OEM BootLoader Unlock Question - Google Pixel 4a 5G Questions & Answers

I am new to unlocking the Pixel devices. I previously always modified my Nexus 6 and earlier phones. I have a Pixel 2 XL. It dual purposes as a work phone, so I never did anything to it. Eventually, the USB port quit working other than charging so I could never unlock it. I now have the Pixel 4a 5g and want to unlock it incase it's too late down the road. When I go an check unlock the standard message of WARNING: Device protection features will not work, I did some googling, but came up short on a definitive answer of what this all entails.
My company uses applications for security on our email through Microsoft, so would unlocking break my ability to use work apps?
Thank you.

No, it's not a problem. The warning is just letting you know that the phone can be modified/rooted. Whether you choose to do so or not is up to you. Some apps will refuse to run on a rooted phone (but they don't care about bootloader unlocking, typically) like banking and payment apps but this can usually be worked around using magisk hide when rooted. I require root to run things like advanced charge controller and energized protection.

Related

Bootloader unlock - thoughts on other options

So I got my new phone a day AFTER the unlock codes went offline... I've been trying to get support to get me an unlock code, but 2 e-mails and no luck so far. I've got another 3 weeks to return my phone, which I will be doing if I can't get it unlocked by then. I never noticed how much I rely on certain root applications (AdAway for one, since it is a hosts file update that keeps bloat on my phone down and works with pretty much every app).
Some thoughts on unlocking the bootloader - is it feasible to script a fastboot oem unlock <number> that just brute forces through numbers until one works? I might try this later today.
Any methods by talking to the modem directly? (I had a phone a while ago that I could use Qualcomm's tools to directly flash with)
I'm running KingRoot right now, I'm not normally a fan of such tools and so far it's been at 1% for quite some time, so I have little hope it will actually do anything.
I wonder if it might be possible to correlate unlock codes with IMEI from previous unlocks to find a way to generate these for other IMEIs? Of course, this assumes they didn't just make a database that holds a random unlock code for each IMEI.
Hopefully I can get this figured out, I like this phone, but I came from OnePlus before and may end up sending my P20 back and looking at the OnePlus 6 instead.
P-Chan80 said:
So I got my new phone a day AFTER the unlock codes went offline... I've been trying to get support to get me an unlock code, but 2 e-mails and no luck so far. I've got another 3 weeks to return my phone, which I will be doing if I can't get it unlocked by then. I never noticed how much I rely on certain root applications (AdAway for one, since it is a hosts file update that keeps bloat on my phone down and works with pretty much every app).
Some thoughts on unlocking the bootloader - is it feasible to script a fastboot oem unlock <number> that just brute forces through numbers until one works? I might try this later today.
Any methods by talking to the modem directly? (I had a phone a while ago that I could use Qualcomm's tools to directly flash with)
I'm running KingRoot right now, I'm not normally a fan of such tools and so far it's been at 1% for quite some time, so I have little hope it will actually do anything.
I wonder if it might be possible to correlate unlock codes with IMEI from previous unlocks to find a way to generate these for other IMEIs? Of course, this assumes they didn't just make a database that holds a random unlock code for each IMEI.
Hopefully I can get this figured out, I like this phone, but I came from OnePlus before and may end up sending my P20 back and looking at the OnePlus 6 instead.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try the Blokada app, free and open source. It also uses host files, including adaway. Needs no root. Get it from their website or f droid.
subhani said:
Try the Blokada app, free and open source. It also uses host files, including adaway. Needs no root. Get it from their website or f droid.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sadly, this doesn't block ads on HTTPS, things like youtube ads and such. More and more of the Internet is moving towards HTTPS, so this is starting to be a noticeable gap with Proxy/VPN adblockers. But I'll try this in the meantime, I verified YouTube ads are still present (they aren't on my phone with Adaway). Thanks for the suggestion, however.
Edit: Also, I tried AdGuard DNS and FoolDNS with the app, neither accomplished the blocking of YouTube ads.
If you do find a way to bruteforce it, by any chance, let me know. I am in the same boat, got my p20pro the day after they stopped unlocking the bootloader on request, and they are not accepting to do it trough emails
P-Chan80 said:
So I got my new phone a day AFTER the unlock codes went offline... I've been trying to get support to get me an unlock code, but 2 e-mails and no luck so far. I've got another 3 weeks to return my phone, which I will be doing if I can't get it unlocked by then. I never noticed how much I rely on certain root applications (AdAway for one, since it is a hosts file update that keeps bloat on my phone down and works with pretty much every app).
Some thoughts on unlocking the bootloader - is it feasible to script a fastboot oem unlock <number> that just brute forces through numbers until one works? I might try this later today.
Any methods by talking to the modem directly? (I had a phone a while ago that I could use Qualcomm's tools to directly flash with)
I'm running KingRoot right now, I'm not normally a fan of such tools and so far it's been at 1% for quite some time, so I have little hope it will actually do anything.
I wonder if it might be possible to correlate unlock codes with IMEI from previous unlocks to find a way to generate these for other IMEIs? Of course, this assumes they didn't just make a database that holds a random unlock code for each IMEI.
Hopefully I can get this figured out, I like this phone, but I came from OnePlus before and may end up sending my P20 back and looking at the OnePlus 6 instead.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Send it back. OnePlus 6 or if you can wait, the pixel 3 will be a beast
Cracking the password may be possible? I'm in the same boat here. Got the phone the day off and emailed same day but no luck.
I really like the phone but I need root for bloatware tether and adblock etc.
In Huaweis email responses they said they cannot send an unlock code under any circumstances.
Jesus, add me in to the club of unlucky bastards [emoji53]
It looks like I am so used to using root for all my life and now this desperate situation is killing me.
Same here....
Yep same here it sucks....Got mine two days after they stopped offering the service....a couple of things to watch out for:
HCU-Client/DC Unlocker - It wont stay locked forever I think we all know that and I figure there is only a matter of time until HCU support the P20 Pro as they recently added the P20 Lite worth looking into and keeping an eye out on the above applications I've mentioned.
I spoke to someone I know who does remote unlocking according to him he can get a bootloader code for £60 so I will give him a go and post my results here. Even though I feel begrudged to pay £60 to do it.
Ironman MarkV said:
Yep same here it sucks....Got mine two days after they stopped offering the service....a couple of things to watch out for:
HCU-Client/DC Unlocker - It wont stay locked forever I think we all know that and I figure there is only a matter of time until HCU support the P20 Pro as they recently added the P20 Lite worth looking into and keeping an eye out on the above applications I've mentioned.
I spoke to someone I know who does remote unlocking according to him he can get a bootloader code for £60 so I will give him a go and post my results here. Even though I feel begrudged to pay £60 to do it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will gladly buy him a bootloader unlock code for 60e if that's my only option.
Ya keep us updated. I'd probably pay as well lol although that is a bit steep.
Update
Just to update everyone, I called support and explained my situation and that I would be returning the phone if I can't get the bootloader unlocked. They seemed disinterested in trying to help me. Maybe company policy is now firm on this, but if this is their answer, they've lost a customer. I will be returning the phone in 2 weeks (I left all the packaging intact and the protective films are still on the phone), unless by some miracle I can figure out how to get it unlocked before then.
I would -NEVER- buy a PC without being able to install a different OS on it, I paid (or soon to have not paid?) $800 for this device and to not be able to do with it as I please is a huge deal-breaker. I wasn't even planning on moving away from EMUI, but to know that I can't really bugs me. Hello Huawei, goodbye Huawei.
<Sorry if I seem dramatic, I'm a little sour because, I really wanted to love this phone, but alas, someone has too tight a grip and this relationship is suffocating>
I think HCU and DC unlocker will find a way to do it

What are we losing when rooting our phone?

What the title of the thread say. What are the apps/functionality/things we lose when we root our beloved Mi 9T Pro?
I know what we get when we are Admins, like:
Nandroid backups,
Titanium Backup,
capability to freeze apps that drains the battery,
capability to install a powerfull firewall like AFWall+,
block ads,
Xposed,
call recording,
ViperX,
CustoMIUIzer, etc
Can someone create a list like this with the cons?
Thanks in advance.
Ale
Some things that quickly come to my mind are:
- You may loose warranty - some sellers may refuse exchange or repair if the phone was rooted
- Some regular apps won't work with rooted phones (yes, this can be circumvented with magisk hide for example, but does not work every time)
-- This point counts especially for payment-related apps / functionality (just look around the forums how many hacks there are for getting gpay to work - however not all of them are caused by rooting the phone)
- You have a higher risk of installing malicious apps / modules - that have more rights than a regular app if you grant them root rights (yes i know, there are also malicious apps on the regular app store)
- You can easily break your system or make it very unstable, because, obviously, some modules change major system functionality
But overall, also in my opinion the pros overweigh the cons, if you know what you are doing.
lemacx thanks for your reply! .....and what about NFC usability and Device Localization? The option to upload backups into the gdrive, etc?
You loose Widewine DRM L1 support, but only on Chinese variants.
Your warranty is the most important thing that may be affected. Just unlocking the bootloader may void your warranty.
Some banking apps may not work, but that can be solved with MagiskHide.
Everything else doesn't really care about root.
I always want 3 facilities immediately whenever i get a new phone-- firewall, tracking blocking, and app freezing. I rooted my phone pretty soon after buying in the past. But using my last phone, I found I could get those 3 facilities without root. Netguard takes care of firewall and tracking+ads. And icebox freezes apps.
It seems I'll remain rootless until I'm close to the end of my warranty period (or an official release of Lineage OS).
Since everyone is mentioning voiding your warranty: When using Mi Unlock to unlock my bootloader, there was no Note about loss of warranty, as far as i remember.
Is there really some legal mumbojumbo about warranty loss when rooting your phone (that you could perhaps point me to), or do you just assume it's there?
By EU law it is prohibited to refuse warranty when the device is unlocked.
But.... still some vendors refuse warranty and when they have your phone for repairing damage covered by warranty not caused by unlocking they will only return it after you pay the examining costs without repairs done.
And nobody will suing them because no one can afford that.
So before buying a device ask the vendor for a written statement that unlocking does not void warranty and refer them to the EU law.
alxtorrentazos said:
What the title of the thread say. What are the apps/functionality/things we lose when we root our beloved Mi 9T Pro?
I know what we get when we are Admins, like:
Nandroid backups,
Titanium Backup,
capability to freeze apps that drains the battery,
capability to install a powerfull firewall like AFWall+,
block ads,
Xposed,
call recording,
ViperX,
CustoMIUIzer, etc
Can someone create a list like this with the cons?
Thanks in advance.
Ale
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A pro somewhat related to the backup. If you root as soon as you get phone. A week later you delete a load of files accidentally (before doing any backup), files can be recovered easily. Especially, If you stop writing to the disk, most file recovery applications will be able to recover the files if you have root access.
Rhoban said:
Your warranty is the most important thing that may be affected. Just unlocking the bootloader may void your warranty.
Some banking apps may not work, but that can be solved with MagiskHide.
Everything else doesn't really care about root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
False. You can unlock Xiaomi phones without loosing warranty as long as you don't flash custom ROMs or root you device, you can swap firmware this way to global or EU for example
IoIam said:
False. You can unlock Xiaomi phones without loosing warranty as long as you don't flash custom ROMs or root you device, you can swap firmware this way to global or EU for example
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not entirely correct.
It is true that Xiaomi themselves stated that unlocking the bootloader does not void the warranty, but this applies only to the warranty provided by them.
If you're buying the phone from a third-party seller, or maybe on a contract from a carrier, then they are usually the ones taking care of the warranty and you're bound by their warranty terms.
I bought mine from a local store and they specifically stated that unlocking the bootloader voids the warranty.
Rhoban said:
Not entirely correct.
It is true that Xiaomi themselves stated that unlocking the bootloader does not void the warranty, but this applies only to the warranty provided by them.
If you're buying the phone from a third-party seller, or maybe on a contract from a carrier, then they are usually the ones taking care of the warranty and you're bound by their warranty terms.
I bought mine from a local store and they specifically stated that unlocking the bootloader voids the warranty.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes but usually you bring you phone to its service center not to the shop
IoIam said:
False. You can unlock Xiaomi phones without loosing warranty as long as you don't flash custom ROMs or root you device, you can swap firmware this way to global or EU for example
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
IoIam said:
Yes but usually you bring you phone to its service center not to the shop
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know about your country, but where I'm from we take the device to the place where we bought it from (or send it there) and they take care of the rest. Nobody here tells you to send your device directly to a service center if it is still under warranty.

OEM unlock option is greyed out, How enable it ?

I have recently purchased a Pixel 4 XL, in order to root it I have enabled USB debugging however the option of OEM unlock is greyed out, that means I won't be able to unlock the bootloader.
I want to root my phone in order to install Substratum themes, Please help me and let me know how I can enable OEM unlock option on my phone.
I have updated my Pixel 4 XL with latest MAY20 system update.
Purav786 said:
I have recently purchased a Pixel 4 XL, in order to root it I have enabled USB debugging however the option of OEM unlock is greyed out, that means I won't be able to unlock the bootloader.
I want to root my phone in order to install Substratum themes, Please help me and let me know how I can enable OEM unlock option on my phone.
I have updated my Pixel 4 XL with latest MAY20 system update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
https://forum.xda-developers.com/pixel-4-xl/help/how-to-sim-unlock-pixel-4xl-t-mobile-t4081235
My phone is not network locked phone, I have a Sim unlocked phone.... Only issue is Developer option is greyed out and I want to enable it.
It really depends on your carrier. If you bought it directly from Google (unlocked or Google Fi), it should be available without contacting anyone. I've heard that it might not be available until it has been activated for a few days with service. Otherwise, I've heard that you may need to fully wipe all user data before it becomes available. The process of OEM unlocking will wipe all user data as well, so you must be prepared for that eventuality.
If you did not get it from Google, the waters become murky and your success will vary.
Purav786 said:
I have recently purchased a Pixel 4 XL, in order to root it I have enabled USB debugging however the option of OEM unlock is greyed out, that means I won't be able to unlock the bootloader.
I want to root my phone in order to install Substratum themes, Please help me and let me know how I can enable OEM unlock option on my phone.
I have updated my Pixel 4 XL with latest MAY20 system update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you bought a Pixel 4 XL with a unlockable bootloader, use this Guide to root.
Most Pixel 4 XL that are purchased from Carriers with the exception of Google Fi are not bootloader unlockable.
Purav786 said:
My phone is not network locked phone, I have a Sim unlocked phone.... Only issue is Developer option is greyed out and I want to enable it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You aren't providing much useful information to solve your problem in your OP. Post a screenshot of your bootloader page, and what are the first two digits of your IMEI's. If you have already 100% WIPED your phone, skipped through setup and gone straight to dev settings with an active Wi-FI signal and get a greyed out OEM unlock , you will likely never succeed because you inadvertently purchased a bootloader locked phone. SIM unlocked definitely does not equal BL unlockable.
v12xke said:
You aren't providing much useful information to solve your problem in your OP. Post a screenshot of your bootloader page, and what are the first two digits of your IMEI's. If you have already 100% WIPED your phone, skipped through setup and gone straight to dev settings with an active Wi-FI signal and get a greyed out OEM unlock , you will likely never succeed because you inadvertently purchased a bootloader locked phone. SIM unlocked definitely does not equal BL unlockable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So that means my phone is bootloader locked phone and there is no way to unlock it...
Purav786 said:
So that means my phone is bootloader locked phone and there is no way to unlock it...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Remove SIM, factory reset from recovery, initiate setup enabling Wi-Fi, proceed to dev settings and check "Allow OEM unlocking". If you have completely wiped the phone and OEM unlocking is still greyed out, then your phone is bootloader locked and there is no workaround.
I downgraded my p40 lite to lowest version of emui...
which is 10.0.1.108 and oem unlock option appeared but its grayed out and I took advice from the guy in this thread that said call them and tell them you are developer and you need it to install android 11 and they were like oh ok then will figure this out and give you a call hahahahhaahahahhahah awesome dude it worked
---------- Post added at 02:39 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:36 PM ----------
I saw there is a tool created by skyemie on github that uses bruteforce method to retrieve the unlock code so if they fix my oem grayed option then I will try that and give you all update if everything worked.
Just a FWIW: I bought two phones from Google directly and returned both since OEM was greyed out on both. Third try I purchased one off Swappa and it worked. Something to do with the IMEI... Search for posts started by me.. It's a looooong thread.
If you got your pixel from Verizon, just call them and say that you're a developer and you need OEM unlocking. They'll need your IMEI and Verizon account number tho to check that you're the owner. If you got it second hand you may have to contact the person you bought it from.
CoNsTaR said:
If you got your pixel from Verizon, just call them and say that you're a developer and you need OEM unlocking. They'll need your IMEI and Verizon account number tho to check that you're the owner. If you got it second hand you may have to contact the person you bought it from.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you have a source for this? The only official answer I've seen is that Verizon has no process in place to enable OEM unlocking. It's actually baked into the ROM.
V0latyle said:
Do you have a source for this? The only official answer I've seen is that Verizon has no process in place to enable OEM unlocking. It's actually baked into the ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did it. I saw someone saying that calling T-Mobile does the job so I just decided to call Verizon too and it worked.
CoNsTaR said:
I did it. I saw someone saying that calling T-Mobile does the job so I just decided to call Verizon too and it worked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, that's interesting. What exactly were the circumstances, and how did you get unlocked? Such as, were you using the phone on the VZW network? Did they push a software update or something?
V0latyle said:
Well, that's interesting. What exactly were the circumstances, and how did you get unlocked? Such as, were you using the phone on the VZW network? Did they push a software update or something?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From what I know, by the moment you install a Verizon SIM on your pixel, it becomes a Verizon phone. How they do this is that they'll add your phone's IMEI to their database, and until it's deleted from their database your phone will be a Verizon phone. You can check that by trying adding an eSIM, if it says anything about Verizon at the QR code step, you know it's still bound to Verizon.
I think the mechanism of checking if the phone is bound to any carrier is baked in the ROM, but not the information itself. I do see people saying that it needs time for the records to be propagated after they've removed you from their database, but YMMV.
Edit:
No, I wasn't on the VZW network.
CoNsTaR said:
From what I know, by the moment you install a Verizon SIM on your pixel, it becomes a Verizon phone. How they do this is that they'll add your phone's IMEI to their database, and until it's deleted from their database your phone will be a Verizon phone. You can check that by trying adding an eSIM, if it says anything about Verizon at the QR code step, you know it's still bound to Verizon.
I think the mechanism of checking if the phone is bound to any carrier is baked in the ROM, but not the information itself. I do see people saying that it needs time for the records to be propagated after they've removed you from their database, but YMMV.
Edit:
No, I wasn't on the VZW network.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right, and I'm asking exactly how you did it.
V0latyle said:
Right, and I'm asking exactly how you did it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The ONLY thing I did is to call them, tell them I am a developer and I need OEM unlocking, and provide the information they needed. Hope this answers your question.
I've called Verizon 6 times and talked to several reps and no idea what I'm talking about. I was even sent to 2nd tier and nothing. The 2nd tier rep said he's worked at vzw for 8 years and has never seen or heard of this happening. So I find this whole thing hard to believe.
I am just providing my experience, and maybe someone will benefit from it. I came across this thread when I did my research so I thought I should share it here too.
If more details may help, I called them with the number 800-922-0204, on Oct 27 9:48 AM, the time I spent on the call was 36m4s (30m or so was waiting on the line), and I was on Fido network (Canadian).
When the system asked me about my area code or something like that before they connect me with a human, I both entered # key, and also chose something like I want to be a Verizon customer.
That's really all what I did, and I got it done on the first try. This was my first time calling Verizon, so I don't know much about 2nd tier or what not, but that's all I wanted to share here.
hey guys I know I'm not in the right group but I've been looking at Any Pixel related posts to try to get OEM unlock and came across some options using dialer code *#*#0702#*#* which is ims setting, sim provisioning and a lot more in which are editable. could we find something to do with network unlock in those settings? I'm attaching screen shots of this find. I'm very limited in knowledge as this is my first pixel. oh and Btw I have the spectrum mobile variant of the Google pixel 7 pro. I have always been under the assumption that pixels were able to be flashed with official firmware without bootloader unlocked, but apparently pixel 7s have to have network unlock at least to enable OEM unlock toggle to flash official firmware even with the Android flash tool. if anybody could shine some light on this for me I would greatly appreciate it as I have never been able to come across this type of information before on any other device

Sansung A71 unlock pin and Google account problem

I found a SAMSUNG A71 after wipedate/factory reset the phone still asking the pin unlock or Google account ,its any solution to can use this phone again?
bombo450 said:
I found a SAMSUNG A71 after wipedate/factory reset the phone still asking the pin unlock or Google account ,its any solution to can use this phone again?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You "found" a Samsung A71 that isn't yours? Lol yeah you just triggered it's Factory Reset Protection, you won't be able to use it without knowing the original PIN or Google account.
no method to use the phone again?
No, it can only be unlocked by the original owner
Its need to be some method to hack this protection ,with program or ??
There isn't. And even if there was, such programs are forbidden to be discussed in XDA.
A fix the problem and now the phone is unlocked without problem
bombo450 said:
A fix the problem and now the phone is unlocked without problem
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, sadly there are ways to go around FRP.
Usually it involves opening the keyboard settings and triggering webview from the 3rd party licensing disclaimer ... then a somewhat longer trip depending on the OS that finally brings you to the main Settings app where you can remove other Google account and do whatever.
FRP in Android is kinda a flop, in the end the only thing that it manages to protect is your account.
Some of these FRP and Webview security holes have been fixed by Google with A9 and A10, but many still remain in OEM custom android OSs.
I myself had to do this in many occasions for old folk that don't remember their passwords/pins (password recovery not an option) and want to give the phone to someone else. Never did it for a "found" phone tough.
ban.codrut said:
Yeah, sadly there are ways to go around FRP.
Usually it involves opening the keyboard settings and triggering webview from the 3rd party licensing disclaimer ... then a somewhat longer trip depending on the OS that finally brings you to the main Settings app where you can remove other Google account and do whatever.
FRP in Android is kinda a flop, in the end the only thing that it manages to protect is your account.
Some of these FRP and Webview security holes have been fixed by Google with A9 and A10, but many still remain in OEM custom android OSs.
I myself had to do this in many occasions for old folk that don't remember their passwords/pins (password recovery not an option) and want to give the phone to someone else. Never did it for a "found" phone tough.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Was difficult to break through my girlfriend for got her pincode and made it worse for got her Google account password now it's lock.any hints or break to get started or unlock even better thanks

Help with redmi 8, cannot flash because locked

Good afternoon fellows,
I seek your help for the next issue. Long story short, a partner from my work asked me if i could help her with her Redmi 8 (she told me that his son found it somewhere on the street), the device was locked by the mi account and frp from google. Looking for tutorials and such i finally could by pass both of them but i think i messed up something.
now the phone opens normally but the wifi won't connect and the sim card is in "just for emergency calls". I have tried to install a new rom but there is no way to flash it as (i think) is bootloader locked.
Is there a way to install a rom (i dont care if its the latest or newest) to make it usable at minimun?
thx before hand.
honesty id suggest to not go further. modern phones are pretty resilient nowadays and when you successfully bypassed the lock, the phones definitely blacklisted by xiaomi. what they shouldve done is tried their luck and go to a xiaomi service center instead. network and WIFI locking is usually a false indication, sometimes they can get within range (of a free WIFI or network restrictions) and track through GPS. it was probably locked in the beginning because the owner ordered xiaomi/google to wipe the phone. even with legit methods (buying|giving used ETC) a millenialist without any knowledge how internet accounts work can get blocked often.
some 'unofficial' tools are malicious, ive reversed engineered a few in the past for the fun of it and found 'sketchy' stuff behind the scenes. i havent tried any xiaomi tools so i cant call out theit methods.
and from a parents POV, theyre definitely in the wrong. what if the old owner successfully tracked the phone back to you guys?
-_-

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