Am I working too hard at this ?

billinmtl

Hey All,
Found GOS about a year ago as I was looking for ways to reduce the impact of Google System apps with special privileges. Was not specifically looking to de-google.

I've gone back and forth with apps just from Droid-ify, to running apps from Aurora Store as well with both Play services installed or not.

Recently have been reading about recommendations to use playstore for app updates, etc - as it is the overall better option.

I guess my question would be that if I decide to sign in with my google account to access the few paid apps I have - I would have still reached my initial goal of reducing the impact of the google apps and integrated system permissions by using the sandboxed play services, right ?

matchboxbananasynergy

billinmtl In my opinion, using the Google Play store via Sandboxed Google Play is totally fine, and in most cases improves your security, rather than decrease it.

The main issue with Google Play on non-GrapheneOS devices is that Google gets special treatment on your device. GrapheneOS makes it so they have to play on by the same rules as everything else.

MetropleX

billinmtl I guess my question would be that if I decide to sign in with my google account to access the few paid apps I have - I would have still reached my initial goal of reducing the impact of the google apps and integrated system permissions by using the sandboxed play services, right ?

To answer that question, YES.

Only you can determine if that is enough. GOS however provides the tools and options combined with a conscientious use of Google account options to do more. You can discuss these as appropriate to you as you wish to move further away, if you wish to from Google.

billinmtl

Appreciate the replies. Currently, it appears that between web apps and Droid-ify I pretty much have no need for play services. I have two apps from Aurora Store I keep up to date - and that's it 😏. Not a power user - pretty boring !

I am always reading and learning on the Matrix boards - trying to apply to what I perceive would be my threat model - needs.

The few paid apps I have on playstore are not must have apps, but always good to have a plan if that changes.

MetropleX

billinmtl I'm the same I have a requirement needing my 'old' Google account so to speak and so isolate it in a secondary user along with some paid and Google apps I 'need' for now.

My day to day daily driver experience is close to bare bones GOS as it comes with only 3 Aurora apps that dont require GSF and the rest are FOSS which are mostly the usual suspects of recommended apps in the community with everything else done via Browser/PWA.