Lol that’s like saying worlds biggest virus creator which makes him billions of dollars now also providing anti virus for free.
Exactly lmao. I don’t trust Google with shit, so I’m still going to install GrapheneOS and Mullvad as soon as I get the 8.
As a Pixel owner, how much do you lose in terms of the pixel-exclusive software when using graphene?
As much or as little as you like, as Graphene uses a sandbox for Google Play Services. It’s up to the user, some have more or less degoogled completely (like myself), and others use the same apps they did on stock Android, but with harsher permissions.
I’ve not found any real difficulty getting away from the apps I used to use, as there are FOSS alternatives for almost all of them that imo, work much better and require far less personal data (two I use on a daily basis are a NewPipe fork with Sponsorblock functionality, and InnerTune, which has completely replaced Spotify for me.) I do still use Google Maps, albeit with all permissions other than network restricted (as I don’t use real time navigation, and have yet to find an alternative that matches it for business detail accuracy, street view and ease of use.) I also still use Google Camera, albeit without any network or other nonessential permissions.
So basically, Graphene can be used the same way as stock Android. It just gives you options and control over your device and digital privacy. GrapheneOS is first and foremost about device security, and is the best custom OS out there in its field.
Persistent notification is one of the best parts about using an always on VPN. You can check the status really quickly
Would be better if it were optional. The little key in the status area is more than enough indication for me. A persistent notification is not a notification, it’s a hack.
The hack is the aggressive battery optimization in some phones that don’t respect the native Android battery optimization settings and still kill apps.
So third-party VPN apps should be able to provide a connection without a persistent notification now, right?
Right?
If they’re root, they already can. Like Google Play and other root/system apps that can install apps without the pop-up.
It is an obvious double measure but it’s been around for a long time, and it’s not too insecure or annoying unless manufacturers install malware as system apps and/or disallow locking the boatloader (they do, sadly).
That’s what I meant - if Google’s own stuff is allowed to run in the background then third-party stuff should be allowed too.
I would not like everything to run as root. But an option to root your phone without too much hassle and make any changes to app permissions would be great.
If they’re root, they already can. Like Google Play and other root/system apps that can install apps without the pop-up.
Fun reminder that the Facebook system apps included on many phones can do that too. Look for system apps called “Facebook Bridge”, “Facebook stub”, “Facebook App Installer”, “Facebook App Manager” etc.
a persistent notification is no longer required. A key icon in the status bar is the only indication you get that the VPN is enabled
You still get the key icon. Is the fuss that it now takes more screen taps to reach the on/off, rather than just using the persistent notification?
The fuss is that 3rd party apps need a persistent notification to stay alive. But, because Google owns pixels, it can skip that step and be less intrusive/visible, which others can not.
Unfortunately, that will mean your app can be killed on many smartphones from device makers like xiaomi, Oppo, and huawei, which have aggressive battery optimization. I had this issue on a redmi device where background apps would be killed unless a permanent notification was present.
The WireGuard and tailscale apps work great for me without a persistent notification.
I haven’t tried wireguard. But, I should give them a try and see how it goes in samsung.
Because (from what I’ve read) battery optimization may still kill them, depending on the phone.
Persistent notification was added in response to android 8+ background restrictions. You didn’t need it before.
Apps that need to be constantly alive do that to avoid being killed by the system on android devices that are not stock or pixel. Apps like tasker, accubattery, Internet speed meter, adguard all target the latest android version 12 or higher.
We are on android 14. You can not install apps targeting android 5 from the playstore today.
What if you don’t want it?
