News for hackers. Stuff that matters.
Re:GrapheneOS: The private and secure mobile OS by gravitate on Saturday July 16, 2022 @02:53PM (#32120814)
Anyone know where I can buy a phone flashed with GrapheneOS? The thoughts of messing with my phone’s default OS is daunting and I’m scared of bricking it.
Re:GrapheneOS: The private and secure mobile OS by quesomaster9000 on Saturday July 16, 2022 @03:46PM (#32121295)
You don't want to buy a phone pre-flashed with GrapheneOS, this was the problem with CopperheadOS - they would only flash the phone if you sent it to them (unattended, across 2+ customs borders) - apparently that caused some internal strife.

Seriously though, pick up a Pixel 6, flash it at home via Web-USB.

My only qualm is that the Google bootloader doesn't show a QR code on boot to verify the kernel image being loaded, instead it simply shows a big yellow warning saying the OS is unsupported with no way of verifying if it's the GrapheneOS image you loaded or one the maid loaded while you were AFK.

Re:GrapheneOS: The private and secure mobile OS by 616c on Saturday July 16, 2022 @05:34PM (#32122192)
Did it and on a similar pixel device and love it so much! Was super skeptical of the webusb thing as a jaded old fart (which IIRC is funded by the community) and I whistled with sheer amazement it worked perfectly the second time. First failure was BC of flakey internet with a bad download and a time crunch when another phone died.

I have hated android not meeting my own personal watermark in respecting open dev and privacy forward user design at its core. This project, although not core and on the fringe, gives me a small glimmer of hope in a dark smart phone world! Been a stable daily driver for like six months now.

Re:GrapheneOS: The private and secure mobile OS by yellowapple on Saturday July 16, 2022 @07:20PM (#32122844)
> My only qualm is that the Google bootloader doesn't show a QR code on boot to verify the kernel image being loaded, instead it simply shows a big yellow warning saying the OS is unsupported with no way of verifying if it's the GrapheneOS image you loaded or one the maid loaded while you were AFK.

Once upon a time it at least showed part of a hash or somesuch ostensibly uniquely identifying the OS, such that it would change if an Evil Maid flashed a new one.

Re:GrapheneOS: The private and secure mobile OS by Schroedingersat on Saturday July 16, 2022 @11:34PM (#32124261)
This is the type of thing that happens that happens when you make yourself dependent on someone whose goals are opposed to you by making your OS exclusively for google's phones.

I honestly don't know why we can't have a system to visualise the signed image source as the default. Put any public key you want in the firmware, show a 32-64 bit fingerprint of the loaded key as an abstract pattern and only boot an image signed with that key. Manufacturer doesn't get any special treatment.

Fairphone at least shows a hash on boot as well as the scary yellow text when relocked. Calyx is available, don't know about graphene.

Re:GrapheneOS: The private and secure mobile OS by pieresqi on Monday July 18, 2022 @03:00AM (#32135512)
Hi, actually there is a way to verify if ROM you have installed or not is GOS. There's attestation.app which let's you remotely verify your installation.
Re:GrapheneOS: The private and secure mobile OS by aaaaaaaaata on Saturday July 16, 2022 @03:51PM (#32121340)
Use the WebUSB PWA, you can follow "new user friendly" instructions.

https://grapheneos.org/install/web

Re:GrapheneOS: The private and secure mobile OS by FastEatSlow on Saturday July 16, 2022 @07:34PM (#32122926)
Avoid buying a GrapheneOS phone being advertised specifically for privacy with encrypted chat. They are specifically for selling to criminals, be it from a government or an enterprising young adult.

Many people have tried to pay me to make them a custom ROM based on GrapheneOS but with their name and reskinning notepads and encrypted chat apps. They'll claim it's for privacy-focused businesses of course.

Re:GrapheneOS: The private and secure mobile OS by aesh2Xa1 on Saturday July 16, 2022 @03:37PM (#32121212)
There is no official store, and the official project does not reference any third-party vendors.

You do have options:

1. Do you want to buy a third-party device like a NitroPhone? If you can afford to purchase a phone in the first place, then purchase a used phone to try flashing GrapehenOS. You can buy multiple used devices for the cost of such a device, and then you can familiarize yourself with the flashing procedure.

2. Have a friend help you. There are probably events in your town that you could find on Facebook, Reddit, or Meetup (e.g., OS install parties are a thing).

3. Wait for the official project to begin selling their hardware: https://twitter.com/grapheneos/status/1490518600339308544

Re:GrapheneOS: The private and secure mobile OS by whyagain1885 on Saturday July 16, 2022 @03:27PM (#32121124)
Re:GrapheneOS: The private and secure mobile OS by aluminaient on Saturday July 16, 2022 @06:22PM (#32122479)
Surprisingly, of any rom you could install, graphene is the simplest. You just open a website after installing android drivers for your pc. Its an impressive feat on its own beyond how impressive the software is.
Re:GrapheneOS: The private and secure mobile OS by crocodiletears on Saturday July 16, 2022 @03:27PM (#32121130)
I think https://noagendaphone.com is still offering this service
Re:GrapheneOS: The private and secure mobile OS by ThePowerOfFuet on Saturday July 16, 2022 @07:31PM (#32122915)
Use the web installer, it's super straightforward.