Pixel Installer app

Turn a Pixel into a managed secure phone from another phone.

The HardenedOS Pixel Installer guides resellers through GrapheneOS installation, bootloader unlock, factory-image flashing, and Device Policy Controller enrollment over USB-C. No laptop. No command line. No hand-written fastboot steps.

Activation gated Signed images USB-C guided DPC enrollment
9:41
P
Pixel Installer GrapheneOS + HardenedOS
Managed

Step 3 of 5

Install GrapheneOS

Pixel 8 connected USB-C host mode active
Ready
shibaCodename UnlockedBootloader 78%Battery

Signed factory image

GrapheneOS 2026.07
Verified
Factory image 72%
Download Verify Flash Enroll
[19:23:08] flashing product.img

This erases the target Pixel. Keep USB connected until enrollment finishes.

Use factory image ZIP
No laptop

Run the install from an Android host phone with a USB-C cable.

Activation gate

Requires a managed HardenedOS activation before first use.

Signed bundles

Factory images are verified before the installer touches the target.

Audit trail

Install attempts and outcomes can be recorded back to the reseller panel.

Guided provisioning

Five clear steps instead of a bench full of tools.

Pixel Installer is built for field teams, resellers, kiosks, and customer handoff. The app handles the install sequence, while the platform controls who is allowed to activate and enroll the final device.

01

Authorize

The installer checks that the host device is activated by HardenedOS management before it can start.

02

Connect

Plug the target Pixel into the host phone. The wizard walks the operator through fastboot and USB prompts.

03

Unlock

The user confirms bootloader unlock on the Pixel with the volume and power buttons while USB stays connected.

04

Flash

The app downloads or accepts a factory image ZIP, verifies it, and drives the GrapheneOS flash.

05

Enroll

After first boot, the DPC activates, pulls policy, installs required apps, and reports into the reseller fleet.

Built for real deployments

Fast enough for a field kit. Controlled enough for a reseller program.

The installer is not a public flashing toy. It is a reseller-controlled onboarding path for Pixel hardware, designed to get devices into a managed GrapheneOS + HardenedOS state without exposing the workflow to random sideloading.

  • Activation-bound first use

    The app can require a HardenedOS-managed host before initial operation. After activation, the app works normally for that operator.

  • Download or local factory ZIP

    Use the latest hosted image when online, or select a preloaded GrapheneOS factory image when working from a limited network.

  • Retry without starting over

    If USB drops during a bootloader prompt, the downloaded image can be kept for a faster retry after the cable or permission issue is fixed.

reseller console

Install Event

Pixel provisioned
Verified
Pixel 8 · chippy@silent.sim Device ID 3f1d699a-4443-405c

Bundle verified

OS flashed

DPC enrolled

Apps syncing

TargetPixel 8

Bundleshiba-2026.07

Signaturevalid

Policyapplied

19:23 installer.flash.started

19:28 device.activated

19:29 manifest.synced

Operational safeguards

The app is designed around the mistakes that happen during flashing.

Preflight clarity

Show the target model, expected bundle, bootloader state, and the action about to run before the device is modified.

Plain-language prompts

Operators see when to use volume and power buttons, when to keep USB connected, and when to reconnect permissions.

Managed app handoff

Once the OS boots, the management app activates, receives its manifest, installs required apps, and reports status.

Reseller branding

The phone can come out of provisioning with the reseller's app catalog, launcher layout, wallpaper, and support surface.

Provision Pixels without a laptop.

Pixel Installer turns field setup into a guided app flow: activate, connect, flash, enroll, and hand off a managed device.