OEM unlocking option greyed out on a carrier unlocked phone.

Vamscape

I recently bought a 2nd hand carrier unlocked Google Pixel 8, but I can't install Graphene, because the OEM unlocking option is greyed out for whatever reason. I tried factory resetting the device but nothing happened. The seller bought the phone from a reputable retailer (not a carrier) 6 months ago and was selling it because he wanted an iPhone. The phone is in pristine condition, but for some reason the bootloader can't be unlocked.

For reference, I am from Europe so the whole thing with Verizon locking all of the bootloaders on their phones doesn't apply to me. Thanks in advance!

wizoatk

Vamscape

Any chance it is running a beta image? If it is running a beta image, you can't enable OEM Unlocking. You should be able to tell from the image build number.

GOSbert

Did you connect it to the Internet? It's necessary the first time.

Vamscape

GOSbert Yes, I did. I even connected it to a Google account and set up a pin.

GOSbert

Sometimes carrier unlocked doesn't mean it's also OEM unlockable, those are two different things. If that's the case, you just cannot unlock it.

Vamscape

GOSbert The phone's model is G9BQD. I checked it and that same model has been sold on Amazon and is labeled as "unlocked." Don't know if this information helps.

Vamscape

wizoatk The build number is BP4A.251205.006.E1. Is this a beta image?

nandohyphen1

Vamscape The build number is BP4A.251205.006.E1. Is this a beta image?

Yes it is. You need to opt out of the Beta program.
https://www.google.com/android/beta

You can opt out of the program at any time to return to the stable public version of Android. When you opt-out of the program, all user data on the device will be wiped.

wizoatk

Vamscape

A bit late on the reply, but that looks like a normal factory release to me:
https://developers.google.com/android/images

The current QPR3 beta releases are: cp11.251114.007
https://developer.android.com/about/versions/16/qpr3/download

Vamscape

nandohyphen1 Gotcha. If that's the case, is there any fix for this? Could the beta image be causing the issue?

nandohyphen1

Vamscape If that's the case, is there any fix for this?

Yes. You need to opt out of the Beta program. I believe the link I provided gives instructions. (nandohyphen1 )

Vamscape Could the beta image be causing the issue?

Yes, the Beta program is most likely the issue

nandohyphen1

Vamscape this quote was in the FAQ at the bottom of the page
https://www.google.com/android/beta

First, make sure you are running a beta version of Android. View devices to find the device you want to remove and click Opt out. Your device will receive an update within 24 hours that will wipe all user data and install the latest stable public version of Android. Applying the update to the latest stable public release requires wiping all locally saved data on your device. You may also encounter issues restoring a backup. You have the option to not install this update. If you choose not to install the update to the latest public build, and your device remains unenrolled from the program, you will automatically receive the next stable release update of the version you’re beta testing when it becomes available to the public. It may take up to 3-4 months to receive the update depending on when during the Beta program cycle you opted out. If you apply the final public release of the beta version you are testing, your device will not get wiped.

Vamscape

nandohyphen1 Thank you very much. Will see what happens. Also, I was wondering, is there a way I can check if the device was originally sold by Verizon or not?

Edit: it says that my device is not enrolled in beta and the only option is to opt in.

nandohyphen1

Vamscape Thank you very much. Will see what happens. Also, I was wondering, is there a way I can check if the device was originally sold by Verizon or not?

I think there is, but I don't know how, because I'm in Canada, so I don't use Verizon. You could check their website though.

Vamscape it says that my device is not enrolled in beta and the only option is to opt in.

Thats strange. The build you mentioned for sure seems to be a Beta release. I'll keep looking and see what I can find

Vamscape

nandohyphen1 Thank you very much. I'm not in the US either, but I am also suspecting that that phone might have originally been sold by Verizon, although the chances of that happening are quite low. I heard that there is a way to see the Carrier ID (CID) to see if the device name returns something along the lines of "VZW__001" which stands for Verizon, but I don't know how.

nandohyphen1

Vamscape I've also heard you can call some combination like that. Maybe someone who's done this with Verizon will know, if they read this.

I found this thread on the forum
https://discuss.grapheneos.org/d/22242-used-p9p-enrolled-in-android-beta-program-has-greyed-out-oem-unlock
it almost looks like you need the previous owner's Google credentials to be able to opt out of the Beta program

Vamscape

nandohyphen1 The device isn't enrolled in the beta, however:
https://ibb.co/cXJmpmLy (a screenshot)

nandohyphen1

Vamscape oh, I didn't realise that. :) OK, so its not in Beta then, so it has to be something else. I'll see what else I can think of that it could be

Vamscape

nandohyphen1 Is there a way I could check if this phone was originally sold by a carrier such as Verizon?

nandohyphen1

Vamscape from my research, to get more info about if a phone ever had history with Verizon, you can dial #7672. I didn't try it though so I don't know if that will work

de0u

Vamscape Is there a way I could check if this phone was originally sold by a carrier such as Verizon?

What does Google's warranty-check web site say about the phone? Sometimes it provides information about a carrier.

Vamscape

wizoatk Yeah, I figured. Thanks. At this point I don't know what to do.

wizoatk

Vamscape At this point I don't know what to do.

Can you return it or have it swapped claiming that it's not actually factory unlocked (or whatever similar phase is used in your country) and/or suitable for your use? That works here from some vendors.