Is Graphene OS good? Any downsides? I need to get a new phone soon.
I switched to it a year ago and I like it. The biggest draw for me is it gives me back control and ownership over my phone. It gives you actual and thorough control over what apps can do on your phone including Google's apps, which on other typical Android OS are being given all or most permissions with no ability for you to deny access to any of them.
To gain almost all the functionality of a regular Android OS you can install Google Play Services and run it sandboxed, which means it will only do what you allow it to do and access only what you will allow it to access, which for me is the bare minimum before things stop working too much for my tastes.
Besides Android auto for now, the only thing that won't work for me on it is my banking app, probably because of all the security checks involved in it. But I just use the browser-based online service to do my banking operations instead.
I got my banking app working by going into App Info for it, and toggling this to on.
This is also what I use to get 3 banking apps working
I never managed to get MS "company portal" to successfully create a work profile. I had to give up in the end.
if you dont mind me asking, which banking app do you use? have you checked out the privsec.dev compatibility report?
My banking app is in the list and already has a number of reports against it reporting the same problem I have with it. Exploit protection compatibility mode was already enabled on my phone. The app just freezes upon startup ever since an update that rolled in later last year and as I said, this problem has already been reported by other users.
I think it's great, and have been daily driving it for I think almost 3 years now. With the addition of sandboxed Google Play services, there's little it can't handle.
I'm running it. Bank apps and Safety net things (like Pokemon Go) all work. Aside from Android Auto, Google Pay refuses to work.
So, there's no downsides.
Actually, Google Translate didn't play ball when I tried it. I miss that one.
I really like Android Auto so I'll probably wait until they at least get that working to change. I wonder if Samsung Pay works on there...
ah, that's a shame. I'm heavily relying on google pay (also BLIK, but I'm usingboth polish and Ukrainian cards, and blik is a poland-only thingy) since i only have virtual credit cards right now. having everything (bank cards, govt ids etcs) on my phone is just too convinient to give up like that
Upsides: Everything just works, no google tracking, creating a google account is optional and its easy to setup
Downsides: You aren't able to automatically backup the internal storage of apps without a lot of work (external files such as photos and documents are fine though)
I've been using it for about 1.5 years, I would recommend using it if possible
From my experience, its overall good. Its basically stock android, meaning no google smart features and apps by default, with more control over apps and google services. But for caution, some apps may break. You will have to mess around with the app settings to fix them. Also some apps will not work such as the google wallet app due to the OS not being acknowledged as official by google.
In short, its a more security focused OS that may require more involvement in configuration.
Biggest downside is you lose Android Auto haha
But also pretty much all the Pixel-specific features like Call Screen, Hold For Me and many more.
Other than that it's fantastic and easy to install.
I still use Google Contacts, Camera, Photos and GBoard, all with internet connectivity disabled.
Doesn't it only support Pixel phones?
Yes, if you want an alternative that supports more phones, look into Calyx OS
I love CalyxOS but they don't support Android Auto at the moment if this a dealbreaker for anyone
Get a Pixel and give it a shot. If it doesn't work for you the Pixels have amazing support in the custom ROM community so you'll be able to find something you like for sure.
I just moved from a Samsung - migration was a lot of manual work for me. Whether it's worth it depends on how much the increased security and control are worth to you. They were to me - I haven't had any issues otherwise.
i, for one, only have good things to say about it, EXCEPT device support (which is not GOS's fault)
GrapheneOS is probably the best, most private and secure Android ROM out there. I can only recommend it.
I was hoping from the title that this meant that Graphene could run on the car. They’re still a huge privacy concern.
GrapheneOS requires specific safety hardware that, as of now, is usually available only on the Google Pixel line of phones. If your standard smartphone doesn't include it, I doubt a car does.
Android Auto is a specific system that mirrors app contents from your phone. It's basically an extended monitor for your phone with specific formatting to be car usage friendly. It doesn't do anything about a car's embedded systems
What do you mean "run on the car"? You might be thinking of Android Automotive, the car OS.
They’re still a huge privacy concern.
...who?
E: please stop speaking on behalf of the person I asked the question to. They are the only one who knows the answer.
they meant it as having graphene replace the car's OS. the cars themselves is the privacy concern
Android auto is, to put it lightly, shit. The compatibility issues itself are enough to make one vomit (try finding out what's required to use wireless connection) but once you manage to connect it it just gets worse and worse. I would not put it on my main phone even if it did work. Instead I bough cheap stock android phone and got a cheap, data only SIM (€2/month). The phone stays in my car, is not used for anything else and doesn't have any personal accounts. I'm fairly happy with this setup.
I've been using Android auto for awhile. I've had some hiccups, but overall it's been a great addition.
Totally agree. Andriod Auto shits the bed occasionally, but well worth it, in my opinion. Imo the best thing is how your info dash is based off your phone instead of the car. Makes it super handy for rentals or trading cars with the wife
Yes you're right. A feature so popular that it's been adopted by most major auto manufacturers is complete garbage. Everyone hates it. Graphene is only even adding it to appease like 3-4 people tops!
Because people don't use garbage technologies? Ever heard of Windows? Internet explorer? AOL? Butterfly keyboards? I guess not.
You can say what you want, but using a phone instead of the integrated dashboard of your car is not a better experience. I kinda like android auto. My stupid car didnt support android auto wireless (only cable), but I bought a device that acts as a bridge. So now my phone automatically connects to Android auto and it just works every time. I can open my calendar on my dashboard and navigate to the addresses of my appointments with one click.
Wow this is incredible, and I will be making the switch! This was the only unavailable feature that I couldn't go without.
Same. I used graphene and calyx for a while but really needed the nav features so stoped using them. Very excited for this!!
I recall watch pairing being temperamental when I tried it as well, but this will be a solid reason to give it another go. Maybe put it in one of the old phones for a test drive and go from there. Graphine certainly makes it easier to hop over with their online flash tool than most did in the past.
I'm a Luddite for sure, but I'd be uncomfortable with my car having access to data about how I interact with my phone. I use Lineage and not Graphene, but I don't think I'd use Android Auto if it was available for Lineage. (Or maybe it is. Not sure. But I wouldn't use it regardless.)
the solution is to yank out the stock infotainment system and put in a new one that doesn't suck. that and cracking down on automakers who play dirty
Is there one that doesn't suck and isn't auto/carplay?
Also for people thinking that this will block the functions that your existing one has integrated with the vehicle, you can get something like iDatalink Maestro to translate things. As long as it's compatible with your car and the head unit is compatible with the Maestro then you can access existing functions.
You can't just go around proving people wrong all the time!
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