Privacy

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Privacy has become a very important issue in modern society, with companies and governments constantly abusing their power, more and more people are waking up to the importance of digital privacy.

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Switching to GrapheneOS (lemmy.world)

submitted 1 day ago by waddle_dee@lemmy.world to c/privacy@lemmy.ml

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Good afternoon, y'all!

I have decided to take the plunge and switch over to Graphene OS. Is there anything I need to know before I use the web installer? I'm a bit bummed about having to set up all my apps again, but I'm exporting all my settings, thanks FOSS apps! to help with the transition. Most of my data is fully backed up through Nextcloud, so I'll be able to just jump straight in with my photos and data.

So yeah, any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated before I go through with it tonight. Thanks, y'all and again, I love being a part of the Lemmy community.

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[–] kimchi@lemmy.world 14 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (2 children)

I have separate profiles:

main user has no Google Play services or Gapps: just F-Droid apps and a couple of play store apps I use daily (via Aurora anonymously)
Aurora profile has other playstore apps that will run without Google Play Services (anonymously loaded via Aurora)
PlayStore profile is for anything that requires Google Play Services (banking, purchased apps)
Work profile is full-on Google everyting (Google school)

Location is on, but only shared with Organic Maps, FindMyDevice (FMD) and Transit.app
USB port is power-only (no data).

Some compromises I've made:

I have fingerprint unlock enabled (but not on my password vault or PlayStore/Banking profile)
I tap-to-pay with a Garmin watch ( you only need the Garmin app to set-up the credit card, then it can be deleted )

But... I think starting-out, don't worry about it. If you load all the same apps as on your old phone, into a single main profile, it'll still be a huge improvement.

[–] dogs0n@sh.itjust.works 5 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

Good recommendation. Good to remember that each app has its own sandbox so for most scenarios you are all set anyways (except running google play in general you may be against).

An excellent middle ground, if preferred, would be your main profile with everything that works anonymously and without google, etc, then a second profile that is not so anonymous (ie banking, google maps, etc).

You also likely need your password manager app in both profiles.

p.s. if you also use fingerprint (or any biometric) unlock, remember you can hold the power button to go into lockdown if you ever have a security threat (ie think you might be arrested or robbed or whatever like that). This disables biometrics and requires your pin. (i believe you should do this even if you use only a pin since it takes your phone into a BFU state, which you can google more about if interested).

[–] DevilsJaundice@europe.pub 3 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Is fingerprint unlock not secure/private on android?

[–] Katzimir@lemmy.dbzer0.com 5 points 22 hours ago* (last edited 22 hours ago)

in many jurisdictions you Can be forced to give your biometric data to unlock. a pin cannot as of 2026 be forcefully extracted from you against your will.