Unable to unlock bootloader on Pixel 7a

paul_sheldons_dad

I've been trying for months now, on and off, to load GrapheneOS on my Pixel 7a via windows 10. I originally had problems with the phone's drivers, but sorted that out. The phone is now seen by windows and I can access the files on it.
When I try to unlock the bootloader it gives me a message "Error: Bootloader was not unlocked, please try again!" with no further information about what the error is, or what to do to resolve it. The "please try again!" is annoying as the very definition of madness is repeating the same steps and expecting a different outcome!
I understand when you click the Unlock Bootloader button it's supposed to show you a list of items to choose from and that you should get a message on your phone to allow the update to proceed - but I don't get either of these.
Everyone says loading Graphene is so easy, but when it doesn't work, what do you do? Very frustrated.

Onion

Where did you buy your pixel 7a ?

Before to unlock the bootloader, you need to click on about phone (scroll drown in setting) then 7 times on build number and finally OEM unlocking button (your phone may need to be connected to the internet)

Are you really booting in bootloader interface ? while your device is power off, hold volume down and power button at the same time

Did you download the recommanded google usb driver ? https://developer.android.com/studio/run/win-usb

follow this tutorial to install driver : https://developer.android.com/studio/run/oem-usb#InstallingDriver

You need a chromium based browser for the web graphene installer such as google chrome or microsoft edge (don't use firefox)

paul_sheldons_dad

Hi Onion, I bought my Pixel 7a at Officeworks in Sydney Australia. I have set the phone to developer mode and have allowed OEM Unlocking.
I have booted into the bootloader interface - it's a mostly black screen which has a red triangle with an exclamation mark in it and it says Fastboot Mode in red.
I have downloaded the recommended google usb driver and installed it. When I plug my phone in (when it's booted up normally) I can see all the phone's files and directories on my laptop.

Interestingly, when I boot the phone normally and have it plugged in to my PC, if I'm on the grapheneos.org installation page and click on the Unlock Bootloader, the webpage opens up a dialogue box thing that shows my pixel in a list, whereas when the phone is booted into the bootloader interface and I click on Unlock Bootloader in the grapheneos.org installation page, it doesn't show that dialogue box thing at all and it tells me that it couldn't unlock the bootloader.

Any other ideas?

Honestly, if there was someone in Sydney who has successfully loaded graphene onto a pixel and they'd be willing to help me, I' would come to your place and have you load it onto my phone using your computer!

Carlos-Anso

paul_sheldons_dad
Much easier to get help with installation in our chat rooms.

Worth trying different usb ports on your pc also different usb leads. Both are common causes of such issue.

May need to try flashing from another computer or from another android device.

paul_sheldons_dad

So my brother, who is an IT guy, made a suggestion this afternoon... why don't you try doing a factory reset on the phone.

My response was: why? It's a new phone and I haven't done anything to it yet. Except that it will have run system updates.

The factory reset worked a treat and I was able to follow the steps in the installation guide and it unlocked the bootloader. Yay.

And I now have a Pixel 7a with GrapheneOS.

Guys, thank you for your suggestions.

Perhaps the installation instructions should include doing a factory reset before commencing with the installation.

ryrona

paul_sheldons_dad Perhaps the installation instructions should include doing a factory reset before commencing with the installation.

It should, and it does. Although it should probably say 7a there, since that one is known to have a OEM unlocking bug in the Android OS version flashed on it from factory.

For the Pixel 6a, OEM unlocking won't work with the version of the stock OS from the factory. You need to update it to the June 2022 release or later via an over-the-air update. After you've updated it you'll also need to factory reset the device to fix OEM unlocking.

https://grapheneos.org/install/web#enabling-oem-unlocking

Dumdum

ryrona
But the 7a launched in May 2023. That says June 2022 release or later, which means the 7a should be fine unless there was another issue affecting the 7a? I haven't seen anyone mention anything. Only the 6a was "known to have a OEM unlocking bug" as far as I'm aware.

ryrona

Dumdum Maybe I am misremembering. I did let all updates install and then factory defaulted my Pixel 7a before installing GrapheneOS, so I had got the idea it was that one, but maybe it isn't. Either way you have your first report above then?