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GrapheneOS says Google is making life harder for rival operating systems and devices
(www.androidauthority.com)
this post was submitted on 11 May 2026
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To be honest, I think for the average user most ROMs are more than secure enough. And from a privacy perspective a lot of the de googled ones are very good.
Grapheme has almost a cult following in a way that its all or nothing.
I'd rather give up a bit on security while preserving privacy, if it means my money does not support terrible companies.
Then get a fairphone and load /e/OS or something else like that? GrapheneOS on Pixels aren't the only degoogled option. GrapheneOS makes it clear that their priority is security, so if you're willing to compromise on that then GOS likely isn't for you.
That is exactly what I have. I am not willing to compromise my ethical values and to give money to a truly evil company.
I just find it hypocritical that GOS requires Google made phones and at the same time says its a bad company.
The hardware is hardware, my guy. Most people running desktop linux are using hardware mainly comprised from the work of companies with shitty reputations.
GOS has a set of required specs to ensure the security it's famous for, and the pixel happened to meet them due to their developer-focused design implementations. Luckily, Motorola can now see the economic opportunity of leaning into that as well.
Agreed, and until the Moto Graphene phone drops one can just buy a used Pixel from a trusted marketplace like Swappa, and no money goes to Google from that used device sale. Save money and keep a perfectly good used phone out of a landfill at the same time.
It's a hardware issue. No other phones had the security features required. This is why they partnered with Motorola, to get away from Google hardware..
Graphene user, not part of this cult you speak of. I used to be solid tinfoil hat but now I try to balance between security / privacy and convenience because it was all too exhausting.
Years ago I switched from lineage to Graphene because the Graphene experience was much smoother. Installs, updates, options, it's all just easier. Granted the last install was a pita as funny enough they required chrome for the install. Aside from that it's been so smooth that when my partner kept asking for a new phone, I had them agree on letting me install Graphene. I would have went with fairphone but I can't put something on their phone that I have yet to use. Graphene is solid, stable, and for the most part usable. There's a few minor things out doesn't do like customizations and slight compatibility issues but in relation to what it provides is an acceptable trade off for the time being.
All this to say Graphene has their place for non cult users.
I get that. And I did not want to generalise so much but I guess I did.
I do think its the minority of Grapheme users that are culty to be fair. And the main GOS dev from what I've seen online.
In terms of smoothness, my wife is very non techy and immediately gets frustrated when tech doesn't work. She (and I) uses a Fairphone 6 with e/os and the experience is very smooth.
But "give up a bit on security" doesnt preserve privacy that's the whole thing.
Also them being hypocritical for suggesting pixels isn't really true, its the only unlockable device where you can relock the bootloader afterwards which is necessary for the asbolute maximum security of the OS. *and also has secure element, among other important requirements for security.
Motorola will change this.
I personally don't cut corners when it comes to security and I don't think anyone should honestly.
It's not the only device you can relock the bootloader. I am typing from a Fairphone using e/os with a bootloader I locked after installing it.
I don't cut corners on my morals, so will never give money to google. Even indirectly by buying second hand and making their phones more attractive to buy.
Ah I see that they have decided to support it now with the fairphone 4 which is awesome. Before that you had to use google test keys to do it.
It still lacks a secure element which is pretty important for security and privacy. It also lags behind on security updates.
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=44375865
That's a good discussion about it.
I respect not giving money to google though but I can't cut corners on security even if it means I have to go into the belly of the beast myself.
I'll be very relieved when the Motorola GOS phone drops
Graphene was my introduction to degoogling and I chose it because I was already familiar with the Pixel. Also that I had no idea what I was doing and their articles are clear to read. I did find it silly that I needed Google hardware but I just bought it secondhand instead of new/full price for 'do evil' Google profit.
I can totally get that. Things can be very confusing the first time around.
Well, eventually when you need a new phone, might I suggest a Fairphone with e/os?