@@MrOrtmeier does it have easy selective unblocking? Like, I see that something is broken, go to the blocked log, and unblock just those addresses or filters for that client?
The best thing about this project is that they sell phones with this ROM preinstalled. That makes it accessible to normal people who care about privacy, as well as give people like us an easy way to financially support them. I think it's pretty difficult for open source developers to get paid for their work, which is one of the biggest things holding open source back.
I've been using E OS on a Samsung A5 2017 for over a year, very satisfied with the system. The battery lasts four times longer than the original system, in addition to the performance being much better
I have the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra - I have no chance - unless I am prepared to delve deep into it. For an expensive phone no chance but when my contract is up in 18 months I may well have a look then!
This is what a degooglified android phone really needed, i hope this trend of a more sustainable and user friendly open software/hardware keeps growing, in time it can even compete with Microsoft and Mac, I hope to see the day such a dream come true.
Very happy for the rise of non-big tech, privacy focused services. If Proton was a bit more robust I could probably get away with only needing Google for TH-cam...!
@@-_wanderer it’s primarily maintained by google but since it’s open source we can check what they’ve added on the OS level not on what is added on top of android but with an entirely FOSS android fork then you’re primarily separated from google
Honestly my only problem I still have with this is the iOS-knockoff UI. It really cheapens the experience a lot imo, they should just have used the stock Android UI and built off of that one instead. This knockoff UI is not just really inconsistent, it also makes the system look like a cheap Chinaphone. It's also not like stock is impossible to use for anyone who's not a techy and who used custom roms for years.
Assuming it's open source (don't know for sure), you should be able to replace the assets with AOSP assets. If you wanted to get real fancy I'm sure you could figure out how the custom UI works and remove it. Once ur done just build and flash. - someone who has never built or modified android
@@happygofishing It does look like a chinese thing sure, but I think it's to make it simple for non power users who'll buy a murena phone. You know, not all ios lookalikes are some chinese bootleg thing. It's more appealing to beginners or tech illiterates to have a more simplified ui. For instance, my mom's phone looks similasr to the murena ui.
Not directly related to the video, but one thing I've been thinking a lot about lately is how a properly supported gnu linux phone with modern-ish hardware could replace my computer for every task (except AAA gaming). For example, the hardware capabilities of my 2020 s20 fe are more than enough for my needs (ssh, python and R programming, browsing the web, editing documents, media consumption etc), but it is very lacking in the software side of things, though it's technically possible to use all of those even with android. I know this isn't the case for everyone, but i bet it is for most people, since most just browse the web and edit documents... Good video btw
I love this rom!!! I have been using it for more than a year without problems except for banks applications. Unfortunately this update did not solve the problem =(
@@TheLinuxEXP Thanks for the reply. When opening the application, it gives an error: a security risk has been detected on the device (ua599) (R:5) At the moment I prefer to continue using this rom and not use the bank application
@@proyectosledar You can go to settings and then MicroG where you can test to see if SafetyNet works. It could be possible that you still have your bootloader unlocked or have rooted your device. There are workarounds to hide root and an unlocked bootloader from SafetyNet.
With the exception of using TH-cam, I literally have NO need for Google, Apple, Microsoft, Facebook/Meta or any other crap. I use a degoogled phone to text, email, call, IT managing and occasionally web browse. I have a total of 7 apps on my phone and not a single one came from GooglePlayStore.
The problem with /e/ OS is that its just LineageOS (they've even been accused of stealing code from lineage without attribution) with your data being sent to a Nextcloud server on top. You're just trusting the /e/ foundation over Google vs using something like grapheneOS which doesn't send away all your data. Also, apps on graphene also work fine too
Im am not a expert, so watching lots of yt and reading comments. I am deciding between /e/os, calyx an graphene. How do you know /e/ is sending data? and graphene and calyx dont? Greetings
I am honestly not a fan of /e/ OS, but I see why people like the simplicity of it and the ease of use. Personally I think lineage micro-g, iodé os and divest are more privacy suited. Lineage Micro G does include a full suite of aurora apps out of the box, iodé has the firewall app and divest just goes all foss even removing vendor blobs and drm (safetynet wont work obv). Other notable privacy focused roms are Calyx OS, Copperhead OS and Graphene OS, but I dont know that much about those. As for a small phone supported by /e/ OS, there is the Zenfone 8, which has the Qualcom Snapdragon 888, 5G and a 5.9' 120hz OLED screen, which is the smallest you can get in the high end range... I hope you can get a glimpse on all of them and become a flashoholic, just as I am. :D
I don't understand how Lineage can be considered more privacy suited when /e/ OS is basically Lineage but with all Google services removed. Also I think that because /e/ OS is build around Murena cloud it effectively finally provides a simple realistic solution to be able to de-Google your phone without compromise. Can you explain to me why I'm wrong and why you think other options are more privacy suited?
@@theauthenticsteve Lineage doesnt ship with google services either, but nearly everyone installs gapps in addition to the rom. /e/ OS just adds in replacements for apps you would have to install yourself (and an iOS launcher). As I said, I dont see a significant difference to lineage micro g (not lineage os itself) from a privacy perspective. Especially Divest is more privacy suited than others, since they apply their own security patches and remove precompiled proprietary stuff such as drm and some vendor blobs. Hope I could clarify a bit.👍
@@NeoFutur7 depends on what you call better, more convinient for beginners? No. More privacy oriented? Yes. As I said especially Divest goes a little further when it comes to removing proprietary stuff.
all props aside, I find it hilarious that like you said, the developers of something as complex as an OS for phones didn't realize their naming makes it so hard to find on the internet. Maybe that is the point, even the OS project can't be tracked online, but on the other hand... it is kinda shooting its own foot to be able to grow
I have Fairphone 4 and it was the Fair Trade certification and ability to buy parts online to make repairs that sold it for me. I consider myself a tech nerd too, I run my own cloud open source infrastructure and do other cool stuff that would be considered nerdy. I think changing your phone regularly is not about being a tech nerd, most people i know who does that - don´t even know what is an operating system.
A few months back I switched from my iPhone 12 to a Pixel 2 with e OS. From day one I didn't look back. It has been an awesome experience and I'm really glad to see they are continually making it easier to get a phone with e OS. Some feedback I have, I wish they would use gesture controls by default, it took me a while to figure out how to switch to that. I think three button controls are pretty antiquated at this point, but that's just my perspective. I also think they should just call it Murena OS, I like how e is kind of cheeky but I think they would be better off with a name that isn't a Google reference, and Murena is a much more pronounceable and searchable name as well.
@Spender Hunchback battery life on the Pixel 2 with e OS is very good, considering the battery is five years old. It still lasts me until the evening every day. I'm not doing much power-hungry activities on my phone though so take that into account. WhatsApp works just fine for me.
I would love to get a degoogled phone but not understanding a word of tech jargon leaves me completely lost as to how I can make the switch. Unfortunately, this video didn't help me understand any better as I hoped it would. Is there any place one can go who is utterly tech illiterate to gain understanding so we can benefit from these products??? Any help would be appreciated as my phone is about to lose the screen so I need a new one ASAP!!
Thank goodness I've found your channel! The journey to extricate oneself from Google (and indeed Windows) is SO complicated... I have a Teracube from Murena on order and am seriously thinking of taking the Linux step - and am terrified... Ha ha
Now that the Teracube has arrived I'm less than impressed with the apps available: there are 3 radio apps, one doesnt work, one is encrusted in ads and the third reports back to Google... really???! And no banking that I could see... I shall have to dig deeper.............???
10:58 I absolutely agree. Bring back them small flagship smartphones! Plus, what's with the full-hd+ resolutions? Seems like a dumb excuse to increase the amount of RAM, which further impacts battery life!
I'm not sure your choice in phone size can be used as the sole determining factor in your weirdo/not weirdo status. That's fine, I like small phones too. We can be weird together.
Its 100% usable and will save you a ton of battery, RAM, and storage space. The amount of overhead and privilege Google occupies on devices is incredible.
Just buy a decently spec/flagship killer second hand or a second hand google pixel. Fairphones are just bad value personally, especially with the fairphone 5 now which Linus tech tips have covered.
How banking apps work on that OS? I have a Pixel 3 with lineage OS and banking accounts refuse to work because my phone is "rooted" -_- had to buy a separated phone just for banking apps, so annoying.
Depends on the Bank - Some Apps don't need any SafetyNet to work. But also microG replicates SafetyNet features which would permit some Banking Apps to work (which otherwise wouldn't).
Pretty good review, but you left out a couple important things. What would you use for navigation and maps? Does Android Auto work, or is there a replacement for that? Might not be important to a few people, but pretty much everyone i know uses Google Maps or Waze.
11:35 to 11:46 I'm curious. Does that DIP aka drop visual part of the camera get in the way of watching movies on that phone? Or does it blend away...evenly like it appeared to have at around the 11:45 mark.
I've been tempted to degoogle my phones in the past, but there are too many things I'd lose out on, not to mention the books and movies I've bought through them. Hopefully one day we'll get a true competitor that highlights freedom and privacy.
In sweden everything works with a government authentication app and lineage alone made it unusable let alone /e/. Google, Microsoft and Apple have won. To get away from them is only a matter of how much convince you can let go
When I was a kid I had a super off brand tablet that ran Android 4.x but it had no Google Play Store or any other Google Services and the only way to get apps was to download APK files and that was actually how I figured out what APK files are. The Tablet was white and had a sunken in screen like it had borders that kind of blocked you from breaking the screen if you dropped it.
So the FP4 you got had the e os based on android 11? Mine is still based on 10. I guess I would need to flash my FP3 to get e os with the most recent android version.
@@TheLinuxEXP Yeah, I have to check that, thanks. Edit: Both versions (Q and R) seem to be supported by the FP3. However, R only the dev version and Q the stable version. So it seems reasonable that they have not upgraded yet on the FP3, but I could try myself, if I wanted.
Excellent Review!!! The only thing that I am now trying to figure out is, "How do I backup my sms/text messages on my android phone, then load the /e/OS, then reload my sms/text messages?". So far, I have not been able to find this anywhere. I work in rugged, outdoor environments and therefore need a phone with a rugged, water/dust/shock-proof case and I do not see anyone making a case for the /e/OS phone. So, until such a case is made, I think that my only option is to keep my Samsung Note 9 with it's case, and load /e/OS onto it.
Just a few weeks ago, I convinced my mum to buy herself the fairpone 4. I looked into /e/ a bit then. Now it seams to be quite a bit more realistic to actually use it
You should install it for her, it has a simpler UI and no spying, if you're not good with custom roms, you can wait for their easy installer to support the FP 4
My only thing with uninstalling all google services would be the Maps app. I use my phone's Google Maps somewhat often. Is there a solution for that? Like an app that uses google maps but hides you - basically one IP / account whatever providing maps service to many many users using it.
There are numerous decent alternatives - I use Organic Maps which has offline feature and works well for driving too. (Available on Play Store or F-Droid). Others include OpenMultiMaps, OpenTrail, OfflineMaps.
The IP spoofing, alternative app store, and tracker blocking features are nice to have, but how do they work in the background? 1. Using a unknown 3rd party service? 2. The same Google Play app just reskinned? 3. Routing traffic via unknown servers?
Try CalyxOS, I've been using it for a few months with few problems. It's very stable and well supported (and a lot safer than e/os which doesn't have a locked bootloader).
I wonder what you think of Razer Phone 2? 5.7" 120Hz Igzo with WQHD (2K) screen, excellent stereo speakers and decent Sony camera sensors. There is e/OS for that.
Honestly, we as the public should be working together to make our own alternatives to Google, many of us already having software skills that can make compatible operating systems to this hardware, in the public can develop a joint community in making this, and that would mean that not only would our operating systems be more stable, but that they would be more advanced than Google's system, because the public are developing precisely the things consumers want rather than large corporations trying to milk the economy by only making micro changes and resetting devices to their full price points.
"make smaller phones, you cowards!" That's the best point ever!🤠 I wanted to try it, but due to my job I needed a rugged phone, maybe I will give it a try next time I will change
@Jack Halem well, my solution was to buy a large rugged phone 😅 It's a deal... Not the best solution due to the SOC I have, but I can't stand it 🤣 Still I can't believe in my dreams phone 🤣
9:28 I just installed the new /e/ os update 1.0 a few days ago, but for me it's still running with Android 10. Does somebody know how I can upgrade /e/ os to use Android 11 aswell?
I had some issues with my Huawei phone without Google services. 1. TH-cam, Google maps, Google translate,etc only have limited features via web browser 2. Apps that rely on Google services to push for notification, eg. Microsoft Teams has very delayed notifications 3. Some apps that rely on Google locations won't work.
Looks like Murena is selling refurbished Pixel 5 phones with /e/OS out of the box. Would love to see you cover that -- seems like it checks all the boxes (small-ish, de-googled, 90Hz display).
Thank you for the review. Looks like the rom is coming along nicely. This is my next phone (unless my current phone lasts until FairPhone 5 comes out).
DON'T FORGET THE GSI you can use it even if your phone is NOT listed as supported, by using the GSI! GSI (generic system image) works on all phones (with unlocked bootloaders of course), that shipped with android 8.0 or later, utilizing the a/b partitioning and stuff, since all the drivers are in the "system" image, independent of the OS, with a common API, the only problem is updating those drivers...but the OS itself can update anytime! it's incredible step to allow more OSs, since even if you have a not-popular-with-modders phone, you can get a custom OS, without having to manually figure out where the drivers are and how to port them over, etc...
Pretty cool, looking into GSI I found out that UBPorts has their own definition of GSI. Man, I'm probably way in over my head, but it'd be cool to get ubuntu touch running on my old android phone.
I don't know what to say but the de Google or Apple thing just make life harder. On any privacy track free OSs, configurations are crazy. Not everyone knows configurations, most of the users want phones working right out of the box with daily usable apps(Gmail, outlook, back apps), I don't want to use browser to do that. Some Linux phones are even struggling to send MMS. My blackberry passport works even better than that. Just my two-cents. I have used Sailfish OS, Drodian, Ubuntu Touch(no VoLTE), so far only Sailfish OS can be used normally.
I don't know... I was one of the guys who switched to Google when they started and I heavily relay on their ecosystem in my personal life and my job since then... I've already switch to open source for most of my software and I'm planning to use linux, so my phone can wait... Also, I'm still gaining more than I'm loosing in their ecosystem (personally)... I'm not happy with how they bank on their monopoly but I still need a solid alternative to switch... But hey, more than willing to learn something new ;P
I've used it for the last couple of days, and it still has many problems. The App Lounge keeps crashing randomly, the mail client has no way to turn notifications off, the calculator lacks basic features like parenthesis, the launcher can't be configured at all and rearranging icons on it feels unintuitive and messy.
I just wonder how they managed to make phone pass safetynet and if it is working on every device. If they just used methods that are [i would say] "unofficial", then I am concerned that safetynet can stop passing at any time, because google may find a way to detect that this phone is passing safetynet by using some "hack". If, however, they somehow managed to talk to google and somehow do it officially, it would be very interesting.
Nice highlight, it may be that the Fairphone is my next go to device. 5 year warranty, well that is nice as I will have to import it regardless, but the alluring thing is the lack of glue and replaceable battery as well as easy access to the bootloader and less analness regarding the software. I was expecting to make a sacrifice regarding the camera on the phone, but it is nice to see that isn't the case either, only sacrifice I will have to accept is the loss of my pen on Note 9 and the ease of scribbling notes on the screen with it. But that pen isn't worth a dead expensive device because of the battery so there is that.
I am legally blind does the fair phone or EOS come with accessibility just like Google has the accessibility suite pre-installed and you can even run it while setting up the phone at the beginning?
this "DE-GOOGLE" term is very misleading, AOSP (the REAL stock android) doesn’t come with anything google to begin with. most people think pixels come with stock android, NO - thats not stock android. Pixels come with android thats bloated with Google. BTW, you don’t really need "EOS" to be out of google. most AOSP ROMS, even lineage dont have Gapps included.
No,even Stock android does. Because you can’t start the phone without login with your mail or any mail. It is communicating with your cell tower. You can side load apps but that’s a big no no since it could be a malware. There is one OS called Graphene OS which pure android with only open source part. It only works on pixel phones.
The Asus Zenfone 8 is my daily driver, a small phone with a high refreshrate oled, basically the smallest new android phone one can get these days. And it is on the supported list of murea / /e/OS. Sounds like it would be perfect for you.
Interestiing, if I can find a phone lying around that is semi-modern and compatible, might give this a shot. Am eager to ditch the google andriod shackles.
I was thinking about getting graphene OS but I like the phone selection of /e/os a lot better. Is MicroG as secure as the sandboxed google play services that graphene uses? I basically just don't want google spying on my location all the time.
Download Safing's Portmaster, or subscribe to the SPN, and take control of your network traffic: safing.io/portmaster
@@MrOrtmeier does it have easy selective unblocking? Like, I see that something is broken, go to the blocked log, and unblock just those addresses or filters for that client?
You should ask Sigma to sponsor a review of their re-mounting service, and change your 56mm to X-mount to work with your X-Pro3 ;-)
I have a fairphone .does it work on that ?
@@MrOrtmeier hey have you seen the beagle bone black it's very much like the rpi?
@@AndroidFerret yes i think that's what he was using
The best thing about this project is that they sell phones with this ROM preinstalled. That makes it accessible to normal people who care about privacy, as well as give people like us an easy way to financially support them. I think it's pretty difficult for open source developers to get paid for their work, which is one of the biggest things holding open source back.
one of the few companies actually releasing their os/roms for devices that they don't sell.
and also get warranty in return, which is also great
how does the small open source dev benefit if the phone seller gets the money?
I've been using E OS on a Samsung A5 2017 for over a year, very satisfied with the system. The battery lasts four times longer than the original system, in addition to the performance being much better
Yeah, battery life is amazing!
wow! That's impressive
shitty OS
I have the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra - I have no chance - unless I am prepared to delve deep into it. For an expensive phone no chance but when my contract is up in 18 months I may well have a look then!
Please reply sir .. can we use banking apps like Paytm, paypal, phone pay ..
This is what a degooglified android phone really needed, i hope this trend of a more sustainable and user friendly open software/hardware keeps growing, in time it can even compete with Microsoft and Mac, I hope to see the day such a dream come true.
Kiitos!
Very happy for the rise of non-big tech, privacy focused services. If Proton was a bit more robust I could probably get away with only needing Google for TH-cam...!
Me also ... I'm so happy to see this becoming more mainstream
But as far as I know, Android itself is owned by Google
I don't think you can escape from Google
@@-_wanderer it’s primarily maintained by google but since it’s open source we can check what they’ve added on the OS level not on what is added on top of android but with an entirely FOSS android fork then you’re primarily separated from google
if i was so worried about privacy i wouldnt probably be a techie
what do you exactly mean by more robust?
Honestly my only problem I still have with this is the iOS-knockoff UI. It really cheapens the experience a lot imo, they should just have used the stock Android UI and built off of that one instead. This knockoff UI is not just really inconsistent, it also makes the system look like a cheap Chinaphone. It's also not like stock is impossible to use for anyone who's not a techy and who used custom roms for years.
Yeah, fortunately you can install any launcher!
Yeah you can still use any launcher you want. You're not restricted, unlike ios.
Assuming it's open source (don't know for sure), you should be able to replace the assets with AOSP assets. If you wanted to get real fancy I'm sure you could figure out how the custom UI works and remove it. Once ur done just build and flash.
- someone who has never built or modified android
All phones are china phones 😂
@@happygofishing It does look like a chinese thing sure, but I think it's to make it simple for non power users who'll buy a murena phone. You know, not all ios lookalikes are some chinese bootleg thing. It's more appealing to beginners or tech illiterates to have a more simplified ui. For instance, my mom's phone looks similasr to the murena ui.
11:50 😂😂 "6.3 inches is too big.............! For a phone."
True though. Its hard to find smaller android phones these days.
mines 6.7 i think lol
@@crusadertwo239 that’s a big phone
@@nodraw_ yeah lol
@@nodraw_ absolutely, mine is 7" and you definitely need 2 hands...
Not directly related to the video, but one thing I've been thinking a lot about lately is how a properly supported gnu linux phone with modern-ish hardware could replace my computer for every task (except AAA gaming). For example, the hardware capabilities of my 2020 s20 fe are more than enough for my needs (ssh, python and R programming, browsing the web, editing documents, media consumption etc), but it is very lacking in the software side of things, though it's technically possible to use all of those even with android. I know this isn't the case for everyone, but i bet it is for most people, since most just browse the web and edit documents...
Good video btw
I love this rom!!! I have been using it for more than a year without problems except for banks applications. Unfortunately this update did not solve the problem =(
Ah weird, my banking app works with the update now!
@@TheLinuxEXP Thanks for the reply. When opening the application, it gives an error: a security risk has been detected on the device (ua599) (R:5)
At the moment I prefer to continue using this rom and not use the bank application
@@proyectosledar You can go to settings and then MicroG where you can test to see if SafetyNet works. It could be possible that you still have your bootloader unlocked or have rooted your device. There are workarounds to hide root and an unlocked bootloader from SafetyNet.
Thanks!
With the exception of using TH-cam, I literally have NO need for Google, Apple, Microsoft, Facebook/Meta or any other crap. I use a degoogled phone to text, email, call, IT managing and occasionally web browse. I have a total of 7 apps on my phone and not a single one came from GooglePlayStore.
I just got a new phone and want to unplug from the matrix
The problem with /e/ OS is that its just LineageOS (they've even been accused of stealing code from lineage without attribution) with your data being sent to a Nextcloud server on top. You're just trusting the /e/ foundation over Google vs using something like grapheneOS which doesn't send away all your data. Also, apps on graphene also work fine too
Im am not a expert, so watching lots of yt and reading comments. I am deciding between /e/os, calyx an graphene. How do you know /e/ is sending data? and graphene and calyx dont? Greetings
Is this only when using nextcloud? because i dont intend to use any cloud service at all.
I am honestly not a fan of /e/ OS, but I see why people like the simplicity of it and the ease of use. Personally I think lineage micro-g, iodé os and divest are more privacy suited. Lineage Micro G does include a full suite of aurora apps out of the box, iodé has the firewall app and divest just goes all foss even removing vendor blobs and drm (safetynet wont work obv).
Other notable privacy focused roms are Calyx OS, Copperhead OS and Graphene OS, but I dont know that much about those.
As for a small phone supported by /e/ OS, there is the Zenfone 8, which has the Qualcom Snapdragon 888, 5G and a 5.9' 120hz OLED screen, which is the smallest you can get in the high end range...
I hope you can get a glimpse on all of them and become a flashoholic, just as I am. :D
no a fan ? have yo found anything better ? for real ?
I don't understand how Lineage can be considered more privacy suited when /e/ OS is basically Lineage but with all Google services removed. Also I think that because /e/ OS is build around Murena cloud it effectively finally provides a simple realistic solution to be able to de-Google your phone without compromise. Can you explain to me why I'm wrong and why you think other options are more privacy suited?
@@theauthenticsteve Lineage doesnt ship with google services either, but nearly everyone installs gapps in addition to the rom. /e/ OS just adds in replacements for apps you would have to install yourself (and an iOS launcher). As I said, I dont see a significant difference to lineage micro g (not lineage os itself) from a privacy perspective.
Especially Divest is more privacy suited than others, since they apply their own security patches and remove precompiled proprietary stuff such as drm and some vendor blobs.
Hope I could clarify a bit.👍
@@NeoFutur7 depends on what you call better, more convinient for beginners? No. More privacy oriented? Yes. As I said especially Divest goes a little further when it comes to removing proprietary stuff.
none of these make wallet work, so im out.
all props aside, I find it hilarious that like you said, the developers of something as complex as an OS for phones didn't realize their naming makes it so hard to find on the internet.
Maybe that is the point, even the OS project can't be tracked online, but on the other hand... it is kinda shooting its own foot to be able to grow
Agree, I think they should consider renaming to Murena OS!
I guarantee you that Google & others have full-time employees whose job it is just to track the project.
I have Fairphone 4 and it was the Fair Trade certification and ability to buy parts online to make repairs that sold it for me. I consider myself a tech nerd too, I run my own cloud open source infrastructure and do other cool stuff that would be considered nerdy. I think changing your phone regularly is not about being a tech nerd, most people i know who does that - don´t even know what is an operating system.
A few months back I switched from my iPhone 12 to a Pixel 2 with e OS. From day one I didn't look back. It has been an awesome experience and I'm really glad to see they are continually making it easier to get a phone with e OS.
Some feedback I have, I wish they would use gesture controls by default, it took me a while to figure out how to switch to that. I think three button controls are pretty antiquated at this point, but that's just my perspective. I also think they should just call it Murena OS, I like how e is kind of cheeky but I think they would be better off with a name that isn't a Google reference, and Murena is a much more pronounceable and searchable name as well.
@Spender Hunchback battery life on the Pixel 2 with e OS is very good, considering the battery is five years old. It still lasts me until the evening every day. I'm not doing much power-hungry activities on my phone though so take that into account. WhatsApp works just fine for me.
What is the Google reference in "e"?
@@NawidN It's an upside down "G" 😛
I would love to get a degoogled phone but not understanding a word of tech jargon leaves me completely lost as to how I can make the switch. Unfortunately, this video didn't help me understand any better as I hoped it would. Is there any place one can go who is utterly tech illiterate to gain understanding so we can benefit from these products??? Any help would be appreciated as my phone is about to lose the screen so I need a new one ASAP!!
Thank goodness I've found your channel! The journey to extricate oneself from Google (and indeed Windows) is SO complicated... I have a Teracube from Murena on order and am seriously thinking of taking the Linux step - and am terrified... Ha ha
Now that the Teracube has arrived I'm less than impressed with the apps available: there are 3 radio apps, one doesnt work, one is encrusted in ads and the third reports back to Google... really???! And no banking that I could see... I shall have to dig deeper.............???
@@ecologicaladam7262 I’m surprise it is so crippled.
Oh yes, the perfect combo: teracube with its perfectly terrible hardware and /e/ that looks like a poorly rebranded LOS
10:58 I absolutely agree. Bring back them small flagship smartphones! Plus, what's with the full-hd+ resolutions? Seems like a dumb excuse to increase the amount of RAM, which further impacts battery life!
I just ordered a murena teracube 2e! I can't wait until it arrives 😊
I was just on the site looking at that but it's out of stock. Do you like it??
Perfect combo for the worst case scenario!
Love to see someone else that thinks >6in phones are way too big, I was worried I was just a weirdo
I'm not sure your choice in phone size can be used as the sole determining factor in your weirdo/not weirdo status.
That's fine, I like small phones too. We can be weird together.
@@duckrutt >6 means he likes big phones, unless i missed the context
@@JamesQHolden i thinkt he commenters saying they thought they where weird for thinking 6+ inch phones are to big
Its 100% usable and will save you a ton of battery, RAM, and storage space. The amount of overhead and privilege Google occupies on devices is incredible.
How does this compare to Calyx OS?
I wish fairphone would sell where I live, whenever I see reviews on it the cons are first world problems =/
Just buy a decently spec/flagship killer second hand or a second hand google pixel. Fairphones are just bad value personally, especially with the fairphone 5 now which Linus tech tips have covered.
How banking apps work on that OS? I have a Pixel 3 with lineage OS and banking accounts refuse to work because my phone is "rooted" -_- had to buy a separated phone just for banking apps, so annoying.
Depends on the Bank - Some Apps don't need any SafetyNet to work. But also microG replicates SafetyNet features which would permit some Banking Apps to work (which otherwise wouldn't).
Hello , have you tried Calyx Os ? I think it’s the better for now , I hope you can make a review about it
7:10 I've had issue with the Aurora store, just not having a functional search...
Which makes it borderline useless
"6.3 inches is too big, FOR A PHONE"
Ok, that got me right there 🤣
4.5 is still average,, right? 🤔
@@DANTHETUBEMAN yes, I like phone with smaller screen like iphone 5 or 6 used to be
Pretty good review, but you left out a couple important things. What would you use for navigation and maps? Does Android Auto work, or is there a replacement for that? Might not be important to a few people, but pretty much everyone i know uses Google Maps or Waze.
11:35 to 11:46 I'm curious. Does that DIP aka drop visual part of the camera get in the way of watching movies on that phone?
Or does it blend away...evenly like it appeared to have at around the 11:45 mark.
It's hidden when playing movies :)
Great review of e/os and what the options here are. Great video, love your work!
Surely you can still use some Google services by going through the browser? Same for Microsoft Live etc
I've been tempted to degoogle my phones in the past, but there are too many things I'd lose out on, not to mention the books and movies I've bought through them.
Hopefully one day we'll get a true competitor that highlights freedom and privacy.
In sweden everything works with a government authentication app and lineage alone made it unusable let alone /e/. Google, Microsoft and Apple have won. To get away from them is only a matter of how much convince you can let go
Microg works just fine with google apps, it doesn't have to be an all or nothing approach
Download those books and movies to your computer, then you can degoogle
There will be one to be aware of - EU supported rtos system but the privacy would be gone with the system..
@@fred-youtube that's the point. You always have to find an inconvenient work around
When I was a kid I had a super off brand tablet that ran Android 4.x but it had no Google Play Store or any other Google Services and the only way to get apps was to download APK files and that was actually how I figured out what APK files are. The Tablet was white and had a sunken in screen like it had borders that kind of blocked you from breaking the screen if you dropped it.
So the FP4 you got had the e os based on android 11? Mine is still based on 10. I guess I would need to flash my FP3 to get e os with the most recent android version.
Yeah that's the one they sent me! I think they now handle Android version upgrades, so maybe they don't have an Android 11 version for the FP3 yet?
@@TheLinuxEXP Yeah, I have to check that, thanks.
Edit: Both versions (Q and R) seem to be supported by the FP3. However, R only the dev version and Q the stable version. So it seems reasonable that they have not upgraded yet on the FP3, but I could try myself, if I wanted.
I did it for a week, can't do it anymore. Something just feels off about the whole E project rom. Lineage is my go-to.
I've got the Moto g pure running Android 11.
I love the idea of de Googleing my phone. This video was supper informative. Thank you for posting it.
Worst that being unsafe, is believing that you're safe while you're just a tiny bit less unsafe.
Excellent Review!!! The only thing that I am now trying to figure out is, "How do I backup my sms/text messages on my android phone, then load the /e/OS, then reload my sms/text messages?". So far, I have not been able to find this anywhere. I work in rugged, outdoor environments and therefore need a phone with a rugged, water/dust/shock-proof case and I do not see anyone making a case for the /e/OS phone. So, until such a case is made, I think that my only option is to keep my Samsung Note 9 with it's case, and load /e/OS onto it.
Merci. J'utilise Lineage sur un de mes téléphones portables mais est très limité dans les applications. Je vais donc tester e OS.
Just a few weeks ago, I convinced my mum to buy herself the fairpone 4. I looked into /e/ a bit then. Now it seams to be quite a bit more realistic to actually use it
It's really, really cool
You should install it for her, it has a simpler UI and no spying, if you're not good with custom roms, you can wait for their easy installer to support the FP 4
it's shit
@@fred-youtubehonestly im just going to stick with google lol
The accent colour and icon chooser are features of AOSP 11, so pretty much any 11 based ROM has it.
i wish we were able to install linux on any android based phone. gnome mobile looks amazing
Maybe 2023 will be the year of the Linux phone 😛
@@walking_on_earth i wish :)
Any way to delete TV startup page preinstalled apps??
My only thing with uninstalling all google services would be the Maps app. I use my phone's Google Maps somewhat often. Is there a solution for that? Like an app that uses google maps but hides you - basically one IP / account whatever providing maps service to many many users using it.
You can install Google Maps, but then it's going to track you :/
There are numerous decent alternatives - I use Organic Maps which has offline feature and works well for driving too. (Available on Play Store or F-Droid). Others include OpenMultiMaps, OpenTrail, OfflineMaps.
@@skug978 ok thx
thank you for making this video :) thank you for keeping this discussion going
I have a Lenovo Yoga 7i 16gb i7 that dual boots win11 and Ubuntu :)... Do you have a video going over your setup? What phone do you use every day? 😊
The IP spoofing, alternative app store, and tracker blocking features are nice to have, but how do they work in the background?
1. Using a unknown 3rd party service? 2. The same Google Play app just reskinned? 3. Routing traffic via unknown servers?
Try CalyxOS, I've been using it for a few months with few problems. It's very stable and well supported (and a lot safer than e/os which doesn't have a locked bootloader).
if only the locked bootloader was the only reason for its poor security....
I wonder what you think of Razer Phone 2? 5.7" 120Hz Igzo with WQHD (2K) screen, excellent stereo speakers and decent Sony camera sensors. There is e/OS for that.
Honestly, we as the public should be working together to make our own alternatives to Google, many of us already having software skills that can make compatible operating systems to this hardware, in the public can develop a joint community in making this, and that would mean that not only would our operating systems be more stable, but that they would be more advanced than Google's system, because the public are developing precisely the things consumers want rather than large corporations trying to milk the economy by only making micro changes and resetting devices to their full price points.
I have just flashed /e/ os onto a Xperia Z2 and so far I really like it! Thanks for the video!
Can /e/ OS connect to the car with android auto or similar? It's very important for me.
What about Calyx OS ?
wonder if you would be able to do this on the PocketBook InkPad Color 3 E-Book Reader (eInk and some ppl say it runs on Linux)?
why is there no video tutorial for lineageOS for beginners?
"make smaller phones, you cowards!"
That's the best point ever!🤠
I wanted to try it, but due to my job I needed a rugged phone, maybe I will give it a try next time I will change
You can buy a case for the Fairphone
@Jack Halem well, my solution was to buy a large rugged phone 😅
It's a deal... Not the best solution due to the SOC I have, but I can't stand it 🤣
Still I can't believe in my dreams phone 🤣
What is the status of Android Car and GPS navigation on /e/ OS ???
I tried degoogling my life... but integrated navigtion in the car is a must for me.
9:28 I just installed the new /e/ os update 1.0 a few days ago, but for me it's still running with Android 10. Does somebody know how I can upgrade /e/ os to use Android 11 aswell?
Depends on your phone, I think. Some have the update and some don't yet
@@TheLinuxEXP Thank you for your reply. I'm using a Fairphone 3, but I hope I get the new update soon. :-)
I have android 11 with /e/ os 1.0
I had some issues with my Huawei phone without Google services.
1. TH-cam, Google maps, Google translate,etc only have limited features via web browser
2. Apps that rely on Google services to push for notification, eg. Microsoft Teams has very delayed notifications
3. Some apps that rely on Google locations won't work.
Looks like Murena is selling refurbished Pixel 5 phones with /e/OS out of the box.
Would love to see you cover that -- seems like it checks all the boxes (small-ish, de-googled, 90Hz display).
How do push notifications work?? As an app dev I have to use firebase for cloud messaging to push to the users device
You get all notifications thanks to microG
can you make a comparison video of /e/ os with CalyxOS, granpheneOS and others?
There's an open source app called warden that does a lot of tracker features that Eos has built in , for anyone not using eos
Thank you for the review. Looks like the rom is coming along nicely.
This is my next phone (unless my current phone lasts until FairPhone 5 comes out).
The only part that is a bummer regarding the FairPhone is that they don't sell it in the US. I wish I could get something like that.
DON'T FORGET THE GSI
you can use it even if your phone is NOT listed as supported, by using the GSI!
GSI (generic system image) works on all phones (with unlocked bootloaders of course), that shipped with android 8.0 or later, utilizing the a/b partitioning and stuff, since all the drivers are in the "system" image, independent of the OS, with a common API, the only problem is updating those drivers...but the OS itself can update anytime!
it's incredible step to allow more OSs, since even if you have a not-popular-with-modders phone, you can get a custom OS, without having to manually figure out where the drivers are and how to port them over, etc...
Pretty cool, looking into GSI I found out that UBPorts has their own definition of GSI. Man, I'm probably way in over my head, but it'd be cool to get ubuntu touch running on my old android phone.
The pixel 5 looks like its supported and its pretty small with a 90 hertz screen, i wonder why you dont use that one? 15:30
Hello! I have a question. Someone knows if strava works on E/os ?
You could use the gsi image
Does contactless payments work?
I can't go back to using plastic payment cards.
I don't know what to say but the de Google or Apple thing just make life harder. On any privacy track free OSs, configurations are crazy. Not everyone knows configurations, most of the users want phones working right out of the box with daily usable apps(Gmail, outlook, back apps), I don't want to use browser to do that. Some Linux phones are even struggling to send MMS. My blackberry passport works even better than that. Just my two-cents. I have used Sailfish OS, Drodian, Ubuntu Touch(no VoLTE), so far only Sailfish OS can be used normally.
so how do you go about side loading this onto an oculus quest? Some people have managed to get android running in a vm on that hardware
I've been using huawei tablet for 2 months now ofc without GMS, i'm happy to say that everything still works fine, web based apps really helps
I don't know... I was one of the guys who switched to Google when they started and I heavily relay on their ecosystem in my personal life and my job since then... I've already switch to open source for most of my software and I'm planning to use linux, so my phone can wait... Also, I'm still gaining more than I'm loosing in their ecosystem (personally)... I'm not happy with how they bank on their monopoly but I still need a solid alternative to switch... But hey, more than willing to learn something new ;P
I've used it for the last couple of days, and it still has many problems. The App Lounge keeps crashing randomly, the mail client has no way to turn notifications off, the calculator lacks basic features like parenthesis, the launcher can't be configured at all and rearranging icons on it feels unintuitive and messy.
great but the MyT from toyota is still not working... always crashes
What about contactless payment?
I just wonder how they managed to make phone pass safetynet and if it is working on every device.
If they just used methods that are [i would say] "unofficial", then I am concerned that safetynet can stop passing at any time, because google may find a way to detect that this phone is passing safetynet by using some "hack". If, however, they somehow managed to talk to google and somehow do it officially, it would be very interesting.
Nice highlight, it may be that the Fairphone is my next go to device.
5 year warranty, well that is nice as I will have to import it regardless, but the alluring thing is the lack of glue and replaceable battery as well as easy access to the bootloader and less analness regarding the software.
I was expecting to make a sacrifice regarding the camera on the phone, but it is nice to see that isn't the case either, only sacrifice I will have to accept is the loss of my pen on Note 9 and the ease of scribbling notes on the screen with it.
But that pen isn't worth a dead expensive device because of the battery so there is that.
Fairphone still not available in the USA. Not fair!
As a huawei user, i see this as an absolute win
Do you have an episode about the Google alternatives you implied early in the episode?
I am legally blind does the fair phone or EOS come with accessibility just like Google has the accessibility suite pre-installed and you can even run it while setting up the phone at the beginning?
this "DE-GOOGLE" term is very misleading, AOSP (the REAL stock android) doesn’t come with anything google to begin with. most people think pixels come with stock android, NO - thats not stock android. Pixels come with android thats bloated with Google. BTW, you don’t really need "EOS" to be out of google. most AOSP ROMS, even lineage dont have Gapps included.
No,even Stock android does. Because you can’t start the phone without login with your mail or any mail. It is communicating with your cell tower. You can side load apps but that’s a big no no since it could be a malware. There is one OS called Graphene OS which pure android with only open source part. It only works on pixel phones.
@@satyamevajayate7263wrong.
@@thepinktreeclubhow do?
The Asus Zenfone 8 is my daily driver, a small phone with a high refreshrate oled, basically the smallest new android phone one can get these days. And it is on the supported list of murea / /e/OS. Sounds like it would be perfect for you.
why do they never offer encryption on your device before transfer to the cloud
I installed e/os on my galaxy s9, but for some reason, the galaxy wearables won't work 🤔
How does it pass SafetyNet if it's a custom ROM? Hardware attestation check would make it fail.
Wish I could use, but it seems that the latest Galaxy S series phone they support is the S9, guess I'll have to stick with another option then
How is it now? One year later.
which bands does it cover?
This is what I've been waiting for! Both E OS and Fairphone! Also, és de Portugal ou Brazil?
De Francia :)
Thank you for those videos! Always neat and to the point!
Interestiing, if I can find a phone lying around that is semi-modern and compatible, might give this a shot. Am eager to ditch the google andriod shackles.
I was thinking about getting graphene OS but I like the phone selection of /e/os a lot better. Is MicroG as secure as the sandboxed google play services that graphene uses? I basically just don't want google spying on my location all the time.
Sounds like you are wanting to try the pixel 5 its smaller a 90hz screen and it looks like it is supported by /e/
Hmmm maybe!
I did this a few years ago, life was a pain back then.
Would you say this is better than lineage OS / micro G / LS posed?
What about Authenticator apps from Google and Microsoft? Has there been a replacement?
There are tons of third party ones, I personally use Authy