Database Develop

XT1774 - Verizon Variant - Subsidy unlock does NOT enable bootloader unlocking

Hey y'all, Verizon Moto E4 Plus (XT1774) owner here. I've seen a couple posts on XDA and other Android forums about bootloader unlocking for Verizon-specific Moto devices relating to subsidy (SIM) unlocking.
As we all know, the XT1774's bootloader is locked, there is no way around that yet. I have seen people mention that subsidy unlocking allowed their bootloader to be unlocked, but from my testing that is not true.
I tried an H20-Wireless sim, and an US Cellular sim; obviously I also got an unlock code. Neither of the sims changed my get_unlock_data, so neither would unlock the bootloader.
Just wanted to disprove any of these claims so no one wastes their time. Thanks.

A.Fitz said:
Hey y'all, Verizon Moto E4 Plus (XT1774) owner here. I've seen a couple posts on XDA and other Android forums about bootloader unlocking for Verizon-specific Moto devices relating to subsidy (SIM) unlocking.
As we all know, the XT1774's bootloader is locked, there is no way around that yet. I have seen people mention that subsidy unlocking allowed their bootloader to be unlocked, but from my testing that is not true.
I tried an H20-Wireless sim, and an US Cellular sim; obviously I also got an unlock code. Neither of the sims changed my get_unlock_data, so neither would unlock the bootloader.
Just wanted to disprove any of these claims so no one wastes their time. Thanks.
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Click to collapse
You are correct. If unlocking your bootloader to customize the device is the goal, you need to steer clear of any Verizon branded devices. ATT, Sprint and a few others will also not allow bootloaders to be unlocked.
I have found that to be safe, purchase the device straight from Motorola as an unlocked device (Any US carrier/international) is the way to go. You will not get a discount like you do when purchasing through a carrier or big store name like Walmart but you will get a device that allows for bootloader unlocking.

glockman4519 said:
You are correct. If unlocking your bootloader to customize the device is the goal, you need to steer clear of any Verizon branded devices. ATT, Sprint and a few others will also not allow bootloaders to be unlocked.
I have found that to be safe, purchase the device straight from Motorola as an unlocked device (Any US carrier/international) is the way to go. You will not get a discount like you do when purchasing through a carrier or big store name like Walmart but you will get a device that allows for bootloader unlocking.
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I don't know about ATT, but all the Sprint/boost/virgin mobile devices ARE unlockable. It's only the Verizon variant that isn't. This is how it's been for some time.

aj2333 said:
I don't know about ATT, but all the Sprint/boost/virgin mobile devices ARE unlockable. It's only the Verizon variant that isn't. This is how it's been for some time.
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I agree, but lately, Sprint has stopped support for bootloader unlocking. I read this directly from there site. It may be a little while tool it trickles down to current production devices but beware. And I am taking about Sprint Branded devices, and not devices you bring in on your own.

glockman4519 said:
I agree, but lately, Sprint has stopped support for bootloader unlocking. I read this directly from there site. It may be a little while tool it trickles down to current production devices but beware. And I am taking about Sprint Branded devices, and not devices you bring in on your own.
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Thanks for the heads-up. I guess I'll have to start buying retail models. A little more $, but I'm very tired of the cdma data problems on custom ROMs every time there's a new Android version or new device anyway.

aj2333 said:
Thanks for the heads-up. I guess I'll have to start buying retail models. A little more $, but I'm very tired of the cdma data problems on custom ROMs every time there's a new Android version or new device anyway.
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I hear ya. Where I live Verizon is there only network that is any good/dependable. As much as I despise BigRed, I have to use it. If I had my way I would go Boost Mobile or any other GSM network carrier. That would open up the doors for my YouTube channel and allow me to test more devices the right way and not just in WiFi. I love my OnePlus5 but can only use it with WiFi. So I can't fully enjoy it. But it would in GSM.

They do make a device that is unlocked for the US Big 4 carriers and that's what I bought. Subsidy unlock to my knowledge does not bootloader unlock your device. If I see a really good Rom come out, I'll look at it, but Motorola did a really terrific job keeping what they did to it "light". At the price I paid for it ($159.99); I might buy another one and store it, though I have read a few threads that indicate that Motorola won't update the device to Oreo.

berrywr said:
They do make a device that is unlocked for the US Big 4 carriers and that's what I bought. Subsidy unlock to my knowledge does not bootloader unlock your device. If I see a really good Rom come out, I'll look at it, but Motorola did a really terrific job keeping what they did to it "light". At the price I paid for it ($159.99); I might buy another one and store it, though I have read a few threads that indicate that Motorola won't update the device to Oreo.
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I see if you got your device from Walmart. It will would be able to remove the bootloader? Do I have have to get Verizon to take the lock off? Or has anyone been able to take the bootloader off of Walmart prepaid Verizon xt1774? This will be my first build. I could use all the advice and help! Thanks

Waltdizzle said:
I see if you got your device from Walmart. It will would be able to remove the bootloader? Do I have have to get Verizon to take the lock off? Or has anyone been able to take the bootloader off of Walmart prepaid Verizon xt1774? This will be my first build. I could use all the advice and help! Thanks
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You cannot unlock the bootloader of the XT1774. No ifs, and, nor buts.

just got new one today and was gonna to use xposed-after do some reading...smh, should have read before buying to make sure all is set to unlock and flash

US Note 8 BootLoader

So I spent most of the day on the phone with sprint in regards to unlocking my bootloader. After 8 escalations they have finally agreed to submit my unlock request. If this in fact works.. Will I be able to use a custom recovery and custom roms?

I think you mix up two different things. Network unlock and BL unlock. No way Sprint was able to unlock your BL.

OnnoJ said:
I think you mix up two different things. Network unlock and BL unlock. No way Sprint was able to unlock your BL.
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I am not mixing up the two. I'm sure they are are mixing up the two. They sent a network unlock request and a request to unlock the bootloader. I was told Monday I will hear back on it. I doubt they really will do the bootloader. That would be samsung correct? Sprint cannot do anything about the bootloader right?

kaboneislegend76 said:
I am not mixing up the two. I'm sure they are are mixing up the two. They sent a network unlock request and a request to unlock the bootloader. I was told Monday I will hear back on it. I doubt they really will do the bootloader. That would be samsung correct? Sprint cannot do anything about the bootloader right?
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Sprint cannot do anything about the bootloader because Samsung is the one who removed the ability to unlock the bootloader at the carrier's request! They're just assuming you're talking about unlocking the phone from the carrier so that it can be used with any other carrier like T-Mobile or Verizon.. They have zero control over the bootloader.

MrMike2182 said:
Sprint cannot do anything about the bootloader because Samsung is the one who removed the ability to unlock the bootloader at the carrier's request! They're just assuming you're talking about unlocking the phone from the carrier so that it can be used with any other carrier like T-Mobile or Verizon.. They have zero control over the bootloader.
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I figured as much. After my calls to sprint, I started on Samsung. I spent like 6 hours on calls with Samsung. I know it prolly wont matter but it was worth a shot. Guess I will continue to research EDL.

Bootloader unlocking question for Verizon customers

My dad's phone had the OEM unlocking button grayed out like some others, but the message said that it wasn't allowed on carrier-locked devices. I'm wondering if it wasn't carrier-locked if you'd be able to unlock the bootloader. Verizon's policy is that they're locked to Verizon for 60 days, so I'm curious to see if they might be willing to waive that if the device is paid in full or for a long time customer. My dad doesn't want to unlock his and I don't have a device yet, so I can't test it out. Has anyone tried, or would they be willing to try to call Verizon to request that their device be unlocked to see if this is possible?

Carrier locked, and bootloader locked are not the same thing. The Pixels purchased from Verizon can be run on different carriers after 60 days, but Their bootloaders will always be locked unless someone finds a hack. I wouldn't count on anyone doing that because they didn't find one for the 2, or the 3. The OG Pixel had one for a short time, but only under a certain firmware version. If you want one with an unlocked bootloader, buy one from Google. Verizon will not unlock the bootloader.

jmartin72 said:
Carrier locked, and bootloader locked are not the same thing. The Pixels purchased from Verizon can be run on different carriers after 60 days, but Their bootloaders will always be locked unless someone finds a hack. I wouldn't count on anyone doing that because they didn't find one for the 2, or the 3. The OG Pixel had one for a short time, but only under a certain firmware version. If you want one with an unlocked bootloader, buy one from Google. Verizon will not unlock the bootloader.
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Yes, they are two different things, but on my dad's 4XL the OEM unlock is blocked because the device is carrier locked. With reports that some Verizon devices have had their bootloader unlocked, I'm wondering if the Verizon variant may be bootloader unlockable once it is no longer carrier locked.

bosox284 said:
Yes, they are two different things, but on my dad's 4XL the OEM unlock is blocked because the device is carrier locked. With reports that some Verizon devices have had their bootloader unlocked, I'm wondering if the Verizon variant may be bootloader unlockable once it is no longer carrier locked.
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If it's a Verizon variant, it will never have an unlocked bootloader period unless someone finds a hack.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/pixel-3-xl/how-to/bounty-unlock-bootloader-vzw-pixel-3-xl-t3856605
https://forum.xda-developers.com/pixel-2-xl/help/verizon-pixel-2-xl-root-t3903397
You only have to read these threads for a little bit to realize the Verizon variants will never have an unlocked bootloader

jmartin72 said:
If it's a Verizon variant, it will never have an unlocked bootloader period unless someone finds a hack.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/pixel-3-xl/how-to/bounty-unlock-bootloader-vzw-pixel-3-xl-t3856605
https://forum.xda-developers.com/pixel-2-xl/help/verizon-pixel-2-xl-root-t3903397
You only have to read these threads for a little bit to realize the Verizon variants will never have an unlocked bootloader
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I appreciate you taking to respond but this isn't helpful. Past devices don't necessarily indicate future trends. There are reports that individuals have been able to unlock their bootloader with Verizon locked devices. See here:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/pixel-4-xl/how-to/root-instructions-verizon-pixel-4-xl-t3990767
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=80665445&postcount=12
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=80820511&postcount=21
Whether this is an oversight by VZW or a sign of things to come will remain to be seen, so I stand by the question I'm asking and am looking for someone to give it a try. I think there is a chance, albeit very slim, that once the devices are no longer carrier locked, you may be able to unlock the bootloader.

Just for the record, the Pixel 2XL is littered with claims similar to this. Maybe you are correct and it'll be different this time... Maybe people are either trolls or liars or just don't know what they are talking about.
Only time will tell but some very smart folks gave up on the Taimen after two years of trying.

Well I called Verizon today and told them I was traveling out of country. The agreed to unlock device. My OEM Unlock used to be greyed out with the Device is Carrier Locked. After they unlocked it for me just 15 min ago the OEM Unlocking option is still greyed out but the message now reads Connect to the internet or contact your carrier. So it's still greyed out but I wonder if I try fastboot unlock if it would unlock it and make it not greyed out.

Possible Verizon bootloader unlock

Well I called Verizon today and told them I was traveling out of country. The agreed to unlock device. My OEM Unlock used to be greyed out with the Device is Carrier Locked. After they unlocked it for me just 15 min ago the OEM Unlocking option is still greyed out but the message now reads Connect to the internet or contact your carrier. So it's still greyed out but I wonder if I try fastboot unlock if it would unlock it and make it not greyed out.
Just not sure if fastboot to oem unlock will make it work now.

Heres what the oem unlock looks now

wolfballz said:
Well I called Verizon today and told them I was traveling out of country. The agreed to unlock device. My OEM Unlock used to be greyed out with the Device is Carrier Locked. After they unlocked it for me just 15 min ago the OEM Unlocking option is still greyed out but the message now reads Connect to the internet or contact your carrier. So it's still greyed out but I wonder if I try fastboot unlock if it would unlock it and make it not greyed out.
Just not sure if fastboot to oem unlock will make it work now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It will not.
The toggle needs flipped to use the fastboot command.

Shoulda bought direct from Google if you want that unlocked

wolfballz said:
Heres what the oem unlock looks now
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What happens when you stick a working SIM from a different carrier in it? Until their phone is CARRIER unlocked, the oem unlocking toggle will be grayed out and it cannot be bootloader unlocked. Doubtful they would carrier unlock their phone until it was 100% paid off. You will not be able to bootloader unlock Verizon's phone until the OEM toggle is enabled, and that won't happen until their phone is carrier unlocked.... in fact they may never carrier unlock their phone.

I can't believe that after 3.5 years of locked Verizon Pixel bootloaders people are still talking about unlocking a locked Verizon bootloader. It's never going to happen.
Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

cryppie said:
I can't believe that after 3.5 years of locked Verizon Pixel bootloaders people are still talking about unlocking a locked Verizon bootloader. It's never going to happen.
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Preaching to the choir brother... I gave up trying to convince them. Lol

cryppie said:
I can't believe that after 3.5 years of locked Verizon Pixel bootloaders people are still talking about unlocking a locked Verizon bootloader. It's never going to happen.
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CyberpodS2 said:
Preaching to the choir brother... I gave up trying to convince them. Lol
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Click to collapse
Then why bother responding? Don't waste your time reading it.

v12xke said:
What happens when you stick a working SIM from a different carrier in it? Until their phone is CARRIER unlocked, the oem unlocking toggle will be grayed out and it cannot be bootloader unlocked. Doubtful they would carrier unlock their phone until it was 100% paid off. You will not be able to bootloader unlock Verizon's phone until the OEM toggle is enabled, and that won't happen until their phone is carrier unlocked.... in fact they may never carrier unlock their phone.
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Going to try a friends thats on at&t's service with a paid off device and use his sim.

wolfballz said:
Going to try a friends thats on at&t's service with a paid off device and use his sim.
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Meaning your device is paid off, or his? I'm not sure there are any verizon-bought Pixels that are bootloader unlocked. Once paid off, they can be carrier unlocked to use on a different service but as far as I know the only people that have a bootloader unlocked Pixel running on verizon were bought unlocked at the Google store (or got an unlocked one on by mistake on RMA). There could be exceptions, but that is generally the case. If you are paid off, and your goal is to get a carrier unlocked phone, you may well succeed. If your goal is to get to an unlocked bootloader you will likely need a different device.

v12xke said:
Meaning your device is paid off, or his? I'm not sure there are any verizon-bought Pixels that are bootloader unlocked. Once paid off, they can be carrier unlocked to use on a different service but as far as I know the only people that have a bootloader unlocked Pixel running on verizon were bought unlocked at the Google store (or got an unlocked one on by mistake on RMA). There could be exceptions, but that is generally the case. If you are paid off, and your goal is to get a carrier unlocked phone, you may well succeed. If your goal is to get to an unlocked bootloader you will likely need a different device.
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People have been trying everything possible to unlock Verizon Pixel phones since they were first released. I'm not saying he shouldn't try but it's not going to work. Just like Samsung phone purchased through Verizon, the bootloader has not been unlocked on them for quite a few years.

v12xke said:
Meaning your device is paid off, or his? I'm not sure there are any verizon-bought Pixels that are bootloader unlocked. Once paid off, they can be carrier unlocked to use on a different service but as far as I know the only people that have a bootloader unlocked Pixel running on verizon were bought unlocked at the Google store (or got an unlocked one on by mistake on RMA). There could be exceptions, but that is generally the case. If you are paid off, and your goal is to get a carrier unlocked phone, you may well succeed. If your goal is to get to an unlocked bootloader you will likely need a different device.
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Mine isn't paid off. I did get verizon to carrier unlock the device. My friend has a unlocked pixel 4xl from google unlocked and is on at&t. Going to try his sim in my device to see if the oem toggle can be tripped.

wolfballz said:
Then why bother responding? Don't waste your time reading it.
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Because you open a thread titled Possible Verizon bootloader unlock. That is misleading to say the least. You will never unlock a Verizon bootloader. You are either trolling or just ignorant. It looks like well over 100 have viewed this misleading post. Try whatever you want but how about trying before you post to save people the time they wasted reading your useless posts?
Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

cryppie said:
Because you open a thread titled Possible Verizon bootloader unlock. That is misleading to say the least. You will never unlock a Verizon bootloader. You are either trolling or just ignorant. It looks like well over 100 have viewed this misleading post. Try whatever you want but how about trying before you post to save people the time they wasted reading your useless posts?
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Again, who made you read it?

wolfballz said:
Again, who made you read it?
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He has a valid point, it's a very misleading title.

they probably only temporarily unlocked your device which won't allow OEM unlocking... this is why I am happy I switched from Verizon to T-Mobile, with a bit of nice attitude and talking to the right reps T-Mobile has unlocked every device while still making payments for the pat year for me, including my 4 XL.

Enable ESIM on pixel 4 verizon unlocked but bootloader locked
Is there a way through the developer mode to enable ESIM on a verizon pixel 4?
its unlocked to use on any carrier but not bootloader unlocked.
If there is a way and you have the steps please post.
Thanks!

wolfballz said:
Mine isn't paid off. I did get verizon to carrier unlock the device. My friend has a unlocked pixel 4xl from google unlocked and is on at&t. Going to try his sim in my device to see if the oem toggle can be tripped.
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Click to collapse
So I am curious if you had any luck.... I also have to ask how well do you know the new files systems? I know this from 2019 but the newer phones with dual partitions as I read about learning from my pixel 2xl is that the carrier has control of OEM unlocking such as Verizon and because of this and I will say Verizon who is my carrier will play stupid and act like they know nothing about OEM unlocking and will not unlock that toggle ever due to supposed security risks to their network bands and because Verizon purchased the phones from Google , Google gives them permission to have control of the bootloader and good luck trying get any type of developer bare boned version of Android to flash... I'm not trying to bash your idea and I honestly don't know how much you really know about the dual partition file system.... I am just curious how your idea worked though I'm sure it didn't as there is just the 2 pages and nothing new posted....

Root without unlocking bootloader?

I accidentally bought the Verizon locked variant of the pixel 5. Now I can't unlock bootloader to flash the custom rims. Is gaining root access possible without unlocking the bootloader? If not, how would I go about unlocking the bootloader on this unnecessarily locked down pixel 5?

Deitybrother13 said:
I accidentally bought the Verizon locked variant of the pixel 5. Now I can't unlock bootloader to flash the custom rims. Is gaining root access possible without unlocking the bootloader? If not, how would I go about unlocking the bootloader on this unnecessarily locked down pixel 5?
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Click to collapse
No root without unlocking the bootloader and the Verizon models cannot be unlocked.

Deitybrother13 said:
I accidentally bought the Verizon locked variant of the pixel 5. Now I can't unlock bootloader to flash the custom rims. Is gaining root access possible without unlocking the bootloader? If not, how would I go about unlocking the bootloader on this unnecessarily locked down pixel 5?
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How do you just "accidently" buy a Verizon locked phone?? Just like everybody else that bought a Verizon locked phone you'll never unlock the bootloader. Take it back if it's not doin it for you

thatsupnow said:
How do you just "accidently" buy a Verizon locked phone?? Just like everybody else that bought a Verizon locked phone you'll never unlock the bootloader. Take it back if it's not doin it for you
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I got it from best buy, and they activated it on verizon for me. It was supposed to be the unlocked model.

Deitybrother13 said:
I got it from best buy, and they activated it on verizon for me. It was supposed to be the unlocked model.
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"Unlocked" in most people's minds is carrier unlock. The subset that cares and knows about BL unlock is very small. Another good measuring stick is discounts. If there is a discount beyond what you can get at the Google store, it is likely a carrier specific device and will have the BL locked permanently.

l7777 said:
"Unlocked" in most people's minds is carrier unlock. The subset that cares and knows about BL unlock is very small. Another good measuring stick is discounts. If there is a discount beyond what you can get at the Google store, it is likely a carrier specific device and will have the BL locked permanently.
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This is really not directed towards you, I know for a fact you know all this. I don't even think the sales people at BB know what bl unlock means. And unlocked has nothing to do with the ability to bootloader unlock, I just can't believe that this is still an issue for some folks. As for carrier devices you are entirely correct, however, I do believe that the only carrier that will permanently lock the OEM switch is Verizon but I could be wrong on that one. Even TM will allow you to bl unlock once you pay off the device. Verizon will never ever allow it. So the previous poster, even though the rep activated it on Verizon, it's device specific. I bought my P5 directly from Google and immediately activated it on Verizon with a physical sim and an eSim also on VZW. My OEM switch is still active to bl unlock it.
One final point, which I've made before, even Google sells a Verizon P5 through the Google store. If you buy that one it will not allow you to bl unlock no matter what you do. So I'm assuming BB has the same kind of setup, if you buy the VZW device you are **** out of luck. I once got stuck with a VZW Pixel and couldn't activate the eSim due to some silly VZW policy. It took me a month of phone calls to get refunded so never again. And I don't even bl unlock my devices any longer, but I want the option. Hey, you never know. lol

bobby janow said:
This is really not directed towards you, I know for a fact you know all this. I don't even think the sales people at BB know what bl unlock means. And unlocked has nothing to do with the ability to bootloader unlock, I just can't believe that this is still an issue for some folks. As for carrier devices you are entirely correct, however, I do believe that the only carrier that will permanently lock the OEM switch is Verizon but I could be wrong on that one. Even TM will allow you to bl unlock once you pay off the device. Verizon will never ever allow it. So the previous poster, even though the rep activated it on Verizon, it's device specific. I bought my P5 directly from Google and immediately activated it on Verizon with a physical sim and an eSim also on VZW. My OEM switch is still active to bl unlock it.
One final point, which I've made before, even Google sells a Verizon P5 through the Google store. If you buy that one it will not allow you to bl unlock no matter what you do. So I'm assuming BB has the same kind of setup, if you buy the VZW device you are **** out of luck. I once got stuck with a VZW Pixel and couldn't activate the eSim due to some silly VZW policy. It took me a month of phone calls to get refunded so never again. And I don't even bl unlock my devices any longer, but I want the option. Hey, you never know. lol
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The Verizon version and the unlocked version were the same price. But both of them had discounts if you activated service at checkout.

Deitybrother13 said:
The Verizon version and the unlocked version were the same price. But both of them had discounts if you activated service at checkout.
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Yeah, I know that. I never did understand the particulars of that but I'm sure it has something to do with money of some sort to someone. There was always too much fine print and conditions. I'm pretty much stuck on Pixel now so I'll only buy from Google and hope for some kind of discount. On the P5 I got $50 off for something or other. If I were to buy an iPhone I would go to an Apple store. But the other members of my family have all carrier branded devices because they don't give a darn about unlocked carrier or bl able.

Deitybrother13 said:
The Verizon version and the unlocked version were the same price. But both of them had discounts if you activated service at checkout.
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As far as I know, every Pixel device sold by Best Buy is Verizon branded. I don't remember where I learned that from, but get your phones from elsewhere.