This one is definitely the hardest and is the least mature. Have you managed to get off Google on your phone?
I’m using GrapheneOS (Degoogle’d android) on a Pixel 6a. The irony isn’t lost on me that I had to buy google to get off google.
I had tried Pinephone and Plasma mobile, but it still needs more work and I needed a phone sooner as my old one was failing.
How about you? Did you manage to get away from Google?
/e/OS it is degoogled but most of the “Google” applications have been replacedby great opensource alternatives or adapted. The app store still allows us to install apps from the playstore but anonymously.
I back this up. I’ve been using it for about 2 years. works like a charm, most default apps are very efficient and I like how the play store rate the app according to their level of privacy.
People who are using a custom ROMs. Are you able to use apps like banking apps and work apps (outlook, teams, InTune, etc.)?
This is a big hurdle for me and I don’t wish to carry two phones.
In the UK, banking apps are optional, I can use website in browser.
With GrapheneOS, you can install Play apps sandboxed and with dummied google apps and control how much of the file system they can see etc.
I would assume outlook has a web client. Not sure what InTune is so cannot comment.
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InTune is mobile device management that allows a company to enforce policies on your phone such as pin code length/screen locking policies, and ability to remotely wipe your phone. Since these privacy ROMs are about giving control back to the user, I suspect that there will be problems with MDM enforcement software like InTune. I no longer work for a company that uses that software though, so no chance to test it out.
Ewww. No way would I install that on my phone. It would be on a work specific phone that I don’t give a crap about :). I doubt you can get much privacy on corporate mobiles with that shite :).
Well, corporations don’t care about your data, they only care about protecting your own :-D Having a separate phone for work stuff is just generally good practice anyway.
This site has a crowd sourced list of apps that includes their compatibility on deGoogled Android devices.
Personally, I’ve had very few issues with apps not working, and banking/productivity apps haven’t given me issues on CalyxOS, but your mileage may vary
Absolutely. So far I’m currently using 3 bank apps with custom rom and works perfectly. Outlook and teams too works. And I’m not an InTune user.
My banking app worked for me on both Calyx and Grpahene no problem
it all works on /e/os, no worries
I’ve been on Graphene for 2 years now, and all my banking apps (from 3 different countries, business and personal) work perfectly. I used Calyx for a while, and everything worked there as well. For most deGoogled OSs that allow to te-lock the bootloader, there should be no issues when using banking apps.
Yes, I’m able to use banking apps on CalyxOS (unofficial, running Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro here). With root even. I installed the Universal SafetyNet Fix magisk module by Displax, enabled Zygisk, Enforce DenyList and checked the banking app on Configure DenyList.
I also installed the Systemless Hosts module and enabled it after. But I’m not sure if it did anything.
Also GrapheneOS on a Pixel 6a. I know it’s ironic but Graphene has worked really well for me.
GrapheneOS on a pixel6. The irony is not lost on me either.
spoiler
iOS
Fair enough. I considered it. Their scanning of people’s clouds shattered the illusion of privacy for me and I just couldn’t. Probably far better than google, but I’m not sure I personally could class it as good.
Fwiw they have end to end encrypted iCloud backups now.
Their delayed implementation of this has definitely affected my confidence in them. I was very close to considering Apple before that, but when someone shows you their true colours, believe them :).
I mean is there any other phone that offers end-to-end encrypted backups? Also they don’t scan your cloud but they will turn it over with a warrant. Same as any other cloud storage provider. If you cared about privacy you’d use local backups on your computer or now end-to-end encrypted backups with iCloud.
If they can turn it over, then it isn’t exactly end to end encrypted… You don’t own the keys.
I’ll just avoid the cloud… the cloud… is just someone else’s computer…
They could turn it over before when there was no encryption. Now they can’t.
Lineage without microG. It works nice.
LineageOS with microG for some apps that freak out without any comfort from Google…
Interesting. Does it impact much on your use cases, or are you not fussed with those apps?
The apps I need (bank and ID) work perfect, my device even passes safetynet. I get updates from Playstore via Aurora. Only thing I can’t do is pay for apps.
Is aurora being incredibly buggy with the rate limits for you as well?
Yes it has. Had to log in with “my own” account a few times.
I still use Android, because finding a custom ROM which supports Samsung DeX is not easy.