Is Graphene OS good? Any downsides? I need to get a new phone soon.
I switched to it a year ago and I like it. The biggest draw for me is it gives me back control and ownership over my phone. It gives you actual and thorough control over what apps can do on your phone including Google’s apps, which on other typical Android OS are being given all or most permissions with no ability for you to deny access to any of them.
To gain almost all the functionality of a regular Android OS you can install Google Play Services and run it sandboxed, which means it will only do what you allow it to do and access only what you will allow it to access, which for me is the bare minimum before things stop working too much for my tastes.
Besides Android auto for now, the only thing that won’t work for me on it is my banking app, probably because of all the security checks involved in it. But I just use the browser-based online service to do my banking operations instead.
I got my banking app working by going into App Info for it, and toggling this to on.
Banking apps can usually be defeated by Magisk in Zygist mode, then you use the deny list to hide things from the app. Some might check with Google for security, which is much more difficult and maybe even impossible to circumvent, but in my experience these days they work fine.
if you dont mind me asking, which banking app do you use? have you checked out the privsec.dev compatibility report?
My banking app is in the list and already has a number of reports against it reporting the same problem I have with it. Exploit protection compatibility mode was already enabled on my phone. The app just freezes upon startup ever since an update that rolled in later last year and as I said, this problem has already been reported by other users.
Banking apps can usually be defeated by Magisk in Zygist mode, then you use the deny list to hide things from the app. Some might check with Google for security, which is much more difficult and maybe even impossible to circumvent, but in my experience these days they work fine.
Banking apps can usually be defeated by Magisk in Zygist mode, then you use the deny list to hide things from the app. Some might check with Google for security, which is much more difficult and maybe even impossible to circumvent, but in my experience these days they work fine.
I’m running it. Bank apps and Safety net things (like Pokemon Go) all work. Aside from Android Auto, Google Pay refuses to work.
So, there’s no downsides.
Actually, Google Translate didn’t play ball when I tried it. I miss that one.
I really like Android Auto so I’ll probably wait until they at least get that working to change. I wonder if Samsung Pay works on there…
ah, that’s a shame. I’m heavily relying on google pay (also BLIK, but I’m usingboth polish and Ukrainian cards, and blik is a poland-only thingy) since i only have virtual credit cards right now. having everything (bank cards, govt ids etcs) on my phone is just too convinient to give up like that
I was concerned with this myself and planned to just add a physical card under my phone case, but I was suprised how little difference using the card normally made.
And if you care about privacy, you probably shouldn’t make your purchases using a google app.
Upsides: Everything just works, no google tracking, creating a google account is optional and its easy to setup
Downsides: You aren’t able to automatically backup the internal storage of apps without a lot of work (external files such as photos and documents are fine though)
I’ve been using it for about 1.5 years, I would recommend using it if possible
From my experience, its overall good. Its basically stock android, meaning no google smart features and apps by default, with more control over apps and google services. But for caution, some apps may break. You will have to mess around with the app settings to fix them. Also some apps will not work such as the google wallet app due to the OS not being acknowledged as official by google.
In short, its a more security focused OS that may require more involvement in configuration.
Google Wallet didn’t work last time I checked, but contactless payments worked perfectly well by setting my banking app as the payment app.
Not all banking apps work due to the system integrity checks they do. Support for your banking app can probably be confirmed here.
Biggest downside is you lose Android Auto haha
But also pretty much all the Pixel-specific features like Call Screen, Hold For Me and many more.
Other than that it’s fantastic and easy to install.
I still use Google Contacts, Camera, Photos and GBoard, all with internet connectivity disabled.
The only real downside is that the developers are divas. Also, there’s something to be said about the security of a Google manufactured device and thinking your custom firmware protects you from them, however really that’s true of any device, and the security benefits of sandboxing and other features may outweigh this.
Here is an example: https://github.com/bromite/bromite/issues/2141
I was hoping from the title that this meant that Graphene could run on the car. They’re still a huge privacy concern.
What do you mean “run on the car”? You might be thinking of Android Automotive, the car OS.
They’re still a huge privacy concern.
…who?
E: please stop speaking on behalf of the person I asked the question to. They are the only one who knows the answer.
Modern cars are a privacy shitshow
Edit: spelling
Yes we’re all aware, thank you. What does that have to do with my question?
I’m a Luddite for sure, but I’d be uncomfortable with my car having access to data about how I interact with my phone. I use Lineage and not Graphene, but I don’t think I’d use Android Auto if it was available for Lineage. (Or maybe it is. Not sure. But I wouldn’t use it regardless.)
the solution is to yank out the stock infotainment system and put in a new one that doesn’t suck. that and cracking down on automakers who play dirty
Also for people thinking that this will block the functions that your existing one has integrated with the vehicle, you can get something like iDatalink Maestro to translate things. As long as it’s compatible with your car and the head unit is compatible with the Maestro then you can access existing functions.
Wow this is incredible, and I will be making the switch! This was the only unavailable feature that I couldn’t go without.
I recall watch pairing being temperamental when I tried it as well, but this will be a solid reason to give it another go. Maybe put it in one of the old phones for a test drive and go from there. Graphine certainly makes it easier to hop over with their online flash tool than most did in the past.
I’m more interested in that Nitro Phone 4, tbh. Not in buying it, as I’d just flash it myself, but it’s an interesting product. They also include options for removing sensors, microphones and cameras, which seems kind of cool and crazy - without the microphones how do you make calls?!
Either you plug a wired microphone each time you receive a call, or you explicitly do not receive calls with the device and use it as a tablet basically.
I don’t understand, isn’t the Nitro just a rebranded Pixel with Graphene?
Yup it is, but apparently they also have options to physically remove components for added security. It costs €300 though, on top of the premium they charge for simply installing GrapheneOS and putting a sticker on the back.
So yeah, I find it interesting, but I don’t think it’s something I’d buy lol.
