Pixel 8Pro Boot Loader Problem

Greatwhitewing

Brand new 8PRO from bestbuy saying unlocked. Developer options are enabled and I am able to select OEM unlocking toggle in system settings yet when I enter fastboot there is no option to unlock boot loader. Graphene web installer does not see the device when when I try to unlock boot loader.
Windows sees the device and device manager says drivers are installed. Win 11 and Brave browser.
Device status in fast boot mode says "locked" in green.
Did I get a carrier unlocked and not a OEM unlocked device? Or am I doing something wrong?

de0u

Greatwhitewing Windows sees the device and device manager says drivers are installed.

I am not a Windows user, but I think it may be very important to ensure that the correct drivers are installed. I think the installation instructions specify particular drivers for Windows that are often not pre-installed. Maybe check that?

ev6x

A few things for you to double check:

Have you updated the stock OS? If not, do that.
Is your browser and computer OS up-to-date? If not, update them.

Whenever possible, use the high quality standards compliant USB-C cable packaged with the device. If your computer doesn't have any USB-C ports, you'll need a high quality USB-C to USB-A cable.

Do you have a good USB cable? If you can't use the Google USB-C cable, I'd recommend an official USB-C-to-A cable from Samsung (or a similar brand).

You should avoid using a USB hub such as the front panel on a desktop computer case. Connect directly to a rear port on a desktop or the ports on a laptop.

Is it plugged in to a good port?

Brave (with Brave Shields disabled, since it caps storage usage at a low value to avoid fingerprinting available storage)

Have you disabled this?

Greatwhitewing

ev6x
I will try updating the stock Android on the Pixel. Computer OS is updated regularly and Brave was updated earlier today.

I was using the cable supplied directly to a USB-C socket on my Lenovo Legion 5 laptop that I use for a third monitor when at my home desk/work area. I have other good quality USB-A/C cables, some brand new I can try.

I don't recall disabling any shields settings but I looked and had scripts blocked so I enabled that everything else looked enabled.

I will try again in the morning since I had an adult beverage with dinner and don't want to make a mistake.

Thank you for your suggestions. Will report back again in about 12 hours.

ev6x

Greatwhitewing I had an adult beverage with dinner and don't want to make a mistake.

Lol, you and me both friend.

Anyway, when/if something goes wrong with an installation lile this it is always worth going through the instructions again to see if one missed something (speaking from personal experience here).

As for the OEM/carrier question, as far as I understand it, you can't unlock the OEM if it's carrier locked. So that should be fine.

Lastly, for more "live support", there is also the chat rooms which usually has people around that can help out with the installation. But you're always welcome here nonetheless 🙂

Greatwhitewing

ev6x
So I have tried both Chrome and Edge browsers getting same results as Brave. Even went down a rabbit hole using Android Studio to load Google USB Drivers.

So before starting I read instructions several times and re-wrote them as notes to myself and watching a few YT videos

As for the OEM/carrier question, as far as I understand it, you can't unlock the OEM if it's carrier locked. So that should be fine.

I am certainly far from and expert but I think a phone can be supplied "carrier unlocked" but still not be fully unlocked (OEM unlocked) but I think your point is correct if I can toggle OEM locking I think the phone is unlocked yet I still cannot unlock boot loader or I still have a driver problem

Lastly, for more "live support", there is also the chat rooms which usually has people around that can help out with the installation. But you're always welcome here nonetheless

I will look at some of the chat places

Greatwhitewing

de0u I think I have a handle on that but certainly open to specific suggestions.

de0u

Greatwhitewing I think I have a handle on that but certainly open to specific suggestions.

https://grapheneos.org/install/web#connecting-device

Was a fastboot driver installed?

Greatwhitewing

de0u I had downloaded those drivers earlier and installed through Android Studio using the instructions on the page you linked. I tried updating through the device manager pointing to the files I downloaded and kept telling me the best drivers were already installed. So I think the answer is yes..

de0u

Greatwhitewing I am not a Windows user, so I don't know whether or not to trust Windows's belief about what constitutes the best drivers for flashing GrapheneOS.

If you unplug the phone, boot into fastboot, and plug it in, will Windows tell you which driver it is using for the phone at that moment?

Greatwhitewing

de0u You are a genius and my hero...lol Thank you
I had device manager open, phone unplugged, booted into fastboot then plugged phone into computer and windows asked to install software for device I pointed to the files I downloaded and then install went exactly as it was supposed to.

Maybe for future reference just removing pixel device from device with device manager under "removable devices" and let it rescan hardware to load proper drivers?

de0u

Greatwhitewing Great!

I think the issue is that the same physical device appears to Windows to be two different device types depending on whether the regular Android OS is running or fastboot is running.