I was thinking about using graphene OS, but I’ve read some lemmy users dislike this OS due to perceived misleading advertising and the pixel 7a you’re supposed to install graphene on because it’s from google (an advertising company).

Another option would be lineage OS, but there is so much false information about this OS, namely compatible phones that simply don’t work with this OS and no support.

what works for you? I want a phone with no google, that doesn’t force me to use the manufacturer’s ecosystem and that won’t show the apps I don’t want or need (on an asus I own you cannot neither get rid nor hide bloatware)

  • Guenther_Amanita@slrpnk.net
    7811·
    3 months ago

    GrapheneOS is probably the best option out there.

    As you said, it’s only for Pixels currently, because

    1. They are more secure than most other phones. They have some kind of chip built in that makes them superior. I don’t know the specifics, but other commentators might add some information if needed. Something with encryption if I remember correctly. The GrapheneOS team is a bit …picky… when it comes to security, and most other phones don’t reach their requirements for a secure device.
    2. Google is one major contributor to Android, and their phones are fine tuned to work perfectly with it. Other manufacturers’ phones feel less polished.
    3. It’s easier to maintain one line of devices that are very similar, instead of keeping hundred phones up to date and secure. Pixels are similar to iPhones, they get updated almost simultaneously and are similar. If you now add a phone from a different line, e.g. a Fairphone or Nothing Phone, things get more complicated. If you look at Calyx (more onto that later), the FP4 caused quite some headaches for the dev team.

    Pixels are cheap(ish) for what you get, and I believe Google makes them so cheap because 99% of users don’t care which ROM/OS is installed. Those are the advertisment-cows that will get milked. If you buy a Pixel and install a custom ROM on it, they will loose money.

    My experience with GrapheneOS has been great. My Pixel 5 hit EOL a while ago and still gets maintenance updates almost weekly.
    Many security additions are overkill for me, but quite some make a lot of sense.

    I used CalyxOS for a year too, but now that I don’t get full updates anymore, I don’t feel safe anymore with it.

    I think GrapheneOS is technically superior to Calyx, especially due to the sandboxing they do. MicroG has full root privileges and can do with your phone what it wants, while also breaking some apps due to missing dependencies. If you choose to enable Play Services on GrapheneOS, they are user level and heavily restricted, and only you decide how much access you want to give them.

    Regarding Calyx, since they don’t limit themselves as much in terms of security, they also offer a ROM for the Fairphone. Maybe check that out too.

    DivestOS also seems to be a good option. AFAIK it’s based on LineageOS and supports a lot of devices, while being more secure than LOS.

    Regarding Linux phones, I don’t have any experience with them. I tried Phosh (Mobile Gnome) on an exhibition a while ago, and it felt great and interesting, but from what I’ve heard, they are nowhere as good as Android.

    My personal ranking:

    1. GrapheneOS on a Pixel. Get an used/ refurbished device if you don’t want to support Google. Best price-performance ratio, great OS, and very good hardware (battery life, camera, etc.)
    2. CalyxOS on a Fairphobe. Modular device with good repairability. Nowhere near as good in terms of what you’ll get for your money. Better security than 95% of other phone ROMs, oh, and you can just swap your battery in seconds if you want that :D
    3. DivestOS on a random supported phone, e.g. a China device. Nowhere near as sustainable (short lived update support, no spare parts, etc.)
    4. Linux phone. Only a good option for a tinkering device right now imo.
    • Emotet@slrpnk.net
      172·
      3 months ago

      Great synopsis!

      The cool thing about GrapheneOS: It provides basically all the comforts and usability as any Android (stock) ROM minus some compatibility issues with a portion of Google Apps and services (Google Pay doesn’t and probably will never work, for example) while providing state-of-the-art security and privacy if you choose to utilize those features. A modern Pixel with up-to-date GrapheneOS, configured the right way, is literally the most secure and private smartphone you can get today.

    • CrabAndBroom@lemmy.mlEnglish
      5·
      3 months ago

      Same here, I have an old Pixel 4a that still gets security updates from GrapheneOS. Banking apps and Amazon don’t seem to like it, but I don’t mind just doing those on my laptop anyway.

    • teawrecks@sopuli.xyz
      3·
      3 months ago
      1. Linux phone. Only a goof option for a tinkering device right now imo.

      Honestly not sure if you mean “good” or actually meant “goof” there lol

    • boredsquirrel@slrpnk.net
      1·
      3 months ago

      DivestOS also has longer somewhat-support for Pixels. But GrapheneOS still ships some updates to my 4a so not sure about that

    • KindaABigDyl@programming.dev
      46·
      3 months ago

      Also, as for reasoning for choosing a Pixel, Pixels are not really a product for Google but rather a device for Google employees to test things on but as a consequence can be sold as well. This makes them perfect for hacking

  • GolfNovemberUniform@lemmy.ml
    37·
    3 months ago

    I use LineageOS because my phone is not a Pixel and it works fine for me. If you don’t want to pay Google for a Pixel, buy a used one. Other than that LOS is fine. It doesn’t have anonymization features like /e/OS or something like that but it doesn’t force nor promote any apps or ecosystems (except for Seedvault but it’s not a big deal) and it is FOSS

    • tritonium@midwest.social
      82·
      3 months ago

      I have a Pixel and LineageOS is the best by far. Freedom to root, which I absolutely want… I want full control over my devices. I’m extremely picky about how every little thing runs and works in my phone and I can only get it with root. You can’t get root with GraphenOS without a huge pain in the ass with updates.

      It’s hilarious people install GrapheneOS and think they are better off because Google services are installed as user apps instead of system. You lose as soon as you install them either way. They are getting the data they are after no matter if it’s installed as a user app or system app.

      But anyway, I’ve been running LineagOS since it used to be Cynogenmod over 10 years ago. It’s the most established and reliable while remaining open to customization by far.

      • GolfNovemberUniform@lemmy.ml
        7·
        3 months ago

        Unfortunately 90% of privacy-conscious people can’t live without Google services because Google Meet, banking apps and other Play Integrity needing stuff

        • Handles@leminal.spaceEnglish
          6·
          3 months ago

          That’s literally what MicroG is for, though. Spoof the Play store and GSF, no data in or out. I think a good part of that “90%” you mention knows about that solution?

          • GolfNovemberUniform@lemmy.ml
            2·
            3 months ago

            But that’s what GrapheneOS uses afaik. The person I replied to said that LineageOS (a fully vanilla ROM) with root (which breaks banking apps) is a better solution. I agree but I added that the mentioned solution is really not for most people.

        • smeg@feddit.ukEnglish
          2·
          3 months ago

          I don’t imagine that many privacy-conscious people are using Google Meet!

            • smeg@feddit.ukEnglish
              1·
              3 months ago

              Surely you wouldn’t have to use it on your phone then, just on a desktop browser?

                • smeg@feddit.ukEnglish
                  2·
                  3 months ago

                  Why would school or work require you to specifically use Google meet on the phone app? Surely you’d use a school computer or your work-provided laptop, never needing to have play services on your personal device.

  • Citizen@lemmy.ml
    311·
    3 months ago

    I’m using /e/ os for more than 3 years on different devices (with some customizations) and it works like a charm. An important aspect is that you can install e on any phone that has the bootloader unlock and supports GSIs - theoreticaly any device that runs Android > 9

    /e/ has a gsi image which is neat!

    I don’t use nor promote any banking apps or other G**gle/proprietary dependendent apps.

    Why nobody talks more about e.foundation /e/ OS?

    Enlighten me please 🙂

    • fiercekitten@lemm.eeEnglish
      2·
      3 months ago

      I would love to try /e/, but for some reason there is no support for the Sony Xperia 1 iii.

      In fact, LineageOS is my only option, and after a bunch of time spent learning how to set it up and tweaking it to meet my needs, it’s mostly fantastic. My biggest complaints are missing camera features and no easy way to do OS updates while maintaining root.

      If anyone knows of a way to automate the process of regaining root after updates, please tell me!

      • Handles@leminal.spaceEnglish
        9·
        3 months ago

        Banking (and some digital ID) apps are notoriously difficult to run on degoogled custom ROMs because they will often check for Google services and bootloader lock/root status at startup. I’ve jumped through so many hoops to hide root, spoof GSF etc. In the end I resorted to just using my bank’s website…

        • fernandu00@lemmy.ml
          3·
          3 months ago

          You’re lucky to use the website… All my banking apps need the app to login to their website. I open the app, it crashes and complains about not being a reliable system. Tried magisk and all those modules…only one of them works after all the hoops.

          • pedroapero@lemmy.ml
            1·
            3 months ago

            Yeah that’s unbelievable, I had the same experience! You must never install your bank app, otherwise it will start always requiring it.

        • trilobite@lemmy.ml
          21·
          3 months ago

          I confirm too that banking apps on /e/ is a bit of a nightmare. But I used /e/ for 3 years or so and was very happy until I moved to GrapheneOS.

          • Citizen@lemmy.ml
            42·
            3 months ago

            Not need to force anyone to use anything mate!

            Here is my personal example: I made my choices a long time ago…

            I ditched ANY:

            • M$ related product/service;
            • ALL Meta (as in Wazaaap);
            • closed source apps;
            • i have 0 IoTs around my ass, but a nice computer infrastructure built in more than a few decades;
            • no friends around with i Phones …

            AND still I need to do so much about privacy and my life in general and I continue to learn & apply as much as I can…

            Also, I kindly invited and explained others why I choose to ditch products/software/companies/people that do not respect Humans in general and consider all of as as being just dumb “assets”…

            Indeed it feels lonely sometimes, but i prefer the silence rather than noise/propaganda/parotting/or really any kind of bullshit.

            Peace!

  • Possibly linux@lemmy.zipEnglish
    202·
    3 months ago

    There isn’t any Foss phone. Graphene os and everything else requires proprietary software for the modem to operate at a minimum.

    If you are ok with some proprietary software go with Lineage OS.

    For devices that support Lineage OS go here: https://wiki.lineageos.org/devices/

  • sic_semper_tyrannis@lemmy.todayEnglish
    16·
    3 months ago

    I’ve used Lineage on multiple devices, Calyx, and Graphene. Graphene by far has the least issues (basically none), and the best compatibility in my experiences. Being able to relock the boot loader is perfect for a mobile device too.

  • Kilgore Trout@feddit.it
    16·
    3 months ago

    I’ve read some lemmy users dislike this OS due to perceived misleading advertising and the pixel 7a you’re supposed to install graphene on because it’s from google

    There is no misleading advertisement. Go with Graphene if you own a Pixel (from Pixel 5 up) or you can find a cheap second-hand one.

    there is so much false information about this OS, namely compatible phones that simply don’t work

    Care to share which devices are you talking about? If a device is officially supported by the latest LineageOS version, it works.

  • Lotsen@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
    16·
    3 months ago

    Calyxos user here. I like it so far. Half a year into it. I can live with microg instead of gms. And it also works on moto g32, 42 and 52 so you don’t need Google hardware.

  • federalreverse-old@feddit.de
    171·
    3 months ago

    I use Calyx on a Fairphone 4. It’s not totally degooglified, since it comes with MicroG which is used to connect to Google services. I use Aurora Store and a couple of original Google Apps like Gboard too (none of my Google apps can access the internet, since they’re behind the built-in firewall). It works well except call functionality which can be wonky and there’s the issue that a lot of apps from Play don’t work well with MicroG. I only use a small selection of Play apps though, so it doesn’t bother me too much.

      • Count042@lemmy.ml
        7·
        3 months ago

        I was about to answer this, but decided I didn’t want that information in public.

        However, the bank I use, which is a largish one, has an app that I’ve installed with the aurora store without microg or google play services on divestos and it complains that it won’t work without gsf, but it works fine after clicking ok.

      • SeekPie@lemm.ee
        4·
        3 months ago

        Depends on the bank’s app. I have CRDroid (LineageOS fork I think) and my local bank apps have either full support or no support for biometrics (everything else works).

      • tiramichu@lemm.ee
        3·
        3 months ago

        My banking apps work fine on Calyx.

        Banking apps normally check for rooted phones as the thing they don’t like. Because pixels come with an unlocked bootloader, you don’t need to root the phone to install a custom ROM, and so banking apps are still okay.

      • federalreverse-old@feddit.de
        2·
        3 months ago

        I never bothered with banking apps. (Outside of the virtual debit card app from my bank. That one did install successfully. However, I never got try out in store because it deleted my virtual card after a few days and I didn’t care enough to set it up again.)

  • Gert@lemmy.nzEnglish
    215·
    3 months ago

    GrapheneOS is perfect. Pixel phones are Google hardware yes, but works like a dream once GOS is installed. NO MORE GOOGLE !!! Frequent OS updates, love it