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  • App support doubts before switching to pixel + grapheneOS

Hi, i have been following this project for a while now, and it seems fantastic to me.

Is finally time to upgrade from my old lineageOs phone, and i am considering pixel 8 with grapheneOS.

But have some reserves... i havent been able to understand if there are any current alternatives for google pay and/or RCS messages. Or if as a last resort, i can install them just for that specific function and they will work as is (sorry if this is a basic question).

Also if there are any Portuguese users here i'd like to know if id.gov.pt app works. On my lineage device it does not since it flags him as rooted (but graphene locks the bootloader, so maybe it works?

Thanks in advance.

    • [deleted]

    _banq_ I have a question that may seem unrelated, but what is the main reason you want to switch to GrapheneOS?

      [deleted] i don't necessarily want to switch to grapheneOS. Its one of the options on the table.
      I don't really like the idea of google owning all my data, nor do i like most of the bloat that comes with the pixel phones.
      So i was wondering if grapheneOS would allow to keep most functionalities/usability while boosting my privacity.

        • [deleted]

        _banq_ for all these reasons you should switch to GrapheneOS which comes with fastest updates and is most private mobile OS I know. Something doesn't work? Ask here. Remember that not all convenient is also good for you and that ability to adapt has made humankind top of the food chain.

          [deleted] yes, i agree, thank you for all your answers.
          Maybe i was not clear on one thing though, i havent yet bought a new phone.
          I am still deciding which phone to buy, pixel is one of the options, that is why i wanted to know before hand if google pay, rcs and or my government apps work.
          Since this could influence my purchase.

            • [deleted]

            _banq_ GrapheneOS is not a certified mobile OS (that does not make it less credible, exact opposite). So majority of those apps won't work for you (thanks Google!), some will. Use the forum search to find answers for your questions on app support.

            _banq_ Google pay will not work, best solution is to use your card TBH.

            Google Play Store apps might use Play Integrity API, which will cause them not to function on GOS. Some do, some don't, some have issues due to the hardening GOS uses, you can disable certain functions per app.

            If you are contemplating a switch to GrapheneOS, you shouldn’t be thinking about how much crap you can put on your phone.

            You should be thinking about how little you actually need.

            Welcome!

            NFC functionality is supported on GrapheneOS, but unfortunately many banks rely on Google Pay for mobile payments, which will not work at this point of time because GrapheneOS isn't certified by Google. If your bank offers its own implementation, chances are high you won't face any issues.

            We have a maintained compatibility list for banking and various authentication apps that gives you an idea which ones are expected to work and what workarounds you may need to apply. The government one you mentioned isn't on the list yet - maybe you could file a report for it in the future - but I did find you this forum post from march this year. Looks like getting it up and running isn't difficult.

            RCS is a little flaky at the minute but can be successfully setup. Work is already underway to make this easier for everyone.

            • Edited

            _banq_ Portugueses GOS user on a Pixel 8 here!

            Most (if not all) apps that are Portugal-exclusive work without any issues.

            This includes but is not limited to:

            • Autenticação Gov
            • iD.GOV.PT
            • Situação Fiscal - Pagamentos
            • Segurança Social
            • SNS 24
            • Banking apps (CGD, BPI, BCP, etc)
            • MBWAY (including NFC/QR code payments, since they are not reliant on Google Pay. I use them every day)
            • Public Transportation (CARRISway, CP, MOVE-ME)
            • ISPs/Mobile Service Providers (MyMEO, My Vodafone)

            I'm on MEO, Vodafone and Lycamobile and RCS messaging works just fine on all three carriers. There's a thread on the forum that explains how to do it, but you just have to give Google Messages device identifier permissions and it works flawlessly.

            I use most/all these apps, ranging from daily to monthly usage. I've not had any issues to report thus far that are exclusive to GrapheneOS. There are some apps that might try to flag the device as rooted, but still let you work the app just fine.

            Hope this helps!

              • Edited

              Thank you all for your answers.
              You have been a great help.
              I think i understood what i need to make my decision.
              Thanks

              7 days later

              qw2b1

              How did you install MBWAY, when I install MBWAY either from the Google Play Store or the Aurora Store, it breaks after i set my passcode with a message

              Para aceder ao MB WAY, confirme se ativou e atualizou os Serviços do Google Play

              With a link that leads to the settings of Google Play services

              I am using a Pixel 7a

              Ps: Currently testing https://github.com/PrivSec-dev/banking-apps-compat-report/issues/289

              zerouser

              Yeah, I was going to mentioned this. Feel free to remove the permission after you're done setting up, since MBWAY won't ask for it any longer. I gotta say that SIBS did a pretty good job with the permissions, since the app really only asks what is required and won't force you to enable anything unless it's absolutely necessary for a specific feature to work, like the Camera permission for QR Code payments and Location for cash withdrawals.

              Since I only use the app to send/receive money as well as paying for things with NFC, I only have Contacts, Network and Notification permissions enabled.

              a month later

              Hi,

              I'm trying to setup MBWAY on my new Pixel 8a, it's not working. I've followed every step in this thread, gave more than SMS permissions, actually gave it all permissions to both MBWAY and google play services, still not working.

              I think I've tried so many times that now the APP says that at this moment it's not possible to activate MBWAY in this device. Must be some protection after so many attempts. Hope to try again tomorrow.

              I had a pixel 7 before and it worked just fine. Did anything change?