How To Guide Converting Japanese Pixel 6 to Global version

[obenihk]

Or if you want to change versions but don't want root and want to go back to stock, where everything works and device is certified, then it needs to flash global Factory Image with erasing data, meaning, a full factory reset and empty phone.

Yes this was my plan. Basically:

1. Buy the 6a for cheap off a friend (Australian market)
2. Switch SKU using said changer
3. Flash to global image
4. Install Osaifu-Keitai and Suica app
5. Create new virtual Suica card in-app and transfer to Google Wallet/Pay
6. Start using the in-wallet Suica when I get to Japan
7. Change SKU back so 5G will work in Australia

Does this sound like it will work?

I will test if the in-wallet recharge works before I leave for Japan so I know beforehand whether I should settle for physical Suica or not.

 

[peixotorms]

Yes this was my plan. Basically:

1. Buy the 6a for cheap off a friend (Australian market)
2. Switch SKU using said changer
3. Flash to global image
4. Install Osaifu-Keitai and Suica app
5. Create new virtual Suica card in-app and transfer to Google Wallet/Pay
6. Start using the in-wallet Suica when I get to Japan
7. Change SKU back so 5G will work in Australia

Does this sound like it will work?

I will test if the in-wallet recharge works before I leave for Japan so I know beforehand whether I should settle for physical Suica or not.

That will not work. You can convert the AU model version to JP, but it lacks the felica NFC chip, so you cannot pay with it in Japan. This thread is for Converting Japanese Pixel 6 to Global version.

The reason why people wanted to convert is because of 5G in different markets, and also the Japanese version has a camera shutter sound that cannot be disabled without root. By switching, it removes the shutter sound, unless you use a Japanese SIM.

So if you can buy the Japan version somewhere in AU it's going to work, but if you buy the global or AU version, it will not work in Japan and it will not even let use osaifu keitai because the hardware is not there.

You can see that the Japan model has additional Felica hardware. It's not a normal NFC and international phones don't work in Japan for NFC payments using Felica.

Pixel phone hardware tech specs - Pixel phone Help

Take a look at the tech specs for Pixel phones. If you're interested in buying a Pixel phone, visit the Google Store.

support.google.com

You can pay with your google pay in some places, some convenient stores, but it doesn't always work even they have the gpay logo. Even they accept VISA or MasterCard... sometimes, it's only japanese version that it accepts.
Train stations don't normally accept foreigners google pay, unless in some of the main train stations in Tokyo, and depending on the lines and companies.

Also very importantly, in Japan cash is King and you definitely need cash to pay a lot of things, so always carry some.
You can use your card in most convenience stores.

So for Japan, you should really get a Suica when you land and top up with cash in the machine.
You can also topup the suica card on the ATM on 7-eleven... but it's stupid, so you need to withdraw the money first and then put the money in to topup... japanese way.

 

[obenihk]

That will not work. You can convert the AU model version to JP, but it lacks the felica NFC chip, so you cannot pay with it in Japan.

Ok previous comments in this thread (example below) had led me to believe that since Pixel 5 all the variants of each version shared the same underlying hardware.

Converting Japanese Pixel 6 to Global version

I live in a country with no Pixel availability and end up purchasing one in Japan. Limitations(mostly forced shutter and screenshot sound) on Japan phones can be pretty annoying, so I researched a bit on how to remove those. Search leads me to...

forum.xda-developers.com

I also read something similar on another site.

Mobile FeliCa evolution: FeliCa without the FeliCa chip

Mobile FeliCa is a Java Card applet on a secure element (SE). If the right applet is present with the right keys, and the CLF (contactless front-end) is configured to route Type F frames to the SE,…

atadistance.net

Basically Osaifu-Keitai does a verification check against the Model Id store in deviceinfo.

You can pay with your google pay in some places, some convenient stores, but it doesn't always work even they have the gpay logo. Even they accept VISA or MasterCard... sometimes, it's only japanese version that it accepts.
Train stations don't normally accept foreigners google pay, unless in some of the main train stations in Tokyo, and depending on the lines and companies.

Yeah your personal insights make me believe my efforts to avoid holding a lot of cash might not go very far.

 

[obenihk]

Ok previous comments in this thread (example below) had led me to believe that since Pixel 5 all the variants of each version shared the same underlying hardware.

Also this . . .

Converting Japanese Pixel 6 to Global version

I live in a country with no Pixel availability and end up purchasing one in Japan. Limitations(mostly forced shutter and screenshot sound) on Japan phones can be pretty annoying, so I researched a bit on how to remove those. Search leads me to...

forum.xda-developers.com

 

[peixotorms]

Also this . . .

Converting Japanese Pixel 6 to Global version

I live in a country with no Pixel availability and end up purchasing one in Japan. Limitations(mostly forced shutter and screenshot sound) on Japan phones can be pretty annoying, so I researched a bit on how to remove those. Search leads me to...

forum.xda-developers.com

you can sideload the apk, there is no problem. If your card works, it even let's you topup the suica card.
But it won't let you pay without the Felica NFC.
You can see on google hardware page, that only the japan version has it.

Probably paying some percentage to cash the money out and topup your suica, is still going to be cheaper than to buy a phone... but depends. For me and my wife, we spend around 10,000 to 30,000 jpy daily, just with transportation, food, convenience stores, small souvenirs, museums, etc.
In Tokyo it's easier to use cards, but if you go to Hakone or further down to Kyoto, then a lot of places will ask for cash.
Temples for example, it's all cash only. Some supermarkets are also cash only. Vending machines some accept Suica, and even Visa... but a lot of them are also cash only.

 

[obenihk]

you can sideload the apk, there is no problem. If your card works, it even let's you topup the suica card.
But it won't let you pay without the Felica NFC.

Yeah my point was that Felica NFC is no longer a soldered-on chip. It is all software-based now - and has been for many years. But Osaifu-Keitai reads the Model Id/SKU first to check that it's set to the Japanese one. Hence by changing to Japanese SKU, you open up the phone to full integration between Felica NFC and Osaifu-Keitai - which is what the poster in my link above did.

EDIT: I qualify that by saying they flashed a different image rather than simply changing the SKU. But still, it was the same underlying hardware that they got working with Suica.

 

[kevin3688]

I use another phone to read the sku-changed P7P's NFC info.

 

[otsuka39]

Here is below a script to convert the device to another version.
About versions of Google Pixel 6, Product ID oriole :
Model IDs:
G9S9B - Verizon and AT&T US carriers
GB7N6 - US Unlocked, US Google Fi, US TMO, Canada, Taiwan, Australia, Europe countries and carriers
GR1YH - Japan and carriers

Script for changing Model ID
for devices: Google Pixel 5, 6/pro, 6a, 7/pro​

Prerequisites

• TWRP or Magisk 20.4+

Downloads

• Magisk module: MID_Changer_v2.10-MAGISK-TWRP.zip

Change log
-v2.10 : Pixel 7 added
- v2.09 : Pixel 7pro added
- v2.08 : Pixel 6a added

Example running image:

View attachment 5774067View attachment 5774069

• To apple changing, flash global Factory Image with erasing data. You can use Android Flash Tool with locked bootloader option.

Hi @ziand, could you add support for Pixel 7a? Thanks a lot.

 

[ziand]

Hi @ziand, could you add support for Pixel 7a? Thanks a lot.

Hi, unfortunately there isn't any possibilities.. I don't have anything for it and 7a device too.

 

[Nayem-Mahfuz]

I live in a country with no Pixel availability and end up purchasing one in Japan.

Limitations(mostly forced shutter and screenshot sound) on Japan phones can be pretty annoying, so I researched a bit on how to remove those.

Search leads me to this reply by @ziand for same trick but on Pixel 5. Turns out Pixel 6 is different but similar. So I'll summarize what I've done here.
At the same time @ziand may also work on a magisk module or something when possible, doing the same thing but in a much safer way. Once his work is done please switch to his method.

Disclaimer

Spoiler: steps

1. Root your phone

2.

3. Quit adb shell, then

Keep this file as backup

4. Use a hex editor, open the "devinfo.img" pulled in step 3, find "GR1YH", it should be in 0x000000F7, edit it to "GB7N6", save as "devinfo_modified.img"

5.

6. Reboot and enjoy
This should be permanent, you can also revert root if you want.

So here's the thing, I tried this and I can turn of shutter sound. But the problem is in regulatory label it's still GR1YH not GB7N6.

 

[rabbit860321]

Is it possible for midchanger to support pixel 4a(4G)?
i want change to g025m use FeliCa
--update--
i read this post

[GUIDE] How to change SKUID to Worldwide or China (Root required)

FIH made Android Phones with Android 8.0 out of factory installed can't switch SKUID by OST LA without service permission. Changing SKUID will allow you pass SafetyNet, especially for the Nokia 7 plus converted from TA-1062 China Variant...

forum.xda-developers.com

try to edit cdt.img then i did it!
now, my 4a skuid is g025m
i can use felica COOL!

 

[whoami_00]

I live in a country with no Pixel availability and end up purchasing one in Japan.

Limitations(mostly forced shutter and screenshot sound) on Japan phones can be pretty annoying, so I researched a bit on how to remove those.

Search leads me to this reply by @ziand for same trick but on Pixel 5. Turns out Pixel 6 is different but similar. So I'll summarize what I've done here.
At the same time @ziand may also work on a magisk module or something when possible, doing the same thing but in a much safer way. Once his work is done please switch to his method.

Disclaimer

Spoiler: steps

1. Root your phone

2.

3. Quit adb shell, then

Keep this file as backup

4. Use a hex editor, open the "devinfo.img" pulled in step 3, find "GR1YH", it should be in 0x000000F7, edit it to "GB7N6", save as "devinfo_modified.img"

5.

6. Reboot and enjoy
This should be permanent, you can also revert root if you want.

is it possible to use esim after changing the region?

 

[TonyLizj]

is it possible to use esim after changing the region?

I have no problems with esim

 

[whoami_00]

I have no problems with esim

So the difference between the Japanese and global versions is just the sound on the camera???

 

[TonyLizj]

Also felica nfc and supported bands, and probably more that I don't know about

 

[whoami_00]

Also felica nfc and supported bands, and probably more that I don't know about

alright then I'll take the Japan version

 

[i.Am.Me]

I've just successfully switched Pixel 7a from Japan to International using HarryShan's superb instructions ( the only difference was the 7a-specific SKU codes).

Could anyone confirm, if I now unroot and relock the device, would the SKU change be kept?
Likewise, if I do not unroot and relock the device, am I risking losing certain features like Google Pay?

Thank you!

 

[ho0o0o11111]

Also felica nfc and supported bands, and probably more that I don't know about

Hi, prehaps this is a little bit out of topic. Sorry about this. Could you pls take a look to your magisk module which enable/disable shutter sound of Camera? Last month I went to Japan and it seemed not work. When I came back to my home country, the option appears again.
Thanks a lot.

 

[mickkael]

I've just successfully switched Pixel 7a from Japan to International using HarryShan's superb instructions ( the only difference was the 7a-specific SKU codes).

Could anyone confirm, if I now unroot and relock the device, would the SKU change be kept?
Likewise, if I do not unroot and relock the device, am I risking losing certain features like Google Pay?

Thank you!

Could you share the 7a specific SKU codes ?
Have you been able to unroot and relock without any feature loss ?
Thanks

 

[TonyLizj]

Hi, prehaps this is a little bit out of topic. Sorry about this. Could you pls take a look to your magisk module which enable/disable shutter sound of Camera? Last month I went to Japan and it seemed not work. When I came back to my home country, the option appears again.
Thanks a lot.

Could you give some more information? It's still working for me but I'm not in Japan. Did you have a Japanese sim card and it stopped working afterwards or some other cause?