Help Installing Graphene on Pixel 7 \ stacker news ~tech

3757 sats \ 44 comments \ @siggy47 17 Jun 2023 tech

In my quest to de-google, I am now switching to graphene, but have gotten stuck trying to unlock the bootloader. I would appreciate help from any graphene wizards on SN. Don't assume I'm not making an obvious mistake. My tech skills are still suspect. Don't worry. I won't be insulted. Here is where I am so far:

I bought an unlocked pixel 7 directly from Google. No carrier,and no Sim card.
I enabled developer mode, then turned on oem unlocking and I enabled USB debugging.
For the install, I used the factory charging cord to connect to laptop(s).
I first tried to connect to a Linux laptop, running Ubuntu 22.04 fully updated. Following instructions on graphene web installer page, I installed the android sdk package. I ran the command line workaround to resolve the compatibility issues.
I followed directions regarding placing the pixel in fastboot mode, and connected it to my laptop. The connection could not be made.
After trying everything I could think of, I switched to a windows 11 laptop. I updated the software, including installing and updating fastboot Android drivers and sdk drivers as optional update. Followed all instructions, and once again, no connection.
My next attempt will be with a NixOS desktop, but I'll need cord adapters for the USB connection, which will complicate matters.

Thanks, and I appreciate any insight you techie guys can provide.

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601 sats \ 5 replies \ @03365d6a53 17 Jun 2023

I flashed a graphene on Ubuntu just yesterday. Like you it didn't connect immediately to a browser. Some things to think about:

Flatpak installs of browsers are sandboxed and won't connect to USB so easily
So just install the browser fully / directly, as described here: https://brave.com/linux/
You may need this package also: sudo apt install adb
You may need to run this (as described on graphene install page): echo 0 | sudo tee /sys/bus/usb/drivers_autoprobe
After all this, reboot the machine

all the above, plus the android sdk you already installed (sudo apt install android-sdk-platform-tools-common) should be enough to get you going!

Good luck, graphene is awesome

10 sats \ 1 reply \ @siggy47 OP 17 Jun 2023

In case this post starts getting bookmarked as a guide for people switching to graphene, it's only fair for me to start spreading these sats around!

100 sats \ 0 replies \ @03365d6a53 17 Jun 2023

Thankyou!

Just to add, for visitors benefit - all my points (except the adb package) are mentioned on the graphene install page

The official website is full of interesting / relevant information, and deserves a good / solid read, even if you're not interested in Graphene itself.

https://graphene.org

0 sats \ 2 replies \ @siggy47 OP 17 Jun 2023

Thank you! I wish I would have seen your reply before borrowing my daughter's Mac. You provided a few tips I wasn't aware of.

I now have graphene installed, but it feels like cheating using an Apple product.

0 sats \ 1 reply \ @Dan21 17 Jun 2023 freebie

To use a shitcoin-browser isn't better...

101 sats \ 3 replies \ @Craylon_Tarvis 17 Jun 2023

Don't assume the factory cable delivers data. It may not.

0 sats \ 2 replies \ @siggy47 OP 17 Jun 2023

Counting last night, I've tried maybe 4 or 5 different cable options now. None worked, but I still think it might be a cable issue. Any recommendations?

0 sats \ 1 reply \ @john_doe 18 Jun 2023

Replying to this because in my case the process to install GrapheneOS was straightforward and I didn't have any problem. I use a relatively old laptop which has a USB port which makes connections disconnect from time to time (I also think I have a too low electric current flowing through it). Typically I can't even plug a medium size hard drive and I had disconnection issues with a hardware wallet and a drone. That being said, normally the cable delivered with the phone should work (white and thick cable in my case). If you have the same kind of problem I have, then try to avoid to put pressure on the cable during the install, because if the USB port on the laptop is old it may lead to disconnections. Do you have a device showing up with the command "adb devices"?

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @siggy47 OP 18 Jun 2023

Thanks for the reply. I was able to flash very easily on a Mac.

But, you raise good points for others.

You are correct, the white cable included with the Pixel 7 worked. It does carry data.

I assume you did a Windows install? If yes, the answer to your question is no : after I entered the command adb devices no device showed up. My windows laptop laptop, fyi, , is 2 or 3 years old but is running Windows 11.

101 sats \ 1 reply \ @_b_o_n_e_s_ 17 Jun 2023

I have had better luck installing calyx/graphene using windows than Linux. do you have another cable you can try?

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @siggy47 OP 17 Jun 2023

I'm looking. Ill let you know if that works. Thanks

100 sats \ 1 reply \ @JesseJames 17 Jun 2023

@3xxxx is correct first step to deal with android is adb. I learned that the hardway as well, the rest is easy. adb rocks and for other android "freaks" check company named Emteria they have tons of stuff for iot, super useful.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @siggy47 OP 17 Jun 2023

Thanks for the info. Are you running graphene?

100 sats \ 0 replies \ @022a8a1886 17 Jun 2023

I had something similar with GrapheneOS and a Pixel 4a. At the end I used an Apple-Laptop and I was able to flash immediately.

20 sats \ 7 replies \ @BlokchainB 17 Jun 2023

Looks like I’m in for it if I decide to go this route.

50 sats \ 6 replies \ @siggy47 OP 17 Jun 2023

It really is easy once you get the bootloader unlocked. The guys on this thread who offered me advice know what they're doing.

0 sats \ 5 replies \ @BlokchainB 17 Jun 2023

That’s encouraging. Everytime I dive into this tech stuff I always run into some issue then I’m stuck and regret even starting down this path.

0 sats \ 4 replies \ @siggy47 OP 17 Jun 2023

Me too. Believe me, if I can do it, you can. This was easy compared to my struggles with my node, switching to Linux, switching to NixOS. I'm tech challenged, but I really get an enormous amount of satisfaction once I succeed, even if I had my hand held all the way. In this case, I had the added incentive of breaking away from big tech tyranny.

20 sats \ 3 replies \ @BlokchainB 17 Jun 2023

Absolutely. I think I will take this plunge when I replace this phone. It’s just I have a long track record of stuff not working

LND CLN Nodl Casa node Apps on Linux Wallets Coinjoins

And it truly annoys me when I listen to podcasts and people are like just jump in the community is so nice and willing to help. The you actually test it and your requests for help go unanswered on GitHub.

I say all this because this tech is far from ready for mainstream adoption. Like the recent Trend on Twitter is self custody is easy just write down Twelve words but yet they fail to mention where to put those words generate an address and actually send bitcoin to it.

50 sats \ 2 replies \ @siggy47 OP 17 Jun 2023

It's a tradeoff for sure. Privacy for convenience. At this point in my life I have the luxury to take the time and put up with some frustration. That wasn't always the case. Everyone must decide for themselves. I just started with graphene. So far, so good. I may be ready to give up next week.

20 sats \ 1 reply \ @BlokchainB 17 Jun 2023

😂 hopefully not. Every little thing helps. Glad we have SN to connect and support one another

50 sats \ 0 replies \ @siggy47 OP 18 Jun 2023

Very true. This tech sub might be the perfect place for people who know what they're doing to help those of us who lack expertise.

reply on another page

50 sats \ 0 replies \ @siggy47 OP 17 Jun 2023

I hope to see a day not too long in the future where I can just scroll down to the "graphene" sub!

10 sats \ 1 reply \ @siggy47 OP 17 Jun 2023

I am up and running. I do not intend to look back. I will post my impressions of graphene in a few days.

Here is the bad news. I went against my principles and borrowed my daughter's Mac laptop. Unloading, downloading, and flashing was a breeze.

I despise everything about Apple, but one thing's for sure. They make it easy for the tech challenged like me.

20 sats \ 0 replies \ @03365d6a53 17 Jun 2023

At least it wasn't windows 🤓

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @siggy47 OP 17 Jun 2023

I'm just getting the feel for graphene, but I really appreciate the SN pwa more and more. It's harder to flip around sites with the security conscious stripped down chromium browser. Protonmail's pwa is nice too.

0 sats \ 2 replies \ @nymatix 17 Jun 2023

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170 sats \ 1 reply \ @final 17 Jun 2023

Statement from GrapheneOS team here: https://grapheneos.social/@GrapheneOS/110461674240938541

Full disclosure: I have supported the project for a LONG time so I may appear to have some objective bias

There is still a lot more context to it, If I had to explain the whole situation with how this developer was acting this way, it would be as long as third of this web page. So a very cut down TLDR:

He is the founder and was the lead developer prior to this video being made. He has reduced his role and will eventually leave the project entirely to fix his mental state. He has not been involved in GrapheneOS development months either prior. He will only be in the GrapheneOS Foundation non-profit when it is over (I consider this a benefit, he is extremely intelligent).
GrapheneOS used to be a former project with a different name developed by the same person for a company. The co-founder of that company fired him and took all his work away and then tried to sue him. He was fired because he disagreed over certain company politics and that this co-founder was trying to co-operate the project with a military contractor (Raytheon).
He was swatted multiple times and gets attacks from supporters of competitor projects after his address was leaked by that same company.
He (and a lot of the GrapheneOS team) have a strong attitude to correct information about mobile security and privacy posted online. He frequently makes comparisons of security flaws from competitors and other projects. This behaviour sometimes makes a couple of enemies.

After a lot of the shit he went through he has a strong zero-tolerance to not work with anyone who endorses his competitors and/or who attacked him. A lot of it has damaged his mental state in the past, so he does not put up with it at all.

Its not in the video but Louis says this was about him posting a YouTube comment criticising the developer, when if you look at the Google Docs folder in the description it contains emails about Louis paying $40,000 to a competitor that has security and privacy issues - he explains those issues in strong detail. The YouTube comment was a tiny component to the disagreement he has.

20 sats \ 0 replies \ @nymatix 17 Jun 2023

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0 sats \ 13 replies \ @siggy47 OP 17 Jun 2023

Now that I've got graphene installed, I would welcome recommendations re apps and a phone carrier. I'm working my way through the graphene documentation. So far I'm using Vanadium. I intend to avoid the sandboxed google play store if I can.

200 sats \ 10 replies \ @03365d6a53 17 Jun 2023

Don't use a phone carrier! One of the nice things about Graphene is the fact it actually doesn't ping your imei and location to nearby cell towers every few seconds (with airplane mode on)

You can literally walk around town, with an active phone, and NOT be tracked (for once)

If you can live on WiFi alone just put an anonymous data sim in a VPN dongle and switch it on when you need it

Regarding apps:

simplex chat
mullvad vpn
amethyst social media
k9 mail, or protonmail if you use it
Element (Matrix) - a teams/slack/discord alternative
f-droid store
obtainium
aurora (for the closed source apps)
bitwarden
organic maps
btc map
stacker news PWA

Also lightning wallet of choice, obviously

20 sats \ 4 replies \ @john_doe 18 Jun 2023

Organic maps, huh. I prefer OsmAnd for the map, it is very customizable with the possibility to download the latest updates if you are a contributor (more than 30 contributions per month). For quick contributions also Every Door is nice. And to know quickly where is the North, Trail Sense also is great. There are some applications like Electrum and Green though that I had to install from a link on Github to get an official build.

0 sats \ 3 replies \ @siggy47 OP 18 Jun 2023

Thanks. Do you know of a good source to download Phoenix that avoids the play store, other than github?

20 sats \ 2 replies \ @03365d6a53 18 Jun 2023

i think those are the only two places the apk is published

if you don't want to use obtainium/github directly, next best choice would be aurora store

there's a hack to avoid the rate limiting issue - just set aurora store as the default app for opening play store links

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @siggy47 OP 18 Jun 2023

If you dont mind me picking your brain, I downloaded and installed Phoenix from the github. I can use obtanium to notify me of and install updates? What's the benefit of obtanium? I can just download from github, no?

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @siggy47 OP 18 Jun 2023

Thanks. I think I'll go the obtainium/github route.

10 sats \ 3 replies \ @siggy47 OP 17 Jun 2023

I already have broken from Gmail and use proton for mail, drive, contacts and VPN. I love your idea about no carrier. I can live without a phone. I really like the idea of an anonymous data Sim on a dongle

100 sats \ 2 replies \ @03365d6a53 17 Jun 2023

Order a mudi GL 750 vpn travel router and load blue Merle software onto it (2/3 commands)

You can then change the imei every time you switch sim, and have 100% of your traffic go through through a tunnel

154 sats \ 1 reply \ @nymatix 17 Jun 2023

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0 sats \ 0 replies \ @03365d6a53 17 Jun 2023

Great question, looks like a nice device, I like the bigger antennae for better 4g reception. Worth raising a github issue, I would say.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @siggy47 OP 17 Jun 2023

I'm going to need at least Zeus for my node, Phoenix for convenience, Alby for nostr, and Mutiny just because I want to be there when it takes over the world!

100 sats \ 1 reply \ @john_doe 18 Jun 2023

I would recommend to get a look at this link: https://gitlab.com/fdroid/wiki/-/wikis/List-of-F-Droid-repositories

It will give you extra repositories for F-Droid to get more application choice (Molly, etc)

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @siggy47 OP 18 Jun 2023

Thanks. I will check it out.