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. 

 

[Old Curmudgeon]

7 hours ago, xllxix said:

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.

 

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.

 

Thank you, again @xllxix for another very helpful post.

 

I appreciate posts like that: positive attitude, helpful information, worth reading.

Very encouraging to see new poster, @xllxix on this forum.

---

 

Looks like I'm out of luck on this quest to convert my new phone to be Google-free.

Based on years of experience in these matters, I'm not going to spend a lot of time hunting for a Thai technician in a retail shop who can handle this.

Might be one somewhere, but chances of finding him are so slim. not worth the effort.

 

Instead I'll go with my "Plan B": buy a phone that is already loaded with GrapheneOS.

So my question changes to:

Is there any place in Chiang Mai to buy a Pixel/Graphene phone?

Or even any place anywhere Thailand?

(If not, ordering from overseas is the final option.)

[xllxix]

Pixels aren't sold in Thailand, at least not officially in shops.  I bought my Pixel 6 & 7 here through Lazada and the new Pixel 9 on Shopee.  It's always a bit of a gamble buying that way. Also, they come with the regular android OS loaded, so you still need to either install GOS yourself or get a phone repair shop to help.  Also, new pixels are expensive, so unless you really need one of the latest models, it  might be better to go for model 6 or 7, rather than the newer ones. If you search the internet, you can get pixels with GOS pre-installed but you might have to order from Singapore or the USA. I haven't looked but I imagine you might be able to buy a Pixel older model 'reconditioned' and for sale with GOS preinstalled.  You just might have to pay the duty on it when it arrives.  There are several sellers around the world who ship phones with similar but not identical privacy/security type Operating Systems.  Some sell other brand-name phones, but a lot stick with the Pixel models, because it has the most secure hardware and it is still designed so another OS (ROM) can be easily installed. I had a phone with CalyxOS on it and I was very happy with it. Best to do a web search for what's available if you're open to an alternative to Graphene/Pixel. 

 

Sorry, I'm not being much help, but I just haven't found anything here in CM or within Thailand, but then I've been fairly comfortable ordering online & installing GOS myself after delivery.  

 

[damole]

This is an interesting read regarding your quest.

 

https://fsfe.org/activities/android/liberate.en.html#OS

[xllxix]

25 minutes ago, damole said:

This is an interesting read regarding your quest.

 

https://fsfe.org/activities/android/liberate.en.html#OS

 

Very good overview! 

 

[Old Curmudgeon]

7 hours ago, damole said:

This is an interesting read regarding your quest.

 

No, it is not.

 

How do I say this with polite respect to @damole ...

 

I appreciate the post on my thread.  Thank you.

I appreciate your willingness to help.  Again, thank you.

I just wish you'd read the title and opening post more carefully than you did, because that link is not on topic.

 

You may be surprised to know that I know how to use Google.

If I was looking for a detailed analysis of operating systems for mobile phones, I would not waste time asking on this forum.
The context here is Chiang Mai -- or, reasonably, anywhere in Thailand.

The title of this thread clearly states "where in Chiang Mai".

 

The opening post did NOT ask for technical details.

If I'd wanted that, I'd go to a technical forum, not the ASEAN Now forum.

 

Why am I being so severe about this ...

Because I see it so often here:

Someone reads an opening post, and notices one or two words out of context.

Then rushes off to do a Google search and post the result.

 

So, thanks for good intentions (I think), but I'm not going to fritter away time trying to understand that information.

All I asked for is "where?"

If you know that, I hope you'll overlook my severe tone, and post again.