this post was submitted on 18 Sep 2024
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Privacy

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[–] ZebraGoose@sh.itjust.works 91 points 3 months ago (11 children)

Here's a summary of the article and the seven key points mentioned about switching to GrapheneOS:

Summary: The article discusses GrapheneOS, a secure, privacy-focused mobile operating system based on Android. It highlights the benefits of switching to GrapheneOS, its features, compatibility, and user experience. The article also addresses potential concerns and provides information on reverting to standard Android if desired.

The seven things you should know before switching to GrapheneOS:

  1. Compatibility: Currently only supported on Google Pixel devices (Pixel 3 or newer) due to their strong hardware-based security features.

  2. App compatibility: Most apps are compatible, but some may require alternatives. A sandboxed version of Google Play can be installed for popular apps.

  3. User interface: Similar to standard Android, but with enhanced privacy controls and a decluttered, ad-free experience.

  4. Regular updates: Frequent security updates are provided to protect against the latest threats.

  5. Community support: A dedicated community of users and developers is available to offer help and tips.

  6. Reversibility: It's possible to switch back to standard Android if you don't like GrapheneOS.

  7. Privacy and security features: Includes end-to-end encryption, revocable permissions, randomized MAC addresses, and strict app data access controls.

[–] s08nlql9@lemm.ee 33 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Ty for the summary ChatGPT

[–] ZebraGoose@sh.itjust.works 16 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Haha no worries 😅 I always appriciate summarys myself so I thought I would pay it forward

[–] s08nlql9@lemm.ee 7 points 3 months ago

It's a bad joke ✌️

[–] jaggedrobotpubes@lemmy.world 8 points 3 months ago (1 children)
[–] ZebraGoose@sh.itjust.works 4 points 3 months ago

No problems 😄

[–] LodeMike@lemmy.today 4 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) (3 children)

standard android?

you/they mean the OEM operating system right?

[–] henchman2019@lemmy.world 13 points 3 months ago (4 children)

Yes. You can go back to stock.

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[–] southsamurai@sh.itjust.works 6 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Or any other rom, really. Stock, which is the Google version of Android, but the pixel line is well supported by lineage and other variants.

[–] Blizzard@lemmy.zip 4 points 3 months ago

The summary kind of makes it sound like there's a switch in settings and poof! you're back at stock android. But I imagine you need to flash the new ROM and start from scratch.

[–] MajorHavoc@programming.dev 4 points 3 months ago

Right. It's different in that it lacks Google Framework Service, and adds a bunch of privacy controls, like additional quick toggles to control the cameras, and microphone, the way other Android can quick toggle the flashlight and location servcies and bluetooth.

The biggest thing is substantially more granular per app permissions, controlled from a calentral interface in settings.

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[–] soFanzy@lemmy.world 31 points 3 months ago

I love graphene as much as the next guy, but this article is pretty terrible. Badly researched, just spitting out talking points that are either flat out wrong, not the point of graphene or just scratching the surface. Look up the graphene homepage, if you actually want useful info.

[–] abrahambelch@programming.dev 20 points 3 months ago (1 children)

It Feels Almost Like Android... But It Isn't

So what is it?

[–] 01189998819991197253@infosec.pub 10 points 3 months ago

I think what they attribute to that "android feel", is google spying on them at every turn.

[–] Muffi@programming.dev 14 points 3 months ago (3 children)

I would love to make the switch, but I am certain that absolutely zero of my government mandated apps will run on this thing.

[–] Dop@lemmy.world 5 points 3 months ago (1 children)

WTF do you mean "gvt mandated apps" !?!

[–] Muffi@programming.dev 14 points 3 months ago (7 children)

Mandated is the wrong word. "Required for absolutely everything" is more precise. In Denmark you need an app called "MitID" to do any kind of digital verification. You can't do online purchases, banking or digital bureaucracy without it.

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[–] M500@lemmy.ml 14 points 3 months ago (2 children)

Can someone give an example of an app that doesn’t work? I always hear about apps that do work, but is it mostly banking or some other category that doesn’t work typically?

[–] refalo@programming.dev 15 points 3 months ago (9 children)

Anything that uses NFC payments.

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[–] Broken@lemmy.ml 10 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) (3 children)

Like you said, banking apps. The logic behind that is they use google to security check their apps. A random non-bank example would be the slick deals app. Without play services it would just open then crash.

Many apps use play services for their notification system. So for instance, proton mail works fine but notifications do not.

NFC is not supported, so anything that uses that won't work.

Not an app, but I was surprised that widgets don't work unless you're in the primary profile. Technically they work on any profile, but they randomly get deleted, and frequently. It's a known bug that probably will never get fixed because the source of it comes from stock android.

I will mention that you can have a profile running play services, which gives you access to many apps that wouldnt normally work. And it's sandboxed so it has less impact on your information (I don't know all the specifics but it does limit in some way how much it can snoop into the rest of the OS). Then you can also set up granular controls on your apps to limit them from snooping.

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[–] QuizzaciousOtter@lemm.ee 10 points 3 months ago

While it's not nearly as customizable as an Ubuntu kernel, it's still easy to make your GrapheneOS look and feel exactly how you want it to, within reason.

WTF is it supposed to mean?

[–] helpImTrappedOnline@lemmy.world 9 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Does android auto work? Last I herd it did not...

[–] spipau 8 points 3 months ago (2 children)

If you want to know if an app works, you can start here: https://plexus.techlore.tech/ Still a young project so contributions are welcomed!

If you don't have a Pixel like me, you can check out: https://e.foundation/ Runs since 3 years on my Fairphone 3 and gets better with every update

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[–] Charger8232@lemmy.ml 6 points 3 months ago

As a GrapheneOS user, I approve this message.

[–] lightscription@lemmy.world 6 points 3 months ago (2 children)

Unfortunately, Tinder doesn't work and that is helpful to get in touch with the ladies. That app is too hell bent on location data which GOS handles more privately.

NFC should work, it is just scheduled to be deactivated after 3 months if not used for security reasons.

I think GOS is very user friendly and has many positive privacy and security enhancements. I would like to see if they can surpass sandboxed Google Play and officially support other repositories and updaters like Accrescent. Also, a standard way of securing traffic beyond encrypted DNS would be good such as a tor client like Orbot.

Looking into the Veilid ecosystem might also be a source for further development ideas.

[–] camr_on@lemmy.world 16 points 3 months ago (6 children)

just use grindr instead like I do

[–] PoorPocketsMcNewHold@lemmy.ml 10 points 3 months ago

GrapheneOS also made me give up my heterosexuality /j

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[–] sweetpotato@lemmy.ml 5 points 3 months ago (14 children)

For how long will the older pixel phones be supported? Is it worth it to buy a cheaper older model like pixel 6 and have graphene in it?

Cause I'm not giving more than 200-300 for a phone. I'll stick to cheap android phones that lack nothing compared to expensive phones for my needs.

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[–] refalo@programming.dev 4 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) (10 children)

NFC payments also don't work. Non-starter for me

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