How does that work with apps?
I put grapheneos on my old Pixel 6 as a "Yolo" phone for a Infosec conference this past year.
It's very... okay for apps. You effectively have two options, install a third party app store (F-Droid), or setup a new profile with Google services enabled and use Play store over on that.
GApps alternatives are mixed quality - nothing really beats Maps (at least in the US), but other things like Chrome are easily replaced with DuckDuckGo browser or Firefox.
It was an interesting experiment to see if I could go Google apps free, and it worked okay for 4 days, but going full time to it would be rough.
For what it's worth, I use F-Droid and the Play Store via the Aurora store frontend, all without a Google account.
I don't install the Google Play Store bundle, as I feel it defeats the purpose. I do install Google Services Framework though as most apps rely on it and it doesn't require network access.
I generally don't use any apps that compromise user privacy, so apps like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Spotify, YouTube, and Google Maps are all a no-go for me. If and when I need to access their services, I use an alternative front end or simply use a browser.
Even if you do need to use the above apps though, you'll find GrapheneOS a much more secure and privacy-respecting way of doing so.
That's not true, I have Google Play Store with my regular gmail account logged in. I have all my usual apps installed without any issue.
Pixel 6 Pro with Graphene OS
How does GOS work with apps, or how would a proper Linux OS work with apps?
For the former, GOS works really well for what I want from a smartphone. Self-hosted contacts and calendaring, Signal for messaging, Firefox and Vanadium for browsing, markdown editor, file sync, etc. all work great.
For the latter, a proper Linux-oriented release would be something like a mature version of the GNOME Shell mobile project. I don't need specific Android apps, but rather the ability to complete certain tasks (banking, appointments, email, etc.). With Linux, there's already an app for most of those tasks. The only exception might be Signal, but I'm sure if GNOME Shell matures enough we'll see a solution for mobile Linux activation too.
I remember reading that GOS eventually wants to develop their own hardware, although I'm sure that is many years away.
I recently read about https://murena.com/ which is a degoogled OS. Might be not enough for your needs, but others might find it useful.
Currently an iPhone 13 Pro with iOS (obviously :'D).
GrapheneOS. Everything works, except Google Pay NFC payments. Luckily, my bank has Google Pay alternative and can be used for NFC payments, so I am good.
I am happy so far. Stable as hell.
Hmm, the lack of no Google pay has been a concern/consideration as I think toward moving to an alternate ROM like graphene. I could give up pretty much anything on my pixel but I love and use the hell out of contactless payments.
Any idea why nfc payments wouldn't work with Google pay but would with a bank app? Is a 3rd party privacy focused wallet technically feasible?
Android supports multiple payment providers. Some banks implement their own payment provider (e.g. Sparkasse in Germany), most just rely on Google Pay (now Google Wallet). Google Wallet has strict requirements for the Play Integrity API. Because of the modifications to Android that GrapheneOS is implementing, it is not eligible to receive the required integrity attestation and thus, Google Wallet is refusing to work. Google could at any point reconsider and certify/whitlelist GrapheneOS, which would allow Google Wallet to work using GrapheneOS. Likelihood close to 0.
Any banking app implementing their own payment provider is completely independent of this decision unless it also relies on Play Integrity API attestation (or a similar mechanism).
out of curiosity, are you aware what changes exactly make the Play Integrity API eligibility requirements not able to be met? with Google play installed, the compatibility layer should be able to facilitate the necessary communication, I would think.
or are they just arbitrarily saying anything that's not stock isn't eligible?
It's one of the most secure ways to pay at retail. Payment card data is only shared with one party, payment methods are tokenized so retailers cannot swipe your payment information and use it again. I've had a couple of cards stolen by retailers like a coffee shop, that I had to close. It was a hassle. Also for online payments I much prefer GPay or PayPal, everything is clear, unauthorized payments are obvious and easy to fix.
I use GrapheneOS and like it a lot.
Is the option to toggle network access for applications available in other OSs? Maybe I just didn't notice it until now but it's an option I've really been enjoying
Fairphone 4 with CalyxOS too here
Same.
I'm on a Fairphone 4 with CalyxOS
Same boat. Stuck with my Pixel 5 for now.
Fairphone 3+ & /e/OS
Found my people!
the problem with my case was finding the bank apps in the first place, because my country has it's own niche ones which aren't in the default app lounge and aurora wasn't working properly at the time, but once I found an apk or something no trouble except for notifications
So you're saying you do not have a small pp?
When scrolling through calls and chats it will jump around like it would with a damaged touchscreen. However the top slider with the quick toggles scrolls fine. So the touchscreen is not damaged but some apps behave like it is. I think I'm due for another reinstall.
Do you follow the rolling updates or reimage each major version?
I continue to use the Pinephone because I bawk at the price vs longevity of hardware build quailty and software shovelware. Also the loss of features on mainstream smartphones such as the oooooh sd card and headphone jack. It's asine that these are considered "hard to find" and "features". The icing on the cake is parts availability. I break the screen, I install a new one in like a minute if I'm speed running it and all without any parts serialization.
I bought in right as the pro had launched but software was still in it's infancy. So I look forward to the Pro when I can afford it.
Not sure what is going on there. With me, scrolling jumps around but it's usually related to opening and closing the virtual keyboard. For some reason opening the keyboard messes with the screen position. Annoying, but not unusable. A reinstall may be in order, but pmOS recently had broken installer images, so try to make sure that's fixed before doing that.
I'm following the stable branch and upgrading when a new version drops. pmOS has been pretty good, but every now and then a full reinstall has been necessary. I've been using PP since the Mobian community edition.
Yeah, PinePhone is currently one of the few acceptable options available. Affordable, fixable, private. Even with it's flaws, it's pretty good. Unfortunately mobile linux needs to mature a lot before other companies will jump in, but lack of hardware and attention seems to be still hampering the development. A conundrum. Still, all's not lost yet.
I am super confused?! You charge 299 usd for something a browser can do for free.
This does seem crazy. I thought maybe they transfer over all the person's data, but no it says in their FAQ that you lose all your data in the process.
Haha was thinking the same
Xperia 10 with Sailfish
What are we going to do when Google decides to block their bootloader?
Switch to a phone that doesn't.
You're hoping there will be such a mobile.
Well, I'm in the US so my options are a bit limited
We should be donating and developing projects to open source hardware so there are decent alternatives to Google/Samsung/Apple. I understand the supply chain is complicated and there are many hurdles to this, but it is a known problem and many diverse interests should theoretically have their own incentives to change things.
Well, currently, I'm buying/keeping some spare phones around. I always have 2 or 3, because I buy 2-3 year old phones that I know are unlocked. And since they get updates via Lineage, I should be OK for a bit... Hopefully until I can then buy something like a fairphone or another non-locked device.
I don't really see Google locking the bootloader of the Pixel anytime soon.
My current phone isn't even a Pixel, there are plenty of other phones with unlockable bootloader.s.
Use a dumbphone for calls and an Android phone with prepaid sim for stupid apps that modern life demands. They stay frozen most of the time (Insular). I also used to run degoogled LineageOs, but very often bank apps and anything involved with finance would bitch about it and refuse to function, so I had no other option but stock firmwares.
I've had a lot of luck with banking apps on GrapheneOS. Worth a try if you haven't already.
Especially because you can install play services in a separate profile and install your banking apps only there
Those bank apps just need play service if I have to guess. Try installing microg. I am running grapheneos with their sand boxed play service in a separate profile, got some apps to work but not all so give it a shot.
Pixel 7 on GrapheneOS, my partner's with a Pixel 6a with GrapheneOS as well.
Currently have an iPhone 13 pro max, but recently got a pixel 7 pro and put grapheneos on that. Really like grapheneos so far but don’t like the 7 pro that much.
Galaxy S10+ with Magisk + crDroid. It has signature spoofing which is nice for MicroG but I eventually uninstalled MicroG and replaced it with nothing.
iPhone 14 Pro Max 1TB ~ iOS 17.2
As a previous Pixel owner(P4XL), I find it odd that so many people using them, are running graphene. Granted, I ran it for quite some time, but that was after Google gave me the finger, in regards to support.
IMHO, I found the cons far outweighed the pros. The biggest con, obviously, is losing proprietary features. As far as security goes, if there isn’t an Android device that satisfies your needs, out of the box, then maybe it’s time to look elsewhere…😇
I find it odd that so many people using them, are running graphene.
Why's that? Is something bugging you? I might want to use it once they support Android Auto.
What proprietary features are you missing in GrapheneOS?
How do you find GrapheneOS as a daily driver? Not sure I can do without Andoid Auto and Google Wallet.
Yeah auto keeps me stock as well..
same here. but this may cheer you up xD
Oh I wonder what "near future" means, haha.
Also, the other reason is being scared of bricking my phone, it's a Pixel 6a but I assume the risk is still there.
If you decide to be #degoogle then you need to get a solution for Googlepay, it could be another provider, I have another payment provider on another profile (with play store), otherwise I could be without it. I don't use Google auto as I already have navigation in my car or Magic Earth.
Same here too, a 7 Pro.
What's your badge number? Or are you contracted
How's it still working for you? Might get one, I have a 3a.
It works really well. I'm really hesitant to give up my rear fingerprint sensor. The only thing that doesn't work is Google Pay/Wallet. I might be able to get that working if I did a little more work, but I use it so rarely that I've not given much thought. I'll be interested to see when/if the 4a gets the bump to Lineage 21.
Samsung s9 with iode OS. Good size, good performance and a headphone jack. Iode is also doing fine. Sometimes a bit late with updates but most things work really well and the extra features are cool. Hope it will last me for a really long time.
Care to share more? I have a pixel 3a and have been looking at Lineage. I understand eOS is the same as Graphene, unsupported, yes? Have you run anything else?
Had been on Calyx for a while, must say /e/ was definitely a better experience, haven't tried anything else besides that
I think /e/ is forked from either Graphene or Lineage (not sure which one) but comes with a full FOSS suite of replacement apps that integrate with the Murena online services (can also use a regular Nextcloud instance)
It'a neat and tightly integrated out-of-the-box, worked really well on the 3a, but most apps sorta fell behind in terms of features in the long run compared to traditional FOSS apps, might also be due to lack of updates since the device is considered EOL
I'm looking into getting a Fairphone with iodéOS next, since my 3a doesn't recieve updates anymore and the phone's been agonizing from all the traveling haha
Thanks for sharing. I might try to hop on Calyx while it lasts and then do Lineage. I tend to keep phones for awhile, but now is different than then...
I wanted to give Lineage a try, but I went traveling last July and installing a new ROM abroad really didn't sound like a good idea, despite the EOL on my current ROM 😅
It's really a shame that the /e/ ROMs don't at least integrate the system patches from upstream, since they are indeed based on Lineage (just checked now), and Lineage still supports the Pixel 3a
I guess it might have to do with upkeeping their fork of the Lineage software, or their own launcher being incompatible with modern versions of Lineage
Fairphone 4 with e OS. Not entierly convinced with e since NFC is not working for me, so I am unable to use my yubikey.
Oneplus nord n200 with Lineage (android 13). Works fantastic. It was lagopaluza on stock though.
Pixel 6 pro with Calyx, been running it for 2 years, it's been pretty good so far
Oneplus 6 with LineageOS for microG
Pixel 5 running Calyx. Found them 2 years ago. I won't switch until I found a new small but powerful phone 📱
Galaxy S10 with lineageos microg
Lineage os all the way
iPhone SE (2020) with iOS 16.6.1
It's fine, I guess.
I've been considering getting an Android phone and installing Graphene OS, but I'm not sure if everything will work. My current phone also isn't broken, so I don't plan on switching. I'm hoping I can use it for another year and I'll see then.
Pixel 7 with Android, Nova Launcher Prime.
Same, but Pixel 3a cause I'm poor.
Bet it still runs great, though. Was using a 4A up until last year, and had the camera lens not allowed dust into it constantly and ruined my shots, I'd probably still be using it.
Pixel 4a (5g) with stock android.
I tried CalyxOS but as that doesn't support android auto (I get the why but really need it for navigation). Therefore I switched to LineageOS but my banking app didn't work there (or rather I needed to configure the OS every time I made an update so that the banking app doesn't detect my device as rooted) so I switched all the way back to stock.
Now that GrapheneOS sent this toot yesterday, I'm waiting for them to support Android Auto and hope that my banking app also works there :)
I have an Xperia 1 iii running LineageOS 20 w/microG, and it took days of careful setup to get everything working and have it pass SafetyNet. I'm worried that any update might break a feature that I consider essential and rely on. I love the phone but I fear it'll break if I even so much as sneeze while holding it.
Realme X3 with whatever it came with.
Being a lesser known model there might not be much I can change. Damn thing kills some apps no matter how you set it up so I wouldn't mind something I can control, but the dual sim and the call recorder features are great.
Redmi 9 power with crdroid 9.10
It's better than iphones for just 150
Just use standard lineage os. There is no need for anything more
thanks for using Leebra!
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Pixel 7 with GrapheneOS. It's the first and only time I've ever felt I was in control of my own smartphone.
If GOS is ever no longer an option, I will likely stop using smartphones altogether until a proper community-based Linux OS with similar features is available.
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