VZW bootloader IS unlockable (not grayed out and switchable)

[silverback2]

https://photos.app.goo.gl/UV2u66UVF7PWUuYD8

 

[fkVerizonLocking]

Weird, its grayed out for me

Were you able to root it?

 

[ackliph]

A little off topic, but why do people buy the Verizon version when you can buy the Unlocked version for the same price and 0% interest financed?

 

[pbanj]

A little off topic, but why do people buy the Verizon version when you can buy the Unlocked version for the same price and 0% interest financed?

Some people don't know, some people have weird trust issues, sometimes the Verizon one is much cheaper.

 

[lattosimbaste]

I wish there were confirmation on this- local Verizon stores have stock while WorstBuy requires shipping or store stock next week.

 

[lattosimbaste]

Nope, picked up a 3a from a Verizon corporate store (asked for clearly white, turns out it slightly purple) and no joy on OEM unlock. Toggle is grayed out and states "Unavailable on carrier-locked devices". Going back tomorrow and hopefully won't get dinged $50 on the return since they gave me the wrong color but I don't think that will play out.

 

[sic0048]

Nope, picked up a 3a from a Verizon corporate store (asked for clearly white, turns out it slightly purple) and no joy on OEM unlock. Toggle is grayed out and states "Unavailable on carrier-locked devices". Going back tomorrow and hopefully won't get dinged $50 on the return since they gave me the wrong color but I don't think that will play out.

Well the bootloader definitely cannot be unlocked if the carrier has it sim carded locked. Carrier issued phone are generally sim card locked by default and the user has to usually request for the device to be sim card unlocked. I still don't believe the Verizon edition will be bootloader unlockable, but seeing that particular message does not confirm one way or another as it appears on every carrier sim card locked device - even those that can be bootloader unlocked once the phone is sim card unlocked.

 

[ALUCARD4DEAD]

I can confirm this true, at least in the bestbuy I bought my pixel 3a.
Like I say bought on bestbuy unlocked, when I get home turn on without a sim card and no WiFi, then turn on developer option and there was the beautiful oem unlock available, immediate I turn on and go to fastboot and do the fastboot flashing oem unlock and successful, now I rooted with magisk and button remapper with the active edge remapped.

P.s it was in the latest firmware

 

[pbanj]

i wonder if the method for the orig pixel would work. would be funny if it did. for those wondering https://forum.xda-developers.com/pixel-xl/how-to/how-to-unlock-bootloader-verizon-pixel-t3796030 i doubt it will, but might be worth trying

 

[sn00gan]

So, stupid question, but the Google Store site wasn't completely clear on this...if I buy the unlocked Pixel 3a from Google's site, will it work 100% with Verizon's network? Will it have all of the same LTE bands, for example, or will I see reduced performance compared to the Verizon-locked version? I'm used to the old days where I had to buy one version of a phone for VZW and a different version for AT&T...

 

[lattosimbaste]

Yes, the unlocked 3a works fully on Verizon's LTE bands as well as calling over WiFi and VoLTE. 100% compatible and none of the preinstalled crap.

 

[ALUCARD4DEAD]

So, stupid question, but the Google Store site wasn't completely clear on this...if I buy the unlocked Pixel 3a from Google's site, will it work 100% with Verizon's network? Will it have all of the same LTE bands, for example, or will I see reduced performance compared to the Verizon-locked version? I'm used to the old days where I had to buy one version of a phone for VZW and a different version for AT&T...

It's the same only the differences are that one it's unlockable bootloader(Google) and the other not(verizon).
Both have the same bands and processor, etc.
If you want to make this phone more great and you knowledge about flashing and that stuff buy from Google but if you don't care about that buy the one from verizon and I don't sure but on verizon have very good discounts like 100 bucks more cheap with activation.

 

[sd_N]

i wonder if the method for the orig pixel would work. would be funny if it did. for those wondering https://forum.xda-developers.com/pixel-xl/how-to/how-to-unlock-bootloader-verizon-pixel-t3796030 i doubt it will, but might be worth trying

Tried it yesterday....lol. no go, cant uninstall the phone apk. Could be named differently I guess.

 

[pbanj]

Tried it yesterday....lol. no go, cant uninstall the phone apk. Could be named differently I guess.

Shame lol. I just checked and the name still seems to be the same

 

[sd_N]

Shame lol. I just checked and the name still seems to be the same

Cant remember what exactly it said when I tried uninstalling the phone apk. Something about the user 0 not found

 

[smartuser8]

So, stupid question, but the Google Store site wasn't completely clear on this...if I buy the unlocked Pixel 3a from Google's site, will it work 100% with Verizon's network? Will it have all of the same LTE bands, for example, or will I see reduced performance compared to the Verizon-locked version? I'm used to the old days where I had to buy one version of a phone for VZW and a different version for AT&T...

It's the same only the differences are that one it's unlockable bootloader(Google) and the other not(verizon).
Both have the same bands and processor, etc.

No, the Google Store version and Verizon version are NOT the same. Almost, but not "just the same with one sim locked". They don't have exactly the same model name and LTE bands.

Verizon Pixel 3a model: G020E
Google Store Pixel 3a model : G020G

The Verizon model miss some LTE bands (14, 29, 30, 71) and miss e-sim support. Maybe Verizon LTE network doesn't use the missing bands and there is no difference with the LTE coverage, but they are not the same.

Source: https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/7158570?hl=en&ref_topic=7530176