jesse

FYI - be sure to hit "reply" on the post you're replying to so I'm notified of your response

I'm not sure if this is fool proof but it's worked for me several times. If I have the IMEI, I'll check if it's carrier locked. If it is, it's not necessarily a deal breaker, as some carriers will allow unlocking the bootloader, but I haven't risked it. If it's carrier unlocked, that gives me hope, but still no guarantee at all.

Next is I check the exact SKU of that model and I'll look that up. For example, If I saw a Pixel 8 for sale on eBay and the model listed was GA04803-US, I would search that. I see that this is the (Unlocked) option from best buy. This gives me a lot of confidence that it's bootloader can be unlocked.

Again, no idea if there's a better technique, but that's what I do.

      GrouchyGrape

      Thanks for the reply. That's what has me confused, on the Google repair page, the IMEI pulls up:

      Pixel 7a Charcoal 128GB (Unlocked)

      IMEIcheck.com gives me:

      Model: Pixel 7a
      Description: Pixel 7a Charcoal 128GB
      IMEI: xxxxx
      Serial: xxxxx
      Model Number: GWKK3
      Size: 128GB
      Color: Charcoal
      Year manufactured: 2023
      Activation Status: Activated

      GWKK3 appears to be an ATT/T-Mobile version, but I thought that wasn't normally a problem?

      Just trying to figure out how to not have this happen again.

          jesse oh yeah, weird. This definitely looks like you should be able to unlock it..

              GrouchyGrape

              I am glad I am not the only one not seeing where the problem is... Heh

                Did you try updating the phone to the latest software?

                  Overheat1859 I have not yet. I will give that a try. I figured I would ask around before running an update as options for rolling them back are limited.

                    Overheat1859 I just updated the OS, let it sit for an hour (with wifi), rebooted, and let it sit for another 30 minutes on wifi. I also tried a reboot after the update.

                    It reports that I am on the latest OS (Feb update).

                    Still no ability to unlock it...

                    • de0u replied to this.

                        jesse I think the standard recommendations include:

                        • Factory reset
                        • Dial *#*#CHECKIN#*#* (*#*#2432546#*#*)
                        • Send it back to the seller

                        Note that in order for the "Check-In" step to work the device needs genuine unfiltered access to the Internet, i.e., if the router has an ad blocker or a content filter or a built-in VPN, etc., those are all candidates for blocking the unlock.

                        jesse Just trying to figure out how to not have this happen again.

                        Buying from a seller who says "factory unlocked" (not just "unlocked") may help. Buying from a seller with a good return policy is probably prudent.

                              de0u Thanks for the info. The wifi network it is on has unfiltered internet access.

                              Checkin succeeded before a factory reset and after factory reset. I will keep an eye on it to see if it catches up (but not expecting anything).

                              The factory unlocked note is a good one as is the return policy. I would rather not buy and return a bunch of phones to get one that will work.

                                de0u Also, do you have places you can suggest for buying used phones? Thanks.

                                • de0u replied to this.

                                    jesse Also, do you have places you can suggest for buying used phones?

                                    That depends on which country you're in.

                                        de0u fair - I am in the US. I think Ebay has some good candidates.

                                        • de0u replied to this.

                                            jesse I recently bought two used 6a's on eBay (for a specific purpose -- I would generally recommend the 8 series due to MTE) from a large-count high-star seller, and both were fine. But I would look for "factory unlocked" and a solid return policy.

                                                de0u Thatks for the info. I have given up on this 7a and will return it.

                                                This device is mostly intended to test drive Graphene (and maybe other roms). The working plan is to move to a higher end/larger pixel with a custom ROM if everything goes smoothly. Having said that, I should look into the 8 options more before I decide.