I use it on pixel 6a. I have encountered no problems, all apps have worked including games from google play store. Only exception is google wallet.
Edit: updates come over the air
this post was submitted on 19 Oct 2023
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I've been using it for years and I think it's great. Currently on a 6 Pro. It's true that some apps don't work without Google Play services, but GrapheneOS has the option to install the google stuff in a sandbox, so you shouldn't run into any issues if you do that. Personally, I don't use Play services unless I need to, and use Aurora store for any apps that aren't on F-Droid.
In any case, you can always revert to stock or try another OS
Edit: as faede has pointed out, it appears that Google Wallet has issues. Also, the usage docs mention issues with banking apps in general, so that's something to consider
Almost all apps work. Some may require you to disable a security feature (native code debugging), specifically banking apps. Others may require you to install the sandboxed google services but you can do that in a separate dedicated profile.
Apps that don't work:
- Google Pay
As far that I know, that's it.
Android auto too
And that's a deal breaker for me
That's a tough one to lose for sure
Out of genuine curiosity from someone who has never used it, what are the features of Android Auto that are so good/useful that it alone would determine whether to use a custom ROM or not?
And why doesn't it work on custom roms?
plexus by techlore tries to crowd source if apps work on degoogled phones. However like others said GrapheneOS has the option to use sandboxes google services. I only had one app that didn't work at all and it was very niche.
We were considering switching to graphene but apparently there are lots of drama regarding the lead Dev which scared us from the idea
Can you elaborate or do you have a link?
Louis Rossman has a video on it, you can search it on his channel, "Why I deleted GrapheneOS."
Basically, the lead dev for GrapheneOS started acting erratic and eventually left the project a few months ago handing it off to other devs.
I still use GrapheneOS happily and personally still trust it.
Yeah, I wouldn't use Louis' video as the only source nor Techlore. Looks to me like the person has autism and/or struggles with mental issues and it reflects on the way they treat people and deal with stuff. That doesn't necessarily make it better or worse, malicious or whatever. The converstion style is definitely not 'normal' and it contains quite some manic behaviour. It's probably more nuanced. I think the whole story is a bit sad and I like GrapheneOS as a project.
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I've successfully used stuff like Google Maps and even Uber, with sandboxed Play Services.
There is some niche functionality that doesn't work. For example I use the Sam's Club app to scan and purchase stuff in the club and that all works fine, but when attempting to use the app to pay for gasoline at their pumps, it gives a connection error.
Android Auto is the big one for me that does not work on graphene. If they can find a way to get that to work I'd switch immediately.
I couldn't get coinbase to work, but their webapp is good enough for me. I had to turn on compatibility mode for a couple others.
One app I know does not work without Google Play Services is Lyft. It will just crash.
you can use google play services in a sandbox
Fair. Defeats the point though imo. I havent had play services in ~5 years now.
The APP from my local kebab Restaurant it uses googleplay services and i refuse to install even if it is sandboxed
The only issue I've had is with games from kakao, they crash after a few minutes of starting. I think the last time I tried it said something abiut modification to the OS. But that's the only developer I've had problems with, the rest of the games I have play without issue.
Also the only downside I see is the tap to pay not working at all, but that's not graphenOS' problem, google won't certificate them.