Google Service Center Sabotaged Pixel Repair Over GrapheneOS

AOSP_11

I brought my Google Pixel 7a to a Google Authorized Service Center in India for a screen replacement after an accidental drop. The technicians installed a new display, and when they handed me the phone to unlock, I personally verified it worked perfectly.

But then, they refused to return my phone, claiming my use of GrapheneOS prevented them from running “further diagnostics (using ##7287##).” There were no issues to diagnose, the repair was done and confirmed successful. They reinstalled my original damaged screen, leaving the phone barely usable with touch issues. This isn’t service, it’s sabotage. By refusing to sell parts for competent third-party repair, Google India forces users into their centers, only to punish those who prioritize privacy.

Google’s Right to Repair promises (like their iFixit partnership) seem like a sham when they pull stunts like this, punishing users for choosing a secure, open-source OS. Their 2022 blog post touts consumer-friendly repairs, but only where regulations force them. In India, they enforce a “stock-OS only” policy, sabotaging devices and betraying their own open-source roots. This two-tier system, repair rights for some, contempt for others, is blatant hypocrisy.

KBExit

AOSP_11 honestly, this is happening everywhere.
I had my Pixel Fold on the Beta OS at the time, and it had dead pixels randomly. Google was willing to take it and replace it, and then they turned around and refused me service since they "cannot run the diagnostic software on the the Beta OS, even though it is straight from them." I told them to just go ahead and try and they claimed that it wouldn't be compatible at all, despite the app environment not changing at all.
Furthermore, they told me that at that point, I cannot restore it back to stock, so the only other option was to take it to uBreakIfix by Assurion. Took it to the facility, and after bs after bs, a whole month goes by without a phone. They finally got the screen ordered and "repaired it." When I received it, the back glass was not shattered, camera didn't work, the glue holding the back wasn't even adhered to the surface, etc etc. They broke the phone further.
At that point, I contacted Google and Assurion, and Google said "f it" and took it back. They then sent me a full replacement in the mail (1 week to deliver).
At this point, I think Google should just abandon these "Fix It" contracts and replace the phone outright when it comes to hardware damages. It's absolutely ridiculous.