How do I disable the carrier functionality to install GrapheneOS?

SuperBravo45

Hi everybody! I've bought a Pixel 6a (directly from my carrier) and it's going to come later today. I'm considering installing GrapheneOS, but I read this when scanning over the installation instructions: "To make sure that the device can be unlocked to install GrapheneOS, avoid carrier variants of the devices. Carrier variants of Pixels use the same stock OS and firmware with a non-zero carrier id flashed onto the persist partition in the factory. The carrier id activates carrier-specific configuration in the stock OS including disabling carrier and bootloader unlocking. The carrier may be able to remotely disable this, but their support staff may not be aware and they probably won't do it. Get a carrier agnostic device to avoid the risk and potential hassle. If you CAN figure out a way to unlock a carrier device, it isn't a problem as GrapheneOS can just ignore the carrier id and the hardware is the same."

I wanted to know how to check whether my phone is locked behind a carrier configuration, and moreover, how do I disable this? Is disabling it unlocking my phone from a carrier (e.x. from Verizon to Unlocked)? Or is it calling and asking to disable some other carrier configuration independent of that?

Also, once it is disabled, how do I tell that it is disabled/I'm able to install GrapheneOS safely? Thank you!

[deleted]

SuperBravo45

Enable the developer options menu by going to Settings ➔ About phone/tablet and repeatedly pressing the build number menu entry until developer mode is enabled.

Next, go to Settings ➔ System ➔ Developer options and toggle on the 'OEM unlocking' setting. On device model variants (SKUs) which support being sold as locked devices by carriers, enabling 'OEM unlocking' requires internet access so that the stock OS can check if the device was sold as locked by a carrier. https://grapheneos.org/install/web#enabling-oem-unlocking

If you can enable OEM unlocking you're good to go.

For the Pixel 6a, OEM unlocking won't work with the version of the stock OS from the factory. You need to update it to the June 2022 release or later via an over-the-air update. After you've updated it you'll also need to factory reset the device to fix OEM unlocking.

de0u

SuperBravo45 I've bought a Pixel 6a (directly from my carrier) and it's going to come later today.

If your carrier is Verizon, return it unopened immediately. They will not ever unlock the phone.

treequell

SuperBravo45 I wanted to know how to check whether my phone is locked behind a carrier configuration, and moreover, how do I disable this? Is disabling it unlocking my phone from a carrier

It's not something that you can disable unless the carrier can and knows how to do it for you. If you're buying directly from a carrier in the USA, there's a decent chance you won't be able to OEM unlock it, and therefore, it's not something I'd recommend doing. Verizon is the worst offender, but other carriers can be problematic too.

Personally, I'd double check whether you can still return the phone if you were to open the box. If not, I wouldn't take the risk, and I'd be sending it straight back to the store unopened.

[deleted]

de0u Fact.

SuperBravo45

Alright, thank you!