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Some Pixel 3 devices from the Google Store can’t be bootloader unlocked
August 18, 2025
Android Authorityreaders, as well as forum posters onXDA Developers, are reporting some troubling news: it appears someGoogle Pixel 3devices cannot be bootloader unlocked, even the ones purchased directly fromGoogle.
Usually, devices purchased from the Google Store are easily unlockable, while models bought fromVerizon— the exclusive U.S. carrier for all Pixel models — are not unlockable. It’s not clear what’s happening for the users facing this issue, but it might be that the Google Store is shipping some Verizon models by mistake.
We’ve reached out to Google for a statement on the matter and will update this article when we receive a response.
Google Pixel devices are a favorite of developers and members of thecustom ROM community. However, if the bootloader can’t be unlocked that part of the appeal of the device is lost, as it’s not easy to tinker with a device if you’re able to’t access the bootloader.
There is aGoogle Issue Trackerpost related to the issue, which so far has many comments and a handful of stars. However, Google has yet to officially chime in on the topic.
Last year,a similar issue occurredwith theGoogle Pixel 2. Google did issue a software fix for the problem, but it unfortunately required users to perform a factory reset, which is certainly an inconvenience.
If you have a Google Pixel 3 that should have an unlockable bootloader — but doesn’t — let us know in the comments.
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