this post was submitted on 21 Oct 2024
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Asklemmy
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Stay away from any that are the "Verizon version"
Verizon deliberately conflates the term unlocked to mean not locked to a carrier (can use a non-Verizon SIM) instead of the bootloader being unlocked (can install a custom OS ROM such as GrapheneOS or LineageOS).
Their "unlocked" phones are all locked, so if you want a new OS that doesn't have their closed-source spyware then F you for buying the Verizon version
I wanna run GrapheneOS, so thanks for the heads up.
Based on reviews, the listing in my OP looks like a mixed bag—some reviewers complaining that the boot loader is locked (hence they cannot flash a custom ROM onto it), others complaining that it’s unlocked (hence a security risk)—so if I get this phone, I guess it’s up to chance whether the bootloader is locked or not. 🤞🏻
Unique to the Pixel line, you actually can re-lock the bootloader. So if you can manage ADB fastboot (that is, follow the install process) then I wouldn't worry about the security risk in this case.
The GrapheneOS installation process is exceptionally easy to follow. It's much faster and easier than the old Cyanogenmod days
That is comforting to hear.
As for whether or not I can flash a custom ROM, if the boot loader is locked, then I’m SOL, right? (hence your original comment)
Yes exactly. Before I got my current Pixel 7a I tried to flash a used Pixel 6a (Verizon variant) and ran into the problems above.
Without an unlocked bootloader the install process will fail at step two, Enabling OEM unlocking, of the install guide at https://grapheneos.org/install/web.
The OEM unlocking setting in developer options will be grayed out on all Verizon devices, even if you paid full price for an unlocked phone (not on a payment plan - some OEMs also lock phones while under contract so you can't steal the phone and stop paying. Verizon just locks them all regardless).
There are numerous websites with dodgy software that claim they can bypass the restriction, but in my experience 100% of them are scams. Sometimes well meaning redditors will tell you they got theirs working, but they're conflating OEM unlocking and carrier unlocking (which, so I've read, Verizon employees are specifically trained to conflate)