New user

connieboy-13

Hi. Just purchased a new pixel 9a and will be installing graphene very soon, just wondering what are the best settings to use for a first time user. Thanks

W1zardK1ng

connieboy-13 Just use it as normal.
Install google play services login with a throw away email or even your own mail id is fine, but wont recommend it though.
Install every possible app from the playstore and others using obtainium.

If you want to go bit further without loosing usability, use your owner profile with all open source apps from obtainium and no Google play services. Use and private space to with play services to install all your other apps.

DeletedUser499

connieboy-13
GrapheneOS settings, out of the box, are suitable for most users.
Install it, change the user interface settings to suit you, put a sim in it and use it for a week, get used to GrapheneOS. use private space, install and delete other users, see how things work, then when you can use GrapheneOS comfortably, factory re set your device and set it up the way YOU want it.
keep your device simple, over complicate it and you will be less inclined to use it.
Graphene is not magic, its just a tool to use your phone. How you use your phone is just as important.

brookie229

connieboy-13

If you can avoid it, don't have multiple profile/users setup. Initially, just use it as a regular android device with or without Google Play Services, Store etc depending on your app needs. You can always add to your setup later on if the need arises.

DeletedUser499

connieboy-13
have you installed GrapheneOS yet

silent_muppet

Long time user on P9A.

My advice is to keep it simple. Do an inventory of what you need your phone to do and see if most of it can be done via the web browser. Don't be afraid of turning on some convenience, like android auto.

Most of the default settings are really nice. But some of them can be enhanced like auto phone reboot after x time. Just try it out as is and then start tweaking.

Norman

W1zardK1ng You can't just login with a throw away email because it will prompt you to give a valid phone number for verification. If you use the same phone number as with your main/prior account it will be linked regardless.

Eirikr70

Use it just like your former Android device. Install Google Play if needed. You can also try to reduce the number of data harvesting apps if you wish but that is your choice, not directly related to GrapheneOS.

DeletedUser495

Eirikr70 this approach undermines what GrapheneOS tries to achieve. Of course, they give you possibility to use sandboxed Google Play, not that you have to use it. What you need is a paradigm shift to set yourself up around privacy respecting services, do you think Google are your good auntie dealing sweets everytime they come along? Their whole business model (and Apple's too for that matter) is built around data collection and they will grab and scrape anything they can get their paws upon. You have no idea what happens under the hood and they are and will be always one step ahead of you. Avoid them if you can.

Eirikr70

DeletedUser495 Right ! That's why I said "Install Google Play if needed". But I think that advising a noob to only rely on FOSS software and not install very common apps such as Whatsapp or Google Maps or Android Auto or whatsoever, and not benefit from Google Play's notification system is a mistake. They will flee back to stock Android. Let's make the shift as smooth as possible. They will get rid of privacy-invasive apps if they like. Anyway they will benefit from GrapheneOS. I precise that I don't use any of the apps that I mentioned.

W1zardK1ng

Norman No thats not true, you can create it.
Create a new profile or user owner if its a new install/factory reset, go to playstore and create account from there.
Google will flag if you use a vpn and require a phone number. Either use a public wifi or mobile internet (mobile data uses dynamic ips), once account is created add a 2fa using any authenticator app.
I have multiple devices and create new throwaway accounts frequently, this method works.

connieboy-13

DeletedUser499
Getting the phone delivered this afternoon, so will be installing later, I've already created a few dummy google accounts so if need be I will use one of them