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EvasiveTartar

I'm fairly new here too, so don't assume I'm right about anything.

Have you considered using separate user profiles? Especially since there is the new feature to use a different pin + fingerprint after turning on phone and using your normal pin/password for the first time, I find it really quick to switch between user profiles. Although keep in mind nothing can be shared between separate profiles (a security feature but also a challenge at times).

I have several user profiles for different things, one for general yet secure apps, one for all Google related apps, one for banking apps, etc. It is a hassle to set up, but it is yet one more way to have access to those apps that are hard to get rid of, while also separating them from your more sensitive apps.

If you're not to the point where you've sworn off Google and have switched to other websites for email, cloud storage, etc., then honestly it also isn't the end of the world for you to download Google apps for ease of use. You can decide to change this and choose a more hardened approach in the future, while not being so hard on yourself now.

I used this guide to help me get started [(https://sideofburritos.com/blog/grapheneos-how-i-install-apps/)]

IcyScroll Yes thank you! I missed that. This should help greatly in the future.

I understand that using a legacy device is typically a bad idea, but I've brainstormed a few ways in which I could hopefully still take advantage of my Pixel 5 while using GOS. Please nitpick and share any potential flaws in my plan.

Aside from physical attacks and hidden malicious code in apk's I install, are there any other threats I should be aware of if I never connect the Pixel 5 to a network or SIM and always leave it in airplane mode? I would like to use the device primarily to store, create, and edit sensitive files.

Is it foolish to transfer apk's to my Pixel 5 via a thumb drive and install them? On my newer Pixel with GOS, I routinely check for updates to apps from the GOS App Store, Accrescent, Obtainium, and the Google Play Store every few days. (I've been following this guide [https://sideofburritos.com/blog/grapheneos-how-i-install-apps/] .) Because of this habit, I would feel comfortable downloading and transferring any updated apk's anytime I notice an update on my newer Pixel.

I can see two possible downsides, but I think I could manage. First, the app(s) would have to be backward compatible, and second, I assume I might have to delete older versions in order to install newer apk's (but I could be wrong). The main app I would wan't that stock GOS lacks is a text editor. Additionally, I might want a music/mp3 player, audio recorder, and KeePassDC or something similar.

I've noticed that legacy devices still receive updates on occasion, but I am unsure of how I could get notified of when these are released other than just checking the Releases page every so often. This isn't the end of the world, but if there is a link to an RSS feed or something that you could share that would be great.

I'm also unsure how I would go about using a signed update package, but maybe it's straightforward I'll be able to figure that out after a update comes out.

Thanks in advance for simply taking the time to read through this!

I seem to be having this same issue. Have you made any progress yourself? I would assume you have indeed found a different app since posting, would you mind sharing what you landed on and how it works for you?

I'm running a Pixel 8a, latest stable release 2025011500, in a separate User Profile from the Owner, with a SIM card from Mint Moble.

I too tried restarting the phone to no avail, and going back into the settings and trying them on and back off seemed to do nothing.