Is now still a good time to switch to GrapheneOS? Concerns about bootloader lock

SamSam08

Hi everyone,

I’ve been considering switching to GrapheneOS and recently came across some discussions about Google no longer open-sourcing certain components related to the Pixel OS. Some people mentioned that this could eventually cause issues for GrapheneOS and similar projects.

So I’m wondering:
Is now still a good time to move to GrapheneOS, or should I be concerned about these changes from Google?
Do the GrapheneOS developers see these changes as a serious risk in the near future?

Also, I’m planning to buy a Pixel 9 Pro specifically to install GrapheneOS on it.
Before I do that, I have a few questions:
1. Are there any risks when buying a Pixel 9 Pro in terms of bootloader unlockability?
2. Do I need to make sure I buy a specific version or from a specific seller to avoid issues like it being carrier-locked or bootloader-locked?
3. Are there regions or models where unlocking the bootloader is restricted?

Thanks a lot in advance for your help. I really want to make the switch but don’t want to end up with a device I can’t use.

Dumdum

SamSam08 Is now still a good time to move to GrapheneOS, or should I be concerned about these changes from Google?

Its fine, and no.

Are there any risks when buying a Pixel 9 Pro in terms of bootloader unlockability?

Do I need to make sure I buy a specific version or from a specific seller to avoid issues like it being carrier-locked or bootloader-locked?

Are there regions or models where unlocking the bootloader is restricted?

https://grapheneos.org/install/web#prerequisites

de0u

SamSam08 I’ve been considering switching to GrapheneOS and recently came across some discussions about Google no longer open-sourcing certain components related to the Pixel OS. Some people mentioned that this could eventually cause issues for GrapheneOS and similar projects.

I'm afraid it's infeasible to respond effectively to what "some people mentioned" without knowing what was said by whoever it was. Is it possible to provide a quote and a link?

grayway2

SamSam08 Google no longer publish device trees of pixels but it's very unlikely that they will lock the bootloader of current models through an update.

As for the Pixel 10 models we don't know if the bootloader will be locked or not. There's only 3 weeks left before we know about.

You can buy with confidence the 9 Pro XL (just don't from Verizon)

Clare

SamSam08 i just did but still have to completely set up the way i want. I am needing to ask about when i start my pixel up instead o google symbol then graphene im getting an orage triangle first. Im new to forums and dont know where to ask the Question.

SamSam08

de0u

I have seen this one for example :
https://www.reddit.com/r/GrapheneOS/s/HbN1afwk82

And I thought :
Is this gonna cause problems for the future development of Grapheneos ?
And is it a good idea to switch to Grapheneos now if it is not going to support next generations of pixels ?

DeletedUser495

It is atill a great time to switch now since currently available latest devices will have software support for another 6 yeara regardless of what happens in the future. I don't expect my battery will last that long and I will have to change it at least once.

de0u

Clare Can you report everything that appears on that screen, starting from the top, and describing all text and icons? Or put a picture on an image-hosting site and include a link to it?

Also, it would be best to start a new thread, about your boot problem, because this thread isn't about that.

GrapheneOS

Clare It doesn't sound like you've completed the installation by locking the device. You should get a yellow notice showing the verified boot key fingerprint. An orange notice without a verified boot key fingerprint isn't expected. Read what the notice says. It should say you've booting another OS. You need to complete the installation here which includes checking the key fingerprint:

https://grapheneos.org/install/web#locking-the-bootloader

GrapheneOS

SamSam08

Some people mentioned that this could eventually cause issues for GrapheneOS and similar projects.

There's a charlatan who spreads this misinformation to sell his insecure and non-private products/services. We have a thread we posted across platforms debunking it.

We have an earlier thread addressing his inaccurate attacks on GrapheneOS prior to this latest round of misinformation about it. Don't get your information from there.

Is now still a good time to move to GrapheneOS, or should I be concerned about these changes from Google?

It's a good time to move to it. There's no reason for concern about the future of GrapheneOS.

Do the GrapheneOS developers see these changes as a serious risk in the near future?

What's being claimed didn't happen in the first place. What did happen was dealt with in a couple weeks and isn't a major problem going forward.

SamSam08

GrapheneOS

All right, thank you for your reply and the information you've provided.

It's also a pleasure and reassuring to see that the community is (very) active.

I don't know much about it, so that's why I came here to ask my questions.

I'll be looking into buying a Pixel and installing GOS very soon, as privacy and data security are important to me.

(I'm currently on IOS)

Clare

GrapheneOS i got it thanks

de0u

SamSam08 I have seen this one for example :
https://www.reddit.com/r/GrapheneOS/s/HbN1afwk82

Thanks for providing a link.

What I see there is a month old, and a reasonable summary of what was understood a month ago, i.e., Android 16 port in progress, discussions in progress with an OEM about an alternate hardware platform, continued support for existing devices.

SamSam08 And I thought :
Is this gonna cause problems for the future development of Grapheneos ?
And is it a good idea to switch to Grapheneos now if it is not going to support next generations of pixels ?

This forum has had a large number of threads, some very long, focused on questions about the future. A web search for site:discuss.grapheneos.org future google source turns up a bunch of them. The search function built into the forum isn't great, but if one is looking for updates about a month-old event doing a web search is probably a good way to find lots of existing material. That can make it possible to skip creating a new thread and waiting for people to answer questions that have previously been posed (plus it may well turn up other interesting questions and answers to those!).

Psyonico

We don't know what will happen with the Pixel 10 series, but we know the Pixel 9 series works (and will continue to work until its EOL in... 2031?)