Question Rooted Pixel 6 on Verizon

[aurny]

My Pixel 6 hasn't arrived yet but hopefully soon. I'm getting the unlocked version and I'm a Verizon customer. My plan is to root the phone and stay on the Google builds. I don't plan to install the Verizon build. I don't want anything from Verizon except the SIM card (which I already have and plan to transfer from my previous phone).

I've heard some reports of this not working though, of intermittent or no connectivity from Verizon. Some people on other forums report that they need to go to a store for a SIM swap, or switch to eSIM, but even that only works for a while and then it drops again.

Does anyone here have more info? Is this expected to work or does Verizon have a way to force you to use their builds?

 

[Tulsadiver]

My Pixel 6 hasn't arrived yet but hopefully soon. I'm getting the unlocked version and I'm a Verizon customer. My plan is to root the phone and stay on the Google builds. I don't plan to install the Verizon build. I don't want anything from Verizon except the SIM card (which I already have and plan to transfer from my previous phone).

I've heard some reports of this not working though, of intermittent or no connectivity from Verizon. Some people on other forums report that they need to go to a store for a SIM swap, or switch to eSIM, but even that only works for a while and then it drops again.

Does anyone here have more info? Is this expected to work or does Verizon have a way to force you to use their builds?

I have the Google store version of the pro 6, on Verizon, and using Google build. I have on all of my Pixel phones.

 

[TonikJDK]

Does anyone here have more info? Is this expected to work or does Verizon have a way to force you to use their builds?

First, they are not built by Verizon they are built by Google with different modem/network items for Verizon. That is the only difference, no extra apps or anything like that. As soon as you put a VZ SIM in it you will pull the My Verizon app no matter what firmware you are using. You can uninstall it. The updates all come from Google, not the carrier.

Go to the Google factory image download page and look at the Pixel 5 downloads. You will see in March of 2021 there was only one image for everything and it was that way for months. Then this fall they split apart. This is very common, Google splits them for awhile then merges them.

The VZ version will not lock your phone, add any bloatware or anything like that. But might give you a better signal.

What you want to do will work but isn't needed and probably not the best way to do it.

 

[aurny]

The VZ version will not lock your phone, add any bloatware or anything like that.

Thanks... one concern is that I'm coming from a Samsung and on this phone, Verizon forces OTAs. You can delay when the update happens but only briefly. This is a VZW phone, not unlocked, but I figured the VZW firmware is pushing the updates.

Updating requires re-rooting so I'd prefer to do it on my schedule, not Verizon's. Do you know if this is going to be an issue with the Pixel?

 

[bobby janow]

First, they are not built by Verizon they are built by Google with different modem/network items for Verizon. That is the only difference, no extra apps or anything like that. As soon as you put a VZ SIM in it you will pull the My Verizon app no matter what firmware you are using. You can uninstall it. The updates all come from Google, not the carrier.

Go to the Google factory image download page and look at the Pixel 5 downloads. You will see in March of 2021 there was only one image for everything and it was that way for months. Then this fall they split apart. This is very common, Google splits them for awhile then merges them.

The VZ version will not lock your phone, add any bloatware or anything like that. But might give you a better signal.

What you want to do will work but isn't needed and probably not the best way to do it.

One further thing Verizon puts on. Under "all apps" - show system - scroll down for the "my verizon services" app. You can't delete it you can only stop and disable it. It does get reenabled on some schedule, perhaps on the monthly updates, so every once in a while you need to redo the disable thing. What it does it allows Verizon to get into your phone and see all the apps you have installed and when you installed them. Also how long your system has been running, whether or not you factory reset etc. Very intrusive, imo, so I always disable it first thing and check it regularly.

 

[TonikJDK]

Updating requires re-rooting so I'd prefer to do it on my schedule, not Verizon's. Do you know if this is going to be an issue with the

Once you are rooted updates will fail to install, so there won't be any surprises.

 

[aurny]

Once you are rooted updates will fail to install, so there won't be any surprises.

Hmm, are you sure about this? That would be fine, but in the root thread it says in big bold letters:

AUTOMATIC OTA WILL LOSE ROOT AND REQUIRE A WIPE TO ROOT AGAIN.

 

[loony_tuna]

Hey folks, if anyone has access to system directory of Android 12, could you upload Google Sans fonts here?

 

[TotallyAnxious]

My Pixel 6 hasn't arrived yet but hopefully soon. I'm getting the unlocked version and I'm a Verizon customer. My plan is to root the phone and stay on the Google builds. I don't plan to install the Verizon build. I don't want anything from Verizon except the SIM card (which I already have and plan to transfer from my previous phone).

I've heard some reports of this not working though, of intermittent or no connectivity from Verizon. Some people on other forums report that they need to go to a store for a SIM swap, or switch to eSIM, but even that only works for a while and then it drops again.

Does anyone here have more info? Is this expected to work or does Verizon have a way to force you to use their builds?

https://www.reddit.com/r/GooglePixel/comments/qglwf3
These instructions worked perfectly to get esim working.

I'm using the Verizon firmware on the unlocked model. Wifi calling works and all.

I didn't get the QR code but the Reddit thread has a link for one on step 7. And my account was already CDMAless because of using a 1+ 7 Pro prior.

It took about 5-10 minutes after doing everything before I could make calls and send texts.

Idk if wifi calling works on unlocked firmware but it's enabled by a Verizon specific system app, com.verizon.mips.services

Edit. Idk why the link has a screenshot preview.

 

[Sunsparc]

Mine didn't require any special provisioning. Running Google version of firmware. Unlocked bootloader, rooted, then inserted SIM from previous 2 XL.

 

[aurny]

Awesome, @TotallyAnxious and @Sunsparc, thank you both.

 

[Burt Squirtz]

My Pixel 6 hasn't arrived yet but hopefully soon. I'm getting the unlocked version and I'm a Verizon customer. My plan is to root the phone and stay on the Google builds. I don't plan to install the Verizon build. I don't want anything from Verizon except the SIM card (which I already have and plan to transfer from my previous phone).

I've heard some reports of this not working though, of intermittent or no connectivity from Verizon. Some people on other forums report that they need to go to a store for a SIM swap, or switch to eSIM, but even that only works for a while and then it drops again.

Does anyone here have more info? Is this expected to work or does Verizon have a way to force you to use their builds?

Well I'm not quite an identical situation but I'm using visible. And from what I've seen from Sears, we encounter the exact same problems as it's the same parent company. It worked instantly out of the box as soon as I pop my SIM card in on my unlocked Pixel (Global) 6 Pro. No issues at all.

However, as you're probably well aware, test builds with other games don't work. Oxygen OS 12 beta 1/2 for example, would not work with visible or Verizon Even when I put in the correct commonly unknown APN settings (There's actually four of them).

 

[trai_th]

how did you root it?

Mine didn't require any special provisioning. Running Google version of firmware. Unlocked bootloader, rooted, then inserted SIM from previous 2 XL.

 

[TotallyAnxious]

how did you root it?

https://xdaforums.com/t/firmware-is-out-get-your-root-on.4353565/

 

[trai_th]

how did you root it?

i used boot.img extract from Pixel image file and patched it on my poco x3. I don't know why i can't do it on P6 but i got te pached file then copy it to P6. then followed up the link i provided above until i got to the flashing vbmeta, using a command from that link. After i got it then i fastboot boot magisk_patched then boot into my phone. After then go to Magisk Manager, at first i have no "Direct install" so i tried to flash it in fastboot mode again. then i hot it. once i turn on the phone, the direct install was thete then i used that method to permanently rooted. hope it helps.

 

[Superguy]

Mine didn't require any special provisioning. Running Google version of firmware. Unlocked bootloader, rooted, then inserted SIM from previous 2 XL.

Did you get the Verizon or unlocked version? If Verizon, how did you unlock the bootloader?

 

[aurny]

Did you get the Verizon or unlocked version? If Verizon, how did you unlock the bootloader?

I don't think you can unlock the bl on the Verizon hardware. But you CAN buy an unlocked phone and put the Verizon firmware on it.

 

[Sunsparc]

Did you get the Verizon or unlocked version? If Verizon, how did you unlock the bootloader?

Unlocked. I always buy unlocked.

 

[Att.Fan1982]

I just recently paid of my Verizon Pixel 4 XL and called Verizon to see if they could unlock the bootloader. After about an hour and speaking with Tier 2 tech support, I was informed that the bootloader is locked forever and was recommended to buy directly from Google if you need to unlock the bootloader.

 

[bobby janow]

I just recently paid of my Verizon Pixel 4 XL and called Verizon to see if they could unlock the bootloader. After about an hour and speaking with Tier 2 tech support, I was informed that the bootloader is locked forever and was recommended to buy directly from Google if you need to unlock the bootloader.

You could have come here and been told the same thing in under a minute and saved yourself the time and effort. It's common knowledge since Pixel 3. Hopefully your information will help someone else out.