1 yr. ago • 95%

graphenos

Hey

I am planning on putting graphenos (or another os) on my pixel (currently using a pixel 6 but will have a pixel 8 shortly). I have a few questions about using then new os. Mainly are there any apps that don't work. I use my phone for work being a OTP to logine daily etc is that still possible and reliable. There is one game I play on phone downloaded from the play store is that still possible? Lastly how do updates come can I download an update regularly from phone or do I have to plug into PC each time and know there is an update ready and how would you revert back to Google os if needed.

Sorry if that is a lot I just feel scared to take the "leap" into what is for me unknown. Thanks

50 comments

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

17
- Does Google wallet and maps work in sandboxed pay services environment?
  
  Can you create another work profile besides the one for Google Play services?
  
  2
  
  Yes, but touchless payments do not work.
  
  I believe so, but someone else confirm (I use just 1 profile).
  
  3
  
  You can create a lot of different profiles , I am using 3 but I think it is like 8 max or something. My wife is using a GOS phone with all the bad apps she can find and there is never an issue. Maps for sure , wallet I don't know.
  
  1
- Can you use the play store like normal on gOS or do you have to use the container environment?
  
  1
  
  You install the Google services and Play store from the gOS Apps application, then use them like normal.
  
  Behind the scenes they run in the sandboxed environment, but to the user it makes no difference.
  
  4
  
  It will be kept in its own container but I have noticed no significant changes to how play store apps work.
  
  3
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

15
- For banking apps, long pressing them to get to settings and enabling exploit protection compatibility mode usually fixes the problem.
  
  8
  
  Ah good to know! Will try that if I ever run into issues, thanks
  
  3
In order of question:

just gPay contactless payments (that I've found)

me too, no issues

should play just fine with gPlay

updates are ota just like stock android (once gos is initially installed); they have a restore method that afaik uses the google restore website, I haven't used it in a while but it does work and is pretty straightforward

(used many, many roms over the years, currently gos for 3.5y)
12
- In addition to GPay contactless, Android Auto will also not work on GrapheneOS.
  
  7
  
  Never liked Android auto anyway :) was always annoying for me.
  
  3
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.

12
Apps that don't work:

Google Pay

As far that I know, that's it.
10
- Android auto too
  
  4
  
  And that's a deal breaker for me
  
  3
- Not exactly true. You can install Google play sandboxed in user mode. It is build in to grapheneos and is as simple as a click to install it.
  
  1
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.

8
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.

5
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.

5
I installed it on a pixel 7a recently, and it was pretty idiot proof. I did manage to slightly bork the install but it was easily unborked. I know there are apps with issues but I haven't found any. Sandboxed google play allows running google play apps easily, though you must use an account (to my knowledge). If you don't end up liking it, there is an official Google Android image that you can go back to. I would definitely recommend giving it a try.

4
- Since your comment is recent. Do you know if I do this does it void insurance on the phone if I break it beyond repair. EX drop a weight on it (from experience). I read it voids warrentys but what about insurance? And if you do it to a phone and return/trade in that phone going from p6 to p8 is that acceptable. If you dont know all is well thanks
  
  1
  
  You flash it back to stock when you trade in.
  
  1
  
  Sorry, I have no idea.
  
  1
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.

2
- Why are you using a centralized exchange that pays companies like Chainalysis to analyze your transaction history?
  
  -1
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.

1
The APP from my local kebab Restaurant it uses googleplay services and i refuse to install even if it is sandboxed

1
We were considering switching to graphene but apparently there are lots of drama regarding the lead Dev which scared us from the idea

1
- Can you elaborate or do you have a link?
  
  2
  
  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.
  
  11
One app I know does not work without Google Play Services is Lyft. It will just crash.

1
- you can use google play services in a sandbox
  
  1
  
  Fair. Defeats the point though imo. I havent had play services in ~5 years now.
  
  1
Considering the drama queen shenanigans of the lead dev and his acolytes, I would prefer using any other AOSP based custom ROM like CalyxOS or LineageOS. GrapheneOS is not worth the risk. Dev has added features in the past that would get a journalist or activist easily killed, like shutter sounds you cannot turn off.

-6
- Haven't tried it but, DivestOS might also be an option.
  
  2
  
  An excerpt from my exposé of GrapheneOS:
  
  DIVESTOS DEVELOPER BANNING ME ON MICAY'S ORDERS OTHERWISE HE WILL INITIATE A SOCIAL MEDIA HARASSMENT CAMPAIGN AGAINST DIVESTOS
  
  Yes, this happened, and this is my favourite part as far as everything GrapheneOS head/mods have done to date. As dramatic as it sounds, Micay in realtime, in DivestOS' XMPP chatroom, was accusing me of the typical "harassment ringleader campaign" BS, and ordered DivestOS/Mull developer (these are his aliases) SubZer0Carnage/Tad/SkewedZeppelin that if I was not banned immediately, DivestOS and him would face social media targeted campaign and DivestOS will have to forcibly pull off any borrowed GrapheneOS code. DivestOS developer dusted his hands off me, since he does not like me apparently for liking some closed source software and he benefits off of the crybully. Also, unlike the crybully, I have never harassed or harmed anyone because I have a moral conscience to not be an abusive asshole on internet, so he will face no issues on my end.
  
  Screenshot 1: https://i.imgur.com/Al65uTZ.jpg
  
  Screenshot 2 continuation: https://i.imgur.com/mT8W9pa.jpg
  
  -3
- You mean the guy that stepped down in march I believe it was? Shuttersounds was an android thing upstream I assume. GOS is leagues ahead of anything else.
  
  0
  
  You mean the same guy who has lied over dozens of times over years about various people and groups, calling me a “paid agent sent by Chinese govt to destroy privacy community”, Techlore and CalyxOS evil people, developers of Bromite and Florisboard “neo-nazis” without evidence, Louis Rossmann being “complicit” in a (never proved) attempt to swat him, and so on? You mean this guy? https://old.reddit.com/user/lo________________ol/comments/1314x2x/why_did_i_do_this/
  
  Are we talking about the same guy and project, that I have extensively covered for years now, who crybullies every possible entity that does not worship him? This guy? https://old.reddit.com/r/privatelife/comments/13teoo9/grapheneos_corporate_foss_loving_witch_hunting/ The same person who blackmails people to ban certain people, otherwise he will unleash a faux harassment campaign against them?
  
  You mean the same guy who went to lengths of lying about a swatting attempt, never giving evidence for it in 5 months, and calling everyone asking for evidence complicit in his fake murder attempt, just to garner sympathy and fame for his GrapheneOS project? The same person, whose acolyte pet mod akc3n banned me a couple weeks ago on GrapheneOS sublemmy for asking exactly this, labelling reason as "abuse towards project members"?
  
  This is not what I expect out of a Lemmygrad comrade.
  
  Also, http://web.archive.org/web/20220502093708/https://old.reddit.com/r/privacytoolsIO/comments/pjl4bh/what_is_your_opinion_of_grapheneos_conforming_to/
  
  -3

You've viewed 50 comments.