The Ghost Phone: Basic Frequently Asked Questions

MARK37 does not sell network services.

Please read Step 1) from our Getting Started Guide for complete details, options and recommendations related to getting your network service activated on the device.

Our customers are fans of the following Mobile Virtual Network Operator’s (MVNOs… aka resellers of AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon):

• PureTalk (inexpensive, nationwide coverage)
• efani (Great if you need advanced SIM card protection)
• Patriot Mobile (reseller of all 3 major carriers)

Please read Step 1) from our Getting Started Guide for complete details, options and recommendations related to getting your network service activated on the device.

The short answer is yes. You can simply swap your SIM card from your current device to the new device once it arrives and you spend the time to get it setup and become familiar with how to use it.

Please read Step 1) from our Getting Started Guide for complete details, options and recommendations related to getting your network service activated on the device.

iPhones cannot be De-Appled.

You’re stuck in the walled garden of Apple by using the iPhone and must migrate off the iPhone if you’re looking to remove Apple from your life.

Some Google Android smart phones can be De-Googled.

Devices such as (LG, Samsung, Pixel, etc.) do have the ability of having the Google Android operating system removed and a new one installed if they are specifically “OEM Unlocked”. To learn how to check for this, please reference our post HERE.

LineageOS, CalyxOS and /e/OS are some examples of open source mobile operating systems that work across a variety of devices.

We focus exclusively on the GrapheneOS operating system, however, as it has proven to be the most stable, private and secure open source mobile operating system available in the market today.

The short answer is no.

We no longer provide this service as we found most customers were sending us devices that could, in fact, NOT be De-Googled.

If you have a device you think can be De-Googled, please reference our post on how to install the GrapheneOS operating system on your device HERE.

You will find the process is much easier than you think and there are numerous videos and other tutorials on how to do this install yourself!

Yes.

Learn how HERE.

Ironically, Google Pixel devices (WHICH ARE DISTINCT AND DIFFERENT THAN THE GOOGLE ANDROID OPERATING SYSTEM) are among the most secure and private phones available. The Pixel was specifically designed to be optimized for the open source mobile operating system Android (essentially the equivalent to what Linux is for laptops/desktops) and has embedded within it specific security and privacy features that simply do not exist on other devices. As such, the Google Pixel, with the open source operating system GrapheneOS, which is based on the open source Android operating system, provides optimum security and privacy.

Note, “Google Android”… or “Droid” is also built off the open source Android operating system. Google simply added their own own software and spyware and made the new system they use and install on devices closed source.

There are a few other open source mobile operating systems built off open source Android such as LineageOS and CalyxOS, however, through our testing we have found GrapheneOS to be the most secure mobile operating system available. Unfortunately, it works specifically and only on Pixel devices at this time.

If you are concerned the device will be or can be exploited at the hardware level, please read our post HERE on this topic.

Yes.

Learn how HERE.

Short answer is most all apps will work just fine on the phone.

Learn more HERE.

Yes.

Learn how HERE.

No.

We sell exclusively mint condition refurbished devices. Here’s why:

1) We’ve been trained to think that every year or 2 years we need the “new new thing”, which is entirely unnecessary. There are billions of mint condition refurbished phones and laptops in the market today whose performance more than accomplishes the needs of 95% of the consumer market.

2) Did you know that within each device there is Gold, Silver, Palladium, Platinum, Copper, Neodymium, Cobalt, Lithium, Graphite, Neodymium, Yttrium, Dysprosium, and other precious metals? Often overlooked, the harsh reality is that buying a brand new device creates the incentive and demand for more slave labor (mostly children) in Asia and Africa for these various precious metals used within the device itself.

3) That fancy brand new processor that provides you an unrecognizable speed boost from the prior model a year ago really just allows for Apple, Google and Microsoft to offload the aggregation, processing and computation of YOUR data to YOUR device. This means these companies now pay less to spy on you and track you all day, every day. Brilliant strategy… that only serves to save THEM money.

4) Refurbished devices cost less. In many cases, A LOT less. Like driving a new car off the lot, the value of a new device plummets within months of being purchased. This means you can pick up an extremely powerful machine in excellent condition from 1 or 2 years ago for 50+% off the cost of a new one. Most refurbished devices now also come with 3-6-12 month warranties and support as well!

No.

Learn everything you need to know about SIM cards HERE.

See the complete list HERE.

If you have a service plan with a US based network service provider, in most cases you will be able to work with them and purchase an international plan to establish a connection while traveling internationally.

If your goal is to do the initial activation of the phone on a network outside the USA, you will need to check if the specific network service provider you hope to work with is compatible with the device, as there are 2 different technologies phones and network providers use to connect. CDMA & GSM.

We know for sure the phones currently work in Canada and Mexico.

For everywhere else, a simple search online for “will a Pixel __ device from the USA work on _(name of foreign network provider)_?” should get you the answer you’re looking for.

We will take custom orders from Canada, Mexico and certain South American countries for a premium surcharge.

As much as we would like to ship internationally, we do not do so because:

1. The process of managing shipping and the customs process/paperwork is far outside our standard process, and as such we typically charge between $150 – $250 just to cover the cost of shipping and labor to get these orders fulfilled.
2. There is also no guarantee the device received overseas will work on your local carrier network.
3. Managing support and returns becomes a logistical and costly nightmare when needed with international orders.

This being said, all hope is not lost, as in many cases, there are similar “de-googled” options available closer to you, and at a more affordable shipping cost, if you live in Asia, Australia or Europe. Simply search online for “de-googled GrapheneOS phones for sale in _name your country_”.

Once you have your hands on a phone running GrapheneOS, you can follow the various Getting Started Guides and posts we have available in our Resources section of the website to get up and running quickly.

GrapheneOS is the most stable, secure and private mobile open source operating system available at this time. Learn more about GrapheneOS from their website HERE.

Refund or Replace Within 90 Days of Receipt ($75.00 restock fee may apply)

We offer a full refund or exchange for any order received in defective or damaged condition, or missing items, within 90 days of purchase. Please contact us at support@mark37.com and we will address the issue at hand and provide you with a return shipping label if needed.

If a return and refund is requested simply because you no longer feel you are willing and able to make use of the device or transition off BigTech at this time, once the item has been returned and received in the same physical working condition it was sent, a refund will be issued minus a $75 restocking fee.

Unfortunately, no.

Should the device malfunction due to no fault of your own, we are happy to provide support and/or a replacement if required within a reasonable time frame of purchase. We have found that 90% of the “my phone stopped working” support requests are due to the user dropping the phone, using the phone without a case and hitting it on something, dropping the phone in water or leaving the phone outside in the sun to bake for an extended period of time.

These are very complex and fragile mini-computers and pieces of hardware with 100’s of components. They need to be treated accordingly! At very least, get a case for your phone ASAP.

Due to the nature of us stripping the Google Android operating system off the device we are in essence voiding the warranty on and of the device. Because of this, and the fact that there simply are not enough people purchasing these types of devices yet, there are not any insurance providers willing to consider offering some sort of policy related to these devices.

We also do not have the capital or logistics team available to support, service or offer such a plan at this time ourselves.

Yes.

A physical SIM card can be installed along with using an eSIM.

One could also use a VOIP number on the device, adding additional functionality if needed.

Yes. Fill out THIS FORM and we will be back to you shortly with a quote for the specific make/model you are interested in.

Camera functions do not change at all, simply the application that utilizes and manages the camera on the device. You’ll find the vast majority of the functions that Google has on their camera app are also used for the GrapheneOS camera app.

There are also a variety of different camera applications you can download if, for whatever reason, you want to use a different one. The “Open Camera” app found on F-Droid, for example, has some features the stock app does not.

Simply search for “alternative FOSS camera apps for android” and you can dig through various options and reviews.

Likely.

Please see details on this in our post HERE.

Unfortunately, we do not offer any as we have not found any flip phone or dumb phone options that do not run a Google or Chinese owned closed source operating system.

Check out our Resources page to see if any of your questions have already been covered.

If no, feel free to reach out to us at support@mark37.com.