Not sure if the Pixel 8 Pro is an anomaly, but you are not forced t install it. It's like many of the other GOS Apps in the GOS "App Store", you're not forced to install any of them.

    Max-Zorin The OS release that has it included is still in beta, that's why :)
    You can just disable it if you don't want it once you get the update.
    Fun fact: you can see that when you open the Info app Release Notes screen it will scroll to the changelog for the version you currently have installed. Anything above it is newer.

      why do you justify software and a service that you provide free of charge to such an extent?
      is GOS grassroots democracy or do you just have to accept certain things if you are just a beneficiary and get it for free?
      everyone is free to fork the code and make it better for themselves.
      I wouldn't say so much if I were you.
      on my part, thanks to you for the OS as it is

      Congratulations, I had to sign up just so I could complain about this app (and others). I agree with AlanZ and xenibem156. Why include unnecessary apps? Let users decide if they want it. I'd like the Auditor and the Camera apps removed as well. Otherwise, I love this hardened, de-Googled OS.

        GrapheneOS Really? Who selects one of the limited compatible devices, connects it to a PC and proceeds through all the steps to change the OS without investigating the project? "Many GrapheneOS users"? Ridiculous!

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            • Post #50
            • Edited

            gergb1970 I discourage you from using anything else though. Graphene is still the best OS, even though they sometimes make decisions some user including me disagree with. And ultimately, this annoyance does not affect the security/privacy of the OS.

              gergb1970 The camera app can't be removed. You presumably think you would just install another one, and that would work. It won't. App that use system capture intents will only use the system camera app. Any camera app you install after the fact won't work.

              So we've established the camera app needs to be preinstalled.

              Auditor being a part of the OS improves its security, and therefore its usefulness.

              gergb1970 Really? Who selects one of the limited compatible devices, connects it to a PC and proceeds through all the steps to change the OS without investigating the project? "Many GrapheneOS users"? Ridiculous!

              I'm sorry, but what is "ridiculous" is that you think that people that use GrapheneOS have gone through your exact journey and that there are no other paths. No people who bought a device that came with GrapehneOS off-the-shelf, nobody who had GrapheneOS installed for them by a loved one without knowing much about it, or any other way where they wouldn't be up to date with everything, including how to get support and contribute.

              This app, as well as its possible future functions, is a response to trends we're seeing and are trying to address. Me and the rest of the moderator, frequent community member and developer team are out here helping dozens of people every day, so please rest assured that we are very in tune with how people experience GrapheneOS and are trying to improve the experience for them.

              If you don't need this app, disable it. If you don't need Auditor, disable it. You won't be able to disable the camera app because that is prevented for the reasons I explained at the start of my response, but you're of course free to use a different camera app that can handle everything other than the aforementioned system capture intents.

                    I saw the app in the App store some days ago, installed it, saw that it is a neat app but ultimately of no use to me so I uninstalled it. Today with the new update I saw that it is forced on me and I can only disable it. I do not appreciate that.

                    I am one of those people that like to install only the things they use and uninstall everything else. I like minimalism. I went away from other OSes because of this "You can't install it but you can disable it" bullshit since it gave me a feeling of no control. I really do not see why it's just not in the App store for people to decide.

                      matchboxbananasynergy I've voiced my opinion about unwanted apps but understand the need and desire to include them. Thank you and the others for your work.

                      May I suggest the Info app start page quickly explain what the Graphene OS is for the users unfamiliar it.

                        I was unaware that the info app had been added - it's an excellent resource and from my perspective a very welcome innovation. Speaking for myself, the only thing missing is the 'usage guide'. Kudos to the developers.

                        Where has this Info app gone in the latest update? I cannot find it in the app drawer anymore and my homescreen shortcut has also disappeared. The only way I can access it is directly via the Apps App.

                        Velocity9490
                        It still shows in other profiles. You can't remove anything from the system partition. Just from a current profile. So it is not truly gone.

                            Here to voice my opinion.

                            I don't mind it being a system app. I just really like how it's much easier to check release notes now.

                            Thanks a lot guys!

                            I can see why the GrapheneOS team want this installed and I appreciate the app, but I don't want apps on my device I don't need. I would remove some of the AOSP apps if it wasn't advised against... I like things minimal.

                            It would be great to have installed as standard but have the option to uninstall (and reinstall from apps if a use case arose for the user)

                            This is by no means a negative comment just voicing my preference. However if it stays as is its not a deal breaker clearly a minor thing/ non-issue when looking at the rest of the OS.

                              Graphene1 one thing I will add though is the UI of the app looks 👌 makes me look forward to any updates the GOS team do to any of the stock AOSP apps

                                @matchboxbananasynergy One thing that has occurred to me is what is the Network permission used for in the app? The logical answer is that the information is updated via the network from GOS servers. Is that the case, or is information updated upon update of the app itself via Apps?