Free and Open Source Software

I recently got a pixel 10 just to start testing out GrapheneOS. So far I’m liking it a lot; my primary phone is still my old iPhone 13 but I can see switching to GrapheneOS as my next phone.

Full ability to decouple from both Google and Apple, yet maintain usability with restricted Play Store, and ability to customize for nerds like myself……where has this thing been all my life??

I have a Pixel 8 Pro running GrapheneOS as my personal phone, and have an iPhone provided by work. I can see why people like iOS, but I absolutely prefer Android.

It would be interesting to see a GrapheneOS version of iOS, but Apple will never allow that.

I use Graphene, and have been modding android ops since before the iPhone 7. I was issued an iphone 12 for work a few years ago and it DRIVES ME UP A WALL! Not sure how you can accept it while using Linux on your computer. Apple phones really are like the windows of mobile computing with enormous update files that take forever and settings you can't really change.

I think that, after an initial adjustment, you will really like using Graphene. It allows you to use google things if you choose, just as many Linux systems allow you to use wine and therefore windows. Or, you could just not 🙂 It works great either way.

I'm still running a several year old GOS Pixel 7. Not because I can't afford to upgrade, but because I don't care to (at least not until desktop mode becomes good enough to replace my laptop). Not slow or buggy. I don't really hear about anyone else's being such either.

GOS accuses a new entity of "targeted harassment" pretty much every day of the week but it's safe to ignore. I'm sure some of it is legitimate but I'm also sure all of it isn't.

What you need to realize is that big tech doesnt want you to use Graphene. Things work great right now, but recognize that Google can essentially break the play store or any apps that rely on it anytime they want. So if you switch, your going to want to slowly wean off big tech. You need to make the phone useable without the play store, because one day, Google is going to pull the plug and block Graphene from being able to use the play store.

One thing these other comments are missing is the huge design philosophy difference between iOS and grapheneOS.

On the iPhone, things are locked down to only what Apple wants you to do, but the UX is polished.

With grapheneOS, you have so much user agency to do things your own way, but this comes with having to make many decisions, a steeper learning curve, and the opportunity to get yourself into trouble. Most users here don't seem to mind that tradeoff, but for me, it made a big difference.

It's fine. I kinda dislike the devices themselves that are required to run it, though. Too big.

Projects like GrapheneOS and Valetudo are one of those cases where you have to separate the author from the work and enjoy it as is

Yes. I switched from iPhone five years ago and never looked back. Do it.

I think it would be a great experience for you. If you are super worried you could try on a used device or be open to switch back, as both iPhones and Pixels ahve decent reselling value.

You sound like you are not relying on the Apple ecosystem, so you shouldnt lose out as much as others with lots of other Apple devices/services.

Also GrapheneOS has been the best Android experience I had, because it taught me not tl rely on Google services, embracing FOSS alternatives and actually caring about hoe my phone works / what data my apps can access.

Prepare yourself for having to relearn a lot of "muscle memory". I don't use GrapheneOS myself as I don't have a Pixel but I can answer regarding android phones longevity:
My Sony Xperia IV 10 from 2022 is a midrange phone I bought on sale for below 300 euro and it works well for me still. I think I might get through the AI memory crisis without switching phone.

Personally I'm looking forward to the Motorola offering that has been announced and would probably look at a pixel 9 pro refurbished if I wanted to buy now and not wait for the Motorola one. https://itsfoss.com/news/motorola-grapheneos-team-up/

I have GOS on Pixel 6a. Good, but battery now starting to show it's age. But this was at 3 years, rather than the 1.5 years I'm used to.

Definitely would recommend.

If you can live with very arrogant developers, it's probably a good choice.

After one years? I've been using a Samsung flagship for the past 3+ years and it's been a fine experience. That said, I don't have hundreds of apps and use mainly the browser, but I do have a custom launcher and some other QOL stuff.

I use it for a couple of years. It's great. Pixel pros have a great camera quality and they run everything smoothly.

GrapheneOS cannot change how "Android devices become garbage after three years at the latest"

Not true my Oneplus 6T is still going strong!

Do it. I did it three years ago and never looked back. 

Are there any foss or moving away from macOS and Android phone communities? I know there’s dumbphone, but that’s not quite the same.

I’m trying to find a way out too. I want to not just move away I also want a phone that acts less like an entertainment device.

When was the last time you used stock android without gapps? It’s basically like that but what little apps come installed are replaced with more privacy focused ones.

Unless you install some other App Store there’s very few apps. If you’re cool with what’s on the FOSS app stores then great. But some apps I need aren’t on there so the first thing I did was install google play.

Graphene is also fairly hostile towards rooting. So if you want root you gotta fight the OS a little bit.

I have Graphene OS on my pixel, but I could never switch back to android at this point. Sure I’d like more privacy. But I don’t want to hate my phone in order to get it. And I detest androids UI/UX with a burning passion.

Oh also be aware that almost no banking apps will work on it. Many of them will falsely identify your phone as rooted (even when it isn’t) and the isolated GP I think is what trips up the rest.