Hey
I am planning on putting graphenos (or another os) on my pixel (currently using a pixel 6 but will have a pixel 8 shortly). I have a few questions about using then new os. Mainly are there any apps that don’t work. I use my phone for work being a OTP to logine daily etc is that still possible and reliable. There is one game I play on phone downloaded from the play store is that still possible? Lastly how do updates come can I download an update regularly from phone or do I have to plug into PC each time and know there is an update ready and how would you revert back to Google os if needed.
Sorry if that is a lot I just feel scared to take the “leap” into what is for me unknown. Thanks
I use it on pixel 6a. I have encountered no problems, all apps have worked including games from google play store. Only exception is google wallet.
Edit: updates come over the air
Does Google wallet and maps work in sandboxed pay services environment?
Can you create another work profile besides the one for Google Play services?
You can create a lot of different profiles , I am using 3 but I think it is like 8 max or something. My wife is using a GOS phone with all the bad apps she can find and there is never an issue. Maps for sure , wallet I don’t know.
Can you use the play store like normal on gOS or do you have to use the container environment?
You install the Google services and Play store from the gOS Apps application, then use them like normal.
Behind the scenes they run in the sandboxed environment, but to the user it makes no difference.
I’ve been using it for years and I think it’s great. Currently on a 6 Pro. It’s true that some apps don’t work without Google Play services, but GrapheneOS has the option to install the google stuff in a sandbox, so you shouldn’t run into any issues if you do that. Personally, I don’t use Play services unless I need to, and use Aurora store for any apps that aren’t on F-Droid.
In any case, you can always revert to stock or try another OS
Edit: as faede has pointed out, it appears that Google Wallet has issues. Also, the usage docs mention issues with banking apps in general, so that’s something to consider
For banking apps, long pressing them to get to settings and enabling exploit protection compatibility mode usually fixes the problem.
In order of question:
- just gPay contactless payments (that I’ve found)
- me too, no issues
- should play just fine with gPlay
- updates are ota just like stock android (once gos is initially installed); they have a restore method that afaik uses the google restore website, I haven’t used it in a while but it does work and is pretty straightforward
(used many, many roms over the years, currently gos for 3.5y)
In addition to GPay contactless, Android Auto will also not work on GrapheneOS.
Almost all apps work. Some may require you to disable a security feature (native code debugging), specifically banking apps. Others may require you to install the sandboxed google services but you can do that in a separate dedicated profile.
Apps that don’t work:
- Google Pay
As far that I know, that’s it.
Out of genuine curiosity from someone who has never used it, what are the features of Android Auto that are so good/useful that it alone would determine whether to use a custom ROM or not?
