Hey
I am planning on putting graphenos (or another os) on my pixel (currently using a pixel 6 but will have a pixel 8 shortly). I have a few questions about using then new os. Mainly are there any apps that don’t work. I use my phone for work being a OTP to logine daily etc is that still possible and reliable. There is one game I play on phone downloaded from the play store is that still possible? Lastly how do updates come can I download an update regularly from phone or do I have to plug into PC each time and know there is an update ready and how would you revert back to Google os if needed.
Sorry if that is a lot I just feel scared to take the “leap” into what is for me unknown. Thanks
I use it on pixel 6a. I have encountered no problems, all apps have worked including games from google play store. Only exception is google wallet.
Edit: updates come over the air
I’ve been using it for years and I think it’s great. Currently on a 6 Pro. It’s true that some apps don’t work without Google Play services, but GrapheneOS has the option to install the google stuff in a sandbox, so you shouldn’t run into any issues if you do that. Personally, I don’t use Play services unless I need to, and use Aurora store for any apps that aren’t on F-Droid.
In any case, you can always revert to stock or try another OS
Edit: as faede has pointed out, it appears that Google Wallet has issues. Also, the usage docs mention issues with banking apps in general, so that’s something to consider
For banking apps, long pressing them to get to settings and enabling exploit protection compatibility mode usually fixes the problem.
Ah good to know! Will try that if I ever run into issues, thanks
Almost all apps work. Some may require you to disable a security feature (native code debugging), specifically banking apps. Others may require you to install the sandboxed google services but you can do that in a separate dedicated profile.
Apps that don’t work:
- Google Pay
As far that I know, that’s it.
Android auto too
And that’s a deal breaker for me
That’s a tough one to lose for sure
Out of genuine curiosity from someone who has never used it, what are the features of Android Auto that are so good/useful that it alone would determine whether to use a custom ROM or not?
And why doesn’t it work on custom roms?
Android Auto is the big one for me that does not work on graphene. If they can find a way to get that to work I’d switch immediately.
I’ve successfully used stuff like Google Maps and even Uber, with sandboxed Play Services.
There is some niche functionality that doesn’t work. For example I use the Sam’s Club app to scan and purchase stuff in the club and that all works fine, but when attempting to use the app to pay for gasoline at their pumps, it gives a connection error.
plexus by techlore tries to crowd source if apps work on degoogled phones. However like others said GrapheneOS has the option to use sandboxes google services. I only had one app that didn’t work at all and it was very niche.
I installed it on a pixel 7a recently, and it was pretty idiot proof. I did manage to slightly bork the install but it was easily unborked. I know there are apps with issues but I haven’t found any. Sandboxed google play allows running google play apps easily, though you must use an account (to my knowledge). If you don’t end up liking it, there is an official Google Android image that you can go back to. I would definitely recommend giving it a try.
Since your comment is recent. Do you know if I do this does it void insurance on the phone if I break it beyond repair. EX drop a weight on it (from experience). I read it voids warrentys but what about insurance? And if you do it to a phone and return/trade in that phone going from p6 to p8 is that acceptable. If you dont know all is well thanks
I couldn’t get coinbase to work, but their webapp is good enough for me. I had to turn on compatibility mode for a couple others.
Why are you using a centralized exchange that pays companies like Chainalysis to analyze your transaction history?
One app I know does not work without Google Play Services is Lyft. It will just crash.
you can use google play services in a sandbox
We were considering switching to graphene but apparently there are lots of drama regarding the lead Dev which scared us from the idea
Can you elaborate or do you have a link?
Louis Rossman has a video on it, you can search it on his channel, “Why I deleted GrapheneOS.”
Basically, the lead dev for GrapheneOS started acting erratic and eventually left the project a few months ago handing it off to other devs.
I still use GrapheneOS happily and personally still trust it.
deleted by creator
Yeah, I wouldn’t use Louis’ video as the only source nor Techlore. Looks to me like the person has autism and/or struggles with mental issues and it reflects on the way they treat people and deal with stuff. That doesn’t necessarily make it better or worse, malicious or whatever. The converstion style is definitely not ‘normal’ and it contains quite some manic behaviour. It’s probably more nuanced. I think the whole story is a bit sad and I like GrapheneOS as a project.
