Least horrible alternative to GrapheneOS?

Eirikr70

embroider_unknotted344 GrapheneOS takes advantage of the Pixel hardware. So on other phones, many security features would just be like backed by the wind.

embroider_unknotted344

Novalissoide
Eirikr70

Any time I see questions about this, people are quick to shut it down. Instead of responding to the question

"Is GrapheneOS on a non-pixel device more private+secure than using its default OS"

They substitute the question with an easier one, such as

"Should I use GrapheneOS on a non-pixel device" or "How safe is using GrapheneOS on a non-pixel device", particularly with the assumption that the user intends to rely on that non-pixel device as opposed to using it as a secondary phone, meaning it isn't super important what they do on that device.

The answers to the second and third questions are very easily answered elsewhere and in the documentation for GrapheneOS. Nobody I've seen has adequately answered the first question, seems like people just repeat what everyone else says about the subject.

I'd give internet points to anyone who can actually answer it from a technical standpoint.

Novalissoide

embroider_unknotted344 GrapheneOS build on a non-Pixel device more private+secure+cheaper than iOS, or any other OS?

I have some spare phones, and I'd like to use GrapheneOS on them. Though GrapheneOS works on non-pixel phones, they aren't officially supported or recommended

They would not be running GrapheneOS in any meaningful sense.

bagel

nagano ios

if DivestOS was still running i'd say they at least make sane compromises, but alas discontinued

this comparison page is still being updated if you want an android distro specifically: https://eylenburg.github.io/android_comparison.htm

for most people though the most important thing is timely security updates, IIRC stock samsung phones have strong security features and relatively fast updates compared to most OEMs? just don't buy a phone with no sw support

wizoatk

embroider_unknotted344 "Is GrapheneOS on a non-pixel device more private+secure than using its default OS"

In general, Yes if the hardware has the proper support and the software port is done and maintained by competent and experienced people with adequate support from the OEM manufacturer.

Not obvious where your confusion lies. Currently GrapheneOS only runs on Pixel devices. There is no expectation that that will change until sometime next year. That particular phone running GOS is expected to be significantly more secure and private than the same same hardware running Motorola stock OS.

embroider_unknotted344

wizoatk

Currently GrapheneOS only runs on Pixel devices

To my understanding, they can be installed on non pixel devices, hence my question. The GrapheneOS FAQ states "Many other devices are supported by GrapheneOS at a source level, and it can be built for them without modifications to the existing GrapheneOS source tree.". This sentence is a bit cryptic for me but, at least in theory, they can run on non-pixel devices. I'm not entirely sure how porting works.

That particular phone running GOS is expected to be significantly more secure and private than the same same hardware running Motorola stock OS.

And the sky is blue. We're not discussing "is GrapheneOS more secure than default OS".

Novalissoide

embroider_unknotted344 Your question can be answered in a couple of differing ways;

My usual boring unlicensed Gos sheepdog way: It can't and you shouldn't. And check again that you relocked your bootloader.

Or
Realistic sceptically: It wouldn't be GrapheneOS but the images can be ported with severe compromises and produce a heavily cursed device that in all real cases would be vastly less secure than any official GrapheneOS Pixel6+

Or
Entirely philosophically hypotetic: Of course this is ontologically imaginable in some possible world. Say, a real superintelligence could invent advanced nanotechnology and reshape a Samsung S4mini to be the most secure thing in our reachable universe, and I kind of actually believe this for real.

But the best answer to your question may still be something different.🫩

Novalissoide

embroider_unknotted344 The security of that device comes down to what altercations you make for the Gos images to fit the different hardware, and what the hardware is capable of.

wizoatk

embroider_unknotted344 at least in theory, they can run on non-pixel devices

Yes, in theory. In practice, I'm unaware of anyone making a serious attempt. With the exception of the GrapheneOS / Motorola partnership.

embroider_unknotted344

Novalissoide

I thought that it was both possible and also easy (ie. without significant modifications) to install GrapheneOS on a non pixel phone. If it requires "porting" (which I don't understand) then I guess it's a moot question. My next question would be, if I do have a secondary phone like Samsung or ColorOS, I wonder which OS would come next in terms of privacy and security, though for this use case privacy would come first. I don't really know what OS's are recommended these days.

Blastoidea

What equals or surpasses the Titan chips?

My guess is “nothing”.

DohnJoe

embroider_unknotted344

He is suggesting that:
non-pixel phone with GOS is less secure than iPhone with iOS (mostly for hardware limitation).
non-pixel phone with GOS is more secure than non-pixel phone with whatever flavour of Android they have (including Samsung).

Aeleon

DohnJoe a non-pixel phone with GrapheneOS would be difficult to call GrapheneOS, and it would certainly be less secure than just about any other Android OS. That might be a hobby for a skilled programmer/engineer but surely it wouldn't be a device for daily use.

Blastoidea

DohnJoe

There is no “non-pixel phone with GOS”.

You’re speculating.

Johnnyloans

Blastoidea There is no “non-pixel phone with GOS”.

You’re speculating.

Johnnyloans He knows. Dohnjoe is answering a hypothetical question that embroider asked

embroider_unknotted344 asked:

A more interesting question is, is a GrapheneOS build on a non-Pixel device more private+secure+cheaper than iOS, or any other OS?

Later in the convo, dohnjoe clarifies embroider's confusion of what I said

DohnJoe He is suggesting that:

Sorry you've gotten flak twice now over your innocent comment haha.
No good deed goes unpunished! o7

embroider_unknotted344

JB11

Agreed. This is a very common take in privacy communities, the belief that not using technology is a viable alternative. It is by definition not an alternative, it's the lack of one. You aren't winning the game by choosing not to use technology, you're just choosing not to play. And the people who suggest things like this, like not using a phone or living in the woods, have no intention whatsoever of actually going through with it.

DohnJoe

non-pixel phone with GOS is more secure than non-pixel phone with whatever flavour of Android they have (including Samsung).

This contradicts what @Novalissoide has said so I'm not sure who to believe here.

Johnnyloans

Aeleon

He knows. Dohnjoe is answering a hypothetical question that embroider asked

plolock

Get a Refurbished newer model second hand

JB11

A few people have mentioned using iPhones if you're not going to use Graphene. And also that the lot of us are dumb because we use smartphones.

First - I don't like iPhones at all. The one function they have that I wish android had on all android phones and not just 1 brand, is the physical mute switch. Also, if you have iPhone, you have to deal with Apple, perhaps the most egregiously malicious of tech companies.

Second - If you wanna live in modern civilization and you wanna be able to get things done, then you need a smartphone, that's how modern life is modelled after. And there's levels to this like anything else, you choose your level of involvement / compliance, hence the existence of Graphene.

otterfoghornrainfall

JB11 Apple, perhaps the most egregiously malicious of tech companies.

I don't have any love for Apple, but would put them a solid tier below the folks at Google and Facebook, for example. And that's without mentioning our good friends at Palantir.

mmobder

andrej567 All is glued together, no screws, you have to open it with force. requires skills and patience.

Stop lying. Google has released DIY guides for their models, so anyone more advanced than a monkey can do it

JB11

mmobder Are you one of them Dr Robotnic guys in real life?

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