Hi

What are the biggest differences between GrapheneOS and LinageOS from a user perspective if you don’t use PlayServices on both?

I am enthusiastic about GrapheneOS, but I would still like to try LinageOS. Just to have seen it for myself.

Are there any differences from the user’s point of view? If you don’t use Play Store etc. at all with both (only F-Droid). Android is Android? Or am I mistaken?

Thanks

    It doesn't make much sense to consider using LineageOS. It is completely different to GrapheneOS too.

    GrapheneOS is focussed on providing secure and private mobile devices, and LineageOS is not whatsoever. LineageOS is also less private and far less secure than AOSP. If you're interested all of the latest UI/UX features, whilst still be relatively private and secure, then stock Pixel OS would be a better option.

    For further details about the issues with LineageOS, see:

    https://discuss.grapheneos.org/d/14304-harm-reduction-with-stock-os-or-lineageos-samsung-s10/9

    LineageOS on an end-of-life device is highly insecure and lacks basic privacy. It doesn't qualify to even be on a list of reasonable options for privacy and security. You do not have basic privacy/security patches, failing the most bare minimum requirement. The next best option after GrapheneOS for privacy and security is an iPhone, not an insecure OS rolling back security from AOSP on an end-of-life device where they can't provide anywhere close to full privacy/security patches.

    I'd recommend taking a look at https://eylenburg.github.io/android_comparison.htm which is a comprison of various OSes, including GrapheneOS and LineageOS.

    As others here have said, LineageOS isn't really a valid choice if you're after security and privacy. It's not the project's goal, and they roll it back from the AOSP baseline by a lot.

    If for some reason you don't want to or cannot use GrapheneOS, and don't want or cannot use a supported iPhone, you could consider looking at DivestOS which does what it can for harm reduction, but is mostly focused on older devices which are fundamentally insecure due to being EOL and not being able to have full security updates. DivestOS' developer is honest about that fact.

    Scott LineageOS is largely the opposite of GrapheneOS. It substantially rolls back security and somewhat reduces privacy compared to the Android Open Source Project. GrapheneOS preserves the standard privacy/security and massively improves it. You should read through what we provide at https://grapheneos.org/features, which is a partial list of our features rather than standard Android features.

        GrapheneOS oh man, I knew it was less secure than stock, but it's also less private? That's definitely a shocker for me. I'm glad I discovered GrapheneOS when I did because if I hadn't I would be using LineageOS right now. 😅

            Ashton Lineage is more insecure

            Well, that's an understatement.

              Having used LineageOS myself for about a year (before I even thought to ask questions about privacy or security), my own view is that its focus is generally to provide features and OS updates to as many phones as possible, including old EOL phones, whereas GrapheneOS' focus is to provide enhanced privacy and security to its users.

              LOS feels like a novelty (e.g. having Android 14 on a pixel 3a) while GOS feels purpose built and by choosing GOS over LOS you really aren't missing out on features- just some additional status bar customizations/functionality and screenshot features. In fact, in my opinion I get more features out of my phone by using GrapheneOS than LineageOS.

              Control is a big one for me too. GOS provides a lot of control that LOS (or any other phone in existence for that matter) just will never provide.

              Also, GOS provides superior documentation, accessible support forums and community which I have found super helpful.

              Side note: LineageOS was also more involved and more nerve racking to install and sometimes a pain to update.

              Anyone have any sources regarding how LOS is less private than stock? I'd really like to read up on that, and previous discussions I've found don't provide much detail.

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                • Post #13

                Jojojo Its not less private than Stock. GrapheneOS said its less private than AOSP

                  Thank you @all, I will not install and test LineageOS.

                  Is there an Android TV build in the pipeline for GOS? Is something like this planned or not on the roadmap at all? That would be a topic where LineageOS has no competition