Buying a locked Google Pixel 5? - Google Pixel 5 Questions & Answers

I see a few ebay listings that sell open boxed, locked Pixel 5's at a considerably lower price (around $260ish).
Those phones are locked with AT&T.
How easy/costly is it to unlock those phones? Is it worth buying them to save some money?
Also can you unlock the bootloader in those phones?

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bomberb17 said:
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The only pixel phones for sure that can be bootloader unlocked are from the Google store. Swappa is a good place for phones.

Tulsadiver said:
The only pixel phones for sure that can be bootloader unlocked are from the Google store. Swappa is a good place for phones.
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So a Pixel that is carrier-locked means implies that it also has a locked bootloader?

bomberb17 said:
So a Pixel that is carrier-locked means implies that it also has a locked bootloader?
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Yes, you cannot unlock the bootloader if it carrier locked. Most times, not even then (Verizon for sure).

The only carrier I know of that used to allow bootloader unlocks, provided the device was not under lien, is TMobile - and even then, it's questionable as the CSRs generally don't know what you're talking about.
Don't buy smart devices on eBay if you want to be able to unlock the bootloader.

Related

First Pixel Device

I'm swaying between this and the OnePlus 7T Pro.
Being a Pixel phone, am I free to unlock the bootloader and root it? If so, will Google Pay still work?
Thanks
You can do it , but it will break the gpay but there is workaround for that
Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk
mushtafa said:
I'm swaying between this and the OnePlus 7T Pro.
Being a Pixel phone, am I free to unlock the bootloader and root it? If so, will Google Pay still work?
Thanks
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Yes
mushtafa said:
I'm swaying between this and the OnePlus 7T Pro.
Being a Pixel phone, am I free to unlock the bootloader and root it? If so, will Google Pay still work? Thanks
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Yours is a two part question. The second part is a definite yes. The first part depends on which phone you buy. You have to be careful that the phone you end up with can be bootloader unlocked. There are many vendors selling phones that are carrier unlocked but cannot be bootloader unlocked. They advertise them as "unlocked". If you are able to buy directly from the Google Store there will be no question that it will work anywhere in the world and the bootloader can be unlocked. If you get the correct one you will not be disappointed!
what @v12xke said.
if you buy from swappa make sure the bootloader is unlockable have them check if the OEM setting is active or grayed out in developer settings.
v12xke said:
Yours is a two part question. The second part is a definite yes. The first part depends on which phone you buy. You have to be careful that the phone you end up with can be bootloader unlocked. There are many vendors selling phones that are carrier unlocked but cannot be bootloader unlocked. They advertise them as "unlocked". If you are able to buy directly from the Google Store there will be no question that it will work anywhere in the world and the bootloader can be unlocked. If you get the correct one you will not be disappointed!
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Is there anyway of knowing before purchase? Will be from Vodafone UK
mushtafa said:
Is there anyway of knowing before purchase? Will be from Vodafone UK
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Should be fine, it's US carriers that commonly have the issue
Mackay53 said:
Should be fine, it's US carriers that commonly have the issue
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Said the guys using EE.... It was just a heads up to a guy new to the Google line.
---------- Post added at 05:00 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:45 PM ----------
mushtafa said:
Is there anyway of knowing before purchase? Will be from Vodafone UK
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I'm U.S. based so cannot speak to buying a phone from a UK carrier. I know EE is locked for the first six months and then you have to get a code to unlock it. You could also just buy it direct from Google UK. If you need to finance, they probably have better terms and you will have better customer service and warranty experience? If they let you handle a phone, you can quickly enable developer options and check the "Allow OEM unlocking" setting. If it is grayed out or you cannot toggle it unlocked, then the phone cannot be unlocked as-is. Do a search for this developer option and you will quickly see how to access.
Thanks for that, I might look into buying it outright.
If I go for Vodafone, they allow returns within 14 days.
mushtafa said:
Thanks for that, I might look into buying it outright.
If I go for Vodafone, they allow returns within 14 days.
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Just order it through a website like buymobiles etc.
They'll normally just give you a Carrier unlocked one and include the SIM card
mushtafa said:
Thanks for that, I might look into buying it outright. If I go for Vodafone, they allow returns within 14 days.
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You don't have to buy it outright from Google, you can finance it through them as well. Here in the U.S. Google has a 15 day no questions asked return policy for a full refund (or exchange). Don't know how it works in the UK. Warning: Carrier unlocked is NOT the same as bootloader unlockable. No Pixel comes BL unlocked out of the box. There is a setting in Developer options that must be toggled on first to allow unlocking. Trouble is, this setting is only available on certain phones. You could easily buy a phone that will work on any carrier (carrier unlocked), but cannot be BL unlocked. Best of luck and let us know what you ended up with.
Is there anyway of knowing which phones are boot loader un-lockable? Or is it just a case of getting the device and looking in the settings?
Having the freedom of an un-lockable boot loader is one of the main reasons I want a Pixel.
I will probably have to go through Vodafone UK. They are offering me 20% off if I upgrade. No-one else can beat that at the moment.
Can get 'Unlimited Max with Entertainment' (Unlimited calls/texts/data and Spotify) for £48.80 or 'Red 20GB with Entertainment' (The same as before with only 20GB data) for £40.80
mushtafa said:
Is there anyway of knowing which phones are boot loader un-lockable? Or is it just a case of getting the device and looking in the settings?
Having the freedom of an un-lockable boot loader is one of the main reasons I want a Pixel.
I will probably have to go through Vodafone UK. They are offering me 20% off if I upgrade. No-one else can beat that at the moment.
Can get 'Unlimited Max with Entertainment' (Unlimited calls/texts/data and Spotify) for £48.80 or 'Red 20GB with Entertainment' (The same as before with only 20GB data) for £40.80
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Ask Vodafone before you sign up
Asked someone on chat, they only know about the SIM lock. I've ordered, will go and pick it up today and try it.
They've said I've got 14 day cooling off period which is completely free.
Can't wait to ditch this Huawei
Just to confirm, OEM unlock was greyed out in developer options until I updated the software. Now to unlock it and have a play

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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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.

How find 5 with unlockable BL

Unlocked P5 doesn't equal rootable P5. Got that. Don't ask how I know...
Sooooooo... How do I find a P5 with an unlockable BL? And is functional with VZW, ATT, and the other nasties?
Google store
AFAIK, buying the Pixel 5 from the Google store doesn't guarantee the bootloader can be unlocked. It's my understanding Google isn't a friendly on this point as they have been. Or I've believed another rumor...
RBEmerson said:
AFAIK, buying the Pixel 5 from the Google store doesn't guarantee the bootloader can be unlocked. It's my understanding Google isn't a friendly on this point as they have been. Or I've believed another rumor...
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The Google store sells 3 models of Pixel 5. Google, Fi, and Verizon. Only the Verizon model is not unlockable. The other 2 are and probably will always be.
Do you have the model number for the Google version? I assume Fi's going to be the same.
VZW is GD9YQ , which is, for sure, not unlockable. DAHIK
RBEmerson said:
Do you have the model number for the Google version? I assume Fi's going to be the same.
VZW is GD9YQ , which is, for sure, not unlockable. DAHIK
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That is incorrect, sorry. I have a Google bought Pixel 5 and my wife got the Verizon model on a trade-in. Both are GD1YQ. From what I can understand the only way to determine is to look at the OEM switch after enabling developer options.
When you purchase the phone it will give you the option of the 3. I bought mine from Google for this very reason. People have bought the unlocked phone from Google, received a non-unlockable phone and sent it back. Easy peasy. Just checked the website again. You want the unlocked version... The other screen is my model
Why are you asking this question again? Were the replies in your other thread not enough?
Can the Google Store Pixel 5 bootloader be unlocked?
I've posted the question: "Can the Google Store Pixel 5 bootloader be unlocked?" in rooting threads and gotten no reply. The model number is the GD1YQ
forum.xda-developers.com
Buy it from the Google store and do not select the Verizon option even if you're going to use it with Verizon service.
Personally I bought from Amazon again not specifying the carrier as Verizon and was able to unlock the bootloader.

Genuine Google (BL Unlockable) Edition?

I am buying a Pixel 4XL on Swappa advertised to be a genuine Google edition which I want so I can unlock the bootloader. Is there a way via IMEI or serial number to verify it's not a Verizon or non-Google edition? Thank you!
STraver said:
I am buying a Pixel 4XL on Swappa advertised to be a genuine Google edition which I want so I can unlock the bootloader. Is there a way via IMEI or serial number to verify it's not a Verizon or non-Google edition? Thank you!
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You used to be able to check the IMEI on the Verizon website but I just checked the link I've used before and it no longer provides the information you're looking for. Maybe someone else knows a different site to check but you can always ask the seller to see if the OEM unlocking toggle can be enabled and have them show you a screenshot of it. I would also mention that being able to unlock the bootloader is a requirement of yours just so you have that down in writing for the Swappa team to see in case it turns out not to be and you need to return it.
Thanks very much for responding. I remember reading somewher that the genuine IMEI number has a specific few character that identify it as a carrier-modified device or "pure" google but I haven't been able to find it,.
If you are just getting into this, note that carrier unlocked and bootloader locked are two different things. Vendors frequently advertise "unlocked" phones (meaning carrier) when they know people are looking for bootloader unlocked. It is VERY possible to get a carrier unlocked Pixel that cannot be bootloader unlocked. These are usually carrier-variant phones.
As mentioned, verify with the seller that it is a deal breaker if bootloader locked. When you start the phone go to settings and enable dev options. If "enable OEM unlocking" is grayed out and or you cannot toggle it on the phone is bootloader locked. I've bought at least 4 Nexus or Pixel phones from Amazon (Prime Day) and every one was fully unlockable.
v12xke said:
If you are just getting into this, note that carrier unlocked and bootloader locked are two different things. Vendors frequently advertise "unlocked" phones (meaning carrier) when they know people are looking for bootloader unlocked. It is VERY possible to get a carrier unlocked Pixel that cannot be bootloader unlocked. These are usually carrier-variant phones.
As mentioned, verify with the seller that it is a deal breaker if bootloader locked. When you start the phone go to settings and enable dev options. If "enable OEM unlocking" is grayed out and or you cannot toggle it on the phone is bootloader locked. I've bought at least 4 Nexus or Pixel phones from Amazon (Prime Day) and every one was fully unlockable.
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Thanks very much for responding. I have since received the phone and unlocked the bootloader.
STraver said:
Thanks very much for responding. I have since received the phone and unlocked the bootloader.
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Fantastic!

Question Can the Pixel 5a5G purchased from Tmobile be rooted?

I'm considering purchasing a couple of P5a5G from TM but I want to know if the bootlaoder is unlockable so that I can root.
Not seeing the phone on their site.
MrPolite said:
Not seeing the phone on their site.
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lol, that might make it a little difficult.
I was considering a subsidized phone...maybe I'll look at the Pixel 6. Will TM unlock the bootloader of their phones?
slingblade01 said:
lol, that might make it a little difficult.
I was considering a subsidized phone...maybe I'll look at the Pixel 6. Will TM unlock the bootloader of their phones?
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Get an unlocked variant, usually, carrier locked devices can't be unlocked...
If T-Mobile does offer the 5a, and if the TMO 5a can have the bootloader unlocked (likely but not guaranteed), it will first require a permanent SIM unlock and wait 40 days (apparently). Normally TMO won't permanently SIM unlock a phone before it is paid off (and a temporary SIM unlock will not allow a bootloader unlock). You could either wait the two years for the phone to be paid off, or you could prepay the balance on the phone. Prepaying the balance greatly reduces the financial advantage of buying through TMO. If you are a long-term customer of TMO you might be able to convince a service rep to do a full SIM unlock for you, but the cases I found of this were for multi-line customers who clearly were not going to change networks. Just buy an unlocked phone from Google or Best Buy.

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