Switching from iOS to GrapheneOS. Need a steer from those who know.

DiligentBathroom1582

I’ve recently made the call to move from iOS to GrapheneOS after about a decade in Apple’s ecosystem.

I’ll be honest, it’s a bit of a shock. I’m used to stock iOS apps, the App Store, and not having to think too much about what’s going on under the hood. Now I’ve got far more control, but also far more decisions to make.

I’m looking for some guidance on how to set things up properly.

Where should I be getting my apps from. What’s the general approach here. What are the essentials you’d recommend for someone starting out.

For context, I regularly use Waze for navigation and Strava for training, but I’m open to alternatives if there are better options within this space.

One thing I rely on quite a lot is contactless pay. On iPhone I use it more often than I’d like to admit, mainly because I understand it’s more secure than using a physical card. Not sure what the best approach is on GrapheneOS, so any advice there would be useful.

I’m also trying to use my phone less. Social media, general time wasting. I still want access, but ideally with some friction or limits in place similar to what iPhone offers with screen time.

I’m not under any illusions about being a target, but I don’t subscribe to the “nothing to hide” mindset either. I’d rather understand the system and make deliberate choices.

Any solid advice appreciated

nandohyphen1

DiligentBathroom1582 Where should I be getting my apps from. What’s the general approach here. What are the essentials you’d recommend for someone starting out.

The recommended place is to use the Google Play Store, especially if you are starting out. This way its easy and you know what to do. You could use an existing Google Account, or create a "Burner" account. Other app sources include F-Droid and Aurora Store(anonymous access to the Google Play Store). But read up and search the forum on which to use, as people have mixed feelings on the security of both.

DiligentBathroom1582 I regularly use Waze for navigation and Strava for training, but I’m open to alternatives if there are better options within this space.

Nothing is better than Google Maps (obviously, lol) but some good open source maps apps are OsmAnd and CoMaps

DiligentBathroom1582 One thing I rely on quite a lot is contactless pay. On iPhone I use it more often than I’d like to admit, mainly because I understand it’s more secure than using a physical card. Not sure what the best approach is on GrapheneOS, so any advice there would be useful.

Well, Google Pay/ Wallet does NOT work on GrapheneOS. Doesn't matter if Play Services are installed or not. It doesn't work. I believe that Curve Pay works, but not in the USA or Canada (I think its a UK thing, someone correct me if I'm wrong). So otherwise there really aren't any options for contactless payments.

DiligentBathroom1582 I’m also trying to use my phone less. Social media, general time wasting. I still want access, but ideally with some friction or limits in place similar to what iPhone offers with screen time.

This app is what you are most likely looking for.

Chipper

DiligentBathroom1582 have you considered removing your dependence on contactless payment and cards by making a cash withdrawal once a week or whatever and instead using this cash for as much as possible?

There are good reasons from a privacy perspective to do so, as it prevents payment processors and your bank from having insight into your spending habits and aggregating this data to both profile you and map trends in the population overall, it also ensures you have the ability to transact in the event of network or power failures and should you find yourself at odds with your bank or government then it ensures you are not wholly able to be held to ransom by there legal authority of the funds in your account.

Additionally should you seek a loan from the bank for mortgage etc they are less likely to negatively profile you based on your spending habits...
And from a Graphene perspective you no longer need to worry about contactless payment, wallets, banking apps etc which can be a pain point.

nandohyphen1

DiligentBathroom1582 oh, something I forgot to mention. You'll want to deregister iMessage too. If you don't, SMS messages probably won't work well on GrapheneOS.
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I also have a list of apps that I recommend to install on GrapheneOS on my website.

legreteco

DiligentBathroom1582 One thing I rely on quite a lot is contactless pay. On iPhone I use it more often than I’d like to admit, mainly because I understand it’s more secure than using a physical card. Not sure what the best approach is on GrapheneOS, so any advice there would be useful.

You might wanna look into PayPal contactless pay. It's available in some regions.

DiligentBathroom1582

nandohyphen1 thank you for taking the time. Have a good’n

not-a-rola

Chipper That's exactly my living habit: cash only.

DiligentBathroom1582

Chipper I shall adopt your stance there friend. Cash is king at the end of the day. Too many places here in the UK are adopting the "no cash" system so for those places what would you recommend? Pay normally with a credit/ debit card?

nandohyphen1

DiligentBathroom1582 Pay normally with a credit/ debit card?

I've always done it. It really isn't so bad. If you are concerned about losing it, contact your bank and have them fully disable tap. That way no one at all can use it unless they have the PIN. Or if you are fine with tap, stick the card behind your phone case (if its thin enough) and now you have "tap to pay"

Enoch

DiligentBathroom1582

Pay normally with a credit/ debit card?

Yeah, true — cash is still king in many ways. But for places going cashless, you’ve still got solid options. I'm sure in the UK there are prepaid cards (like cash cards) you can top up with physical cash at various shops or PayPoints. That way you’re not tied directly to your bank account, but you can still pay by card anywhere. Pretty good middle ground, honestly.

Chipper

DiligentBathroom1582 nice one.
When a place says they don't accept cash, I just go elsewhere, as i dont want to support any move to a cashless society that relies on a centrally controlled and regulated currency. There's never any issue really, sometimes the people relate and we have a friendly convo and sometimes they look at me somewhat confused like they can't comprehend what I've said haha but So far here it is just the occasional food place so there are always plenty of other choices.