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GrapheneOS – Break Free from Google and Apple

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Re: GrapheneOS – Break Free from Google and Apple

#691

Post by strcat »

nisten wrote: post #393

I switch from iPhone to a pixel 9 fold, and installed graphene after 2 weeks on stock android. Look, it's better than stock android overall, UI much more simplified even though it gives you a lot more security control, battery feels slightly longer, but there are drawbacks, i.e. twitter/x wouldn't install, neither would my bank's app. However from time to time I go to use iOS on the iphone and it just feels like bett…

You can bypass Play Store restrictions on app installs by using Aurora Store. There's a high chance your banking app can be used but it may require toggling the per-app exploit protection compatibility mode. Most banking apps work on GrapheneOS. X is one of extremely few apps disallowing using a non-Google-certified OS but it only partially disallows it in their store listing which can be worked around and for regular password login. Login is still possible to X via a passkey or Google login. X should stop doing that but they're quite understaffed and did this as a misguided anti-spam measure.

Re: GrapheneOS – Break Free from Google and Apple

#692

Post by drnick1 »

edbaskerville wrote: post #292

Switched to this from Apple a year and a half ago. Works for most things. Unexpectedly, replacement apps lack polish. Also, RCS works very inconsistently (been without it for months), seems to be Google's fault. There may be workarounds, but I haven't had the energy to try the more complicated suggestions. I am probably going to switch back to a used old iPhone for "phone appliance" tasks, but keep around the Pixel f…

> Also, RCS works very inconsistently (been without it for months), seems to be Google's fault.

The best thing would be to switch to Signal (Molly) for texting.

Re: GrapheneOS – Break Free from Google and Apple

#693

Post by MaroonBear »

realusername wrote: post #52
SockThief wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Consider this (by Graphene OS): https://discuss.grapheneos.org/d/24134-devices-lacking-stand... /e/OS community talking about it: https://community.e.foundation/t/article-from-grapheneos-abo... And then maybe this: https://eylenburg.github.io/android_comparison.htm Hope that helps.

I like GrapheneOS but they fail to understand in this post that the #1 security concern an android user face is the lack of privacy. Sure they have hardened everything but realistically, that's not the main threat for your average user. Their top contribution to android is the sandboxed Google Play, by far.

[dead]

Re: GrapheneOS – Break Free from Google and Apple

#694

Post by palata »

seba_dos1 wrote: post #545
palata wrote: post #218

Earlier quoted context omitted.

AOSP is Android without the Google proprietary stuff (and without the manufacturer proprietary stuff, e.g. Samsung's). If you install bare AOSP, it will look like the Android on a Pixel phone, but the biggest difference you will see is that it won't have the Play Services or some Google apps. If you want to be a certified Android system (like all Android manufacturers do), you have to port AOSP to your hardware, inst…

You're confused. To quote Google's documentation: > To build an Android-compatible mobile device, follow this three-step process: > 1. Using AOSP, implement Android on your device. > 2. Ensure your device complies with the Android Compatibility Definition Document. The CDD enumerates the software and hardware requirements for an Android-compatible device. > 3. Pass the Compatibility Test Suite (CTS). Use the CTS as a…

Just like Linux can mean "the Linux kernel" or "a Linux distribution" in "common use of the terms", Android can mean "a device that can legally be advertised using the Android trademark" or "whatever looks like Android to people".

Now when someone says "Break free from Android... by installing Android?", either they are having fun by using the two different meanings in the same sentence, or they are confused and genuinely believe that using GrapheneOS does not allow you to break free from the system running on a device that can legally be advertised using the Android trademark.

To that, I answer that GrapheneOS is not a system that can legally be advertised using the Android trademark, but rather a system that is based on what is commonly (and can legally be) called AOSP, which is made of the open source codebase that builds the system that can legally be advertised as Android.

Similarly, in a discussion about kernels, Android is a Linux system, but in a discussion about OSes, Android is not a Linux system. If I write an article about "breaking free from Linux by using Android", where the context makes it exceedingly clear that I'm talking about Linux as an OS and not Linux as a kernel, and you say "it makes no sense, you're talking about breaking free from Linux by installing... Linux", then I think you're confused. As in: you did not understand what the article was talking about.

Re: GrapheneOS – Break Free from Google and Apple

#695

Post by strcat »

lanfeust6 wrote: post #334

I use this and lineage, but in a few years time this could be moot if Google decides to completely lock down devices. That leaves commercial options like Fairphone

Fairphone is far from meeting the update and security requirements for GrapheneOS. It isn't a viable platform for a hardened OS to use and isn't likely to ever become one due to security being very far from a priority for them.

GrapheneOS has a partnership with one of the largest Android OEMs. They're going to be announcing it in March 2026. Devices meeting all of the update and security requirements from them with official GrapheneOS support are planned for 2027. We don't expect future Pixels to prevent installing GrapheneOS but we'll be fine if they do. We'd still like to keep supporting new Pixels but they'll become a secondary option in the future since there will be devices with official support.

Re: GrapheneOS – Break Free from Google and Apple

#697

Post by strcat »

imcritic wrote: post #263
backscratches wrote: post #159

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I commented elsewhere but GrapheneOS on Pixels actively siphon resources from Google and is arguably a good protest against google. They subsidize Pixel hardware (to incentivize users to adopt their spyware OS), you (buying used obviously) take their subsidized hardware and do not repay them by using their spyware, replacing it with Graphene. Only google loses. Their hardware is technically very good otherwise (in fa…

How about they start supporting more devices instead?

There are currently no other devices meeting the update and security requirements. GrapheneOS is partnered with a major Android OEM working on making devices meeting all of those requirements along with providing official GrapheneOS support. The devices are planned for 2027 but is being announced by the OEM in March 2026 so people will know which OEM it is soon.

Re: GrapheneOS – Break Free from Google and Apple

#698

Post by strcat »

mathfailure wrote: post #639
backscratches wrote: post #443

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Good news they are making their own devices. But until then pixels are technically the most secure android devices and graphene would not be as robust on other devices.

No, there are no such news yet, only hearsay.

It has been officially stated that GrapheneOS is partnered with a major Android OEM working on making devices meeting all of those requirements along with providing official GrapheneOS support. The devices are planned for 2027 but is being announced by the OEM in March 2026 so people will know which OEM it is soon.

Re: GrapheneOS – Break Free from Google and Apple

#699

Post by palata »

strcat wrote: post #669
palata wrote: post #111

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I am really hoping that other phone manufacturers will eventually realise that and start making phones that can be supported by GOS.

GrapheneOS was contacted by one of the largest Android OEMs in June 2025 and we're actively working with them. They're going to be announcing our partnership in March 2026 and the phones meeting our requirements with official GrapheneOS support are scheduled for 2027.

March? Wow that it huge! Congrats!
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