I was thinking about using graphene OS, but I’ve read some lemmy users dislike this OS due to perceived misleading advertising and the pixel 7a you’re supposed to install graphene on because it’s from google (an advertising company).

Another option would be lineage OS, but there is so much false information about this OS, namely compatible phones that simply don’t work with this OS and no support.

what works for you? I want a phone with no google, that doesn’t force me to use the manufacturer’s ecosystem and that won’t show the apps I don’t want or need (on an asus I own you cannot neither get rid nor hide bloatware)

  • GolfNovemberUniform@lemmy.ml
    25·
    2 years ago

    I use LineageOS because my phone is not a Pixel and it works fine for me. If you don’t want to pay Google for a Pixel, buy a used one. Other than that LOS is fine. It doesn’t have anonymization features like /e/OS or something like that but it doesn’t force nor promote any apps or ecosystems (except for Seedvault but it’s not a big deal) and it is FOSS

  • Citizen@lemmy.ml
    221·
    2 years ago

    I’m using /e/ os for more than 3 years on different devices (with some customizations) and it works like a charm. An important aspect is that you can install e on any phone that has the bootloader unlock and supports GSIs - theoreticaly any device that runs Android > 9

    /e/ has a gsi image which is neat!

    I don’t use nor promote any banking apps or other G**gle/proprietary dependendent apps.

    Why nobody talks more about e.foundation /e/ OS?

    Enlighten me please 🙂

    • fiercekitten@lemm.eeEnglish
      2·
      2 years ago

      I would love to try /e/, but for some reason there is no support for the Sony Xperia 1 iii.

      In fact, LineageOS is my only option, and after a bunch of time spent learning how to set it up and tweaking it to meet my needs, it’s mostly fantastic. My biggest complaints are missing camera features and no easy way to do OS updates while maintaining root.

      If anyone knows of a way to automate the process of regaining root after updates, please tell me!

          • Citizen@lemmy.ml
            31·
            2 years ago

            Not need to force anyone to use anything mate!

            Here is my personal example: I made my choices a long time ago…

            I ditched ANY:

            • M$ related product/service;
            • ALL Meta (as in Wazaaap);
            • closed source apps;
            • i have 0 IoTs around my ass, but a nice computer infrastructure built in more than a few decades;
            • no friends around with i Phones …

            AND still I need to do so much about privacy and my life in general and I continue to learn & apply as much as I can…

            Also, I kindly invited and explained others why I choose to ditch products/software/companies/people that do not respect Humans in general and consider all of as as being just dumb “assets”…

            Indeed it feels lonely sometimes, but i prefer the silence rather than noise/propaganda/parotting/or really any kind of bullshit.

            Peace!

  • drcobaltjedi@programming.dev
    131·
    2 years ago

    I’ve had calyxOS on this phone now for about 2 uears now. Its pretty good. It comes with microG to simulate the google apis.

  • Lotsen@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
    11·
    2 years ago

    Calyxos user here. I like it so far. Half a year into it. I can live with microg instead of gms. And it also works on moto g32, 42 and 52 so you don’t need Google hardware.

  • HEXN3T@lemmy.blahaj.zone
    112·
    2 years ago

    Calyx. It just works. I’ve honestly just used it like stock Android, using as many private apps as possible. It’s so fun seeing all the cool little projects not on iOS! I just recently discovered Petals, which helps with measuring THC intake.

  • Vik@lemmy.worldEnglish
    91·
    2 years ago

    Can you elaborate on being misled there?

    As for google devices - yes, there’s irony in the notion that the most de-googleable phones are theirs, sure. They’re often sold at a loss around the holiday season, though.

  • sleepybisexual@beehaw.org
    91·
    2 years ago

    I like grapheneos, very close to stock android without google shit

    • you got bonus settings like the sensors toggle

    Lineage is kinda bad privacy and security wise, from the little I know its not fully degoogled

  • Klara@lemmy.blahaj.zone
    7·
    2 years ago

    No OS is perfect, as you likely do have to use a proprietary modem and some proprietary apps, but CalyxOS works well for me on my Fairphone 4. I like the base install being as free as realistically possible on a modern Android phone, especially replacing Google apps with microG. Just don’t enable SafetyNet if you don’t want it to run (sandboxed) Google blobs. That API is deprecated anyways.

    The experience is smooth, free and I get a repairable phone without having generative “”“AI”“” shoved down my throat. A win on all fronts in my opinion.

  • toastal@lemmy.ml
    6·
    2 years ago

    Not in my ideal spot but tolerating Android via LineageOS for microG on a Sony Xperia 5 III as their ROMs make microG painless & hardware-wise I get a fast-enough CPU, OLED, a headphone jack, & microSD.

    • fiercekitten@lemm.eeEnglish
      2·
      2 years ago

      I wish the modern xperia phones were more popular and got more love. Hardware-wise they are amazing, i just wish they had easily-replaceable batteries.

      I just replaced the battery in mine. I had to get a heat gun to take off the back plate, as well as a new seal for the back plate. I’m not 100% convinced it is still water resistant, and I don’t plan on finding out.

      • toastal@lemmy.ml
        2·
        2 years ago

        The hardware is good & you can get phones under 6".

        They have 2 big flaws: price & years of continued support. The catch 22 is you can get a good price on them after the support window (2 years, but looks like 5 will be going forward). Luckily LineageOS always picks up after the support window if willing to take on possible firmware vulnerabilities knowing software will continue to be updated—but the camera requires the proprietary apps/libs or it looks low-end.

  • atmur@lemmy.worldEnglish
    6·
    2 years ago

    GrapheneOS on a Pixel 8 Pro. I’ve been super happy with it since I switched from iOS.

  • MXX53@programming.dev
    71·
    2 years ago

    I am on a pixel 7 with graphene OS. Been great. Ive been using this phone for about a year or so now.

    • vulgarcynic@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
      4·
      2 years ago

      Also posting from a Pixel 7 running Graphene for abouta year. No issues, I use Fdroid for most apps and Aurora when I have too. Only bummer is I haven’t found a good FOSS keyboard with swipe. Really miss gboard for that and gif insertion.

  • gigachad@sh.itjust.works
    5·
    2 years ago

    I run LineageOS for microG, on LOS for more than 5 years now. I am not willing to pay for Pixel phones, even the used devices are to expensive for me. I do not really care about an unlocked bootloader, so that’s alright.

    • refreeze@lemmy.world
      2·
      2 years ago

      As of the latest release (21), you can simply install microG on regular LOS and no longer need to install LineageOS for microG since it now includes the necessary signature spoofing support.

      • gigachad@sh.itjust.works
        3·
        2 years ago

        Shorty after release it still had no support for UnifiedNLP, which I rely on for a decent location. That’s basically the only reason I use LineageOS for microG, as I am kind of an OpenStreetMap power user.

  • Lettuce eat lettuce@lemmy.ml
    5·
    2 years ago

    Not sure why GrapheneOS is getting down voted so much here, did I miss something recent that happened?

    I’ve been using GrapheneOS on my Pixel 6a for around 2 years and really like it.

    If I couldn’t use GOS though, I would probably go with DivestOS. I haven’t looked deep into other alternative Android ROMs.