Im going to be going on vacation and travel in November, and honestly, this is needed. I’m on the lookout for a secondary phone that i can degoogle real quick, put the neccessary apps that i need and just call it a day. I’m already prepping my family and stating that im not gonna bring my primary phone. I was wondering what do you guys use, if any of yall bring a secondary phone. (FYI: I am in the US and will be traveling internationally)
This depends on your definition of cheap, but you can get an unlocked pixel 7 on Backmarket for about $200 and slap Graphene on it. Depending the length of your vacation you might be able to reset the phone and return it after you’re back.
I would assume taking a graphene phone through US customs would be considered to be a non-orange flag?
The last time I traveled internationally from the US was 2025 so I don’t know how it is now, but how would CBP know what your operating system is?
You can request a physical boarding pass at check in, so TSA and the gate will never even have to see your phone.
I assumed the concern was if they check your phone
International media has been reporting for the last year or so that the usa can now just take your phone and demand access to all of your social media etc.
I get the seriousness of graphene but i really dont wanna have any issues if something comes up from it.
Please take this question as coming from ignorance rather than a challenge: How would anyone know that you are using Graphene without you telling them? The Pixel line is still used to run stock Android, and the Graphene OS UI is similar enough that a casual inspection shouldn’t raise any flags.
If you’re concerned about scanning your phone, consider a physical boarding pass. When you land in the US, turn off your phone and put it in your backpack/ carry-on or whatever.
I’m not in the US, but I assume graphene is seen as communist witchcraft over there. Lineageos is probably much more lowkey. A googled phone would not raise any eyebrows at all.
I hate google, but if you are worried about it, a googled 2nd phone with a new sim/number and a new google account wouldn’t be the end of the world, especially since that set up could be temporary, tons of phones can be lineageos (my 2023 motorola g84, and 2018 sony xperia xz2 for example)
Yeah, it is unfortunatly. Unless you are working a extremely risky job, your gonna be viewed as suspecious. And even if your a US citizen or not, you can be searched without a warrant.