I know that Graphene OS is the best OS for privacy/security on a Pixel, but I have both a non-Pixel phone. What is the second best ROM in this case? I know that Lineage still has some Google telemetry since it’s meant to be as close to AOSP as possible and not actually de-Googled. Maybe /e/ OS then?

  • DePingus
    9·
    3 years ago

    For a daily driver? Lineage with microG gets my vote.

    • onlooker
      3·
      3 years ago

      Definitely. If you want as little Google in your phone as possible just regular LineageOS (that is, without microg) is an option, too. Just remember to install another store like F-Droid to manage your apps.

      And just to avoid some confusion: LineageOS and LineageOS for microG are two separate projects on two different websites. Here’s regular LineageOS and here’s LineageOS for microG.

      As for /e/OS… I find them a bit dodgy, to be honest. It’s essentially just rebranded LineageOS with slower updates. Then there’s the word “degoogled” plastered all over their website, but nowhere does it mention that many apps still use things like Google Push notifications, even though other, FOSS push systems are available.

      • VTuber Lore Shrimp
        2·
        3 years ago

        To my understanding, the /e/ foundation’s purpose is to “democratize” privacy-oriented alternatives to Google’s ecosystem, not just Android, at a level the average user can understand. Even though I have to give credit to Purism for making a better work in that regard, Purism is of course more expensive for us and even more broadly unavailable or unreachable for “normal” peeps than /e/ OS, territory-wise. /e/'s OS can serve as an intermediary step in my opinion.

      • MarcDW
        1·
        3 years ago

        Nothing dodgy about it. /e/OS uses microG which handles the push notifications. The deGoogling is in the ROM itself. Big difference. I have/had numerous ROMs with microG. On some I just don’t enable Google device registration nor Cloud Messaging. Folks can do the same on /e/OS. I don’t use/need push messaging anyway. I do believe they’re looking into the other push systems.

        One thing you may notice, if ever reading their forum, a majority of the users are regular Joes/Janes wanting to use general apps that don’t support FOSS push systems anyway.

        /e/ doesn’t seem to be targeting the hardcore privacy crowd but provide an alternative to the Google ecosystem. As mentioned previously, an intermediary.