New to GrapheneOS and to forum with a brand new Pixel 10 Pro

ramanarao73

Hi Forum, I am a novice and just bought a new Pixel 10 Pro on contract in the UK and it doesn't have any carrier lock. My main objective is privacy especially by large tech companies. I would like to install GrapheneOS on this phone (not opened the box yet). It came with an e-sim with a temporary number and I will port my current number later as I still have some roaming data on my existing number to use until mid Jan 2026. I am currently using on Oneplus 7T for past 6 years.
Is it okay to start using my new Pixel without porting my current number until I install GrapheneOS for next few weeks? The reason is I am new to installing OS and my nephew will install Grapheme and also show me how to. (I will meet my nephew in about 2 weeks time in first week of January).
My concern is if I start using the new Pixel, some how Google will link this device to me (If I connect my home network or signin with any of current accounts). This could result in still being tracked even after installing GrapheneOS, which I don't want.

What is the best ways to minimise linking me to the new phone. I intend to not use the Google accounts on the new Pixel. I may use my Yahoo account on the new Pixel.
Any guidance is much appreciated.

GrouchyGrape

ramanarao73 What is the best ways to minimise linking me to the new phone.

Don't use any Google services on the new phone.

This may sound like a "duh" thing to say, but it's often forgotten that it is the best way to prevent tracking/identity building/fingerprinting.

If you're going to use Google services anyway, accept that there will be some amount of data that they'll get from you (e.g. what apps you have on your phone). That being said, GOS does a great job of limiting that collection. For example, you'll never have to worry about them recording conversations, location, etc unless you explicitly give them permission to do so.

Gopher1

What do you mean by tracked?

I'm not an expert, and im about as new to graphene as you are, but like you said WiFi SSID can be logged, so can Mac addresses and IP and stuff, do they log this stuff?? I dunno

I wonder how sims work, your carrier gave you the esim? Maybe the two sims you old one and the esim can be linked? I dunno

The major crack in this whole graoheneOS thing is you need to connect to the internet to unlock OEM unlocking, so if google is logging anything, there's their chance

ramanarao73

Gopher1 I will connect to internet at my nephew's place to OEM unlocking, so it won't be my home network. When I checked ChatGPT it said to not switch on or connect the phone at my home or work network and only use a new temporary google account if I have to use. I am an ordinery citizen concerned about pricacy, not an activist or other sensitive person.

ramanarao73

GrouchyGrape
Thank you. Would the tracking/identity building still work after wiping the Stock Android and Installing GOS ( Does this means Google fingerprint and save it into hardware to link in future)?

GrouchyGrape

ramanarao73 as far as I'm aware, there's nothing they do to the phone that tracks users through wipes. Mostly because they don't need to. Digital fingerprinting is a massive industry and Google has effectively built their business around it.

If you use your phone, with Google services, then wipe it (or even move to an entirely new phone), then continue to use your "new" phone exactly as you did before, it will be trivially easy for them to know it was you before and you now.

What GrapheneOS does exceptionally well is prevent them from doing anything that any other regular android app couldn't do. Google is no longer part of the system and can't effectively do/collect whatever they want.