Linux Mint and Graphene OS

Frankdux

Hello guys,

Can you help a newbie out?

I recently bought a pixel 6 pro and want to install graphene OS on it. I then find out that Linux mint is not supported if you want to install via the webuab. That’s okay, since I might be able to find a windows computer for the install. But, will I be able to use graphene with my mint computer on a daily basis I terms op backing up my data etc., or does it only function with the listed OS’s on the graphene website? - Ubuntu, Mac, windows etc.

Im obviously not an advanced user, so I really hope you can help☺️

Best wishes from Denmark,
Frank

Zoanoid

Frankdux
I have installed GOS using Brave browser and Linux Mint 20 Ulyana - base: Ubuntu 20.04 focal. It is the same like Ubuntu 20.04 LTS. You should install "android-sdk-platform-tools-common". Follow steps in README.md for Other distros to update it from github. And try to run "./install.sh". Also don't forget "sudo apt install adb". Good luck! :)

malatoi

Hello Frankdux,

I'm not sure, if it wouldn't work since Linux Mint is based on Ubuntu and Ubuntu is one of the supported systems. Really important is, that you use an actual chrome based browser. In the Mint forum there's a thread: https://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?f=58&p=2245303
For me the best way to install GOS on my Pixel 6 was using instead a computer a second smartphone and vanadium as a browser. Just connect the devices with the original usb c cable and go on.

malatoi

Frankdux

malatoi hi malatoi. Thank you for the reply. Yes I think I understand. So once it’s intalled GOS and mint won’t have any issues talking to each other when connecting via the usb-c to usb? I.e. can I make backup’s of my fotos, notes, videos etc. from my phone to my computer?

[deleted]

It uses WebUSB, so you need to install Android tools and maybe Android udev (not sure for Ubuntu/Mint)
Then if you plug the phone it will be detected but only if your browser supports WebUSB, Firefox doesn't but all chromium based does

Frankdux

[deleted] Thank you for the reply. Okay, so that relates to the install, correct? How about pairing GOS with Mint via the usb-c to USB cable on a daily basis? I wish to back up my fotos, videos etc.

Will the to systems even communicate properly? Sorry if this is a stupid question.

brookie229

Frankdux

I use Mint fairly often on my 2nd laptop and yes, it connects with my 6a easily and I transfer files no problem. Nothing special is needed, just make sure usb connected has the File Transfer toggle on.

Gluca23

I used OpenSUSE. Installed android tools and it worked.

Frankdux

Gluca23 okay. So after the GOS install, I install Android tools on the mint computer, and the two should be compatible?

Android tools like in this video?:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1EKQbKHSBb8&feature=emb_title

bloovis

I installed GrapheneOS on a Pixel 3a last week, using the command line method on Linux Mint 19 (essentially the same as Ubuntu 18.04). It worked perfectly.

Toophei8

@Frankdux: As soon as Grapheneos is installed on the Phone, you don't need Android-Tools on the PC.
The PC will mount the Phone's Storage via USB and MTP.
As an even better Solution to transfer Files between Phone and PC, I suggest Syncthing, which works via WLAN.

ve3jlg

Toophei8 s an even better Solution to transfer Files between Phone and PC, I suggest Syncthing,

Why is this better than the other approach? Is it faster?

Frankdux

Thank you guys, I really appreciate it. I’ll give it a go in a few days, and get back to you if I’m completely helpless.

/Frank

malatoi

Frankdux

Thumps up!

Frankdux

Just an update. I installed through a brave browser using Linux mint 20.1, and everything went flawlessly. Thank you guys, and thank you GOS-developers. You're all awesome and this OS is amazing.

/Frank

humpkes

To install GrapheneOS on my Pixel 6a using Linux Mint 20 in the first place I did: sudo apt-get update, sudo apt-get install android-sdk-platform-tools-common and sudo apt install adb. After that I could just follow the original instruction [https://grapheneos.org/install/web] using Chromium.

Actually I was looking for how to transfer files between my Pixel 6a and my Linux Mint 20 laptop when I came here. Since I'm a newbie and I found it hard to find, I like to share it here.

First of all I followed this video [https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=1EKQbKHSBb8]. Second of all, you have to enable "File Transfer" under "USB Preferences" in GrapheneOS. Using the original USB-C cable also helps. After those 3 things, I was able to see the phone in the Nautilus filebrowser and able to copy files. Now you can easily copy photos to your laptop or put music on your phone.

Graphite

ve3jlg

Syncthing is great. But totally different use case. It is for automatic, over Wifi, syncing with good conflict and revision control. Secured with public/private key pairs.
USB is faster and more secure. But a manual process.