Maybe a stupid question about Verizon Pixel 2's and rooting

[D3RP_]

Would it be possible to modify the .bin in an OTA sideload for a root? Am I missing a key point in how this works? Or is it just, no one's done it yet?

Edit: I guess it just took a passion and a situation. See thread for unlock.


Edit Part 2: Electric Boogaloo: Just a quick recap of what's happened here. From the bootloader screen on my Pixel 2 (Walleye) I ran the

 Fastboot flashing lock_critical

command, which then gave me a menu asking if I really want to lock it, or unlock it, I clicked unlock, and here we are. So far, only @zinchalk has confirmed this working. I would love for more people to try this out on their Verizon Pixel 2's and come back with the results. This was either the weirdest fluke of all time, or the best mistake Verizon has ever made. Either way, I hope it works for you

Edit 3: Well there's the January Patch This looks like it 'fixes' the bypass.
Correction: Nevermind, nothing is confirmed yet. And the people have decided there is no way this could be patched that quickly.

Edit 4: I'm seeing way too many people posting about bricked phones. Please don't do this UNLESS YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING. I cannot live knowing that someone ruined their phone with this method. Please be safe.
@SoloTSi97 has confirmed this does work on the January 5th security patch!

Edit 5: There it is, we have people confirming the Verizon OTA being pushed this late January is patching the fastboot unlock method. Keep this in mind down the road guys.

 

[Diesel_Jeremiah]

Would it be possible to modify the .bin in an OTA sideload for a root? Am I missing a key point in how this works? Or is it just, no one's done it yet?

Have you found a way to unlock the bootloader on a Verizon phone?

Or are you thinking modify the .bin would achieve unlocking the bootloader?

As far as I've read, no one has bothered since you can purchase direct from Google and OEM unlock the bootloader. Then root through Magisk is simple.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

 

[D3RP_]

Have you found a way to unlock the bootloader on a Verizon phone?

Or are you thinking modify the .bin would achieve unlocking the bootloader?

As far as I've read, no one has bothered since you can purchase direct from Google and OEM unlock the bootloader. Then root through Magisk is simple.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

lmao not that I know of. But I know it's possible to update any android through adb sideload. I'm really just grasping for straws. But because of my current situation I have a Pixel 2 from Verizon, and i'm gonna have it for a while.

 

[tailsthecat3]

I've been out of the android game for a long time; just switched back from iPhone 7, to a Pixel 2 used with Verizon. Am I correct in assuming that the device is unable to be unlocked, etc.?

 

[D3RP_]

I've been out of the android game for a long time; just switched back from iPhone 7, to a Pixel 2 used with Verizon. Am I correct in assuming that the device is unable to be unlocked, etc.?

Unless you know some magic way, it is locked. I don't even know where to start with this thing.

 

[Diesel_Jeremiah]

Sell the Verizon one to someone who doesn't care for root and buy one from Google?

I used Sunshine Root for my HTC m8 years ago. They might be an option in the future. Yet again, since the Google version is easily unlocked & rooted, I don't think anyone has even tried.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

 

[tailsthecat3]

Thanks. Glad I didn't try using the method I saw on YouTube, etc.

 

[D3RP_]

Thanks. Glad I didn't try using the method I saw on YouTube, etc.

Just a small update. From the fastboot menu, I did

Fastboot flashing lock_critical

Which gave me the option to ''unlock bootloader'. It can't be this easy, but uhhh. I'll keep this thread updated...

 

[tailsthecat3]

Surely it can't be that easy. I'd say start a thread if this hasn't been noted.

---------- Post added at 18:55 ---------- Previous post was at 18:54 ----------

Just a small update. From the fastboot menu, I did

Fastboot flashing lock_critical

Which gave me the option to ''unlock bootloader'. It can't be this easy, but uhhh. I'll keep this thread updated...

^^

 

[D3RP_]

Surely it can't be that easy. I'd say start a thread if this hasn't been noted.

---------- Post added at 18:55 ---------- Previous post was at 18:54 ----------



^^

OEM unlocking says Bootloader is unlocked. So uh, it was that easy... Gonna root and install TWRP in a second.

 

[D3RP_]

Final Update

So that worked. Currently rooted with TWRP on my Verizon Pixel 2. Spread the word, or don't.

 

[lps1014]

So that worked. Currently rooted with TWRP on my Verizon Pixel 2. Spread the word, or don't.

Can you give some screenshot proof on this?

 

[xtacocorex]

Interesting. I've been watching to see if someone gets the bootloader unlocked for the Verizon Pixel 2. In looking at the manpage for the fastboot commands, all you've really done is tell the system to lock the critical partitions (bootloader) during flashing. Pretty cool that it brought up the unlock menu.

What happens if you run `fastboot flashing get_unlock_ability`?

 

[D3RP_]

Can you give some screenshot proof on this?

Does that prove anything?

 

[aligatro2010]

Does that prove anything?

This doesn't prove anything. Show us the bootloader screen with your phone's info. There will be a baseband number and the status of the bootloader. Cover your serial number.

[Edit]

You do have a custom kernel flashed though.. so I guess.

 

[D3RP_]

Interesting. I've been watching to see if someone gets the bootloader unlocked for the Verizon Pixel 2. In looking at the manpage for the fastboot commands, all you've really done is tell the system to lock the critical partitions (bootloader) during flashing. Pretty cool that it brought up the unlock menu.

What happens if you run `fastboot flashing get_unlock_ability`?

Sorry for the late reply. When I do that, I get

(bootloader) get_unlock_ability: 0

 

[EstiR86]

I made a thread about this in the original Pixel XL section. In the OP I quickly jolted down what you did, can you go and explain in detail as it might also work with the OG Pixel's.

Thanks in advance :
https://forum.xda-developers.com/pixel-xl/how-to/verizon-pixel-bootloader-unlocked-t3726672

 

[TonikJDK]

How did the OP pass the cert check and update checks?

 

[znel52]

How did the OP pass the cert check and update checks?

edit

 

[zinchalk]

Can you give some screenshot proof on this?

I just ran the command like OP said and the "unlock bootloader prompt" appeared. I ran this from a stock verizon on 8.0. I now flashed twrp, magisk and have the current google 8.1 ota. I will give proof if you tell me what will suffice.