How to install GrapheneOS on Google Pixel 6a (GP6a) + Setup for new users

The Google Pixel 6a is a great mobile device. With the Google Tensor chip, it's one of the most secure mobile devices you can purchase. Unfortunate, the stock Android OS is lacking when it comes to privacy. GrapehenOS is a private and secure mobile operating system with Android app compatibility. If you're looking for a private and secure smartphone, GrapheneOS + the Google Pixel 6a is a great choice.
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//CHAPTERS:
Intro - 00:00
Getting started - 00:14
Prerequisites - 00:52
Enabling OEM unlocking - 01:35
Initial setup - 02:21
Click here to skip initial setup - 03:15
How does OEM unlocking work? - 04:34
Booting into the bootloader interface - 07:02
Connecting the phone - 08:01
Notes for Windows users - 08:46
Unlocking the bootloader - 09:17
Obtaining factory images - 10:42
Donate to GrapheneOS - 10:55
Flashing factory images - 11:29
Humor - 12:03
Locking the bootloader - 12:47
Post-installation - 13:23
Initial setup - 14:06
Disabling OEM unlocking + dev options - 14:52
Verified boot key hash - 15:46
Basic setup for new users - 16:28
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This video is for educational purposes only.
#grapheneos #pixel6a #security #privacy

[@Umutinator]

Got myself a 6a like 1.5 months ago, first thing I did was to install Graphene. Had it before on my old 3a, already loved it. Love how stable it runs and the battery life is just awesome. Favorite ROM for sure.

[@sideofburritos]

Very nice! Agreed, since I've started using it there really hasn't been any notable issues. Once you get it configured it's pretty much set it and forget it.

[@ACoustaDC]

Who is your carrier? Did you buy it from your carrier or google.

[@Umutinator]

@@ACoustaDC Got it from google. They also gave me for my 3a 194 € (I got it for 110 € used).

[@sideofburritos]

@@ACoustaDC I didn't get it from my carrier, which is Verizon. I buy them directly from Google. Others have bought them from BestBuy OEM unlocked in cash if you're looking for an alternate option.

[@ACoustaDC]

@@sideofburritos yeah I was just kind of looking to save myself money. I bought a CDMA phone from Amazon... But the bootloader was locked. I returned it ... The one from Google is 150 dollars more than I paid.

[@lastquote3791]

Thank you! this is the best tutorial I've seen yet. I was having trouble with the install do to a few issues you went over that others didn't. Really appreciate the video.

[@sideofburritos]

Glad it helped! My goal was to cover any of the road blocks I've seen in the past, so glad to hear it helped!

[@thesilverballpodcast]

I was so thankful for your videos when I bought a Pixel 5a for the purpose of a Graphene OS install. It was very helpful then. Since I dunked that phone in the pool, I came back to preview the process on a 6a. It seems even easier than before and you make it super-simple. Although I only needed a couple of parts to clarify the installation, I'm so glad you keep doing these videos. The more people running Graphene OS, the better. You're definitely an integral part of the Graphene OS movement - right at the very beginning. Please keep doing these.

[@sideofburritos]

Thank you so much for the kind comment. I'm glad I was able to help you out! The more times you do it, the easier it gets. I entirely agree with you. I try to spread the word and demonstrate how easy it can be to get started to help others who might be hesitant.

[@akc3n.grapheneos]

Awesome! Great job with this video @SideOfBurritos and very well explained! Sincerely appreciate you adding timestamp 10:55 and helping us out!

[@sideofburritos]

Thank you very much! You're welcome, happy to help bring some more awareness to contributing to the project!

[@iTheGeo]

A much needed and much appreciated video SOD, cheers!

[@sideofburritos]

Very welcome!

[@ozzemie]

Thank you so much for this excellent guide, it worked perfectly on my Pixel 7a! This is my first time flashing an OS on a phone and I had no issues whatsoever!

[@jhelie4732]

i just purchased one and will be installing GOS very soon! thank you for this video

[@sideofburritos]

You're very welcome! GOS on the Pixel is a great setup.

[@TerminallyUnique95]

This is awesome man. Open source is the future I hope. The more people are aware the better.

[@ratnanadkarni3826]

Thank you so much, it really helped to follow along with your video as I did the installation. I ran into a few snags but there were helpful folks on the GrapheneOS community chat who helped me out. The cable that came with the phone didn't help with installation - I had to use a USB-A to USB-C cable instead.

[@oliverholgado8062]

Many thanks to you for this video! I really appreciate it!

[@programmer1356]

Thank you very much. This was very easy to follow, told me all but only what I needed to know. I bought a pixel 6a because of you - thank you again. I now have a google-free phone

[@Housetomato1]

Hi, thank you so much for your excellent videos. Also the questions from others and your answers are very helpful. Couple of days ago I installed GOS on a new Pixel 6a. I have very little understanding of technical stuff and was nervous to start, but it went so easy due to your instructions🙂. BTW I used a regular USB C cable to my updated iMAC 2020. I started without updating the device. The only little issue I encountered was the OEM unlocking, but following the instruction on the screen I turned on WIFI and was able to unlock it.

[@sideofburritos]

Hi there, you're very welcome! Glad to hear some of my answers helped as well, it takes a while to type them out. Congrats on getting GrapheneOS installed! It can take a bit of adjustment at first, but it's well worth the effort!

[@user-wj3jy1ip5d]

Thank you for your videos! I recently bought a Pixel 6a specifically to switch from iOS to GrapheneOS, and I would never go back!

[@propranolol9213]

I learned about Graphene OS from Louis Rossmann. And, I learned about you from the Graphene OS website. I’ve just bought by 6a and am stopping use of my iPhone for the same reasons as you. Apple is not a company that respects its customers’ rights. Your videos have been tremendously helpful, and I wanted to thank you. I’m new to actually taking steps to care about my privacy, and I’m excited to no longer feel spied upon. Keep keeping us informed. You are changing lives for the better. I just successfully installed GOS, but it wasn’t easy. My Window 11 machine didn’t recognize my new phone at all, no matter what I did. My old Windows 7 laptop recognized everything, and I got all the way to flashing, but chrome would crash every try about a third of the way in. Then I pulled out my newer Windows 10 laptop (with a broken keyboard), and it wouldn’t get thought the download release process, at least on wifi. After I hardwired it to my router, then I was finally able to make it all the way through the process. What a headache though. Also, my OEM unlocking would not become un-gray out no matter what I did until I watched another KZbin video on that specifically, and they said to do all the moves you did while adding the step of doing a factory reset. After that it was not grayed out anymore. The only other thing I’d like to know more about is how to use the sandboxes google play services... what I should and shouldn’t do regarding privacy and Google snooping. I’m completely new to Android, so I know nothing. Also, the end of this 6a video is already completely different from the way the install pages looked on my device. It asked me if I wanted to provide network access to each of the three google installs, and I unchecked it each time, not really knowing what was the right thing to do because it wasn’t in your video. Thanks for changing the world for the better!

[@sideofburritos]

Hi t@propranolol9213, I'm glad you've found my videos so helpful, and congrats on taking the plunge from an iPhone! Glad you got it all sorted out after going through two different laptops. Unfortunately, the early 6a's had that issue from Google that required you to factory reset the device. The apps app was recently updated, so the look is different now vs the video. It really depends on your setup. I would start by giving this a read over - grapheneos.org/usage#sandboxed-google-play-installation. What you'll likely notice is you won't be able to use Google Play with the network permission revoked. You'll be able to go and edit the permissions and allow network so it functions. I personally haven't messed around with revoking any of the permissions on the others. The simplest method to get start is to install it, sign in with an account (you can create a new Google account specifically for this), and start downloading apps. There's other options you can look into, like Aurora store. But I only suggest going that route once you're comfortable. I know it's not an exact answer, but there's also no right answer. Using GrapheneOS and installing Google Play like you did is a giant step in the right direction.

[@FWild-eb1rd]

Really? Tought Apple is the Most Safe system. What they make wrong?

[@edgeiger1514]

First thing I would do would be to ditch windows unless you need it for specific apps, 11 is an absolute keylogger that sends everything back to Microsoft that you type in. I have a dual boot system, windows for two apps that have no Linux equivalent, everything else I do in Linux, it's more secure! Rob braxman tech has a good video on this.

[@mooseking87]

Thank you for the video, very helpful.

[@madmike2470]

After you have initially updated your phone with all the latest security updates, you will need to factory reset the phone before starting the graphene install process. This will allow the OEM unlock feature to be available. If you don't factory reset after updating the phone the OEM unlock will be greyed out. This only seems to be for the 6a and not the 6, 6 pro or 7 phones. I also couldn't get windows update to install the fastboot patch so I had to manually download the pixel USB driver from google and update the driver via windows device manager. There are more detailed instructions for this on the graphene install instructions page. FYI using type-c USB 3 port on my laptop meant flashing the OS was super fast (only a few mins). Great guide :-) , thank you !

[@sideofburritos]

Thank you for sharing the details and fastboot option! I think in future install videos I'll demonstrate it from Windows, since that's (likely) the most common OS people will be using.

[@Evil12monks]

Thanks for the video. I flashed this os onto my old 4a to try it out.

[@sideofburritos]

Nice! That's a much more convenient way to test it out instead of erasing your primary device.

[@ozzlss]

Great guide!! Thanks!

[@sideofburritos]

You're welcome, glad it was helpful!

[@cheese0794]

I have always liked tinkering with custom roms. The last few years I havent due to a carrier locked device. The install guide is super straight forward. We have come a long way from xda and fashing 10 different files in recovery and rocking an unlocked bootloader. Thanks for the video!

[@sideofburritos]

You summed up the last 10 years perfectly. I still remember the first time I installed GrapheneOS using the web installer. I thought I did something wrong because it was so easy and there were no sketchy steps with ADB and strange files. It's come a long way which I think gives it hope for reaching a much wider audience.

[@Sky-cl1rq]

Thank you for the tutorial! Also, if anyone has the issue where the flash release process freezes at "restart system" you can fix it by either A) switching to a different device and retrying the download (make sure to select the "reboot into bootloader" option) or B) using a different usb cable. For me, i ended up having to spend a few minutes using different usb cables, connecting them to different ports, and then ultimately switching to my mac in order for it to finally work. Good luck guys!

[@JS-rp4pq]

I’m actually getting a 6a later this week, specifically in order to install graphene on it, perfectly time video thanks!

[@tomptonite]

I did the same thing with the Pixel 6. Never going back.

[@sideofburritos]

Very nice, the 6a is a solid phone. Can't beat the timing, haha.

[@JS-rp4pq]

True, can’t wait! I actually just started work as an Android dev so I may end up developing some stuff for graphene specifically in my spare time! That being said, any idea if it’s possible to set up the unlock to require both a fingerprint AND a pin/password? I feel like this would be a nice extra touch of security as not only would someone have to know your password/pin but they would also have to have your fingerprint

[@sideofburritos]

Very nice, congrats! I've never done any Android specific dev work, but it's something I might check out in the future. Not that I know of, it's either one or the other.

[@JS-rp4pq]

@@sideofburritos thanks for the info, kinda sad I can't do both. But yeah if you ever look into it, check out Jetpack compose, super nice UI toolkit built into android studio Now I have to wait another week to make the transition to graphene cause they took the pixel off sale just to put it back on sale for the same price for black friday

[@ibdubbya2]

Thank you for this very thorough video; you seem to have covered just about every thought that might come to mind for the newbie running through this process actions. (BTW: you strike me as an Aspy (my son is one). Am I wrong?)

[@sideofburritos]

You're welcome! I am not, but perhaps the way I come across on camera seems that way. edit: phrasing

[@sparrowcide]

Helpful!

[@sideofburritos]

Glad you hear!

[@Liberty4Ever]

Thanks for walking us through the installation. I screwed around for two hours trying to get this to work with a Pixel 6 on my wife's Ubuntu 22.04 computer but it refused to access the phone at the Unlock Bootloader step, with the error, "Failed to execute 'open' on 'USBDevice': Access denied. I tried it on my Ubuntu 18.04 computer (not on the approved list) and it worked first time. Both computers are up to date and both are using the latest Brave browser.

[@OvertonLeveller]

You rock!!

[@sideofburritos]

🪨

[@johanulburghs635]

Thanks mate

[@ichheienichtrick9539]

Thank you!

[@sdiggly]

Thanks for doing these! Random q.. what do you use for your phone app? I get a ton of spam calls and the Pixel phone app is really helpful. I don't want to block all calls not in my contacts because I don't want to miss calls from businesses/hospitals I need

[@salapolivalenta77]

Very easy to install, thanks for sharing. I was almost convinced to flash GOS to my pixel but I have android auto on my car and can't use it. The second big drawback is google pay, I have 3 cards and never have them phisically on my wallet, everything I buy is with google pay exclusively using NFC. For those 2 features I need to use a secondary phone, so I find this very awkward in 2022:(

[@chanmanet]

Didn't expect to install GrapheneOS this easily. Reminded me of the first time installing CyanogenMode on the Galaxy Note via a installer.

[@sideofburritos]

It's one of those situations where you think something might have gone wrong because it was so easy.

[@lastquote3791]

Thanks!

[@sideofburritos]

Woah! Thank you so much! I truly appreciate it!

[@happy4435]

Since the P7 has been released recently, are you going to do camera comparisons or similar stuff like that? Love your vids btw

[@sideofburritos]

Planning on it in the near future, my 7 arrived yesterday so once I get it all setup that'll definitely be one of the videos!

[@mimmio75]

HI. Thanks for the video which explains very well an important step for me and that is the use of the play store. I have a question about the yellow writing at the start of Graphen: is it possible to hide it?

[@benjaminsaubolle-camacho9558]

Really, thank you―you made this process so easy!

[@lars5288]

Thanks for these great videos about GrapheneOS. I finally made the decision to order a 6a which should arrive in about a week hopefully (none in stock because of black friday sales) and want to use GrapheneOS right from the start. Coming from an iphone i think the thing i will miss most is their excellent working password manager, i will have to copy all that manually into a new password manager. My motivation is not that much security, but privacy, as Apple sadly tends more and more to become a surveillance service for political regimes and/or advertisers. I think these huge data collections in real time have gotten out of hand and even if they don't use it against all citizens yet, there is no guarantee they never will. I rarely use apps, i prefer to use the browser mainly for most things, and though i find it convenient to use mobile payment now and then, i mostly pay with a physical card, so having no payment option is not a problem. Does GrapheneOS offer a backup solution? What was good about the iPhones was their backup function. Or is this against the idea behind GrapheneOS to have complete or partial backups? I mean just in case the phone gets lost or is stolen, it would be nice to have personal data like photos somewhere at your home computer or on an usb. But i think transferring those manually will do the job either.

[@sideofburritos]

Very nice! The 6a is a great phone, especially for the price. A good option for you might be bitwarden for a new password manager. It's been recommended by many people. They even have a guide on their site for how to import from MacOS + Safari - bitwarden.com/help/import-from-safari/. I think GrapheneOS will be a good fit for you. The initial switch can be a bit overwhelming and not as convenient as an iPhone out of the box, but one you spend some time with it you'll be glad you made the switch. For backups, you have a couple of options. GrapheneOS supports seedvault which is one option for backups - kzbin.info/www/bejne/m6q6npZ_qd-cqc0. Another option is to use Syncthing to sync directories on your phone with another device, such as a computer. I use Syncthing to sync my photos taken on my mobile device to my desktop computer. Best of luck in the switch!

[@Trexvsunkasa]

just followed your advice for my pixel 7a. How do I get the aurora store on grapheneOS? Thanks for the content

[@zu1502]

Is linglea is any good? What would you say is the best for long term ?

[@triggersplace]

I've been using graphene for a month now. Really good. One question is when you reboot do you always get the you are booting a different OS screen at the start?

[@sideofburritos]

Yes, that's normal to see. Any OS installed on the device besides stock Android OS will show that. Glad to hear it working well for you so far!

[@anonanon3066]

"It's essentially impossible to break your phone using the web installer" What about the CLI version? Would you recommend it as a first-time-flash to someone already used to working in a linux-env-type shell?

[@WickedMuis]

Louis Rossman convinced me to get Graphene, so I bought a 6A. I just successfully upgraded my brand new phone to GrapheneOS. I would have been less nervous if I'd have seen/found this video first, but as you show: their website is pretty straight forward and easy to use. Liking the OS so far apart from a few pet peeves: - Cannot find a way to turn Contacts & Telephone apps to dark mode. - Default GrapheneOS keyboard doesn't support swipe typing and I installed extra keyboard languages. So I installed Gboard (without network access), but it only has the English dictionary. I cannot use the swipe typing for anything but English =/ - When swiping up from the Home Screen, it shows all installed apps, but these seem not be able to be grouped into folders.

[@sideofburritos]

Glad to hear your experience has been positive so far! - Cannot find a way to turn Contacts & Telephone apps to dark mode. It's not supported currently in the GrapheneOS dialer. - Default GrapheneOS keyboard doesn't support swipe typing and I installed extra keyboard languages. So I installed Gboard (without network access), but it only has the English dictionary. I cannot use the swipe typing for anything but English =/ Hmm, for the language, have you tried these steps? - support.google.com/gboard/answer/7068494 - When swiping up from the Home Screen, it shows all installed apps, but these seem not be able to be grouped into folders. Correct, on that screen no organization is supported. All apps can only be listed individually.

[@WickedMuis]

@@sideofburritos Yeah, the languages/dictionaries I've added to the keyboards are both visible in Settings -> System -> Language & Input -> Languages as well as Gboard Settings -> Languages. Yet still when I set it to either of the other languages I've added, it will only suggest and auto-complete English words for me. Not just when swipe typing, but all typing. As someone that never really learned typing on a mobile device swipe typing is something that I really find useful.

[@gregbirger5810]

The lack of dark mode on contacts & the dialer was vexing. There was a GrapheneOS update literally today that fixed that. :-) Have been using this on a pixel 6a for just a couple days and am really liking it thus far. Between the Louis Rossman & Side Of Burritos videos, I am extremely grateful for the clear reviews & recommendations provided on GrapheneOS that motivated me to try it out, along with significant discounts on the pixel 6a that made the timing ideal. With the web installer, its also so very much easier to install than the days of getting LineageOS (or other ROMs) installed through adb command line tools.

[@WickedMuis]

@@gregbirger5810 Ah yeah contacts is dark mode now! Nice. Messaging is still white though.

[@gregbirger5810]

@@WickedMuis Interesting, I hadn't even opened messaging as I use signal for all texting, but you're right. Hopefully that will be fixed soon.

[@SillySpoooks]

Hi. When connecting my pixel6a I have to select “transfer files” right? Do I also have to select usb debugging? Every time I restart into fastboot, it disconnects from my computer and when restarts, it goes back into charging mode instead of transfer when connected.

[@juliotechmx]

¡Gracias!

[@sideofburritos]

¡De nada! Esto significa una tonelada, ¡muchas gracias!

[@dizobo]

Hi SideofBurritos, I really like you're GrapheneOS content so far! Is there any chance that you could make a video on DivestOS? It is a privacy focused FOSS Android ROM, similar to GrapheneOS. However, it has much wider support for phones and includes relockable bootloaders for most of them. The ROM doesn't seem to get a lot of coverage so I am hoping that you might be able to give it some attention.

[@sideofburritos]

Hi there, thank you! I have been thinking about doing that. I've seen that as the recommend OS when your phone doesn't support GrapheneOS, so I will work on giving it some attention.

[@claytontycksen9472]

Great video! I tried the CLI install but it wouldn't install from my desktop. I tried the web install from my laptop (same cable) and it worked first try!

[@sideofburritos]

Glad to hear! The web installer is great. Installing a custom OS has come a long way.

[@chris2790]

Appreciate the content. I just installed graphene on a 6a the other day and am now wondering about anti-virus. Up to this point I've been using Bitdefender on all my devices (windows and android). I'd kind of like to try install BD on graphene. Any thoughts on BD or any anti-virus on graphene OS devices? Besides running properly w/out google play store, there's the question of how BD handles privacy.

[@sideofburritos]

You don't need it, nor would I recommend it. This reply sums it up well as to why: --- No. But antivirus isn't really a good approach to security because it relies on badness enumeration (trying to count all the "bad" software and block it or alert you). This is fundamentally unsustainable because new malware is created every day and it's impossible to maintain an accurate and up-to-date list of all malware. Android's approach is much better because apps are sandboxed and restricted to only accessing the sensitive data that you explicitly give them access to. --- Source: discuss.grapheneos.org/d/519-antivirus/2 If you would like to learn more about badness enumeration, here's a great article on the topic - privsec.dev/posts/knowledge/badness-enumeration/

[@TheTundraTerror]

You know, you could have just as easily plugged some sponsorship while the release downloaded but instead suggested that people donate to the project. Beyond based.

[@sideofburritos]

Thanks for noticing and for the awesome compliment!

nice

[@Redeemed52597]

@Side of Burritos: When a developer has their own repository hosted on F-Droid (such as the Bromite repository you spoke of in your video), is it more secure than the general F-Droid repository?

[@sideofburritos]

Technically, it should be, since they should be building and signing their apps. At that point, the F-Droid/Droid-ify app will function as the interface you use to access the repository.

[@Redeemed52597]

Thank u for the clarification.

[@aquietsky]

Is the battery life better than stock Android? How about the camera?

[@tmn-zk8fh]

Installed on my pixel 6a and the OEM unlocking is grayed out. How can I fix this? Also unable to connect the device again with the google usb driver (can't lock from graphene website).

[@miaogyver]

Is there a downside to setting up with Chrome on a computer that isn't mine?

[@questarey]

Hello. I'm getting this phone soon and I am completely new to Graphene. I am wondering if stuff like syncing and password management will work after installing the Play Services. With sync, I mean all the data that is being saved to certain accounts, found under Settings - Accounts (in android 11). Im intrigued in using graphene, but I find convenience very important :P Thanks in advance! :)

[@sideofburritos]

Hi there, I don't believe it works because GrapheneOS doesn't allow the Google services to have the deep system permissions that would allow it. I've never tested it, but that's what I understand. One option for contacts/calendar events is to use something like Davx5 - www.davx5.com/tested-with/google with your Google account. You could also set something up like a Nextcloud account and sync to your device with Davx5 - kzbin.info/www/bejne/hHvdcmyvh6yam68

[@alpinematrix]

Can I use Windows 7 with Chrome to install if I don't have a computer with Windows 10?

[@crossi88]

thx

[@penultimatename6677]

On a side note is there anyway to import bookmarks into Vanadium? I created one bookmark and went into the vanadium folder. Thought I might find the file. No luck. Its an interesting browser but somewhat loses its appeal if I can't import bookmarks.

[@sideofburritos]

Sadly, no. Not at this time. Currently being tracked here - github.com/GrapheneOS/Vanadium/issues/149

[@ThunderFarter]

0:30 Why did you do it 100x times?, and does my Graphene OS Pixel 6a update automatically?

[@reclee8333]

Can Graphene OS disable cellular connectivity so that your phone won't ping any cellular base station (even without SIM)? If not, are there apps which can do this?

[@jcools310]

Do we need to completely backup our pixel prior to installing grapheneos? I assume yes, are there any pro tips on that? Obviously I can backup thing to a corp cloud product or a computer. Just wondering if there’s any pro tips on that front. I can’t wait to install

[@sideofburritos]

Yes, you do. Once you unlock the bootloader your device will be wiped. Hmm, if there's anything I need to save before a wipe I usually use a USB-C -> USB-A adapter and copy the files to a flash drive. Unfortunately there's no easy way to make a full backup and import it on GrapheneOS. It can be a bit of work up front to manually copy the data, but totally worth it!

[@WickedMuis]

You'd have to get into individual apps and see their options to backup all the stuff. Like your call and SMS history can be backed up into files and copied over with a simple app. Signal provides account transfer from one phone to the other, but this is diffcult on the same device. Authenticator apps can have backup/exporting options, like Aegis. You basically have to go over everything yourself, to be certain.

[@DavidJacksonphunman1]

Would love a video on QubesOS

[@alanoreilly4578]

I messed up this porcess and now my phone is stuck in a loop of restarting over and over again, is this recoverable or did I break my phone ?

[@elcapitann]

Hi there, I just installed Graphene on my new 6A yesterday and my memory usage in the developer options shows it averages at about 60% (I don't use the phone intensively) and I'm not sure if that is high or just completely normal. Curios to know if yours is similar?

[@sideofburritos]

Hello, I just checked mine, and it averages 60%. So, I'd say yours is right where it should be. Welcome to GrapheneOS!

[@mavismalpenny3782]

that was excellent. Thankyou. And yes donated to graphene

[@akshayshaw5504]

Can we use banking apps ??

[@Cyberoverdose888]

Question, how do you install Libre2 and 3, and Waze on Graphene. I use a 7 Pro, and need both for medical(Libre) and when I travel to South East Asia for Waze. I tried OSMand and Magic Earth, and both do not suffice for use in my travels. Both apps I tried loading on Aurora, and Waze just freezes and Libre requires download from Playstore. TIA.

[@1albumamonth]

You could try installing the sandboxed play services from the apps app

[@gregbirger5810]

With the google play service installed, I had to toggle the "exploit protection compatibility mode" to on in app settings for waze to work properly.

[@Cyberoverdose888]

@@gregbirger5810 @J M I was forced to reconfigure Calyx over Graphene, as I have to be able to use this in my travels through South East Asia and Europe. Unfortunately changing SIM cards and trying to download apps on Graphene would not be viable. Now with Calyx, I initaiily had issues with WAZE, I read a recommendation to turn off the phone remove the SIM and put it back in and reboot. Well after several tries it worked to force WAZE to function. Now I have one issue, Calyx is not functioning with internet connectivity. Which is going to be a major concern for me. I do have other phones but this new 7Pro would have been my main phone. 😒

[@gregbirger5810]

@@Cyberoverdose888 Hope you find what works for you. For me, GrapheneOS has the right combination of privacy & security while maintaining functionality. I normally just get a local sim card when traveling internationally, will be curious to see how that works with GrapheneOS when the time comes.

[@trevormonk3800]

Hey man huge fan of the channel could you do a video or explain how carrier-based phones can receive grapheneOS?

[@sideofburritos]

Hi there, thanks! What do you mean about carrier-based phones? Do you mean purchasing one from a carrier?

[@trevormonk3800]

@@sideofburritos yes do you know if you pay off a device with carrier Will they unlock the bootloader?

[@sideofburritos]

@@trevormonk3800 As long as it's not Verizon, they should. Until it's paid off you won't be able to unlock the bootloader.

[@trevormonk3800]

@@sideofburritos thanks man!

[@josoveys649]

I need urgent help. I've tried everything on my new google pixel 6A and not a single video or guide is working. I took the issue to google live chat and they simply said "wait for the next update" however the last update was weeks ago, I can't wait! The issue is simple, the OEM unlocking toggle is greyed out no matter what, I have been binging your videos but need help! I am not with verizon (being Uk based) BASED!

[@worstyasuo]

From grapheneos install guide For the Pixel 6a, OEM unlocking won't work with the version of the stock OS from the factory. You need to update it to the June 2022 release or later via an over-the-air update. After you've updated it you'll also need to factory reset the device to fix OEM unlocking.

[@MrIisAmazing]

Trying to figure out how to sync my whatsapp back to my account. when I enter the email it's linked to it just says "account is already on the device" but I do not have the option to select it. Any help? Thank you!

[@sideofburritos]

I've never personally used this method, but I've seen others say that it works - www.dedoimedo.com/computers/whatsapp-local-db-restore-android-11.html

[@chris2790]

You mention the OEM cable that came with the phone should be used to do the flashing. My laptop is older and does not have usbC, hopefully an aftermarket cable usbA to C will be fine. Will be using windows and doing it in a few days.

[@lars5288]

The cables are a bit tricky. Had the same problem, and the cable together with an USB-a adapter didn't work. So I bought a cheap a to c cable and that worked.

[@sideofburritos]

That should be more than fine. I've used several non-oem cables, but best practice is to use the stock OEM cable to have the best chance at not having any hiccups.

[@chris2790]

@@lars5288 I happened to have an A to C cable by Anker that worked w/ no issues.

[@MrIisAmazing]

Could you do a video on re-installing the original OS? My grapheneOS just constantly shuts my phone off and i'm over it at this point.

[@sideofburritos]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/inqreGSgZd6sosU

[@hyiping5926]

I have installed Graphene OS, but when i restart the device i see a google logo just before the graphene os logo popsup? I'm using google pixel 6a?

[@sideofburritos]

That's normal and expected.

[@triggersplace]

Do you know of any issues installing graphene on a 6a from a Mac?

[@sideofburritos]

Nope, nothing I'm aware of specifically related to Mac. I've done nearly all my GrapheneOS installs (Pixel 5a, 6, 6a, 7) from a Mac using a chromium based browser.

[@jimmysmith-ru8nb]

what is the OEM UNLOCKING

[@nesjka4606]

Wil E-Sim still work if i switch, will android auto work??

[@sideofburritos]

eSIM will work (grapheneos.org/usage#sandboxed-google-play-esim), Android auto will not work (grapheneos.org/usage#sandboxed-google-play-limitations)

[@juliotechmx]

Are you using 6a as daily driver? What is your opinion 6a vs. 6?

[@sideofburritos]

The 6a I'm borrowing for someone that just bought it, so I could make this video. So far I like the size and form factor better than the 6. I also like the camera bar better, it's much thinner. I did just get the 7, so I will be switching to that as my daily driver. I'm planning to do some videos using the 7 in the near future.

[@bremb01]

Can I do the installation on a 6a from T-Mobile ?

[@sideofburritos]

You shouldn't have any issues using that.

[@FilippoBonazza]

MY OEM is greyed out, there is any way to activate the option?

[@sideofburritos]

Is it a Verizon branded Pixel? If it's not, make sure you're connected to wifi. If it's a Pixel 6a, make sure to follow the disclaimer at the bottom of this section regarding updating and a factory reset - grapheneos.org/install/web#enabling-oem-unlocking

[@arkham_knight]

Got 6a, sold iPhone 12 Pro, just to install this amazing OS.

[@sideofburritos]

Congrats on making the jump! That change was a bit tough at first for me coming from iOS, but after a few days you get used to it. Making the switch is completely worth it.

[@hayopapayo1717]

Hi @Side Of Burritos , have a question. Why do you trust GrapheneOS? I mean, the code is available but that does not mean that it cant be compromised or they can add a hack and nobody notices it? Security-wise google is "better" because it has special team for security and you dont have to trust a3-rd party os? Privacy-wise it could be better on GrapheneOS. Well I got an Pixel 7 but not sure if I want to install GrapheneOS on it. Im not sure yet. Do I trust GrapheneOS developer? Why should I trust them?

[@sideofburritos]

Exactly what Luke said. The burden of proof would be on you to first provide evidence they could not be trusted. The best place to start is to read through their documentation on their site (grapheneos.org/features) which lists all the privacy and security benefits they offer on top of what stock AndroidOS already has. From there you can decide if it's right for you based off the information and facts available. I also feel like this tweet has a lot of weight behind it - nitter.net/Snowden/status/1588472045960327168. If it's good enough for him, it's more than enough for me.

[@hayopapayo1717]

Thanks, for the answers. Well, an OS has over 1000 files, its hard to go through each. And in a lot of places there could be bad code/ hacks. I wouldnt go through each of them. Even though I could. But do you trust everything since it is not proofed to be wrong? Do I trust every github project, since it is open and not yet known to be malicious? I wouldnt :) I will have a look on the links you provided. Much appreciated. :)

[@mrcvry]

You could read the code and compile it yourself. Much work. The more easy way is to check the network traffic. Many are doing that.

[@henrysosa8565]

@@sideofburritos would you recommend aurora store over fdroid still? Also do you think it’s a decent idea to get apps from different places like aruroa and fdroid, instead of just using one or the other?

[@hayopapayo1717]

Thanks for the answers. I will have to check some more links out and read a bit more about GrapheneOS but im tending to give it a try. Yeah, the reading of the network traffic makes much sense to me.

[@lars5288]

So I got my 6a yesterday and flashed the Graphene OS. I have mixed emotions about it, at the moment I am back on stock Google. But probably i will try it again. The large problem for me was that the call quality was really really bad. I mean, 2g sounds better. I don't know what the reason was, because under stock Google the quality is just fine, and Graphene uses just the same data for the providers. Though under stock android wifi calls don't work or better, just in wifi mode, but it doesn't switch there during bad reception. Another problem was, even with unrestricted battery settings audio streams stopped working after a while in background. The camera wasn't good either. I will see if I try it again on the weekend or if I wait a couple of months.

[@sideofburritos]

Hmm, that's an odd issue I haven't heard of. Does it happen on calls you initiate and receive? Or only in one direction? What app were you using specifically for audio? For the camera, you can install "Google Services Framework" from the apps app, and then install "Google Camera" from the app store. At that point, you'll have the same camera experience as the stock OS.

[@lars5288]

Thanks for the reply. I finally decided to stay with GrapheneOS. I don't know what the reason for the bad call was, i think the problem was on the other side, all other calls were fine. The problem with the music streaming seem to be related to the sandboxed google things. I flashed graphene again and this time i didn't use the google apps, i installed the apps from fdroid and apkmirror and they run fine without google so far and i had no crashes or interruptions. By the way, i found out that you can install the Huawai playstore, what is nice for some games for example, as they run without google in the background. I think Huawai will take care that no malicious apps are in their appstore. However, i don't need many apps, i do most things in Vanadium and for the moment i can do everything without google services etc. I really like GrapheneOS, it's much better than stock android, no distractions, no nanny apps that are just made to collect data. I solved the google camera thing with the gcam service provider app from Lukas Pieper. You can get it on github, there's also an explanation what it does. It works fine with Graphene and seems like its not so power hungry like the google service apps that come with GrapheneOS. github.com/lukaspieper/Gcam-Services-Provider

[@sideofburritos]

Nice! Glad you got the call and music issue to figure out. 100%, it's a simple, solid, secure OS without the extra bloat. Gcam-Services-Privider works really well, I did a video on it a while ago. If you don't need Google Services, Gcam-Services-Provider is the easiest way to get the camera working without installing all the extras with it.

[@yepp1972]

Will banking apps work with GrapheneOS?

[@sideofburritos]

All mine that I use do. You can reference this list to check which specific one you might be wondering about - privsec.dev/posts/android/banking-applications-compatibility-with-grapheneos/

[@shauryakumar4931]

Which one would you recommend between calyx and graphene?

[@sideofburritos]

GrapheneOS. I no longer recommend CalyxOS. I plan to make a video on that topic someday, but I'm still working on the outline since it's a sensitive topic for some people.

[@mrcvry]

Check out the history of them. Go Graphene!

[@shawnbreau]

Good day everyone. I just purchased a new pixel 7. I unlocked the bootloader. My issue came in the next step. I clicked the Download release. After several seconds, I was unsure if the process had begun. I started to click buttons to wake up the screen. This caused the process that had begun to freeze. I then unplugged the phone. Now it gets stuck trying to copy the image even if phone is no longer connected to the pc. If I try to restore, it attempts to do that with the incomplete Grapheneos image.

[@sideofburritos]

You can do a force reboot (press and hold power button + volume up for ~20 seconds). Then try the "booting into the bootloader interface" step again and start from there - grapheneos.org/install/web#booting-into-the-bootloader-interface. Once you're in the bootloader interface you can lock the boot loader and unlock it again. That will erase everything on the device.

[@solmesteren]

the phone has a boring black/white theme, is this something i could've changed if i got one?

[@sideofburritos]

You can, you can use whatever launcher you want on Android OS. I would say it's simple/minimalistic vs boring :)

[@datkat6032]

Looks like this just bricked my new 6a. It's hung up in the flashing phase and can't recover. Thoughts?

[@sideofburritos]

Which part did it get stuck at exactly? Start by booting into the bootloader interface and run through the process again.

[@datkat6032]

@@sideofburritos Thank you so much for reaching out! I tried so many times, but finally got it to flash yesterday by switching from the USB-C to USB-A port on my laptop. Thought I'd read it needed to be USB-C to USB-C, but that didn't work. The 6a works flawlessly on GOS, btw. Was thinking of flashing my P7P until I read about the slow camera processing in portrait mode on the 7 series and decided to hold off in hopes of a potential fix. I got that phone mainly for the camera (which is great), it'd be a shame to hobble it.

[@Savoirs-Anciens]

hi ! i dont a usb C on my pc ...

[@OddClancy]

Hey mate, thanks for the great tutorial! Any chance you can make a follow up video on a more in depth look at the OS and what you can do with it from a beginners perspective?

[@sideofburritos]

Hi there, you're welcome! I think that's a great idea. Anything in particular you would be interested in? I have some ideas, but after using it for so long, there might be some things I overlook as its second nature now.

[@OddClancy]

@@sideofburritos possibly a setup guide that includes the side you do after youve done the initial setup. So what are your options with F droid(don't really know what it is at the this point), or other apps, recommended settings you use, things to look out for, limitations of the platform, tips and tricks, why you chose some apps over the other and why you use those apps?

[@sideofburritos]

For sure! I'm planning on doing this soon after the holidays, as I'll be moving from my Pixel 6 to my Pixel 7. I'm planning on filming the setup and explain what I'm doing and why.

[@99999me1]

Can you revert back to stock so I can sell/trade in the phone?

[@lars5288]

Yes, did this today. It's on their web installer site how to do it.

[@sideofburritos]

Exactly what @Lars said. You can use flash.android.com to revert to the stock OS. GrapheneOS also has instructions on their site - grapheneos.org/install/web#replacing-grapheneos-with-the-stock-os

[@chriscoulter2784]

If I load Graphene and decide I do not like it, is it possible to reload the original Google operating system?

[@sideofburritos]

It is, the process is detailed here - grapheneos.org/install/web#replacing-grapheneos-with-the-stock-os. It uses the Android web installer to flash the stock OS.

[@chriscoulter2784]

@@sideofburritos Awesome thanks so much. Love the content

[@hunter19884]

Note: LeMobile Android Bootloader Interface from windows optional updates.

[@Dan-kb2oz]

How come the phone remembered the pass code you created with the stock OS, shouldn’t that have been wiped with the flashing and GrapheneOS ask you to create a new one?

[@sideofburritos]

It didn't, I set a pin at 14:34. It also happened to be the same pin I used on the stock OS (12345)

[@Dan-kb2oz]

@@sideofburritos Ah ok, my bad. Cheers :)

[@jhelie4732]

what 2FA do you use or recommend ?

[@sideofburritos]

Aegis Authenticator works really well and is usually my suggestion. As far as what I use currently, I use the built-in functionality in 1Password to store them. I know most people don't like the idea of using a cloud password manager, but I haven't got around to testing out the suggested alternatives yet. I also have this video if you're interested in seeing all the apps on my device - kzbin.info/www/bejne/fHaxkIGsgNiJeMU

[@jgn2112]

Out of curiosity, what do all you GrapheneOS users use for your camera app? The native camera or something else?

[@WickedMuis]

I just use the default app that came with the OS. Seems more than sufficient enough. It even has the QR scanner included.

[@tokisaki.kurumi]

I use the included Camera app, works great in well lighted environments. Sometimes, in extremely few cases, I use Google Camera when I want extra quality, for example in low light.

[@gregbirger5810]

I've got the default GrapheneOS camera app as well as the google camera app installed. In process of doing compare/contrast to see if the google app is *really* that much better. Too early to tell for me. Will preferentially use the GrapheneOS camera unless some conditions (low light, etc) are significantly better with the google camera app.

[@pawan2787]

👍👍

[@system128]

Why does my OEM unlocking option say that it is "Unavailable on carrier-locked devices" if no carrier branding existed on the box nor during set up for my Pixel 6a? I have tried updating and factory resetting thrice already to no avail. (I have tried both with and without my Spectrum SIM, Android 13, Feb 3 2023 patch) Also, as a side note, I do not currently have any ties to Verizon, if that's what you're thinking.

[@sideofburritos]

If you're financing your phone from your carrier, they also likely have the option disabled. Once you pay it off, you should be able to unlock it. I didn't know this was an issue until it happened to a friend of mine recently.

[@system128]

@@sideofburritos Did he end up having his option unlocked when he fully paid it off?

[@sideofburritos]

@@system128 He did. Takes about 2-4 weeks after you pay it off for it to show, unless you call them and ask for it early.

[@monsterzero9456]

@@sideofburritos is there some kind of way to bruteforce the oem unlock on 6a? I'm from Russia and couldn't give a - about paying off US carrier lol

[@sideofburritos]

@@monsterzero9456 No, the OEM unlocking process checks the device serial with Google to see if it's permitted. If it's marked as not permitted, you won't be able to unlock it - nitter.net/DanielMicay/status/1552966692749414402#m

[@bigdogkropp]

So to run google play store you need to log in with a goggle account? What's the point of de-goggling a phone and then logging into goggle? I don't understand why you would do this

[@sideofburritos]

If you want to download apps from Google Play Store then you need to log into it. If you just want to use Sandboxed play services for compatibility with Apps, you just need to install it. You can then download apps from Aurora store (alternate google front end) which doesn't require an account. The reply on this thread sums up well the project goals and how de-googling isn't a priority for the project, but it is a 'Happy accident' - discuss.grapheneos.org/d/1420-google-play-store-and-degoogle

[@declinedyt5565]

Aroura store

[@bigdogkropp]

@@sideofburritos Should I create a new google account so Google does not know my identity on my new phone?

[@hamzadagh]

HI, Bro how to change font in grapheneos ?

[@sideofburritos]

I don't believe you can. The option doesn't exist in AOSP and doesn't exist in GrapheneOS.

[@hamzadagh]

@@sideofburritos Thanks for the reply, I was hoping I could change my font because I don't like the default Arabic font.

[@rahulw9421]

e-sim will be erased or not?

[@josoveys649]

yes it will u have to add again but esim are more dangerous than real sim

[@BartV-kg8bx]

cannot open the apps app, due to suync failing??

[@sideofburritos]

I would try rebooting your phone and make sure you're connected to wifi or cellular.

[@cherielektra]

Trouble with OEM unlocked phones is the inability to use wifi-calling, especially with Verizon. Feeling kind of stuck. Any ideas? Verizon works the best here (USA) where signal just is totally impossible. When speaking with the verizon rep, other day, was told that i could request my phone to be unlocked ( at least with new phones purchased through them). [It's Big Circular Argument situation here]

[@sideofburritos]

So there's a couple things to answer here: "request my phone to be unlocked" I'm assuming it's carrier locked to Verizon right now? If it's a Verizon branded pixel, they'll be able to carrier unlock it, but OEM unlocking still won't be available. "Trouble with OEM unlocked phones is the inability to use wifi-calling, especially with Verizon." Is that what Verizon told you? I'm currently using Visible (Verizon) on my Google Pixel 7 with Wi-Fi calling enabled and working. I never heard of anyone having issues with Wi-Fi calling because of OEM unlocking, so I don't think you'll have any.

[@cherielektra]

@@sideofburritos thanks. So, just like the video you posted about 3 phones, I have to ask the seller if it is Verizon AND to check if it bootloader unlocked? If you wouldn't mind perhaps giving me the seller off SWAPPA that sold it to you. I am sure others here might benefit as well, since that one took the time to respond. I dont see sellers mentioning it.

[@sideofburritos]

You don't need to ask about the Verizon part. All you need to ask for is a screenshot of the OEM unlocking option enabled in developer options. Once that's enabled, you'll be able to install another OS on the device. I just checked and the seller I purchased from has no active listings.

[@Flashbrickanimations]

I found a google pixel thats already graphene os on ebay is it a good idea buying that? Or not

[@sideofburritos]

I've sold my phones on eBay with GrapheneOS installed on it already in the past when I upgraded devices. If you do buy it, I would suggest flashing it when you get it. You technically don't need to, but I do anyway. The plus is that you know it supports OEM unlocking, and you won't have any issues with flashing GrapheneOS.

[@Flashbrickanimations]

@@sideofburritos ok thanks for the answer and pixels are the only phones which support installing custom os right?

[@sideofburritos]

@@Flashbrickanimations Pixels are the only ones supported by GrapheneOS (grapheneos.org/faq#supported-devices). Other phones support installing alternate OS's, but GrapheneOS is the only phone OS I recommend. Also, cool LEGO videos!

[@Flashbrickanimations]

@@sideofburritos thanks 😁

[@Flashbrickanimations]

@Hoxton 👍