cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/1247902

Why YSK GrapheneOS is a step above the rest. I understand it’s ironic de-google phone/tablet with google hardware, but it just works better then anything else. Permission toggles, pin scrambling, auto-reboot, scopes, MAC randomization, isolated user profiles, longer passwords, sandboxed apps, open source firmware, no bloat & the battery life is incredible now.

I hope people understand how easy it is to move to Linux & GrapheneOS full time & remove Apple, Google, Microsoft etc. It exceeded expectations so much so that I want to share it with other people. I cannot recommend this enough to improve your life. #FOSS

Saw this, and thought it was a rather interesting comments section. Seems like an active discreditation campaign going on. Focussing on past maintainer and the fact it doesn’t work with 2 questionable bits of functionality (Google pay + Auto). Why would I want either in a privacy phone?

    • Huschke@programming.dev
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      1 year ago

      The good news is that it’s also available for the Pixel a-series (4a, 5a, 6a, …) which are fairly cheap.

    • AncientMariner@lemmy.worldOP
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      1 year ago

      Yeah, I’d like the project to expand to others, but I think currently it relies on unlocking the bootloader, installing a new OS and relocking the bootloader and not many hardware manufacturers provide that right now.

      I think without Pixel, there are a few things like Lineage (and I’m not sure about e/os) if the hardware isn’t something you’re going for. Other mobile linux isn’t quite ready and needs time.

  • Discola@lemmy.fmhy.ml
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    1 year ago

    I’ve been using it for a few months now and it’s been super easy. The only things I miss are mobile pay and Android auto

    • RelentlessArts@feddit.uk
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      1 year ago

      Same here for mobile pay, car is not new enough to benefit much from auto though lol. According to the devs both are possible it just requires some development time.

      • Discola@lemmy.fmhy.ml
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        1 year ago

        Haha I know, it’s anathema to admit that there is any benefit to existing inside the walled gardens, but acknowledging shortcomings is the first step towards improvement.

        These are also edge cases to me, and overall I’m super pleased with Graphene OS. I don’t own a car so Android auto is only missed when renting a car on vacation, and I can bring an old backup phone for that, and I just remember to bring my wallet and credit cards with me now that I can’t tap to pay.

        But I know there are people these would be a deal breaker for, so wanted to call them out. It is remarkable how well it all works though!

        • AncientMariner@lemmy.worldOP
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          1 year ago

          Fair point. Probably quite risky to only bring a phone on holiday though in case it gets stolen. I couldn’t fathom that personally.

          I’ve not rented a car abroad personally so don’t know much about what that app provides.

          I guess those that consider them deal breakers probably aren’t ready to degoogle. That’s fine, and it’s a very personal choice for individuals. Maybe Android -> ios may work better for them if privacy is something on their appetite.

  • featured@lemmy.ml
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    1 year ago

    I use mobile payment nearly every day, i don’t think it’s productive to say that people shouldn’t want it in an otherwise private phone anymore than saying sandboxed Google play services are unnecessary in a private phone. These things bridge the gaps that stop people from making the switch, it’s good to support them

    • AncientMariner@lemmy.worldOP
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      1 year ago

      Yes, but with payments, it’s high risk and complex. Payment providers want full control of their environment. Google aren’t going to be comfortable rubber stamping degoogled phones. Saying, “hi google, can i get away from your spying, but can i have this spying” makes no sense to me. A bank card is ridiculously small and you can tap without pin or use pin if you prefer. You have a solution to the problem. Wanting it on your phone rather than via bank card isn’t really providing anything extra to the solution. It’s a massive non issue. Many phone cases carry cards. It’s such a meh issue.

  • iamlandfill@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    I have seen Graphene coming up a lot recently, a smear campaign wouldn’t surprise me now that it’s gaining popularity

    • Vik@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      There was that story about their lead developer being a bit difficult with people (to put it lightly) but I think he’s since stepped down.

      I hope that hasn’t driven people away from the project.

      • youthinkyouknowme@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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        1 year ago

        I’d rather not say for the sake of privacy. Unfortunately I had a bad experience with Google the last time I imported it.
        Wish GrapheneOS were available for more mainstream and cheap devices worldwide.

        • RelentlessArts@feddit.uk
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          1 year ago

          Not sure if it’d be the same case but there are some sites providing a pre-Graphened pixel which may have different shipping. Not sure how much I trust someone to have that kind of access to my device after the manufacturer and before me though.

          • silent_clash@lemmygrad.ml
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            1 year ago

            Im not OP, but that doesn’t fix the shoddy reliability of pixel models over the years. I’d feel comfortable buying one in a market where they service and rma, but otherwise it’s too risky.

  • BrainisfineIthink@lemmy.one
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    1 year ago

    Okay serious questions - will it work with my play store apps? And what about my Gmail? Can I still use it? Because I don’t have other email accounts and email is kind of important. Finally does android auto still work?

    I’d love to de-google as much as possible, but some apps I unfortunately depend on day to day, mainly Niagra launched, and android auto.

    • AncientMariner@lemmy.worldOP
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      1 year ago

      The second part of your first post was answered in my original post. Auto apparently doesn’t work.

      Play store apps should still work sandboxed. Email, I’m not sure, but I’d assume so. It works out of the browser fine. I’m not familiar with Niagra launched so couldn’t comment.

      Out of curiosity, what do you use auto for?

      • BrainisfineIthink@lemmy.one
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        1 year ago

        Everything while I’m driving. Navigation, music, phone calls/texts. I don’t ever even feel tempted to look at my phone when driving because of android auto, I can do just about everything with voice controls, and what I can’t I can navigate quickly and easily like I would the radio while I’m stopped.

    • yoichi@lemm.ee
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      1 year ago

      I guess that doesn’t work. Is there a way to link to a post without opening a chrome tab? I’m on wefwef and the [email protected] hyperlink works perfectly. How to directly link to a post

        • yoichi@lemm.ee
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          1 year ago

          Yeah, but it just opens a tab in chrome. I want it to open in the app itself (Voyager)

          • AncientMariner@lemmy.worldOP
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            1 year ago

            Ah, maybe Voyager doesn’t yet recognise those links and sees it as external. On Firefox, the link opens in same tab.

  • Rooki@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    Sad that one of the developers is a sadistic, harmful person. This Video from Louis Rossmann is a really good video about why grapheneOS shouldnt be looked at as an OMG 100% secure phone… keep in mind that the developer is the person who you have to trust!