Comparison of Android ROMs

eylenburg.github.io Comparison of Android ROMs

Android @lemdro.id

Comparison of privacy and/or security focused Android ROMs versus "Stock" Android

eylenburg.github.io /android_comparison.htm

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Only 2 problems I have with Graphene personally is the need to give Google money, which the irony is just too much, and no option for rooting. Otherwise it seems like a pretty good OS overall. In the meantime, while I wait for those options to be more flexible so I can have full control, I just use a rooted lineage os with all the extra Google stuff (ntp, DNS, etc) stripped and replaced with my own self hosted systems.
- u can buy a pixel second hand.
  
  Money is still going to Google cuz I bet the person selling it is going to use it towards a new pixel from Google.
- @Mikelius @Imprint9816 what do you need root for? it makes absolutely no sense to root GrapheneOS and they won't ever make that option available. It's a huge security risk and massively increases attack surface. If you want root so badly, stay with lineage. Giving Google money for a product they make isn't any different from buying a Samsung or Apple phone really.
  
  I've heard and seen folks say rooting Android is a huge security risk and adds an attack surface, but haven't seen anything to support the claims, really. Yes it's less secure for the average person, who doesn't know anything about security, to root an Android, but to say it's completely insecure without any supporting explanation (not you in particular, just in general when this is said) doesn't help. I like to imagine it like installing Linux and being told to trust the distribution you installed, but they disabled root and removed sudo because it's insecure.
  The reason I root is actually for both security and privacy. Without it, I can't use custom firewall rules to restrict apps and system processes from reaching out to the internet or local network devices (AFWall+), have a local hosts setup (Adaway), run a VPN to my home network (Wireguard), and monitor all app network process calls (PCAPdroid) at the exact same time. It also prevents me from being able to create custom cron jobs and custom system changes I need that have only root access.
  Being that I am also home 95% of the time with my phone on my person at all times, physical attack surface is less concerning for me, too.
  With that all being said, the (assumed) excuse that "malware" is the security risk with root makes no sense to me because whether or not I have root access, phone malware probably doesn't need it in most cases since they're exploiting non-root things so that they can target the majority, not minority. Not to mention I rarely ever even install apps on the phone and most of my web surfing is done on my laptop, not my phone.
  
  there are some niche reasons to root, like just tweaking system things or using rooted-only apps
- I guess there's actually nothing stopping you from rooting: you say "nope" when they ask you to confirm re-locking the bootloader, and then do the usual shenanigans with patching and flashing boot partition.
  However, it makes graphene a whole lot less grapheny since you can't re-lock the bootloader anymore (except if you sign modified stuff yourself and let vb know of your key, which sounds like too much of a hustle), which means you don't really need a pixel and graphene except for a few unique features mb.
- whats rooted mean
- You technically can root (https://xdaforums.com/t/guide-pixel-6-oriole-unlock-bootloader-update-root-pass-safetynet.4356233/), but I wouldn't recommend it. I wouldn't recommend rooting any version of Android, it unnecessarily increases attack surface.

As usual if you're looking to have any security (Verified boot) GrapheneOS + Pixel phone is the only options. I really don't get it how come people in places like this are okay with having a phone with all their personal data and logins without verified boot. Stolen / lost phone and game over.
- Getting a Pixel just to have Graphene is not always an option. At least not a sensible one that factors in everything that's important when buying something.
  My current phone still runs perfectly fine, so getting a new one feels like a massive waste, too.
  
  And and what happens to your data if your phone gets stolen?
- I need a new phone but I want one with a good battery.
  Looking at pixels for gOS but worried about battery life compared to something like Moto Edge+ or Oppo 11.
  
  I've been using a Pixel 6a with GrapheneOS and the battery life is just fantastic. Sometimes I can go for a whole week without charging, but this is the exception. But under normal circumstances, I still get like 3 days of battery life. You don't need to be worried about that at all, battery life is even improved on GrapheneOS compared to the Stock ROM.
  
  I guess with the amount of spyware you will not be running on GrapheneOS will certainly help you with battery life.

GrapheneOS or nothing :/
- lineageOS?
  
  LineageOS is great for customization and their own security updates. Its my daily driver. Definitely recommend it over any proprietary crap.
  
  I mean from the privacy aspect.

DivestOS absolutely slaps. Well, all things considered
Edit: It's absolutely fantastic for what it is, and that is fact. Maintained by a single person, well documented, and doesn't promise more than it can deliver.
- wow, never heard of it. do u use it?
  
  I've been using it for almost two years now, and I like it a lot. (small disclaimer, I'm running it on a OnePlus 5T, which is one of their so-called golden devices that it runs best on)
  It's pretty much the next best thing after Graphene, if you don't want to buy a Pixel.
  The guy who maintains it does an excellent job of documenting issues, what works on what device, what the system itself can and can't do, it's very transparent.
  He doesn't overpromise either, and explicitely states that getting a Pixel with Graphene is the better option overall. Greatly appreciate the honesty.
  I'll use it for as long as he'll support my device, and then we'll see if I switch to Graphene.
  One important thing though: While you can install microG, DivestOS doesn't officially support it, and while most things work, some don't. SafetyNet, for instance.
  
  hardened lineageos

TL;DR: Use GrapheneOS, it's by far the best.
- no option to root ; it has you lock your bootloader after installation
  
  That's kinda the point of using a pixel, y'know...
  
  What do you need root for? Having root privileges exposed significantly increases attack surface and decreases security. You can use Shizuku on GrapheneOS if you want to, it requires adb and works on any Android ROM. Also, there is a way to get root on GrapheneOS, but I really don't recommend it.

Why is Graphene listed as Google play incompatible? They have far and away the best implementation of google play services if the user chooses to install them.
- I think you read the column that says Google Pay compatible. It's talking about the tap to pay feature you can use with your credit card at merchants, rather than the play store.
  Honestly, the tap to pay feature is what's keeping my from using one of the more privacy oriented ROMs or root. It's just too convenient.
  
  one little inconvenvience for tonnes better security and privacy. r u possibly able to use a credit card in your phone case instead?
  
  Can't you do that with a credit card?

what is deblobbed
- proprietary blobs removed

I didn't realize custom roms didn't support android auto. The things you have to give up for privacy 😢
- Btw, modern cars are often nightmare for privacy. Mozilla has recently posted about it.
  However, I saw on github that someone made android auto work with microg!
  
  Really? Do you have a link to that plz. I'd like to try it out on my lineageos phone.

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