yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] GokuSSJgod:
Do you put it in a case? If not does the white stain with dirt from oil etc? Honestly and I'm not trying to jinx this but I think Google did a great job making this phone secure and we're **** out of luck. If only this was made my HTC this year and we probably could have used the same hole the Pixel 2 had if you wanna even call that an exploit lol. Mines black if you wanted to know.

Edit

Is anyone else's XDA slow?
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] MColbath:
Yeah, I've had it in Otterbox since I got the phone, and yeah Google pretty much made it infalliable this time around, I don't think we're out of luck though. Write-access wasn't denied outright for the LG Download Mode, so it might just be a problem with the script. The phone I had before this was the LG G5 and everybody gave up on that one as far as I know. Pretty much cried blood when I figured out what was going on with this phone and it's too late to return it, haha. My XDA is slow sometimes but not all the time.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] GokuSSJgod:
I know the writes didn't fall. I wonder what the phones state is. Like it's on when writing obviously but loses it when reboots? Sounds like what happens with temp root. Like once rebooted everything goes back to normal.

---------- Post added at 05:28 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:27 PM ----------

I'm on p and battery life is so amazing. Right now I'm at 36 percent with 20 hours since last charge and 7 hours and 2 minutes screen on time.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] MColbath:
I'm not exactly sure, I mean that is possible for some of the partitions with laf_a and laf_b, but I think Scott probably overwrote both partitions with TWRP and the LAF didn't change, so it's probably just not writing. The phone does respond during the write process, as the circle on the screen rotates during the write. Although, the progress bar doesn't change I don't think that would be the problem. It's ore than likely, it has to do with the script and not the phone. Honestly, I have tons of stuff to test but, I can't because without an unlocked bootloader I risk bricking the partitions or the whole phone. I've been looking through the debug log for the kernel in LDL mode but, haven't found anything in there that would cause the write to be denied for the partitions yet.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] GokuSSJgod:
This phone is so sick looking especially naked. This with an unlocked bootloader would be the bees-neez. Ha. I'm glad I didn't pay a cent for this or I would have bought the Google store one.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] slogar25:
I'm pretty sure a factory reset from settings wipes the persist partitions including misc. /Misc just holds system settings right? So I would imagine misc would just get written with default settings on first time boot.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Addiso:
The dev has mentioned that he'd be on vacation for a whole week. I've been waiting for his replies as well since I'm testing some things for the v30.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] MColbath:
I dunno if we mailed the same person, I mailed runningak3d. The pixel is more compatible with the v20 branch he has.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Addiso:
Yeah that's who I'm talking about. He's working with us to get the v30 rooted as well, using the same laf backdoor.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] MColbath:
Ah, okay, that's cool. Well, hopefully this doesn't lead to a dead end because, I'm pretty sure this is the last method the pixel 2 xl has for root, unlocking the bootloader, etc. At least, at the minute.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Inerent:
As I said 40 pages before, unlocking bootloader has to do more with Qualcomm 835 Trusted Zone than with scripts and exploits. The bootloader is protected inside that Trusted Zone by a mechanism that simply is unbeatable for now. Also that Trusted Zone has nand transistors that can be burned as fusese in a car and loosing their data forever (see Sony's Drm keys) Maybe we should wait another years or so. Good luck! You should try a hack on that Trusted Zone, I think it will be easier then exploit the software on partitions, adb, etc
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] shooterlgk:
Well I just hit the jackpot! It took 3 times. After 3 pixels with issues I got one that has oem unlocking available to toggle. At first it didn't. Somehow when I checked again its not greyed out anymore. Let's hope this pixel don't give me any issues.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] bobby janow:
Lovely. Great addition to this discussion.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] mrkhigh:
As was yours and my comment Bobby.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] shooterlgk:
Sorry just got excited
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] wolfu11:
Did you check the IMEI to verify it's a Verizon variant?

That would be news otherwise.........
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] bobby janow:
True.

---------- Post added at 07:54 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:51 PM ----------

I get that but there are many other threads about your experience. It's just this thread has been trying to stay on the temp root train which seems to be kind of off the rails atm but hey.. you never know. Sorry for bursting your bubble somewhat.. but good for you in getting an unlockable variant. Now please gtfo of here.. lol just kidding.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] mrkhigh:
Of course mine. I even stated that.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] wolfu11:
Did you verify that it is a Verizon variant?

That would be helpful.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] shooterlgk:
I keep getting service unavailable when I try checking it
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] KennyG123:
Thread cleaned

As mentioned in the OP, please do not discuss "just get a Google variant" here

This thread is a development thread to try to find a solution

Negative discouraging posts will be removed without notice

Remember the saying:

"If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem!"

Thanks all

Friendly Neighborhood Moderator
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] bobby janow:
edit: apologies to the mods for going off topic a bit.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Scott:
Pretty sure it did fail. Using this tool overwrites the part with what appears block by block sector type writes. There is no way it can take that change on both partitions and then revert back on a reboot. If it did that then one would have to assume that there is a yet a 3rd and 4th partition that is hidden that contains the a and b partitions that it restores on boot.

Its failing to write.

If you have something that is risky I will test it. This is the guy that just tried to write to every single partition on the device without fear :silly:

Do you know any good resources to start with?
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] slogar25:
Could we flash a dumped laf image of /misc from an unlocked pixel 2 xl to our misc? Might be way off base but it seems that images dumped from laf are labeled with .laf extensions. But we would need someone with preferably an unlocked vzw variant and the knowledge to use the lglaf utility. Any thoughts?
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] GokuSSJgod:
Bryantjopplin's Verizon Pixel 2 XL is unlocked. Maybe ask him.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Scott:
The ".laf" is not a dumped partition. Its whatever you want to call it when you are dumping it. So you can dump it as "laf12345.xyz" its just the name of the file it is told to save it as.

Also, you cannot write to any partition on this phone with this tool. It just doesn't work yet (ever).
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] slogar25:
Wow. Lol. I guess I totally misinterpreted. Not a rookie. I need to get my computer up and running. Just moved last week and haven't had my computer for the last three weeks. Also not a developer but know my way around commands on Linux and android. I think there is a back door here. Just about finding the language
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] hector689:
There has to bee, no security, specially software is impenetrable
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] GokuSSJgod:
Pixel 3 will be announced before anything is found and more than likely people will have given up. But poor saps like me will keep checking this everyday.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Sparqed:
i understand that updating your phone will always lower the chance of finding a root method, but what if android 9 releases, maybe with that release the bootloader would be unlocked? because i might be wrong, and i haven't read the entire 51 pages of this thread, but i understand that the bootloader is locked inside the rom right? its not that they have set a limitation inside the hardware or something?

could this be possible that with release of android p(eppermint?) that the bootloader would be automatically unlocked?
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Badger50:
An unlocked bootloader on the Verizon variant after the "P" update??? Highly unlikely given Big Reds history! ??
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Sparqed:
what exact history, and you never know what google might pull this time, also any chance you could explain me why verizon even locks theire phones?

I mean my phone isn't on any plan or anything, i had to pay the full price for it when i was in NY (i'm from the EU)
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Badger50:
Many US "carrier branded" phones...Verizon, Sprint, AT & T, T-Mobile..etc..etc, lock down the bootloaders on many or their models, so as not to allow changes to be made by the user, so as to decrease warranty issues I would suspect. Verizon seems to be king of the hill when it comes to this topic. Which is why many of us Big Red users, myself included, purchase our phones directly from google, or whoever, so we can unlock the bootloader and modify the device to our liking :good:
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Strephon Alkhalikoi:
AT&T and Verizon lock their bootloaders. Sprint and T-Mobile as of yet don't.

Most device manufacturers encrypt the bootloader these days, just as AT&T and Verizon do. But apparently only a few of them actually allow the device owner to request the key to decrypt the bootloader to unlock it. Google is a rarity in that they don't encrypt the bootloader, but the fact they've currently clamped down on theming for Android P leads me to think that for the Pixel 3 line Google will encrypt the bootloader but provide a means by which the device owner can request the encryption key for that device's bootloader.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] GokuSSJgod:
Samsung's phones are locked down here in the US.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Strephon Alkhalikoi:
[MENTION=8731800]GokuSSJgod[/MENTION]: That would fall under "Most device manufacturers encrypt the bootloader these days...."
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] cjegan2008:
Unfortunately this is true

---------- Post added at 10:47 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:44 AM ----------

How is this even likely ? When the Pixel 2 XL came out, and the Google Pixel was updated to Android O, Google didn't just magically release a bootloader unlock for Pixel or the XL. So why would this happen for the 2XL ?

---------- Post added at 10:48 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:47 AM ----------

Android Peppermint ? ?
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] pimpmaneaton:
Looks like someone may have found a kernel exploit.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=2zGTEv-iUOY

https://t.co/VguaiwJnVM
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] vwood2121:
Maybe this can help it's goes with the above link

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...FjAAegQIAhAB&usg=AOvVaw19W4Zn5AkT6f0t2sAPN1h4
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] jimlightner:
Looks promising.. hopefully this is the break we need...:svetius:
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Scott:
Wow, just wow. Wow! :eek: :good: :victory:
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] idler1984:
This is CVE-2017-7533 fixed last Dec.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] VulguM:
That's the info I was looking for. It's fixed on mine then, what a bummer :(
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] GokuSSJgod:
Someone should still work on it for the people that are before December lol. I'm on P but still.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Scott:
Not correct. This was not patched until 3/5/2018. In other words; it was last months security patch.

Here is the info from Google: Android Security Bulletin—March 2018
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] GokuSSJgod:
If anyone gets a replacement they'll be able to do it if someone does it. Idk. I'm throwing in the towel. Wish everyone the best of luck!
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Scott:
YES!!!!!!!! I can finally retire! Someone has been giving me $1.00 every time you said that in this thread. I am now rich :silly:
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] MColbath:
So… what's the deal with Infinity Chinese Miracle. I've heard of it working on the OnePlus3 and other snapdragon devices. Any chance of it working here?
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Scott:
According to what I read that's for Mediatek processors.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] elliwigy:
they support anumberof devices including many snapddragon devices
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] vwood2121:
So what about some form of safestrap....one was just made for the Galaxy s8 and s8±
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] slogar25:
I believe you would still need root for safestrap
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] d33dvb:
So thats that, google sent me a verizon one, as a refurb, verizon sent me a google one. Imagine that. Unlocked and good to go now.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] idler1984:
I wish it was, unfortunately those were media server bugs fixed in March. This kernel exploit is named ReVent, based on CVE-2017-7533, affecting kernel >= 3.18. They proposed a novel method to exploit this vulnerability and manipulate kernel page table to achieve arbitrary read/write. Exploitable kernel bugs are rare these days. :crying:
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Scott:
Thanks for clarifying. That sucks!
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Sparqed:
Anyone tried to push a fake update to the phone using DNS settings?

Just came up in my head, i understand this might be hard, especially mimicing the google servers, and signing the update to look like official, but if anyone has the expiriance of dns settings could try this

Also ill add 10 if this can be achieved before pixel 3

:D
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] x31234:
How is everyone getting replacements? In one if the other threads I was reading people were getting Verizon replacemnts where from Google and it seemed like there was a lot of people getting replacements.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] GokuSSJgod:
If you have Verizon tell them the issues your having work your phone
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] jimlightner:
I just complained about the blue tint screen..but my replacement was a Verizon veriant so it did me no good..but some people are getting lucky and getting Google veriants..just the luck of the draw..
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] RLShiftyDoggit:
https://source.android.com/security/bulletin/2018-03-01

Some of these maybe useful not sure tho
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] x31234:
Is it worth turning in a new phone just to get lucky with a Google refurb? I'm hesitant lol
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] jimlightner:
Ya if I was you I'd wait..I think Verizon is getting smart and making sure we don't receive a unlockable phone.. someone will pull it off if not I'm still satisfied with the phone itself..I wish I was more help though..it's really getting hard for the devs these days..
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Scott:
Yes, someone else pointed this out already and it was found that it will not help in our situation. However, I still don't fully understand why.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Sparqed:
yeah, smart enough to send a verizon one to someone that had a google version
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Scott:
Damn, I really hate to say this because its going to sound like I am trolling... But damn, the S9+ is looking pretty good right about now :(
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] jimlightner:
Your Not trolling just being honest...I believe root is going to be a thing of the past..
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] elliwigy:
lol prolly more locked down than the pixels, sounds sweet
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] elliwigy:
i mean should be useful for those who know what to do with it on pre march firmware..

google posts security bulletins every month tho lol not really anything new, just a list of exploits
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Skorpyun812:
I haven't updated from December.... So this might work for me? Only problem is, I'm not a Dev so I don't know what I'm looking at exactly.

---------- Post added at 07:20 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:19 PM ----------

Couldn't have said it better. Lol.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Scott:
I agree with you there! They just dont want us to root any more. I can understand why, but for the adults in the house... Come on!

Really? You of all people saying that? Didint you work on root for the S8? lol

If they released the exploit shown in the video, yes. However, no one has released it. So unless these people release it, then we are still sunk. Unless someone can replicate what they did... Forget about it.

That was a security firm that rooted the Pixel 2 XL. I really dont think they would release the exploit into the wild. However... They put out a LOT of info on how to exploit the system. ALOT!

IM not a programmer but I know there are some on here... Hoping they are working on it... But you just dont know until it happens.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Addiso:
The s9 has the fastboot commands stripped as well.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Scott:
Did Samsung change the layout and partitions of there phones for the S9 because Samsung has never had a fastboot mode.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Addiso:
My mistake. Thought Samsung had fastboot mode. Forgot about the ol Odin.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] elliwigy:
yes, S8/S8+ SamPWND root lol.. nothing is impossible but that dont mean its easy either lol.. wewere helped by getting leaked ENG firmware and even then it still took a while to get a full root and bl was never unlocked
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] mrkhigh:
It also doesn't help that Google pays for exploits...
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] elliwigy:
yep, a lot of companies do.. its a solid business to be in.. i dont blame ppl for sellin out with the big bucks they dish out
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] capsnbottles:
Same thing happened to me back in November. Congrats!
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] ianPhillips1:
Never hurts to ask ?
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Badger50:
To which I would reply...none of your dang bidness! I bought the phone, and I would like to do what I want with it, despite the well known risks and ramifications!! Have a nice day! ???
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] lucky_strike33:
Try doing this??

https://xdaforums.com/pixel-xl/how-to/bounty-verizon-pixel-bootloader-unlock-t3740911/post76314125

[MENTION=426561]Scott[/MENTION]
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Scott:
Yes, we have contacted him. [MENTION=2477527]mrjaydee82[/MENTION] has let him connect to phone but he could not unlock. So whatever method / exploit he is using does not work on the 2XL.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] lucky_strike33:
seems like we have hit a road block for now...hopefully it will open up soon
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] slogar25:
https://xdaforums.com/v20/how-to/laf-download-mode-how-root-t3676011/page104

This sounds like there might be some hope. Check out the last couple pages of this thread. Looks like that OP just had a breakthrough
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Scott:
Interesting.

I asked the OP if he would be interested in trying this on the Pixel 2XL.

Crosses fingers!
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] misc6207:
Did I read his response correctly that the 2 XL does NOT have laf, therefore his method won't work for us?
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Scott:
Correct, that is what he said. However, I think there could be some mistaken info because we do have LAF.

You can enter it just like any other LG phone. I was pulling partitions while in LAF. We tried to write using his tool but it wont stick. It sends the data but it wont save to the device.

This is why I think there is hope.

If not... On to the next...

EDIT: Also, I picked up an S9+ this weekend! Woohoo! So I am watching root on that too. Cross your fingers guys!
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] slogar25:
By reading his latest response, it sounds like 2.0 will be able to work without the bootloader unlocked. Is that how you interpret that? Only thing is the uncertainty for Oreo.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] GalacticWolf:
I have the Verizon variant, and asked Google to unlock the bootloader/OEM Unlock. I then contacted Verizon, and the support didnt have the authority to unlock it, so directed me to contact a Tier 2 tech from Verizon. I called that guy, and he said that I needed to contact Google, I asked him to call Google support to ask them himself. He talked to them and got back with me, and said Google doesn't lock or unlock bootloaders, and Verizon cannot OEM Unlock or unlock the bootloader. The tier 2 tech told me to find a source online to do it myself, and wait til the next update and hope an exploit pops up. WTH Verizon.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Scott:
This is correct. He is still working with it but his interested seems a but more piqued now that he understands that we do have LAF parts.

BUt we can both agree that the LAF on this phone is a little different than some of the other LG phones I used and he also confirmed that by looking at the part itself. At that point he said he may be able to help us out with some root action!

But don't get hopes up, they could have made just enough changes to LAF to invalidate his tool chest of goodies.

Also, I have invited him to post in this thread as well. You guys better be on best behavior when guests get here :angel:
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Scott:
Damn it... Another lucky SOB: https://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=76331965&postcount=137

He has a an unloackable Verizon version.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] PILLMUZIK3600:
So let me get this straight. He got a unlockable replacement and u posted in a thread that's about finding an unlock method for those that don't have defective phones to replace.. wow that's incredible...
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Scott:
Yep, I did. You did too!
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] PILLMUZIK3600:
Lol u miss understand . Pretty much I was saying dudes post was pointless to our plight