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  • Long time iPhone user thinking about making the switch - good idea?

Hey guys, I've been lurking on this forum for a bit, thinking about ditching my iPhone for GrapheneOS. I'd love to get some feedback on my concerns and maybe some motivation to make the switch (or not, if I'm being totally honest).

So, I've been an iPhone user for like 9 years now, and I'm super comfortable with the interface. I've used my ex's Samsung Android phone before, and let's just say it wasn't my fave. I also rely pretty heavily on FaceTime and iMessage to keep in touch with friends and family - we do use Signal and WhatsApp sometimes, but it's mostly an iPhone crew.

The idea of using an open-source OS that doesn't track me is really appealing, though. I'm not super paranoid about security on my iPhone (I use lockdown mode and don't use iCloud), but the whole privacy thing has been on my mind lately. I just read Snowden's book and it's freaky to think about how much data big tech companies and the government are collecting. I'm not like, a high-stakes target or anything, but I still don't love the idea of Apple sucking up all my phone activity and just trusting them to do the right thing.

Plus, I'm not a fan of Apple's restrictions on how people use their phones, or how they censor certain apps in some countries. And don't even get me started on that whole photo-scanning thing they almost did.

My main hang-up is what I'll be giving up if I switch - namely, iMessage and FaceTime (which are encrypted, right?). I'll have to start using less secure methods like regular phone calls and SMS, or WhatsApp (ugh). I'll keep trying to convert people to Signal, but let's be real, I'm only at like a 10% success rate so far.

If anyone's made the switch from iPhone to Graphene, I'd love to hear about your experience - especially with the UI. Do you get used to it after a while?

    hesitantapplegal Alright, let's do this:

    I've used my ex's Samsung Android phone before, and let's just say it wasn't my fave.

    Samsung tweaks the UI A LOT compared to Stock Android/AOSP. Watch a video or two on the interface. Graphene is a lot more tame than Samsung's cartoonish design and doesn't suffer from all the bloat and overload.

    I just read Snowden's book and it's freaky to think about how much data big tech companies and the government are collecting.

    And that was a good 10 years ago. Imagine what is possible nowadays...

    My main hang-up is what I'll be giving up if I switch - namely, iMessage and FaceTime (which are encrypted, right?).

    Sorta... iMessage backups are still not encrypted by default and the setting needs to be enabled for iCloud backups. Since you don't use these, no biggie. The chat/call part is end-to-encrypted (according to Apple, nobody can confirm. They might have backdoors for all we know). Giving up on FaceTime will likely be unavoidable, unless your relatives want to send you the invites. You could then FaceTime on your GOS phone through a browser.

    iMessage might hurt less, now that RCS is supported by iOS. You would have to use Google's messaging app for that to work and set up Play Services, but you could separate these from your other apps and data via Private Space or a Work profile.

    I think what you should do (if undecided) is just get a cheap Pixel used (something that still is supported) like a Pixel 6a for example (they run pretty cheap, haven't checked, but some say around $120-140) and try it out for two or three weeks. If it's not your cup of Gatorade, you can just revert back to iOS. If you find out that you get along, grab a newer Pixel (or stick with the one you have) and enjoy it. This way you're not gonna take much of a loss, since you can sell the Pixel again for roughly the same price.

      Thanks for getting back to me! So, is there a way to get RCS without using Google's messaging app? I'm guessing if I do use it, Google will be able to snoop on my messages or at least collect some data/metadata? If I do decide to try out Graphene, I was thinking of attempting to do it without Google Play Services too. I came across a blog post or forum thread a while back where someone suggested giving it a shot without Play Services first, just to see if you can make do without it.

      I like the idea of testing it out on a cheaper or older device, but at the same time, I want to make sure I'm giving Graphene a fair shot. If I go from my relatively new iPhone 14 Pro to a few-year-old Pixel, I might end up not loving Graphene just because of the hardware downgrade. I want to be able to judge it on its own merits, not just because I'm using it on an older phone.

        hesitantapplegal
        I did this same switch, but prior to the switch spent months deep diving into how I would get it done. I went on the extreme side of all (privacy, security and anonymity) when I switched, for reasons.

        Like you, I owned an iphone for more than a decade. I will say when I transferred the UI differences were very notable. If you didn't love it when you tried your ex's Samsung, you will probably have a similar experience until you get used to it. If you are determined to learn another interface you will be able to get comfortable with the switch. I was and I picked it up fast.

        You can make your device as you see fit. The switch alone will give you incredible security and privacy benefits over IOS no matter what apps you decide to use. If you can't seem to break away from some of the brand name platforms like WhatsApp, that won't be a problem. You can use Google Play services and still be better off. You could also segment all Google Play services in an additional profile or private space, whatever you decide fits your needs best.

        You won't have access to iMessage and FaceTime, but GOS has SMS and phone apps that work similarly. Or use platforms like Signal or WhatsApp. I do know that and iphone (using iMessage) messaging and android (SMS native to android) you will have issues sending pictures and videos. They don't send well across each other.

        iMessage, FaceTime and Whatsapp are encrypted.

        I recommend figuring out whether the contacts you have in iMessage can switch to another platform, because maybe they at least have Whatsapp. If they refuse to use another platform, then you will have to decide how to proceed.

        Something to consider: since you said your threat level isn't that high, stock GOS SMS messaging to iMessage may not be a critical factor. You'll be on a more private device away from big tech.

          hesitantapplegal collect some data/metadata

          that is correct. There are other RCS implementations depending on your carrier that might be available, but I haven't researched this in detail. I see RCS as a bandaid and don't use it personally. I have been able to migrate all of my regular contacts to Signal, some are on Telegram, the rest I almost never talk to can use SMS.

          I was thinking of attempting to do it without Google Play Services too

          That is commendable, but I fear that you will dislike GOS mostly because of some apps not working that rely on Play Services. Usually I would agree, but for new users this might be very off-putting.

          I like the idea of testing it out on a cheaper or older device, but at the same time, I want to make sure I'm giving Graphene a fair shot. If I go from my relatively new iPhone 14 Pro to a few-year-old Pixel, I might end up not loving Graphene just because of the hardware downgrade. I want to be able to judge it on its own merits, not just because I'm using it on an older phone.

          The software is identical on all supported Pixel devices. The only things you may not like would be the camera, display or maybe cell service. In that case you can always remind yourself that this is a hardware limitation and can be fixed with a more up-to-date and more premium device. I daily a 9 Pro XL and it's mostly on par with my previous 14 Pro Max except for slightly weaker speakers - that's about it. Apart from that, it's a superb phone for Graphene.

            I am not an iPhone user and never have been. I do have an s23 Ultra but I really don't like Samsing's take on Android. I have heavily customized my device though to make it feel more like my own. Privacy wise though. I hate ads and being data mined for someone else's gain. I also don't like having a device bloated full of apps I will never use. Like Facebook and other fos. of social media. I was easily able to rove those with ADB on my s23 Ultra.

            In August, I bought my first Pixel ever, which is a Pixel 9 Pro XL. I bought it solely to try GrapheneOS. Even as an Android user. it does take some getting used to. It's just learning a different way of doing things. So far though, I like it. I like having control over my device, the apps installed, being able to stop apps I use from mining my contacts and other app data. I see a massive difference just in browsing the web alone when I see an ad on the very rare occasion.

            You should definitely give it a try for few months on the Pixel 9 series. If you don't like it, you can always restore stock Android and use the device as a high value trade-in towards an iPhone 16 or even the 17 when those come out next year.

            hesitantapplegal
            Iphone is already plenty secure compared to 99% of android phones. It's also fairly private IF you trust Apple. Beware, switching to GOS will provide you with a stock android experience, not the famous "Pixel experience". You WILL miss "cool" features you used in your iPhone. If you think the tradeoff is worth it, then basically this is the most secure and private android OS you'll find.

                someone27281 Compared to Android in general, yes. Compared to GrapheneOS, hell no. Secure? Okay. Private? Not so much. Think before you blurt. I hope I haven't earned mysef another ban, pretty please. (In any case every ban makes me think about it more, maybe one day I will get there.)

                    DeletedUser69 I literally said IF you trust apple, A.K.A privacy from apple is not included. Also I do believe iPhone is fairly secure even compared to GOS (yes, it is less secure, but not like my a mile). In fact GOS devs recommend iPhone if you can't run GOS on a Pixel for some reason.

                        someone27281 they don't recommend it (merely saying it's the second best option [but definitely not from a privacy standpoint] and you can run GrapheneOS on every supported Pixel (even the ones you don't update), so what was the comment about?

                            Hi, I'm also a long-time iPhone user and have been trying GrapheneOS on a Pixel 8a for a week now.
                            The world is getting crazier and crazier, and I would like to keep my data private and not tell any tech company all the time where I am and what I'm doing there. In my opinion, switching to GOS is easier than expected.

                              nanoq Attaboy! In order to connect to a new platform you should disconnect from the old one to remove bias.

                                DeletedUser69 the comment is supposed to mean that if for some reason you cannot use GrapheneOS on a Pixel, it's best to go for an iPhone bith from security and privacy standpoint. But you'll have to trust apple.

                                    hesitantapplegal I switched from GrapheneOS to the iPhone because my wife also took an iPhone and an iPad. You change if you want according to your threat model but I just say one thing: on iPhone you have Spotlight and AirDrop and it's true that it simplifies life

                                      DeletedUser69 but you can use GrapheneOS on every supported Pixel!

                                      Pixels are not easily available in all countries, and hardware support (repair stores) may also not be reliable in some countries where it is possible to buy a Pixel via secondary channels.

                                          de0u should I switch to iPhone for that reason? You know the answer. On the margin (again): I hate AOSP keyoboard.

                                          • de0u replied to this.

                                              DeletedUser69 should I switch to iPhone for that reason?

                                              If you are already using GrapheneOS on a Pixel, presumably availability of Pixels is not a barrier for you. I am unaware of your circumstances with respect to the availability of Pixel hardware support or iPhone hardware support.