Which De-Googled Android phone is available with Graphene OS?

RAH

Hi All,

I'm a relative amateur to the Graphene OS community, but I'm very up and aware of digital privacy issues. I want to purchase a de-googled Android phone of some type because I want to get as far away from google as possible. I know that most people are saying google pixel is the best option on which to run Graphene OS, but I really don't like the idea of having a phone that is made or even has anything to do with google. I'm curious if anyone in the community has any recommendations for other de-googled android phones available on the (American) market that are compatible with Graphene OS. I'm also interested in hearing from folks who do use the google pixel with Graphene to ask them if they actually think they have privacy from google. For example, is the google play store still there? Does the phone still monitor your location through the play store and other apps? If you go into developer options and turn off the sensors, does the phone, camera, and other apps still work? I ask this because if I do this on my current samsung, the camera and many other apps will not function. Essentially, my belief is that with google and samsung, there is no real privacy of any type.

I await any thoughts from the community. Thanks all.

Dumdum

RAH most people are saying google pixel is the best option on which to run Graphene OS
[...]
other de-googled android phones available on the (American) market that are compatible with Graphene OS.

Pixels are the only phones suitable (not simply "the best") for GrapheneOS. There are no others currently.

if they actually think they have privacy from google. For example, is the google play store still there? Does the phone still monitor your location through the play store and other apps?

Google Play Store / Services are not included by default. It is optional.

If you go into developer options and turn off the sensors, does the phone, camera, and other apps still work?

Developer options are not recommended for production devices. You also do not need to turn off the sensors as GrapheneOS provides the sensor permission for apps.

nandohyphen1

RAH If you want to use GrapheneOS, it currently is only supported on Google Pixels. I use a Pixel 6a running GrapheneOS, and I absolutely love it! Yes, you do have privacy from google. The play store is not there by default (so no connections to google whatsoever) but it can be installed if you desire. You have app stores like F Droid and Aurora Store. Aurora Store is like google play, but it tells you if the app has trackers, and if its compatible with your device and such. You can sign in with 'anonymous@gmail.com' option. Your Phone connects to no Google servers to retrieve your location for maps or things. Overall, even though its a Google Pixel, its 100% better than a regular Phone. :)

Bimmy

RAH 'm a relative amateur to the Graphene OS community

Welcome to the community!

RAH I know that most people are saying google pixel is the best option on which to run Graphene OS, but I really don't like the idea of having a phone that is made or even has anything to do with google. I'm curious if anyone in the community has any recommendations for other de-googled android phones available on the (American) market that are compatible with Graphene OS.

I understand the attitude, but as of summer 2025 the following devices -- only pixels -- are the only supported devices:
https://grapheneos.org/faq#supported-devices

Way in the past, the Samsung Galaxy S4 was supported, and maybe in the future (2026+) a manufacturer different from google will partner with GrapheneOS to open up more options. But as for now, I can only offer my sympathy regarding your general scepticism.

If you are interested in digital privacy but don't want to deeply commit too much investment into google devices, I wonder whether it was an option to look for a budget device from the list of already supported devices. Next month, when Google releases the Pixel 10 as next iteration, I'd expect some nice discounts for older models. Actually, i believe to see some price cuts already.

So, you could thoroughly test and determine whether you like the GOS approach at first hand?

userofgos

DirtyDan Not trying to be antagonistic. Just perplexed is all.

RAH did you read the above statement?

I don't believe @DirtyDan or @Xtreix have issues with you or any new forum member asking questions. The issue I think that is being brought up has to do with a trend towards new folks interested in trying GrapheneOS for the first time creating accounts on this forum and asking questions that would have been quickly answered had they read the information presented on the Grapheneos.org website.

Device support
See the FAQ section on device support.
(Source)

It's made quite clear on the first page of the website where to find what devices are supported, why google devices are the only ones currently that meet all the projects security requirements, and why it is not a concern that the device is made by Google.

Official sources are always better at providing consistent, factual, and verifiable information. Sure there are circumstances where one might not find the answer they are looking for, whether they completely missed it, glazed over it, or didn't known where to look and resort to asking questions on forums. However it's best to research and exhaust all options first, especially when there are official sources that provide a plethora of information laid out plainly. :)

userofgos

userofgos why google devices are the only ones currently that meet all the projects security requirements,

Edit (timed out on me): Which devices will be supported in the future?