Can I install GrapheneOS using degoogled Chromium?

nandohyphen1

From the GrapheneOS website this is what it says
https://grapheneos.org/install/web#prerequisites

Officially supported browsers for the web install method:

Chromium (outside Ubuntu, since they ship a broken Snap package without working WebUSB)
Vanadium (GrapheneOS)
Google Chrome
Microsoft Edge
Brave (with Brave Shields disabled, since it caps storage usage at a low value to avoid fingerprinting available storage)

My question is will degoogled chromium on Linux work to install GrapheneOS? I'm not doing an install right now but I'd like to know for the future since most of my computers use this browser

KCne

nandohyphen1

FYI, it isn’t the safest thing to daily drive ungoogled-chromium

Bad. The update cycle is inconsistent at best, slow at worst. It disables the component updater which Chromium depends on for security reasons, since many features such as CRLSets (used for certificate revocation) are updated as a component. The privacy isn't terrible, in the sense that no data can be collected, but the substantial security risk it offers is a massive negative.
It suffers the issues of typical vanilla builds, but with the added issues of ungoogled-chromium itself. For example, usage of tcmalloc in the past.

GrouchyGrape

nandohyphen1 just FYI, you can use another mobile phone/tablet to install GOS. This has been my preferred method lately.

23Sha-ger

Without wierd extensions, ad-blockers and regular (not incognito) mode with WebUSB=On it should.
But you can always get a portable vanilla Chromium and use it without installing, then trash it.
This way you don't need to mess with your existing browser and it's settings.

nandohyphen1

23Sha-ger But you can always get a portable vanilla Chromium and use it without installing, then trash it.

This is good to know. How would I get a portable version? This is actually something I may be interested in doing!

This way you don't need to mess with your existing browser and it's settings.

Exactly. I'd definitely prefer not to mess with it, since I've got all by ad blockers and extensions set up already!

23Sha-ger

nandohyphen1
Get windows_x64.zip (not .msi or any store) linux.tar.xz (not .deb/.rpm or package manager), or on Mac just don't drag the app from .dmg to the /Applications folder.

neotux

nandohyphen1 This way you don't need to mess with your existing browser and it's settings.

Exactly. I'd definitely prefer not to mess with it, since I've got all by ad blockers and extensions set up already!

You can always use a guest profile in your browser. It won't mess with your settings and is temporary. When you are done you close it and it is gone.

SovereignCopper

I used Ungoogled Chromium to do so back in March 2024 for three devices, no issues.

nandohyphen1

SovereignCopper good to know! :)

nandohyphen1

23Sha-ger sounds good! Thank you

byte21516

I used ungoogled chromium on Linux to install it on a Pixel 9 Pro about 1-2 months ago.
Worked like a charm!

nandohyphen1

KCne really? I didn't know that

nandohyphen1

GrouchyGrape I've heard about that. If I was to install GrapheneOS on a new pixel phone when I get one (maybe late next year, early 2027) using my 6a, would I just need to use the USB-C to USB-C cable that my phone came with and plug the new phone into my 6a and continue installation as if I were on a computer, just following the steps on the website? I actually might want to try it this way!

GrouchyGrape

nandohyphen1 yes, it's always straight forward and very easy. I've noticed no speed difference between flashing from a mobile vs a desktop.

It doesn't have to be from another GrapheneOS/Pixel phone. I'm not sure if it's possible from an iPhone but I've even used an old LG to flash it.

sjaramillo

I used Vanadium on a phone with GrapheneOS to flash GrapheneOS on another phone a few months ago. It worked but it was rather slow and had to reconnect the cable a couple of times.