[Google Pixel 2 XL Questions & Answers] simplepinoi177:
So....I have a rather discouraging update....

So, after turning it in to uBreakiFix, they kept it for a couple of days. I figured they'd keep it for 5-7 business days, as it was technically working so was probably put as a low priority...and they would merely tinker with it when they have a chance from time to time...but they actually ended up getting back to me within a couple of days...just not with news I was hoping for...not even close...

So, apparently, it baffled them for a bit. Everything looked well and good and should have been doing what it's meant to...After a bit and checking/confirming on the parts that were installed and even another motherboard, they reached out to a "contact" directly in Google to inquire about their issue. They were then told by this "contact" that

ALL

repair/replacement parts -- and therefor repaired & refurbished devices/units -- have their bootloader's locked!:eek::eek::eek: As in; manually and purposefully!:eek::rolleyes: So, if you purchase a Pixel 2/3/3+, and you are unlucky enough that it breaks (whether it is your own fault, or freakin Google's and under their instruction; through updating and/or any other way...!), you most likely are permanently going to lose your ability of an unlocked bootloader… Which is completely unfair and doesn't make sense! There are a good number of people who could've bought their phone from Verizon, but chose to straight from Google, and/or purchased from a 3rd party site, but specifically a model that you can unlock your bootloader, and then to find out that, after choosing and paying specifically for that feature (and as I've seen on Swappa, non-Verizon variants are considerably more expensive!), you're forced to be without it because of an accident or incident -- that might even be the maker's fault (like me, and updating following their exact directions on their website)?! Here's one thing: I'm unsure whether this is limited to the non-XL's or if this happens on XL's as well… But it does seem to track with what I've seen elsewhere online where so many people are having an impossibly hard time getting a proper replacement. So now I'm pretty much SOL and have very limited and few options available to me now…but, for whatever it's worth, there's the/an explanation…

personal note: I'd honestly like to ask a good lawyer how it is that a company can sell a product, advertise its capabilities and things that make it "special", sell directly from your own "stores" based off of that (rather than shop at Verizon and/or 3rd party seller sites), advertise (because of very bad press at launch) and honor warranty agreements, but in doing so, remove said advertised capability and one of the things that make it "special" and worth purchasing? I don't know how these things work, but thinking about it plainly from a simple "store purchase" stand-point, if a store advertised a product that was "limited edition" or had a unique add-on (that costed four-figures, no less!), you brought it home, opened it, and found it came broken, so you return and they say they can fix it, but in fixing it they wreck what had it as a "limited edition" or removed the unique add-on, I would feel that you would be entitled for a full refund or an exact "limited edition" replacement or one with the unique add-on! …based on the fact that "limited edition" or unique add-on being the primary reason for the purchase...right? **~shrug~**