Can I install GrapheneOS on a Samsung Galaxy? I found a lot of features of Graphene on the website, but nothing on compatibility with phones other than Google Pixel.

    • N1b

      • Post #3

      Ingolf you probably read the website part about supported devices, if you read further below, you'll see why nothing else than Pixel phones are currently supported.

      GOS is all in on security and privacy and Samsung simply doesn't meet the high standards.

      My recommendation: If you really want security, privacy and agency over your information, you'll eventually want to use GOS. Get a cheap compatible Pixel 8a for starters (make sure it's OEM unlockable) if you want to test it first. The devices are not perfect design or performances wise, but they're the best by far regarding security (for Android devices, iPhone hardware is on a similar level).

      You can always flash the regular Pixel OS back and sell your 8a later on in case you can't get away from Samsung, but if you're anything like me, you'll never want to look back after experiencing the many features of GOS first hand.

        Thanks a lot, that‘s very helpful! I‘m an iPhone4 and Nokia E72 user, wanted to get away from Apple (never had a Samsung), and was looking for a small phone with Dual-SIM (like the Galaxy S23). Perhaps I need to get used to eSIM and may go for a Pixel 6 or 7a, which are also relatively small.

        • N1b replied to this.

          • N1b

            • Post #5
            • Edited

            Ingolf in this case you might want to look for a good deal on a Pixel 8 (not 8a or 6a). It's the smallest among the possible devices and will receive GOS updates until October 2030 which should offset the costs compared to a Pixel 6a (support ends July 2027). The hardware is more future-proof too and less prone to overheating (when I upgraded from 6a to 8 it was day and night regarding heat).

              Thanks, that‘s a great piece of advice! The duration of support is a strong argument for the Pixel 8. I found the later releases (Pixel 7, 8 and 9) a bit too expensive on Abovephone for someone who doesn‘t use a smartphone that much, but if I get a good deal elsewhere and install GOS myself then it‘s ok (a bit more in Europe than on the US, but still below 500 € or Swiss francs for the Pixel 8 and below 300 for the 7a).

              … and your observation regarding overheating is interesting too. My old iPhone sometimes becomes hot and loses a lot of battery life when I‘m not even using it, presumably due to the the extensive tracking and spying running in the background – yet when even a Pixel 6a running on GOS does that there may be other reasons for it.

                Ingolf . My old iPhone sometimes becomes hot and loses a lot of battery life when I‘m not even using it, presumably due to the the extensive tracking and spying running in the background

                Or it has an old battery.