New Graphene OS user - alternatives to google and and others

embeathome

Hi all, I have recently installed Graphene OS on Pixel 9 pro and set everything inside the OS. I would like to install apps now, but I am desperate because I don't know what direction should I go. I am heavy google user, I use gmail, google photos backup, I am paying Youtube, google cloud, and many more. I also have several paid apps from playstore and so on. But at the same time I understand privacy costs and the time has come to focus more on privacy. I also need MS Outlook, Office 365 (due to company requirements), lso need Facebook, Twitter, Signal and so on.

Many many years ago, when we all used Microsoft browser, I remember I had to keep "favorites" when reinstalling PC and then import them to new fresh install of windows. Then Chrome arrived and this was finally solved. No more backups etc. I am not sure if Vanadium or any other browser could do the same, I am simply looking for an alternative with similar functionality. I have so many questions and how to proceed with installing of apps to Graphene OS and which apps, also how to keep paid Youtube and many more....

Could pls anybody explain how to get rid of google and keep as much as possible functionality with (and which) alternatives. I am ready to get rid of my gmail account and other stuff....but I simply don't know how :(

BuffaloStance

Welcome to the party!

First, I'd like to reassure you that yes, this is not only possible, it's easier than many would have you believe. I can't even count how many "Durrr, I tried ditching Google and durrr it impossible durr" opinion pieces and YT vids I have seen.

I suggest moving things away from G in steps. Have you familiarized yourself with the GrapheneOS profiles feature? You could do what many here do and create a profile specifically for your Gapps and only have the limited GPlay and Play Store in THAT profile.

Then in another profile, you can only download FLOSS apps only. There are several ways to go about this each with their own ups and downs, so to speak. For instance, you can make this "open source only" profile the MAIN phone profile and just install within it....or....you can make it a sub-profile justt like your Google profile. Many tutorials within the forum here on setting this up...the "search" function here works quite well.

Also, where you get your apps is of importance, naturally. Using Droidify (can be DL'd from apt.izzysoft.de) is going to be the easiest and is plenty safe, IMO. Droidify just acts as a skin to access various repos such as F-Droid's. I highly recomment you enable at least the IzzyOnSoft/IzzyOnDroid repos but also check out the others listed and even more that aren't.

As for apps: IMHO, I'd start by moving away from Gmail. Personally, I use Tutanota. The devs have been very good to me over the years, they have a couple different paid tiers with great value, they are respected/trusted within the "privacy/security" community... And as a bounus, if you choose @tuta.io (they have several domains including .com to choose from) as your email domain, you get to hear the gears turning in the person's head every time to you tell your address. "What? Dot eye - oh? No dot com? Is that right? Are you sure??" lol

Again, with Tuta (or whomever you go with) in one profile and Gmail still working when you need it in the other, GOOGLE profile...this makes the transition much easier with email. You can migrate as quickly or as slowly as needed and be sure you get everything switched before ditching your G profile for good.

Same for other apps, I suppose. This was my method of leaving G. I still have my G profile, NGL. But I no longer need it nor do I even utilize a G profile at this point. All FLOSS, all GOS. It can be done.

I'm sure others will chime in with more and the GOS site has some great tutorials to touch on your other questions. Good luck and have fun! You are really going to be impressed with this OS.

EDIT ADD: I still have my G *account but no longer use a G *profile on my phone...is what I meant to say. :)

Probably9857

My advice would be to take it slow. You don't need to go from 0 to 100 all at once.

Install Play Services and your usual apps, and use your phone the way you normally do.

You might run into some compatibility issues, so focus on addressing those first. This forum is a great resource for that.

Once everything is in working order, you can start thinking about further improvements. Since you specifically mentioned email, maybe start there.

I just recently deleted a gmail account that had been my primary email for almost 20 years. I chose Proton, with a unique SimpleLogin alias for each service that wants my email. It took me over a year to be sure I had everything important transitioned.

DeletedUser87

In principle, there's two routes you could take. The first is using 3rd party services (many of which are paid). This has the benefit of being simple to set up and use, the downside is that you are once again offloading your data to some third party which you have to trust. The second route is of course self hosting, either from home with some old computer/server lying around or by renting a VPS. The second option is costlier (especially for hard drives/SSDs if you build it yourself), more complex to set up and you have to take care of security by yourself. It requires knowledge, time and effort but you might learn quite a few things along the way and the most beneficial aspect is: you have complete control over your data and services.
In any case, you won't have such a compelling ecosystem such as Google's, but there's always a tradeoff between flashy GUI and security/privacy. I personally think Google services are pretty lackluster in features and not really worth paying for with your data (and especially money). You won't be able to replace YouTube, but there's quite a few front-ends available for it. I personally use ReVanced with microG for ReVanced, so I still have all the convenience of YouTube combined with limited data sharing (since other apps can't communicate with this microG due to a different package name). For mail it's not as important since mail is by default pretty insecure and a privacy nightmare anyway. I use iCloud Mail to blend in with the crowd, but TutaNota and ProtonMail are the most recommended options.

I also agree that it should be a slow transition, don't do everything at once, unless you feel confident and savvy enough to do so.

Michiel

Welcome! I agree it is best to degoogle step by step. Some alternatives are indeed not 'free', because you will not be paying with your data anymore. For the time being I would stick to the Google Play Store (maybe with a new, anonymous user name) for convenience and security.

Mail, photos and maps are probably most privacy sensitive. Proton mail, Tuta, Proton Drive, Ente.io, Organic Maps and Magic Earth are good alternatives. I use Standard Notes for note taking, Heliboard as keyboard and Vanadium as my main browser, but there are many other options discussed here on the forum.

Speeduser7533

Agreed on what others have already stated. Go slow. Also that gives you extended satisfaction (i.e. What did I do today to enhance my security?).

I like Proton a lot but I do not use Proton Pass. Probably nothing wrong with it but I dislike having all of my cows in one basket.

Also I recently switched to KeePassXC (on desktop) and KeyPassDX (on GrapheneOS) for my password manager because I don't want my credentials in someone else's cloud. If you're not ready for that or just don't want to have to handle synchronizing of your KeePass files, then I'd recommend Bitwarden (but there are other equally good password managers). Avoid LastPass like the plague that it is.

Good luck and enjoy the ride! Great bunch of folks here to help you too.

embeathome

Thank you guys! Much appreciate!
I understand step by step is the way to go. Ok.
There are a lot of conflicting info how to install apps...apart from the Owner profile, I have set 5 additional profiles but I don't know where to install apps....All apps to Owner profile and then pushing lets say bank apps to Bank profile and MS Outlook to Work profile? Or Banks apps to Bank profile etc?
Also, is it really necessary to set each profile separately - I have watched YT video where there were tons of settings shown and I adopted most of them because they are really great, but I just realized that other profiles have different settings :( Is there any way how to copy/paste these settings? Or do I need to proceed manually?
Last but not least, how to get all contacts from my OnePlus phone to Pixel/GOS? Arrrgh....I have so many questions :) Sorrryyyy :)

Probably9857

By choosing to use 5 profiles, you are taking on a degree of complexity and inconvenience that you may not yet appreciate. I'd suggest starting with just owner, but if you insist...

embeathome where to install apps....All apps to Owner profile and then pushing lets say bank apps to Bank profile and MS Outlook to Work profile? Or Banks apps to Bank profile etc?

Either way is fine. It depends how you want to use your device. There are pros and cons to each method.

embeathome is it really necessary to set each profile separately - I have watched YT video where there were tons of settings shown and I adopted most of them because they are really great, but I just realized that other profiles have different settings :( Is there any way how to copy/paste these settings?

Each profile has to be configured separately, except for certain settings that are device-wide, and can only be set in the owner profile.

embeathome Last but not least, how to get all contacts from my OnePlus phone to Pixel/GOS?

Export to vcf, then import.

However if Google already has your contacts, and if you plan to be signed in to Google on the new device, you probably don't have to do anything.

embeathome

Thank you! I have to although I didn't know that when I decided to go for GOS and Pixel. But I have to :( I thought it will be just as any other phone OS just much more secure and private but I realized that it is a fantastic possibility to have more profiles and apps separated from profiles. Kudos to Graphene DEVs! :)

I have google account and google has my contacts but I want ot get rid of it later. I want to keep gmail until I change all services where I am under gmail account (several newspaper subsriptions and many many more...) and also to switch from google photos, drive etc.

AlphaElwedritsch

It will be a long and hard road. Give yourself at least half a year. You will need this time to understand everything, find your way and migrate.
and maybe the moment comes when you question everything and maybe go back again. You have to be aware of that too

embeathome

AlphaElwedritsch I agree :) I think following +/- this tutorial will make it much more easier.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAoCfrqxIEg