this post was submitted on 19 Nov 2023
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Privacy

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Things that make me angry about my current smartphone Samsung Galaxy S21Ultra on a Verizon plan is the mandatory software updates in which they install WITHOUT MY PERMISSION stupid apps like Netflix and addictive gambling games and stacking block games and Candy crush. God knows what else they install without my permission. I don't want any of it!

Next phone I buy I want to start with a clean slate, I'm not going to affiliate with any conglomerate like Verizon or AT&T or Sprint or T-Mobile etc, I prefer to go rogue somehow,

which smartphone do you recommend that has no bloatware and it's customizable?

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[–] GasMaskedLunatic@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) (6 children)

The only recommendation I can provide is a Google Pixel device with GrapheneOS. Graphene is only designed to work on Pixels because they are (allegedly) the most secure mobile phone hardware-wise. Once you flash Graphene, it's up to you to install any apps beyond the basic browser (Vanadium), gallery, camera, caller, SMS, PDF viewer, contacts, file manager, and security/system apps. No Google involved without your permission, though you will have to install Google services, available via a Graphene mirror and sandboxed for privacy, IF you want to install an eSIM after flashing Graphene. If you're interested in further information, please let me know. I use it, love it, and am happy to provide any information you may need to decide if it's a good fit for you or not.

[–] iamak@infosec.pub 0 points 10 months ago (1 children)

What is the root scene on Graphene? I know the dev is pretty against it but I like having root access after being used to it. Is it possible to easily root it without any integrity issues later on?

[–] GasMaskedLunatic@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

It looks like the verified boot security feature of Graphene effectively prevents rooting the OS. I understand wanting root access, it does provide some nice features, but I don't have any need for it. I don't have any bloatware embedded to remove, and I don't need to mod any system apps, so I haven't looked into it much. I know the dev says it isn't planned because it massively increases attack surface, which I personally agree with, but it would be nice to have the option via a separate version of the OS or something. If you need root access, I would suggest looking into LineageOS. It's similar in privacy to Graphene and last I knew could be rooted. Graphene is very focused on security as well as privacy, and for me is a best of both worlds, but if you want to modify the system for various power-user type features, it might not be for you.

[–] iamak@infosec.pub 0 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Yeah I'm currently running LineageOS. I wanted root mainly for adblock (modifying /etc/hosts) and AppOps. Does Graphene have those features built in?

[–] netchami@sh.itjust.works 1 points 10 months ago

For security reasons GrapheneOS doesn't allow the modification of system files. You can achieve the same thing with DNS though. Either self-host a Pi-Hole or AdGuard Home, or use something like NextDNS.

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