This Apple ID cannot be used to unlock this iPhone - m******@gmail.com

tried to reset my iPhone and it has the activation lock

i was able to connect to wifi and it says "This Apple ID ******** cannot be used to unlock this iPhone"

the hint is m*********@gmail.com

that is correct and matches my email/icloud account.

i can login to icloud.com but there's no option for "my devices"

this is the only email address i've ever had.

it is not a wrong password, if i purposely type the wrong password, it tells me its a wrong password

it literally just does not like the apple id even though its the only apple ID i've ever had and used for this iPhone

i connected to itunes and made sure the iPhone is fully up to date

i tried to restore but it comes back on and asks for the apple id & password and then returns the same message that i cant use this apple id to unlock this iPhone

i tried restoring it from recovery mode and its the same issue

i don't understand...