I have been an Apple user since the first iPhone model. And I find this system really good and I am very satisfied with it.
However, in order to increase my privacy, I started looking for an alternative and that's how I came across GrapheneOS.

I had already made several approaches to this system but bounced around and always came back to iOS. The main problem was that I had to figure out all the necessary services myself, such as syncing email, photos, calendar, contacts, notes, cloud files, etc.

I tried third-party vendor services but that involved large monthly costs, graphical inconsistency and lack of synergy.
I also tried the applications available on Synology NAS which, on the other hand, involved technical problems due to my lack of knowledge in this area.

Now I am considering a third option and that is the Pixel 9 Pro with GrapheneOS and... Google apps (Google Drive, Docs, Photos, Maps).

Will GrapheneOS + Google apps provide more privacy than a Pixel with a stock system and software?
What do you guys think?
Does such a combination make any sense or is it a gamble not worth the time?

    mogacy-nadproza0m

    mogacy-nadproza0m Will GrapheneOS + Google apps provide more privacy than a Pixel with a stock system and software?

    in general yes, since they are not download via the PlayStore -if done right - which signs the apps to your google account (and I believe each downloaded app even gets a unique signature. not sure!)

    BUT privacy will be gone after you sign in with your Google Account.
    Some minor privacy advantages which will be kept are simulated MAC addresses... but else?

          mogacy-nadproza0m you'll be much better off with GrapheneOS plus Sandboxes Google Apps as they have no privileged rights (aka Google doesn't have more control over your phone like they do on Stock OS, similar to Apple having more control over your iPhone than you do).

          I recommend you watch this great video from The Hated One for more details.

          If you want more privacy (since Google will still collect all the data they get from you inside the apps), you might want to check out the Proton Suite which can replace many of the Google apps (mail, calendar, drive, docs, password manager) but they are also missing a lot.

          You'll give up on some convenience, especially if you already bought a lot of Apple devices and services. All your app purchases have to be paid for again as you're now on Android and not iOS. Also your Apple devices don't work as seamless as on iPhones (but it's the same the other way around, if you buy only Google devices, they work seamless with Pixel phones but are more inconvenient on iPhones).

          The sad truth is that if you want full security and especially privacy, you need to switch to Pixel phones running GrapheneOS. The great news are: Once you've done this, you'll have full agency over your data and also a nice user experience. If you only want to have security and not privacy, staying at Apple will be a good choice, but you'd have to trust that Apple will never ever abuse all the data they collect from you, despite it being the obvious choice for them to do so.

              ILIKETRAINS

              since they are not download via the PlayStore -if done right

              The recommendation is actually to use PlayStore to download Apps. It is the most secure option. Plus if OP will use Google Drive, Docs, Photos etc... He will need an account to access his current backed up data anyway.

              Not to hijack OPs topic but I am yet to see a proof of Play Services doing anything shady with "priviliged rights". On Stock (at least in EUR), you can revoke every access to it like any other application.

                  N1b ou'll be much better off with GrapheneOS plus Sandboxes Google Apps as they have no privileged rights (aka Google doesn't have more control over your phone like they do on Stock OS, similar to Apple having more control over your iPhone than you do).

                  how could i forget to mention that? Oof!

                  maximus87 The recommendation is actually to use PlayStore to download Apps. It is the most secure option. Plus if OP will use Google Drive, Docs, Photos etc... He will need an account to access his current backed up data anyway.

                  Security VS Privacy - not the same. Also isn't the recommendations to use Aurora instead of the official Play Store?
                  And as I said: privacy is gone at this point.

                  maximus87 Not to hijack OPs topic but I am yet to see a proof of Play Services doing anything shady with "priviliged rights". On Stock (at least in EUR), you can revoke every access to it like any other application.

                  yes, we all are aware about the permission settings if we use GOS, I dare to say.... but the question was about privacy. It might prevent the app from devaluing your privacy further but at this point the apps - playstore and all loaded by it - are already restricted to your google account.
                  ( And I bet somewhere in TOS are "cool" phrases which allows google to involve third parties. )

                          mogacy-nadproza0m

                          I switched from iOS to GrapheneOS some time ago. I feel you.

                          BUT ... It's a good point to stop and start questioning yourself. Do you need cloud services? Do you really need each and every single app to have access to your cloud data?

                          Someone here mentioned Proton which is a solid choice. For 10 squids a month you get a E2E drive, mail, calendar, VPN, and password storage solution. It's different, sure enough, but secure, open source and available on desktop (macos, windows, unix) as well - unlike most Apple services.

                          There are some lists of good Apps here on the forum - KeypassDX (100% offline password storage, autofill, 2FA), Aegis for 2FA (100% offline), organicmaps, aves gallery, k9 mail, breezy weather, standard notes and many many more. Most of those are available on github eliimnating the need for the Play store. You can of course use Google Apps as well but be advised that there many good and even better solutions out there that do not raise privacy concerns.