• General

  • The website isn't selling me on grapheneOS. (aka "why should I get graphene?")

initially posted this to reddit but automod told me to put it here so copypasted:

So, I got a Pixel 8a for Christmas, and haven't set it up yet.

I was first made aware of graphene when I was researching the phone around the time of black friday - I was looking into disabling as many AI features as possible, and people said "yeah graphene will get them all in one go, there's no google shit".

However, as important as that is to me, that's currently like my only selling point on grapheneOS.
Graphene's website solely focuses on marketing the privacy features, which that's cool and all - and contains the solution to my AI qualms - but really pretty low on my list of concerns in the modern era.

I was using a rooted device before (a 4a), because I don't like being told I don't have permission to access or do things on my own devices. How often will I be told that on graphene? When I encountered technical problems with android, I had a 3-billion-strong userbase's worth of people who had found solutions before me. Is that worth losing for graphene?

"GrapheneOS['s focus] on substance rather than branding and marketing" (from paragraph two of https://grapheneos.org/features) has led to a situation where I cannot find any marketing for this operating system besides a list of privacy features. It leaves me with some kind of important questions. Is it a more or less power-user friendly OS than android? Is it easy to use? Is it worth the hassle, or should I just root and disable unwanted features individually? Most importantly: Is it... good?

At the minute I'm torn, so my new phone is just sitting on my desk. Graphene's refusal to boast about anything other than their privacy features has me concerned. I'm eager to be convinced, but I'm not there yet.

    Tomelena Is it a more or less power-user friendly OS than android?

    It has less bloat and stuff than Stock Android, so I would say more power-user friendly. But other power users would have to paint a clearer picture in that regards.

    Is it easy to use?

    Yes. Its just hardened, modified Android. Nothing crazy.

    Is it worth the hassle

    Depends on what you want to use on it. Some people have issues with app compatibility (particularly regarding apps that unfortunately use the Play Integrity), some might want a reliable backup/data transfer function, but many users, myself included, have currently experienced relatively little "hassle" with GOS.

    should I just root and disable unwanted features individually?

    Rooting goes against the security of the device and is therefore recommended against. Users are still free to choose, of course. Disabling OS components/features can also break the system. It would be better for users to create their own custom builds using the website instructions if they want to change things.

    Is it... good?

    I, and many others, would say so.

    Graphene's refusal to boast about anything other than their privacy features has me concerned.

    Its a project focused heavily on security and privacy. Very little focus on unnecessary bloat. What would anyone expect?

      Graphene's website solely focuses on marketing the privacy features, which that's cool and all - and contains the solution to my AI qualms - but really pretty low on my list of concerns in the modern era.

      Improved security and privacy features is what makes GrapheneOS. If those features are low on your list, it's probably not what you're looking for.

      Tomelena I was using a rooted device before (a 4a), because I don't like being told I don't have permission to access or do things on my own devices. How often will I be told that on graphene?

      GrapheneOS is not a "modder ROM". It is possible to build a private fork that is rooted, but that breaks the security model and will not receive a lot of support on this forum. Similarly, tweaking via adb will generally be discouraged.

      The expectation is that debug builds and adb and developer options are intended for use by Android developers and app developers for debug devices without personal private data, whereas "daily driver" devices with personal data have the full Android security model in effect. If that model is distasteful to you then GrapheneOS might not be a match.

      Please note that I do not speak for the GrapheneOS project.

        There is not much hassle when setting up GrapheneOS on a brand new phone and you can always just go back to stock.

        What do you exactly want to achieve with rooting the device?

        I wasn’t aware that anyone feels obliged to “sell “ GrapheneOS.

        The information is there, read it and make your decision.

        DeletedUser69 apologies for ASOP, I got it mixed up with another equally confused member. This does not disregard validity of my post. When one reads too much BS, some is bound to rub on.

          Tomelena Is it worth the hassle

          So what hassle is that? a foolproof step by step guide to install GrapheneOS.
          GrapheneOS, which is free of charge, works without issue out of the box, provides security beyond several Govt agencies capabilities, provides privacy on a level that shames Big tech...and best of all keeps G**gle out of my life.
          If that is hassle... bring it on.

            This just has to be a troll. Does not care about privacy, but still posts in a privacy focused forum for a OS.
            The reasons to use this are simple: privacy and security. There isn't much more, what do you even want? You sound like you have zero idea what you even want yourself.

            Instead of asking all those questions: flashing graphene or stock literally takes two or maybe three minutes. Just try it and go back if you don't like it.

              Tomelena You are currently at the bleeding edge of infotmation technology. I hope this answers your question...

                  Thanks for everyone's responses!
                  Apologies for my negativity in the OP but the best way to get people to tell you why they like something is to tell them you dislike it ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

                  What I'm hearing is it's not for me. I was in a position where I was under the impression that Graphene would offer me more control of my device than stock android, whereas it seems it leans more towards "ownership" than "control". (i realise that's poorly worded. what i mean is "custody" and "control" can be synonyms, but "having control of" and "being able to control" are not the same thing). Ownership is very cool, and I realise that simply flashing magisk or similar won't afford me that, but when I can use root capabilities to turn off specific undesirables, that's good enough for me.

                  Furthermore, I promise I'm not trying to be rude or combatitve here but the lack of any user's response (across both forums!) to this part of the OP:

                  When I encountered technical problems with android, I had a 3-billion-strong userbase's worth of people who had found solutions before me. Is that worth losing for graphene?

                  Is uh... telling.

                  But just because I've not been convinced by y'all doesn't mean that I'm not thankful for this thread - it has been useful to me in making and informed choice, and may well be useful to future people who are in my position, who may end up deciding in favor of Graphene due to being more informed by this thread. I'm not going to reply to everyone (though I will to a couple of the weird ones), but you've all been helpful.

                  Thanks again!

                  spl4tt Thanks for your response and no thanks for your needless assumption that everyone who doesn't already agree with you is a troll! Everyone else in the thread managed to address my concerns without namecalling.

                  flashing graphene or stock literally takes two or maybe three minutes

                  Um, really? The install guide is ~2.4k words long. Granted there's a lot of redundancies in the text, but I can't even read that fast. Most can't. Maybe if the install is magically fast and easy they should put that in the copywriting.
                  Like, it looks barely more complex than flashing any other ROM, but cmon man.

                      Tomelena There are four buttons on that page. put your phone in fastboot, connect usb, press one button after the other finishes. Literally 3mins max. The rom download is probably the longest part :P
                      I have friends that are zero tech savvy and did it alone in just a few minutes. Even they say there is no reason not to use it if it protects you, and is that easy to install.

                      And yes, i do asume you're a troll when you don't care about privacy but are trying to question the reason to install a privacy and security focused OS. These are the only true reasons for this OS after all, so don't be wondering why there are 'no other selling points'

                      • dcc likes this.

                        Tomelena

                        'Graphene's refusal to boast about anything other than their privacy features has me concerned."

                        Are you from the subcontinent by any chance? I feel there is a language barrier here where you are coming across as more belligerent than perhaps you mean you be.

                        Modern Pixel handsets are very power efficient as it is. I believe you are still thinking about phones from the old days when rooting and running customized phones was very beneficial.

                        At any rate, it's pretty easy to flash Graphene, especially if your new phone is "just sitting on the desk" - ie, you have no pressing reason not to experiment. And it's easy to flash back to stock.

                        There are some power user options in Graphene which I believe are NOT available on stock, such as emergency wiping, and multiple users (to partition apps). You'd have to read the FAQ for more explanations, or just experiment! Good luck.

                          In general, rooting is a very bad idea.

                          Someone more knowledgeable than I will have to explain why.

                          Tomelena Not sure what you're trying to accomplish with your question. Grapheneos carries a different meaning to different people. The responses here are merely opinions of the person replying and the answers may or may not apply to you. It takes some effort to get GOS to work the way the user wants it to. So why don't you try it and see for yourself. If you're not impressed then move on to other OS or even stock.

                          [removed one word that made this post unnecessarily rude -other8026]