I was thinking about using graphene OS, but I’ve read some lemmy users dislike this OS due to perceived misleading advertising and the pixel 7a you’re supposed to install graphene on because it’s from google (an advertising company).

Another option would be lineage OS, but there is so much false information about this OS, namely compatible phones that simply don’t work with this OS and no support.

what works for you? I want a phone with no google, that doesn’t force me to use the manufacturer’s ecosystem and that won’t show the apps I don’t want or need (on an asus I own you cannot neither get rid nor hide bloatware)

  • GolfNovemberUniform@lemmy.ml
    32·
    5 months ago

    I use LineageOS because my phone is not a Pixel and it works fine for me. If you don’t want to pay Google for a Pixel, buy a used one. Other than that LOS is fine. It doesn’t have anonymization features like /e/OS or something like that but it doesn’t force nor promote any apps or ecosystems (except for Seedvault but it’s not a big deal) and it is FOSS

    • tritonium@midwest.social
      62·
      5 months ago

      I have a Pixel and LineageOS is the best by far. Freedom to root, which I absolutely want… I want full control over my devices. I’m extremely picky about how every little thing runs and works in my phone and I can only get it with root. You can’t get root with GraphenOS without a huge pain in the ass with updates.

      It’s hilarious people install GrapheneOS and think they are better off because Google services are installed as user apps instead of system. You lose as soon as you install them either way. They are getting the data they are after no matter if it’s installed as a user app or system app.

      But anyway, I’ve been running LineagOS since it used to be Cynogenmod over 10 years ago. It’s the most established and reliable while remaining open to customization by far.

      • GolfNovemberUniform@lemmy.ml
        6·
        5 months ago

        Unfortunately 90% of privacy-conscious people can’t live without Google services because Google Meet, banking apps and other Play Integrity needing stuff

        • Handles@leminal.spaceEnglish
          4·
          5 months ago

          That’s literally what MicroG is for, though. Spoof the Play store and GSF, no data in or out. I think a good part of that “90%” you mention knows about that solution?

          • GolfNovemberUniform@lemmy.ml
            2·
            5 months ago

            But that’s what GrapheneOS uses afaik. The person I replied to said that LineageOS (a fully vanilla ROM) with root (which breaks banking apps) is a better solution. I agree but I added that the mentioned solution is really not for most people.

        • smeg@feddit.ukEnglish
          0·
          5 months ago

          I don’t imagine that many privacy-conscious people are using Google Meet!

            • smeg@feddit.ukEnglish
              1·
              5 months ago

              Surely you wouldn’t have to use it on your phone then, just on a desktop browser?

                • smeg@feddit.ukEnglish
                  1·
                  5 months ago

                  Why would school or work require you to specifically use Google meet on the phone app? Surely you’d use a school computer or your work-provided laptop, never needing to have play services on your personal device.

                  • GolfNovemberUniform@lemmy.ml
                    1·
                    5 months ago

                    Well here we don’t have personal school computers. Schools sometimes struggle to afford food. Work laptops seem to be rare too. Also didn’t know Google Meet had a desktop version but if it does then I guess there’s much less point in using gapps on a personal device since banking apps usually have web versions