Frequently asked questions

No. Hardened Pixel Co. is an independent third-party business. GrapheneOS is developed by a non-profit open-source project that does not endorse or partner with any reseller, including us. Its license allows devices to be sold with GrapheneOS as long as sellers make it clear that they aren't the project or officially associated with it.

Yes, and the GrapheneOS project recommends doing so. It's free, and the official web installer works from a Chromium-based browser in about 15–30 minutes. You'd be paying us for convenience, a pre-inspected carrier-unlocked device, and setup support.

No. We install the official, unmodified release using the official installer. We don't add apps, accounts, certificates or settings profiles. You can confirm this yourself: verify the boot key hash, factory reset, and use Auditor.

Ideally, you shouldn't have to. Follow the verification steps: check the verified boot key hash against the official value, factory reset from recovery, and set up Auditor attestation. Or reinstall GrapheneOS yourself; we won't mind.

For most people we recommend the Pixel 9a (good value, support until at least April 2032). Choose the Pixel 10 for the longest support window, or the Pixel 8a for the lowest price among recommended models. For the lowest price, the Pixel 7 and Pixel 6 series are our best-value options, with GrapheneOS updates guaranteed until October 2027 and October 2026 respectively (7a: May 2028; 6a: July 2027).

GrapheneOS can provide full security updates for as long as Google supports the hardware. For Pixel 8 and newer, that's a minimum of 7 years from launch, e.g. Pixel 8a until May 2031, Pixel 9 until August 2031, Pixel 9a until April 2032, Pixel 10 until August 2032. The Pixel 6 and 7 series have 5-year guarantees: Pixel 6 / 6 Pro until October 2026, 6a until July 2027, Pixel 7 / 7 Pro until October 2027, 7a until May 2028 (all per the GrapheneOS FAQ).

They're the best value if price matters most. Both are officially supported by GrapheneOS. They have 5-year guarantees and no hardware memory tagging, and GrapheneOS's recommended list is Pixel 8 and newer. Updates are guaranteed until October 2026 (6 / 6 Pro), July 2027 (6a), October 2027 (7 / 7 Pro) and May 2028 (7a); after that, GrapheneOS can't ship full security patches for a device. See our best-value options.

Maybe. Many banking apps work, some with sandboxed Google Play installed. Some apps require Google's Play Integrity certification and refuse to run on any non-Google-certified OS, including GrapheneOS. GrapheneOS doesn't spoof these checks. Apps can choose to support GrapheneOS via hardware attestation. Before buying, check the community-maintained (unofficial) compatibility list or ask us. We can't guarantee any third-party app will work, now or in future.

Yes. That's one of GrapheneOS's strengths. Create a separate user profile, install sandboxed Google Play and your banking apps there only, and keep your main profile Google-free. You can end the profile's session when you're done. See Sandbox your apps.

No. Google Wallet contactless payments require a Google-certified OS. Other Wallet features (e.g. some passes) may work. Alternatives depend on your bank and region. Some people carry a card or use a smartwatch with its own payment support.

No. It's optional. Many people use GrapheneOS without any Google apps. If you need it, sandboxed Google Play installs from the GrapheneOS App Store and runs as regular sandboxed apps, without privileged access. You can limit it to a single profile.

Yes. Apps that use Google's push service (FCM) need sandboxed Google Play installed in the same profile. Apps with their own push (e.g. Signal, many email apps) work without it.

Yes, as an optional feature using sandboxed Google Play with dedicated permission toggles. See the official guide.

The GrapheneOS Camera app is included, and the Pixel Camera app can be installed and generally works well. Some Google-exclusive features that depend on deep OS integration aren't available.

GrapheneOS has broad carrier support, including VoLTE and Wi-Fi calling on many carriers. Exact feature support varies by carrier and region. Tell us your carrier and we'll share what we know. We are not affiliated with any carrier.

No, and no phone can. GrapheneOS minimizes tracking: no Google account needed, no telemetry, per-connection Wi-Fi MAC randomization, and Network and Sensors controls per app. But your carrier still sees your SIM and phone identifiers and approximate location, payments leave a trail, and any account you sign into identifies you. See privacy & anonymity.

No. Every SIM identifies you to the network, and the carrier can see approximate location. See our SIM page for what they can and can't do.

Yes. Enable Settings → Network & internet → eSIM support to add and manage eSIMs. It uses Google's proprietary eSIM component but doesn't require Google Play. US Pixel 10 models are eSIM-only.

Choose a model and select Buy now, or go straight to the checkout. Pick your configuration, delivery and payment method, then place the order. You immediately get payment instructions on screen and by email. Your order is held for 72 hours while you pay, and ships once payment is confirmed. You don't need to contact us first, but you're welcome to ask a question.

Every order has a private page with its status, payment instructions and tracking. The link is in your confirmation email, and orders placed in your browser also appear under My orders. Lost the link? Use Find an order with your order number and email.

Interac e-Transfer (preferred): after you order, you get the amount, our email address and a one-time passcode to use as the security answer. We confirm e-Transfers by hand, usually within a few business hours. Sales tax is added for your province.

Bitcoin, Litecoin or Monero: you get a unique address for your order, the exact amount and a QR code. No tax is added at checkout: taxes are included in the price. The amount is locked for 60 minutes; if it runs out, refresh it on your order page (the address stays the same). Bitcoin and Litecoin payments are detected automatically; Monero payments are confirmed by hand, usually within a few hours. Exchange rates come from CoinGecko.

A note on privacy: an Interac e-Transfer is linked to your bank account, and most cryptocurrency transactions are recorded on a public blockchain. Neither is anonymous by default. See what no phone can do.

Yes, all prices are in Canadian dollars, before the installation fee, tax and shipping. Every order has a $60 GrapheneOS installation & setup fee as a separate line. We charge GST/HST (and provincial sales tax where we are registered) based on your delivery address, on the item, the fee and shipping. Standard tracked shipping in Canada is an example $15, expedited $30, and Montreal pickup is free. Use the calculator, or see the exact total at checkout. Crypto orders: no tax is added (taxes are included in the price).

We offer our own limited warranty (placeholder: 90 days) on the hardware we sell. Google's manufacturer warranty may or may not apply depending on the unit, your region and Google's policies; we can't promise it. Full terms are on our legal page.

Yes. Pixels can be returned to the stock OS using Google's official Android Flash Tool. The GrapheneOS install guide explains how. It wipes the device.

Placeholder: 14-day returns in original condition. App incompatibility is covered if you contact us within the window. See returns.

GrapheneOS is free, and you can install it yourself with the official web installer. The $60 fee pays for our service: updating the firmware, installing the official release, re-locking the bootloader, checking the verified boot key, testing the phone, and setup help. None of it goes to GrapheneOS, and it doesn't buy any special version of the OS. If you'd like to support the project, donate directly.

We ship across Canada. United States and international shipping is quoted on request. Buyers are responsible for import duties, taxes and brokerage fees, and for checking local rules on SIM registration. See shipping & tax.