7 Things You Should Know Before Switching to GrapheneOS

www.howtogeek.com /7-things-you-should-know-before-switching-to-graphene-os/

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www.howtogeek.com /7-things-you-should-know-before-switching-to-graphene-os/

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Here's a summary of the article and the seven key points mentioned about switching to GrapheneOS:
Summary: The article discusses GrapheneOS, a secure, privacy-focused mobile operating system based on Android. It highlights the benefits of switching to GrapheneOS, its features, compatibility, and user experience. The article also addresses potential concerns and provides information on reverting to standard Android if desired.
The seven things you should know before switching to GrapheneOS:
Compatibility: Currently only supported on Google Pixel devices (Pixel 3 or newer) due to their strong hardware-based security features.
App compatibility: Most apps are compatible, but some may require alternatives. A sandboxed version of Google Play can be installed for popular apps.
User interface: Similar to standard Android, but with enhanced privacy controls and a decluttered, ad-free experience.
Regular updates: Frequent security updates are provided to protect against the latest threats.
Community support: A dedicated community of users and developers is available to offer help and tips.
Reversibility: It's possible to switch back to standard Android if you don't like GrapheneOS.
Privacy and security features: Includes end-to-end encryption, revocable permissions, randomized MAC addresses, and strict app data access controls.
- Ty for the summary ChatGPT
  
  Haha no worries 😅 I always appriciate summarys myself so I thought I would pay it forward
  
  That's actually pretty rude to call someone a bot.
- Thank you for this.
  
  No problems 😄
- standard android?
  you/they mean the OEM operating system right?
  
  Yes. You can go back to stock.
  
  Or any other rom, really. Stock, which is the Google version of Android, but the pixel line is well supported by lineage and other variants.
  
  Right. It's different in that it lacks Google Framework Service, and adds a bunch of privacy controls, like additional quick toggles to control the cameras, and microphone, the way other Android can quick toggle the flashlight and location servcies and bluetooth.
  The biggest thing is substantially more granular per app permissions, controlled from a calentral interface in settings.
- good human
- No mention of the mental instability of the founder and the toxicity of the Dev team?
  
  this could be said about many popular open source projects

I love graphene as much as the next guy, but this article is pretty terrible. Badly researched, just spitting out talking points that are either flat out wrong, not the point of graphene or just scratching the surface. Look up the graphene homepage, if you actually want useful info.

It Feels Almost Like Android... But It Isn't
So what is it?
- I think what they attribute to that "android feel", is google spying on them at every turn.

Can someone give an example of an app that doesn’t work? I always hear about apps that do work, but is it mostly banking or some other category that doesn’t work typically?
- Anything that uses NFC payments.
  
  <end of list>
  Some banking apps allegedly don't work but i have never encountered one. If your bank has a mobile accessible website, it's basically a non-issue.
- Like you said, banking apps. The logic behind that is they use google to security check their apps. A random non-bank example would be the slick deals app. Without play services it would just open then crash.
  Many apps use play services for their notification system. So for instance, proton mail works fine but notifications do not.
  NFC is not supported, so anything that uses that won't work.
  Not an app, but I was surprised that widgets don't work unless you're in the primary profile. Technically they work on any profile, but they randomly get deleted, and frequently. It's a known bug that probably will never get fixed because the source of it comes from stock android.
  I will mention that you can have a profile running play services, which gives you access to many apps that wouldnt normally work. And it's sandboxed so it has less impact on your information (I don't know all the specifics but it does limit in some way how much it can snoop into the rest of the OS). Then you can also set up granular controls on your apps to limit them from snooping.
  
  Thanks! I don’t think this will work for me. Where I live, most of the payments are made directly through banking apps by scanning a qr-code.
- Random applications that use the play integrity API won’t work on any third party OSes or ROMs. For example I tried to install some Intuit app on my GOS Pixel a while back (credit karma I think?) and it didn’t work at all

I would love to make the switch, but I am certain that absolutely zero of my government mandated apps will run on this thing.
- WTF do you mean "gvt mandated apps" !?!
  
  Mandated is the wrong word. "Required for absolutely everything" is more precise. In Denmark you need an app called "MitID" to do any kind of digital verification. You can't do online purchases, banking or digital bureaucracy without it.
- My government ID app works fine. Maybe try it first?
  
  mitid recently implemented play integrity, it should still work if previously installed but new installations don't work (https://discuss.grapheneos.org/d/1520-status-of-mitid-app/279)

While it's not nearly as customizable as an Ubuntu kernel, it's still easy to make your GrapheneOS look and feel exactly how you want it to, within reason.
WTF is it supposed to mean?

Does android auto work? Last I herd it did not...
- It does
  
  Neat.
  
  Well, now I know what my next phone is. Does it work on the latest Pixel or does it have to be a previous version?

If you want to know if an app works, you can start here: https://plexus.techlore.tech/ Still a young project so contributions are welcomed!
If you don't have a Pixel like me, you can check out: https://e.foundation/ Runs since 3 years on my Fairphone 3 and gets better with every update
- Ironically, Plexus currently crashes and won't open on GrapheneOS. Both 2.0.3 on F-Droid and 2.0.6 on IzzyOnDroid.
- I'm not sure how to read the Plexus entries, and they don't seem to be clickable. Would you mind explaining how to use the site in a meaningful way?

As a GrapheneOS user, I approve this message.

Unfortunately, Tinder doesn't work and that is helpful to get in touch with the ladies. That app is too hell bent on location data which GOS handles more privately.
NFC should work, it is just scheduled to be deactivated after 3 months if not used for security reasons.
I think GOS is very user friendly and has many positive privacy and security enhancements. I would like to see if they can surpass sandboxed Google Play and officially support other repositories and updaters like Accrescent. Also, a standard way of securing traffic beyond encrypted DNS would be good such as a tor client like Orbot.
Looking into the Veilid ecosystem might also be a source for further development ideas.
- just use grindr instead like I do
  
  GrapheneOS also made me give up my heterosexuality /j
  
  One group of people who ain't suffering from being lonely in today's America
- you can setup seperate peofiles and jeep your GOS apps seperate from your open source app profile. that's what I do.
  Also accresent is already a part if the GrapheneOS appstore.

For how long will the older pixel phones be supported? Is it worth it to buy a cheaper older model like pixel 6 and have graphene in it?
Cause I'm not giving more than 200-300 for a phone. I'll stick to cheap android phones that lack nothing compared to expensive phones for my needs.
- https://endoflife.date/pixel This is for googles support. GOS may support a specific device a little longer than google but does not promise to and recomends getting a newer device.
  Pixel 8a looks real good right now.
  
  Wait what do the android updates have to do with Graphene? Does the phone need to still be supported by Google and android for Graphene to be secure and work?
  
  5a is EoL so no headphone jack for you. This is a nonstarter for portable devices to me.
- My 7a cost $300 this summer. Very expensive for me but I don't regret. 8 is around $400 in that store now that 9 is out, maybe it would drop in price with time (or as 9a comes out?).
- They have a list of dates on their FAQ for different devices. It sounds like you may get a few more years beyond when Google cuts off official support. https://grapheneos.org/faq#device-lifetime
- You can just run Lineage OS with MicroG or Calyx OS. If you have all Foss apps you probably don't even need MicroG

Tried to switch to graphene for a bit. Way too many apps don't work in it.
- Could you elaborate? I've switched just to check it out and never moved back.
- But out of curiosity what apps didn't work for you that were deal breakers?
- Maybe that can help you
  
  Oh. I tried a bit before giving up. But lack of compatibility plus the insanely unreliable pixel battery just made me switch back to iPhone.
  Thank you for the link though.

NFC payments also don't work. Non-starter for me
- Is it because of your particular bank or is that a general problem?
  
  google wallet in general will not work.
  also bank apps utilizing NFC is not a thing in the US

Android Auto is borked and most camera features
- Android Auto works fine for me and google camera also works fine.
  
  The camera works but I was talking about it but the Google image processing features.
- Android auto also works fine for me. I haven't used an android phone in years so I can only compair it to apple car play. There are extra configuration steps to make it work but its not hard (just have to read some messages and go through some menus)
  Apple car play "just works".
  
  Comment on GrapheneOS, an Android custom ROM while touting Apple in same thread.
  👍

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