Trouble installing graphene OS - Linux Mint / Brave / Google Pixel 8

TGraphene

Hi there, I’m having some challenges installing Graphene OS on my Google Pixel 8.

The message I’m getting right from the beginning is

“failed to execute open on USB device: access denied”

The phone does connect with The computer outside of developer mode, however when I go into fast boot mode to do the installation, the computer will not connect with the phone when I press “unlock boot loader”

I have upgraded all the software on the phone and I have the latest installation of Linux mint.

Any suggestions gratefully received.
Thank you

TGraphene

TGraphene
In addition to the above, I should add that when I press the up-and-down arrow in the fast boot mode I do not get the option to unlock boot loader, but restart boot loader is the only reference to boot loader that comes up.

de0u

TGraphene “failed to execute open on USB device: access denied”

This means that your web browser isn't allowed to access USB devices, or that your web browser is refusing to allow the installer web page to access USB devices.

The first things to check:

That the browser is on the list of known-working browsers,
That the browser wasn't installed via Flatpak or Snap,
That the browser tab isn't incognito etc., and that if Brave is in use, shields are down.

Please note that (as opposed to unwarranted recommendations about USB debugging) the above are official recommendations from the installation instructions.

de0u

TGraphene The phone does connect with The computer outside of developer mode, however when I go into fast boot mode to do the installation, the computer will not connect with the phone when I press “unlock boot loader”

To be sure that some Linux file manager isn't involved, maybe try quitting the browser entirely, unplugging the phone, then rebooting into fastboot mode, then plugging the phone into the computer, then launching the browser.

DeletedUser621

Did you toggle on USB debugging in developer options and allow the device access on the prompt?

TGraphene

DeletedUser621 just did that.
Once I open the fast boot mode,
Still getting the response - Error: Failed to execute open on USB device: access denied.

Dumdum

DeletedUser621 Did you toggle on USB debugging

Not necessary. At all.

de0u

DeletedUser621 Did you toggle on USB debugging in developer options and allow the device access on the prompt?

No part of the GrapheneOS installation process requires USB debugging. The GrapheneOS team actively discourages this.

DeletedUser621

TGraphene are you using one of the compatible browsers and following the instructions for linux?

TGraphene

DeletedUser621
Yes, using Brave, however I haven't seen the instructions for Linux.

TGraphene

TGraphene If you could direct me to them that would be great

DeletedUser621

TGraphene https://grapheneos.org/install/web Flash as non root paragraph and then the next ones talk about Linux

TGraphene

DeletedUser621 That's been done. I also noticed that where it says "Device State" - Mine says locked in Green, but also has (unlockable) in red. This is not there on the installation videos I watched. Could that be the issue?

de0u

TGraphene I also noticed that where it says "Device State" - Mine says locked in Green, but also has (unlockable) in red. This is not there on the installation videos I watched.

The bootloaders on different device models behave slightly differently, and in addition various online videos are out of date. "Locked (unlockable)" is the correct situation.

TGraphene

de0u thank u. I have Linux and suspect Brave was installed via Flatpak. The Siel’s have been dropped for this process though.

TGraphene

de0u I hear you with the settings in my Fastboot mode. Thanks. I Tried those changes - was able to connect with the phone, however when I clicked on "Unlock Bootloader" on the installation web page on Graphene website, the following warning came up in red "Error: Failed to execute 'open' on 'USBDevice': Access denied." I also have a windows laptop, so I might give the installation a go on there and see if that helps.

TGraphene

I did the install on my windows laptop and it worked perfectly, so the issue was certainly on the linux side of things.

N1b

Not that it helps with the issue itself, but nowadays I install GOS using another Android or GOS phone via Chrome or Vanadium and the official web installer. Spare phones are hopefully easy to come by from family members or friends. It takes less than 30m and doesn't require any extra drivers or settings like on any Desktop OS. See it as a simple alternative solution in case you don't want Windows or the fiddling on Linux in the future.

TGraphene

N1b good suggestion. Thanks