yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Google Pixel 3a XL Questions & Answers] seniorstew:
But is the allow oem Unlocking toggle in dev options grayed out?
[Google Pixel 3a XL Questions & Answers] alphahere:
Concur with band 71 information at the google store and bestbuy. What I was trying to warn folks is that the B&H video model that is sold at their website does not have LTE band 71 according to them. For more details hit the question and answer link. I don't understand why unless this is the verizon model.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1475550-REG/google_ga00664_us_pixel_3a_xl_smartphone.html
[Google Pixel 3a XL Questions & Answers] Chance Ill:
That's what I'm waiting for. As soon as someone can confirm if the bootloader for T-Mobile is capable of being unlocked, I'm all in.
[Google Pixel 3a XL Questions & Answers] CHH2:
Thanks for that. Using the developer mode method (usb on my work laptop is locked down) it unfortunately has OEM unlocking greyed out with the phrase "Unavailable on carrier locked devices". Soooo, if anyone is wanting to play around on their phone, looks like the carrier ones might be out of the question until it can be unlocked.

---------- Post added at 06:24 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:21 PM ----------

Yup, they have it locked down.
[Google Pixel 3a XL Questions & Answers] seniorstew:
That's the sim unlock what about bootloader unlock?
[Google Pixel 3a XL Questions & Answers] alphahere:
Bad news for users. Just ordered an sim unlocked one from bestbuy. That's looks like the best deal if you are using on t-mobile network. The B&H Video would have been a better deal for me but according to their website the B&H video version does not support band 71, which is strange.

Anyway thanks for the post.
[Google Pixel 3a XL Questions & Answers] seniorstew:
nm disregard
[Google Pixel 3a XL Questions & Answers] crypt0kiddie:
Someone just posted in another thread that he was at T-Mobile today and they got at least a demo model of the Pixel 3a XL in-stock. He said the first thing him and the manager did was go into the Dev menu after setting it up and the unlocked for the bootloader was grayed out.

Waiting to hear what others say as this was a demo model.

If the T-Moble one does in fact turn out to be able to be bootloader unlockable, I'll be all over it. I don't have the cash to buy the Best Buy one for a couple of months otherwise.

For the love of god, I'm still on a Google Nexus 6! :D
[Google Pixel 3a XL Questions & Answers] alphahere:
Thread summary so far.

T-Mobile variant - bootloader locked and sim locked to network.

Unlocked variant sold at Bestbuy - bootloader unlockable and sim unlocked to use on any network.

I just ordered the unlocked bestbuy version.

Is this wrong please post.

Could folks post the model number that is on the box, please. That would help out others.
[Google Pixel 3a XL Questions & Answers] artiemon:
I bought my 3a XL unlocked at BB, unlocked the bootloader and rooted. No issues.
[Google Pixel 3a XL Questions & Answers] crypt0kiddie:
Specifically talking about the T-Mobile version here.
[Google Pixel 3a XL Questions & Answers] Adriancris7:
Hi, I know this question doesn't make any sense, but I change the number of "smallest width" in developers option and my display content looks weird. Can anyone please give the number of smallest width in the developer options?
[Google Pixel 3a XL Questions & Answers] DR4LUC0N:
How about the sprint version? Unlocked bootloader or no?
[Google Pixel 3a XL Questions & Answers] nashi20002003:
I just came from tmobile store and on the display model of pixel 3 I was able to switch Oem unlock without issues. So I guess they are only SIM locked but bootloader unlockable and ESIM ready. While the verizon is SIM Unlocked, bootloader locked and ESIM disabled.
[Google Pixel 3a XL Questions & Answers] alphahere:
Bestbuy Unlocked Pixel 3a XL - Model G020C, FCC ID: A4RG020C

Bootloader can be unlocked.

Note: Oem unlocking option was gray until I connected to wifi.

According to google and the fcc website this model supports band 71.

---------- Post added at 04:22 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:09 PM ----------

Found this information:

models G020A / G020E - are verizon models and G020C/G020G - are for North America which are unlocked
[Google Pixel 3a XL Questions & Answers] seniorstew:
Just picked up the Tmobile version from my local store.. Bootloader grayed out.. Gonna call in a week to see if I can get an unlock code and see if that allows bootloader unlock
[Google Pixel 3a XL Questions & Answers] seniorstew:
Actually may try the Q Beta and see if that works
[Google Pixel 3a XL Questions & Answers] crypt0kiddie:
Did you try connecting it to Wi-Fi like the Best Buy version requires?
[Google Pixel 3a XL Questions & Answers] seniorstew:
Yes sir
[Google Pixel 3a XL Questions & Answers] PhoenixPath:
Another confirmation for T-Mobile. 3aXL is locked and greyed out. Just checked my son's 3a and it is the same. That. Sucks.

Carrier unlock app failed. On the line with T-Mo now. Might have to make a first payment though - like I did on the past device. TForce usually comes through, but it can take multiple tries. I'll update if/when I have success.
[Google Pixel 3a XL Questions & Answers] alphahere:
Update B&H has changed their web page and it now has the correct model number.

This is for a Pixel 3a XL

Interesting. On the box the model number is G020C, UPC is 842776110978. and SKU is GA00664-US. The box also has two imei numbers and esim number. FCC ID: is A4RG020C on the regulatory page in settings.

This is confusing. Would have ordered from B&H, if B&H had not listed the wrong LTE frequencies. Looks like that has been corrected and the model number is GA00664-US now at bestbuy and B&H.
[Google Pixel 3a XL Questions & Answers] droidnew:
I think mine was on 460 out of the box...I think ;)
[Google Pixel 3a XL Questions & Answers] krabman:
I'm porting over to Fi again and got it over there: You get a hundred dollar bill credit at 20 per month over there which should work out nicely with getting that all in before I get itchy fingers and pick up the next thing this fall. Just an FYI in case some hadn't considered going that way.
[Google Pixel 3a XL Questions & Answers] alphahere:
It varies depending on the font size and display size.

With using the defaults it is 432 dp.
[Google Pixel 3a XL Questions & Answers] Adriancris7:
s it the one that comes from the factory? Is it the one that comes out when you put in pre-determined screen size?

---------- Post added at 11:13 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:10 PM ----------

Yes I think is that. Thank you.
[Google Pixel 3a XL Questions & Answers] Archangel:
How did you root? Is TWRP working for this since it is basically the Pixel 3? Or did you do the whole patched boot thing?
[Google Pixel 3a XL Questions & Answers] artiemon:
Did the patched boot image.
[Google Pixel 3a XL Questions & Answers] crypt0kiddie:
Well that's very disappointing about the T-Mobile version, I was hoping they would be smarter than Verizon.

I literally went to the T-Mobile store last night prepared to purchase one on a monthly contract and switch to T-Mobile service but we were unable to get into the developer mode to verify.

If TMobile allows bootloader unlocking for people that like to customize features I'll switch to T-Mobile otherwise I'm just going to save up for a month or two, purchase the Best buy unlocked version and stick with AT&T.
[Google Pixel 3a XL Questions & Answers] Antonyo13:
If it is like the OnePlus Phones from T-Mobile you have to successfully pay the device off and then run the T-Mobile Sim Unlock app and then the Bootloader is able to be unlocked after a restart.
[Google Pixel 3a XL Questions & Answers] Severus Snape:
T-Mobile does offer unlocking of paid off devices that have been active for at least 40 days. That is a long time though
[Google Pixel 3a XL Questions & Answers] PhoenixPath:
I got them to unlock my 6T before it was paid off, but have been with them for ages. I think I had only made a single payment on it at the time, but that may be why they couldn't do it for me this time around - I haven't made a payment on this one yet.

Really considering returning it and just buying it direct from Google outright. Probably cannot get back the S8 we had sitting around that I traded in though....ugh.
[Google Pixel 3a XL Questions & Answers] krabman:
They offer SIM unlocking, this is not the same thing as bootloader unlocking and most of Tmo's devices are now bootloader locked irregardless of their SIM lock status. Not saying this one is or isn't, just saying the ability to SIM unlock does not guarantee the ability to unlock the bootloader. I personally think the fellow above is probably correct and it can be bootloader unlocked after you remove the SIM lock as was possible with the 6T but I wouldn't put my money down until it was proven if rooting was a deal breaker.
[Google Pixel 3a XL Questions & Answers] crypt0kiddie:
Hey xxxxxx! Thanks for reaching out to T-Force today. I'm sorry to hear that your plans to join the Magenta Family and get the new Pixel 3a XL didn't go as planned. I understand your concerns about the bootloader and appreciate you reaching out to provide this feedback. As a software developer, I can see why this would be an issue for you. If you purchase the phone on installments from T-Mobile the bootloader will be locked. That said, once the phone is paid off and the account meet the unlock requirements shown here: https://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-1588 then we'll be able to get it unlocked. I'm not sure if that changes things for you but I wanted to be sure that you had all of the details. If you have any other questions or concerns, please let me know. I'm happy to help out in any way that I can. ^MichelleWalker
[Google Pixel 3a XL Questions & Answers] bobby janow:
Omg, they're talking about sim lock not bl unlock. Just buy it direct unlocked at BB or the Google store and forget all this nonsense.
[Google Pixel 3a XL Questions & Answers] alphahere:
Just read this news today and it goes along with the current locking policy.

https://www.xda-developers.com/android-q-carriers-sim-lock-phones/

So when folks walk into a store and see a demo model that has the bootloader unlock option enabled it means nothing. It will interesting to see the policy of the other carriers. I have t-mobile but hate EIP.

Thanks for posting.

---------- Post added at 01:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:09 PM ----------

I would hope when sim unlock is done that t-mobile would bootloader unlock but there is nothing on that web page stating that policy. Maybe the rep. is right. I would not want to have to wait 2 years to sim unlock the phone and still can't unlock the bootloader. I have read that t-mobile will unlock some customers phones that on EIP early, but that is not the official policy.
[Google Pixel 3a XL Questions & Answers] bobby janow:
That article is even more disturbing in that the dual sim functionality can be disabled on a device so you are totally locked into their network with no way to get out even if the hardware supports it. It stands to reason when you look at what Verizon has done with the Pixel line. You cannot bootloader unlock, they've tested sim lock for a few days and were successful, and they have totally disabled dual sim functionality on all Pixel 3s including the 3a line. The only ones able to bypass carrier restrictions these days are iPhones. Even Verizon iPhones are sim unlocked and have DSDS capability. It's getting close I'm sorry to say. It's starting to look like Google has sold out the Android community. Even topjohn is working for Apple now.
[Google Pixel 3a XL Questions & Answers] crypt0kiddie:
No they're talking about the bootloader lock, I had a lengthy conversation about root access and custom roms with the person that I was speaking with that was only the first reply message.

If you pay off the device on T-Mobile they will provide the code to unlock the phone which well according to the person I spoke to unlock both the carrier sim and bootloader restrictions. The indication was they don't care so much about having the bootloader unlocked as much as people getting a good deal on the phone and then stiffing them on the bill and taking it to another carrier.

I would very much like to purchase the Best Buy version of the phone would you be willing to lend me the money?
[Google Pixel 3a XL Questions & Answers] bobby janow:
Lol, I hardly know you. But if they are talking for sure about bl unlock then I'd get it in writing. I'm not trusting carriers these days, they are playing games and getting away with it.
[Google Pixel 3a XL Questions & Answers] alphahere:
For folks that cannot afford to pay for a phone in cash. Then a payment plan is another option. Because actually the way t-mobile EIP works it is a delayed payment plan but it appears that you are getting a credit each month. That is the price t-mobile is willing to pay to keep you on t-mobile for 2 years.

I have had serious issues with t-mobile with getting phones unlocked. It appears that I am the exception. I would not trust them to unlock the bootloader unless it was in writing. That is why I went to bestbuy and didn't even go near the t-mobile store which is close to the bestbuy store here. Carriers have changed the sim unlock policies and it is clear the policy is locking consumers into a carrier's service. Actually you can thank the lobby that got the FCC to approve the sim unlock polices. The carriers don't care about the phone at all if you have carrier service for more than a year. The FCC approves all these unlocking policies. The only exemptions are military personal that are being deployed. Here is an example of what the type of policies the FCC approves.

https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/tracfone-phone-unlocking-program

After reading this thread and some other threads, it appears if you buy a carrier pixel 3a, then the bootloader will be locked and you may be able to get it unlocked. Don't be fooled by the demo models in the store!
[Google Pixel 3a XL Questions & Answers] seniorstew:
Just got off the phone and since my dad is retired military they did it no problem! Can confirm once your phone is unlocked through the app, the bootloader can be unlocked!
[Google Pixel 3a XL Questions & Answers] Phreaker47:
I bought my unlocked version from BB yesterday (bought outright), booted it with my tmobile SIM, and I was able to toggle OEM unlocking (though I have not yet actually unlocked the bootloader, i'll just wait until i'm going to actually root)
[Google Pixel 3a XL Questions & Answers] thicklizard:
I tried the temporary unlock and still no joy
[Google Pixel 3a XL Questions & Answers] seniorstew:
Has to be permenet unlock
[Google Pixel 3a XL Questions & Answers] thicklizard:
Is your dad on your TMO account? How do they verify when you called?
[Google Pixel 3a XL Questions & Answers] seniorstew:
I'm a authorized user. Verified the pin
[Google Pixel 3a XL Questions & Answers] thicklizard:
Ok so it's your dad's account.
[Google Pixel 3a XL Questions & Answers] seniorstew:
Yes
[Google Pixel 3a XL Questions & Answers] alphahere:
This is getting crazy. I finally installed my t-mobile sim after setting up my phone. One of the first apps auto installed after installing the t-mobile sim was the t-mobile unlock app! I uninstalled it immediately. I turned off auto install apps in the play store before installing the t-mobile sim. This is really strange. Well my phone is rooted and bootloader unlocked, glad I did that before installing the t-mobile sim.
[Google Pixel 3a XL Questions & Answers] seniorstew:
How did you root it?
[Google Pixel 3a XL Questions & Answers] alphahere:
Patched boot.img with magisk manager. To save you time this only works with pie and will not work with q-beta currently. This is first pixel device and rooting is different but works fine. I read these A/B devices are more complicated.

https://www.thenerdmag.com/tutorial-how-to-root-google-pixel-3-and-pixel-3-xl-using-magisk/

Plenty of instructions on the net and it is pretty easy. One recommendation before flashing the patched boot image, test it first with following command.

"fastboot boot magisk_patched.img"

If it works then flash it permanently.
[Google Pixel 3a XL Questions & Answers] seniorstew:
Just finished flashing a just posted a guide when you replied ?
[Google Pixel 3a XL Questions & Answers] bigmatt503:
Google will gladly loan you the money with zero interest. And then you're not tied to TMobile
[Google Pixel 3a XL Questions & Answers] PhoenixPath:
This is perfectly normal and there's actually no reason to be concerned.

I believe it was Oreo where they introduced an OEM vendor partition where the OEMs apps would be placed, waiting for a user to insert that Carrier's SIM and then installing that carrier's applications. Though it may be new to you; it is not new to Android. :)

Hope that helps.
[Google Pixel 3a XL Questions & Answers] dtm1017:
If I activated eSIM on T-Mobile, could I throw in another physical sim and switch between the two?
[Google Pixel 3a XL Questions & Answers] alphahere:
Thanks! This my first new phone since the nexus six. I have a lot to learn again. That also explains why all the VZW and Sprint apps were disabled automatically.

Oh the good old days.

---------- Post added at 10:16 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:13 AM ----------

https://www.androidpolice.com/2019/...s-half-baked-dual-sim-support-to-the-pixel-3/

Looks like full support may or may not be in android Q.
[Google Pixel 3a XL Questions & Answers] crypt0kiddie:
I applied for financing though Google, denied.

I applied for financing through Verizon a couple of months ago and I was thinking about purchasing the Google Pixel 3 XL, fully approved and I just applied for financing through T-Mobile for the 3a XL, fully approved.

---------- Post added at 11:24 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:21 AM ----------

So did you buy the Best Buy version or did you get the T-Mobile phone?
[Google Pixel 3a XL Questions & Answers] alphahere:
I went with bestbuy unlocked version. I did not want to deal with T-Mobile or any other carrier. If I can afford it I try to buy unlocked phones. Depends on who answers the call at T-Mobile and if you have paid on your bill if your phone will get unlocked quickly, but I have ran into problems with t-mobile getting a phone unlocked. Just depends on who answers the phone. Just my opinion but I have the feeling that t-mobile is more selective in unlocking phones on EIP.
[Google Pixel 3a XL Questions & Answers] Holysmoke99:
I leased a 3a XL from Sprint and got it today. Unlock bootloader is greyed out and says it is carrier locked. DAMNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
[Google Pixel 3a XL Questions & Answers] alphahere:
So this is the current status of bootloader unlock.

Unlocked 3a and 3aXL not connected to carrier sold at B&H, bestbuy, google, etc. You must be connected to the internet before OEM unlocking is enabled. I guess the software is checking the carrier status of the phone before enabling the bootloader unlocking. Of course these models are sim unlocked.

Carrier purchased 3a and 3aXL have a locked bootloader and sim locked.

Google has added code to android to allow carriers to lock the bootloader and unlock the bootloader.

It appears the carrier maybe able to unlock the bootloader (post in this thread about t-mobile representative saying that once the phone is sim unlocked t-mobile will unlock bootloader), but there is no written policy on unlocking the bootloader.

T-Mobile sim locked and bootloader locked.

Verizon bootloader is probably locked. It should be based on pixel 3. Not sure about sim lock.

Sprint bootloader is locked and no information if it can be unlocked. No information on sim lock.

US cellular no information on this model at the current time.

The have been multiple reports of demo models in carrier stores where the OEM unlocking option is active. Not clear how the demo models had the OEM unlocking option active.
[Google Pixel 3a XL Questions & Answers] bigmatt503:
Dang. Google is usually fairly easy to get approved. ??
[Google Pixel 3a XL Questions & Answers] bobby janow:
I think that there is an IMEI database that matches devices to carriers. At that point Google is out of the picture. They allow carriers to determine whether to allow bl unlock or not. Sim lock is totally carrier dependent and has nothing to do with Google. Google has not added code that allows carriers to lock or unlock the bootloader. At the most they will allow a carrier to enable the OEM switch to be active but nothing more and I don't even think that's the case.

All carrier purchased devices are not bootloader unlock disabled or sim locked. Google Fi is totally unlocked, OEM switch active and sim unlocked. A carrier will never, ever unlock your bootloader either. That would mean a total wipe of your system and they cannot do that nor should they. As for why the demo versions have the OEM switch active that can be a few reasons. One of which is the device is a Google phone (how would you know otherwise) or even they have control over the IMEI and have whitelisted that particular device only. And I'm not sure who maintains the database of IMEIs either.

Most of this is speculation but some of it is absolutely true. I think we'll know more when some users get in touch with upper level tech support that actually has a clue. Not the guys that say we'll unlock it when you pay it off. Ask to speak to someone else since they are clueless as to what you are asking for. I believe we'll know more in the coming weeks.
[Google Pixel 3a XL Questions & Answers] alphahere:
I would concur with much of what you said expect that xda has reported recently that google was adding code to android to make it easier for carriers to disable the esim and sim lock phones (link was posted in this thread). Of course XDA news could be wrong. However, it is the carriers that make the final call and we have seen the carriers in action before. It will be interesting to see if a carrier can actually unlock the bootloader (here looking at you t-mobile). That would be big news. What I did was just a summary of some posts in this thread. Wanted to let folks that read this thread to to be careful when buying a carrier pixel phone if they are concerned about a locked bootloader. You are 100% correct we should know shortly, but wanted to warn that the buyer should be careful until more facts are known.

For the record Google FI is not a carrier but an MVNO which is completely different from a major cellular carrier. MVNO's have the worse sim unlocking policies (probably will never see a unlocked bootloader) but FI phones are bootloader unlocked and sim unlocked out of the box that is unheard of in the US by any carrier or MVNO. I forgot to mention them sorry about that.
[Google Pixel 3a XL Questions & Answers] bobby janow:
[MENTION=3150696]alphahere[/MENTION] Disabling the eSim started with the Verizon P3 and was simply abhorrent. How they could do that or even think of doing that was awful. I will never buy another device from Verizon again due to that. I don't know if it was code to disable it or just not enable it but it's wrong. The thing about a carrier unlocking the bootloader is really not an issue. They can't do it, period. All they can do is allow bootloader unlock and not actually unlock it.

Thanks for clarifying the MVNO facts. You're right of course. Fi is pretty good about keeping close to the Google model and I don't suspect them to ever locking anything. Carriers are feeling their oats these days and it's kind of distressing. Apple has them all under their thumb but we'll see what happens in the near and distant future. Tariffs not withstanding I wonder what all this will mean for the consumer. I'm not optimistic but that's for another discussion. Thanks for your comments, they are appreciated, welcome and spot on.