October 31, 2025
Lock screens and hot takes
Leaker reveals which Pixels are vulnerable to Cellebrite phone hacking
Most Pixels can be cracked—GrapheneOS fans say Google got out-secured by hobbyists
TLDR: A leaker says Cellebrite can extract data from most Google Pixels, but phones running privacy-focused GrapheneOS largely resist. Commenters dunked on Google, flaunted GrapheneOS setups, worried about emergency-service hiccups, and joked about FBI vibes—raising big questions about who’s really protecting your phone’s privacy.
A mystery leaker named “rogueFed” crashed a Cellebrite Microsoft Teams briefing and spilled which Google Pixel phones can have their data pulled. Stock Pixels from the 6 through 9 are listed as accessible even in the “before first unlock” state (right after a restart), the easier “after first unlock,” and when fully unlocked. GrapheneOS—the volunteer-made, privacy-first Android—mostly shrugs it off, unless you’re on old pre-2022 builds. Pixel 10 wasn’t on the chart, and Cellebrite still can’t brute-force your passcode or copy eSIMs. The receipts? Screenshots posted to the GrapheneOS forums, spotted by 404 Media, plus a cleaner doc link dropped by commenters.
The community came in hot. “Why is a volunteer OS beating Google at security?” demanded one user, echoing a wave of finger-pointing at Google’s silence. Another flexed their setup—GrapheneOS with fingerprint + PIN—and claimed “no way” anyone’s getting in, then admitted a plot twist: emergency services can’t find them on the map, so they carry a second “normie” Pixel. Meanwhile, the drama escalated with conspiracy-flavored jokes after someone hinted the organizer’s name: cue “The FBI?” quips. Others posted receipts, like the unblurred document and linked the HN thread.
Bottom line: privacy diehards are feeling vindicated, practical folks worry about trade-offs, and everyone’s waiting for Google to explain how hobbyists built the stronger castle.
Key Points
- •A leaker accessed a Cellebrite briefing and shared a support matrix for Google Pixel devices.
- •The matrix lists Pixel 6–9 and excludes the Pixel 10 series, detailing BFU, AFU, and unlocked states.
- •Cellebrite claims data extraction is possible on stock Pixel 6–9 across BFU, AFU, and unlocked states.
- •Cellebrite cannot brute-force passcodes and law enforcement cannot copy eSIMs from Pixel devices.
- •GrapheneOS limits access: Pixels with GrapheneOS are only accessible on builds from before late 2022.