The installation was very easy! It's very greatful that my data doesn't send to Google any more.
im still waiting for the linux phone of my dreams tbh
Graphene really is the next best thing. If you can get your hands on a used Pixel or splurge for a new one, you won't regret converting. At least until there's a production-ready gnuPhone
I don't really understand why Pixel is that evryone likes/they support.
I can't accept the fact that there is no external sd card support.
I believe I am getting old because I am very stuck on this point, even more than the headphone jack.
Nevermind I just saw Motorola is actually making a deal with gaphene OS. They were my next future phone with sd cards and even styluses- if this goes through, can't wait!
Pixels are the main target of aftermarket ROMs because they are reference Android devices with highly available unlocked developer modes. Most companies producing phones do things like add propriety changes that require substantial workarounds for relatively basic hardware functionality and make it much more difficult to even install an aftermarket ROM.
Really this is all a consequence of capitalism itself and the need to lock in ecosystems to establish controlled markets (allowing for controlling one's own profit). Every phone could be fully unlockable and hackable by the end user, but companies specifically prevent this in order to maximize their own profits.
Apple did a hell of a job teaching people that means it’s more fancy.
I also like having expanded storage. But if you actually care about privacy?
You want the minimum amount of data on your phone at any given time. Your recent camera roll, any cached music and apps, and that is really it. Everything should be offloaded to your private storage ASAP
Because for as shit as google and apple are? You can also remote wipe those devices. less effective if it is a government agent that has it, but it is a thing. And, depending on the storage setup, that sd card might be raw dogging it to begin with.
It is because there are hardware security features that most other Android phones do not support and Graphene OS is going for maximum security and privacy. Besides, they're coming out with their own hardware by partnering with Motorola shortly.
I can't accept the fact that there is no external sd card support.
OK, this is going to sound dismissive, and I really don't mean it to be. But why?
For data transfer, you can still use the USB port (I do it all the time). Other than that, there's more than enough storage available onboard for any reasonable amount of usage. I don't even really keep anything critical on my device at all, so what there is is kind of overkill already.
I just don't understand the need for an SD card with storage being as plentiful now as it is. I want to understand.
I'd argue that Graphene is a better thing since it's based on an OS that's been designed for mobile from the ground up. I expect it's going to be a while before Linux UX on mobile catches up to desktop, but Graphene works great already.
Sad thing is that Linux used to be ahead on phones. Everyone swore by N900 and it was sabotaged by ms buykilling Nokia.
It would've been a cool world if we got Linux that could work seamlessly between desktop and mobile. Imagine if you had architecture where apps were built as services with an API, and then you could connect either desktop or mobile UI to them. Heck, at that point you could even make custom UIs across apps, or pipe them together the way you do with shell scripts. And then you could also have a device like a phone which has all your apps and data, and you could plug it into a dock with more memory, GPU, etc. So, you wouldn't have to juggle a bunch of devices and sync data between them.
Is it actually usable for everyday stuff though? I heard that bank apps are pain in the ass among other things. Maybe this new deal with Motorola changes things.
Welcome to the fold!
Just a heads up, GOS doesn't recommend the F-droid app as apparently there's some security concerns. SideOfBurritos on YouTube talks more about it. An app like Droidify or Neo Store would be better and still uses the same F-Droid repositories. I use and really like Obtanium which allows you to download and manage apps directly from their websites, GitHub, F-Droid, & more.
Seconded on Obtainium. Basically any FOSS app is gonna have a repo there with releases regardless, and you can always just use an f-droid repository if they only publish releases there.
Plus, way easier to export a list of installed apps to restore them at a later date!
and you can always just use an f-droid repository if they only publish releases there.
So Obtainium users can install F-Droid apps through Obtainium?
Yes, Obtainium supports installing from F-Droid repos. It's a bit more of a pain compared to using something like F-Droid, though.
Yep! It's not the same experience as F-Droid (e.g. it's not gonna be you scrolling through a list of apps, picking the one you want, and hitting install. Obtainium is more of a "get the URL to where the app's releases are, paste it in here, add it, then hit install, plus you might have to do a little config so it selects the right release if there are multiple", but once it's set up, it's set up.
I fully replaced the F-Droid app with Obtainium for actually installing and updating apps, but I still keep the F-Droid app around just because I can go on there, search up apps, do a little browsing, then take the app I want and put it in Obtainium.
Good to know. Any informative reads on this? I like burritos but prefer them as the main dish.
How do you take a picture of your phone?
With my AI nightmare camera glasses!
You have to be really, really fast. But it can be done. I find that if you can accurately speak in dial up tones to your phone, you should be able to snap a photo while you’re communicating with it.
Wait, how did you take a picture of you taking a picture of your phone?
Welcome ! Quick tip: Google has a database of cell towers that helps getting a location quickly and helps starting the GPS connection even indoors.
You don't have that on GOS. So when you use localization with organic maps, you'll notice it struggle to find you. You have to have a clear view to the sky to get a ping and then you can use it inside your car for example.
I also use https://github.com/barbeau/gpstest to get the ping more quickly.
GrapheneOS has some services of its own that improve location speed and accuracy when enabled: SUPL and PSDS. They're both implemented in ways that try to preserve privacy. See here for more info:
https://grapheneos.org/faq#default-connections
With these enabled, it's usually quick to get your precise location.
You can improve a coverage alternative with one of the many apps which discover and upload cell towers to Beacon DB.
You can always add widgets if you want something to break up the gridded icons. 🫡 Welcome to the fam.
Welcome to serenity in the middle of the storm. Isn't it great at first boot after install where you only have a clean canvas with a couple of apps and absolutely no bloat?
Does anyone know if Google pay and banking apps from India (UPI) work on GOS? Pretty much impossible to live in an Indian city without these apps now
Unless something has changed in the past couple years, google pay doesn't work.
Here's a compatibility list for banking apps: link
I just got a Pixel 9 last week and put GrapheneOS on it. Couldn't be happier with it so far. The install was completely painless using web installer. All my apps worked out of the box. Google Store works fine in the sandbox. UX is good, and you don't have any of the crap Google normally loads like all the adaptive services, and all the other junk that runs in the background.
Welcome!
I DID IT TODAY IM SO HAPPY!
Privacy has become a very important issue in modern society, with companies and governments constantly abusing their power, more and more people are waking up to the importance of digital privacy.
In this community everyone is welcome to post links and discuss topics related to privacy.
much thanks to @gary_host_laptop for the logo design :)
