It Feels Almost Like Android... But It Isn't
So what is it?
this post was submitted on 18 Sep 2024
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Privacy
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I think what they attribute to that "android feel", is google spying on them at every turn.
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?
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.
Thanks! I don’t think this will work for me. Where I live, most of the payments are made directly through banking apps by scanning a qr-code.
Yeah, that's why I mentioned having a secondary profile. Some stuff like bank apps you just can't get away from so a profile with play services running is a workable solution. If you have a pixel phone already, you can give it a shot. One very nice feature of GOS is that it's super easy to install - and uninstall if it's not for you.
Sadly, I don’t have a pixel.
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?
Most important thing for some people: the battery of the pixel sucks balls
Do you mean that it's worse on GrapheneOS in comparison to stock?
I think only their way of emulating play store apps is heavy on the battery. But I could be mistaken.
I would love to make the switch, but I am certain that absolutely zero of my government mandated apps will run on this thing.
As a GrapheneOS user, I approve this message.
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
Ironically, Plexus currently crashes and won't open on GrapheneOS. Both 2.0.3 on F-Droid and 2.0.6 on IzzyOnDroid.
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.
You can just run Lineage OS with MicroG or Calyx OS. If you have all Foss apps you probably don't even need MicroG
My 7a cost $300 this summer. Very expensive for me but I don't regret. 8 is around $400 in that store now that 9 is out, maybe it would drop in price with time (or as 9a comes out?).
Android Auto is borked and most camera features
Android auto also works fine for me. I haven't used an android phone in years so I can only compair it to apple car play. There are extra configuration steps to make it work but its not hard (just have to read some messages and go through some menus)
Apple car play "just works".
Comment on GrapheneOS, an Android custom ROM while touting Apple in same thread.
👍
I'm not touting apple. Its just a fact.Graphene has you check boxes so you know you're giving permissions to your car. It informs you what information you're giving to android auto. And, if you've installed apps through alternate sources, you do have to go through developer mode in Android Auto to enable apps from alternative sources. It takes less than 5 mins and you only have to do it once, but if you don't, you'll end up thinking android auto is broken in graphene, like the poster I was responding to believed.
I don't think there is a better solution for graphene - it works fine after minimal setup. I'd gladly do that to preserve my privacy when it matters.
Apple doesn't give a shit about informing you what it does with your info so it doesn't do that. I'm not saying its better I'm just being honest. Its quick and dirty.
Android Auto works fine for me and google camera also works fine.
The camera works but I was talking about it but the Google image processing features.
You can install the Google Camera app and get those.
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Tried to switch to graphene for a bit. Way too many apps don't work in it.
But out of curiosity what apps didn't work for you that were deal breakers?
Oh. I tried a bit before giving up. But lack of compatibility plus the insanely unreliable pixel battery just made me switch back to iPhone.
Thank you for the link though.