[Unlocking Verizon Bootloader] Can I still do this??

[[email protected]]

Thank you!

Hey,

Don't worry, we have all been there at some point...

Verizon bootloader is not "encrypted". It just can't be unlocked as Google play version.

You can unlock anytime you want, regardless of tue OS version on a Google Nexus/Pixel phone.

Unlocking the bootloader erase/wipe all datas on the device. Just like when you received it "brand new". But when you'll had new datas, those will still be encrypted for security measures...

You're right, once unlocked you can Root your phone if you want. Just read a lot and see if you can really benefit from Root. There are as of today many alternatives to the old Root apps. :good:

You can run a custom ROM with or without Root.

If at some point you want, you can just got back to full stock, relock the bootloader and use it just like you never modified your phone.

If something bad happens, like a hardware issue, just flash stock, lock the bootloader and send your device back for repair/exchange.

Just be careful of being 100% stock if you want to relock the bootloader..! It doesn't void your warranty.

Using your device on Verizon network won't lock it at all. You can even flash Verizon specific builds and have it unlocked.

You can run apps looking for unlocked bootloader or Root like Pokemon go, Mario run and even use Android Pay. You'll have to hide those to your apps using some tricks :angel:

You can go back and forth from stock to custom ROM. A custom ROM usually add some features and remove what advanced users see as "bloatware".

Check the development forum and check by yourself. I advise you to read a lot before you start messing with.your phone. It's really fun to play with, but you can also damage it if you do it the wrong way.

Learn how to use adb and fastboot command line. Get used to the stock firmware flashing process, ROM install, mods, etc...

There is always someone to help in case you need by the way. But the more you search, read and find infos by yourself, the more you'll be confident modifying your device.

Let me know if I missed something...

Cheers...

Thank you haguenau! My 2 biggest concerns were if I could unlock it anytime and whether using Verizon would make a difference (and the Pokemon Go point is great to know :victory: ). I think I will use the phone just as it is for a while, learn as much as I can (by the way, thank you for pointing out where to start), and then try unlocking and the such when I feel that I'm ready :fingers-crossed: haha And good to know that I can reach out to XDA members if need be :highfive: . Thanks again and happy developing!

 

[droid4lif3]

I just want to say that if you bought an iPhone, you would never have these problem regardless of what carrier you bought the iPhone from. Apple won't let a company like Verizon bully them into locking anything on their devices so why does Google let Verizon, for the 2nd time, remove an important feature from their flagship phone? I understand the whole, buy it directly from Google, but why should it make a difference if you bought it from Google, Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, it should be the same phone. It's their flagship phone for goodness sakes! Google disappoints me again, first the Galaxy Nexus now the Google Pixel.

 

[milan187]

I just want to say that if you bought an iPhone, you would never have these problem regardless of what carrier you bought the iPhone from. Apple won't let a company like Verizon bully them into locking anything on their devices so why does Google let Verizon, for the 2nd time, remove an important feature from their flagship phone? I understand the whole, buy it directly from Google, but why should it make a difference if you bought it from Google, Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, it should be the same phone. It's their flagship phone for goodness sakes! Google disappoints me again, first the Galaxy Nexus now the Google Pixel.

Don't forget all iPhone bootloaders are actually locked, even if you buy direct.

 

[toknitup420]

I just want to say that if you bought an iPhone, you would never have these problem regardless of what carrier you bought the iPhone from. Apple won't let a company like Verizon bully them into locking anything on their devices so why does Google let Verizon, for the 2nd time, remove an important feature from their flagship phone? I understand the whole, buy it directly from Google, but why should it make a difference if you bought it from Google, Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, it should be the same phone. It's their flagship phone for goodness sakes! Google disappoints me again, first the Galaxy Nexus now the Google Pixel.

You're talking about two completely different things. Bootloader unlock and carrier unlock are not the same.

 

[droid4lif3]

Don't forget all iPhone bootloaders are actually locked, even if you buy direct.

Yes, but Apple made the decision to have the bootloader locked, not a carrier.

You're talking about two completely different things. Bootloader unlock and carrier unlock are not the same.

Thank you for clearing that up for anyone who is new and reading this, I already knew the difference, that is not what my statement was about though.

 

[mattwheat]

Thanks.. Although it sucks I have to give up my brand new for a refurbished device.

Did you simply ask Google to replace your VZW version with a Google version? I guess i dont understand how or why youre able to get an RMA from Google in exchange for your VZW version....... I dont mind at all having a refurbished Pixel XL as long as i can unlock the bootloader and root.

---------- Post added at 04:47 AM ---------- Previous post was at 04:39 AM ----------

Could be drivers not installed, maybe you don't have current SDK tools. Your might need to Google how to set up ADB and fastboot. It's not too hard but it's not exactly easy if you have never done it.
Edit. I believe that's the wrong command for pixel it's fastboot flashing unlock

---------- Post added at 05:23 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:19 PM ----------

You need fastboot flashing unlock I believe

Google------15 second adb install get it from the xda link that shows up in google run the .exe it will ask you several questions about how you want it installed one of which will ask if you want it installed system wide YES you do this will allow you to be able to "Shift" + "right click" on any window, desktop, file explorer, etc to pull up a window menu that will display the option "open command window here" then you simply type your "adb" or "fastboot" command and then drag and drop any file to flash. along with being able to just generally use adb and fastboot from anywhere at any time without having to navigate to the SDK tools folder everytime you wanna use it.

 

[Adam2311]

Google Pixel. 7.1.2

Okay so I have found myself in need to root my device. My problem is, Google pixel doesn't have a USB cord that fits my PC. Also OEM unlocking is greyed out, and I can't find any answers on how to fix this.

 

[lucky_strike33]

Okay so I have found myself in need to root my device. My problem is, Google pixel doesn't have a USB cord that fits my PC. Also OEM unlocking is greyed out, and I can't find any answers on how to fix this.

Is this a verizon phone? If so, you are out of luck since its on 7.1.2..

 

[Adam2311]

That's what I thought thank you

 

[jayba420]

Is it still true that Verizon 7.1.1 is also not able to be unlocked?

If yes? What do u think is best?

Hold out on 7.1.1 still and for as long as possible incase someone's figures out something or just up the phone to latest 7.1.2 or Oreo when possible because any bootloader unlock will happen on the latest?

Thoughts?

 

[TonikJDK]

Is it still true that Verizon 7.1.1 is also not able to be unlocked?

If yes? What do u think is best?

Hold out on 7.1.1 still and for as long as possible incase someone's figures out something or just up the phone to latest 7.1.2 or Oreo when possible because any bootloader unlock will happen on the latest?

Thoughts?

I don't think it matters. I don't believe there will be an unlock for the Verizon phones. There is no evidence that anyone is even working on it. The folks that did depixel8 said they are not.

 

[jayba420]

Thanks. That's terrible news. I would have thought that there are enough people in my situation that someone would take up a cause. I wish I knew enough about exploiting code to do it myself. Well, I guess if Im stuck to just wait, I might as well wait on the latest version

 

[stinger4321]

So my earpiece speaker is going out and i contacted google for a replacement.. What are the chances of receiving one that can be unlocked?

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

---------- Post added at 07:54 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:39 PM ----------

might have found the answer.. seems Google replacements are playstore version phone with bootloader unlocked
https://forum.xda-developers.com/pixel/how-to/verizon-pixel-warranty-how-t3550926


Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

 

[codechurn]

When I sent mine back a couple of months ago, I got a brand new Verizon replacement running 7.1.1. Perhaps your experience will be different. I wish you luck.

 

[AncientDeveloper]

I don't think it matters. I don't believe there will be an unlock for the Verizon phones. There is no evidence that anyone is even working on it. The folks that did depixel8 said they are not.

Thanks. That's terrible news. I would have thought that there are enough people in my situation that someone would take up a cause. I wish I knew enough about exploiting code to do it myself. Well, I guess if Im stuck to just wait, I might as well wait on the latest version

I'm attempting to explore other possibilities without exploiting the bootloader code, but I don't have a Verizon Pixel to test the theory.

Since the G-2PW2100s all seem to share identical hardwares, there should be no reason why a non-Verizon factory image can't be flashed onto a Verizon G-2PW2100. The factory images contain all the bootloader/radio partition images; so in theory, flashing a non-Verizon factory image should make the device non-Verizon.

Update: I was wrong. See attached code. According to aboot.c, the last byte on the eMMC controls whether the device is unlockable or not.

 

[AsuraDas]

I'm attempting to explore other possibilities without exploiting the bootloader code, but I don't have a Verizon Pixel to test the following theories: (Please note that these are just theories and have not been tested. They may brick the device if you attempt them.)

Since the G-2PW2100s all seem to share identical hardwares, there should be no reason why a non-Verizon factory image can't be flashed onto a Verizon G-2PW2100. The factory images contain all the bootloader/radio partition images; so in theory, flashing a non-Verizon factory image should make the device non-Verizon.

Possibility 1: Flash a non-Verizon factory image from https://developers.google.com/android/images#marlin via fastboot. This *should* work even though the bootloader is locked as the factory flash script doesn't require it to be unlocked. (But again, I don't have a Verizon Pixel to test this.)

Possibility 2: fastboot boot <twrp img here>, and then dd the individual partitions (aboot/sdi/rpm/hyp/pmic/cmnlib/modem/etc...) found in the factory image. (Again, I don't have a Verizon Pixel to test this.)

In theory, this should overwrite the existing bootloader, and therefore make it unlockable. But this is just a theory; if someone is brave enough to try the above, feel free to PM me; I can walk you through the steps. However, please note that this may brick your device.

Unless things have changed with the pixel I don't think you can flash anything with a locked bootloader

 

[AncientDeveloper]

Unless things have changed with the pixel I don't think you can flash anything with a locked bootloader

Thanks for point it out. You're right. I even said so in my thread. I'll correct the above.

 

[Caleb83]

I know someone just asked a month ago, but I have to ask again. Is it still true there's no way to root a verizon pixel on 7.1.1? I just got a warranty replacement and I'm just devastated by discovering the replacement came with 7.1.1 on it by default.

 

[toknitup420]

I know someone just asked a month ago, but I have to ask again. Is it still true there's no way to root a verizon pixel on 7.1.1? I just got a warranty replacement and I'm just devastated by discovering the replacement came with 7.1.1 on it by default.

The answer is still the same.

 

[Scottay5150]

I just got my Pixel XL and it's already updated to Android 7.1.1 so does this mean I cannot unlock the bootloader anymore? I read somewhere that once you have done the update you can no longer unlock the bootloader and it doesn't matter if I revert back to 7.1 or 7.0 once the updates done it's been patched.. I didn't read that here it was on another android website i was just browsing around and decided I'd come here and ask and see if I can get a definitive answer.

Hell no. Sorry.

Sent from the UnderWorld via Pixel XL. [emoji12]