Installing GrapheneOS on Pixel 9a - Need Help

Newbie2026

Hi Forum,
I'm newbie and want to install GrapheneOS on pixel 9a.
However, I am not meeting 1 of the prerequisites -

My MacBook Air is running macOS Monterey instead of Sonoma, Sequoia or Tahoe.
Mine is an older mac and would not support the required OS.

Is it possible to still install GrapheneOS ?

Please guide.

Thanks

de0u

Newbie2026 It might or might not work. You could try... or you could see if you have some other device that can do the job, such as an in-spec Android phone or tablet. Or you could maybe borrow a device on the list. Some libraries will allow people to check out a Chromebook.

mar2112

You can try a manual install instead of using the web installer.

Newbie2026

mar2112

How does that work?

I mean how to manual install?

filastinhurra

You should look into installing linux on your mac. It might be possible to have linux installed side by side along with your macOS. Or just get linux as your macos is no longer supported anyways. Or get linux, get GOS, then restore back to macos. Supported linux are in the prerequisites too.

If you have another android phone you can use that to install without a computer. But it needs to be Android 13, 14, 15 and 16 with Play Protect certification.

de0u

filastinhurra If you have another android phone you can use that to install without a computer. But it needs to be Android 13, 14, 15 and 16 with Play Protect certification.

Why would Play Protect certification be necessary?

theyycmonk

I wish I had a solution for you, but tbh my son did my install for me on Christmas eve because I have fedora on my main laptop. I have elementaryOS on my very old macbook air and didn't think to try to use that laptop for the install. I can offer encouragement though! I'm very pleased to be using a 9a with graphene now and am getting rid of my iPhone and cutting ties with the literally evil billionaire techbroligarchy. I wish you success!

No freedom without privacy! No war but class war!

Probably9857

de0u Why would Play Protect certification be necessary?

IDK, but that is what the prerequisites say...

GrapheneOS

Android 13 with Play Protect certification

Android 14 with Play Protect certification

Android 15 with Play Protect certification

Android 16 with Play Protect certification

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

de0u

Probably9857 Oh, that's true! I hadn't noticed. A while back it said "Google Android (stock Pixel OS) and other certified Android variants". I wonder whether that's because it's actually necessary, or because nobody has tested anything else?

de0u

Newbie2026 https://grapheneos.org/install/cli