Switching to Graphene OS. Anything I should know?

[Haruspex]

I've been putting a lot of effort into taking back my digital life this year. I've switched most everything over to Protonmail, of which I have the paid version. I'm running Linux exclusively on all my PCs. I'm using an offline password manager known as "Keepass". I've build my own "cloud storage" using a home NAS and a program called "Syncthing". Now, I've just ordered an unlocked Google Pixel 6. This will replace my current Samsung Galaxy phone, and I will be flashing Graphene OS on to it.

Anyone familiar with this mobile OS? I've never used anything other than Samsung android phones since my first smartphone back in 2013, so I'm stepping out of my comfort zone a bit. I'm aware that FDroid is the primary, FOSS app store, but there's also a sandboxed version of Google Play for when I can't avoid it. Ideally I want to eliminate using Google services, or at least come as close as possible to it as I can.

What will I need to know going forward?

[BlackBloodGhost]

It works quite well, I've used it as a daily driver for a couple of years now. You can install play services, so if you need banking apps or such you can get them working that way, so far I've had no issues with them. Though I did stop using them, so there's that.

Don't go trying to get root on GrapheneOS though. It can be done, but really you're just making a security hole and it's unnecessary.

Other than that you know, it should be fine. It's basically just android with a bit of extra security and no google, you won't notice much difference usage wise.

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Good luck with that. All the Google phones are really terrible junk.
About as durable as a sheet of tin.
Better off just go buy an unlocked Samsung Galaxy.

I don't know what you actually have in mind for where you think you are going to get apps from if not Google Play Store. Getting Mobile Apps from various online websites is much more dangerous to say the least.

[Blueberry {JESUS IS LORD}]

either android or ubuntu on phone

[Haruspex]

Originally posted by BlackBloodRum:

It works quite well, I've used it as a daily driver for a couple of years now. You can install play services, so if you need banking apps or such you can get them working that way, so far I've had no issues with them. Though I did stop using them, so there's that.

Don't go trying to get root on GrapheneOS though. It can be done, but really you're just making a security hole and it's unnecessary.

Other than that you know, it should be fine. It's basically just android with a bit of extra security and no google, you won't notice much difference usage wise.

Thank you.

Originally posted by Bad 💀 Motha:

Good luck with that. All the Google phones are really terrible junk.
About as durable as a sheet of tin.
Better off just go buy an unlocked Samsung Galaxy.

I don't know what you actually have in mind for where you think you are going to get apps from if not Google Play Store. Getting Mobile Apps from various online websites is much more dangerous to say the least.

I won't be downloading random APK files or anything. FDroid will be my primary source for free and open-source apps, and there's still a sandboxed version of Google Play for when I can't avoid it.

Originally posted by Blueberry {JESUS IS LORD}:

either android or ubuntu on phone

I was considering a Pine phone. As for Graphene it's built on Android.

[Bad 💀 Motha]

What is the big deal with creating a Gmail account just to use for things like Google Play and YouTube.

But yea that sounds nice. Built around Android but open-source

[Haruspex]

Originally posted by Bad 💀 Motha:

What is the big deal with creating a Gmail account just to use for things like Google Play and YouTube.

But yea that sounds nice. Built around Android but open-source

I'll keep my old Gmail around as a kind of "dump account", but the important stuff is already migrated to Protonmail. Besides, I have purchases on that Gmail I would like to continue to have access to.