Trying to balance privacy and convenience - Meta and Google apps

kookily50

I installed Graphene as I finally had enough of big companies tracking every single thing I do, say, look at, etc. I unfortunately can't convince my family and friends to care about this for themselves, so I'm stuck using the services of these companies if I want to stay in touch with people.

I have moved my emails away from gmail, but still use it for the odd thing. I didn't want to install and Google or Meta apps onto my new phone once I added Graphene, so I've been accessing these services through Hermit. It can be a bit frustrating and limiting though. I'm wondering if it's really worth it. If I'm still going to be using Meta and Google services, am I really achieving anything by also avoiding the apps? If I install the apps on a Graphene device, I assume the Graphene functions still give me a level of protection against being tracked and monitored? Or is it much better to avoid the apps and use the web versions?

IcyScroll

kookily50 I didn't want to install and Google or Meta apps onto my new phone once I added Graphene, so I've been accessing these services through Hermit. It can be a bit frustrating and limiting though. I'm wondering if it's really worth it.

Generally it is recommended to use GrapheneOS the same way you would use your previous smartphone. This helps alleviate self-imposed frustration that may come with changing too many habits at once. There were cases of people blaming this on the OS, which has nothing to do with such an issue.

kookily50 If I'm still going to be using Meta and Google services, am I really achieving anything by also avoiding the apps?

Sure, from a privacy standpoint, using web versions of untrusted apps is better. This is because good browsers (e.g. Vanadium, Brave) share much less data with websites than installed Android apps get access to.

kookily50 If I install the apps on a Graphene device, I assume the Graphene functions still give me a level of protection against being tracked and monitored?

GrapheneOS provides many improvements over AOSP and Stock Android. Scopes are especially great for invasive apps. However, it is not feasible for the OS to protect against app tracking user activity happening within app itself.

kookily50 Or is it much better to avoid the apps and use the web versions?

Overall, GrapheneOS provides freedom. It's up to each individual to decide what to do with it.

If you feel overwhelmed and decide not to use your current method, I would suggest putting invasive apps inside private space. This way they at least won't be able to see all of your installed apps and run after you close the space. Remember that private space doesn't inherit all settings from its parent profile. This is especially important for using a VPN.

ElliesSurviving

exactly what IcyScroll said, i always recommend to new users to install GOS and sandboxed google play and just use it like they would a regular device, even if you install all the google apps which i personally do myself you still are getting the advantages of GrapheneOS itself, you are still getting extra security and hardening and with sandboxed google play and also network access controls on some of the google apps if you want, even a setup like that can be way way more private than on stock. you can always change things around with your setup later, trying to do it all at once is just going to be overwhelming. just use your phone as normal and make small adjustments as time goes on

aurocha

The best way I found to use GrapheneOS was to have 2 profiles: Owner profile without any Google Apps whatsoever, with the least apps installed as possible and all of your private apps and a Maps applications that doesn't require Google Play Services to run installed.

Then another "daily" user with all the rest of the stuff installed along with Google Play Services.
I'd return to the Owner profile at the end of the day for added privacy.

It became annoying after some time, mainly because of the inability to toggle data on/off in the secondary profile.
At some point I had to reset the phone for some reason and just installed everything in the Owner and I've been using it like this ever since. Works for me.

I try not to replace stock apps, but I always end up doing it for the Gallery app - I'm using the ancient Google's Gallery app instead of Google Photos. And Google Camera. Also, I try to install everything I need from the Play Store.

Couldn't be happier.

1000Plateaus

I'll just echo what the previous two posters have said. I am new to GOS, and have been setting up my phone the last 2 days. I have 4 profiles. On my Owner profile it's just for email and calls/texting. I have a separate profile for Google Maps and Whatsapp (with Google Play Services). I have a third profile for my banking apps, and a fourth profile for FB messenger.

I haven't installed IG or FB app, even though I technically could do so on my fourth profile. I can just login to FB through the GOS stock browser and it is secure enough since it stop tracking by Meta.

Sure, it's a little annoying to have to switch, but I feel relief knowing that neither Google nor Meta apps have communicate to each other and share and track my data.

The great thing about GOS is that you can customize it to your liking. So I am waiting to see how I feel about this set up. If I find it frustrating I might change things around.