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I am super nervous, so close to jumping to GrapheneOS.


For those who use GrapheneOS, is it worth it? Do you like it?

My backups are done, all that is left is the final choice to wipe my whole phone.

This entry was edited (2 weeks ago)
in reply to Cantaloupe

in reply to southsamurai

Graphene isn't root friendly because root friendly is a security vulnerability.

You CAN install GOS builds which allow you to have root, but if you care about security (and, that's why you're here) then you should not.

in reply to FauxLiving

in reply to ryan213

Google wallet? Why would you move off Google and use something pointless a bank card would do?

I'm in the UK, but can access banking websites via browser.

in reply to CrypticCoffee

Lol I didn't realize this was about de-Googling.

I don't like all the other stuff but I use wallet all the time. It's just convenient.

in reply to ryan213

It's always the trade off. Convenience vs privacy. Personally, I always have a real wallet so cards are convenient to me. Batteries can run out at any time.

Using Google anything is never a privacy option.

in reply to CrypticCoffee

It's not always a tradeoff in the simplest way. I wish I could use my Privacy.com cards for privacy and security via NFC but that requires the Google wallet which I refuse to use. So for in person transactions I loose those two benefits if I don't have enough cash or the business doesn't accept cash.
in reply to CrypticCoffee

This entry was edited (2 weeks ago)
in reply to ryan213

It depends how much you want to lean into degoogling and your banking apps.

You can always set up a separate profile install a non sandboxed google ay store and use it for things that won't any other way.

in reply to ryan213

Banking Applications Compatibility with GrapheneOS privsec.dev/posts/android/bank…
in reply to ryan213

Depends on the bank. Mine does.

No Google Wallet but I pay with NFC using Curve and put tickets, boarding passes, loyalty cards, etc. into FossWallet.

in reply to ryan213

Banking apps may vary. Google wallet will not work sure to integrity / attestation but other contactless payment methods word.

this guy uses curve pay on graphene:

shkspr.mobi/blog/2025/06/conta…

in reply to ryan213

Google wallet, I am not sure, but my banking app works.
in reply to Cantaloupe

It's worth it, it's a very easy install, there's some growing pains but it's relatively simple to move past
in reply to Cantaloupe

It’s pretty great, there are things I don’t like but that just its android base
in reply to Cantaloupe

Besides setting up my Samsung watch for the first time its been painless. My bank app works without issue. Honestly the worst part was moving from android 9 to 16. I had my last phone for 8 years so I splurged one got a 9 pro with extra storage and I don't regret it. Its snappy, has all the features I need and I get security updatea frequently
in reply to Cantaloupe

I've done it and I will accept nothing less. I'm glad though, that it'll be expanding in availability to more than just google pixels.
in reply to Cantaloupe

Yep, do it.

(Posted from a Pixel 7 running GrapheneOS)

in reply to Steamymoomilk

Do it (Posted from an Arch machine tunneling through a Pixel 6 while copying backups and installing GOS on a Pixel 8)!
e: update - transfer complete, good to go for another 2 years.
This entry was edited (2 weeks ago)
in reply to grue

Definitely worth it!

(From an IPhone 17 with GrapheneOS)

in reply to grue

100% You'll wonder why you'd ever go back.

(Posted from a Pixel Tablet running GrapheneOS. My little secure portable workstation.)

in reply to Cantaloupe

This entry was edited (2 weeks ago)
in reply to Armand1

I feel like the tap pay would be what I miss most, but I saw someone suggest just getting a case that can hold your payment card, and it's essentially the same thing.
in reply to excursion22

Yep, though losing your wallet and phone at the same time would be rough.
in reply to excursion22

Be careful with having your card exposed; there exists a scam where someone puts a chip reader waist level in certain places, like a crowded line, where it'll skim off a few dollars off anyone who gets close enough.
The rfid blocking cards work well (just do a bit of research, lots of sham ones out there), it also looks like there's some options for rid blocking phone wallets too.
in reply to Armand1

in reply to Armand1

Nice link to the GCAM app fork, brings back some features that I missed out on with the normal app.
in reply to Cantaloupe

I think when I need to change phones I am gonna put graphene on my new device but as of now I am running a galaxy s21+ that has had software purged and swapped to the point of being as Foss as I can make it as of now
in reply to Cantaloupe

I love it. I even went a step further and found some alternatives to Google maps, calendar, mail etc. And it took a couple days to get used to but I never went back!
in reply to Cantaloupe

I don't intend on cutting Google from my life, but I want the option to, and I want boundaries with Google. I felt as if I didn't install GrapheneOS, I'd lose the ability to in the future. Google could easily roll out an update locking the bootloader, so I felt like doddling with it was a risky move.

So far it is good, I am still exploring what I can do with GrapheneOS. It's bare bones to start with, no included wallpapers so I have to fetch my own. RCS seemingly works after granting Google play to access my carrier or whatever, so that's good.

This entry was edited (2 weeks ago)
in reply to Cantaloupe

Big problem for me - Intune. If I want it, I have to have a stock OS. Right now I've got a Samsung tablet which is nice hardware but dogshit software. I'd love to not carry two devices around, but that's the price of freedom and convenience.
in reply to kalpol

NEVER EVER INSTALL INTUNE ON YOUR PERSONAL DEVICE!!!


A bunch of people today had their phones wiped and eSIM deleted from their personal phones because they hooked it up to their corporate intune, which got hacked: krebsonsecurity.com/2026/03/ir…

in reply to bamboo

This is why I carry two devices but it sure is annoying
in reply to kalpol

It's bad practice to mix personal life with work. Even to mix it with social media life.
in reply to Cantaloupe

It's 100% worth it. As someone who's been flashing custom ROMs since the Windows Mobile 5.0 days, it's never been as safe or as easy to do as GrapheneOS.

There's only 1 app I can't use on GrapheneOS (Australian government MyGov app), and that's a small price to pay to get Google out of my life.

in reply to Cantaloupe

Only thing I've noticed is quite a delay in notifications for some reason (could be self inflicted), haven't looked into it yet
in reply to trackball_fetish

One reason can be if the involved apps don't have unrestricted battery access. Then the OS will put the app to "sleep" when not used. Could be worth checking.
in reply to trackball_fetish

Most apps typically use Google services for notifications, so all apps use one single service running all the time.

Without Google, apps can develop a fallback where each app polls for its own notifications, but continously running a service per app costs battery, so the services do not run all the time. This is the reason why notifications are delayed.

in reply to Cantaloupe

I love it!
Installation their costom ROM was the easiest I ever did.
I can't imagine going back to any other Android variant.

Aside from 2 apps I tried everything works fine including banking apps, which is to say: all I really want to use works.
If you're especially worried about banking apps, you can have a look here about their expected compatibility: privsec.dev/posts/android/bank…

Short of my future Jolla phone with SailfishOS blowing my Pixel with GrapheneOS out of the water (unlikely to happen), I'm stuck with GrapheneOS for the foreseeable future.
My next daily driver might be from Motorola though, if they do their business with GrapheneOS the right way.

in reply to Cantaloupe

GrapheneOS is absolutely the best thing going right now.

Just buy a phone wallet hold your credit card and transport pass.

This entry was edited (2 weeks ago)
in reply to Cantaloupe

Yes, completely unproblematic. Using it on Pixel tablet and 7a, old devices are on Lineage OS.
in reply to eleitl

If you have older Pixel, Fairphone, (some) Motorola, Shift or Braxtech, iodeOS is better because you can lock the bootloader and the installation is as easy as with GrapheneOS.
in reply to Lyubo

I prefer GOS due to better privacy and security, and buy my hardware for OS compatibility.
in reply to Cantaloupe

I recently got a Google Pixel as well and immediately switched to it.

I used to run LineageOS on Fairphone before, the only difference I felt is the bootloader locking.

As for comparison between the base OS, well, way less bloat. Its so much less bloat that its quite refreshing to see your phone screen with so little apps on a new install lol.

Only thing that don't work is Macdonald's app for me, but I guess that's 1 more fast food I am cutting down on.

in reply to WQMann

I found out Jollibee can be ordered through the website so that's nice
in reply to Cantaloupe

iodeOS/ LineageOS and especially GrapheneOS (if you don't stick with older hardware) are the best things I've found for the mobile. It's pure freedom without restricting yourself to a dumb phone.
It's even more worth now when Google will start to ask developers for intrusive verification. I don't have to worry about apps that I'm using doesn't meet Google's bullshit approval because developer doesn't want to give so much personal data to entity like Google.
I was thinking of buying Google Streamer but when I found out about this, I'll wait and see what happens with apps outside Google Play Store. I know that you still can sideload but I don't think the apps will update automatically.
in reply to KeenFlame

in reply to Cantaloupe

in reply to Cantaloupe

I've been on it for a bit over a year now and honestly, it's just the new normal. Can't really say I miss anything, and things like the separate profiles are pretty neat.

Although, I have bricked myself once by enabling developer settings and accidentally changing my language to a dev-only language that made the os crash on boot. But the Graphene Devs fixed it and unbricked my phone within a week after I posted the problem to the forum.

in reply to Cantaloupe

I'm nearing two years into using it as my daily driver and I would 100% not want to go back. Graphene does everything I need.
in reply to Cantaloupe

“Software integrity cannot be guaranteed on a custom os”

Ah yes software integrity like, sorry we no longer support your device beyond its intended lifecycle and please make sure your beloved app has the latest enshitification update installed.

in reply to Cantaloupe

6 months in, and I can't imagine going back. Use the web installer if possible, it is quick and really easy. Then immediately create a secondary user account for the Google compatibility layer, if you want that shit. I dont but I need my bank app. Keep it seperate. If you wanna use Google apps sometimes, have a separate user for that. You will gain quite a bit of battery without Google calling home every couple minutes. But if you install the compatibility layer in your main profile it becomes a chore to move to another account.
This entry was edited (2 weeks ago)
in reply to frozenpopsicle

What about 2FA, and banking apps, and banks' payment apps? At least in Yurop they require a "safe" / "uncompromised" OS. Oh the irony! But that is why I am still unrooted.
in reply to PlutoniumAcid

2FA has been fine for me, but banking apps are iffy where some work and some do not. I don't use or trust banking apps, so it wasn't a blocker for me.
in reply to PlutoniumAcid

I used to have a service which required Authy and that will not work with a failed Play Integrity API check.

Chase and AMEX make it more annoying to log in by requiring additional 2FA after fingerprint unlocks.

Capital One is the same experience as my stock OS.

in reply to PlutoniumAcid

If you install sandboxed Play Services then they should work. If not then the websites will.
in reply to Cantaloupe

Just go for it. You can always go back to stock if you dont like it.

My advice: dont make it too complicate. GOS has a lot of different securities and you can choose whatever you want to do with your phone. Some examples::

  • you can run the whole thing on 1 profile
  • 1 main profile and 1 secondary for Google
  • 1 main profile for admin and several secondary profiles each with their own private space... .

and so on and on. I like to think of GOS similar to Archlinux. You can choose your way, but if things go south , a extremely complicate setup will make it very difficult to diagnose and maintain.

in reply to mazzilius_marsti

If you could tell me the logic behind using the different securities... I'm working on figuring out graphene and using it as a daily driver. Currently I've got my owner profile which is the one with Google Play. I'll just push the apps to my daily driver...

What would you suggest?

in reply to hateisreality

What would you suggest?


Not OP, but here's an answer for your consideration.

Assuming you are not currently being hunted by well resourced scary people...

It seems to me that even using a single user profile on GrapheneOS already provides dramatically better security and privacy outcomes than any other mobile device option, anyway.

in reply to pinball_wizard

I don't think I'm being hunted or resourced... But realistically speaking I'm just tired of not having control of my data.

I'm more just trying to figure out the most effective setup. Because I am going to need certain apps I'm going to get from the Google store. I don't need them all the time, what I really need to understand is which profile should I have the Google Play store on. Should I have it on a secondary profile or the owner profile.

I don't intend on using the profile with Google Play on it daily.

in reply to hateisreality

another solution for you is no profiles, just the main + Private Space. In main you dont use any Google stuff. In your private space (setup with a different unlock method from your screenlock), you sign in and get your Google stuff. I havent tried it but it sounds ok...Not sure about transferring files though. E.g. what if I have a news article in Vanadium in mainland and want to share it to my contacts in Private Spac? Or the reverse: I got a pdf from whatsapp in Private Space and want to store it in my main's folder?
in reply to hateisreality

in reply to Cantaloupe

I've been using Graphene for several years and I love it. I could never go back now, Google android feels so incredibly bloated and invasive by comparison.

Double check your backups just to be safe, and then go for it. It's not hard to revert if you hate it. There is a big of a learning curve, mainly just using the alternative app stores like Accresent, F-Droid, etc.

But once you spend a bit of time getting your apps installed and your system set up the way you like, you'll love it.

in reply to Cantaloupe

It is so obscenely easy to install graphene on your phone. I bought a pixel just to try it like a 6 for 60 bucks or something and it took no time whatsoever. Online easy peasy and it is so much better than googles Android
in reply to Cantaloupe

Made the jump a couple of weeks ago, and couldn't be happier with it. Everything just worked out of the box. The web installer is literally point and click, zero hassle. Google store installer is bundled by default, and you can install it right away. All the apps I use worked fine for me without any issues.
in reply to Cantaloupe

Been running GrapheneOS for almost two years. Ran it before long ago too. It's a PITA to use, but it does limit tracking. So, pick your poison: ease of use in exchange for your personal data, or additional work in exchange for your privacy. I chose privacy.
in reply to Cantaloupe

I bought a Pixel for it (I needed a phone upgrade) and installed GrapheneOS immediately after bringing it home. There was a little bit of friction because a few things weren't working out of the box for me, like Android Auto and a few apps that use GPS (I tried to Pokemon Go, for example) but all these issues went away eventually. The only thing I miss is tapping my phone to pay for things, but this isn't a GrapheneOS issue, (bank/card providers in north America and their reliance on Google Wallet/Apple pay are). There are financial institutions from other countries that offer tap to pay using their own app.

I love being able to select what files/contacts each app has access on my phone. I like being able to disable my camera/microphone for all apps with a simple touch.

in reply to T (they/she)

I wonder why nobody found a way to trick Google Wallet into running anyway
in reply to Scrollone

They just need to learn how to trick Google's Integrity API
in reply to T (they/she)

I'm not an expert, but can't a phone just reply "yes it's safe" to any Google's Integrity API request?
in reply to Cantaloupe

I'm using GrapheneOS to type this and have been using it (periodically) for weeks. I just noticed today that it doesn't have visual voicemail, and I haven't the foggiest idea what my vmail PW is. But all in all, it's solid (knock on wood).
in reply to jtzl

You should be able to call your service provider to reset password for vmail. I had to do that a couple years ago as my voicemail was full and I needed to empty it and have access while applying for jobs .. don't wait untill you need to do it it is kind of annoying to deal with!
in reply to innermachine

Noted, thank you for the tip.

And all customer service interactions have become annoying! In my book, it's just businesses acting entitled, which irks me.

in reply to Cantaloupe

Welcome, I also use GOS and I will say its amazing. If you want support or just to chat with other GOS users I reccomend the GOS matrix chat or Discord chat (note due to recent events the bridge is no longer online)
in reply to Cantaloupe

Will digital ID's and banking and stuff work? Or do you need to root it?
in reply to KeenFlame

Works for me with 3 banks, there's a checkbox you might need in the app's info screen to enable a 'compatibility' mode.
in reply to Cantaloupe

Honestly man god bless I'm here for the cause but it's a real pain as a daily driver.
in reply to Skankhunt420

my work stack is all google. i tried using it full time last year with a pixel and i just found the sandboxed google services to be too unreliable in a pinch
in reply to preschool236

Work profiles are a big sticking point for tech workers I think. Apparently some have got it to work, but my org's didn't. I think if your company uses MAM instead of MDM you might have better luck, but I couldn't get Intune to set up the work profile correctly. I started carrying a phone size ereader everywhere so I just set up work stuff on that, but even then managing wifi for the second device is a pain.
in reply to Cantaloupe

Easily the best phone i ever used. Graphene on a Pixel that is.
in reply to Cantaloupe

Welcome to the cool side Peter! (Family guy joke). No but seriously, jumping over to GrapheneOS was the best choice i've made in years.
in reply to Kakalaka

Same here, never looked back. Enjoy it as long as it lasts
in reply to Cantaloupe

I'm pretty sure they don't "guarantee software integrity" as it is. At least not in any meaningful way.
in reply to Cantaloupe

It's great! Top notch privacy and security with OEM update convenience.