 Visitor Reviews |
GrapheneOS
|
Reader supplied reviews for GrapheneOS
Average rating
9.5 from 10 review(s)
Version:
Rating: 8
Date: 2025-06-08
Votes: 1
|
It is definitely usable, but does have a few quirks that prospective users should be aware of. Before I comment about the OS itself, I have to say that the team behind this project has been very responsive, and excellent to deal with. This is reflected in the project's documentation which is well written and clear.
0. The install was straight forward and worked exactly as the well written and clear instructions said it would.
1. Voice commands are not working with Android Auto.
2. Very frequent updates, sometimes 5 or 6 a month. This is a good thing, as they keep up with security issues.
3. Google wallet won't work. This is a conscious decision due to requirements of Google.
4. The OS is responsive, does not hang.
5. Interface design is deliberately monochromatic and minimalist. It could use a little use of color to denote warnings or unusual conditions. I wish the designer of the QubesOS interface could do a quick makeover. That being said, the interface is very good, but doesn't use color, which is unfortunate.
|
Version: 2025030300
Rating: 9
Date: 2025-05-11
Votes: 3
|
I bought a Pixel 8a for use with GrapheneOS. While the requirement of a Pixel device may seem unusual, it is because Google implements actual verified boot support and uses the Titan security chip.
It is incredibly easy to install, even though it has strict requirements for what browsers and operating systems can be used to install it. I tried on Fedora and Firefox, both unsupported, and it didn't work. But Windows with Brave worked just fine.
There isn't much documentation (because the system is very minimal) but the documentation I needed was there and was well written, even for someone like me who has never used Android.
The system is very minimal by default and contains very little, including no Play Services by default. However, you can install and sandbox them, and Play Services is treated like any other app with permissions. I came from an iPhone, so I expected this transition to be difficult, but it was pretty easy.
The system is hardened to an almost ridiculous degree. It features encryption, hardened memory, a hardened Linux kernel, and many other things I don't understand because this is the first time I've used Android. Unlike many ROMs, it locks the bootloader and doesn't support rooting for increased security.
There are only three criticisms I have: first, some banking apps may not work. My Wells Fargo app works, but apparently apps like Cash App do not, so make sure you search for if your banking app functions on Graphene.
Second, some AOSP apps and functions simply are very barebones and don't work well. For example, the default messages app works for sending SMS and nothing else, and is missing any quality-of-life features. The built in image editor is also awful, just cropping an image is painful.
Finally, and the biggest issue, is a lack of RCS support. Apparently I need Google Mesaages for RCS. A little weird, but okay. I did every possible thing I could think of, going through settings, unlinking my SIM from iMesage, and everything else under the sun, and it never worked. Apparently others struggle with this too, so I can only send messages in SMS or convince others to use third-party messaging apps.
In conclusion, GrapheneOS is great, bur it does have some quality-of-life issues in its default apps and seems to not support RCS. However, the increased security and privacy are all worth it for me. I have also noticed vastly better battery life, at least compared to my iPhone 12.
I may have missed some things because I don't know everything that's Graphene exclusive or is just a feature of Android. In conclusion, GrapheneOS has some hiccups, but it is overall the best mobile smartphone experience I have ever had.
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Version: 2025030300
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-04-13
Votes: 5
|
I use GrapheneOS on a Pixel 5, Pixel 8 and the Pixel Tablet.
The documentation is superb and very accessible though the website. It is found under the Features, Useage and FAQ tabs. The forum is also a valuable source of tips on how to setup/organise your profiles and apps (use the forum search field to find the best advice from older posts).
What really makes the difference is the use of user profiles and sandboxed Google Play Services + better granularity of enabling or disabling what an app can access. Google Play can be switched on and off at will in different proliles. Please read the documentation to understand this better. You can have a profile dedicated to banking apps and which will therefore be entirely separated from any other profile and the other apps. You can run the Google Pixel camera in a different profile and disable its permission to access the network.
It does take quite a while to become familiar with all the extra capabilities of GOS over Android/AOSP. In my case it was about 3 months before I had really understood how I wanted to structure my profiles and the app installs.
GrapheneOS is very clever to let you choose your own balance between no google stuff and the default Android experience. In UI terms, the only big difference is that you use the phone without any Google Play Services or use the GOS Sandboxed GooglePlay (with full control to disable it whenever you wish, or limit it to profiles of your choosing) or have Google Play services enabled in some profiles and not in other profiles.
GrapheneOS really is a beautiful thing. My tip would be to buy a cheap second hand Pixel 5, 5a, 6 or 6a and then install GOS and using it just through wifi, work your way through the documentation until you are familiar with how you want to configure GOS to do what you want. Then you are ready to buy a more expensive and supported Pixel device.
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Version: 2025030300
Rating: 9
Date: 2025-04-12
Votes: 1
|
Found the installation instructions easy to follow and everything went off without a hitch. Keeping that in mind I had researched the installation and setup process extensively. Honestly, after about a week I didn't miss any of the google apps at all as my phone isn't used as a device of entertainment. As for apps like amazon, I just use the browser (duck duck go) and clear the cache afterwards then switch to a bare bones user afterwards. This might not be a perfect solution for some people but PRIVACY is the main purpose of GrapheneOS and I believe this provides the level of PRIVACY I am looking for. If you want to take back SOME of your privacy, this is an excellent start just remember there is a difference between privacy and security.
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Version: 2025030300
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-04-01
Votes: 0
|
This OS lets you control what is revealed about you now that every commercial app is trying to farm data from you. The initial install is very pared down but security is why. You can add Google play but apps can be controlled for network access and other items that helps you control your exposure to leaking sensitive data. I like the function without the Google leak and bloat. I highly recommend this mobile OS, please support their efforts. It is a wonderful project to break with corporate controls.
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Version: 2025030300
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-03-31
Votes: 2
|
I have been using GrapheneOS for over five years, and I'm on my third phone running it. (I'm writing this review from a Pixel 7a running GrapheneOS.)
One of the best things about Graphene is ease of installation. I tried to install LineageOS on a couple of phones but failed to get it to work, and in fact bricked an old Moto G7+ trying to install it. I also tried Calyx and failed. Graphene has a web based installer. Unlock developer options (very easy), plug it into a laptop or desktop, click click click and it's done in a foolproof way.
This OS is pretty stripped down when first installed. I recommend installing Aurora store and maybe F-Droid for additional apps. I have never needed Google Play, only GMS compat config for a couple of apps. That is, until recently, when my job required a couple of apps that demand Google Play services. I created a second profile (also very easy, and actually part of AOSP), and run sandboxed Google Play there for those apps. It's a little bit of a pain compared to just sharing everything you do with the spies at Google (and Samsung or Motorola or whoever) like most phones, but for me it's worth a little hassle to stop the firehose of personal data going to parts unknown.
Also, I like a little color on my background so I changed the wallpaper, but I've done that on every device I've ever owned.
Really this is the best choice if you care about security and about hindering the constant spying your phone enables by default.
|
Version: 2025030300
Rating: 9
Date: 2025-03-19
Votes: 5
|
I have tried GrapheneOS on a Amazon ordered Second hand Pixel 3a XL 2 years ago. Also Calyxos and GrapheneOS was basic and slow without many options of interest except security and privacy.
Now however since watching some you tube Videos in Nov/Dec 2024 how one could separate User Profiles for different uses on a Pixel 7 PRO phone and keep google sandboxed in the main profile without anything to harvest there for google and use the profiles with anonymity and separation from each other and the apps in each, I started to understand how I can use this for my benefit. I ordered a new Pixel 7 Pro from Amazon to South Africa and loaded the Pixel with Grapheneos Direct from the Grapheneos site through the automatic net installer. It was a internet connection and a few click...that is how easy it is...
I started January 2024 , So now I have 6 user Profiles, All apps are from Google Play sandboxed downloaded in the main profile, but not used there.There is also nothing google can get, no photos , no contacts or anything.Then the apps you want can be pushed thru to any new user you create by "Install available apps" for that user. By switching to that user-(With or without separate password for each user) you can setup that app for that user like and EXAMPLE -Gmail...(each user can have its own gmail app) ...
I try to keep my shopping apps in a separate profile without anything Google or APPS can steal..
I keep my work stuff in a separate profile
I have my personal stuff in a separate profile,
I have a PLAY profile just to browsing
I am still learning,playing and exploring . All I know is that just about everything you need can be adjusted. There is no annoying updates with Gemini, AI's or any other nagging suggestions and notification(Like my wives SAMSUNG phone), once you disable them.
Updates can be setup to be silent and in the background ( It never resets your settings), it is very respectful of YOUR choices and does not mess around with you. The OS is OBEDIENT!! you know what I mean. This is not like Android OR IOS or Windows..
It is complex to use if you want all the privacy and Security, but I LOVE the choices and respect this OS gives the user, by not changing your setting or nagging.!!!-Of coarse you have to set this up to work this way, but all settings are there for you to change, thereafter it stays the same.
Even if you do not set up the other profiles and just use the main profile like in an normal Android OS, Using Google sandboxed standard as setup by the GRAPHENEOS, you will be happy with the usage,PRIVACY AND SECURITY it offers.
I give it 9 because nothing is perfect in live....but this is close for me and my usage as a semi -geek.
In my mind this is the Phone OS that we should demand for our phones and not allow anyone to manipulate our info, privacy or data.
Watch some you tube videos on this OS and try it. Of coarse, you need to get a pixel. But if you do not like GrapheneOS you could still install stock Google Android OS easily. Pixel 8 onward have 7 years of updates, you cannot really loose. You will still have a GOOD phone for many years.
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Version: 2025030300
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-03-12
Votes: 5
|
I use GrapheneOS on my Pixel 7a because it cuts the noise out.
The various security hardenings Graphene offers are good - they could never be bad - and don't stop apps being run in my experience, even banking applications and VPNs, with one exception - Google Wallet.
There are a lot of full upgrades - I am on the beta channel and there are quite often 6 or 8 a month. "Beta" is notional as I have never had any issues. Full upgrades take about 10 minutes to complete, but can be scheduled to run during the night. They slowly add new features but, more often, introduce further hardening. Monthly security patches are often available before Google makes an official release - these are frequently packaged in an upgrade and install before a day has passed! Android 15 took a few weeks.
The big win here is that Google applications are reduced to two, only one of which is visible in normal use (Google Play Store and Google Play Services) and both of those can be uninstalled, although that is going a bit far. Other Google applications are replaced by stock alternatives (Launcher, Camera, Telephone, Messaging, Clock, Contacts, Files, Gallery, Calculator, PDF Viewer) and there is also Vanadium, which is a hardened Chromium. Cloud backup is replaced by a local backup, which Graphene admits is not good enough and is in the process of replacing. (Apart from anything else, to start it presents a screen offering 12 random words; you have to record them then type them into a following screen for confirmation before you can even consider doing a backup!)
Google Play is sandboxed and has had further teeth drawn by a hidden app, GMSCompatConfig, which replaces most of Google Play's integration with the rest of Android with stubs. The difficulty of doing this, which Google certainly doesn't like, is shown by GCC being on its 154th version as I write.
The only real issue I find, after about 18 months of using Graphene, is that it has too many ways of installing apps. As well as Google Play, there is App Store, which is Graphene-specific and allows the alternative apps, Vanadium, Google Play Store/Services and GCC to be upgraded. App Store also offers Accrescent, which gives access to a small number (about 30) of third-party apps. A F-Droid client really has to be installed as well, but there is no explicit support for that. If this (in effect) trio of app stores outside Google Play could be simplified - turning Accrescent into a hardened F-Droid app and putting the alternative apps into a repository? - that would be a huge improvement.
I strongly recommend GrapheneOS. If you can cope with not using your Pixel for [one-tap NFC] payments - due to the Google Wallet block - it is Android without the rubbish.
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Version: 2025030300
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-03-10
Votes: 4
|
I've been a longtime user of Graphene OS. With a few setting changes, I can use banking apps. Google Play works flawlessly for all the apps I have tested. Battery life has been comparable to stock os. The flash process is more straightforward than flashing other options. I am interested to see how the PKVM technologies are used for a desktop mode. If anyone is curious about security comparison, there is a celebrite (maybe another company) chart showing the last affected release for data extraction on GraphenOs forums and a GitHub comparison chart that gets retweeted by their x account somewhat often.
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Version: 2025030300
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-03-10
Votes: 5
|
I have used GrapheneOS for >2 years on my phone and about 1 year on my tablet.
The good:
- This is about as secure as a reasonably full-featured mobile OS will get. The developers behind it are well-known for their extensive work in this area. It features special memory protections and has many secure defaults.
- Worth another bullet point, GrapheneOS bundles a special sandbox for Google Play Services for users that need it. I don't personally use it but my husband does and has no issues with it.
- Regular updates that make meaningful enhancements version over version with all the latest security patches
- Something that doesn't get talked about enough: the user experience is extremely consistent. I didn't even notice it updated the major underlying version of Android for a while because it keeps the same experience. The phone still works the way I expect it to.
- Extremely comprehensive documentation. Their FAQ is huge and covers quite a lot of topics. The user community is very helpful.
The OK:
- The project only supports Pixel devices because they are the only mobile devices that they see as reasonably secure enough at a hardware level.
- The default theming is very boring and black. I changed this but this is probably fine for most users.
- The project provides a very small app store, but doesn't provide any easy way to get apps by default (Google Play, F-Droid, Obtanium, others). You have to have a basic understanding of how to get your apps.
- Granular permissions with lots of control. It's a great feature, but I'm putting it in the OK section because it can be overwhelming.
The bad:
- While the project is definitely usable by non-technical users, getting it set up can be tricky.
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Latest Reviews
Project: GrapheneOS
Version:
Rating: 8
Date: 2025-06-08
Votes: 1
|
It is definitely usable, but does have a few quirks that prospective users should be aware of. Before I comment about the OS itself, I have to say that the team behind this project has been very responsive, and excellent to deal with. This is reflected in the project's documentation which is well written and clear.
0. The install was straight forward and worked exactly as the well written and clear instructions said it would.
1. Voice commands are not working with Android Auto.
2. Very frequent updates, sometimes 5 or 6 a month. This is a good thing, as they keep up with security issues.
3. Google wallet won't work. This is a conscious decision due to requirements of Google.
4. The OS is responsive, does not hang.
5. Interface design is deliberately monochromatic and minimalist. It could use a little use of color to denote warnings or unusual conditions. I wish the designer of the QubesOS interface could do a quick makeover. That being said, the interface is very good, but doesn't use color, which is unfortunate.
|
Project: GrapheneOS
Version: 2025030300
Rating: 9
Date: 2025-05-11
Votes: 3
|
I bought a Pixel 8a for use with GrapheneOS. While the requirement of a Pixel device may seem unusual, it is because Google implements actual verified boot support and uses the Titan security chip.
It is incredibly easy to install, even though it has strict requirements for what browsers and operating systems can be used to install it. I tried on Fedora and Firefox, both unsupported, and it didn't work. But Windows with Brave worked just fine.
There isn't much documentation (because the system is very minimal) but the documentation I needed was there and was well written, even for someone like me who has never used Android.
The system is very minimal by default and contains very little, including no Play Services by default. However, you can install and sandbox them, and Play Services is treated like any other app with permissions. I came from an iPhone, so I expected this transition to be difficult, but it was pretty easy.
The system is hardened to an almost ridiculous degree. It features encryption, hardened memory, a hardened Linux kernel, and many other things I don't understand because this is the first time I've used Android. Unlike many ROMs, it locks the bootloader and doesn't support rooting for increased security.
There are only three criticisms I have: first, some banking apps may not work. My Wells Fargo app works, but apparently apps like Cash App do not, so make sure you search for if your banking app functions on Graphene.
Second, some AOSP apps and functions simply are very barebones and don't work well. For example, the default messages app works for sending SMS and nothing else, and is missing any quality-of-life features. The built in image editor is also awful, just cropping an image is painful.
Finally, and the biggest issue, is a lack of RCS support. Apparently I need Google Mesaages for RCS. A little weird, but okay. I did every possible thing I could think of, going through settings, unlinking my SIM from iMesage, and everything else under the sun, and it never worked. Apparently others struggle with this too, so I can only send messages in SMS or convince others to use third-party messaging apps.
In conclusion, GrapheneOS is great, bur it does have some quality-of-life issues in its default apps and seems to not support RCS. However, the increased security and privacy are all worth it for me. I have also noticed vastly better battery life, at least compared to my iPhone 12.
I may have missed some things because I don't know everything that's Graphene exclusive or is just a feature of Android. In conclusion, GrapheneOS has some hiccups, but it is overall the best mobile smartphone experience I have ever had.
|
Project: GrapheneOS
Version: 2025030300
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-04-13
Votes: 5
|
I use GrapheneOS on a Pixel 5, Pixel 8 and the Pixel Tablet.
The documentation is superb and very accessible though the website. It is found under the Features, Useage and FAQ tabs. The forum is also a valuable source of tips on how to setup/organise your profiles and apps (use the forum search field to find the best advice from older posts).
What really makes the difference is the use of user profiles and sandboxed Google Play Services + better granularity of enabling or disabling what an app can access. Google Play can be switched on and off at will in different proliles. Please read the documentation to understand this better. You can have a profile dedicated to banking apps and which will therefore be entirely separated from any other profile and the other apps. You can run the Google Pixel camera in a different profile and disable its permission to access the network.
It does take quite a while to become familiar with all the extra capabilities of GOS over Android/AOSP. In my case it was about 3 months before I had really understood how I wanted to structure my profiles and the app installs.
GrapheneOS is very clever to let you choose your own balance between no google stuff and the default Android experience. In UI terms, the only big difference is that you use the phone without any Google Play Services or use the GOS Sandboxed GooglePlay (with full control to disable it whenever you wish, or limit it to profiles of your choosing) or have Google Play services enabled in some profiles and not in other profiles.
GrapheneOS really is a beautiful thing. My tip would be to buy a cheap second hand Pixel 5, 5a, 6 or 6a and then install GOS and using it just through wifi, work your way through the documentation until you are familiar with how you want to configure GOS to do what you want. Then you are ready to buy a more expensive and supported Pixel device.
|
Project: GrapheneOS
Version: 2025030300
Rating: 9
Date: 2025-04-12
Votes: 1
|
Found the installation instructions easy to follow and everything went off without a hitch. Keeping that in mind I had researched the installation and setup process extensively. Honestly, after about a week I didn't miss any of the google apps at all as my phone isn't used as a device of entertainment. As for apps like amazon, I just use the browser (duck duck go) and clear the cache afterwards then switch to a bare bones user afterwards. This might not be a perfect solution for some people but PRIVACY is the main purpose of GrapheneOS and I believe this provides the level of PRIVACY I am looking for. If you want to take back SOME of your privacy, this is an excellent start just remember there is a difference between privacy and security.
|
Project: GrapheneOS
Version: 2025030300
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-04-01
Votes: 0
|
This OS lets you control what is revealed about you now that every commercial app is trying to farm data from you. The initial install is very pared down but security is why. You can add Google play but apps can be controlled for network access and other items that helps you control your exposure to leaking sensitive data. I like the function without the Google leak and bloat. I highly recommend this mobile OS, please support their efforts. It is a wonderful project to break with corporate controls.
|
Project: GrapheneOS
Version: 2025030300
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-03-31
Votes: 2
|
I have been using GrapheneOS for over five years, and I'm on my third phone running it. (I'm writing this review from a Pixel 7a running GrapheneOS.)
One of the best things about Graphene is ease of installation. I tried to install LineageOS on a couple of phones but failed to get it to work, and in fact bricked an old Moto G7+ trying to install it. I also tried Calyx and failed. Graphene has a web based installer. Unlock developer options (very easy), plug it into a laptop or desktop, click click click and it's done in a foolproof way.
This OS is pretty stripped down when first installed. I recommend installing Aurora store and maybe F-Droid for additional apps. I have never needed Google Play, only GMS compat config for a couple of apps. That is, until recently, when my job required a couple of apps that demand Google Play services. I created a second profile (also very easy, and actually part of AOSP), and run sandboxed Google Play there for those apps. It's a little bit of a pain compared to just sharing everything you do with the spies at Google (and Samsung or Motorola or whoever) like most phones, but for me it's worth a little hassle to stop the firehose of personal data going to parts unknown.
Also, I like a little color on my background so I changed the wallpaper, but I've done that on every device I've ever owned.
Really this is the best choice if you care about security and about hindering the constant spying your phone enables by default.
|
Project: GrapheneOS
Version: 2025030300
Rating: 9
Date: 2025-03-19
Votes: 5
|
I have tried GrapheneOS on a Amazon ordered Second hand Pixel 3a XL 2 years ago. Also Calyxos and GrapheneOS was basic and slow without many options of interest except security and privacy.
Now however since watching some you tube Videos in Nov/Dec 2024 how one could separate User Profiles for different uses on a Pixel 7 PRO phone and keep google sandboxed in the main profile without anything to harvest there for google and use the profiles with anonymity and separation from each other and the apps in each, I started to understand how I can use this for my benefit. I ordered a new Pixel 7 Pro from Amazon to South Africa and loaded the Pixel with Grapheneos Direct from the Grapheneos site through the automatic net installer. It was a internet connection and a few click...that is how easy it is...
I started January 2024 , So now I have 6 user Profiles, All apps are from Google Play sandboxed downloaded in the main profile, but not used there.There is also nothing google can get, no photos , no contacts or anything.Then the apps you want can be pushed thru to any new user you create by "Install available apps" for that user. By switching to that user-(With or without separate password for each user) you can setup that app for that user like and EXAMPLE -Gmail...(each user can have its own gmail app) ...
I try to keep my shopping apps in a separate profile without anything Google or APPS can steal..
I keep my work stuff in a separate profile
I have my personal stuff in a separate profile,
I have a PLAY profile just to browsing
I am still learning,playing and exploring . All I know is that just about everything you need can be adjusted. There is no annoying updates with Gemini, AI's or any other nagging suggestions and notification(Like my wives SAMSUNG phone), once you disable them.
Updates can be setup to be silent and in the background ( It never resets your settings), it is very respectful of YOUR choices and does not mess around with you. The OS is OBEDIENT!! you know what I mean. This is not like Android OR IOS or Windows..
It is complex to use if you want all the privacy and Security, but I LOVE the choices and respect this OS gives the user, by not changing your setting or nagging.!!!-Of coarse you have to set this up to work this way, but all settings are there for you to change, thereafter it stays the same.
Even if you do not set up the other profiles and just use the main profile like in an normal Android OS, Using Google sandboxed standard as setup by the GRAPHENEOS, you will be happy with the usage,PRIVACY AND SECURITY it offers.
I give it 9 because nothing is perfect in live....but this is close for me and my usage as a semi -geek.
In my mind this is the Phone OS that we should demand for our phones and not allow anyone to manipulate our info, privacy or data.
Watch some you tube videos on this OS and try it. Of coarse, you need to get a pixel. But if you do not like GrapheneOS you could still install stock Google Android OS easily. Pixel 8 onward have 7 years of updates, you cannot really loose. You will still have a GOOD phone for many years.
|
Project: GrapheneOS
Version: 2025030300
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-03-12
Votes: 5
|
I use GrapheneOS on my Pixel 7a because it cuts the noise out.
The various security hardenings Graphene offers are good - they could never be bad - and don't stop apps being run in my experience, even banking applications and VPNs, with one exception - Google Wallet.
There are a lot of full upgrades - I am on the beta channel and there are quite often 6 or 8 a month. "Beta" is notional as I have never had any issues. Full upgrades take about 10 minutes to complete, but can be scheduled to run during the night. They slowly add new features but, more often, introduce further hardening. Monthly security patches are often available before Google makes an official release - these are frequently packaged in an upgrade and install before a day has passed! Android 15 took a few weeks.
The big win here is that Google applications are reduced to two, only one of which is visible in normal use (Google Play Store and Google Play Services) and both of those can be uninstalled, although that is going a bit far. Other Google applications are replaced by stock alternatives (Launcher, Camera, Telephone, Messaging, Clock, Contacts, Files, Gallery, Calculator, PDF Viewer) and there is also Vanadium, which is a hardened Chromium. Cloud backup is replaced by a local backup, which Graphene admits is not good enough and is in the process of replacing. (Apart from anything else, to start it presents a screen offering 12 random words; you have to record them then type them into a following screen for confirmation before you can even consider doing a backup!)
Google Play is sandboxed and has had further teeth drawn by a hidden app, GMSCompatConfig, which replaces most of Google Play's integration with the rest of Android with stubs. The difficulty of doing this, which Google certainly doesn't like, is shown by GCC being on its 154th version as I write.
The only real issue I find, after about 18 months of using Graphene, is that it has too many ways of installing apps. As well as Google Play, there is App Store, which is Graphene-specific and allows the alternative apps, Vanadium, Google Play Store/Services and GCC to be upgraded. App Store also offers Accrescent, which gives access to a small number (about 30) of third-party apps. A F-Droid client really has to be installed as well, but there is no explicit support for that. If this (in effect) trio of app stores outside Google Play could be simplified - turning Accrescent into a hardened F-Droid app and putting the alternative apps into a repository? - that would be a huge improvement.
I strongly recommend GrapheneOS. If you can cope with not using your Pixel for [one-tap NFC] payments - due to the Google Wallet block - it is Android without the rubbish.
|
Project: GrapheneOS
Version: 2025030300
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-03-10
Votes: 5
|
I have used GrapheneOS for >2 years on my phone and about 1 year on my tablet.
The good:
- This is about as secure as a reasonably full-featured mobile OS will get. The developers behind it are well-known for their extensive work in this area. It features special memory protections and has many secure defaults.
- Worth another bullet point, GrapheneOS bundles a special sandbox for Google Play Services for users that need it. I don't personally use it but my husband does and has no issues with it.
- Regular updates that make meaningful enhancements version over version with all the latest security patches
- Something that doesn't get talked about enough: the user experience is extremely consistent. I didn't even notice it updated the major underlying version of Android for a while because it keeps the same experience. The phone still works the way I expect it to.
- Extremely comprehensive documentation. Their FAQ is huge and covers quite a lot of topics. The user community is very helpful.
The OK:
- The project only supports Pixel devices because they are the only mobile devices that they see as reasonably secure enough at a hardware level.
- The default theming is very boring and black. I changed this but this is probably fine for most users.
- The project provides a very small app store, but doesn't provide any easy way to get apps by default (Google Play, F-Droid, Obtanium, others). You have to have a basic understanding of how to get your apps.
- Granular permissions with lots of control. It's a great feature, but I'm putting it in the OK section because it can be overwhelming.
The bad:
- While the project is definitely usable by non-technical users, getting it set up can be tricky.
|
Project: GrapheneOS
Version: 2025030300
Rating: 10
Date: 2025-03-10
Votes: 4
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I've been a longtime user of Graphene OS. With a few setting changes, I can use banking apps. Google Play works flawlessly for all the apps I have tested. Battery life has been comparable to stock os. The flash process is more straightforward than flashing other options. I am interested to see how the PKVM technologies are used for a desktop mode. If anyone is curious about security comparison, there is a celebrite (maybe another company) chart showing the last affected release for data extraction on GraphenOs forums and a GitHub comparison chart that gets retweeted by their x account somewhat often.
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