Long story short, just buy directly from Google on store.google.com so that you're sure 100% it's unlocked and ready to go. Period. 💜
Yup! And that's the most important part. Make sure it's "bootloader unlocked".
Here's how to check if your device is bootloader unlockable: https://grapheneos.org/install/web#enabling-oem-unlocking
"You need one of the officially supported devices. 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."
Discussion
Thank you so much for the info! My plan was to buy the device at Best Buy and pay cash. Not sure if that makes a difference when it comes being more private.
It does! Just remember, it needs to be bootloader unlocked and there's no other way of finding out other than verifying this with the instructions above.
If you care about the privacy purchase, you can just use a throwaway Google account just to purchase the Pixel from the Google Store, while using a gift card. Just a thought! 🙂
Big emphasis here if you plan on buying from the store:
Difference between carrier unlocked and bootloader unlocked. Stores advertise the former, GrapheneOS makes you check the latter.
Just making sure you don't waste your time (and money).. cause I've been there.
Wow that’s a good idea. Thanks for the great advice!