Plan to purchase P7Pro to use with Verizon Pre-pay service

BIRDIE

Although there's no true anonymity with so much tracking tech, I just feel that less is more when it comes to this subject. That said, I've some technical knowledge and surely I will be able to load the program with support articles just about everywhere, my dilemma is making sure I do everything right from the get go.

My questions are these:

I plan to get an unlocked Pixel 7 Pro, 128/8. Understand that unlocked in most every place I've been looking to purchase means the phone is unlocked for the network provider. I am bound to Verizon due to location. Only a few state OEM unlocked.
Any suggestions on where to get phone which is both unlocked provider and OEM? I can get it from Google, but can't tell what the OEM status is. If the process to load Grapheneos is compatible with a new Pixel 7 Pro purchased directly from the Google website, that is unlocked provider and unlocked OEM or at least the ability to use dev mode to unlock, then no need to read this question any further; my question is answered.

I can get from the pre-pay provider, Visible.com, a Verizon only provider, but it states that the phone is coming locked and can be unlocked at a later day per the typical protocol. And no mention if the OEM setting can be accessed. I know Verizon phones makes it so you cannot get to OEM even on developer mode. So, I am guessing I can't purchase a phone from them.

I am going to be working on a new Macbook Pro with Ventura. Is there anything I should know about for using a Macos to perform the task.
Lastly, it would be easy if I can just buy it outright with Grapheneos already loaded on the device, but I don't see that being an option.

de0u

BIRDIE Any suggestions on where to get phone which is both unlocked provider and OEM?

The most reliable source (at least in the U.S., the land of carrier locking) is Google. If you buy from Amazon and can't get it to unlock, you'll need to return it. If you get it from Google it will just be unlocked.

I got a 3a from Amazon, no problem, but had to return a 6a (supposedly unlocked) to Amazon, then got a genuinely-unlocked 6a from Google.

Your experience may be different from mine, if course.

[deleted]

Buy from Amazon, Google seller, plenty available

BIRDIE

[deleted]
Thanks, will check it out

[deleted]

BIRDIE that's how I got my pixel.

[deleted]

de0u I said specifically, seller Google, they will be OEM unlockable since they are not tied to any MNO.

BIRDIE

de0u

You are 100% correct!
I did just that. I got on Google chat and was transferred to a specialist. Here is the chat exchange:

Me:
"For the new carrier unlocked Pixel 7 Pro, can the OEM bootloader be unlocked when in developer mode? It seems there's many brand new carrier unlocked phones that have an encrypted bootloader that cannot be unlocked, the OEM unlock button is greyed out on these new phones due to encryption and can never be unlocked."

G:
"understand that you have questions related to unlocking the bootloader in the developer mode for your Pixel 7 Pro device."

Me:
"Actually, I am only thinking of getting this phone. I do not own one as yet since I am doing my deep research on it first before I commit to spending the money on it."

G:
"understand your concern.
I wish to share that, all the devices purchased through Google store are bootloader unlocked and can be used on any carrier.'

Me:
"As a hardwre specialist, I'm sure u understand why I am asking this question. Really all I ask is the answer to my question regarding the OEM"

G:
"Yes, I got your point. Rest assured all the devices that are purchased from Google Store are bootloader unlocked."

Me:
"so if I understand u correctly, that is purchasing a Google store Pixel 7 Pro, that this phone will come to me both carrier AND bootloader unlocked."

G:
"Yes, that is correct."

BIRDIE

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See, with me, I must be very careful. I guess I would describe myself as one who knows more than the average person, but not even close to having or actually wanting the type of tech knowledge of those who are on this forum. I get involved not because I enjoy it, but out of necessity and in this case, I seek personal privacy because if things continue on current path, we will soon have none at at. We have lost so much already and with the proposed legislation on the table, "The Restrict Act", Restricting the Emergence of Security Threats that Risk Information and Communications Technology Act of 2023, time to make appropriate changes.
FYI, For those not familiar with it:
S.686 — 118th Congress (2023-2024):
To authorize the Secretary of Commerce to review and prohibit certain transactions between persons in the United States and foreign adversaries, and for other purposes.

[bitchute]https://www.bitchute.com/video/vOCGAIQseLDz/[/bitchute](https://)

Back to my matter, so, I will go ahead and get the P7P direct from Google and will be returning here with most likely many more questions and also for support because could it be imagined that I buy a near $1k device and brik it or do something really wrong with it. The warranty will be null and void and I'd find myself on Walmart Boost or Cricket! Mine you, this old boomer could care less about fashion and trend and would be happy with a flip at this point, but unlike so many out there who just don't get, I surely do!

Max-Zorin

BIRDIE

Wherever you get the phone make sure it has a good return policy, preferably no questions asked and where you don't have to pay return shipping.

I don't have actual links to this but I remember several threads Reddit and XDA where people bought phones from Google with the assumption you could unlock the boot loader, but the buyer soon found out they could not. It was explained in the threads why this occurred (I can't remember exactly why) but it was something to do with they were sold previously returned phones as brand new.

de0u

BIRDIE If the cost of a P7P is a concern you might consider a 6a. It's genuinely not a terrible phone!

[deleted]

BIRDIE it was mentioned somewhere here, I can attempt to look it up later but by bricking device trying to install Graphene on it, you will not void your warranty.

BIRDIE

de0u

I am feeling the way Im did when I purchased my Note8 back in '17 for almost a grand then and been using it until now and can say that I got my money worth out of it even with a cracked screen for almost 2 years. I feel I should get the most recent model since I know that I will have it for the next few years. I'e read the 3's are not getting updates for Graphene and dont want to have worry about that happening. Forking over that hefty price is going to hurt just as it did when I got the Note8, which came unlocked and Verizon locked it! So, I know just as soon as the new device gets delivered that the new os needs to be complete prior to setting up with the network and SIM insertion. I plan to utilize the free 14 day trial with a piggyback carrier called "Visible" by Verizon. Now I do not the the name of the brand, but I am leaving Verizon since they are just too expensive. A pp plan with Visible, which is Verizon, is $45/mo unlimited and with throttling. With that, I can make a decision if I like it or will have to do a pp with the traditional Verizon. I locked in with Verizon any way I look at it since it is the only one thatnworks in my area.

[deleted]

https://discuss.grapheneos.org/d/2362-from-phone-to-brick-in-one-easy-step/9

BIRDIE

[deleted]

Scary, really scary. Gosh, I hope that I can do this. Risky for someone who does not have a great depth of this. I just wish the device could be purchased straight up and ready to go with Grapheneos, but understand why that is not possible too.

[deleted]

BIRDIE just follow the web install guide on GrapheneOS site. Read everything properly to make sure you understand before you go on the next step. My last install took like 10 minutes. You'll be alright.

de0u

BIRDIE I just wish the device could be purchased straight up and ready to go with Grapheneos, but understand why that is not possible too.

Some people do sell Pixel devices with GrapheneOS pre-installed. Some charge a lot for the service!

If you're near a university you might be able to find a student who could help.

Either way, check the verified boot signature hash on the yellow-text pre-boot screen to ensure you have a legit and complete install.

BIRDIE

[deleted]
Thank you the confidence.
Yes, been watching videos, reading up on it and the Gos website. I am on Macos though, so I hope that won't complicate things since it is usually more difficult and have to do these things with alternate means.

I've got Android Studio Flamingo downloaded on the Mac just to play around with the oldNote8 and can't get anywhere with it. But I can discuss that on another thread.

BIRDIE

Well, well, looking over the fine print for that potential carrier I'm looking at, "Visible" and there you go:

"Coming soon. Restrictions apply. Some data is not transmitted through VPN."

Wonder if Grapheneos thought of a"Swift" add-on to Wireguard.

BIRDIE

de0u

Thanks for the tip.

I have decided to go with the smaller 6a as you suggested previously. When I saw photos of people holding the 7 Pro, I could tell that it is just way too much phone for me. In all honesty, if they made a Pixel flip phone, that would be my choice. But I live in a rural area and don't use my phone much while home. Reception is negligible even with assist. It is that bad. I do need a phone when I leave the house.

de0u

BIRDIE I live in a rural area and don't use my phone much while home. Reception is negligible even with assist.

I live in a fairly urban area with solid LTE coverage. But my home and around 20 others are in a bit of a dip which is an LTE hole. I have a Samsung LTE extender that makes regular phone calls work.

And so do a bunch of my neighbors! Carriers know exactly where each LTE extender is, so my carrier must know they have a coverage hole in my neighborhood. But I guess it's fine for them because we are all paying for the cellular infrastructure and also for the backhaul.

If you have an extender and still have trouble, maybe see if a nearby ham radio operator could help it work a bit better.

Blastoidea

Do not, repeat do not, ever buy a phone from your provider, especially Verizon.

BIRDIE

Blastoidea

Yes, I have read about them removing the bootloader and they did it to my Note8. When in dev mode, I wasn not even given the option of OEM, not even greyed out, but it was gone altogether. So, I plan to get my phone direct from Google.

Thanks for the info.

BIRDIE

The 7 looks nice too and hardly larger then the 6a.