Only 2 problems I have with Graphene personally is the need to give Google money, which the irony is just too much, and no option for rooting. Otherwise it seems like a pretty good OS overall. In the meantime, while I wait for those options to be more flexible so I can have full control, I just use a rooted lineage os with all the extra Google stuff (ntp, DNS, etc) stripped and replaced with my own self hosted systems.
Privacy
A place to discuss privacy and freedom in the digital world.
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.
In this community everyone is welcome to post links and discuss topics related to privacy.
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[Matrix/Element]Dead
much thanks to @gary_host_laptop for the logo design :)
You technically can root (https://xdaforums.com/t/guide-pixel-6-oriole-unlock-bootloader-update-root-pass-safetynet.4356233/), but I wouldn't recommend it. I wouldn't recommend rooting any version of Android, it unnecessarily increases attack surface.
u can buy a pixel second hand.
Why is Graphene listed as Google play incompatible? They have far and away the best implementation of google play services if the user chooses to install them.
I think you read the column that says Google Pay compatible. It's talking about the tap to pay feature you can use with your credit card at merchants, rather than the play store.
Honestly, the tap to pay feature is what's keeping my from using one of the more privacy oriented ROMs or root. It's just too convenient.
GrapheneOS or nothing :/
As usual if you're looking to have any security (Verified boot) GrapheneOS + Pixel phone is the only options. I really don't get it how come people in places like this are okay with having a phone with all their personal data and logins without verified boot. Stolen / lost phone and game over.
I need a new phone but I want one with a good battery.
Looking at pixels for gOS but worried about battery life compared to something like Moto Edge+ or Oppo 11.
I've been using a Pixel 6a with GrapheneOS and the battery life is just fantastic. Sometimes I can go for a whole week without charging, but this is the exception. But under normal circumstances, I still get like 3 days of battery life. You don't need to be worried about that at all, battery life is even improved on GrapheneOS compared to the Stock ROM.
Dang a whole weeks seems like you'd have to not use it at all.
I have an s10e currently (been using it for over 4 years now) and the battery is shot. I'm at like 30% by noon. I use a lot of Bluetooth throughout the day at work. Basically 10 hrs of Bluetooth a day.
I just never see pixels on the top battery life for phones round up and that make me nervous.
I want something that will be at 30%ish when I go to bed.
On average I get like an hour and a half of screen time per day. I use my phone to message people on Signal, I connect it to my bluetooth earbuds and listen to music or a podcast when I go for a run and I occasionally like to take photos. I don't waste my time scrolling through TikTok for 8 hours like many other people unfortunately do. One week of battery life is pretty rare, but it has happened before. As I said, usually I get 2-3 days out of it when I it charge up to 80%. (charging up to 100% is bad for battery health, so I try to avoid it). I'm sure you will be fine. You can get a Pixel, install Graphene, try it out and give it back and receive a refund if you don't like it. That's the good thing about Pixels, installing a custom OS doesn't void the warranty or anything like that. You can just revert back to the stock OS and everything will be fine.
Getting a Pixel just to have Graphene is not always an option. At least not a sensible one that factors in everything that's important when buying something.
My current phone still runs perfectly fine, so getting a new one feels like a massive waste, too.
And and what happens to your data if your phone gets stolen?
DivestOS absolutely slaps. Well, all things considered
Edit: It's absolutely fantastic for what it is, and that is fact. Maintained by a single person, well documented, and doesn't promise more than it can deliver.
wow, never heard of it. do u use it?
I've been using it for almost two years now, and I like it a lot. (small disclaimer, I'm running it on a OnePlus 5T, which is one of their so-called golden devices that it runs best on)
It's pretty much the next best thing after Graphene, if you don't want to buy a Pixel.
The guy who maintains it does an excellent job of documenting issues, what works on what device, what the system itself can and can't do, it's very transparent.
He doesn't overpromise either, and explicitely states that getting a Pixel with Graphene is the better option overall. Greatly appreciate the honesty.
I'll use it for as long as he'll support my device, and then we'll see if I switch to Graphene.
One important thing though: While you can install microG, DivestOS doesn't officially support it, and while most things work, some don't. SafetyNet, for instance.