Quick Questions

Hingofthebill

I’m looking to get a Google pixel (5 or 6) and run GOS on it. I had a few questions before I began

1) Between the 5 and 6, which is the best value and will offer the best support going forwards. Read somewhere that GOS would be giving support to later model pixels. I just want something that will be able to work at least the next 2-3 years. Does it have to be new or can it be refurbished/used?

2) What cell provider/calling service is the most discrete? As in keeping myself anonymous from purchasing the plan to using is for calls. How do I go about purchasing it.

3) Tell me how your GOS experience went so far and what I should look out for.

4) Where should I avoid using the phone/ sites or locations that I should avoid?

leafnose

1) It’s a bit too late for the 5:
https://endoflife.date/pixel
https://grapheneos.org/faq#supported-devices
https://grapheneos.org/faq#recommended-devices

2) In which country?
You can buy a SIM anonymously, that’s the easy part, but you won’t be anonymous while using it, that is if you use it where you’re known to be (e.g. at your home or workplace). If regulations in your country demand an ID for any SIM card purchase, you can for example ask someone to buy it for you. Prepaid plans would be better if you can add money without an ID tied to the transaction.

3) Do not expect to juggle with several ‘strong’ identities with only one device. Beware of hardware identifiers and non-hardware identifiers, with the Media DRM ID being somewhere between those two categories.

4) This will depend on your threat model…
Maybe one location you should avoid would be your home … cannot tell.
Maybe any places with cameras – filming your activities on your phones, your code and so on.
Maybe usually crowded places, which can have additional spying equipment, besides cellular antennas themselves.
Maybe airports where custom could try something with your device.
Maybe no place in particular.
Too many considerations.

Hingofthebill

In 🇺🇸
So what cell providers do you recommend? Or is prepaid the preferred route. Won’t be calling or surfing the web much on the GOS phone.

23Sha-ger

Hingofthebill

Depends on your threat model, but if you want to be relatively anonymous,
buy a data-only e-sim with cryptocurrency, from resellers such as:
https://www.bitrefill.com/us/en/esims/bitrefill-esim-usa/

Then you can get a VoIP provider and pay it with crypto as well, such as:
https://jmp.chat/pricing/USD#US

Btw, before e-sims were a thing I remember it was possible to buy a "dumb phone"
in supermarkets, that comes with a prepaid sim card that you can later top up.
You can get a virtual debit card with crypto and top it up after, but it seems like a longer route.
For the first setup you don't even need to leave your place.

missing-root

I am in the process or making a small writeup how to setup grapheneos. Opinionated of course, bit might help. Today or so

raccoondad

23Sha-ger 'Btw, before e-sims were a thing I remember it was possible to buy a "dumb phone"'

You still can, go to any corner store of pharmacy and you will def find some

I have never used an e-sim in my life personally