Related
I'll have to admit, I'm sort of a Samsung fanboy. Ever since I had my first Galaxy S that replaced my iPhone I've never looked back. All of them have been rooted, custom recoveries, and custom OS's. I like being able to do what i want with my own phone.....
Then I got a 920A.... I own this phone out right and I should be able to do that I want with it. Locked bootloader. Thanks AT&T.
I'm rooted and on AOE2, but I really want to go for 5.1, but since there's no root for it yet I'm stuck like everyone else. I go to this section of the forum everyday hoping for a root method. I notice posts are so few and far between in this section I'm loosing hope.
So this rant brings me to my question..
I want to get an S6 that works on all AT&T bands, but has an unlocked bootloader, and can install TWRP if I want to. What should I get?
Thanks in advance!
g920f or g920i would be good ones. even the g920t would be alright. Heck as long as it is not at&t or verizon and works within the LTE frequency range in your country your good to go. Its only Big Red and Big Blue that love to lock us out of our own phone. Good luck getting rid of the g920a its not very desireable because of the locked bootloader and will sell for a quarter of what you paid if your lucky
AT&T will unlock your phone for free if it meets their requirements:
(as of 2015.11.13) Devices may qualify for unlocking if they meet the following requirements:
The device must be designed for use on, and locked to, the AT&T wireless network. For help see Device Unlock Support.
It must not be reported lost or stolen.
It's not associated with fraudulent activity.
All the device's service commitments and installment plans are completed, and all early termination fees are paid in full.
The device is not currently active on a different AT&T customer's account.
If you performed an early upgrade, you must wait the 14-day buyer's remorse period before you can request to unlock your previous device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd post a direct link to the ATT page if I could, but google "unlock ATT phone" and the first result should get you there.
I've unlocked a few ATT phones this way. FYI: it does require a "non-att" sim card to complete the unlock service.
demidude said:
AT&T will unlock your phone for free if it meets their requirements:
I'd post a direct link to the ATT page if I could, but google "unlock ATT phone" and the first result should get you there.
I've unlocked a few ATT phones this way. FYI: it does require a "non-att" sim card to complete the unlock service.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the info, but the sim lock is not really what I was referring to, I was referring to the bootloader lock.
custommx3 said:
Thanks for the info, but the sim lock is not really what I was referring to, I was referring to the bootloader lock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
D'oh...thanks for the clarification.
Just admit we got the short end of the stick this time. Look at the galaxy s5 and how they are doing on bootloader bypassing, which is nothing. The best they have is what we have safe starp and a selection of sub par roms, not putting any developer down because I know its a limited environment when you can't touch the kernel for all that juicy goodness. I was in your same position a week ago and eventually took the 5.1.1 update for the Samsung pay which awesome if your bank or credit provider supports. It friggen emulates a card so dope but besides the point, the security on its kernel is supposedly heavy which makes sense because you are storing card info on your phone now. I even went above and beyond and whole disc encrypted it just in case it gets stolen, glhf getting into it. So yeah you can wait around on 5.02 and not enjoy the performance enhancements and cool card features or realize AT&T finally found a good enough encryption scheme to shore things up . Your next purchase may have to be a different phone, admittedly I rarely stray far from Samsung. I leave you with a bit of hope you honestly don't need root as it is. I was just once a flashaholic on s3 and s4 but that was all to tether and have better control of my cpu stepping. Now I have a tether app, you have to pay but its five bucks. I don't remember the subs rule on ads but it its reads like Firefox but is spelled foxify or something like that . Also, I rum a VPN on the phone so that ATT dosent know I'm tethering, gets me through any of their packet snorting and threatening texts of we will take your grandfather data away if you don't stop. So in the end it's all up to you kind XDA'er best of luck on your decision process.
My FoxiFi isn't working
I'm in peculiar situation: I bought my T-mo S8 direct from Samsung, paid in full, so now whom do I go to unlock my SIM? People from Canada received unlock code together with copy of bill, but I can't find anything on mine, any suggestions? Of course I want to do it as painless as possible and I want to ask here before calling customer service and waste few hours.
pete4k said:
I'm in peculiar situation: I bought my T-mo S8 direct from Samsung, paid in full, so now whom do I go to unlock my SIM? People from Canada received unlock code together with copy of bill, but I can't find anything on mine, any suggestions? Of course I want to do it as painless as possible and I want to ask here before calling customer service and waste few hours.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm in the same boat as you
Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
pete4k said:
I'm in peculiar situation: I bought my T-mo S8 direct from Samsung, paid in full, so now whom do I go to unlock my SIM? People from Canada received unlock code together with copy of bill, but I can't find anything on mine, any suggestions? Of course I want to do it as painless as possible and I want to ask here before calling customer service and waste few hours.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am in the same situation. From my understanding of past and present TMo devices, the account has to be in good standing (EIP/equipment paid off) AND your device needs to have 40 or 45 days (someone correct me) of continuous usage on TMo network before you can request the Device App unlock = carrier unlock.
So just wait until then
Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
As I suspected, I called Samsung to unlock my phone, they told me to call T-mo, called T-mo, they told me to call Samsung, wasted already 1 hour on this.
escabar said:
I am in the same situation. From my understanding of past and present TMo devices, the account has to be in good standing (EIP/equipment paid off) AND your device needs to have 40 or 45 days (someone correct me) of continuous usage on TMo network before you can request the Device App unlock = carrier unlock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's 40 days, that is I was told by CS. After that you use "Device unlock" app on your phone and choose permanent unlock.
Same techniques for S6 and S7 and it worked for me.
First of all I'm leaving on a trip in 20 days, second, the phone is paid in full now, not in 40, third I didn't buy it from T-mo so most likely they wont have any record of it. It's total BS and should be illegal, in Canada Samsung sends unlock code with the phone., but I guess here consumers have no protection. Last time I'm buying carrier phone. This whole locking of the phones is leftover from carrier subsidies and should not exist outside of those plans, if they still taking place. And a funny thing is I have no intention of leaving T-mo anyway and there are services to unlock phone for money. I remember some law about phone getting unlocked when paid I read about few years ago, but can't get any details now.
pete4k said:
First of all I'm leaving on a trip in 20 days, second, the phone is paid in full now, not in 40, third I didn't buy it from T-mo so most likely they wont have any record of it. It's total BS and should be illegal, in Canada Samsung sends unlock code with the phone., but I guess here consumers have no protection. Last time I'm buying carrier phone. This whole locking of the phones is leftover from carrier subsidies and should not exist outside of those plans, if they still taking place. And a funny thing is I have no intention of leaving T-mo anyway and there are services to unlock phone for money. I remember some law about phone getting unlocked when paid I read about few years ago, but can't get any details now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is T-Mobile branded phone, and that is their rules, sorry for that. What you can do, before going on the trip, on that app/ choose Temporary unlock, it's good for 30 days and you can have it up to 5 times in a year.
pete4k said:
First of all I'm leaving on a trip in 20 days, second, the phone is paid in full now, not in 40, third I didn't buy it from T-mo so most likely they wont have any record of it. It's total BS and should be illegal, in Canada Samsung sends unlock code with the phone., but I guess here consumers have no protection. Last time I'm buying carrier phone. This whole locking of the phones is leftover from carrier subsidies and should not exist outside of those plans, if they still taking place. And a funny thing is I have no intention of leaving T-mo anyway and there are services to unlock phone for money. I remember some law about phone getting unlocked when paid I read about few years ago, but can't get any details now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can call T-Mobile and let them know that you are travelling out of the country on ___ date and ask for an unlock code for a long time customer. It has worked for me in the past if you get the right rep.
mrbear01 said:
You can call T-Mobile and let them know that you are travelling out of the country on ___ date and ask for an unlock code for a long time customer. It has worked for me in the past if you get the right rep.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the same problem, I bought the phone from Samsung.com and there was no option to purchase an unlocked phone. I am traveling in two days for a few weeks and I called Tmobile several times trying to at least get a temporary unlock and even that cannot be done. They said it has to be on their network for 40 days. I even called Samsung and they said all the unlock codes are sent to Tmobile and only they can unlock it due to the stupid Device Unlock app. You cannot unlock it even if you have the code, only the app can unlock it. If I didn't like the S8 so much I would have switched to the iPhone 7. Absolutely ridiculous!!!
I still don't understand how T-mo will know the phone you purchased direct from Samsung is paid for and should not have SIM locked to begin with.
I have the same problem with my S8. Bough it directly from Samsung. I contacted Samsung and they told me that I need contact tmobile; contact tmobile and they told me that my phone does not show in their system as a tmobile phone because I did not buy it from them. I need my phone unlock so when I travel overseas I can use a local sime card. I don't want to wait until 40-45 days go able to unlock my phone and then not be able to return it to Samsung. There some unlock services charging $50.00 plus to unlock it. I don't want to expend more money, since this phone is already very expensive.
kindongo said:
I have the same problem with my S8. Bough it directly from Samsung. I contacted Samsung and they told me that I need contact tmobile; contact tmobile and they told me that my phone does not show in their system as a tmobile phone because I did not buy it from them. I need my phone unlock so when I travel overseas I can use a local sime card. I don't want to wait until 40-45 days go able to unlock my phone and then not be able to return it to Samsung. There some unlock services charging $50.00 plus to unlock it. I don't want to expend more money, since this phone is already very expensive.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not even about money, this should be illegal. This whole business of locking the SIM card is left over from contract subsidized phones and I could perfectly understand that phone belonged to phone company and you just leased it until end of contract. Now I praise T-mo for getting rid of this practice and changing whole industry, so now at least you know what are you paying for and how much. But now SIM locking shouldn't even happen anymore: if phone is stolen/unpaid for, blacklist IMEI and also you can unlock SIM for the fee, even if it is stolen, so what purpose this SIM locking serves? Canada gets unlock code with the phone.
Anybody had any luck getting the phone unlock.?I waited too long to return the phone, now I'm stuck with it.
http://www.cellunlocker.net/t-mobile-device-unlock-app.php
the service is expensive $130 dls for the unlock
kindongo said:
Anybody had any luck getting the phone unlock.?I waited too long to return the phone, now I'm stuck with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was in the same boat as you. Went through T-Force on Twitter and seemed to have gotten a rep on the first go who understood the situation and submitted my IMEI number to the right place. Your IMEI number needs to be added to their "device distribution inventory system" and needs to be submitted to their highest level tech support, this allows the Device Unlock app think your phone came from T-mobile's inventory and will let the app unlock your phone.
There may be hope for everyone in the future, this one of the final responses I got from them:
"I am right there with you. It definitely makes things harder on both sides since the phone isn't technically bought from us, even though it is branded a T-Mobile phone and our system rejects any IMEI that didn't come from our inventory. None the less, we're all about giving you full access to what is yours. Teams are currently working on a process update that'll make things a lot more seamless, but in the meantime we've got this work around! I really appreciate you taking the time to reach out to us today!"
14 hours later I tried the Unlock Device app and requested the permanent unlock and was greeted with "Unlock Approved: Mobile Device is permanently unlocked"
Device is fully unlocked, tested with an AT&T SIM card and everything worked fine. After 2 reboots the Device Unlock app even disappeared from my phone. I'm so happy with how fast T-Mobile dealt with this. The more people that make a stink about this issue on social media hopefully T-Mobile will find a permanent fix for people buying a SIM locked at full price and have it easily unlocked under their standard procedure.
INGHUGO said:
http://www.cellunlocker.net/t-mobile-device-unlock-app.php
the service is expensive $130 dls for the unlock
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did this work for you and were you able to successfully unlock ?
no,unfortunately it couldn't be unlocked because cellunlock no longer have access to their server ,I had to have a contract and wait the 40 days that are the requirement so I can release it
I dont think anybody has now. nearly all the sites i checked unlocking tmobile does not seems to be available.
fragg3d said:
I was in the same boat as you. Went through T-Force on Twitter and seemed to have gotten a rep on the first go who understood the situation and submitted my IMEI number to the right place. Your IMEI number needs to be added to their "device distribution inventory system" and needs to be submitted to their highest level tech support, this allows the Device Unlock app think your phone came from T-mobile's inventory and will let the app unlock your phone.
There may be hope for everyone in the future, this one of the final responses I got from them:
"I am right there with you. It definitely makes things harder on both sides since the phone isn't technically bought from us, even though it is branded a T-Mobile phone and our system rejects any IMEI that didn't come from our inventory. None the less, we're all about giving you full access to what is yours. Teams are currently working on a process update that'll make things a lot more seamless, but in the meantime we've got this work around! I really appreciate you taking the time to reach out to us today!"
14 hours later I tried the Unlock Device app and requested the permanent unlock and was greeted with "Unlock Approved: Mobile Device is permanently unlocked"
Device is fully unlocked, tested with an AT&T SIM card and everything worked fine. After 2 reboots the Device Unlock app even disappeared from my phone. I'm so happy with how fast T-Mobile dealt with this. The more people that make a stink about this issue on social media hopefully T-Mobile will find a permanent fix for people buying a SIM locked at full price and have it easily unlocked under their standard procedure.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I will try that
Hi guys, anyone know of a good method to unlock a locked T-mobile Note 5 that was bought from e-Bay? I've been using t-mobile for years, but I don't know if the 40 days of use method will work since I didn't buy my previous/current Note 5 (unlocked) from t-mobile. My new Note 5 is factory locked, and I don't think the unlock code method some third party sellers sell will work with it.
Any info?
It doesnt matter if you bought the device from Tmo or not you may have to get service for at least 40 days. and after that last payment with 40 days in mind the unlocker app will work....I went thru that with the Lg v10 when it first came out and i got it from swappa. But i dont know off hand if things have changed or not since then but third party unlockers couldnt do it then. Thats one reason i quit buying devices from tmo and having to mess with that app but after 40 days made the payment on the 42nd day and the app worked fine.....
KennyLG123 said:
It doesnt matter if you bought the device from Tmo or not you may have to get service for at least 40 days. and after that last payment with 40 days in mind the unlocker app will work....I went thru that with the Lg v10 when it first came out and i got it from swappa. But i dont know off hand if things have changed or not since then but third party unlockers couldnt do it then. Thats one reason i quit buying devices from tmo and having to mess with that app but after 40 days made the payment on the 42nd day and the app worked fine.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the info. As far as I've read there used to be more options in the past:
-People would flash a MetroPCS Rom to their Note 5's in order to prompt to enter an unlocking code they would buy from a third party seller.
-People would unlock the phone through the T-mobile app regardless of where they bought the phone from, after a 40 day service under t-mobile, and have the phone fully paid if they bought it through t-mobile (used to be a whole year in the old old days). Also, some people reported being able to unlock after only 4 days of use under a t-mobile line, and requesting help from t-mobile. However IF the phone was stolen, or the previous owner had pending payments, the phone would get flagged by t-mobile, and other issues would appear to prevent you from unlocking, which is why it's risky to buy used phones off not so reputable sources like eBay.
- Some people or third party sellers would offer a server based unlock that was either free or paid by donation. I read that they needed root, but would use a "ping pong" type of temporary root that would not trip Knox, which sounds amazing, but I doubt people are still doing that since a lot of users ar moving on from the Note 5 by now.
thenetvines said:
Thanks for the info. As far as I've read there used to be more options in the past:
-People would flash a MetroPCS Rom to their Note 5's in order to prompt to enter an unlocking code they would buy from a third party seller.
-People would unlock the phone through the T-mobile app regardless of where they bought the phone from, after a 40 day service under t-mobile, and have the phone fully paid if they bought it through t-mobile (used to be a whole year in the old old days). Also, some people reported being able to unlock after only 4 days of use under a t-mobile line, and requesting help from t-mobile. However IF the phone was stolen, or the previous owner had pending payments, the phone would get flagged by t-mobile, and other issues would appear to prevent you from unlocking, which is why it's risky to buy used phones off not so reputable sources like eBay.
- Some people or third party sellers would offer a server based unlock that was either free or paid by donation. I read that they needed root, but would use a "ping pong" type of temporary root that would not trip Knox, which sounds amazing, but I doubt people are still doing that since a lot of users ar moving on from the Note 5 by now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wasnt getting nowhere talking to tmo but went ahead and got the service with them just to unlock the device. But after that i started buying international devices, which was better since tmo is allowing bootloader lock and i prefer the exynos chips anyhow over snapdragon.
Hey, I was able to easily unlock my phone through T-mobile for free and really quick.
I bought a genuine T-mobile locked Note 5 from eBay, fearing it maybe a fake, since they still sell so many fake phones out there.
I tried the unlocking app on my SM-920T, and it said my device wasn't eligible. I called T-mobile, and a lady told me that she wouldn't know how to unlock my device past the unlocking app, so I asked her to transfer me to a tech guy, and she did.
The tech guy looked up my IMEI number, and realized it wasn't a stolen phone, or a used phone under someone's account left with a debt, so he said that was good so far, and he tried his first "unlock method" to no success... I don't know what that method was, but then he said he'd try a second method (probably server based), and he was successful. He told me to wait anywhere from 2 hours to 24 hours, and try the unlocking app.
I tried the unlocking app right away, and it worked. Overall, it took less than 5 minutes talking to T-mobile to unlock permanently.
I did this in Florida, US, with a refurbished phone that seems to be legit. I don't know how this method will vary under other circumstances.
thenetvines said:
Hey, I was able to easily unlock my phone through T-mobile for free and really quick.
I bought a genuine T-mobile locked Note 5 from eBay, fearing it maybe a fake, since they still sell so many fake phones out there.
I tried the unlocking app on my SM-920T, and it said my device wasn't eligible. I called T-mobile, and a lady told me that she wouldn't know how to unlock my device past the unlocking app, so I asked her to transfer me to a tech guy, and she did.
The tech guy looked up my IMEI number, and realized it wasn't a stolen phone, or a used phone under someone's account left with a debt, so he said that was good so far, and he tried his first "unlock method" to no success... I don't know what that method was, but then he said he'd try a second method (probably server based), and he was successful. He told me to wait anywhere from 2 hours to 24 hours, and try the unlocking app.
I tried the unlocking app right away, and it worked. Overall, it took less than 5 minutes talking to T-mobile to unlock permanently.
I did this in Florida, US, with a refurbished phone that seems to be legit. I don't know how this method will vary under other circumstances.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im glad you didnt go thru the crap most of us had to do with tmo unlock app...
KennyLG123 said:
Im glad you didnt go thru the crap most of us had to do with tmo unlock app...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey man, just to let you know, it is even EASIER to unlock phones through T-mobile now, and for free!!! All you have to do is leave a message about it on T-Mobile's Facebook support, and leave them your IMEI.
IT DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU'RE NOT USING THE PHONE ON T-MOBILE
NO CONTRACT OR DAYS OF USE WITH THEM REQUIRED
THEY USUALLY RESPOND IN MINUTES
NO CHARGE WHATSOEVER
IF YOU ARE IN THE US, EVEN THE SIM CARD ON TMOBILE SHOULD BE FREE IF YOU NEED IT, JUST DON'T GO TO A SHADY SMALL T-MOBILE SHOP OWNED BY A THIRD PARTY, GO TO THE BIG STORES.
Hello! I've used this little font of knowledge over the years to gain the full potential of my phones, but I never posted anything here until now. It's been pretty easy for me to pick things up here and use that information successfully, so I want to thank everyone that was involved for freely sharing those various posts and assisting those of us in need. I've been trying to follow along with all of the information provided for the Razer Phone 2, but quickly learned that it is a different beast all together.
My RP2 is currently locked with AT&T. I was able to flash the device with the latest global stock ROM since AT&T didn't seem like they were going to upgrade the Android OS any time soon. Now I have a global RP2 that works perfectly, yet still locked to AT&T. Recently, I was in the position of not being able to keep up with my phone bill and instead of working with me, they released my phone number and sent a bill for the full amount that was left on the phone along with some lovely fees, all of which will never get paid off in time before they send it to a collector.
My question is, what is the best and most foolproof way to unlock the phone so I can use it with other mobile service providers, if I'm even able to do that? I don't really want to root it and/or flash another ROM just yet. I'd prefer to keep the phone as it is, only unlocked as well. I'm not ready to backup, upload, download, restore, or set it up all over again. Right now my research just keeps me going in a confusing loop with no definite answer. I just want to unlock the phone without wiping anything out.
Is this possible? I'd appreciate any assistance! Thanks!
Phone needs to be paid off and not under any contract then you can SIM unlock the phone.
I have to root my phones (not wanting to pay $30 for Verizon tether), is anyone aware if the Pixel 4 XL from Verizon will have the bootloader locked, and unable to be rooted? In addition to that, would we see a root for the unlocked version? Thanks
Pretty sure most carrier devices are going to remain locked until you pay it off. At least, that's the logical rationale. I can't imagine they want people unlocking devices they haven't paid for. As far as root, that should be a simple process of just patching the boot.img
ZeroKool76 said:
Pretty sure most carrier devices are going to remain locked until you pay it off. At least, that's the logical rationale. I can't imagine they want people unlocking devices they haven't paid for. As far as root, that should be a simple process of just patching the boot.img
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the lock not something they ever lift? My current 2 XL was paid retail but they never allowed me to unlock the bootloader. They do allow for any carrier SIM to be used in it.
psone said:
Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the lock not something they ever lift? My current 2 XL was paid retail but they never allowed me to unlock the bootloader. They do allow for any carrier SIM to be used in it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you bought the Verizon Pixel 2 XL it had a locked bootloader. Since it was exclusive to Verizon. The unlocked version directly from Google did not have a locked bootloader. That was the same for the Pixel 3 and 3 XL. I am not sure about the Pixel 3a and 3a XL since it was not exclusive to Verizon.
Does anyone know if the Pixel 3a or 3a XL came with a locked bootloader?
EDIT: There's a thread over on the Pixel 3a XL where a bunch of carrier and non-carrier devices had locked bootloaders. I would be careful which device you buy going forward until you hear others chime in on the greyed out unlocked button.
When in doubt, buy directly from Google.
psone said:
Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the lock not something they ever lift? My current 2 XL was paid retail but they never allowed me to unlock the bootloader. They do allow for any carrier SIM to be used in it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is correct. Verizon is a mofo. Doesn't make much sense. I mean, you paid for the device, you should be able to do what you want with it
ZeroKool76 said:
This is correct. Verizon is a mofo. Doesn't make much sense. I mean, you paid for the device, you should be able to do what you want with it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This right here has been the case with Verizon going ALL the way back to the Verizon Galaxy Nexus. **** Verizon!
Yep, never buy the carrier modesl unless you have absolutely no other option. In the case of Tmo with OnePlus and similar phones you could get an unlock (both carrier and bootloader) after the device was paid off. You still have to deal with a little bloat and later updates along with lesser issues. AT&T will have this one and their policies are similar to Verizon so I wouldn't go that way unless you hate yourself. No idea on Sprint, that have nothing in my area so I haven't paid attention. The previous posters were 100 prevent though, buying unlocked is the way. Tmo if you must to get a deal but only after verifying the bootloader can be unlocked.
krabman said:
Yep, never buy the carrier modesl unless you have absolutely no other option. In the case of Tmo with OnePlus and similar phones you could get an unlock (both carrier and bootloader) after the device was paid off. You still have to deal with a little bloat and later updates along with lesser issues. AT&T will have this one and their policies are similar to Verizon so I wouldn't go that way unless you hate yourself. No idea on Sprint, that have nothing in my area so I haven't paid attention. The previous posters were 100 prevent though, buying unlocked is the way. Tmo if you must to get a deal but only after verifying the bootloader can be unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I currently have a one plus 7pro from T-Mobile that is still financed. The bootloader was locked until you paid off your device and waited the mandatory 45 days. Some were able to talk to T-force and got their devices unlocked early whether they financed or not. I was one of the unlucky ones that could not negotiate with T-force to unlock my device. Luckily there was a nice person that worked for TMobile that was in the forums and was able to unlock my phone. We will see what happens when we get the devices and start working on them. I will be financing my phone with them again next Thursday.
I purchased the Unlocked model. I currently have Pixel 2XL Verizon (Bootloader Locked), not a huge issue. But there are times where I wish I had a rooted phone. Not making that mistake again.
cronojay said:
I currently have a one plus 7pro from T-Mobile that is still financed. The bootloader was locked until you paid off your device and waited the mandatory 45 days. Some were able to talk to T-force and got their devices unlocked early whether they financed or not. I was one of the unlucky ones that could not negotiate with T-force to unlock my device. Luckily there was a nice person that worked for TMobile that was in the forums and was able to unlock my phone. We will see what happens when we get the devices and start working on them. I will be financing my phone with them again next Thursday.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you try calling in multiple times? That often works although some people can't seem to catch a break on it. I've been on a number of OP devices and I'm familiar with what you're talking about; Saw it most recently on the 6T but it goes back further. I had them unlock a SGS6 the day I bought it, I paid cash but still the word was it couldn't be done without a dwell period, I remember it being 30 days at that time but maybe it was 45, been a while. In any event the very next year was the one were it turned out Tmo couldn't unlock your bootloader, came from Samsung they said. I remember there being an exploit coming out for that but I had already given away my S7 and moved on to the next thing before they figured that out. Not much over a year later Samsung started the BS with bootloaders on their international unlocked phones and I didn't keep the Note 8 long either. IMO if root is a must it's a good idea to let someone else be the guinea pig and profit from that information unless you've got enough ching to walk away without worrying about it.
I'm pretty sure this phone will also be exactly as you describe on Tmo and I agree with you BTW, just saying the smart money if a man needs to be careful is to wait for the first phones to meet their owners a few of who will unlock and root or attempt to do it. Or as I said in my first post, buy unlocked direct from Goog or Fi if possible.
There is not likely to be any bootloader unlock for the P4 and P4XL for carrier versions unless an exploit is found (which doesn't seem likely anymore). Google does not provide carriers an interface to change the device type, nor do they provide that interface to their own customer service and support teams. It's not a matter of hounding customer service or posting on the right forum because they can't help you. It's an obligation that Google has to meet if they want to keep their big carrier contracts in the United States.
The only unlocking requirement for carrier specific versions is having the ability to SIM unlock the device for portability between networks. Most carriers will do this upon request if you have international travel plans or have completed a certain percentage of your device financing.
navalynt said:
There is not likely to be any bootloader unlock for the P4 and P4XL for carrier versions unless an exploit is found (which doesn't seem likely anymore). Google does not provide carriers an interface to change the device type, nor do they provide that interface to their own customer service and support teams. It's not a matter of hounding customer service or posting on the right forum because they can't help you. It's an obligation that Google has to meet if they want to keep their big carrier contracts in the United States.
The only unlocking requirement for carrier specific versions is having the ability to SIM unlock the device for portability between networks. Most carriers will do this upon request if you have international travel plans or have completed a certain percentage of your device financing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, the devices are shipped to the carriers already locked? Interesting. for some reason I always thought it was the individual carriers that lock them down and then would unlock it when you fully paid off the device. So you're saying, even if you fully pay off the device, you will never be able to unlock a carrier pixel 4/XL? Wow, that's a bummer.
ZeroKool76 said:
So, the devices are shipped to the carriers already locked? Interesting. for some reason I always thought it was the individual carriers that lock them down and then would unlock it when you fully paid off the device. So you're saying, even if you fully pay off the device, you will never be able to unlock a carrier pixel 4/XL? Wow, that's a bummer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct. Enthusiasts have a channel to bootloader unlock, which is buying directly from Google where Google provides it's own support.
Carriers are only looking to sell you a device that's stable to work on their own networks. What do the carriers have to gain at all from controlling the bootloader unlock? They have nothing to gain from it except a support migraine.
navalynt said:
Correct. Enthusiasts have a channel to bootloader unlock, which is buying directly from Google where Google provides it's own support.
Carriers are only looking to sell you a device that's stable to work on their own networks. What do the carriers have to gain at all from controlling the bootloader unlock? They have nothing to gain from it except a support migraine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, that makes sense when you put it that way. Just took me by surprise when OP and it's carrier phones pretty much allow you to do whatever you want to the device, once it's paid off. Still can't stand OP, but I have to admit, that's a check mark in their corner
Keep in mind Google does not require it like Samsung does so it's left up to the carrier. Tmo has been unlocking similar devices and there is little reason to think it wont happen here. In the opposing camp you have Verizon which demands a locked bootloader and few exploits have been found to circumvent it on recent devices. Meanwhile something to consider is that even the unlocked straight from google device is not really unlocked in the way some people think: Before you can unlock the bootloader it absolutely must phone home. Don't give the phone that connection and you cannot unlock it. Samsung does the same thing. We are not in control of our devices anymore, they can pull the plug on unlocking any time they want simply by denying it via that same connection even if you have already unlocked it. Samsung did this a few years ago in just that way and to this date no one has found a way around it that doesn't cause real pain with the wait a week and all that BS.
I called several times and got on with T-force sever times and no luck. I got lucky when the post I described about unlocking and got mine done. I always device finance because of the 0% apr and jump on demand so all I need to is bring my phone, get my new phone and profit.
ZeroKool76 said:
Pretty sure most carrier devices are going to remain locked until you pay it off. At least, that's the logical rationale. I can't imagine they want people unlocking devices they haven't paid for. As far as root, that should be a simple process of just patching the boot.img
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"simple process" "just patch the boot img" come on man.. Ask the people that own a pixel 3 from Verizon. Please don't spread wrong info
bigmatt503 said:
"simple process" "just patch the boot img" come on man.. Ask the people that own a pixel 3 from Verizon. Please don't spread wrong info
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You mean, ask the people who were dumb enough to buy a locked down device? I'll pass. People that have purchased Verizon's in the past, as you have stated, would obviously know this doesn't apply to them. I was more referring to, since we don't have recovery yet, you would have to patch the boot img manually.
Honestly, I ALMOST got me and my wife's from Verizon (she definitely jumped on the pixel bandwagon). They have a buy one, get one free. Sooo, I kept thinking about root, but ultimately decided I'd rather save $900. Evidently, there's some caveats. One, the get one is for a new line. No biggie, I'll just cancel the one number and add a new one (her phone is paid off, I don't think there's a termination fee after two years). Two, you have to sign up for an unlimited plan. That piece completely wiped the price difference and then some for me. Sooo, I smiled a bit and bought them unlocked from Google. The only reason I would buy directly is for a huge price savings.
Another thing I thought of too, there is an early upgrade fee with V if I were to decide to upgrade to the 5xl next year. So, that's another caveat. I'm glad I just went with unlocked. Hoping it doesn't take long to root.
This time around I placed a pre-order with Google Fi.
All their Pixels are both SIM & Bootloader Unlocked even on
financing, same as Google Store.