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Hi everyone,

My current device is very much at the end of life, and I think it's time to start taking my privacy seriously on my next phone. I just stumbled across GrapheneOS quite recently, and it seems to be exactly what I am looking for. I have been trying to do my homework on everything before buying a new phone, and I was hoping to get some feedback from the community and current users on a couple things.

1. Handset - Is the Pixel 7 Pro stable already? I've only read positive accounts so far, but I was just wondering if most things are working correctly. Also, in a general sense, are there any key features the stock Pixel OS has that GrapheneOS is missing?
2. Camera - My understanding is that most of the Pixel camera features (access to all three lenses, Pixel-specific software DSP) can still be accessed if you install the Google Camera app. Is this the case? Is it still sandboxed to the point of being relatively safe and private?
3. Visual Voicemail - Are most people finding this works?
4. Cloud - Everything seems to suggest setting up a NextCloud server is the way to go. I looked into it and I think I should have everything I need to do this already. Is this what most people are using? I am hoping to sync photos, music, videos, passwords (maybe KeePassXC), podcasts, and audiobooks.
5. Podcatcher - My current podcast player is Pocket Casts, which has recently gone open source. I don't have anything against it, but have seen AntennaPod recommended quite a bit. I know this is off topic from GrapheneOS specifically, but wondering if one has any advantages in privacy and usability over the other.

Thanks again to anyone able to share their experience or advice, and to everyone who worked hard to make this project happen. There's a lot to navigate, so I really appreciate it, and I'm excited to try this out! :)

    Osprey 1. Handset - Is the Pixel 7 Pro stable already? I've only read positive accounts so far, but I was just wondering if most things are working correctly. Also, in a general sense, are there any key features the stock Pixel OS has that GrapheneOS is missing?

    Pixel 7 is indeed in stable, Google Camera and Photos Pixel features will work, however anything specific to Pixels on the stock OS likely don't work. I don't have a list so if there is anything specific you are wanting to know mention it and I will follow up.

    1. Camera - My understanding is that most of the Pixel camera features (access to all three lenses, Pixel-specific software DSP) can still be accessed if you install the Google Camera app. Is this the case? Is it still sandboxed to the point of being relatively safe and private?

    Your understanding is correct, if you do not wish to install Play Services in a given profile but wish to enable GCam then you can simply install GSF (Google Services Framework) from the 'Apps' app in your app drawer and then download GCam using Aurora Store. You should then, if privacy is a concern, disable the Network permission of GSF and GCam, as well as disabling location when requested by GCam.

    1. Visual Voicemail - Are most people finding this works?

    Visual Voicemail is carrier specific from the Matrix Chat:

    • Genkos: Does aosp come with visual voicemail functionally? I can't seem to find it if it does.
    • strcat (Lead Dev) Yes, it does, and GrapheneOS updates the configs to match Google Dialer (may not support all the stuff Google Dialer does).

    You may need to install Play Services and Google Dialer if the AOSP implementation doesn't work for you.

    1. Cloud - Everything seems to suggest setting up a NextCloud server is the way to go. I looked into it and I think I should have everything I need to do this already. Is this what most people are using? I am hoping to sync photos, music, videos, passwords (maybe KeePassXC), podcasts, and audiobooks.

    Cloud backups etc are a very subjective thing, I personally use Cryptomator enabling me to use any cloud based service securely. However yes many people do also use NextCloud, Syncthing etc
    There are also E2EE by default solutions such as Tresorit, Skiff etc

    1. Podcatcher - My current podcast player is Pocket Casts, which has recently gone open source. I don't have anything against it, but have seen AntennaPod recommended quite a bit. I know this is off topic from GrapheneOS specifically, but wondering if one has any advantages in privacy and usability over the other.

    I use AntennaPod and again unless using an account to attach your choices etc to you should be fine. You could use either or.

    Welcome to the Community!

      MetropleX Wow, thank you for the comprehensive answer! It looks like all of my concerns were non-issues :). Good tip on GCam with the GSF only. I assumed I'd have to install (and try to sandbox) play store.

      I can't wait to give GrapheneOS a try! (Unfortunately, might have to wait a couple weeks for a handset lol).