AT&T at the moment. You have to put another carrier's sim card(T-Mobile for example), then the code prompt should appear on the screen asking for the code.
Att never carried this phone...so how could they give you an unlock code? None are simlocked to ATT.
The guy I originally bought the phone from purchased the phone from HTC.com, which he then activated on att. when I bought the phone from him and tried to activate it on sprint, sprint told me the phone was carrier locked to att and I would have to request for an unlock code.
my unlock release went through and they emailed me the code, but when I put in my sprint sim card that sprint sent to me, there is no prompt that appears where I can put the 8 digit unlock code.
Wonders_Never_Cease said:
Att never carried this phone...so how could they give you an unlock code? None are simlocked to ATT.
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yeah I didn't know they did simlock either but I guess when you use a phone on their network it does.
when I tried to activate on sprint they said I had to take care of the att lock first. I have the unlock code but no idea where to use it. do I need to do something through the dialer?
Put Sprint sim in the device boot it up... IF theres a lock on the sim slot, it should ask for an unlock code which is input through the dialer when prompted
Akosp said:
The guy I originally bought the phone from purchased the phone from HTC.com, which he then activated on att. when I bought the phone from him and tried to activate it on sprint, sprint told me the phone was carrier locked to att and I would have to request for an unlock code.
my unlock release went through and they emailed me the code, but when I put in my sprint sim card that sprint sent to me, there is no prompt that appears where I can put the 8 digit unlock code.
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Click to collapse
If device was bought from htc.com, then it should be unlocked already. I believe the radio frequency in your phone may not be fully compatible with Sprint.
Just check HTC's website and you will see that they offer separate models for Verizon and Sprint. - http://www.htc.com/us/go/buy-htc-10/
For example I have a T-Mobile service, so I purchased an unlocked HTC 10 which is compatible with AT&T as well. If I would have another carrier, such as Verizon or Sprint, then I would choose accordingly.
I'm sorry if this has been asked and answered, I did a bit of searching but didn't find an exact answer. Maybe I'm getting two narrow sighted in my search, but anyhoo! I ordered a Pixel Xl 2 unlocked from Google. My question is if I pop a verizon sim into the deivce, will updates or any changes cause it to lock the bootloader. Should I unlock the bootloader to make sure it retains it's unlockable state or is it fine to pop in the verizon sim with no worries?
I am on Verizon also, and I too ordered the Google store unlocked version just so I could unlock bootloader when I got my phone. What I read and did was boot the phone WITHOUT SIM card connect to WiFi, skipped the setup, and enabled developer options to be able to unlock bootloader, unlocked bootloader and then I put the Sim card in and continued to set my phone up. If I were you, I would also do the unlock_critical command as well since it will also wipe data. I was unaware of that when I did mine. So future wipe is necessary for me.
Edit: wording
I used my pixel xl witch I ordered from Google on verizon for 2 months last year before I decided to unlock it and had no issues. If you concerned about it just unlock it now. If you not as worried but still think this could happen just manually side the update from Google every time a update is released just remember to remove the -w from the flash file and then you are ensured that it will flash all the unlocked able software!
tdct12 said:
I'm sorry if this has been asked and answered, I did a bit of searching but didn't find an exact answer. Maybe I'm getting two narrow sighted in my search, but anyhoo! I ordered a Pixel Xl 2 unlocked from Google. My question is if I pop a verizon sim into the deivce, will updates or any changes cause it to lock the bootloader. Should I unlock the bootloader to make sure it retains it's unlockable state or is it fine to pop in the verizon sim with no worries?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure I've ever heard of a sim being able to lock the BL, the Verizon model to the best of my knowledge is locked from google before it ships to vzw stores.
No... If you buy unlocked, the phone is unlocked.
I bought the Unlocked one from Google store and popped my Verizon SIM in. Bootloader is unlockable still
---------- Post added at 08:14 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:14 AM ----------
No... If you buy unlocked, the phone is unlocked.
I bought the Unlocked one from Google store and popped my Verizon SIM in. Bootloader is unlockable still
Same here, ordered the 2xl from Google, unlocked version. On Verizon. Unlocked the P2XL before putting the sim in (I did both bootloader and unlock_critical). Popped in the sim. No problem.
However, I would agree, and assume (again, didn't test this) even if you put the sim in first, you can still unlock, it's just that it won't ask you for WiFi when you activate the first time, it will simply use the LTE connection to connect.
The SIM controlling the unlock in the Pixels is an urban myth that just won't seem to die.
TonikJDK said:
The SIM controlling the unlock in the Pixels is an urban myth that just won't seem to die.
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Sounds as ridiculous as people that wipe three times before flashing
drumst1x said:
Same here, ordered the 2xl from Google, unlocked version. On Verizon. Unlocked the P2XL before putting the sim in (I did both bootloader and unlock_critical). Popped in the sim. No problem.
However, I would agree, and assume (again, didn't test this) even if you put the sim in first, you can still unlock, it's just that it won't ask you for WiFi when you activate the first time, it will simply use the LTE connection to connect.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you using the stock or Verizon factory image on it?
Lawlrus said:
Sounds as ridiculous as people that wipe three times before flashing
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Click to collapse
What the..,,.. oh! I thought you said before flushing.
michaelbsheldon said:
Are you using the stock or Verizon factory image on it?
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I am using the stock Google image. But I did download the Verizon image and used the Verizon radio.img.
busarida123 said:
I am using the stock Google image. But I did download the Verizon image and used the Verizon radio.img.
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Click to collapse
Thanks for that. Had tried to load the Verizon factory image on my US Unlocked bootloader unlocked P2XL, but it would not boot at all
after several tries. Doing just the radio img is a great solution.
michaelbsheldon said:
Are you using the stock or Verizon factory image on it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't flashed anything whatsoever, all I did was get the device, open the case, charge it, unlock the bootloader (and critical), then set it up, then put in my sim (may have put the sim in before I set it up, can't remember, but definitely unlocked first, to be safe).
Is there an advantage to using the Verizon Radio Image? Does it give us something we don't already have? I'm getting expected LTE speeds (~18-20 mb/s down, ~4 mb/s up) with my phone so far...?
Lawlrus said:
Sounds as ridiculous as people that wipe three times before flashing
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Click to collapse
I can understand people being cautious, though. Not knowing ahead of time, I definitely read a bunch of threads first before I just turned it on, again, to be safe.... Is there any source you can point us to, so in the future when people ask this, we can say "Sims do not control the ability to lock/unlock.... See Here: [insert link here]"
Couple months ago, I called T-Mobile to request to unlock my phone so I could use it in another country and they told me to use the device unlock app, but I couldn't, so they said that they're going to unlock it remotely for me so I don't have to do anything. I wait for a week or so and I called back and they said that they're going to try again but my phone is still locked. I tried to call them several more time but they just promise to do it and now, I still have my phone locked. What should I do?
when you use device unlock app and you said you couldn't, what do you mean?
if you qualify which i guess you do, then i think you have to use device unlock app to unlock. Just making sure your device is with Tmobile firmware, not other U1 firmware. Clear the device unlock app Cache before you click may help,.
He most likely bought his S8 directly from Samsung.com and got the T-Mobile branded one. Since it was not sold through a T-Mobile store the IMEI# is not in their list of devices coming from them. See this detailed post I made on how we get these phones unlocked: https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=72483309&postcount=10
Now TMB can be unlocked through server no need for unlock app