The best decision is not to have a mobile phone. Unrealistic.
The second-best option is to use GrapheneOS on a Pixel Device.
If you don't want to end up like Jorge Molina, set up your device in a way that minimizes the information collected by Apple and Google.
Step1: Get a new device
A factory reset will not put you back on the starting line in the eyes of Big Brother.
Serial numbers, unique identifiers, Apple IDs, and Google accounts communicate outside more than your Latina girlfriend.
Buying a used device can confuse tracking systems, but it's risky — it might be stolen or linked to someone of interest, putting you under the scrutiny you want to avoid.
Buy the new equipment in a retail store and pay with cash. You can pay someone to buy it for you or use glasses and hats as disguises to avoid detection by security cameras.
Step2: Install GrapheneOS
When your new Google Pixel is ready, it's time to install GrapheneOS.
Before you can do that, you need to prepare the phone without logging into a Google account or creating one.
After you turn on the Pixel device:
When you are on the homepage, you can navigate to "Settings" and then "System Update" to complete all pending updates. For this, you will need a Wi-Fi connection.
After you finish the updates:
The easiest way to install GrapheneOS is through Web Installer. What you need is a Chromium-based browser, for example, Brave (brave.com).
Follow the steps on the official GrapheneOS Web Installer website.
After-installation:
Your phone does not have the Google Play Store.
F-Droid is the basic replacement; you can download it on f-droid.org
Within the F-Droid store, you can download Aurora, which contains all Google Play apps but without the need for a Google Play account.
Step3: Data
In the UK and Czech Republic, you can buy anonymous SIM cards with cash.
On LNESim, you can purchase a non-KYC, non-email E-SIM directly through Lightning.
KeepGo is another alternative, which can be anonymous if done right.
If you need a SIM card from a country where KYC is mandatory, consider using a nominee who will purchase and activate the SIM card on your behalf.
Step4: Operational security
If you have a SIM card in your phone, it constantly sends out your location unless Airplane mode is activated.
If the enemy is devoted, he can de-anonymize you easily over time.
Your line of defense is to turn your phone into airplane mode a few kilometers away from your residence and operate only through Wi-Fi in your house.
When you go to a high-risk country (e.g., China), leave your primary device at home and use a secondary device. It can be any phone. After returning from a high-risk country, perform a factory reset and place the phone back in the Faraday cage.
Final Words:
Remember, no information is also information. If you have no online presence, such as a social media account, it might automatically make you look suspicious.
You might consider having one "normal" device, basically a front face you will show to everybody.
Under that, you can work your Graphene setup, where you have banking, sensitive contacts, and other sensitive materials - everything hidden from Big Brother.
The second-best option is to use GrapheneOS on a Pixel Device.
If you don't want to end up like Jorge Molina, set up your device in a way that minimizes the information collected by Apple and Google.
Step1: Get a new device
A factory reset will not put you back on the starting line in the eyes of Big Brother.
Serial numbers, unique identifiers, Apple IDs, and Google accounts communicate outside more than your Latina girlfriend.
Buying a used device can confuse tracking systems, but it's risky — it might be stolen or linked to someone of interest, putting you under the scrutiny you want to avoid.
Buy the new equipment in a retail store and pay with cash. You can pay someone to buy it for you or use glasses and hats as disguises to avoid detection by security cameras.
Step2: Install GrapheneOS
When your new Google Pixel is ready, it's time to install GrapheneOS.
Before you can do that, you need to prepare the phone without logging into a Google account or creating one.
After you turn on the Pixel device:
- Click "Get Started," "Skip," then "Set up offline."
- Click "Continue" then "Next".
- Deselect all options and click "Accept" then "I accept."
- Click "Skip," confirm "Skip," and "Skip" again.
When you are on the homepage, you can navigate to "Settings" and then "System Update" to complete all pending updates. For this, you will need a Wi-Fi connection.
After you finish the updates:
- Go to "About Phone"
- Press "Build number" several times until "Developer mode" is enabled.
- Go back and press "System."
- Press "Developer Options".
- Enable "OEM Unlocking" and "USB debugging."
The easiest way to install GrapheneOS is through Web Installer. What you need is a Chromium-based browser, for example, Brave (brave.com).
Follow the steps on the official GrapheneOS Web Installer website.
After-installation:
Your phone does not have the Google Play Store.
F-Droid is the basic replacement; you can download it on f-droid.org
Within the F-Droid store, you can download Aurora, which contains all Google Play apps but without the need for a Google Play account.
Step3: Data
In the UK and Czech Republic, you can buy anonymous SIM cards with cash.
On LNESim, you can purchase a non-KYC, non-email E-SIM directly through Lightning.
KeepGo is another alternative, which can be anonymous if done right.
If you need a SIM card from a country where KYC is mandatory, consider using a nominee who will purchase and activate the SIM card on your behalf.
Step4: Operational security
If you have a SIM card in your phone, it constantly sends out your location unless Airplane mode is activated.
If the enemy is devoted, he can de-anonymize you easily over time.
Your line of defense is to turn your phone into airplane mode a few kilometers away from your residence and operate only through Wi-Fi in your house.
When you go to a high-risk country (e.g., China), leave your primary device at home and use a secondary device. It can be any phone. After returning from a high-risk country, perform a factory reset and place the phone back in the Faraday cage.
Final Words:
Remember, no information is also information. If you have no online presence, such as a social media account, it might automatically make you look suspicious.
You might consider having one "normal" device, basically a front face you will show to everybody.
Under that, you can work your Graphene setup, where you have banking, sensitive contacts, and other sensitive materials - everything hidden from Big Brother.
