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Prepare your phone for protests

Harden your phone before you need it — connectivity, contacts, and evidence workflows included.

1–2 hoursProtesters, journalists, and organizers carrying phones into higher-risk situations 1 starting tool

Target outcome

Your phone exposes less metadata and fewer unlocked accounts in the field

Do this first · quick win

If you only do one thing today: enable full-disk encryption, turn off lock-screen previews, and install Session with backup contacts saved offline.

Setup queue

Start with verified tools

Compare the fit, keep the ones you want in My Stack, then open the verified setup guidance.

Session

applications

Choose Session for protest coordination when phone numbers and contact graphs are dangerous metadata.

applicationsOpen source
Visit project
More compatible tools (2)

Graphene OS

applications

Choose GrapheneOS on a dedicated Pixel when you can reflash hardware and need maximum Android hardening.

applicationsOpen source
Visit project

CalyxOS

applications

Choose CalyxOS when you want de-Googled Android with broader device support than GrapheneOS.

applicationsLive status listed
Visit project

Understand · act · verify

Your path

Nothing is detected automatically. You decide when a step is done or needs another review.

  1. 1

    Review legal risks in your jurisdiction — device search laws, compelled unlock rules, and whether filming police is protected — and adjust your plan accordingly.

    Step 1 · Not started

    • Legal context reviewed: You know local rules on seizure, compelled unlock, and recording before relying on this phone.
  2. 2

    Update the OS and remove unused apps; disable biometrics if coercion unlock is a concern in your context.

    Step 2 · Not started

  3. 3

    Install Session and exchange offline backup contact instructions with your group.

    Step 3 · Not started

    • Session coordination ready: Session is installed and at least one group member can reach you without your everyday number.
  4. 4

    Download offline maps, legal aid numbers, and first-aid PDFs before entering areas with poor connectivity.

    Step 4 · Not started

  5. 5

    Set a strong PIN, shorten auto-lock delay, and turn off lock-screen notification previews.

    Step 5 · Not started

    • Lock screen hardened: Strong PIN, short auto-lock, and disabled notification previews are active.
  6. 6

    Carry a paper copy of emergency contacts and know how to power off quickly if separation is needed.

    Step 6 · Not started

  7. 7

    If risk is high, flash GrapheneOS on a dedicated Pixel (advanced) instead of using your daily phone.

    Step 7 · Not started

How you know it worked

  • Your phone exposes less metadata and fewer unlocked accounts in the field
  • Your group has offline backup contact paths if networks fail
  • You understand legal limits before carrying a device into a protest

Watch out

Live-streaming or posting in real time exposes location and identity faster than messaging alone.

Confiscated unlocked phones expose every account still logged in.

GrapheneOS requires compatible hardware and time to flash — do not start on protest day.

Key terms
Coercion unlock
Being forced to unlock a device via biometrics or PIN under physical pressure — a reason some activists disable biometrics.
GrapheneOS
A hardened Android OS for Pixel phones with stronger sandboxing and fewer default trackers than stock Android.