cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ml/post/34022186
I own 2 bloated proprietary devices and don’t use them for anything important, like banking or dealing with authorities. I also don’t trust the manufactures not selling my data.
Id like to have a working device with no bloatware and completely degoogled. Ironically I’d have to buy something made by google to run GrapheneOS on it. Intended use would be to use as a camera, to run CoMaps on it, pkpass files with foss-wallet, reading epubs, making phone calls and running one aurora app.
I don’t need the device to play games, watch movies, show off or to play loud music, but I’d like a jack port for my headphones (I assume google headphones would cease to work if I degoogle the device, nor would I want to spend more than necessary enriching that data grabber even more.
Is there a pixel device with a jack port?
Are batteries inside pixel devices glued to the frame or can they be easy to change?
My main OS is debian. How easy is to transfer data from GrapheneOS to debian and the other way round?
Overall if you run GrapheneOS on a pixel, how many years running it and what do you think about it?
I’ve been using GrapheneOS for at least 5 years now (still remember the days when their sandboxed Play Store would need a force stop after every app install 💀) and I’m a much heavier user than you (social media, YouTube/podcasts, etc.). At this point I would not use anything else.
You won’t have issues with app compatibility except for certain banking apps and Google Pay, if you choose to install the sandboxed Google Services. If not, you’ll have issues with some apps not sending you push notifications (for example, Discord and Proton Mail) and other apps not working entirely (like Snapchat). Still, the last time I tried going fully de-Googled I remember most apps still working well enough even without Google services. From your post it sounds like you could easily live without it.
Sadly the newer phones have no headphone jack, and you definitely should not go for older ones that don’t recieve security updates. And the Pixels have never had removable batteries (you can check out iFixit for more info on repairability). Any Bluetooth headphones will work. They do have a 3.5mm jack to USB-C adapter but I it never worked for me.
Data transfer between Linux and Android has always been dead simple regardless of the OSes involved. Just plug the phone in and tap a couple of things, the phone’s filesystem will show up on the PC like any USB drive.
I use GrapheneOS on a Pixel 8a. About 6 months in. The recent “a” series models are a pretty good deal as they come with 7 years of updates from initial release.
I love GrapheneOS. Pretty much just works. Many Apps do not even have to have google play installed. There are some apps that may not run. Typically those that require an original authentic device. My banking app did not run originally but now it does. Not sure but I think I had issues with the UPS app for some reason. I switched to the web for that.
Ive used grapheneOS for a few years, and I also used calyxOS. If you’re looking for maximum security, go with graphene, if you’re more of a beginner and need easier usability, calyxOS. Both are great but graphene does require more tinkering IMO if you’re worried about that sort of stuff
I’ve ran LineageOS until two years ago from when it was CyanogenMod on my S3. Been a Debian user a bit longer. ;-)
What it’s got over LineageOS is it sandbox stuff out the box, so you can compromise with Google Maps and things like Bank apps run.
For work, I need a satnav with traffic in it’s route planning. No matter how good Organic Map’s maps are. Also for work, I need a Bank app. I’m not really happy with GrapheneOS, but I don’t have a choice. It’s my least worse option. Unless I keep a GrapheneOS phone for work and maybe try a Mobian phone for home… When it looks day drivable…
Edit: oh and transferring files, Nextcloud or scp in Termux.
Head phone jack. My 8a sadly has none. Not sure any recent Pixels do. I use combination of some HP OTC hearing aids and a Senhouser headset, both blue tooth.
Files transfer. I mosly use Nextcloud or just plugin my phone to my computer directly with USB. I have used syncthing and ssh too. Debian should work but I have more experince with Ubuntu and the USB method works fine there.
I’ve been using grapheneOS on and off since I got my pixel 8A about a year ago. I keep going back to stock android because Graphene has so many quirks and shit that kind of works, but not quite well enough. That coupled with all the completely breaking issues with banking apps and other apps (we have a 2FA app for official online stuff, but it just doesn’t work in graphene) makes me give up every time I try.
