Replacing GrapheneOS with the stock OS on a Pixel 6a

JN2020

I recently installed GrapheneOS to my Pixel 6a. I learned after the fact that I should create profiles to do different tasks on. Then, I deleted Android Auto and Google Play from my owner profile. Not sure how to restore those apps. So, I'm looking to flash to stock and reinstall GrapheneOS. When I try to use the "Remove non-stock key" on your website under the "Replacing GrapheneOS with the stock OS" info, no device is recognized. I'm using the same stock Pixel 6a cable that came with the device that I installed GrapheneOS with. Not sure what I'm doing wrong. I've tried a hard reset, thinking that might restore those apps.

I noticed this might be a possible solution... From the post about someone deleting Vanadium...

https://github.com/GrapheneOS/Apps/releases
Would I just install the apk file? Or the other 3 files, too?

fid02

JN2020 Not sure how to restore those apps.

Go to Apps > Google Play Services > Install
After it finishes, do the same for Android Auto. Then follow the setup instructions in the App description for Android Auto.

spring-onion

JN2020 I learned after the fact that I should create profiles to do different tasks on.

Segregating your use cases into each distinct profile is something you can do, but not something you have to do. That's the beauty of GrapheneOS; full FOSS, de-googled setups, personal stuff away from work related activites, mix match everything into one pot, the choice is yours. The privacy improvements are massive either way. Think about what you are looking to achieve and go from there. There is no right or wrong here.

JN2020

JN2020 Additionally, when I go to the Android Flash Tool, no device is recognized. Not sure if that's since the non-stock key is still there...

JN2020

fid02

I would if I could, but I initially installed those apps, then after realizing I should have created profiles to utilize different apps.  I deleted them from my owner profile and now I don't see them.  So, at a loss as to how to reinstall.

spring-onion

JN2020 To clarify, "Apps" is an app. Open your app drawer, you find it there. You don't need to re-flash, a factory reset will have brought everything back to default.

JN2020

spring-onion Got it, I was able to finally find the apps there. I was going to the wrong place in Settings -> Apps

JN2020

On another topic, I downloaded NeoStore, but when I open it, it's blank. Was hoping to use it to download the Aurora Store.

DeletedUser29

JN2020

This might help you.

JN2020

DeletedUser29 So, I should download F-droid and sync?

DeletedUser29

JN2020 Not entirely sure, but I believe that is what they mean.

Dumdum

JN2020
No. Just click the circled arrows (in between the magnifying glass and the cog icon) in the top right. That's the "sync" button.

fid02

And if you ever want to go back to stock – which, to be clear, you do not need to do to rectify the specific problems you described – you need to unlock the bootloader before you can remove the non-stock key.