• GeneralSolvedPixel 8
  • Pixel 8A install, can toggle "OEM Unlock" setting but still locked in bootloader

I've been looking for a while now for a solution to this, but can't figure out exactly what's going on with this issue.

I bought an unlocked Pixel 8A. Trying to install GrapheneOS on it. Signed into my Google account on the new 8A, did a check and installed all current updates on the phone. Can unlock developer mode with no issues, and I can toggle the "OEM unlocking" setting without issue. But when I boot up the bootloader interface on the phone, and attempt to unlock the bootloader using the web installer, my phone shows up as a device I can connect to, but I immediately get the error "Error: Bootloader was not unlocked, please try again!".

On the phone, I also see that it lists "oem_locked" in the text on the bootloader screen. From what I understand the web installer has to send a request to the phone to unlock the bootloader, which has to then be acknowledged on the phone itself, but I never get an option on the phone to do that.

I've found several posts saying that their device was still OEM locked even though they purchased an "unlocked" device, but I don't think that's the issue for me since the toggle for "OEM unlock" in the phone settings can be toggled on and off (not grayed out).

I'm using a Windows 11 laptop, running the Web Installer using Chrome.

    Ah, Windows 11, that's gonna be hours of joy. There seems to be a problem with the USB connection. Try a different port, try a different cable. Make sure there's no software running that's trying to access the device simultaneously. Close other tabs when installing. Or try a different browser like Brave.

      berrywall I'm using a Windows 11 laptop, running the Web Installer using Chrome.

      Is Chrome up to date? Is the web installer run in a regular tab (not an incognito tab)?

      Maybe try installing Google's fastboot driver manually (see "Connecting the device")?

      Also, you could try the CLI method.

        OfflinePuffin I did confirm that the web installer has access to connect to USB devices, and tried clearing the cache and reconnecting, but still get the same error.

        de0u I verified that Chrome is up to date, and I am not using any incognito tabs/windows.

        I also tried installing the drivers manually too. I had to download drivers from Motorola directly from the linked page on the web installer to get Windows to see the device at all, and I got the Google USB Driver through using the Android SDK manager.

        But even after installing drivers, rebooting the laptop and trying to reconnect, I'm still getting the same error. Also tried using Brave with shields down, but same thing.

          I have also tried using the CLI method, I can follow the instructions up to using the command to unlock the bootloader, where I get a "command failed" error message. It is connecting to the phone when it tries to unlock it, as I get a "cmd: flashing unlock" in the bootloader logs on the device when I try to use the command.

          splattergames I tried all the USB ports on my laptop, and multiple cables, but still get the error message each time. I don't have any other tabs or software running during the install. Also tried with Brave with shields down, but same thing.

          I do have a Linux Mint install that I can try, but I only wanted to try that as a last resort as from the documentation it seems there are even more steps/issues with doing this on Linux than there are on Windows.

          So I did decide to try doing the install on my Linux Mint.

          Using the web installer, when I try to unlock the bootloader, I get an error message "Error: Failed to execute 'claiminterface' on 'USBDevice': Unable to claim interface", and the phone goes into a boot loop until I force it to start normally, when it boots into Android as usual.

          Using the CLI, when I check my fastboot version following the install, I'm only at version 28.0.2, well below the 35.0.1 that the guide requires.

          berrywall On the phone, I also see that it lists "oem_locked" in the text on the bootloader screen

          Interesting. I am not seeing this in the bootloader interface on my Pixel 8 which has "OEM Unlocking" disabled.

          berrywall "Error: Bootloader was not unlocked, please try again!".

          I know you said that it is, but did you double-check that "OEM unlocking" in Developer options is still enabled after a reboot of the phone? It's the most common source of the error message, so it would be nice if you could tell us whether or not it's still enabled after a reboot.

          If it is enabled, I wonder if you are on the latest version of the stock PixelOS. If you go to Settings > System > System updates and do a check for system updates, is there any update available?

          berrywall nvm, apparently the seller I bought the device from shipped me a Motorola phone instead of a Pixel 8A. Will try install again once I receive the correct device.