GrapheneOS review | DE-GOOGLE your Android!

[@9to5Google]

For those concerned: The number some have spotted at 9:47 is a spam caller. We don't like spam - and I'm sure you hate it too :)

[@DenisKudlik]

oh wow, google really hasn't touched the default AOSP apps since 2016

[@shivanshsingh979]

Doesn't matter, lol

[@GrapheneOS]

GrapheneOS will be replacing all of those apps but our priority has always been improving the privacy, security and compatibility of the base OS rather than focusing on apps when there are so many good options available. We've already replaced the Camera app since only the system camera app can provide the external media capture feature for other apps and will be replacing the others too. We recently shipped a new very modern Setup Wizard.

[@heiebdbfn]

I personally love it, that's such a fun nostalgic era of android

[@heiebdbfn]

everything looks so simple :)

[@WildMidwest1]

@@GrapheneOSThe setup wizard my not be needed by people who have been in this community a long time, but for users like me (switching from iOS this week and no prior Android experience) it’s undoubtedly a plus. There’s so much to learn all at once - from custom keyboards, to open cloud services, to email, to music players, to camera apps, to YT replacements Newpipe vs ReVanced, etc. The average iOs switcher is going to feel overwhelmed without some hand holding. I am equally excited about GrapheneOS as I am about prying Apple’s gnarly fingers off my throat. Thank you! 🎉

[@thecastiel69]

There is a phone number visible on 9:47, which you might want to censor as this is a privacy focused video

[@knerduno5942]

Is this was really privacy focus, the video would be posted on the likes of Rumble Odysee, or PeerTube

[@GrapheneOS]

​@@knerduno5942 Posting privacy related videos across platforms makes sense.

[@thecastiel69]

@@knerduno5942 People using Odysee or PeerTube know all this shit, people using platforms like KZbin or Tiktok needs this knowledge

[@notafbihoneypot8487]

Probs a fake number bro, chill lol

[@ExperiencersInternational]

​@@notafbihoneypot8487 I highly doubt it, wouldn't be surprised if that's an active O2 number or something

[@cyberxspeed]

Moving over to GrapheneOS from google stock android has been the best decision I've made when it came to phones. I can't stand most google apps and services.

[@sunilbanhal3788]

how's the battery backup compared to stock rom

[@DarkLegion141]

Bro is it safe? I mean aall accounts and stuff i mean especially payment account?

[@burhanbudak6041]

For VPN, GOS allows the Wireguard kernel version, completly protecting the phone on thr kernel version.

[@mokisan]

How so you do it ?

[@iam_muni_baa]

Explain or any link to reference

[@KHROME246]

You may want to revise the contacts app restricted to only importing a file.

[@crystalv6122]

how would you do that?

[@eliwinderickx]

I really love Graphene OS. The project works really well! But you'll need to put some time in it...

[@LukeBranson8]

And nobody in 2024 will sacrifice an ounce of convenience unfortunately

[@panzerfaust7672]

Honestly it's not even that hard, I switched from an iPhone to a 8 pro and wouldn't want to switch back. Took a bit of time to change from Gmail to Proton but thats it.

[@GrapheneOS]

People can use sandboxed Google Play in the main user account to start, and they'll still be getting the privacy and security benefits of GrapheneOS. Moving to a different app ecosystem, moving sandboxed Google Play to a secondary profile or avoiding it entirely is not at all required to get the privacy and security benefits of GrapheneOS. In fact, for someone using a whole bunch of mainstream apps and services, they're benefiting even more from privacy features like Storage Scopes, Contact Scopes, Sensors toggle and many other features.

[@LiamOLuachra]

I spend less time troubleshooting Graphene than stock. Stock Android has to much crap to slow down the system. Graphene is clean and quiet.

[@tiagoreis5390]

Another apps recomendation i use with graphene OS: Magic Earth QUIK (sms) Signal Simplex Syncthing Ultrasonic Obtainium RHVoice Musekit CalyxVPN Binary eye LBRY Disroot App Futo Voice input Nunti Geddit Etar (calendar) Kontalk Local monero Privacyblur Fake contacts Fake traveler and this is just a few :)

[@Zaptosis]

I love that list, saw a few new ones on there.

[@vlad165]

I would certainly exclude Signal

[@tiagoreis5390]

@@vlad165 why?

[@Nittigrader]

@@vlad165yes why? 😂

[@Jindraxx20]

Hey there !!! Thank you for the content that you provided us ! I have 1 question that is often regarding GrapheneOS. How do you handle banking apps since they are part of play store ??!

[@Sithhy]

Aurora Store I guess

[@GrapheneOS]

One of the features provided by GrapheneOS is the option to use sandboxed Google Play. The vast majority of apps on the Play Store are compatible. Banking apps are a special case where certain banks forbid using an alternate OS by checking for a Google certified OS on the device, but most banking apps do work.

[@Jindraxx20]

@@GrapheneOS Thank you very much for the reply to my question !!

[@GrapheneOS]

@@Jindraxx20 Unfortunately a lot of our replies to other questions and comments are being filtered out. It seems their spam filtering dislikes us linking to the appropriate sections in our FAQ, features page, etc. We tried to participate here a lot more than it seems but it largely got filtered out by KZbin.

[@GrapheneOS]

@@LiamOLuachra The standard permissions toggles don't need to be enabled for sandboxed Google Play. It functions fine without granting that access. Granting sandboxed Play Store the ability to install apps only gives it the ability to request to install apps. It's a misconception that these are the only permissions it has on the stock OS. Privileged permissions give far more access than the standard permissions and are not shown in the UI. On the stock OS, it's a core component of the OS with dozens of privileged permissions, special SELinux policy instead of running in the standard app sandbox, a bunch of whitelisted access and it's also used as the backend for the OS for various things. Privileged permissions are what give it the ability to install, update and remove apps without user consent on the stock OS which is the tip of the iceberg for what's permitted. The whole point of our sandboxed Google Play feature is that they run as regular sandboxed apps with zero access beyond the standard access. Our usage guide covers this feature, but we can't post links on KZbin without comments being filtered.

[@idcrafter-cgi]

A CalyxOS review would also be great due to it making use of microG that makes Google services work via foss software which is microG.

[@starkle]

Well microG isn't really close to as good as GrapheneOS's Sandboxed Google Play. - On CalyxOS it runs with special system privileges, instead of the normal untrusted app sandbox. - It downloads and executes proprietary Google code for SafetyNet anyway. - It fundamentally serves apps that are running proprietary Google libraries anyway. - It requires signature spoofing, which is a massive security risk (although CalyxOS restricts this to just microG spoofing the play services). - Compatibility will always be spottier than just using the actual Play Services.

[@Jaymac0929]

GrapheneOs is Amazing 🔥

[@tobi1751]

Hey, is there a way to backup the stock OS data and then import it to Graphene OS/CalyxOS? Been thinking about changing the Rom on my Pixel 7a for a while now. Would look forward to an answer 🙂

[@OfficialChaumin]

There is a method for transferring from one Graphene device to another Graphene device. As far as stock to Graphene goes, or vice versa, it's best to manually backup your files to a cloud service or external drive. Also make a list of installed apps or take a screenshot and then manually install them after switching the OS. That's the route I took. Time consuming, but worth it in the end.

[@vio_official__]

Titanium Backup is the closest you can get

[@yodasgodfather1957]

Maybe swift backup?

[@WildMidwest1]

⁠@@vio_official__I read that Titanium Backup has been EOL a few years and compatibility has not kept up since Android 4. Is that wrong? Swift Backup reportedly encrypts via a Google account, with all the pros/cons that implies. (This info was per a 2021 Reddit thread, so correct anything that’s outdated or wrong.) Has anybody used Migrate?

[@GrapheneOS]

You can manually back up and restore your home directory, contacts and apps supporting their own backups. You need to be on GrapheneOS to do a proper backup and restore to GrapheneOS. GrapheneOS and CalyxOS are very different. GrapheneOS is a hardened OS with substantial privacy/security improvements. CalyxOS is not a hardened OS. It greatly reduces security vs. AOSP via added attack surface, rolled back security and slow patches. Compatibility with Android apps is also much different. GrapheneOS provides our sandboxed Google Play compatibility layer. Can run the vast majority of Play Store apps on GrapheneOS, but not CalyxOS with the much more limited microG approach.

[@any4003]

Great review it seem OS systems like these need more support and more fine tuning etc. There js a LOT they could do to improve this OS qnd still remain private.

[@Zaptosis]

What would you propose they do? It supports mostly everything out of the box. Being Android you can just install another launcher to make it look how you want. The only feature missing is Google's Tap to Pay. You don't have to use their native apps, you can install Sandboxed Google Play Services & use the regular GCam, GBoard, Google Messages, Google Maps, etc. It'll still be more private as well. I personally use GCam with network permissions disabled so I can benifit from the phones hardware while also staying private. I hope this comment provides more context around the lack of limitations for GrapheneOS, most people think its "locked down" in some way but that isn't really the case. You can use all the services you love while still benefiting from the enhancements GrapheneOS provides.

[@gullible119]

U mention literally nothing that could help them improve the os, very strange. Phone support is justified because of Google’s Titan SEC chip.

[@jeisson42]

I tried it before and it was a pain. The gps never worked properly, location was always like a hundred meters away. A dictionary app didn´t read the words because something that comes with the google pack apps were missing. Eventually I came back to the stock android version.

[@gullible119]

When did u try it? Nothing what u are complaining about have happened to me.

[@jeisson42]

@@gullible119 2022 with a pixel 6 pro. It didn't last long because I need the gps very often and for that I had to use a different phone because the location was always very inaccurate on the pixel. I tried many different apps, even google maps on the browser, it never worked properly, I also searched help in the telegram community and no one knew the reason. Once I went back to Android everything was normal, so it was not the phone

[@BoimlerBrad]

Yeah running rock solid for over a year none of these issues actually more stable than Google's Android.

[@Nimrod77]

I have a Samsung device but would love the security and privacy features of Graphine. Is there an alternative for Samsung?

[@Zaptosis]

You could get DNS ad blocking to try & fix some of the problems, but Samsung devices suck for privacy & have sub-par security for Android's standards. Though I do believe Samsung devices are nicer & also smaller as well. Google Pixels' are too big, luckily it looks like the Pixel 9 will be slightly smaller, every little bit helps.

[@ighorhenrique9593]

Hey friend. Do you have any sources so I can read about Samsung phones having worse privacy and being less secure?​@@Zaptosis

[@Nomadmandude]

DNSSEC.

[@berryxd8293]

Whats the phone being used in the video?

[@DanteRatto]

I think it's a Pixel 7

[@berryxd8293]

Thanks. I thought so too, but wanted to make sure.

[@berryxd8293]

Hold on. Isn't it the 7a?? The bezels

[@DanteRatto]

@@berryxd8293 Yeah, that makes sense.

[@cavon_08]

It's the 7a. You can tell by the antenna lines at the top. The Pixel 7 has one and the 7a has two

[@Deangoingplaces]

I'm a truck driver, and some broker tracking apps need location permissions activated. But I like the security customization within each app. Are there any truckers who have tried this OS already?

[@brandonhamaguchi]

How do they sustain the project?

[@Makes_me_wonder]

It's a hobby project. They will develop the OS as long as they enjoy doing that. And because it has an open source copyleft license, it's not really feasible to develop it in exchange for money. And what if a normal person who doesn't have tech skills becomes reliant on the OS and then, the hobbyist loses interest in developing it? Don't expect the foss community to answer that question. They don't have an answer.

[@JohnDoe-qj7uq]

@@Makes_me_wonder The lead developer receives roughly 60k in donations a year

[@JohnDoe-qj7uq]

@@Makes_me_wonder Also it is under a permissive license

[@gelatinousribbon]

​@@Makes_me_wonder GrapheneOS developers are hired, working for the GrapheneOS Foundation, with full pay. There are some contributions from outside but in practice most development work is done by employed developers.

[@Zaptosis]

Donations & grants to the Graphene Foundation. Also developers contributing to the project for free.

[@guse2536]

Will banking apps works on a custom rom?

[@aires69uk]

Can you use banking apps with GrapheneOS? I'm with Santander and it won't run on LineageOS.

[@gazehound]

Yes, using the google play services sandboxing most banking apps should work

[@incrediblez394]

Does anyone here have any issues with 5g signals being too low on Graphene. I use sim card on another phone and i get good 5G signal but when swapping out and using it on graphene it doesn't matter where i go its either 1 bar or no signal. Might have to re install but not sure.

[@speedytruck]

That was very well researched video! I've been using GrapheneOS for a very long time and probably couldn't have made a better video lol. Btw, I think the reason why GrapheneOS supports only pixels, besides relocking with user keys, is because it uses pixel's secure element (forgot what it's called) that doesn't have a comparable alternative in other phones.

[@GrapheneOS]

We use Pixels because they're the most secure Android devices and proper uniquely first class alternate OS support. We have a list of the official security and other requirements in the future devices section of our FAQ. We'd love to support a few other devices beyond Pixels but cannot currently do that due to them not meeting our security requirements yet. Most Android devices have awful security due to not providing proper patches, which is not at all addressed by using an alternate OS still depending on the same firmware and driver patches. Similarly, most are missing a lot of firmware/hardware security features. Samsung Galaxy devices meet most of our requirements, but ruin it by crippling security if you use an alternate OS. They also void the warranty if you use another OS, unlike Pixels, which is a major issue since a lot of devices end up having hardware failures regardless of brand. It doesn't happen to most people, but even only 2/100 devices needing to be replaced would be a major issue for our community if the warranty wasn't intact.

[@dudi2200]

Is there any analysis available of the os code? Has anyone checked the source code to see that there are no suspicious things? How can i make sure the web installer install the same source code and not something else? How can i take the code and install the os myself without the installer? I know i sound paranoid but i just wanna make sure it's safe

[@lukejay]

Good points. I had the same thoughts.

[@MilesEdgeworth129]

It's fully open-source; if there was any suspicious code or backdoor, I'm sure someone would've found it and made it known. It would've absolutely blown up.

[@CrashUK28]

whats the battery life like. androld eats battery when your not doing any thing.

[@TechthroughToni]

Try iodeOS & e-OS

[@9to5Google]

Thanks for the suggestion!

[@WildMidwest1]

@@9to5GoogleiodeOS reportedly has parental controls as a core feature. This specific focus may appeal to parents who otherwise cannot see the point of installing custom ROMs. Disclaimer: my knowledge about iodeOS is almost zero, as I no longer have young children. I am just thinking as someone who faced children’s privacy dilemmas not too many years ago.

[@GrapheneOS]

These are much different than GrapheneOS and don't provide comparable privacy or security. They greatly reduce security rather than improving it. They use different third party services instead of Google services with their own privacy issues. They don't provide similar privacy or security features to GrapheneOS. microG also doesn't provide comparable app compatibility to sandboxed Google Play and we avoided that approach because it doesn't meet our privacy/security requirements.

[@Liqweed1337]

60fps video recording is not available on graphene os. Idk why but it sucks

[@ulas-2023]

If you install it on a pixel phone, will you still be able to use its camera and a.i. features?

[@wombatpandaa9774]

In short, no. Pixel phones have okay camera hardware and spectacular camera software, which is not bundled into Android by default. If you got a good alternative camera app it's possible some features may be available, but they definitely won't be in the default GrapheneOS experience. Same with AI - that's software, not hardware, so it won't be in GrapheneOS unless you somehow find a way to make it work.

[@ulas-2023]

@@wombatpandaa9774 its ashame, so its not really useful to buy a new model Pixel 8 or 9 soon, if you want to use GrapheneOS, since you can not use a lot of the software features which is why Pixel 9 will be so expensive I guess. So it only makes sense to use GrapheneOS with an older cheaper Pixel, as I dont see any benefits in buying an expensive Pixel while not using its features execpt paying for it.

[@starkle]

The Pixel camera 100% works in GrapheneOS. I'm not familiar with their other AI features but they should work too. You just need to install them; they don't come preinstalled.

[@vaultboy1419]

@@wombatpandaa9774 GCam ports brother. Most AI is just an app, and most of them can be installed even on Graphene.

[@MicrochipMD]

Can this build be tracked when phone is “off”?

[@DARKKNIGHT-no4fz]

I just realised the subscribe button light up when he mention it

[@cerico76]

Is it worthy to flash it on a Pixel 9 pro? I mean, why buy a phone a with a lot of features, and won’t be able to use it.

[@chrisbird4913]

Samsung don't allow for unlocking of the bootloader so installing ROMs is very difficult

[@sandrogvenetadze4511]

Can i reset the device after i installed grapheneos ? Like to the normal android/google services

[@Haunting_Shadow]

If you mean that you want to go back to the Stock opersting system, yes you can go back lol

[@Clark_Kent-S]

Can xiaomi 8 lite to able to change that os?

[@EyesOfByes]

Graphene OS on the Snapdragon X Elite would be something you reviewers could test. I guess you'd need an external touchscreen for that ;)

[@papakeks]

How can GrapheneOS be tested on a Snapdragon Elite device when the only supported smartphone with Snapdragon SoC is the Google Pixel 5a?

[@GrapheneOS]

Please see the future devices section in our FAQ where you can see a list of requirements. KZbin unfortunately won't allow us to link our features page or FAQ without it removing the comments as potential spam, but you can quickly get there with a search.

[@netnomad47]

Graphene os is android based not Windows based lol. Snapdragon X elite is for Windows.

[@GrapheneOS]

@@netnomad47 It's not specifically for Windows but the devices using it will mostly be Windows devices and won't meet our requirements.

[@eduardolopes7338]

always good to know it.

[@YxngBillyBob]

Can i use tap snd go and bsnking apps on pxl 8 xl

[@tsunamijune]

Tap no, Banking apps are a mixed bag, but technically yes.

[@brandonhamaguchi]

But the limitations on payment apps can be avoided just using the browser and websites of those different services right? Or also the web versions don't work?

[@Zaptosis]

Google Pay actually works just fine, you can make in app purchases & all that. The only part which doesn't work is Google's Tap to Pay through Google Wallet. However you can still use NFC if your bank's app has touchless payment functionality built in. You can also just put your credit card behind your phone case or get a credit card case (not a bulky wallet case) & tap your phone like that. But payments on the device work just fine.

[@BoimlerBrad]

So Google Pay on sites and in apps still work if you want tap to pay get a pixel watch it will still allow NFC payments.

[@francoislachance7901]

I mean, if you are truly worried about privacy and security then you should make cash payments instead of using Google Pay.

[@imeverywhereandnowhere56]

What if you can't get access to the bootloader?

[@mungox1]

You must use a Pixel

[@kierenkd]

Samsung apps help me de-google quite a bit but Im yet to find a decent alternative to google maps or google waze. It would be good if Microsoft / Garmin / OS would step up. I dont rate OsmAnd

[@fort6564]

Yeah ive been using GOS for about 6 months and that is one google app I cannot live without, especially since I have been travelling a lot the past couple of months.

[@AyukaAmameth]

True theres no good alternative for maps or waze

[@एड्वर्डकॅस्ट्रो]

The closest would be HERE WeGo, but it's still missing a lot.

[@WildMidwest1]

I cannot think of two companies LESS likely to produce something decent or privacy focused than Garmin or MS. For all its flaws, Apple Maps is easiest on my eyes when I am driving in traffic. Waze is second best but it still has too much distracting clutter. Google Maps is great when I am stationary with my reading glasses on, say parked at a rest stop, but not in heavy traffic.

[@Mexicomank2]

Organic maps might work for you but tbh google maps is currently best option unless apple bring apple maps to android as they actually are better with privacy when it comes to map apps so I hope one day they bring the competition

[@nigelnyakudya2262]

Will i be able to use root or apps that require root access?

[@defranken]

I've used Graphene for years and never going back

[@jscreationscircus]

What is a comparable version for IPhone

[@malamutekid8871]

you cant use custom operating systems on apple phone as far as i know

[@bl4z3pupz]

Buying an android phone

[@beickus]

i have a question - i can install graphene in an old phone (A5 '16) - what if i don't like it, can i put android back?

[@linuxramblingproductions8554]

Its pixel only because its the only one with long enough hardware support and good enough security

[@anthonycampos7417]

Wait does it work just across all android phones or just specific models? Because I was debating on getting a Unihertz Tank 3 and flashing a new rom because unsecured phone directly from China. And I was wondering if this would work for it in particular without losing any of its features?

[@Mexicomank2]

Pixel phones only currently are officially supported . They state there are phone requirements reasons why . The website does a better job explaining then me but its pixels officially only is the short of it

[@anthonycampos7417]

@@Mexicomank2 ahhh ok. Ty

[@cryptohog2303]

is it worth to install graphene on Google pixel 9 pro, or we would lose so much from it's AI features and image capabilities?

[@TTKChristo]

Yes, install it right away so you don't even have time to get used to the shitty invasive features in the stock OS.

[@JoeDirt-qw7kk]

Does Graphene do beta 15 too? I'm running 15 on my 7 pro, which is why I ask. Also, I just ordered a new screen with the finger sensor, which means I have to get off beta most likely, which means deleting it to recalibrate it. If I break my screen again, is Graphene capable of calibrating the finger sensor?

[@1albumamonth]

GrapheneOS does not release beta updates to upcoming OS versions, so currently on 14. As for the calibration question, I would imagine the pixel calibration tool *should* work, but it's a good question.

[@People_Scare_Me]

I would like full privacy but this seems like such a hassel just to live how I already am just with my phone being slightly more annoying to use I'm just turning off personalised ads and any privacy settings that I can

[@Nittigrader]

Doing that does not help as they still create extensive folders on your behavioral data based on "everything" they track that you do on your phone.

[@People_Scare_Me]

@Nittigrader then there's no point trying to escape it

[@Nittigrader]

@@People_Scare_Me i understand that you find it to be a hassel and annoying; personally I enjoy the challenge 😄

[@MQZ17]

Not for me, but it's cool that there are alternatives on android

[@GrapheneOS]

GrapheneOS has support for sandboxed Google Play so it's possible to use it with the Play Store and a bunch of mainstream apps. Sandboxed Google Play doesn't have any special access beyond a regular app. The major app privacy features it offers such as Contact Scopes, Storage Scopes, Sensors toggle, etc. are most valuable for people who use a bunch of mainstream apps. It's not only for a niche audience. It's simply an option to use it without mainstream apps.

[@CosmosProvider]

The video should be titled "De-Google your Pixel phone!"

[@Jozuentor]

I like this OS but I can never get location to work reliably it's important for me I have accurate location because I use it to clock in and out of work from a app 💯

[@GrapheneOS]

This is a configuration choice you're making, and you can have it work the same as it does on the stock OS if you choose. GrapheneOS provides the same satellite-based location detection as the stock OS with identical results compared to the stock OS with network-based location enabled. It sounds like you're trying to get location indoors where you don't have satellite reception. You can have that on GrapheneOS by setting up network-based location detection. We tried linking you to our guide on this, but KZbin removes it as spam. If you use sandboxed Google Play, you can use their network location service. You can disable location request rerouting in Settings > Apps > Sandboxed Google Play to stop redirecting apps requesting location from the OS to requesting it from sandboxed Google Play along with granting Nearby Devices and always allowed Location access to sandboxed Play services and enabling their network location toggle. That will provide the same network location functionality as the stock OS, it's just very explicitly opt-in instead of opt-out. You can also enable the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth scanning toggles which are normally enabled by default in the stock OS to have it able to scan for those when they're otherwise disabled as long as it has the Nearby Devices and Location permissions.

[@starkle]

This can be done. Just install Google Play Services, then disable the location request redirect in the Sandboxed Google Play settings. It's disabled by default because it basically tells Google where you are at all times, but it's how other phones get such quick and precise location.

[@DanielMargineanPutiii]

Hei, i installed on my pixel and i have problem with the battery

[@FlintYeastwood]

Of course. Your phone was not built to run a 3rd party OS. It was built to run the OS of the company that designed it. 99.9 percent of smartphones are made and optimized to run either Android or iOS.

[@GrapheneOS]

@@FlintYeastwood The devices we support run the OS perfectly and are optimized to do it. They have first class alternate OS support.

[@GrapheneOS]

This is caused by your choice of apps and services. It's likely you're using an app like Signal with their own inefficient push notification implementation instead of Firebase Cloud Messaging. Use the Signal fork Molly instead of Signal itself for much better battery life. It's fully compatible with it.

[@GrapheneOS]

This is caused by the apps you've installed. For example, Signal drains a lot of battery with their own push implementation if you installed it without having sandboxed Google Play installed before it. For Signal, you can use the Molly fork of Signal instead of Signal itself. Molly is much more battery efficient when not using Google Play's Firebase Cloud Messaging. The same thing applies to some other apps. GrapheneOS starts out with much better battery life than the stock Pixel OS. It's still slightly better with sandboxed Google Play installed in a single profile. It depends on your app setup. It's easy to make it much worse than the stock OS if you install sandboxed Google Play in multiple profiles you keep active at the same time or use apps with inefficient non-Google-based push such as Signal in a profile without sandboxed Google Play.

[@mydevices768]

@@FlintYeastwood That's incorrect

[@id104335409]

Please start with the fact it only works on Google Pixel phones!

[@ghostieeitsohg]

Oh

[@victortoweet]

What are your thoughts on Pixel experience and Project Elixir custom roms?

[@GrapheneOS]

The purpose of GrapheneOS is providing substantial privacy and security enhancements combined with broad app compatibility and high usability without sacrificing those. It's much different than non-hardened operating systems which roll back security rather than improving it.

[@LiamOLuachra]

Pixel experience isn't a thing as of a few days ago

[@sahitkarale]

What about google feature drop updates ?

[@GrapheneOS]

Those are the quarterly Android updates which are fully provided by GrapheneOS. It always uses the latest Android release. It moved to Android 14 within days of release in October 2023, moved to Android 14 QPR1 within days of release in December and Android 14 QPR2 within days of release in March. Most of the feature drop updates are really part of apps like Pixel Camera which can largely be used on GrapheneOS.

[@m.2383]

Note that you do miss some Google Pixel features. The music recognition for example. Also Assistant vice typing in gboard. Except for Google camera, which does work just as on Google's version of Android, the rest of the OS feels like a non-Pixel Android phone.

[@BulbaReider77]

For me, Graphene OS is good at everything except customization, it's really not enough, especially changing the design of the clock on the lock screen, and so it's a great firmware.

[@GrapheneOS]

GrapheneOS provides essentially the same customization as the stock Pixel OS, with a whole bunch of additional privacy and security features. Lock screen clock customization is planned but they didn't include the stock Pixel OS clocks in AOSP.

[@BulbaReider77]

@@GrapheneOS okay, thanks for the answer, I hope in the future there will really be customization of the lock screen.

[@GrapheneOS]

@@BulbaReider77 You can set lock screen shortcuts and similar features already. The infrastructure for configuring lock screen clocks is included but there are no alternate clocks to choose included so it's not available. Taking the ones from the stock Pixel OS would be possible but we currently aren't doing that.

[@m.2383]

​@@GrapheneOSit would be nice if that was available. Specifically that vertical text on the left clock was visually really nice (especially if using Chinese or Japanese as the display language)

[@5koKirilov]

Damian, how tall are you?

[@9to5Google]

6ft1

[@raid3n1117]

Does GrapheneOS improve battery performance?

[@lovro_ribic]

Its possible because there are less things running but it depends on how well optimized the os is.

[@netnomad47]

Yes it does

[@mydevices768]

Yesss!

[@lassebodilsen]

Late answer. I have found that onscreen usage is about the same, but standby time is greatly improved.

[@drawalex]

Does it pass the strong integrity test?

[@gamechannel1271]

No. You'd need to root.

[@drawalex]

@@gamechannel1271 Is it because it is not certified? Because the bootloader can be blocked.

[@Traderjoe]

It seems all these types of devices require a user to be fluent in programming and all its languages and unless you are a native programmer, it’s completely useless to you. I know absolutely nothing about any of that. I don’t know what TOR is. Purchasing something like this and asking anyone you know will likely lead to complete frustration. This is a device for people in the “club”. I firmly believe that they want it this way. They don’t want us to know about this. This is why it’s not and never will be “user friendly”. It’s extremely frustrating

[@maverick7wi]

Anyone have input on Android Auto and how it works on Graphene? (If it does at all)

[@xi6ei]

Yes, Android Auto works on GrapheneOS, support for it was introduced recently as a matter of fact. You can read more about it under the features section on their website.

[@chestnut.mp4656]

Not currently available but the developers are working on it last I checked

[@Zaptosis]

@@chestnut.mp4656 They added it a while back but I've not tested it. Maybe I'll do a video trying it out.

[@starkle]

Android Auto totally works now, you just have to opt in to some sensitive permissions. Still less than on stock.

[@sahitkarale]

Does google pay work with this OS?

[@adityachaurasia0109]

No

[@m.2383]

Technically yes, but you're probably asking about NFC payments specifically, not the app itself. That does not work. Google blocks it because it's not a certified OS. You can use loyalty cards etc. though. The Huawei App gallery version of "Curve" used to work for NFC Payments, but hasn't last time I checked (like, a year ago).

[@m.2383]

It's really annoying, but you get used to it eventually. If you use a single card, just get a spare card and put it between your phone & your phone's case

[@GrapheneOS]

You can use it via a Pixel or Galaxy Watch. Google Pay unfortunately doesn't allow using a non-Google-certified OS. It would work if they allowed it to be used. Banking apps implementing tap-to-pay in Europe, etc. work unless they check for Google certification too.

[@Zaptosis]

Yes but tap to pay does not. Some banks offer tap to pay functionality in their native apps through so thats an alternative.

[@bharath2508]

I can't use this version of android.

[@ulas-2023]

Will it also be compatible with Pixel 9 ?

[@Zaptosis]

Yes

[@dekdoi4207]

De google on google phone what??!

[@Zaptosis]

ik crazy, but Google lets you relock the bootloader & has the best hardware security so their the only choice.

[@afrokorean]

Are you able to us Google Wallet with this ROM?.

[@kevinw8513]

Lol no. That would defeat the purpose of using Graphene. Just use any Android then

[@FoxNewsLiveHDUltrahdfox]

No google wallet no banks apps

[@BoimlerBrad]

​@@FoxNewsLiveHDUltrahdfoxsome bank apps won't work yes but 90% of them do.

[@yagoa]

a couple of abbreviations could have been skipped and it would have been intelligible to all techy people

[@mmmiguelestrada]

I’m considering going from an iPhone to a Pixel with Graphene. I am want privacy, but also a way to block porn websites. Apple has parental controls, but that’s easy to override. Does Graphene offer website blocking?

[@aaronallen2774]

Doesn’t support 8a :(

[@1albumamonth]

It does now!

[@bes12000]

Aww, I have a Samsung Galaxy, this OS looks good too bad I can't use it on it.

[@HiddenPalm]

This is really only for Pixel phone users.

[@GrapheneOS]

GrapheneOS only supports Pixel devices because they're the most secure Android devices. Other Android devices are mostly extremely lacking in security and the few options with decent security don't provide proper alternate OS support. Our FAQ page has a section on future devices with a list of our official requirements, but KZbin won't allow us to link it here. Please check that out.

[@NeedChocyMilk]

This is why pixel is king

[@DanSmith-qg7ou]

How is Pixel king when it’s the flagship spying phone of google?

[@NeedChocyMilk]

It's super tweakable compared to most phones​@@DanSmith-qg7ou

[@parthsethia4223]

Only works on pixel

[@GrapheneOS]

GrapheneOS only supports Pixel devices because they're the most secure Android devices. Other Android devices are mostly extremely lacking in security and the few options with decent security don't provide proper alternate OS support. Our FAQ page has a section on future devices with a list of our official requirements, but KZbin won't allow us to link it here. Please check that out.

[@dgattenb]

restricting google is ok .. how about whats app etc etc etc

[@nietaki]

It's mentioned, around the 12 minute mark, the apps can be sandboxed

[@9to5Google]

WhatsApp will work fine if sideloaded - or using the Sandboxed Google Play Store. It's all catered for with GrapheneOS !

[@dgattenb]

the issue is that whats app sends all your chats etc off to wherever... you cant sandbox that , as it defeats the whole object @@9to5Google

[@GrapheneOS]

Every user installed Android app is sandboxed and GrapheneOS greatly improves the privacy and security provided by the app sandbox. That includes features like Storage Scopes instead of granting media/storage permissions, Contact Scopes instead of granting full contacts access, Sensors toggle and much more. The purpose of our sandboxed Google Play compatibility layer feature is running Google Play as regular sandboxed apps. It's not a special sandbox for Google Play but rather a compatibility layer which allows using it in the regular app sandbox used for everything else already.

[@raxcentalruthenta1456]

The limited device support scope will never make these a viable solution. Until they can expand the amount of devices they support, then it's not even worth looking at.

[@g1y3]

It's costly & time consuming to port to any device.

[@meroinheroin]

​​@@g1y3 Yeah, there's third party ports to other devices. But they can't guarantee stability across multiple devices. Some play store apps only support pixels or flagship Samsung's because of fragmentation. It's easier to optimize for one or two models.

[@cptbaker]

But this project isn't geared toward the general public, it's geared towards individuals that are looking for other means outside of Android and iOS, that are more privacy oriented. I'd also argue quite the opposite, as the more people switch to these os's, the more support they gain, the more people sign on to contribute to the open source project. At the end of the day, it comes down to how much your privacy is worth to you. Would you prefer to sacrifice your privacy and allow iOS or Android to collect as much telemetry as they want? If any user doesn't feel that the switch is worth it for them, then privacy isn't worth as much to them, as somebody who prefers privacy over everything, who wouldn't mind troubleshooting issues that come with installing the OS, if it meant a major corporation could no longer collect telemetry from you. That doesn't mean that the privacy from one individual is more valuable than the other, it just means they have their priorities in different orders. 🤷 Either way, I think as many people as possible should check it out and just learn something new, especially if it means taking power away from major tech corporations.

[@BoimlerBrad]

Its because only Google Pixel Phones meet the hardware security requirements complain to the company's actully making the devices

[@JavedKhanJDK]

What's the point for even considering this os if it doesn't even work on other phones. I was hoping to get it installed on my Redmi note 10 pro which has reached its EOL but is still a very capable device for everyday tasks even today. What's the next best alternative you could recommend please?

[@paulw7404]

If EOL - Just purchase a pixel, one generation behind the latest version at a discounted price - WHAT I DID. MOST major phone manufactures PREVENT rooting of phones as they cannot mine your data and on sell it. Remember YOU are the product - not your phone. Stay away from Samsung, ASUS, etc. (If you are watching this you are definitely not an Apple minion 😀) See my other comment about my experience with GOS.

[@JavedKhanJDK]

@@paulw7404 if only it were that easy. Since 2019, our telecom regulator has slapped us with exorbitant taxes on phones that are imported from outside there country and even those coming from abroad have only 120 days to register and pay those taxes before the phones are completely blocked from utilizing the cellular networks in the country. I had been eyeing the pixel A series and nothing A series for a while, but thanks to the outrageous taxes they're prices 3-4 times more than what they're available at these days.

[@Accountinutile-ub9fj]

To install a de-Googled phone, I have to pay Google 900 € for a Google Pixel phone. I don't simply want to sponsor these people with 900€ to have my freedom, risking a hardware with a procedure I never tried before, suggest another method installable anywhere

[@FunctionGermany]

you can get a grapheneos compatible device for less than 200€ second-hand.

[@JustAnotherYou2ber]

"DeGoogle your Android device" But you need to have Google Pixel hardware

[@mungox1]

amazingly enough, the phone has great security

[@AviKien-i2q]

Thanks bro

[@briangriffin5529]

Is there any alternative like this ROM for Samsung s23?

[@johncuvox]

Which system is better to use in Russia to ensure security and privacy from the current regime terror: Android OS or GrapheneOS? Handsome, please tell me and advise! Thanks a lot in advance.

[@Zaptosis]

GrapheneOS is Android with security & privacy enhancements. So the answer would be GrapheneOS.

[@johncuvox]

​@@Zaptosis Thank you very much, friend, for your advice and guidance.

[@johncuvox]

@@Zaptosis Tell me please. And if you compare iOS or GrapheneOS?

[@zodSALFOO]

Pixel Experience Rom Is End 🥺

[@Elmojomo]

"Doesn't work on Samsung phones". You mean, the most popular Android phones in the world? Skip.

[@EdnovStormbrewer]

Louis Rossmann's previous experience automatically debunks this video

[@jamesjonsy]

that was just a bunch of ego crap. no need to judge the whole project because of it.

[@robertwright8844]

Daniel Micay resigned from the project over a year ago (which is good)

[@EdnovStormbrewer]

@@robertwright8844 That's awesome! Hopefully without him that the project continues to thrive and improves

[@EdnovStormbrewer]

@@robertwright8844 That's awesome! Maybe then, without that goofy guy, the project will continue to thrive on. I hope for the best of the community

[@leonhardheiliger2605]

Correct, degoogle your Google Pixel.

[@PongiPlaysGames]

Honestly, with the unnecessary jab at LineageOS and the disregard of GrapheneOS dev's toxic treatment of other OSS projects such as CalyxOS, this video comes off as surface level at best and disingenuous at worst. I'mma stick to supporting LOS and CalyxOS for now. I'll sleep better knowing that people behind these projects aren't complete knobs.

[@BoimlerBrad]

That dev causing the issues is no longer with the project.

[@albert939]

Please make a video about CalyxOS next. It's also very private friendly and easier to set up.

[@WildMidwest1]

Now that GrapheneOS has a setup wizard, is Calyx still any easier?

[@GrapheneOS]

​@@WildMidwest1 GrapheneOS always had a setup wizard and has had much broader app compatibility than CalyxOS since sandboxed Google Play was added in 2021. CalyxOS rolls back security a lot rather than improving it and doesn't improve privacy in the same way as GrapheneOS. You should look into it more. CalyxOS is not a hardened OS and shares much more in common with LineageOS than GrapheneOS, which makes sense since it's largely developed by LineageOS developers using LineageOS code.

[@GrapheneOS]

GrapheneOS is much easier to install thanks to our web installer and it provides much broader app compatibility due to sandboxed Google Play. It's easier, not harder. GrapheneOS and CalyxOS are very different. GrapheneOS is a hardened OS with substantial privacy/security improvements. CalyxOS is not a hardened OS. It greatly reduces security vs. AOSP via added attack surface, rolled back security and slow patches. Compatibility with Android apps is also much different. GrapheneOS provides our sandboxed Google Play compatibility layer. Can run the vast majority of Play Store apps on GrapheneOS, but not CalyxOS with the much more limited microG approach.

[@GrapheneOS]

​@@WildMidwest1 GrapheneOS has always had a setup wizard, and since January 2021 has provided a much easier install process via our web installer, where you can even install from another Android device with nothing more than the included web browser. No special software is needed, just a web browser. Since July 2021, we've also had our sandboxed Google Play compatibility layer as a replacement for the microG approach used elsewhere which didn't meet our privacy/security standards. Sandboxed Google Play provides much broader app compatibility.

[@darren537]

Battery life

[@Zaptosis]

Better

[@mydevices768]

Up to 2 days battery with my light usage and system tweaks

[@VicenteFlorencio]

astrolab

[@imeverywhereandnowhere56]

Only for pixel phones. Pass.

[@inversebrah]

cool

[@MrRiley-Is-Not-Amused]

The fact that it only supports Pixel's makes this a nothing burger for me. No desire to own a crappy Google phone. Their hardware is junk from top to bottom.

[@geneimprov-uc9pr]

I wonder what he is saying. Maybe a dumb phone is more secure.

[@ajshapiro1269]

There is no such thing as privacy on a smartphone. Don't be fooled. Google wouldn't let you install custom roms without voiding your warranty if they couldn't track you. Everything you install, any custom rom will run on Goigle hardware. 😂

[@sammydepresso]

I still don’t like the community that surrounds grapheneos they are toxic as hell. Especially the Devs.

[@PongiPlaysGames]

Exactly!

[@BoimlerBrad]

The dev that caused the issue left the project

[@lee99bay]

Or install custom rom without gapps 😊

[@ThomasTheTankEngine22]

So... The same thing

[@kvbk]

@@ThomasTheTankEngine22 No. It is completely different. Flashing rom without gapps is just the AOSP with little additions. But graphene os is completely build differently. It just dont take AOSP and add some things, devs of graphene os modifies and sometimes completly rewrites the security code. They include so many restrictions before giving the access.

[@kvbk]

no

[@erriezzanslounge1380]

its like lineage os with microg?​@@kvbk

[@GrapheneOS]

GrapheneOS is a hardened operating system providing substantially better privacy and security through adding important privacy and security features. Not having Google apps and services is a tiny part of what it provides, and the sandboxed Google Play compatibility layer is available to use those while preserving privacy in the same way as other apps and services by using the same greatly improved standard app sandbox for them.

[@shadowfallenable]

Or just buy chinese phones. Most of them are google free. 😂

[@karmaspcs]

Clickbait and false information. This OS only works for google phone

[@legofanlovessayori]

Would go with CalyxOS if i would go privacy first, Graphene just looks boring as hell to me. Especially with that fully monochrome design.

[@user02350]

It’s not “fully” monochromatic. You can change that.

[@OfficialChaumin]

Easy enough to install third-party launchers to make things look more modern. There are plenty of FOSS launchers, although I use Nova Launcher as my primary.

[@vio_official__]

It's just a launcher problem, you can change the look of it with third party launcher of your choice, but Graphene OS gives you better privacy down to the system kernel level, which you can't change in CalyxOS

[@RarelyCorrect]

Only the few default apps have monochrome icons. I'd bet that makes up less than 10% of the average person's total app count. On top of that, you can of course change your wallpaper and customize the OS colours with material you. So I don't see how the lack of colour is an issue.

[@Ryan-yh9ii]

If privacy is your primary concern, not sure why you'd even consider Calyx. It's a drastically inferior project on a technical level, with worse privacy/security.

[@MH3200]

If i want a de-googled device I'll just buy a Huawei handset

[@fort6564]

why?

[@m.2383]

💀 I'd rather deal with Google software or even an iPhone. Huawei, while the hardware is nice, I wouldn't trust their software at all. Hell, I'd rather get a fairphone or something than trust my data to Huawei's "it's totally not android, trust me bro" android fork

[@MH3200]

@@m.2383 but google is way worst at collecting data and re-using it in different ways, huawei on the other hand is a "de-googlized" device that totally frees you from being motorized by a company that charges you to every service

[@GrapheneOS]

The purpose of GrapheneOS is not specifically avoiding Google but rather providing a very high level of privacy and security. GrapheneOS makes major privacy and security improvements to the OS. One of the major features offered by GrapheneOS is the sandboxed Google Play compatibility layer to run Google Play and other Google apps in the standard app sandbox. Our substantial app sandbox and permission model improvements such as Storage Scopes, Contact Scopes, Sensors toggle and much more apply to sandboxed Google Play too. Our project is not specifically about avoiding Google. GrapheneOS only supports Pixel devices because they're the most secure Android devices. Other Android devices are mostly extremely lacking in security and the few options with decent security don't provide proper alternate OS support. Our FAQ page has a section on future devices with a list of our official requirements, but KZbin won't allow us to link it here. Please check that out.

[@BruhKhokhols]

bruh... same bullshit, but even worsen

[@mogenvonbogel7342]

Android looks so ugly