[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] FanboyStudios:
Have you made any progress yet on obtaining root?

My suggestion would be to (DISCLAIMER: at your own risk, of course)

Before starting, unlock your device (if you can), then backup your device and QCN (which contains your IMEI).

DISCLAIMER: As for what is the best way to do this, I don't know!

Some of the instructions here and on some other threads will NOT give you a full system backup, and TBH you should try to get a full system backup. Losing your IMEI may keep your from getting cell service, so you don't want to risk wiping it out unless you have a proper backup.

How do I know this? Well, trying to restore some of the backups I made from some of the guides just doesn't work/or restore everything properly for me.

Download the ATT Android 8 userdebug Image - https://androidfilehost.com/?fid=4349826312261641939

Extract the image you just downloaded, and copy the boot image(s) to a microSD card, along with a copy of the Magisk APK (if you use Magisk 23, you can use Magisk Hide to hide root from apps that block root users). Put the microSD card into the slot in your phone, you will need this later to patch the boot images to gain root.

You can find Magisk 23 here: https://github.com/topjohnwu/Magisk/releases?page=2 (The latest version will be on the top of page 1, if you want it instead.)

NOTE: This phone doesn't seem to support microSD cards formatted as ExFAT, so you will need to use FAT32 instead.

(BTW, there is a Magisk module to enable support for ExFAT, but it I guess it does NOT work on this phone's kernel... and will cause your phone to not boot properly.)

If you don't have a good microSD card, you should get one. It will make your life easier, especially once we have a fully functional TWRP build and custom ROMs available.

Flash the ATT Android 8 userdebug Image. - Make you you have the tools and drivers installed before flashing, otherwise it won't work. As for the best method to flash this, TBH IDK either.

You can find most of the tools and drivers here I believe: https://androidfilehost.com/?w=files&flid=302393

Some other tools may be scattered about in this thread (hence why I requested a device forum, we really do need better organization/people to provide better info).

Boot your device and go through the setup process, including WiFi.

NOTE: Unlocking the bootloader is only available once connected to the internet. Without internet, the switch will be greyed out!

Go to Settings > System > About Phone then tap on "Build number" seven times quickly to enable "Developer Settings". Press the back button once, then go to "Developer Settings" and make sure "OEM Unlocking" and "USB Debugging" are enabled.

To restore your QCN, you need to enable DIAG mode. To do this open the Phone app and dial *#*#248#*#* and an app titled "CIT" should show up on your screen shortly after dialing. If it doesn't show up, wait a few minutes and dial the code above again.

Go to "UsbMode Test" then select "TEST_MODE" to enable DIAG mode.

If DIAG mode doesn't enable, then select "USER_MODE" then select "TEST_MODE" to make sure that it switches modes.

You may now flash your QCN backup. As for the best method to do this, IDK. The flashing process may or may not cause your phone to reboot after it is finished flashing. If it doesn't reboot, then you will need to reboot manually. Your IMEI should then be restored (to the best of my knowledge) and reflected as such in your phone's settings.

Open the File Manager (allow file permissions), and browse to your microSD card. Then install Magisk (enable "Install Unknown Apps" a.k.a. "sideloading" if you have to).

Open Magisk, click "Install" (allow file permissions), enable "Preserve force encryption", the select and patch file (use the boot image you copied to your microSD card earlier). Magisk will save the patched boot image to your downloads folder.

Copy the patched boot image to your computer and microSD card as a backup.

Flash the newly patched boot image to your device and reboot.

As for the best method to do this, IDK. The documentation in this thread has lead to problems for some people... including myself, so IDK what to suggest anymore.

Your device may do a factory reset when it reboots, which is normal. After it reboots, open Magisk and finish the install process. You should then have root access!