I am currently a customer with Cricket Wireless. All of their phones come with the bootloader locked, which I didnt know when I bought my E5 Supra a couple of years ago. Last week I plugged it up and it started smoking randomly. It's fried. I did a good bit of research and decided for under 220, the Moto G7 Power used off Ebay unlocked was my best bet. I made sure it was rootable, I thought.
The seller had it listed as "Motorola G7 Power Unlocked ATT/Cricket". What came in was a Verizon variant (XT1955-6) that had not only a constant error that I wasnt using a verizon sim but had a locked bootloader. The error thing, I could live with or fix. I was on the phone with both Motorola and Verizon with the hopes I could sweet talk them into something, explaining I was an app developer.
Well, im sending the G7 Power back. I was going to get the XT1955-5 which could be unlocked through Motorola or the international version and just flash whatever bands were needed. But at this point, I think I want to steer clear of Motorola altogether. Everyone in the G7 forums is constantly bricking, some hard bricking and actually sending them back.
Models Im Considering
One Plus 5T
LG G7 ThinQ
Samsung Galaxy A50
Samsung Galaxy S8-S9 (whichever I can find for that price range)
Samsung Galaxy Note 7 or 8 (whicheveer I can find for that price range)
Sorry for the background but, does anyone have any advice or recommendations on what a good phone with an unlockable bootloader for under $220 would be? (used is fine) I dont even really require it be sim unlocked, so long as it doesnt have a locked bootloader. I see the Pixel guys ran into issues with bootloaders being locked so that ruled that out. Im not too concerned with camera or anything like that. Mostly freedom to do with it as I please and a smooth processor lol. Thanks in advance!!
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So...after being burned by Carrier branding and OEM locking i'm going to try something new.
Not get a samsung device. I tired HTC But I got burned with the Thunderbolt and the Rezound (BOTH phones I had to get an extened battery)
But I've done my research and each OEM has it's own caveats ....what do you think?
Sony: Features are lost if you unlock the bootloader. Root is EVERYTHING to me. I've never had an android phone that I couldn't root. The one that I couldn't. I didnt own. (I passed on a Note 4 for a S5 because it *STILL* doesn't have root) Plus I heard (and i've done research) the verizon variant of the Z3 sucks more than a vacuum cleaner (compared to the REAL Z3) VZW pulled an Apple like the iTouch 3G 8GB (THEY DON'T EXIST. 8GB is really 2G)
OnePlus: I have no F**king idea what they are like. If anyone has a 1+ would they be so kind to share with me their experience with it? (heard it's GSM only)
Asus Phone: no clue either. They look good though. Any info? (GSM exclusive too)
LG: screens are nice on them. Had a G Pro years ago and it was OKAY...just okay. It didn't blow me away. Wife had the G3 for a week and got a Note 4 instead. So I really didn't get to use it much
Google / Motorola: (Nexus): great phones. Bootloader unlock ability. But NO SD card (which is why i'm giving sammy the finger next time around)
HTC: See Above. DIdn't have a super experience with them twice. M9 looks interesting....But I might be willing to try them again.....
Samsung: ........ nope. nuh uh.
Now i've been thinking about buying an international version to use with USA (VZW) but Is that possible? Probably not. GSM users most likely. I'm tired of these damn carrier branding and bootloader locking down crap. Or maybe a developer edition ofa device.....lots of options here...what do you guys (and gals) think? Who should I trust my future with?
Just bought the Verizon moto e at best buy and have it working on t mobile but want to install custom roms.
Sadly it does not. Just bought mine today as a secondary device.
I am just hoping that someone can do something to unlock that bootloader (could the stagefright vulnerability be used to do some things since it does have some root capabilities?) or at least get the device loki'd.
Christopher876 said:
Sadly it does not. Just bought mine today as a secondary device.
I am just hoping that someone can do something to unlock that bootloader (could the stagefright vulnerability be used to do some things since it does have some root capabilities?) or at least get the device loki'd.
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i bought it for the same reason at best buy to uses as a backup for myself or a friend of family member. Just like you i was curious about rooting and custom roms for it. Sadly i found out by trying to follow the tutorial to unlock the bootloader and when i went to Motorola website for the unlock code it said my device couldn't be unlocked :crying:
Before i picked up the Moto e i seen on XDA the Verizon variant could be used on any service so i didn't even think twice to see if it was unlock-able before trying.
Just now wile typing this it actually got me thinking and the thought of the Verizon variant being able to be used on. got me wondering.
Under the hood of the Verizon Moto e is the hardware exactly the same as the other variants or are there more radios for the Verizon network? I ask this because if its the same would there be someway to install the international variant bootloader on the Verizon variant and then unlock it?
if that sounds very stupid im sorry lol. I don't know very much about unlocking devices besides how to follow tutorials of how to unlock a device. But i do know how to flash and install things im kind of a flashaholic thats one reason i looked to unlock this device right away
Verizon as is already annoys me by how there devices have locked bootlaoders thankfully someone found a workaround for the G3, but seeing how this is a prepaid device that customers pay in full for i don't see why they have to lock it down...
$9.99 from bestbuy, it's the best budget phone. I made it work under t-mobile.
clapper66 said:
i bought it for the same reason at best buy to uses as a backup for myself or a friend of family member. Just like you i was curious about rooting and custom roms for it. Sadly i found out by trying to follow the tutorial to unlock the bootloader and when i went to Motorola website for the unlock code it said my device couldn't be unlocked :crying:
Before i picked up the Moto e i seen on XDA the Verizon variant could be used on any service so i didn't even think twice to see if it was unlock-able before trying.
Just now wile typing this it actually got me thinking and the thought of the Verizon variant being able to be used on. got me wondering.
Under the hood of the Verizon Moto e is the hardware exactly the same as the other variants or are there more radios for the Verizon network? I ask this because if its the same would there be someway to install the international variant bootloader on the Verizon variant and then unlock it?
if that sounds very stupid im sorry lol. I don't know very much about unlocking devices besides how to follow tutorials of how to unlock a device. But i do know how to flash and install things im kind of a flashaholic thats one reason i looked to unlock this device right away
Verizon as is already annoys me by how there devices have locked bootlaoders thankfully someone found a workaround for the G3, but seeing how this is a prepaid device that customers pay in full for i don't see why they have to lock it down...
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Can't overwrite the bootloader since it is locked, the partition is locked to read. However, I was thinking, since it has that 5.1 update, it must've written to the system partition and which case I wonder if a fake update of some kind be used. Kingoroot also somehow can mount and write to the system partition through their rooting process, if someone can figure how it does that, there is hope for this version.
There is also the possibility of someone developing loki for this phone too, which would bring at least some custom action to this.
Verizon does some weird things, both it and AT&T, I just don't understand them. AT&T locks down the device and sometimes they even get updates that were released for the phone. Verizon declines other phones which people want. Anyways, we only paid $10 for phone, couldn't say no to that, right? Unlocked SIM and if they do find a workaround, just cherry on top of the icing.
litan1106 said:
$9.99 from bestbuy, it's the best budget phone. I made it work under t-mobile.
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+1 - cant beat the price.
With so many of these out there now, I think its only a matter of time until someone figures out the bootloader and rom questions.
wogeboy said:
+1 - cant beat the price.
With so many of these out there now, I think its only a matter of time until someone figures out the bootloader and rom questions.
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I hope so, would really suck to stay on 5.1 and miss out on any security updates, etc.
But from the looks of scanning through part of the forum, no seems to be taking on the task of figuring out a way to do so. The one guy that was trying had school that took over his time and then there are no other threads about it.
Yeah, I hope that you are right that all these new devices out there will spark something.
Just curious, seeming how most people would just say "buy the carrier unlocked version". I don't know jack about development and all that, and I don't mean any disrespect in this, but I'm just curious if anyone out there is going to be trying to root the carrier models of the v30.
I hope so. Only reason I'll ever buy a samsung again is cause the dev community is so so much better vs LG following. Honestly really love my g6 and my v30 but if Verizon never gets root and I never get exposed modules I'll be very very much more likely to buy a gs9 or galaxy X in a year or two
lg3FTW said:
I hope so. Only reason I'll ever buy a samsung again is cause the dev community is so so much better vs LG following. Honestly really love my g6 and my v30 but if Verizon never gets root and I never get exposed modules I'll be very very much more likely to buy a gs9 or galaxy X in a year or two
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Yep, the GS8 forums are always buzzing it seems. Problem for me is that this phone is going to have to get me through the next 3-4 years (I got my current Nexus 5 in July of 2014, unlocked). I would probably get the s8 if it wasn't for the godawful fingerprint reader placement, and I prefer the camera setup that LG has been offering. I hope the v30 is a hit for LG, it truly is a beautiful phone.
fifteenfathoms said:
Yep, the GS8 forums are always buzzing it seems. Problem for me is that this phone is going to have to get me through the next 3-4 years (I got my current Nexus 5 in July of 2014, unlocked). I would probably get the s8 if it wasn't for the godawful fingerprint reader placement, and I prefer the camera setup that LG has been offering. I hope the v30 is a hit for LG, it truly is a beautiful phone.
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I love my g6 and now my v30, truly can't wait for root mostly for exposed modules truly. Not at all custom roms. But yeah my nexus did well 2 years before bootlooped. My lg g3 was amazing and had devs. Behind it very much so I hope v30 fans follow.
Well it's been six months since LG G6 was released, and even with T-Mobile version having a so-called unlocked bootloader (but with all ADB flash commands removed) there's 23 pages of people still pledging money and begging for root. At this point the T-mobile LG G6 root thread is dead as a lost cause.
Sure, a dev could come up with magic tomorrow. But who can predict that?
Whereas the LG G6 official carrier unlocked versions have two pages of root, kernels, ROMs. < Go look at all those ROMS! That's where the dev community is... The LG V30 (carrier unlocked versions) will have all that and more.
Here's an open door, here's a brick wall. Which is easier? Of course, the wild card would be exploits devs may find... But with official carrier unlocked versions available, devs don't need to look for exploits.
Root may eventually come to the LG V30 carrier branded versions, but how long are you willing to wait for an exploit that is unknown at this time? With the Verizon Droid Turbo XT1254, it took a full year after release for Sunshine team to find an exploit. Meanwhile, all the other Moto Quark sibling phones (Moto XT1250, Moto XT1225) had root from almost Day 1. We had kernels, ROMs, TWRP recovery... While the Droid Turbo owners looked on in envy. They eventually got to join the party, but before then many users sold their phones and bought something else.
If I buy a G power that's locked to say, Tracfone, US Cellular, or Straight Talk, how would I get it unlocked so I can use it on TMobile?
Is this one of those deals where I can call Motorola and they give me the magic codes?
What if the ESN is locked? Is it hopeless? Is it only locked by a given carrier? How would I check that?
Quantumstate said:
If I buy a G power that's locked to say, Tracfone, US Cellular, or Straight Talk, how would I get it unlocked so I can use it on TMobile?
Is this one of those deals where I can call Motorola and they give me the magic codes?
What if the ESN is locked? Is it hopeless? Is it only locked by a given carrier? How would I check that?
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Usually on US carriers, you can't unlock the phones. I know buying it on Verizon or AT&T definitely locks it. I'd talk to your specific carrier to find out if they lock it or not. If they do lock it, as far as I know you're SoL. Buy unlocked if you plan on switching carriers or installing a custom ROM.
Quantumstate said:
If I buy a G power that's locked to say, Tracfone, US Cellular, or Straight Talk, how would I get it unlocked so I can use it on TMobile?
Is this one of those deals where I can call Motorola and they give me the magic codes?
What if the ESN is locked? Is it hopeless? Is it only locked by a given carrier? How would I check that?
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You'd probably have to contact the original provider for an unlock code. I know AT&T will give you the unlock code for your device after 60 days of purchase, but I can't comment on any others.
Thanks, just bought one after I confirmed it has a compass.
Does anyone have wifi calling working on this phone?
Quantumstate said:
Thanks, just bought one after I confirmed it has a compass.
Does anyone have wifi calling working on this phone?
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The unlocked variant has WiFi calling on T-Mobile. I can't comment on other models.
If I may be allowed to piggyback off of this question, my Straight Talk variant should be allowed to be network unlocked after a year in service, which is great and I've been with Straight Talk for probably close to 10 years, but what I really need is the bootloader unlocked.
I'm grown accustomed to BYOP using an unlocked HTC Inspire phone, then an unlocked Nexus 5, then a Oneplus 3 Always doing a little bit in the way of unlocking and occasionally installing custom Roms. My Oneplus 3 was seeming a little unstable. Kept it up to date with a custom rom after it stopped receiving official updates (Although I had been quite happy with stock Rom up until then). Battery wasn't holding up. Being a new home owner, I sought out a value buy and thought I did my homework. I saw bootloader unlock instructions for the Moto G Power and did not read through them. Presuming that since there is a guide for unlocking the bootloader, I presumed I could unlock my bootloader no problem.
Now that I've brought my phone home and its now quite a bit past the 2 week return window, I now see that Bootloader unlocking requires a code that my phone is not likely to be eligible for. My question is, will this phone ever be allowed to have its bootloader unlocked? Will it be eligible for a bootloader unlock once Straight Talk has allowed me to do the Network unlock? Its hard to believe I just tossed $150 into the toilet for a phone I don't get to own. My phone is currently holding my Wifi Hotspot functionality hostage because Straight Talk deems it a feature I'm not entitled to (I am because its a hardware feature and I supposedly own the hardware but until there is a legal precedent I don't have a say in the matter). That is an absolute requirement of mine because I had to work 2 days at home on hotspot when my ISP fubar'd my home connection for 2 days. I lived off of that hotspot and got through.
Is my only hope to resell my Moto G Power, take a hit on whatever value I lost on resale, and go off and get an unlocked phone? I'm seriously considering popping the sim back into my Oneplus 3 and making it my daily driver again, but once again, the phone does show its age. It's about a 10% bump down in processing power and its heard to keep charged at this point. I really only need wifi hotspot and I'd be fine riding this phone for 2 years or so.
As a side note, will it matter if I activate the Sim that was preinstalled on the phone as far as accumulating time towards network unlock eligibility? I didn't want to risk being moved to a different Carrier so I just popped in my BYOP Sim.
tmsmith616 said:
If I may be allowed to piggyback off of this question, my Straight Talk variant should be allowed to be network unlocked after a year in service, which is great and I've been with Straight Talk for probably close to 10 years, but what I really need is the bootloader unlocked.
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Just out of curiosity did you try to unlock the bootloader? What does it say under? "about phone/software channel"?
On the 24th I bought one at Amazon for $219. On the 29th they went on sale for $174 on Amazon's deal of the day so I bought one again, got it yesterday and did the return thing at Amazon with no problem. I have until the 31st of January (extended return time on all items) to return it... So I'm using it now to test custom ROMs and I'll send it back in a month or so.
If you're serious about selling it maybe you should buy one from Amazon (current price $179) so you can unlock the bootloader and do your thing.
So I'm thinking about getting a Pixel 6. I've had ZTE Axon 7 for years lol.
I love that phone but now it's time to get a new one. I'd love another Chinese cell but ZTE and other companies are 'blacklisted'? I was looking at OnePlus but it seems that you can't get their latest cells in US.
Anyhow, I think I want a pixel 6. I see the regular P6 battery seems to last longer than pro. I'm concerned about overheating issues.
Do I have to buy the 'unlocked' P6 from Verizon for it to work? Or, do those latest updates mean I can use the regular unlocked phone with a Verizon 5G sim? (Seems real stupid Verizon has their own version of unlocked phone. )
Isn't the point of an unlocked phone that it works with any carrier?
I don't know a lot of even understand all that info on mmwave, Bands etc. I just want to know, if I get a regular unlocked will 5G or 4GLTE work, will I get dropped calls?
I read that P6P has that mmwave feature but I don't want to get the pro can't justify spending extra on telephoto lense and higher refresh rate I don't really care about.
I am considering the Samsung s21 as well. Just want to have another option if P6 doesn't work out.
If there is a post with this info please share it with me. I can't seem to do a search for Verizon P6 I'm constantly being told 'someone broke the matrix call Neo for help'... something on those lines.
Skingy1 said:
Seems real stupid Verizon has their own version of unlocked phone.
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Verizon's P6 uses mmwave while the unlocked P6 uses sub-6 5G. Thus why the phones are different. That and the fact the Verizon unit's bootloader cannot be unlocked.
You would be better served using a carrier other than Verizon if you need 5G now but want an unlocked device. LTE however is quite functional regardless of device and will remain so for some time to come.
i would not the Verizon model just because they lock the bootloader and i will not support that business model.
also LTE is plenty fast for anything i do mobile and will be for years to come.
i expect the pixel community will have security updates in 10 years, so that is what i plan for mostly. andi need a unlocked bootloader for that.
( that right google it would cost you nothing to keep 10 year old devices updated, but no one will but hobbyists )
Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
Verizon's P6 uses mmwave while the unlocked P6 uses sub-6 5G. Thus why the phones are different. That and the fact the Verizon unit's bootloader cannot be unlocked.
You would be better served using a carrier other than Verizon if you need 5G now but want an unlocked device. LTE however is quite functional regardless of device and will remain so for some time to come.
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Thanks I'm happy to just stick my SIM in and use a pixel phone I don't need 5G
LTE is fine for me now.
nutzfreelance said:
i would not the Verizon model just because they lock the bootloader and i will not support that business model.
also LTE is plenty fast for anything i do mobile and will be for years to come.
i expect the pixel community will have security updates in 10 years, so that is what i plan for mostly. andi need a unlocked bootloader for that.
( that right google it would cost you nothing to keep 10 year old devices updated, but no one will but hobbyists )
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I need unlocked so I can use phone in USA and UK when travelling.
Skingy1 said:
I need unlocked so I can use phone in USA and UK when travelling
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double check, im sure the sim is unlocked but not the bootloader on the p6 verizon model. i could be wrong its been a while since i was looking at the best model to get.