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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
Hi Everyone,
As the title says, I sent my SM-N910A to get the crashing/restarting/hanging/lag/restarting issue fixed. I was using a partial wakelock app the last few months and it fixed most of the problems, but the phone kept on lagging more and more, so I decided to send it in while it was still under warranty.
I looked at the info provided on the RMA portal of Samsung's website, they said that " SOLUTION: Replaced Cosmetic - Replaced Component - Replaced PBA".
From my understanding, IMEI is the same, but what I'm worried now is that my phone is going to be re-locked to AT&T, which isn't fun as I don't even have an AT&T SIM card or account, so I don't know how I'd go about getting it unlocked.
Has anyone else sent their unlocked SM-N910A to Samsung and got it back locked to AT&T? If so, what did you do to resolve it?
Thanks
I'd Contact Samsung support first thing in the morning and ask. They are usually great to work with....
dan0430 said:
Hi Everyone,
As the title says, I sent my SM-N910A to get the crashing/restarting/hanging/lag/restarting issue fixed. I was using a partial wakelock app the last few months and it fixed most of the problems, but the phone kept on lagging more and more, so I decided to send it in while it was still under warranty.
I looked at the info provided on the RMA portal of Samsung's website, they said that " SOLUTION: Replaced Cosmetic - Replaced Component - Replaced PBA".
From my understanding, IMEI is the same, but what I'm worried now is that my phone is going to be re-locked to AT&T, which isn't fun as I don't even have an AT&T SIM card or account, so I don't know how I'd go about getting it unlocked.
Has anyone else sent their unlocked SM-N910A to Samsung and got it back locked to AT&T? If so, what did you do to resolve it?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have an att note 4.
Once the phone is unlocked, the phone remains unlocked it should NOT reset.
If you've rooted the phone (which there's no root for att note 4) that can be reset, bc rom they flash is usually not rooted.
This is my understanding, experiences will differ. Please do followup with your experience once you get your phone back.
Good luck.
Shanghai.Knight said:
I'd Contact Samsung support first thing in the morning and ask. They are usually great to work with....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would, except for the fact they said that they've never heard of my issue, that updating the software/uninstalling apps will fix it, thought a wakelock was equal to rooting (even though you can't root the AT&T version), etc. Since this I've had little faith in them aside from the actual people doing the repairs at RSI...
kparikh82276 said:
I have an att note 4.
Once the phone is unlocked, the phone remains unlocked it should NOT reset.
If you've rooted the phone (which there's no root for att note 4) that can be reset, bc rom they flash is usually not rooted.
This is my understanding, experiences will differ. Please do followup with your experience once you get your phone back.
Good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know the unlock wouldn't reset normally, but I'm assuming if you replace the PBA, that includes the baseband processor, which in turn would result in a different IMEI, which in turn would be re-locked to AT&T. I don't think you can replace the components and assign the same IMEI to the device.
I know this is a question for Samsung, but when you email "tech support" and they tell you that if the processor is bad, they'll just replace the processor (you know, the one that's soldered on the PBA) I start to get a little low in confidence...
An update for everyone who was curious:
I got my device back, several components were replaced, and the phone basically looks brand new, even though I had taken good care of it.
Now, the IMEI of my device is the same, which confuses me even more, especially when I powered it on with my non-AT&T SIM card installed and was prompted for the unlock code.
Thankfully, I was able to reach out to the person I bought it from (new & unlocked) on eBay, and he provided me with the code, and it worked flawlessly. The best part of all of this is I'm on Marshmallow now, and notice several improvements (and like it more aesthetically). The RMA was straightforward with RSI (Samsung's partner) and I've got a non-wakelocking device once again.
i sent my unlocked AT&T Note 4 in last month to replace the rear camera (focus problems)
under warranty and they broke the LCD while taking it apart so i got a new LCD too. it was still unlocked
when i got it back.
Ok so here's the details... I speak to Sprint techs on a regular basis. (Used to work for Sprint many years ago). And according to them it's true that Sprint Pixel 3 and 3XL are not locked in any abnormal way that a simple Fastboot command will unlock them like normal. BUT if you have just purchased the phone and took advantage of the massive discount for leasing the phone , then you will be met with a Greyed out OEM UNLOCK just like Verizon and whoever else is locked. Only way to clear that and be able to switch OEM Unlock to on, is by paying the full remainder of your contract and they will unlock with an OTA. (I actually performed this on my friends 3XL so it's true). The question I'm asking is for people such as myself who didn't wanna cough up $700 , and took the 40% off if you sign up for 18mo lease. ... Is there anyone here who knows of a way to enable the OEM Unlock without Sprint Sim Unlocking it first?? The screen will tell you that "this option is unavailable on Network locked devices, consult your provider" ... Like is there a Z3x box, or Octoplus Box that can remove the network lock to flip that toggle? Fastboot will not accept any FLASH command without it being enabled. Or does someone know of a Shortcut master-style exploit to get me in the menu with the option being available?? Or hell is there a dirty network unlock even similar to the Carrier changing exploits from the Samsung phones that were Network locked... I searched here thoroughly and no one has mentioned it. Is there an ENGINEERING file for this phone ... For real .. I know it can be done but that's way above my pay grade.. any hints of a place to look.. something to flash.. I'm up for whatever .. I can brick this phone to **** and walk up to the counter and they will give me a new one.. so I'm not worried of possible errors... 50/50 is good enough success rate of any trick you may know. Thanks in advance
I'll do you one worse .. I had no clue until this evening that pixel 3 xl had more versions than Verizon and Google store . So one came up on one of those selling local apps and I checked to make sure the IMEI started with 99 and was clear.... Both were so this is great right??? Google Store version finally so I go buy it right away ..
I think the private Pyle staredown through the eyebrows before he goes insane in full metal jacket would properly describe my reaction as I find out I just purchased not only a locked bootloader pixel 3 XL but a network locked pixel 3 [email protected]#$%G XL...
I swear I'm done trying to pick through the different versions of Google's phones ... Just pony up the money and buy it from Google it's rediculous any other way .... So now what? Well I called Google support and sprint and got the usual go @#$® yourself run around ... So it's on me but a hard way to find out there are now network locked pixels out there ...... I had no idea and I follow this stuff much more than I should
I'll do you one worse .. I had no clue until this evening that pixel 3 xl had more versions than Verizon and Google store . So one came up on one of those selling local apps and I checked to make sure the IMEI started with 99 and was clear.... Both were so this is great right??? Google Store version finally so I go buy it right away ..
I think the private Pyle staredown through the eyebrows before he goes insane in full metal jacket would properly describe my reaction as I find out I just purchased not only a locked bootloader pixel 3 XL but a network locked pixel 3 [email protected]#$%G XL...
I swear I'm done trying to pick through the different versions of Google's phones ... Just pony up the money and buy it from Google it's rediculous any other way .... So now what? Well I called Google support and sprint and got the usual go @#$® yourself run around ... So it's on me but a hard way to find out there are now network locked pixels out there ...... I had no idea and I follow this stuff much more than I should
Unfortunately since it is a server side check/OTA to enable it there is no method currently to unlock the BL.
Been messing around with the Big Red version for a while now with no luck yet.....
Pixel 3 XL, haven't crashed it, YET
FernBch said:
Unfortunately since it is a server side check/OTA to enable it there is no method currently to unlock the BL.
Been messing around with the Big Red version for a while now with no luck yet.....
Pixel 3 XL, haven't crashed it, YET
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the sprint versions are abit different.. i was at sprint earlier snd checked em out.. the sprint p3xl says on the switch that it cannot be unlocked on carrier locked device or something rather..
vs. vzw i think says more along lines of connect to internet or contact carrier..
so maybe spr will get lucky and its tied to sim unlock vs. verizon being tied to imei?
also the spr versions have esim enabled too so they also got that goin for em at least
You could be right there. Unless the device is paid in full Sprint won't carrier unlock it, I think. At least that was how it was a few years back when I had Sprint.
Pixel 3 XL, haven't crashed it, YET
Well in the Sprint store they are setup so you can't mess with a bunch of stuff. I'm about to get one if y'all haven't done it yet.
Edit: So i got mine and its locked to sprint which is fine but i have to have it active for 50 days even though its not leased and technically not sprint's device. they have a promotion for a free line for employees for 12mo's so its just sitting. i got the pixel 4 and i like the 3xl better so im just testing the pixel 4 on my line but ill probably just switch back. too bad the pixel 4 is already bootloader unlocked.
Alright so I have the answers to everyone's question regarding the oem unlock. If you can get the carrier unlock completed you can oem unlock the phone. The downside is that there is some known issue and it requires Google to unlock it. I was working with Sprint for over 2 hours and then while on the phone with Sprint I did the chat with Google. It took 2 days and it just unlocked. I'm not sure if you need to have Sprint push the unlock first or what but that's it. Google did say there was a known issue on their end so this isn't something that's instant at the moment. Hopefully that helps everyone and I've explained everything.
cruckus said:
Alright so I have the answers to everyone's question regarding the oem unlock. If you can get the carrier unlock completed you can oem unlock the phone. The downside is that there is some known issue and it requires Google to unlock it. I was working with Sprint for over 2 hours and then while on the phone with Sprint I did the chat with Google. It took 2 days and it just unlocked. I'm not sure if you need to have Sprint push the unlock first or what but that's it. Google did say there was a known issue on their end so this isn't something that's instant at the moment. Hopefully that helps everyone and I've explained everything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@cruckus
How did you set this process in motion? Does Sprint open a ticket with Google or something?
cruckus said:
Alright so I have the answers to everyone's question regarding the oem unlock. If you can get the carrier unlock completed you can oem unlock the phone. The downside is that there is some known issue and it requires Google to unlock it. I was working with Sprint for over 2 hours and then while on the phone with Sprint I did the chat with Google. It took 2 days and it just unlocked. I'm not sure if you need to have Sprint push the unlock first or what but that's it. Google did say there was a known issue on their end so this isn't something that's instant at the moment. Hopefully that helps everyone and I've explained everything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a sprint pixel 3xl that I recently sim unlocked. The text below the greyed out oem unlock option previously said "unavailable on carrier locked devices", while it now says "please connect to wifi or contact your carrier". I am on Android 12 beta 2 and the carrier unlock was confirmed after a recent update form beta 1. Still can't unlock the Bootloader.
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.
Years ago, I had a Note 3, and a few China brand tablets. I learned to root them. For the tablets, I was interested in learning how to make them the most compatible for Deaf - understand this was years and years ago. (My parents are Deaf). So I have some understanding - but it's been awhile.
I've been buying a few used android phones in the interest of having loaners and was toying with the idea of repairing phones as a hobby/pin money kinda thing. I'm a veteran and now living on my disability retirement. I've been working in technology - most notably repairing PCs - software and hardware but I've had a few years here and there, networks, databases, security, etc. My resume is wide but shallow.
One of the phones I bought was a Verizon Moto G6Play (obviously I'm here). And I've come to the conclusion I'm an idiot for not researching it closer. My current provider is Verizon and I just naively thought if I put my daughter's verizon sim in it - it would work. I paid no attention to the warning on the back of the box about purchasing up to 50.00 of prepaid in order for Verizon to recoup their money invested in the cheap prices offered for the phones. To be honest, I bought this phone off of "shopgoodwill.com" auction for 6.95. I don't have a lot of money invested in and not sure I even know how much it goes for right now. I don't honestly care. When I put the verizon sim in it - at first it showed 1X - I rebooted and was looking at rooting options but had not gotten real far. I also forgot to pay my bill like always - and got online and caught it up. When I did that - it looked like the sim card updated to 4G and texting was working. But I wrongly assumed calling was not working because I had wrongly assumed in the first place it was not dialing out because I thought I let my bill lapse. (I do this all the time. I'm an idiot).
So, long story, short - I called Verizon and asked why my phone was working but hers wasn't - we got into the discussion of prepaid, etc. The help person said, I wasn't going to get around the prepaid prerequisite - but I might get away with 30.00 instead of 50.00. Ok. Fine - I give. My daughter was willing to pay 30.00+ for a new screen for the other Motorola she had wrecked (E3). I was just trying to get her out of my hair. She is very OCD/Annoying while at the same time always breaking her phones. I told her the skinny on the phone. I told her to take it to Verizon store - tell them you want to go pre-paid cheapest plan - 30.00 and bring it back home. I removed the TWRP and Terminal Emu from the phone and she took it there with her instructions - but somehow muffed it all up. The salesperson claimed it was already activated to our account. In retrospect, I thought I had seen the G6 Play as the model for her phone line. But I told her that was not possible since it didn't work. Right? So a manager came over - and told her the phone was phu(ked I do believe she told my daughter "bricked" and that she'd have to buy a new one. Needless to say I told my daughter to get out of there - they were not interested in helping - they just wanted her to buy a phone. Prior to sending her to the store - I had run through the steps here or where-ever I was - and found the codes needed to determine if I could unlock this phone and was told, nope, nope, nope.
I reset the phone completely from the Fastboot Flash Mode (sorry, if I'm not using the right term - I always want to call it bios, ). As far as I know, it was successful...
So here is the thing. Looks like I'm stuck with it - and I'd like to try my hardest to crack it anyway. I don't care if I brick it or not. I'm looking at practice here. Do I absolutely need the unlock code to get started? Can I just jump over that step and flash a new OS to the phone? Bearing in mind that I might brick it?
Thanks,
Wynne
impy2101 said:
Years ago, I had a Note 3, and a few China brand tablets. I learned to root them. For the tablets, I was interested in learning how to make them the most compatible for Deaf - understand this was years and years ago. (My parents are Deaf). So I have some understanding - but it's been awhile.
I've been buying a few used android phones in the interest of having loaners and was toying with the idea of repairing phones as a hobby/pin money kinda thing. I'm a veteran and now living on my disability retirement. I've been working in technology - most notably repairing PCs - software and hardware but I've had a few years here and there, networks, databases, security, etc. My resume is wide but shallow.
One of the phones I bought was a Verizon Moto G6Play (obviously I'm here). And I've come to the conclusion I'm an idiot for not researching it closer. My current provider is Verizon and I just naively thought if I put my daughter's verizon sim in it - it would work. I paid no attention to the warning on the back of the box about purchasing up to 50.00 of prepaid in order for Verizon to recoup their money invested in the cheap prices offered for the phones. To be honest, I bought this phone off of "shopgoodwill.com" auction for 6.95. I don't have a lot of money invested in and not sure I even know how much it goes for right now. I don't honestly care. When I put the verizon sim in it - at first it showed 1X - I rebooted and was looking at rooting options but had not gotten real far. I also forgot to pay my bill like always - and got online and caught it up. When I did that - it looked like the sim card updated to 4G and texting was working. But I wrongly assumed calling was not working because I had wrongly assumed in the first place it was not dialing out because I thought I let my bill lapse. (I do this all the time. I'm an idiot).
So, long story, short - I called Verizon and asked why my phone was working but hers wasn't - we got into the discussion of prepaid, etc. The help person said, I wasn't going to get around the prepaid prerequisite - but I might get away with 30.00 instead of 50.00. Ok. Fine - I give. My daughter was willing to pay 30.00+ for a new screen for the other Motorola she had wrecked (E3). I was just trying to get her out of my hair. She is very OCD/Annoying while at the same time always breaking her phones. I told her the skinny on the phone. I told her to take it to Verizon store - tell them you want to go pre-paid cheapest plan - 30.00 and bring it back home. I removed the TWRP and Terminal Emu from the phone and she took it there with her instructions - but somehow muffed it all up. The salesperson claimed it was already activated to our account. In retrospect, I thought I had seen the G6 Play as the model for her phone line. But I told her that was not possible since it didn't work. Right? So a manager came over - and told her the phone was phu(ked I do believe she told my daughter "bricked" and that she'd have to buy a new one. Needless to say I told my daughter to get out of there - they were not interested in helping - they just wanted her to buy a phone. Prior to sending her to the store - I had run through the steps here or where-ever I was - and found the codes needed to determine if I could unlock this phone and was told, nope, nope, nope.
I reset the phone completely from the Fastboot Flash Mode (sorry, if I'm not using the right term - I always want to call it bios, ). As far as I know, it was successful...
So here is the thing. Looks like I'm stuck with it - and I'd like to try my hardest to crack it anyway. I don't care if I brick it or not. I'm looking at practice here. Do I absolutely need the unlock code to get started? Can I just jump over that step and flash a new OS to the phone? Bearing in mind that I might brick it?
Thanks,
Wynne
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Is this phone currently in a running state? If so, do you have twrp and root? I may be able to help you. I know it's G6 play but do you know which model it is? mine is XT1922-7 for example
Sent from my moto g(6) play using Tapatalk
He isn't able to unlock the bootloader and wants to know whether he could unlock it without the unlock code.
@impy2101 You'll need that code to unlock the bootloader and being able to do modifications. Every attempt to flash another firmware while bootloader is locked will fail or could lead to a hard brick.
Did you follow the steps from Moto's website to unlock it?
WoKoschekk said:
He isn't able to unlock the bootloader and wants to know whether he could unlock it without the unlock code.
@impy2101 You'll need that code to unlock the bootloader and being able to do modifications. Every attempt to flash another firmware while bootloader is locked will fail or could lead to a hard brick.
Did you follow the steps from Moto's website to unlock it?
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The short and long answer to that is no. The process is relatively straight forward though.
Sent from my moto g(6) play using Tapatalk
Sands207 said:
Is this phone currently in a running state? If so, do you have twrp and root? I may be able to help you. I know it's G6 play but do you know which model it is? mine is XT1922-7 for example
Sent from my moto g(6) play using Tapatalk
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Yes, brand spanking new - It's just that I bought it from GoodWill so there is no returning it. And it's all good. I only paid a few bucks for it. It's an XT-1922-2. Thanks. I found the, um, erm, (sorry, old lady stuff going on) the OS MOD for it? jeterxxxblahblah and downloaded it - just not sure how I would get it loaded up if I cannot unlock it, etc.
I need to understand a little better some of the things that "we" do to the phones. For example - when unlocking the BootLoader - who locks it in the first place? What does unlocking the bootloader give us access to vs. what does root give us access to? I ask because I also have a Moto E6 and I managed to get past the pre-paid requirement and have unlocked it, rooted it (sorta - kinda weird work around where I have to boot it "recovery mode" if I want to use root - otherwise not. And I've discovered I still need another step to get rid of the provider USCellular so I can stick a VZW Sim in it. (Not asking for an answer here - just saying that I can follow instructions and understand to a certain degree but would like more indepth detail on what it is I'm doing. I even went so far as to look for the OSI model equivalent for Android - I found it - but it wasn't quite as satisfying as the one for PC - I'm still a bit puzzled.)
WoKoschekk said:
He isn't able to unlock the bootloader and wants to know whether he could unlock it without the unlock code.
@impy2101 You'll need that code to unlock the bootloader and being able to do modifications. Every attempt to flash another firmware while bootloader is locked will fail or could lead to a hard brick.
Did you follow the steps from Moto's website to unlock it?
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Yes, I followed the Moto website to unlock it - it was considered unlockable. I'm well aware it could lead to a hard brick. Apparently, when I put my Verizon sim in - I did something to it already that effed it up. According to them. I made the dumb assumption that if I had Verizon as my carrier I could use a prepaid phone as a backup device. And I'm sure I've done it before when I was with AT&T. So it may be I already made it unusable. I would like to go from knows enough to be dangerous - to really qualified. There are big chunks of information that I need to understand in order to put it all together - sometimes breaking something is a good way to learn - in fact, it's often the best way, I've discovered.
WoKoschekk said:
He isn't able to ......
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FYI - Old lady here...
impy2101 said:
FYI - Old lady here...
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So in terms of unlocking we have two different ideas here: 1. unlocking the bootloader so you can change to a custom version of android or obtain root access and 2. Unlocking the device's sim slot to use it with another network provider. This is usually done by asking the provider to unlock it, the pre requisite is that the phone or tablet must be paid off or good standing for at least one year. This is the policy of boost, sprint, virgin etc Verizon may be different. While some third parties may be able to accomplish this, it can be risky to the consumer and may even need to be done remotely. What exactly are you hoping to do? I'd be happy to help you if I can
Sent from my Moto G6 Play using XDA Labs
Sands207 said:
So in terms of unlocking we have two different ideas here: 1. unlocking the bootloader so you can change to a custom version of android or obtain root access and 2. Unlocking the device's sim slot to use it with another network provider. This is usually done by asking the provider to unlock it, the pre requisite is that the phone or tablet must be paid off or good standing for at least one year. This is the policy of boost, sprint, virgin etc Verizon may be different. While some third parties may be able to accomplish this, it can be risky to the consumer and may even need to be done remotely. What exactly are you hoping to do? I'd be happy to help you if I can
Sent from my Moto G6 Play using XDA Labs
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I'm more hoping to unlock the device's sim slot - ironically - this is a Verizon pre-paid and I want to use it with Verizon - my current carrier. I bought the phone in hopes of replacing a phone that quit working on my daughter.
I would like to understand the difference though - I've been fooling around with a Moto E6 and have unlocked the Bootloader - I did go to Motorola's site to get the key based on issuing a fastboot oem get_unlock_data command from the cmd prompt screen. Got the mile long number sent it in and got a key and ran the command to unlock it. I think because it's a newer model - E6 - it's a bit of a weird hinky thing to root it. It can only be done by booting the phone in "Recovery Mode" - I can add all kinda Magisk modules, etc...I can even blow up the phone and reinstall it.
But I can see that the Network is still Consumer Cellular. I'm really getting confused about all of this, lots of terminology without explainations, etc...so in order to teach myself effectively I'm looking at schematics of phones and building my own diagram - sorta like the OSI model for a PC - showing where the bootloader resides, the os/recovery resides, and so on, right? After seeing the Consumer Cellular is still the provider - I searched again and found a page that says I need an unlock code - and as you also said - I've run into this advice a few times - that the owner must fulfill the prerequisite contract time. I had tried arguing with Verizon that I already spent more than 50.00 by being their customer for 4 years and letting them charge me for an entire year for international service despite me telling them to turn it off 4 or 5 times (no sympathy from them...)
I'm extremely confused - where is the "code" that locks the sim to a carrier? Obviously, its not in the bootloader. Clearly, it's not part of the rooting process - which I understand is just granting permission to root directories. Is this code the same code that locks out a pre-paid from a regular sim? I'm guessing whatever it is - it's not part of recovery.img at least.
impy2101 said:
I'm more hoping to unlock the device's sim slot - ironically - this is a Verizon pre-paid and I want to use it with Verizon - my current carrier. I bought the phone in hopes of replacing a phone that quit working on my daughter.
I would like to understand the difference though - I've been fooling around with a Moto E6 and have unlocked the Bootloader - I did go to Motorola's site to get the key based on issuing a fastboot oem get_unlock_data command from the cmd prompt screen. Got the mile long number sent it in and got a key and ran the command to unlock it. I think because it's a newer model - E6 - it's a bit of a weird hinky thing to root it. It can only be done by booting the phone in "Recovery Mode" - I can add all kinda Magisk modules, etc...I can even blow up the phone and reinstall it.
But I can see that the Network is still Consumer Cellular. I'm really getting confused about all of this, lots of terminology without explainations, etc...so in order to teach myself effectively I'm looking at schematics of phones and building my own diagram - sorta like the OSI model for a PC - showing where the bootloader resides, the os/recovery resides, and so on, right? After seeing the Consumer Cellular is still the provider - I searched again and found a page that says I need an unlock code - and as you also said - I've run into this advice a few times - that the owner must fulfill the prerequisite contract time. I had tried arguing with Verizon that I already spent more than 50.00 by being their customer for 4 years and letting them charge me for an entire year for international service despite me telling them to turn it off 4 or 5 times (no sympathy from them...)
I'm extremely confused - where is the "code" that locks the sim to a carrier? Obviously, its not in the bootloader. Clearly, it's not part of the rooting process - which I understand is just granting permission to root directories. Is this code the same code that locks out a pre-paid from a regular sim? I'm guessing whatever it is - it's not part of recovery.img at least.
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I know what you mean by the code and my best answer would be that the carriers themselves have it. It is not common place for the sim unlock codes to be public because if that was the case, no one would or could be locked into a contract and the carrier companies would lose big time money. There are services to unlock sims but as i mentioned before, I've never tried them. so i cannot say if it is a safe or good idea. I have switched carriers using other ROM's besides stock and using other cdma sims in my phone but i was switching carriers. I had to edit my access point names manually for it to work and root was also needed.
Sent from my Moto G6 Play using XDA Labs
Sands207 said:
I know what you mean by the code and my best answer would be that the carriers themselves have it. It is not common place for the sim unlock codes to be public because if that was the case, no one would or could be locked into a contract and the carrier companies would lose big time money. There are services to unlock sims but as i mentioned before, I've never tried them. so i cannot say if it is a safe or good idea. I have switched carriers using other ROM's besides stock and using other cdma sims in my phone but i was switching carriers. I had to edit my access point names manually for it to work and root was also needed.
Sent from my Moto G6 Play using XDA Labs
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Well, clearly the code is not in the SIM card itself. I had good luck with AT&T prepaid. I think I found a page that indicates I can just call Consumer Cellular for my E6 and hopefully they won't force me into a contract fulfillment requirement first. For the G6, it's Verizon...and I'm thinking I gave up too soon. Verizon owes me a big favor because they kept charging me for International Calls. Granted I didn't call every month and yell at them but it took them a year to take it off my bill - I only checked once every 2 or 3 months. My bill was never the same regardless because of the constant adding and changing - so I missed it (and would forget to check).
That makes sense that the pre-paid "lock" is not public and not located in easy to search spot in the phone. I'm just trying to puzzle out the system. Is it something that would be found in the BootLoader? Unlocking the Bootloader is the first step - so you'd think it might be there. Probably not - because Bootloader's job is to load the boot the operating system. Is the Bootloader and OS on the same chip but with partitions? Or do they have separate chips? I've been studying the innards of an android phone - the various chips and there functions - it looks like two possible chips; either the ROM IC which I believe contains the bootloader and I know contains the OS (or just the kernel?) or the Flash IC which should contain "Software" and IMEI Number of the mobile phone. The others are for functions such as sound, network, tx/rx, power, CPU, etc. So? Is there a separate module (chip/ROM) in the phone specifically for the SIM slot - that the OS accesses at some point in loading? I just have a burning curiosity on where it would be stored. Don't worry, I have no real developer skills and no time to "hack" out the issue I'm having anyway. I just learn better when I understand how all the puzzle pieces fit together - I'm puzzled by this aspect of pre-paids - it must be an entirely separate module (software or firmware) that has been added to the basic OS - but where?.....
It's a matter of terminology.
SIM Lock / Carrier Lock - this determines if you can use different SIMs from other carriers. The setting could be stored in nvram or baseband image. Verizon phones usually automatically sim/carrier unlock after 24 hours on their network.
Bootloader lock/unlock - this allows modification of the partitions/software. Generally, if your bootloader is locked, you can only flash "signed" images. If you brick your phone, you can generally reflash stock roms to fix.
Most phones direct from carriers (Verizon, ATT and TMobile) don't allow bootloader unlock, especially the good deals.
MVNOs like Tracfone(and their subsidies Simple Mobile, Straight Talk, Net10) will sim/carrier unlock after 6 months to a year of paid service. They generally don't officially support bootloader unlock, that's usually through a hack.
impy2101 said:
Well, clearly the code is not in the SIM card itself. I had good luck with AT&T prepaid. I think I found a page that indicates I can just call Consumer Cellular for my E6 and hopefully they won't force me into a contract fulfillment requirement first. For the G6, it's Verizon...and I'm thinking I gave up too soon. Verizon owes me a big favor because they kept charging me for International Calls. Granted I didn't call every month and yell at them but it took them a year to take it off my bill - I only checked once every 2 or 3 months. My bill was never the same regardless because of the constant adding and changing - so I missed it (and would forget to check).
That makes sense that the pre-paid "lock" is not public and not located in easy to search spot in the phone. I'm just trying to puzzle out the system. Is it something that would be found in the BootLoader? Unlocking the Bootloader is the first step - so you'd think it might be there. Probably not - because Bootloader's job is to load the boot the operating system. Is the Bootloader and OS on the same chip but with partitions? Or do they have separate chips? I've been studying the innards of an android phone - the various chips and there functions - it looks like two possible chips; either the ROM IC which I believe contains the bootloader and I know contains the OS (or just the kernel?) or the Flash IC which should contain "Software" and IMEI Number of the mobile phone. The others are for functions such as sound, network, tx/rx, power, CPU, etc. So? Is there a separate module (chip/ROM) in the phone specifically for the SIM slot - that the OS accesses at some point in loading? I just have a burning curiosity on where it would be stored. Don't worry, I have no real developer skills and no time to "hack" out the issue I'm having anyway. I just learn better when I understand how all the puzzle pieces fit together - I'm puzzled by this aspect of pre-paids - it must be an entirely separate module (software or firmware) that has been added to the basic OS - but where?.....
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This post maybe helpful to you https://forum.xda-developers.com/chef-central/android/guide-android-rom-development-t2814763