Not trying to be dense, but what is the point of Graphene OS? I’ve seen it mentioned in circles of de-googling and privacy but I’m not exactly sure what the differences are between it and regular Android. Will my day to day experience be very different? Or is it mostly the same but has privacy/security stuff working in the background?
I have a Pixel 6 Pro I bought used, and would be interested in something like this if it means distancing my data away from Google.
generally, it separates core functions of your phone from google, and lets you decide how much data to share with google via permissions (can be none, can be like stock android), just like any other app.
they also put lots of work into hardening the os against attacks such as the ones used by police and spyware companies to unlock phones, and are basically the only phone configuration consistently safe against those companies.
the day to day experience is pretty much the same as stock android, as long as you install google services. main issues with it (I have heard, I haven’t ran into these on my install) are some banking apps, and google pay doesn’t work.
Does Revolut work on it again?
I’m about to install Graphene on my LG v60 as I accidentally bricked my old one while degoogling.
Always back up your files, kids.
I want to try it on my pixel 6A but I’ve never done anything like that, so I’m hesitant…
Seeing the positive reviews on this post gives me a little more confidence though!
I want to try graphene on my pixel 8 but since it’s my only phone and I unfortunately still need to rely on some Google products I can’t risk it
Been running it for years and I’m still using Gmail and Maps. No issues. There’s lots of info surrounding the topic of using Play Services etc on GrapheneOS.
GrapheneOS is made for people who still need some Google products. You can run everything full Google mode, with Playstore, GCam, etc… But better and privacy-respecting.
Of course not installing anything Google would be even better. But that’s it: with GrapheneOS you have a choice.
Yeah, but you have to buy a Google Pixel phone to use it.
It would be awesome if FairPhone supported Graphene OS
I got my phone free from a screw up at Amazon.
Buy a used one
Just installed GrapheneOS on a used Pixel 8A this week. Started using it full time yesterday! If anyone has any questions about the install or use, let me know! I’m new to Lemmy so I’m not sure how (or if) notifications work, but I’ll try my best.
Nothing makes me chuckle more than blocking the complaint notifications from Google that it needs to be let out of its sandbox.
Enjoy! I’ve had graphene os for years now on multiple pixel A phones. I couldn’t live without it at this point. It is such a great thing to have when all other OSs are doing everything they can to slurp up your data.
Same with OpenBSD!
I didn’t know that before! That’s so cool.
They’re Canadian just like Arch Linux!
Arch is Canadian?!? That’s so cool. I’ll be thinking of it next time I’m building my computer.
They’re Canadian just like Arch Linux!
I knew there was an intangible quality about Arch I liked.
Huh arch is Canadian. Hmm might have to move from fedora. I have never liked how much control red hat has over it.
I want to get into grapheneOS, but am not ready to buy a >$500 Pixel phone to try it atm.
I ran e/OS on an old OnePlus for a year, quite close to GrapheneOS and mostly just as free of Google. There are plenty of options out there to run a degoogled Android these days.
But yes, running GrapheneOS on a brand new Pixel Pro right now, couldn’t be happier.
i got a pixel 8a used for cheap. installing grapheneOS was a breeze and took less than 10 minutes following their guide (i watched a youtube video in advance as well, but did not factor in the time.)
installed f-droid and aurora and have access to all apps i need, avoiding what i need to avoid :)
i still have my one plus with google services and apps like whatsapp that i will slowly transition away from. i biggest problem is that i can easily switch to communication apps like threema and signal (and have years ago) - but the sad truth is that many of my contacts are still on whatsapp
I have a very similar story about moving from a OnePlus to a Pixel 8A. I am using fenced google play for now, ill check out f-droid and aurora.
To the OP of this comment thread, I got the phone for $450 (open box, new) from a Canadian company (Swiftronics).
Good news! Some pixels are available for less than that.
The pixel tablet is ~$300 and also runs GOS
I’ve been using Graphene for 2 years on a (at the time) $400 Pixel 6 Pro - I’m sure you can find a cheap Pixel 6, 6a, or even 6 Pro, to try it out. The 7 might also be in that ballpark now?
I was mostly looking to get one of the 7, 8, or 9 models, since grapheneOS plans to support those for the next 7 years
It’s actually starting with the 8 unfortunately. If you’re willing to go used you can probably get an 8a for ~$400.
A quick local search shows quite a few sub-$300 used Pixel 7, youmight be able to find something in that range?
I want to see someone chime here in using their Lemmy.ca account on connect on Graphene OS.
I did not get around to installing it, was pretty wiped after work, I’ll try again tomorrow
I’ve got a pixel pro i can install it on after work today
I am not using connect, but eternity on my pixel 7a with GOS.
Hello! 👋
