GrapheneOS install on new mobile phone: anywhere in CM?

[Old Curmudgeon]

Brand new mobile phone.

Want to remove Android and put in GrapheneOS.

 

Or LineageOS would be okay -- that is what I have now on old mobile phone.

 

Far beyond the capability of average mobile phone shop.

Any chance of finding somewhere in Chiang Mai that can do it?

 

 

Thank you.

 

 - Old Curmudgeon

 

 

 

 

[xllxix]

 

GrapheneOS is fairly simple to install.  The GrapheneOS website has an install page which you just follow step-by-step.  It can only be installed on a Pixel phone so that's the main issue.  If the phone was bought on a deal with one of the phone operators, it will probably also be locked to that operator.  

 

To install GOS, you'll also need a windows laptop or PC and a USB cable to connect the laptop to the phone.

There's one small file you need to download from google, so the laptop will see and talk to your phone, but that's also covered on the GOS webpage (which you need to follow on the laptop, not the phone!).

 

I'd say a lot of the repair shops around CM would be happy to do it, but you're losing a big chunk of the 'security' of having GOS by letting someone else mess with your phone like that.

 

I've looked at LineageOS a couple of years ago but went with GOS because it's a much better product.  Even Lineage recommend GOS over their own system.  Sorry I can't say much about Lineage but it's a great choice if you can't install GOS. 

 

I've installed GOS on 3 Pixels (P6P, P7P & P9P) over the last few years & I'm very happy with it.

As you've had Lineage already, you'll know that there are a few compromises and you lose some of the polished and integrated operation of a Pixel with a full Google system installed. 

 

So all the above drivel is just to say that it's fairly easy (and a lot safer) to just do it yourself using their online instructions.

[Old Curmudgeon]

1 hour ago, xllxix said:

GrapheneOS is fairly simple to install. ...  It can only be installed on a Pixel phone so that's the main issue.

 

Thank you, @xllxix for posting your helpful comments on this topic.

 

Problem is I don't know if Graphene can be installed on my phone, because I don't know if it is a Pixel compatible phone or not?

Is there some test that can be done on the phone itself, which will give a result: Graphene Yes or No?

 

You will ask what is the brand and model of my new phone.

You will laugh, but I don't know.

There is no brand name or model number anywhere on the phone.

Nor on the box.

Not on the instruction booklet in the box.

And looking at "settings" just shows "SmartPhone", that's all.

 

So, as you can imagine I am in a quandry about "do it yourself".

Much prefer to have someone who has done this before do the job.

 

Not worried about some stranger "messing" with this phone.

High security is not my goal.

What I want to do is eliminate all the Google nonsense.

 

Do you have any thoughts about where to find someone who can handle this?

[xllxix]

Shops will not be able to install GrapheneOS because it is not a Pixel phone.  Pixels will show the 'Google' logo as they boot up.

 

The GrapheneOS ROM cannot be installed on any other phone without re-writing some of the code, which breaks the security of the OS, so the phone cannot get through boot-up.  There are ways around this but it takes a lot of coding.  In the end, what you would have is no longer GrapheneOS.  

 

I honestly don't think you will be able to get Lineage working either as the shop will need the model details and then they have to search the web for a ROM (an image file of an Operating System) which was created specifically for that model. 

 

You can get the make & model by going to the phone settings, scroll down to 'About Phone' and tapping on it. 

 

I haven't been there in a while but the old 'Computer Plaza' (and Icon IT behind it) would be a good place to start, if it still exists.  It's on Maninoppharat Road.

Otherwise, there are lots of phone repair shops in the Santitham area.