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LineageOS is currently installed on 1.5M Android devices

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Re: LineageOS is currently installed on 1.5M Android devices

#11

Post by broodbucket »

duffpkg wrote: post #4

I am pretty hard on phones. Been using lineage for years now on google pixel unlocked phones. 5a and now 6a. I have found both to have some real durability problems. Are there any good alternatives that are unlocked to use with lineage?

I got a OnePlus 9 for this exact purpose and it was good, but not without issues. Same thing as what people said back in the early Linux days - buy what the developers have. Custom Android OS developers overwhelmingly focus on the Pixel, and the hardware is decent enough, so that's what there's an ecosystem for.

That OnePlus 9 had some weird issues that eventually got resolved but it took a while. Important to differentiate between an OS that builds for a phone and one that actually works for a phone, but there's not usually a ton of reviews for the latter.

Re: LineageOS is currently installed on 1.5M Android devices

#12

Post by charcircuit »

bsimpson wrote: post #3

Has anyone here looked at the security of Lineage? I know it's a rebrand/fork of Cyanogen, but I don't actually know much about it as a project. It seems to be the only image that works with Waydroid (the Android environment for Linux tablets), but I am not super comfortable entering my passwords into a project I don't know much about.

LineageOS prioritizes device compatibility and maintainability over security. I do not think this is a good tradeoff to make as normal people don't care about such security until it is too late.

Re: LineageOS is currently installed on 1.5M Android devices

#13

Post by broodbucket »

drewcoo wrote: post #7
reify wrote: post #2

I install Lineage on the phones of the elderly at local care homes and any people who are interested in prolonging the life of their old phones. Poor people can't afford a new phone every two years. When in your 80's you dont need or want the constant nagging of apps pestering you when all you want to do is text and call your family and friends. I use abd to delete/disable every unnecessary useless app and leave them…

> They are all amazed how beautifully simple the phones are and with just one or two taps Wouldn't they prefer one or even no taps? > Have you ever watched an elderly person trying to navigate the complexity of a modern smart phone Assuming that's a question, then "yes!" It is not at any level designed for what they want to do. The "mother of all demos" talked about children but not seniors. Ever since Engelbart, no…

>The "mother of all demos" talked about children but not seniors

Children will press things until they figure it out. Adults (moreso as we age) are scared to press things they don't understand.

Re: LineageOS is currently installed on 1.5M Android devices

#14

Post by aboringusername »

bsimpson wrote: post #3

Has anyone here looked at the security of Lineage? I know it's a rebrand/fork of Cyanogen, but I don't actually know much about it as a project. It seems to be the only image that works with Waydroid (the Android environment for Linux tablets), but I am not super comfortable entering my passwords into a project I don't know much about.

Lineage is more about convenience and longevity rather than security and privacy. As another commenter said, Graphene is most suitable for this task if it's a major concern.

Take a random device like Google Pixel [1] it runs on a 4.4 kernel, long outdated and no longer maintained by Google. You can explore the code [2] however you are not going to be getting critical security updates (such as those issued by Qualcommm or any closed source blobs/firmware etc, and those released as per the pixel/android security bulletins).

Lineage is more about 'hacking' a kernel and making it work with the latest AOSP when the official software support ends. It's more vulnerable to exploits than a continuously supported device (although even devices that are 'in support' by the OEMs can often be depressingly behind things like patches etc).

Google is trying to fix this within the ecosystem (GKI, Apex etc) but at least as far as custom ROMs go...yeah, don't store state secrets on such a device ;)

[1]: https://wiki.lineageos.org/devices/sailfish/

[2]: https://github.com/LineageOS/android_kernel_google_marlin

Re: LineageOS is currently installed on 1.5M Android devices

#15

Post by bsimpson »

yellow_lead wrote: post #8
bsimpson wrote: post #3

Has anyone here looked at the security of Lineage? I know it's a rebrand/fork of Cyanogen, but I don't actually know much about it as a project. It seems to be the only image that works with Waydroid (the Android environment for Linux tablets), but I am not super comfortable entering my passwords into a project I don't know much about.

If you are concerned with security, you might be interested in GrapheneOS. It has some nice added security features, but only works with Pixel phones. This article has some good info about the security of LineageOS, although the biggest complaint comes from the physical security implications of unlocking the bootloader. https://madaidans-insecurities.github.io/android.html

Thanks!

Since it's running in an emulator, I'm less concerned about bootloader and adb. More concerned about keyloggers, malware, etc.

Re: LineageOS is currently installed on 1.5M Android devices

#16

Post by canistel »

I want to, but I cannot.

Most of the banking or payment applications baulk at getting a whiff of Lineage. You are then forced to play a cat and mouse game which is quite stressful. It is sad that ROM customisation (and rooting) is stigmatised in the Android world.

Re: LineageOS is currently installed on 1.5M Android devices

#17

Post by dheera »

canistel wrote: post #16

I want to, but I cannot. Most of the banking or payment applications baulk at getting a whiff of Lineage. You are then forced to play a cat and mouse game which is quite stressful. It is sad that ROM customisation (and rooting) is stigmatised in the Android world.

Change banks! It's a very easy thing to do to get a new bank account and move your funds over.

Or use the web version instead of the app.

Re: LineageOS is currently installed on 1.5M Android devices

#19

Post by bsimpson »

broodbucket wrote: post #10
reify wrote: post #2

I install Lineage on the phones of the elderly at local care homes and any people who are interested in prolonging the life of their old phones. Poor people can't afford a new phone every two years. When in your 80's you dont need or want the constant nagging of apps pestering you when all you want to do is text and call your family and friends. I use abd to delete/disable every unnecessary useless app and leave them…

I wish there were more incentives for people to develop accessible software experiences. Navigating the digital world is really hard for the elderly but it doesn't have to be that way. I guess this problem will eventually go away as digital native generations are all that exist, but it does feel like we've left a lot of the populace behind (and then bemoan that they don't understand us).

Apple has claimed to be at the forefront of design for decades,but their UIs look just as garbage as many others at elderly font sizes.

It would actually be nice if they shipped a small phone to get regular developers to care about constrained layouts, and then shipped a Pro Max Tab whatever that was the same proportions, but with everything scaled up.

Re: LineageOS is currently installed on 1.5M Android devices

#20

Post by dheera »

duffpkg wrote: post #4

I am pretty hard on phones. Been using lineage for years now on google pixel unlocked phones. 5a and now 6a. I have found both to have some real durability problems. Are there any good alternatives that are unlocked to use with lineage?

The non-"a" are more durable, I think.

Try a Pixel 5, 6, or 7.

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