GrapheneOS on Old Pixel4a

BriarNightingale

How do I get GrapheneOS on my old Pixel 4a (not 5g). And before you start, yes I understand it's unsafe and no longer receiving updates. I understand. This is not going to be my daily phone, I use it as an mp3 player and fitness tracker. I'm just tired of all the google bloatware on my phone. If it isn't possible anymore, then I'll just use LineageOS. I've just been trying to add Graphene onto my phone for the past 4 months.

Novalissoide

BriarNightingale trying to add Graphene onto my phone for the past 4 months.

Spend no further months on that P4a, it will not be a GrapheneOS device ever again. Even if installing old images were to be done, it still won't produce a GrapheneOS device from it.

wizoatk

BriarNightingale

The web installer might not. If not the cli installer is worth a try.

https://grapheneos.org/install/web
https://grapheneos.org/install/cli
https://releases.grapheneos.org/sunfish-factory-2025012701.zip
https://releases.grapheneos.org/sunfish-factory-2025012701.zip.sig

Pocketstar

BriarNightingale
The Titan-M security chip has been compromised, and this hardware cannot be replaced.
It is best to go for a device that houses a Titan M-2 security chip. (Pixel 6 and higher) But it is best practice to purchase a device with MTE-support. (Pixel 8 or higher) These also have longer support.
Make sure you buy a device without a subscription, otherwise the unlock-OEM button might be greyed out, making the installation of GrapheneOS impossible.
I am sure there are many good deals on Pixel 8 and higher, especially concerning the "a" models. (8a, 9a, and soon the 10a) Or perhaps you can even purchase an used one, it should be safe as long as you reflash the device with a new OS like GrapheneOS. (Do check in settings on wear of the battery though)
https://blog.quarkslab.com/attacking-titan-m-with-only-one-byte.html

gristle-cause

I do not believe EOL versions can be built & installed anymore. GOS doesnt host the builds anymore, and I wouldn't trust a third-party source

gristle-cause

Edit: it's possible (I havent verified) that old releases have been archived on wayback machine. This would still represent a build supplied by a third party - in this case, the internet archive org

mv86

gristle-cause Thank you so much. Found older images. Now, I have to figure out how to flash my Pixel 4a using the zip. I want to revert to this. The last update from google (Jan 2025) is bad for Pixel 4a battery. Many users have reported it and google itself acknowledged the issue.

https://web.archive.org/web/20241201155844/https://grapheneos.org/releases#sunfish-stable

Mikeg

I tested my 4a on GOS successfully using the web installer at the beginning of October 2025. I am not sure if it is still available that way or not. After testing I reflashed stock and traded it in for a 9a.

Blastoidea

In a single word …. “no“.

BriarNightingale

wizoatk I'll try one more time. Hopefully it works.

mv86

wizoatk Thanks for the links. My pixel 4a's battery started draining suddenly past few days. It's dropping 1% every 3 minutes with casual use. I use it as a secondary device for reddit and steam remote play.

Is there a way for me to get my hands on an older build? 2023100300 hopefully.

Even google has wiped all sunfish builds from their image page except for the 2025 Jan update which screws up the battery. Another reason for me to hate google. https://developers.google.com/android/images/

Mikeg

BriarNightingale If you don't get GOS working you might want to try Pixelbuilds

SovereignCopper

If you can't afford a newer device, then https://axpos.org/devices/google/sunfish/ is your best bet to get as close as possible to GOS, while still receiving OS updates and some backported kernel patches.

Novalissoide

mv86 use it as a secondary device for reddit and steam remote play

But do you even have a Primary device?

wizoatk

mv86 I have to figure out how to flash my Pixel 4a using the zip.

Following the CLI install guide is probably your best bet.

https://grapheneos.org/install/cli

EverettHitch

Just a polite reminder you shouldn't be using EOL devices, even with out of date GrapheneOS. You are better off using supported device with stock Android. Another person who does not understand concept of security.

mv86

EverettHitch I understand the concept of security. As I mentioned earlier, it's not my primary device. I use it for steam remote play along with a mobile controller. The battery has been draining really fast since yesterday, so I thought I would figure it out.

Also I hate e-waste. Just because tech companies stop supporting devices, it doesn't mean we should dump perfectly functional electronics and pollute our environment.

P.S. I hope someday GOS can come to Fairfones.

mv86

Novalissoide an iphone as primary.

Vomitorius

if it is going to be only mp3 player and fitness tracker, you don't need internet and the 'google bloatware' state loosing the point.

mv86

wizoatk Will give it a shot. thanks.

Novalissoide

mv86 perfectly functional electronics

P4a isn't perfectly functional anymore. And it shouldn't be used for streaming or Reddit, regardless of OS.

Novalissoide

mv86 pollute our environment

Of course we shouldn't. The battery should be deposed of to a recycling facility. Then the device could be kept inert as a memory item or be recycled as well. It's not like either the phone gets used in perpetuity, or it inevitably ends up in a landfill, right?