Flashing GOS without Updating Android on Device first?

Cyberslut6161

Hello, the Installation Guide sais its best practice to update any device before flashing GOS. But for updates a Google Account is needed. Is it therefore doable to web-install GOS on the device as without updating (security and OS) first?
Or do I need to set up a burner google Account?

yore

Cyberslut6161 Is it therefore doable to web-install GOS on the device as without updating

My understanding is that it is recommended to update the device that's performing the installation but I'm not aware of any specific reason other than potential firmware/driver issues, incompatibility and an outdated browser.

You could try installing and if there's a problem then you can update your phone.

teezeh

Cyberslut6161 Does not really matter, since unlocking the bootloader on the device will delete all data anyway.

GrapheneOS

Cyberslut6161 You do not need a Google account to update the stock OS. You're mistaken about that. The reason it's considered best practice to update it first is so that you have the latest fastboot firmware for when you start the flashing process. This minimizes the chance of encountering incompatibilities or bugs. Regardless of whether you do it, it will flash the latest firmware as the first step of installing, then switch to using it, so you'll have the latest firmware right away before it begins flashing the OS. Having it in advance reduces the chance you run into any issues with the start of the install process due to having the latest firmware patches including any fastboot mode bug fixes that are available.

Cyberslut6161

Thank you for your answer!
Is there any risk of bricking the device this way? Cause I would not want to risk that :D

yore

Cyberslut6161 Bricking a Pixel is far more difficult than a desktop computer.

Give it a shot and if it doesn't work out you can redo the installation process.

Van-de-GraaffeneOS

Cyberslut6161

If you use the web installer, you probably would not be able to brick your Pixel, not even if you hypothetically attempted to induce it by disrupting the flashing process.

Watch this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ik0AiO0WtuU

It has reportedly cured many people who suffered from GrapheneOS System Installation Paranoia (GOSSIP), which is the leading cause of touvlophobia.

raccoondad

teezeh data is deleted, firmware isn't. I believe that's why gos recommends it

GrapheneOS

raccoondad Installing or updating GrapheneOS provides all of the latest SoC firmware. The reason we recommend updating first is because it's nice to have the latest fastboot mode firmware for using fastboot mode. It reduces the chance of anything going wrong. It also protects the device against the computer being used to flash it and avoids having unpatched known vulnerabilities in verified boot which could impact the initial verification via the verified boot key shown at boot. The recommendation is both due to compatibility and security reasons for the install. The end result of flashing GrapheneOS is the same regardless, since it flashes all the firmware itself, at least if the computer you used to flash it wasn't compromised.

Cyberslut6161

GrapheneOS Thank you for tge detailed answer! :)