Verizon carrier lock

[recDNA]

Missing bands may mean poor or no lte in tmobile? Maybe no tmobile wifi calling?

 

[hollowlog]

if it were any other phone, I'd say those bands might be missing. I don't think that will be the case with the Pixel. Keep in mind, Google touted the fact that you could buy this phone at Best Buy without ever mentioning Verizon. Now we are hearing that Best Buy is selling the Verizon version. I could be totally wrong, but I don't think Google would mislead people into thinking that the phones would work on every carrier. Also, what would be the point of selling the phone at Best Buy if it shunned other carriers?

 

[i SoMy]

So if I paid cash for the Verizon version I should be able to call them and have them lift the carrier lock. If I do that will the radio work on T-Mobile? I have an opportunity for such a good deal on the Verizon version its going to cost almost nothing. Also if this all works would WiFi calling work on T-Mobile?

wow

 

[johnciaccio]

I think it is safe to assume when we say that a phone comes bootloader unlocked it means can be unlocked as every phone including the Nexus One that I have it was not unlocked by default but that you had to go through a process to unlock it.

 

[adamd1169]

I think it is safe to assume when we say that a phone comes bootloader unlocked it means can be unlocked as every phone including the Nexus One that I have it was not unlocked by default but that you had to go through a process to unlock it.

The problem is people are assuming that Verizon reps mean that. They might just mean that the bootloader is locked just like it always is. Until we actually get the phone we won't know if it can be unlocked or not.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using XDA-Developers mobile app

 

[johnciaccio]

Did not think of it in that sense. I was thinking of users here not the PR and company personnel that have no technical knowledge. Especially since most of them are used to Apples extremely closed devices.

 

[neyenlives]

Exactly guys... that's what I think. We have basically been over thinking it. Asking Verizon about bootloaders is madness.

Sent from my SM-N930V using Tapatalk

 

[htc_hao]

Verizon is unlocker

 

[bwheelies]

The VZW Nexus 6 came locked. Once you had it you could go in and unlock it. It's been this way with every Nexus on VZW. So far that's the trend.

Sent from my SM-N930V using Tapatalk

My Nexus 6 direct from Motorola was locked as well.

It was unlockable as were the Verizon branded version.

The Pixel has all carrier bands covered so any US Sim will be covered.

Sent from my XT1650 using XDA-Developers mobile app

 

[clockcycle]

As I understand it Verizon is required by law to sell thier LTE phones carrier unlocked (not bootloader). This has been true for every VZW phone Ive bought since. That said, I highly doubt any other version besides tmobile having their wifi calling capabilities.

---------- Post added at 09:59 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:51 AM ----------

So if I paid cash for the Verizon version I should be able to call them and have them lift the carrier lock. If I do that will the radio work on T-Mobile? I have an opportunity for such a good deal on the Verizon version its going to cost almost nothing. Also if this all works would WiFi calling work on T-Mobile?

Doubt it will have tmobile wifi calling software or capabilities, options in setting to enable it. It should be carrier unlocked but not bootloader unlockable. Worse thing about using unlocked vzw phones on other carriers is that it always tries to find and it looking for cdma signal, killing your battery alot quicker. Unless you disable it, which may or may not require you to be able to root. With which might be difficult to do with locked bootloader.

Personally I end up selling the vzw phones and buying an unlocked or tmo version and unlocking it.

Ymmv GL

 

[Reddog58]

As I understand it Verizon is required by law to sell thier LTE phones carrier unlocked (not bootloader). This has been true for every VZW phone Ive bought since. That said, I highly doubt any other version besides tmobile having their wifi calling capabilities.

---------- Post added at 09:59 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:51 AM ----------



Doubt it will have tmobile wifi calling software or capabilities, options in setting to enable it. It should be carrier unlocked but not bootloader unlockable. Worse thing about using unlocked vzw phones on other carriers is that it always tries to find and it looking for cdma signal, killing your battery alot quicker. Unless you disable it, which may or may not require you to be able to root. With which might be difficult to do with locked bootloader.

Personally I end up selling the vzw phones and buying an unlocked or tmo version and unlocking it.

Ymmv GL

If what your are saying is true then that just burst my bubble. I can stand to be without WiFi calling but I can't have it searching for a cdma signal not supported by the T-Mobile sim. You would think that if it has a T-Mobil sim it wouldn't even know to be searching for a cdma signal. That's definitely a new take on this question.

 

[johnciaccio]

I disagree about wifi calling and other advanced features on T-mobile. Google has always had a good relation with t-mobile and they are a partner of theirs for project fi. I am betting they have the advanced features for T-mobile. However no one will know untill the phones are in the hands of T-mobile customers.

 

[nory82688]

I just preordered a Google Pixel XL through Best Buy, and I'm absolutely worried now after reading this thread that this phone isn't going to work perfectly with my T-Mobile sim. I wanted to preorder through Google, but the XL's were sold out days back.

Guess I'll find out next week lol...?


Sent from my Pixel using XDA-Developers mobile app

 

[arcanexvi]

Why is this even still a question. Ever since VZW's Block C purchase every LTE device on their network is legally required to be unlocked. They literally can't lock it. If any proof is necessary, it's right on their device unlock page which if you go through and read them all, they could just basically say "we don't lock our LTE devices" but since this comes up over and over they've detailed it in every imaginable scenario...

It basically goes like this:

Is the device you're purchasing from VZW LTE enabled?
- If yes - device is unlocked out of the box
- If no - device is likely locked

http://www.verizon.com/about/consumer-safety/device-unlocking-policy

On the software side, the software out of the box should be identical. The way that google devices load on the "bloat" is by SIM detection. If it detects a VZW SIM it's going to download My Verizon, etc automatically during setup. If they follow what they did for the Nexus 6, you may end up on a slightly different upgrade path.

Worst case, if the device ships with different firmware on board (which I highly doubt at the start since the device doesn't even carry a VZW badge thank god) you can always go download the non-vzw firmware from google and manually flash it and be on the normal upgrade path.

Capiche?

---------- Post added at 05:19 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:13 PM ----------

I just preordered a Google Pixel XL through Best Buy, and I'm absolutely worried now after reading this thread that this phone isn't going to work perfectly with my T-Mobile sim. I wanted to preorder through Google, but the XL's were sold out days back.

Guess I'll find out next week lol...


Sent from my Pixel using XDA-Developers mobile app

Shouldn't be a problem. I bought mine from BBY intending to use it on TMO as well. I've done this before with the Nexus 6 and expect that this will be an identical experience.

---------- Post added at 05:20 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:19 PM ----------

If what your are saying is true then that just burst my bubble. I can stand to be without WiFi calling but I can't have it searching for a cdma signal not supported by the T-Mobile sim. You would think that if it has a T-Mobil sim it wouldn't even know to be searching for a cdma signal. That's definitely a new take on this question.

No offense to the other guy, but that's not how SIM provisioning works. If you have a TMO/ATT SIM installed in the device, it will not be provisioned or seeking a CDMA signal unless you've lost all of your normal carrier reception and it's kicking into E911 mode which is normal.

 

[N3V3RS3TTL3]

Verizon Pixels:

All updates the same time as Google

Carrier unlocked

Only 3 Verizon apps (which can be uninstalled)

24 month financing available

Device trade in up to $300

Preorders before 10/19 receive free Daydream VR

https://www.google.com/amp/www.tech...updates-will-be-carrier-unlocked-versions.htm

 

[clockcycle]

If what your are saying is true then that just burst my bubble. I can stand to be without WiFi calling but I can't have it searching for a cdma signal not supported by the T-Mobile sim. You would think that if it has a T-Mobil sim it wouldn't even know to be searching for a cdma signal. That's definitely a new take on this question.

You might be able to set it to use gsm/lte, but I think every time you reboot your phone it resets. Not sure since I dont have my older vzw phones anymore. But it's what I had to do and deal with using vzw on tmo.

Again YMMV

 

[nory82688]

Verizon Pixels:

All updates the same time as Google

Carrier unlocked

Only 3 Verizon apps (which can be uninstalled)

24 month financing available

Device trade in up to $300

Preorders before 10/19 receive free Daydream VR

https://www.google.com/amp/www.tech...updates-will-be-carrier-unlocked-versions.htm

What if you preorder it through BestBuy, but it's the Verizon version? Do we get a free Daydream VR still? Wouldn't mind a free one lol.

 

[clockcycle]

On the software side, the software out of the box should be identical. The way that google devices load on the "bloat" is by SIM detection. If it detects a VZW SIM it's going to download My Verizon, etc automatically during setup. If they follow what they did for the Nexus 6, you may end up on a slightly different upgrade path.

Worst case, if the device ships with different firmware on board (which I highly doubt at the start since the device doesn't even carry a VZW badge thank god) you can always go download the non-vzw firmware from google and manually flash it and be on the normal upgrade path.

Capiche?

To clarify your comment about just "manually flashing" non-vzw firmware, would require bootloader to be unlocked.

No offense to the other guy, but that's not how SIM provisioning works. If you have a TMO/ATT SIM installed in the device, it will not be provisioned or seeking a CDMA signal unless you've lost all of your normal carrier reception and it's kicking into E911 mode which is normal.

All the vzw phones *I've* owned and used throughout the years, have always searched for CDMA first with an AT&T or TMO sim installed. Most I could go into settings and force GSM/WCDMA/LTE, but some older droids would revert randomly and all would revert if I rebooted the phone. Which was easy enough to go into settings and change it again, if I remembered.

It has nothing to do with individual carrier provisioning, but a setting. Hopefully Pixel will have this option available in its settings.

Again this is my own personal experiences, YMMV.

NOTE: Carrier Locked, unlocked or unlockable are totally different then Bootloader locked, unlocked and or unlockable. Some of you guys seem to be confusing these two terms.

 

[arcanexvi]

To clarify your comment about just "manually flashing" non-vzw firmware, would require bootloader to be unlocked.



All the vzw phones *I've* owned and used throughout the years, have always searched for CDMA first with an AT&T or TMO sim installed. Most I could go into settings and force GSM/WCDMA/LTE, but some older droids would revert randomly and all would revert if I rebooted the phone. Which was easy enough to go into settings and change it again, if I remembered.

It has nothing to do with individual carrier provisioning, but a setting. Hopefully Pixel will have this option available in its settings.

Again this is my own personal experiences, YMMV.

NOTE: Carrier Locked, unlocked or unlockable are totally different then Bootloader locked, unlocked and or unlockable. Some of you guys seem to be confusing these two terms.

The CDMA first search is a ROM/Radio issue. Which if it were to prove troublesome, you just flash the non-vzw image. Verizon specific models need CDMA active for voice calls and their software is programmed as such for their devices. As the pixel only had 1 model (and hopefully only 1 set of software) this shouldn't be an issue. If it is... See below.

While there is strong speculation that the VZW bootloader won't be unlocked/unlockable, this doesn't mean you can't flash factory images. It just means you can't flash unsigned custom images.

If for some dumbass reason the VZW model won't accept a stock ROM flash, it's getting returned. But the only way this happens is if it carries a different model number which I doubt. North America only has one variant as far as I'm aware.

And yes I'm fully aware of the difference between SIM and Bootloader locks but both have come up in conversation here which is why I had the string of posts earlier.

Sent from my SM-N930T using Tapatalk

 

[N3V3RS3TTL3]

What if you preorder it through BestBuy, but it's the Verizon version? Do we get a free Daydream VR still? Wouldn't mind a free one lol.

If you order through BestBuy you get a $100 BestBuy eGift card and a Chromecast, but NO VR. BestBuy only offers Silver & Black in 32GB.