• Off Topic
  • Newbie here, compatibility issues with some apps

Hello! At last I have a smartphone running Graphene.

But I have some issues with apps... that are a bit unexpected?

  1. ProtonMail refuses to show push up notifications in the absence of "updated Google Play services";

  2. ProtonPass' auto fill function is pretty unreliable (doesn't show up in Brave browser...);

  3. Even with LAN networking enabled, ProtonVPN prevents KDE Connect to link my laptop (Manjaro Linux with KDE Plasma 5) and my phone (though they're connected to the same Wi-Fi network);

  4. And (finally something non Proton-related) ChatGPT refuses to work at all without Google Play "enabled".

I have installed all my apps from the Aurora Store (I tried to find them on Obtainium but that didn't get me anywhere so...).

Please be kind even if you find me naive: it's my first time with GrapheneOS.

Last note: none of the 4 problems mentioned in this post occurs on my previous smartphone (Motorola running Android 14). My Graphene phone is a Pixel 7.

Thanks!

    ultome ProtonMail refuses to show push up notifications in the absence of "updated Google Play services";

    It's well known that the app relies FCM for notifications.

    ultome 1. ProtonMail refuses to show push up notifications in the absence of "updated Google Play services";

    This is normal. This is because the "google play services" component is required for push notifications to work. All regular phones have play services installed. It is not pre-installed on graphene os for your privacy. If you install sandboxed google play then push notifications will work. (You will have to reinstall the app too, after).

    ultome Even with LAN networking enabled, ProtonVPN prevents KDE Connect to link my laptop (Manjaro Linux with KDE Plasma 5) and my phone (though they're connected to the same Wi-Fi network);

    I have experienced the same thing with the mullvad vpn app. It seems these vpn apps can't do a good job of allowing local network traffic. Not sure if this is because of grapheme or not.

    ultome And (finally something non Proton-related) ChatGPT refuses to work at all without Google Play "enabled".

    Some corporate apps choose to be this way. That's why graphene has made it possible to install google play on graphene, so that such apps can work. It will be your personal choice to install google play and use apps like chatGPT. The reason that apps like chatGPT require play services is mostly so that they can track you and get your identity. There is no good reason to justify this requirement. To use such corporate apps you will likely need to install play services.

      User2288 Thanks for your detailed answer. I installed all 3 items in the pack from the "app" Graphene app. I wonder if all 3 are necessary, though?

        ultome I wonder if all 3 are necessary, though?

        I used to know this, but unfortunately I can no longer recall. This is different for each app or function. Specifically for push notifications... I can't recall. Maybe someone else knows.

        Proton is a lame ass company that advocates privacy and yet relies on Google's FCM.

        ultome Even with LAN networking enabled, ProtonVPN prevents KDE Connect to link my laptop (Manjaro Linux with KDE Plasma 5) and my phone (though they're connected to the same Wi-Fi network);

        The same for with protonvpn.

          Arnauld ultome Even with LAN networking enabled, ProtonVPN prevents KDE Connect to link my laptop (Manjaro Linux with KDE Plasma 5) and my phone (though they're connected to the same Wi-Fi network);

          The same for with protonvpn.

          However Kde connects works fine if you untoggle "block connection without vpn".

            Arnauld

            Actually I just found out that checking "Split Tunneling" and excluding KDE Connect from the VPN traffic works perfectly. Hope this can help someone in the future!

              ultome Even if "block connection without vpn" is enabled?

                Arnauld I don't use this option, it's more trouble than it's worth... I just tried for you though, and it seems like it kinda breaks the link between the devices (they still see each other but can't really communicate properly).