Pixel 8 Pro Unlocked from tmobile yet oem is still greyed out

bulbofsalad

I bought this pixel 8 pro originally unlocked and used it on tmobile because i get good service with it surprisingly, but when i went to unlock the boot-loader within developer options im greeted with "Connect to the internet or contact your service provider"
Wondering how this is even possible as it was purchased unlocked and has no balance left.

bulbofsalad

I have screenshots to support this absurdity.

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/24p2sdbfz3g2rzzshk4wm/Screenshot_20260113-025233.png?rlkey=h6px3fcdspsy96567i6xnovfq&st=rtscdp04&dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ocuxlsi0a5lnw9piaj414/Screenshot_20260113-042601.png?rlkey=6cfb6vy9aobu0s73te68sleoj&st=vjfomr6l&dl=0

silent_muppet

Typically boot leader unlock is not available from a carrier branded phone. SIM unlocked is not the same as boot loader unlocked.

bulbofsalad

Well I guess I didn't explain it fully. This phone in particular was not carrier locked before hand nor was it ever I made sure it was an unlocked device , so with that In mind please don't assume I'm not aware of the difference. Is there any actual helpful advice to be offered because I know for certain I should be able to unlock this phone with grapheneOs as T-Mobile has given me the permanent unlock as they call it which is a bs app imo at this point. I'm not willing to move to another device because I like this one. I'm sure you feel the same with your own. I find it odd that tons of pixel 8 pro users have already switched but all of a sudden it's not possible on this supposedly fully unlocked device ( I do have details on that too if needed) so it seems these forums are extremely useless with the advice given. Smh.

de0u

bulbofsalad The information provided so far, which is limited, is consistent with the following -- admittedly hypothetical -- scenario:

The device was originally sold by Verizon, which often sells carrier-unlocked devices that won't OEM-unlock (ever),
The device was sold to you as "unlocked" and worked fine on T-Mobile because it was not carrier-locked,
T-Mobile gave you an app that reports that the device is not carrier-locked to T-Mobile,
The device won't OEM-unlock.

Other scenarios are possible!

One thing to try would be Google's Pixel Warranty status page. Phones that were originally sold by/for a carrier will often show that as part of the status.

bulbofsalad

ah yeah i expected it to be considered a hypothetical scenario. well thanks for basically nothing.

Bbment

bulbofsalad

Do you have network? Without network you won't be eble to change the OEM unlock.

wizoatk

bulbofsalad well thanks for basically nothing.

He's trying to help. Carrier Lock and OEM Lock (OEM unlockable, whether the phone can be OEM unlocked) are two different things. "Permanent Unlock" isn't really a thing. Likewise "Fully Unlocked" isn't really a thing, but is used by sales and customer support people to mean "phone works on all carriers, not my problem, go away".

I do have details on that too if needed

That might be helpful. Especially things like original new purchase details, participation in beta programs, whether the phone is currently running unmodified/rooted Pixel stock OS currently.