by versluis on 4/13/25, 9:42 AM
I love GrapheneOS. The biggest downside is that Google integrity API block wireless payments in Google Pay. All Dutch banks now advertise to install Google pay for wireless payments.
I've tried asking Google to support GrapheneOS but they told me to do a feature request. Which I did and got no reply to. I've contacted the consumer market authority and made a formal complaint since Google and Apple share effectively a contactless payments duopoly and decide which OS distributions get access. Those are closed source and usually bundled with a lot of spyware. I also explained how the Google integrity API might affect banking availability in the future (and already does for some banking apps). They took it very seriously and I hope to hear from them in the future.
by JeremyBarbosa on 4/13/25, 1:58 AM
I was bit confused why this was notable, but the Pixel 9a just released Thursday. So this is an incredibly fast turnaround for a community OS.
by OsrsNeedsf2P on 4/13/25, 2:09 AM
I installed GrapheneOS on my Pixel 4a after Google deleted the battery life[0], and while the initial move was frustrating with things not working, I've adapted and have a nice feeling of security while using my device again. It feels like it's mine, and I don't have to worry about who will spy on me or rug-pull me next.
[0] https://grapheneos.social/@GrapheneOS/113917226566692707
by NoImmatureAdHom on 4/13/25, 1:03 PM
I think GrapheneOS is one of the most important projects going. Many people walk around with all-purpose spying devices in their pocket, oblivious to how much power they are giving up. They have no control over these devices, and they don't even understand.
GrapheneOS gives us a way to resist. The convenience of having a modern phone is hard to give up, and with GrapheneOS you can have 90% of that convenience while reducing much of the surveillance and attack surface. Now, we just need a pixel phone with two big hardware switches, sliders on each side of the phone: one kills the radios, and the other kills the sensors (cameras, microphones). When you want to take a call, just flip the big slider switch up to activate cameras and mics.
Thank you to strcat and the rest of the team! If you don't use GrapheneOS, I would consider it. You can donate here: https://grapheneos.org/donate
And if you have the right kind of programming skills, why not help out?
by max_ on 4/13/25, 5:44 AM
by mystified5016 on 4/13/25, 2:10 PM
I really wanted to like Graphene, but it feels more locked down than stock android. The primary reason I want a custom OS in the first place is that I want to control the device I own.
Graphene is just taking control of my phone from Google and giving it to whoever runs Graphene. I don't get any say in how my phone works.
Graphene thinks you can't be trusted with your own device. But don't worry, they definitely know what's best for you and it's a totally different kind of control from what Google has. Really, just trust them, it's totally fine, promise.
I switched to Lineage after a few months.
by miramba on 4/13/25, 2:14 PM
I installed GrapheneOS on a spare Pixel 4a recently...through a browser window. I thought at first that I had to download a firmware flasher or something, but no, it updated the device from that webpage! That was impressive.
The other thing I would like to mention: Chromium is installed, so PWAs can be installed instead of connecting to a sandboxed google play or something. The PWAs I tried looked just like on an iPhone or desktop. Yes, we are far, far away from PWAs being a complete replacement. But it is in theory possible:
An independent mobile OS with platform-independent apps. No Apple/Google ID needed, no appstores. That was the point of this test install, and it worked.
by sureglymop on 4/13/25, 12:33 PM
One cool thing about GrapheneOS when I recently got a new Pixel 9 was how easy it was to install it with just my older Pixel phone. Because the installer is WebUSB based it works in the Vanadium browser. I just connected the two phones together with a USB cable and could install the OS on my new phone from the browser.
One currently missing thing is a "transfer" or backup functionality otherwise. There's really no good solution other than to manually port over applications and use their built-in import/export features if available.
by tiborsaas on 4/13/25, 10:00 AM
We should normalize having a "sceenshot" menu in the navigation again. Not their social, website has any. Is this a text based operating system?
by pinetroey on 4/13/25, 6:34 AM
I've been eying GrapheneOS for a few years. But there is one thing holding me back, Auto Call Recording.
I'd love to make the switch.
by 0x38B on 4/13/25, 7:51 AM
The Pixel 9a is really tempting for someone like me who’s tired of living in Apple’s walled garden (1), but wants a decent device at a fair price that’ll be supported for a good long time - the Pixel 9a ticks all of those boxes.
1: Why? File management and getting files into apps is the #1 area where Android wins.
For example, iOS has me copying or saving audiobooks into a folder only to import them into BookPlayer, whereas Android’s Smart Audiobook Player lets me copy my book to my audiobooks folder and hit ‘rescan’.
Funnily enough, one of the only music apps on iOS that offers the same functionality - copy a folder into your library and rescan - is the same Neutron Player I used to use on Android. The interface is clunky, but that’s a small price to pay.
by EffrafaxOfWug on 4/13/25, 12:14 PM
When installing graphene os I would consider very carefully if you want to relock the bootloader. In the past I have installed graphene os on my pixel 7a and a normal system update broke my system and made it unbootable. Because of the locked bootloader you can't reflash the os without wiping your data. It may be a very uncommon bug that may never happen to you, but honestly it shouldn't have happened to me either.
by notorandit on 4/13/25, 8:06 AM
I hope the so-called blobs have been replaced with unprivileged opensource versions.
Otherwise privacy and security would be meaning basically nothing.
by neodypsis on 4/13/25, 4:44 AM
Is there a GrapheneOS image for use with Android Emulator? I want to test an app on it but got no physical Pixel device.
by raffael_de on 4/13/25, 9:48 AM
What is the current conventional UX with GrapheneOS?
Especially regarding:
- Usability of taxi apps like: Uber, Grab, Bolt
- Camera quality versus stock ROM
by privacyking on 4/13/25, 4:41 AM
What's the next big feature being implemented? The last was the network location one.
by m1keil on 4/13/25, 9:20 AM
How is the camera quality on the GrapheneOS phones?
by blissofbeing on 4/13/25, 4:02 AM
I would like to root, but I like my Google pay.
by 64848374 on 4/13/25, 4:46 AM
I feel like GrapheneOS shot itself in the foot, being exclusive to Pixel phones. Pixel phones were great, in the past, but now they're mediocre offerings for their price range and the removal of the 3.5mm jack pushed many of the more techy users away — GrapheneOS's target audience.
Not sure if I'd use GrapheneOS even if it was available on other devices though. Really not a fan of the hostile attitude towards rooting when it's needed for basic functionality like backups — actual, reliable backups for every app, unlike those provided by the built-in solution.
by gostsamo on 4/13/25, 5:40 AM
what is the screen reader story with Graphene? Is talkback supported or it is a victim of the security model?
by ram_rattle on 4/13/25, 9:09 AM
I wonder how they handle cellular and wifi part, lot of proprietary shit in that.
by darkwater on 4/13/25, 7:27 AM
Off topic but related to Android replacement on phones, let see if anyone can help me: I have an old Xiaomi Mi 9SE in a drawer, and I would like it to give it to my daughter as a Spotify player and that's it. No phone, no camera, no browser. Just Spotify.
What would be the best way to start? PostmarketOS doesn't support it, GrapheneOS is security-focused, LineageOS is basically a full-fledged Android, I don't know if I would be able to limit it as I would.