Hi Guys,

I recently had a motherboard repair performed for my Pixel 5a after it failed. Phone would operate, ring, vibrate, etc but the screen wouldn't turn on. A screen replacement wasn't sufficient to solve the issue. I took it to a microsoldering technician. The 5a black screen of death was caused by insufficient thermal paste that caused the CPU to overheat. He replaced the screen connector due to a bent pin and a capacitor, plus fixed the thermal paste issue. Seems to be fairly straightforward.

The screen is now operational. however, the phone no longer boots past a message saying that the bootloader is unlocked and that it cannot load the android system, suggesting the data may be corrupt. (I was pretty sure I locked it and followed all the installation steps properly a year ago)

I took it into recovery mode and sideloaded the latest ota update from graphene's site. It did its thing over a few minutes, and after going through the whole sideloading process, it's circled me back around to a message saying the bootloader is unlocked and that it cannot load the android system.

I imagine this means I am screwed? I just got back from a trip a week or two to see my grandfather who has a failing heart. This was my goodbye trip and I really, really wanted those photographs.

Photo from the technician of the two messages here. I have custody of the phone now, however.
https://i.imgur.com/GzIeic7.jpeg
https://i.imgur.com/KtMuNni.jpeg

    iusegraphene Have you tried unlocking the bootloader and reinstalling GOS factory image?

    Otherwise the repair guy you took it to fucked it up, ask for your money back if reinstalling the factory/stock doesn't work

    Tho, would get rid of those photos. Not like you can get them in that state anyways.

      raccoondad I imagine reinstalling the factory image would entail wiping/losing all the data, yes? Some confirmation that there is nothing I can do to keep the photographs would be a little reassuring before I do anything that'll wipe the phone.

      bootloader says it's already unlocked, however. I've only tried sideloading an OTA update.

        iusegraphene If you didn't have your bootloader unlocked before, that data is already long gone. Once the bootloader is unlocked all data is wiped

        Fairly sure they fucked up your phone honestly. No getting those photos back, its been lost before you made this post...

        iusegraphene One possibility is that the thermal issue might have damaged the flash storage. Or perhaps the secure element was damaged -- maybe by heat, maybe during the repair. Overall, if a professional forensics person (expensive) looked at it, it might or might not be possible to get some of your data.

          de0u No way to get that data after the secure element is damaged most likely, sounds like the repair guy unlocked the bootloader as well (and if he didn't, that's even worse)