this post was submitted on 12 Sep 2025
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DeGoogle Yourself

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Unlocked Phone True Meaning (slrpnk.net)
submitted 1 week ago by rainbowbunny@slrpnk.net to c/degoogle@lemmy.ml
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Hello everyone, I'm planning on getting a pixel 9 to put GrapheneOS on. When it comes to the right phone to buy, you need a pixel that is "unlocked," correct? Does unlocked refer to both root and carrier, or is there more than one meaning? Is there anything else I should keep in mind when buying a Pixel?

I was going to go with a refurbished one, would that be fine for security as well?

Thank you all

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[–] quaff@lemmy.ca 10 points 1 week ago

It means Carrier unlocked. If it's carrier locked (depends on where you're from, what carrier it came from, and/or if it came from a plan upgrade), you may not be able to install GrapheneOS on it unless you get it unlocked first.

If you get a second hand one, make sure the person you're buying it from is willing to help you unlock it.

First question in their FAQ: https://grapheneos.org/faq#supported-devices

Devices sold in partnership with specific carriers may be locked by the carrier, which will prevent installing GrapheneOS. This is primarily an issue with US carriers and isn't common elsewhere in the world. To avoid this, either don't buy a carrier device, or make sure it can be unlocked. It's the same hardware/firmware/software either way but carriers dislike having devices able to bypass their paywall for tethering, etc., so they disable it for the devices they sell as part of contracts.