jordand
I've been running GrapheneOS for 7 months now and I'm not
going back. When I bought my Pixel 10 last year, I wasn't
actually planning on trying Graphene for a while....until
I noticed Google had force bundled a 'Wicked For Good'
movie promo theme with the latest security update.
|
> sivers
Ha! Me too! Exact same. Bought a Pixel 10. Intended to
do the default Android for a while. But it was filled
with ads for "Wicked" which had me looking at my phone
with a sneer on my face I couldn't erase - as if
someone had smeared feces all over it and threw it on
my bed.So I jumped straight to GrapheneOS, which was
way easier and less extreme than I had been warned. So
beautifully minimal, with no crap. Now my phone feels
like a simple Linux (Void/Arch) PC. So wonderful.
|
> > edwcross
Does it affect the photo quality? It used to
require letting go of the default photo app and
thus a downgrade in photo processing.
|
> > > Cider9986
No, if you install the Google camera there is
no difference in quality and by revoking
network you don't lose privacy.
|
> > > > dns_snek
> by revoking network you don't lose
privacyBe careful, apps can still
communicate with other apps, e.g. revoking
the network permission doesn't stop apps
from fetching and displaying ads over the
network. I don't know enough about Android
internals to understand the mechanisms
behind it, but clearly there are ways for
apps to exfiltrate data.> Trying to use
Network as a complete data exfiltration
toggle isn't the intended purpose, and you
should always consider apps within the
profile being able to communicate for ALL
data and access including permissions. It
is not something only relevant to
Network.https://discuss.grapheneos.org/d/4
024-in-what-extent-can-app...https://githu
b.com/GrapheneOS/os-issue-tracker/issues/2
197
|
> > > > > Cider9986
I don't have any Google or closed
source apps with network permission,
but thank you for sharing that quote I
haven't seen that before.
|
> > > > > samplifier
Eye opener. Thanks for the warning!
GrapheneOS sandboxes all apps
including GSF as far as I understand.
It would be nice if full capabilities
could be exposed or at least shown in
the app settings. There is the "All
permissions" view which has a "have
full network access" item with the
following details: `Allows the app to
create network sockets and use custom
network protocols. The browser and
other applications provide means to
send data to the internet, so this
permission is not required to send
data to the internet.`
Does this mean the app has this
permission and even without it can
fully access the internet? If so the
primary "network" permission is very
misleading. I wish for a
smartphone-like device which installs
apps with `cap_drop: ALL` by default.
I wish for a government which would
support such a standpoint and "assist"
companies not able to provide a
service which require intrusive data
gathering. Either that or we're all
just one big happy family with no
secrets and no jealousy and no drama.
sigh
|
> > > > > > microtonal
Every Android app can do IPC with
Android apps in the same profile.
So an app without Network Access
could cooperate with an app with
Network Access to communicate with
the outside world. Of course, most
notably, a lot of apps communicate
with Play Services and people
generally leave on network access
for Play Services to avoid
breaking to much stuff.There has
been talk of developing 'IPC
scopes', similar to how there are
contact scopes.
|
> > > > > > infogulch
IPC scopes would be a great
solution!
|
> > > > > > J-Kuhn
To my knowledge, any app can just
instruct the installed browser
(Google Chrome, Vanadium,
Firefox...) to open
http[s]://tracker.evil-ad-network.
example/?installedId=012345.
|
> > > > > 1vuio0pswjnm7
"Be careful, apps can still
communicate with other apps, e.g.
revoking the network permission
doesn't stop apps from fetching and
displaying ads over the
network."Another example relating to
tracking ad targets, also known as
"users":"Around September 2024, Meta
developed a creative solution to evade
Androids sandboxing restrictions. (Id.
4849, 52.) Devices have localhost
ports, which simulate a communications
channel by allowing applications or
services running on the device to
communicate with each other... without
those communications leaving the
device. (Id. 53.) Meta modified its
Pixel code (the Modified Pixel) so
that it would send the _fbp cookies
contents to a designated localhost
port. (Id. 55.) In turn, Meta modified
its Facebook and Instagram apps to
listen to that localhost port for
incoming data. (Id.) The Facebook and
Instagram apps combined any incoming
localhost data with personal
information and identifiers, and
subsequently shipped that combined
data from the users Android device to
its own servers. (Id.) As a result,
even though Meta would typically have
a harder time identifying Android
users, Meta was now able to perfectly
deanonymize Android users browsing
activity if they used its apps.
(Id.)Meta's conduct was unknown until
a group of internet security
researchers disclosed it on June 3,
2025. (Id. 4; Dkt. No. 104-3.)Shortly
after the researchers public
disclosure, Meta announced that it
decided to pause use of this tracking
method. (Id. 69; Dkt. No. 104-4 at
5.)In this consolidated action,
Plaintiffs assert nine claims against
Meta: ... (3) violation of the Wiretap
Act, 18 U.S.C. 2511(1); (4) violation
of the California Invasion of Privacy
Acts (CIPA) wiretapping provisions,
Cal. Penal Code 631; (5) violation of
CIPAs eavesdropping provisions, Cal.
Penal Code 632; (6) violation of CIPAs
eavesdropping device provisions, Cal.
Penal Code 635; ... Plaintiffs assert
an additional two claims against
Google: negligence and negligent
misrepresentation.Plaintiffs CIPA pen
register, unjust enrichment, and
negligent misrepresentation claims are
DISMISSED. Dismissal is with LEAVE TO
AMEND because the Court cannot
conclude on the current record that
amendment would be futile. All other
claims survive dismissal."The above is
an excerpt from In re Meta Android
Privacy Litigation (3:25-cv-04674,
N.D. Cal., June 3,
2025)https://dn711508.ca.archive.org/0
/items/gov.uscourts.cand.45...https://
dn711508.ca.archive.org/0/items/gov.us
courts.cand.45...Of course Meta will
eventually settle, like Google did in
Brown v Google, in Google's case on
the eve of trial. The wiretapping
claims would be catastrophic for these
companiesBut the Court's observations
are interesting"At this early stage in
the case, and given the undeniably
significant portion of mobile phones
using Apples iOS, it is reasonable to
infer an industry custom of placing
tight controls on communications
between apps based on Apples
restrictions."
|
> > > theodric
Install a 3rd party GCam and then the answer
is no
https://www.celsoazevedo.com/files/android/goo
gle-camera/
|
> > > > cwillu
That sounds like the answer is actually
yes: we're not talking about the lack of a
camera app, but the lack of a camera app
that knows the details of the
usually-proprietary camera firmware
|
> > > > > oynqr
You can install both the regular GCam
as well as third party mods. Actual
GCam feels worse to me.
|
> > > > > > t0bia_s
Problem with stock Google camera
app is that it made horrible
HDRlike images even with HDR
turned off. You cannot adjust
amount of reduced highlights and
increased shadows which makes
images unrealistic with lack of
depth.
|
> > > subscribed
I mean...... Google Camera has slightly
different approach to low light photos and
much better panorama mode, which means you can
just install it and use with network access
denied.I mainly use native camera (good in
most cases, can be brought up immediately with
double power button press, from locked),
Google camera (rarely), BlackMagic for when I
need control over videos and ProShot when I
need control over images (the last one might
be hard to install - it's a paid app (I'm a
paid user, this is how I got it), but not long
time ago the moron of the developer made the
app "incompatible" with devices without Google
surveillance buttplug claiming it will prevent
people pirating it form opening support
cases....???).So you can have multiple camera
apps. Thankfully Google is not Samsung or
Sony, and all the apps have full access to the
cameras.
|
> > > > qingcharles
That really pissed me off when I found the
only app that can access the full output
of the sensor on Samsung is their own
shitty app. WTF.
|
> > jordand
We took control, we're keeping control
|
> > OtomotO
What about banking Apps? No problem there?Some of
them have ridiculous secur... compliance rules.
|
> > > goerg
There is a list of compatible banking apps:
https://privsec.dev/posts/android/banking-appl
ications-compa...
|
> > > > kakacik
Big list, unfortunately one of my banks is
not there (BCGE, Switzerland), most
probably meaning I can't even login into
ebanking in any other way since they have
their properietary authentication app
(CrontoSign, also not listed). Its rather
small regional/cantonal bank so I get it,
even though that region is Geneva, mecca
of (some types of) banking.Other banks
that I use are there. Almost perfect...
|
> > > > > Semaphor
Being missing means they haven't been
tested, not that they don't work.
Generally they probably only don't
work if they require the google play
verification thingy
|
> > > > > flexxxxxxxxxer
My banking apps were missing in list
too, it doesn't mean that they are not
working. You can test and report on
that issue tracker about your banking
app if it works :)
|
> > > Scrounger
> What about banking Apps? No problem
there?Most banking apps work, but Google
Pay/NFC payments won't work.
|
> > > > tEem21
If your bank doesn't have its own payment
app, but PayPal Card is available in your
country, I got this setup to work on
Graphene by installing PayPal into the
Secure Folder, install the sandboxed Play
Services there (required) and setup the
mobile payments in the app. It's not a
great solution, but for I keep it around
for emergencies.
|
> > > > master-lincoln
I know a handful of german banks that have
their own nfc payment apps that still work
in Graphene
|
> > > > themk
Google Pay may not work, but NFC payments
through yiur bankapp probably do. They did
for me.
|
> > > Semaphor
The vast majority work, check this list for
details:
https://privsec.dev/posts/android/banking-appl
ications-compa...
|
> > > aaron_m04
I had to enable "exploit protection
compatibility mode" to use my credit union's
app.
|
> > > anticrymactic
In my experience: Everything™ works, except
Google pay unfortunately.
|
> > > nik282000
You trust a phone with your banking?
|
> > > plorg
My banks app complains will block me and tell
me to disable developer mode, but if I turn it
right back on after launching the app it won't
complain for maybe another week. The post that
really annoys me, though, is that if you don't
set up biometric unlock they will not allow
you to use the extended login cookie, so you
need to put in your password every time, most
don't work with password managers either
(whether intentionally or not).
|
> > teekert
iOS is also going into this direction, just open
the AppStore, it's all the cheapest most horrible
apps. Temu (shop like you don't give a s* about
the planet), addictive AI Waifu's (who needs human
interaction anyway), clean your stuff but
fake-time-wasting style (it's free dopamine!),
search option's first hit is often scammy (ie
search for MS Authenticator). I feel that Steve
("If you want pr0n get an Android") would turn
around in his grave from the sight of this.Its
just a matter of time before this cesspool will
leak into the rest of the OS, AppStore shows us
the temptation is too big for Apple. When my
iPhone 12 mini dies it's /e/OS or GrapheneOS for
me. My devices should serve me and my thoughts are
my own.
|
> > > strcat
You should read
https://discuss.grapheneos.org/d/24134-devices
-lacking-stand... about /e/ and also look at
what they say about devices with strong
privacy and security including but not limited
to
https://grapheneos.social/deck/@GrapheneOS/116
35397373214317....
|
> > > > teekert
I'm aware of this discussion, I don't
really like the way the Graphene people
communicate, also against FairPhone.But
nevertheless I'm looking forward to their
Motorola offer that should come any minute
now?
|
> > > > > Cider9986
Grapheneos communicates with facts,
not opinions. It can come off as
abrasive but it's never unfounded
attacks or opinions.
|
> > > port11
The AppStore has been like that for eons, but
then again I don't know a single person that
uses it or checks the "content" posted there.
It's an utter waste of time.I don't think it
will leak. After the U2 debacle, Apple might
have learned not to push too hard on this
front.
|
> > Cub3
> it was filled with adsYou bought a phone from an
advertising company?
|
> > > greentea23
All factory operating systems come with ads
and bloat and spyware, Apple/Samsung included.
Google remains the lesser of all other evils
because at least to date, they offer an open
source OS, bootloader unlocking, and root. A
community driven mobile OS is absolutely where
we should go, but for now and the foreseeable
future you can call a Lyft, deposit a check
(in America), and do other mainstream tasks on
AOSP flavors without Google/Apple/Samsung
having to know anything about it. It's never
been easier to make the user friendly choice
too: https://grapheneos.org/install/web
|
> > > fg137
It's not like buying from Samsung is any
better.
|
> > > dackdel
for some reason i read that in
archer(animated) voice.
|
> > > > izacus
Probably because it's a dumb useless
comment in the same vein as most of that
show.
|
> > > > > teekert
I read this in a whiny high pitched
voice with my nose and lower lip
pulled up.
|
> > > harvey9
Don't recall my old nexus devices having ads
in the OS. Disappointing where Google has
taken this.
|
> > > > ClikeX
Technically they already did a built in ad
with Android KitKat. Mostly benign, but I
do remember being at an Android event and
KitKats samples being given out to
everyone. As well as KitKat wrappers being
branded with the Android logo for a while.
|
> theandrewbailey
When I got a new phone last year, I purposely got a
Pixel (open box 9a) to put GrapheneOS on it
immediately. Been happy living the de-Googled Android
life since.I was sad that I had to go through the OOBE
setup on the stock image to unlock the bootloader. At
least it doesn't force an internet connection and
login, unlike Windows.
|
> > sowbug
If it's any consolation, the wipe* requirement
before unlocking the bootloader is generally a
good thing, even if it's inconvenient. Someone who
is targeting your personal data gets access to
your encrypted phone, either by stealing it or in
an evil maid situation. They unlock the bootloader
and install privileged code that helps them
recover the symmetric encryption key or intercept
your PIN. Then they either have your data or wait
for you to enter the PIN. In theory recovery
shouldn't be possible (access to the key depends
on a secure element that rate limits brute-force
attacks), but security bugs do happen. Wiping*
your data before removing the bootloader's signing
requirement is an extra layer of protection.*It
doesn't actually wipe your data; it just destroys
the symmetric key, making the data permanently
unreadable.
|
> > > Markoff
AFAIK you can't unlock bootloader without
wiping the data, that's my experience from
last 15 years unlocking bootloaders on various
phonesso it's kinda pointless to wipe data
prior wiping them again during the bootloader
unlocking process
|
> > > > sowbug
We're saying the same thing. The
bootloader unlocking process includes a
step that destroys the FDE key.
|
> > Sophira
While the OOBE of the stock image doesn't force an
Internet connection, the ability to unlock the
bootloader does - whether you can do it or not
depends on the phone manufacturer's desire, and
Android for some reason uses an Internet
connection to check that.My understanding is that
it is impossible to unlock the bootloader on a new
recent (Android 7+ at least; possiblt earlier)
Android phone until it has connected to the
Internet. After that, the ability to unlock the
bootloader is permanent.
|
> > > dlenski
Yep, on older phones it was certainly possible
without an Internet connection.On the Nexus 5,
you could just `fastboot oem unlock` right out
of the box, install TWRP (custom "recovery")
and install CyanogenMod/LienageOS, without
ever booting the stock ROM.On my Moto G4 Play
and Moto X4, you had to get an unlock code
from the Motorola website (based on the phone
serial number I think) and waive some warranty
terms, but once retrieved at least the phone
didn't need to be online to unlock the
bootloader.The process on the newer Pixels is
disappointingly intrusive, like basically
everything Google has done for the last
decade.
|
> > > > Markoff
If it is any consolation it became
intrusive on pretty much every single
brand nowadays, if they at least offer
bootloader unlocking option.
|
> > > > Sophira
I misspoke when I said Android 7+, my
apologies; I was thinking of my Pixel 7,
which runs Android 13.
|
> > > Markoff
it should be possible on Sony and OnePlus
phones and maybe other brands, though it can
require obtaining code from internet on other
device, but the device being unlocked itself
doesn't need to have internet connection
|
> > > > a96
I think LG had a system for getting unlock
codes as well, but they closed it a long
time ago.Any other manufacturer may alter
the deal any time. In case you have such a
phone, dear reader, consider getting your
code if you still can even if you won't
use them yet.
|
> > > Sophira
...I feel a bit silly. When I said "Android
7+", I was thinking of my Pixel 7, which runs
Android 13, so "Android 13+" is what I
actually meant to say. Oops.
|
> > qurren
Is it possible to install basic Google apps like
Gmail, Calendar, Maps, Drive without googlifying
the whole phone?I'm not looking to fully de-Google
but I want Google as apps and not my OS.
|
> > > handedness
I run a litany of Google (and other
corporate/business apps) apps in Private Space
under the owner's profile, which is only
unlocked when I need it for something. That
space's connection can go out over a WireGuard
tunnel if I need those apps to be on any
specific networks, while the rest of the
phone's traffic is unaffected. The file
systems stay functionally separate (although
that's not a major concern given how file
encryption is handled, plus the dream that is
Storage Scopes), and that space has its own
camera app and such.The Owner profile itself
doesn't run Google Play Services, so when that
Private Space is locked and dormant it's
effectively a degoogled stack.Some will
invariably argue that an old pocket-sized
Linux PC with a cellular modem is a superior
experience, and for some specific things it
may well be, but GrapheneOS is the only viable
option for someone looking for a
user-respecting modern phone with very few
limitations.
|
> > > hiitsmyaccount
Yes, you install the Google Play store via the
GrapheneOS App Store. The OS comes with like 5
apps out of the box. The rest is up to
you.Biggest caveats that I've encountered: tap
to pay via Google Wallet is a no go, Android
Auto can be flaky, MDM managed work profiles
don't work at the moment, and some apps that
use the Google Play integrity API fail to
validate and refuse to work (I've only
encountered one app that fails, and plenty
others that work.)In general, I'm moving
towards a de-Googled life and GrapheneOS is a
great entrypoint towards that.
|
> > > > strcat
Android Auto is fully supported and
shouldn't be any more flaky than it is on
the stock OS. It's often flaky due to a
bad USB connection or problematic
implementation in the car. That's just how
it is everywhere.Google Wallet bans using
anything other than an unmodified Google
Mobile Services stock OS but there are
alternatives in certain regions. In
Europe, there are a lot of banking apps
with tap-to-pay compatible with GrapheneOS
and also Curve Pay. PayPal also has a
limited tap-to-pay launch in Germany.
|
> > > > handedness
My end-run around Google's absurd
unwillingness to certify GOS for Google
Pay has been Garmin Pay, which has worked
virtually everywhere I've ever tried
it.I'm hopeful that an OEM Motorola device
will get certified for Google Pay.
|
> > > > > microtonal
Depends as bit on the country and
bank. I also use Garmin Pay, but my
bank only supports adding their credit
card (not debit card) and a
substantial portion of shops here only
supports contactless payment through
debit cards (credit cards have
historically not been popular here).So
I get to use contactless payment at
maybe 50% of the stores, which is
annoying, because it's sometimes hard
tot tell ahead of time.
|
> > > > qurren
> MDM managed work profilesDo you mean
actual employer-spyware MDM work profiles?
I suppose I never expected those to
work.Or do you mean things like Shelter,
which uses work profiles and which I use
to quarantine certain less-trusted apps?
|
> > > > > hiitsmyaccount
Yes, I mean MDM work profiles. I play
an IT guy at work and am a Google
Workspace admin. We have it running in
BYOD mode and it's actually not
intrusive at all. The most sensitive
data you can see as an admin is what
apps are installed in the work
profile, the phone's make + model, and
the version of Android. Nothing like
location, charge level, or anything
outside of the work profile. I'm fine
with running it on my personal device
(I actually really like the way it
functions), but it's borked on current
versions of GOS.
|
> > > > > > nekusar
How to say "I work for a company
too cheapass to provide work
devices".Its all fun and games
until the company gets hit with a
lawsuit and discovery hits your
phone and ALL your accounts,
corporate and personal.
|
> > > > > > Uvix
Some people don't want to carry
two devices and prefer BYOD, even
if the company offers a work
phone.
|
> > > > > > nekusar
Its all fun and games until the
company gets hit with a lawsuit
and discovery hits your phone and
ALL your accounts, corporate and
personal.Ive been through a
corporate discovery when oracle
sued a company I worked at. Im
fucking glad that my work devices
were purely owned by the
company.NEVER FUCKING LET WORK AND
NONWORK STREAMS CROSS.
|
> > > > y2244
Tap to pay is mostly NFC? So is there an
alternative app?
|
> > > > > cyberax
I extracted a chip (by dissolving the
plastic in acetone) from my card and
glued it to the wriststrap of my
Pebble watch :)
|
> > > > > > distances
When using contactless payment
with my card, about 10% of the
time the payment terminal tells me
to insert the card to the reader
slot instead and enter my PIN. I
assumed this is a general security
feature, but I guess it depends on
the issuing bank then. This in
Europe.
|
> > > > > > cyberax
Well, I still have a backup
physical card. It just is annoying
to get it out of my wallet.
|
> > > > > > pezgrande
Nice hack but sounds quite unsafe,
I like having to unblock de phone
in order to use it.
|
> > > > > subscribed
Garmin Pay, Samsung pay if you have a
compatible bank and card, PayPal in
Germany and sometimes banks' own
systems.I had a very weird (bad)
experience with Curve support so I
couldn't recommend it.NFC payments
work, it's only Google who claims a
phone not patched for 8 years is safe
and secure, but phone with working
hardware attestation and patched 6
months ahead of everyone else is
insecure.
|
> > > > > jordand
Curve Pay has worked well for me. Only
good alternative as it doesn't depend
on Google Play Services too
|
> > > > > wolvoleo
Yes you can use Curve pay.Edit:
Apparently that's Europe only? I'm in
Europe so yeah. I didn't know that.
|
> > > > > dgrabla
Paypay works as well (at least in
Germany)
|
> > > > > vrganj
There's Curve Pay in Europe. In the
US, I'm not sure.
|
> > > hxorr
I believe one of Graphene OS's main features
is that they allow you to run google play
services in a sandboxed environment, so you
can run your standard google apps but without
the standard android deal where google play
services has unfetteted access to all your
phone's location/data/etc info
|
> > > drnick1
> I'm not looking to fully de-Google but I
want Google as apps and not my OS.This is
entirely possible as other posters have
explained. But I think it kind of defeats the
point of Graphene, at least somewhat. Google
is already profiling every aspect of your life
by reading your emails, files, calendar,
location, etc? In that case, OS access becomes
moot.I think that GrapheneOS makes most sense
as part of a broader move towards
privacy-respecting alternatives. I see the
sandboxed Play Services as something useful
perhaps in a secondary user profile, for the
odd commercial app required and only available
from the Play Store.
|
> > > > qurren
> In that case, OS access becomes moot.Not
really.1. A non-Google OS can shut off
background running access to Google apps,
as well as supply Google apps with mock
location data and other data2. Google does
other things to the OS that drive me nuts.
Like allowing apps to restrict
screenshots. I own the phone. If I want a
screenshot, it should screenshot. This is
not something for apps or Google to
determine, and if the OS listens to me
(not the app) it should allow
screenshotting the display 100% of the
time regardless of what the app cries
about.
|
> > > > > Scrounger
> Like allowing apps to restrict
screenshots. I own the phone. If I
want a screenshot, it should
screenshot. This is not something for
apps or Google to determine, and if
the OS listens to me (not the app) it
should allow screenshotting the
display 100% of the time regardless of
what the app cries about.PREACH!I hate
this.
|
> > > > fooqux
I agree and have moved mostly away from
everything Google. But it's hard to
replace maps. I know open street maps
exists but it's hard to beat Google's data
gathering.
|
> > > > > wolvoleo
I think OSM is way way better. It has
every little path in the hills I walk.
On Google Maps I'm just walking in a
featureless green blob. OSM even has
unofficial trails that are no more
than a worn-down line in the
brush.Maybe for cars Google is better
but I don't use those. But even there
I see really detailed stats.OSMAnd is
a really great full featured mapping
app. A real tool that you can
configure in detail. And Organic maps
is more simple and quick like Google
maps.There's just two things I still
need Google for: most businesses don't
bother keeping their opening hours etc
updated on other mapping services, and
in my city they have live data on the
public transport network. This should
really be mandated to be offered to
open street map too.
|
> > > > > > flaburgan
Don't forget to update the
business hours in OSM when you see
they are missing / wrong
|
> > > > > > wolvoleo
Yes but I mean special holiday
opening hours etc. Most places do
keep these up to date in google.
|
> > > > > > fooqux
Or Google will call them and ask
which automatically updates the
data.
|
> > > > > eblanshey
I use Google Maps on Graphene. It
works perfectly. You still get the
benefits of the rest of the phone
being degoogled. Just allow it to
access your location only when you're
actively using the app. When it's
closed, it's closed.
|
> > > > > donalhunt
There are players in the OpenStreetMap
ecosystem attempting to change that. I
know the team behind Organic Maps are
actively working to make their app as
viable as possible by sourcing
appropriate data for example.
|
> > > > > > DarkUranium
Organic Maps is amazing.I actually
find that it blows Google Maps out
of the water for cycling (which is
why/how I discovered it). I
haven't really used it for driving
much because my own car has a
builtin nav, so can't really
comment on that.YMMV of course.
|
> > > > > > flaburgan
Organic Maps has been forked to
CoMaps as a community managed
project btw
|
> > > > > > Markoff
TIL there has been some drama
about Organic Maps, what is the
difference between OM and
CoMaps?Left from Maps.me to OM
because of drama and intrusive
features, do I need to leave OM
for CM?edit: seems CM shouldnt
have that annoying gift iconedit
2: CoMaps doesn't display
(colored) hiking trails, so
completely useless compared to
Organic Maps, also can't even
display tram lines after tapping
on tram stop in Prague
|
> > > > > > dvdkon
Please don't declare software
"completely useless" just because
it lacks a feature you need.I
personally also need hiking trails
on my map, but I know people who
don't and happily use CoMaps.
|
> > > > > > Markoff
what's the point of the fork if
it's missing basic features of the
original app? it can't even
display tram lines when tapping on
tram stop...and let's not get into
making fork of a niche map app of
a fork of a niche map app, already
Maps.me was very niche app,
Organic Maps even more and they
make another fork because of their
feelings about something?
|
> > > > > theandrewbailey
I've been using HERE WeGo for almost a
year. I had to install a text to
speech engine in order to get voice
directions. (I installed the GlaDOS
one, now the evil computer tells me
where to
go.)https://www.here.com/products/wego
https://here-wego.en.aptoide.com/appht
tps://k2-fsa.github.io/sherpa/onnx/tts
/all/index.html
|
> > > > > handedness
I've settled on running CoMaps in the
Owner profile, with Google
Maps/Waze/etc. in the Owner profile's
Private Space for when they're
necessary.
|
> > > > > > fooqux
Can that setup work with android
auto? If so, I'll need to try
that.
|
> > > > > > NoGravitas
I use CoMaps in the owner profile
with Android Auto. Only caveat is
that even with Android Auto
developer mode enabled, I still
had to install CoMaps from Play
Store to get it to show up in
Android Auto.
|
> > > > > thefz
Different scopes and purposes. Google
Maps is made to find commercial
activities and addresses, OSM is there
to map the territory around.
|
> > > > > fph
I recommend Magic Earth. Free with
traffic and navigation, and strong
privacy promises (unlike Here Maps).
|
> > > > > > Scrounger
> I recommend Magic Earth.LOL
Bruh... this has a 1.7 rating on
Android based on 42k
reviewshttps://play.google.com/sto
re/apps/details?id=com.generalmag.
..
|
> > > > > > NoGravitas
It used to be really good, and
then it went to a subscription
model, with a lot of
back-and-forth uncertainty about
the change. I suspect the rating
reflects that.
|
> > > > strcat
Using Sandboxed Google Play doesn't defeat
the purpose of using GrapheneOS and
neither does using Google apps. It does
not exist specifically to avoid Google
apps or services. It exists to provide a
highly private and secure OS retaining
high usability and app compatibility.
Being able to use sandboxed Google Play is
an important part of what it provides.
Many GrapheneOS users don't use it and
many who do use it are only using it in a
dedicated profile for a small subset of
apps but that's not at all required to
heavily benefit from GrapheneOS. Moving to
more private apps/services over time does
make sense but it isn't mandatory and
users can choose what kind of compromises
they wan to make.
|
> > > > jzer0cool
What are some good alternatives
|
> > > > > drnick1
The best alternatives are self-hosted,
e.g. your own email, CalDAV, CardDAV,
and file servers, with e.g. K9 as
email client.
|
> > > strcat
Yes, those are all compatible and the only way
to use them is as regular sandboxed apps
without any special access. Sandboxed Google
Play can be installed in the profiles of your
choice. Installing it in the main Owner user
is a valid choice and doesn't at all ruin what
GrapheneOS provides but you can make a
dedicated work profile or Private Space for it
to keep it separate. Only apps in the same
profile can see it and use it, so you can
control which apps will use their
functionality depending on it that way.
|
> > > notRobot
Yes, you can have sandboxed Google apps:
https://grapheneos.org/usage#sandboxed-google-
play
|
> > > upboundspiral
Yes absolutely.You can install nonprivileged
google stuff on the main account.Alternatively
you can setup a private space (accessible to
the main user but mostly separate from the
main system) with a few clicks in the
settings.If you prefer more friction /
isolation you can setup a separate user where
you can install the google stuff.
|
> genpfault
What's the app data backup/restore story on
GrapheneOS?My understanding is that even with
pseudo-D2D (device-to-device) transfers Seedvault
doesn't backup everything[1].Are there
more-functional, non-root, local (non-cloud)
alternatives?[1]:
https://github.com/seedvault-app/seedvault/wiki/FAQ#wh
y-do-s...
|
> > handedness
Seedvault is still woefully insufficient, but it
sounds like there's work being done to replace it.
I can't imagine the enterprise crowd will overlook
that and I'm hoping the Motorola partnership
enables faster development.
|
> > > 3092-8121-9924
> Seedvault is still woefully insufficientEver
since seedvault implemented local D2D API for
app data availability and changed their
repository format (inspired by restic's
hashing) I've grown to trust seedvault enough
that it's my sole phone backup.Seems to
schedule/backup/restore just fine, even
cross-device. Gets all the apps and files I
care about. Incremental runs are slow but
efficient (<1MB transferred).I have some UX
gripes and would prefer if key and snapshot
management was more flexible but the sentiment
I see seems to be rooted in the earlier days
when seedvault was more naive.Look forward to
a GOS-native solution all the same.
|
> > > > handedness
Thanks for your report. I'll give it
another look.
|
> > subscribed
Backup situation is absolutely awful, don't count
on it.
|
> > lucb1e
Not without root, no
|
> bigiain
Memories of Apple force pushing a U2 album to
everyone's iPod (or maybe iPhone) back in the day.
|
> > IdiotSavage
Or the more recent memory of the F1 ad pushed via
the wallet app.
|
> > LeoPanthera
That was a hilariously tone-deaf incident, but
it's hardly comparable. Google pushed ads. Apple
gave you a free album.
|
> > > davidwritesbugs
Yes, but a _U2_ album. An ad is 30 seconds of
irritation, but a U2 album is like having
broken glass sown under your skin.
|
> > > > molybd3num
yeah but you aren't forced to listen to it
|
> > > > > lisnake
For people with no other albums,
Carplay was playing that U2 album
automatically when they enter their
car. So some people were forced to
listen to it :-)
|
> RachelF
I too, liked it.However, some apps that I need for
work, like Microsoft Authenticator, no longer work
under
GrapheneOS.https://www.theregister.com/on-prem/2026/03
/10/microsoft-tig...
|