I recently treated myself to a Pixel 6a with the intention of installing and using GrapheneOS, and I must say, it has been a great experience so far. Coming from a Fairphone 4 running CalyxOS.

One minor hurdle I encountered was the need for Google Play Services with one particular app, Vipps. To address this, I set up a separate user profile exclusively for that app and Sandboxed Google Play. Interestingly, I also took the opportunity to include my four other proprietary local city apps in this profile.

In my primary GrapheneOS user profile (Owner), I opted to keep things simple and focused on essential apps that come pre-installed with GrapheneOS. Other apps I rely on are Aegis for two-factor authentication, AntennaPod for my podcast listening, Auxio for managing my FLAC library, Droid-ify for app updates, Prognoza for accurate local weather updates, and Signal for staying connected with family and friends.

Overall, I'm quite pleased with the setup and functionality of my Pixel 6a running GrapheneOS. It's been a seamless transition from my Fairphone 4, and I'm excited to continue exploring the possibilities and benefits that GrapheneOS has to offer.

Thank you for sharing your experience. I'm very glad to hear that you found the transition easy and rewarding!

Should you have any questions along the way, we're always here to help. The forum's search function is also very powerful, and you are likely to be able to find an answer to any question that might arise faster than I can get back to ya! :)

    Just out of curiosity: What made you leave your Fairphone? :)

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      [deleted] I left Fairphone because I value having supreme app control permissions over network and sensors for the proprietary apps I use on my second user profile. Additionally, I was concerned about the delayed security updates and the various security issues associated with MicroG, CalyxOS, and in general Fairphone's delay of proprietary firmware updates.

      I wanted a better-hardened operating system for my Android device.

      treequell don't get so uptight, politicians bend rules more often a get away with it

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      Relaks
      Short answer:
      Yes!

      Long answer:
      As I said Vipps require the Google Play Services to be installed, and work flawlessly without disabling any GOS hardening in my second user profile.

      10 days later
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      I have just this last three days moved across to a Pixel 6a as well, after several years of running a Sony Xperia XA2 on /e/OS, and I must agree with the OP that it is a wonderful experience. I am simply delighted to have made the switch.

      The process of installing GOS onto the phone was remarkably easy (I used the Web interface) compared to ROM flashing I have done in the past. So seamless, so un-fraught (although I used Unix in the 1980s-90s, I never quite get over the slight flinch when about to hit a command-line command...).

      The two things I miss are the LED notification light (any ideas on an app that kludges this that is privacy preserving, anyone?) and the Advanced Privacy applet built into /e/OS which allows you, among other things, to set a fake location (I believe they are planning to make this available at some stage as an Android app 🤞).

      In all, I am a very happy Graphene-ist now (GOS-t:"ghost"?), wondering how to get LED-type notifications to work on the 6a.

      Cheers from Australia.

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        [deleted] Glad to hear the installation process went well for GrapheneOS on your Pixel 6a! As far as I know LED notifications are not on GrapheneOS, you may try using third-party apps for LED notification light, but be careful with the app's permissions.

        [deleted] for LED notifactions you could use Chainfire's holy light app. It is open source and can be downloaded from guthub or the playstore. It asks for a lot of permissions and is a bit battery hungry, so in the end I decided to go without it.

        Hello @[deleted],

        I'm interested in what you can say about the audio quality. I recently bought a used Pixel 5. Before that, I only used Samsung S series smartphones. I am absolutely not convinced of the sound quality of the Pixel 5 under GrapheneOS! Is this partly due to GrapheneOS? I would like to know if and what I can do here if possible.

        Thanks in advanced.
        Chris

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          Starbase A copy from my post on your forum post:

          From my experience I have not encountered any significant issues with the microphone and or speaker quality on my Pixel 6a when running GrapheneOS.

          As for music, I prefer to use my headphones for a better audio experience. My WH-1000XM4 headphones offer good audio quality and noise cancellation.

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            Starbase Not OP but no issues with the speaker quality on a 6a I have. For its price it sounds great and more importantly same as stock. It's no iPhone but there are plenty of budget devices (including Samsungs) in the same price range that will make my ears bleed. This one doesn't.

            [deleted], Starbase I concur/confirm this - same setup: Pixel 6a with Sony WH-1000XM4, which work together very nicely.

            Starbase Not sure what you mean by sound quality. Speakers or headphones? I used my true wireless Jabra 75t Active with my previous iPhone and now Pixel 6a on GOS. Cannot spot any sound degradation. The buds even went through the washer a few days ago, and still function just as well. 😁
            I don't use the speakers for music. I encourage you to test against stock OS if you have the opportunity.

              Relaks I personally find Pixel wired USB-C earbuds to have excellent sound and mic quality. And I am picky