When someones says «why do i care, i got nothing to hide» i normally just ask them if i can have their phone password and have a look around. Its really effective
*Laughs at me actually giving said phone password* No, seriously. That said, I have 2 phones for a reason lol, and the 2nd phone never goes out of my room.
I used to do the same but since im old, I went with SSN or tax return and just loved when the answer was no and I asked why and they answered cause its personal and none of my business. Always put a nice smile on my face to hear that. Some figured it out but most were oblivious that they own themselves.
"Why concerned with all this if you have nothing to hide?" Tell that to the person who was asked by their doctor to take pictures of their kid's issue but for what reason I can recall. And then lose everything google related for having those pictures in his phone cause someone went thru his phone, called the police on him and cancelled all his services.
But he gave Google Photos permission to upload those photos, which he could have turned off on any regular Android phone. So grapheneos doesn't do anything special to stop that that regular android cannot
@@LowJSamuel yeah he did, which is why we need to inform more people about the right to privacy. (Instead of having gfs with all the perms and no way to remove them)
The worst part is even AFTER the guy was cleared of wrongdoing by the police, Google still decided to "stand by their decision." This is why privacy matters. Everything can be taken away from you in an instant.
@@LowJSamuel By uploading *anything* to google photos as a new user, you're agreeing to the terms of service. In those terms of service it gives google the right to surrender any images depicting child abuse to the police. Do they tell you that when using the service for the first time? No. Is the user informed *at all* that this can happen during normal usage? No. Just because it's in the TOS, doesn't mean it's fair to the consumer. Having the option AND it being disclosed is the ideal.
I find it hilarious how the average person doesn't know shit about how software works and how it's designed, but they immediately turn around and try and defend the privacy invasion and inconvenience these companies force on their customers. The average consumer needing "opt out" for all these permissions without that being clear is also kind of predatory for these tech giants. They know the people are clueless, so they do whatever they can.
I also really hate how many apps nowerdays just refuse to start up if you deny them any permissions they demand. Really gives back control to the user as it boils down to the old options: look at the demand list and if you dont like it dont install it. Great.
Average person doesn't understand how software works because certain media organisations engage in subterfuge to give them false information to sell their narratives & are not honest about the realities of hacking. When I showed non-tech people the following video, they freaked out just how easily their "digital life" could be quickly compromised, see th-cam.com/video/fHhNWAKw0bY/w-d-xo.html
@@invalid8774 They’re called clickwraps and they’ve been here for a long time. Unfortunately they’re completely legal and there’s absolutely nothing we can do about it.
It's good to see this covered. I switched to a privacy focused rom with no GSF months ago and have been slowly spoofing my way to normality again. Google is truly the cancer that has been killing Android. Once you drop Google, so many little annoyances disappear.
What do you think about using TH-cam. You said that you got rid of google, but still write it on TH-cam which belongs to it. Clearly there is no escape.
@@frankwren8215 What browser do you use? I use brave, but only on my pc which has Linux on it. I want to make my phone more secure, because I'm typing it from TH-cam app.
@@frankwren8215that doesn’t make any sense, ur still using a google service regardless if on the app or web. Also, aint it a bit ironic saying google is the cancer when they built android to where it is today? And the Pixels excellent secure hardware? But sure google is the cancer right?
People are just not bothered no matter how much information is being collected. Last year in India WhatsApp rolled out some pretty serious privacy violating policies yet most people were not ready to change to other apps like Telegram or Signal, which offer the exact same service. Such is the inertia with people.
Most people dont have time or care about these things because they most likely have more important things they need to take care of in their life (like raising children)
I can already see Google if Graphene OS gets popular. User: attempts to run Play services in sandbox Google: for security reasons we cannot let you run Play services in sandbox mode
again, we need more videos like this. Calling out genuine improvements and pro-consumer businesses, or even just business practices. It's easy to whale on apple and whatnot, but the simple reality is the solution to the issue is consumer education. Get people to start buying based on how pro-consumer the product actually is, get people thinking about the fact that some products DON'T actively screw you over.
My best bet with misconception about uber/banking apps not working is that it came from rooting your phone, which causes SafetyNet to trip and since most banking apps check it to make sure the software wasn't modified in any way, they will no longer work due to safety concerns So people now think that if you modify any part of your system, everything will stop working immediately At least that's my best (worst) guess
With unlocked bootloader you are not able to use some applications even with default OS (like google pay/related, games with extreme anti-cheat, etc) I've dealt with this
It's actually because GrapheneOS didn't always have the ability to install Google Play services. And without those services, some apps totally or partially just don't work. That's why GrapheneOS got a reputation for having bad app compatibility. But like Louis showed, Google Play (and the apps that depend on it) can be used no problem these days. (And it's in the ordinary unpriviliged app sandbox, meaning you can opt-in and remove its permissions, etc.)
@@starkle how well does GrapheneOS perform on general? A while back, Techlore showed that GrapheneOS was much slower than stock Android and CalyxOS. But if things are better now, I'd be interested in maybe trying out Graphene again
@@oofyeetmcgee The only real prominent performance difference was the far slower initial app launches, which was the result of the Pixel 3's inferior chip (which Techlore tested with). The Pixel 3 line isn't even supported anymore, and the difference is unnoticeable on newer hardware. And even so, there is a setting to disable the security feature that causes the slower app launch if you really care.
My biggest issue with adopting graphene OS is that they only officially support in lifecycle phones and I always buy pixel phones late due to budgetary constrictions so by the time I get my phone it's no longer getting security updates from graphene OS because they follow the official security update schedule that Google provides
I understand the frustration, I am using a Pixel 3a which is EOL as well. However, there is not much point in getting GrapheneOS security updates if you're not getting firmware security updates. Fortunately the situation of getting only 3 years of security updates has improved with the newer pixels, where you'll get at leasst 5 years.
@@positivemelon7578 Operating system security patches are better than nothing at all for security updates even if the vender goes unpatched. Protects you from less sophisticated attacks like tap jacking
Well if you're going to use an old insecure outdated phone anyways, its still better if that phone is running an older version of GrapheneOS than an older version of the stock OS.
So far, minus giving up a microSD slot with the Pixel 5, with GrapheneOS and the settings changes, this is just like a normal phone. This is fantastic, thank you so much for doing this video, Louis!
I agree with your boss. I returned my Pixel 6a after a day of use and went back to my 4a. The 6a feels terrible in the hand. And my hands are not small. edit> I installed CalyxOS on my Pixel 4a nearly six months ago, but went back to Android because of how microG worked (it's still privileged) . Now that I understand that Graphene sandboxes Google services, I may give it a try. Thank you, Louis!
One of the things that really opened my eyes was when I installed Pi-Hole and saw that every single time I unlocked my phone, it made a call home to Google's servers. One of my favorite things to do now is when I have friends over, open up network calls to from their phone on my TV so they can see how often it talks about what they are doing.
For anyone using the Pixel 6a: After you have initially updated your phone with all the latest security updates, you will need to factory reset the phone before starting the graphene install process. This will allow the OEM unlock feature to be available. If you don't factory reset after updating the phone the OEM unlock will be greyed out. This only seems to be for the 6a and not the 6, 6 pro or 7 phones. I also couldn't get windows update to install the fastboot patch so I had to manually download the pixel USB driver from google and update the driver via windows device manager. There are more detailed instructions for this on the graphene install instructions page. FYI using type-c USB 3 port on my laptop meant flashing the OS was super fast (only a few mins). Great vid:-) , thanks !
As someone who has brought up support for multiple devices throughout the years, this is bringing back my enthusiasm to get back to making new "custom ROMs" for people. Google is too deeply imbedded into OEM android operating systems constantly data mining. Aaaaaaand GrapheneOS is open source! Yeaaaa that's gonna happen on my OnePlus Nord N200 5G in the not so distant future.
I am a GrapheneOS user and can agree with everything you said 100%. I am SO happy a TH-camr with your reach did a video on this. GrapheneOS should be the norm, not the outlier. Keep it up Louis and thank you.
Maybe you can upload a STEP BY STEP tutorial for the rest of us because all the friggin ones I could find skip so much stuff I couldn't figure it out.. I'm frustrated as hell trying to get thsi stuff to work... and I need to be spoon fed
I've been running GrapheneOS full time for over a year now. Was initially concerned about usability so held onto another phone running stock Android at first, but over time the graphene phone has completely replaced it. Runs everything I need it to and the lack of bloatware/incentive to avoid invasive apps has the added benefit of keeping me from staring at my phone so much.
they even call it graphene....i was imagine how real graphene will react to phoneradiation....and this os calls themselfs grapheneOS...better dont touch it, just by the fact craphene is reacting to smartphoneradiation
I hate how practically no phone will give you every little feature you want, you have to compromise somewhere, even though these flagships can cost more than a decent computer, I've come to kinda accept it though and just keep multiple phones for different uses, for example my LG is a media/music device, so at some point I may consider getting a pixel as my travel phone.
@@YounesLayachi It's ok, but I actually like their ROG gaming phones better, no notch, heard nice things about the front facing speakers and the novel feature of dual usb ports and a massive battery, so yeah that or Sony are just about the only flagships I'll even consider these days.
@@YounesLayachi Yeah true, I don't mind large phones if they're actually comfortable to hold though, I had a OnePlus 7 Pro and it hurt my fingers with its super thin curved edges.
Thanks for this. I’ve been thinking about picking up a Pixel 7 and loading GrapheneOS - and giving it a run in comparison to my iPhone. Great information, Louis!
Having a secure, private OS is a big step for privacy but keep in mind even if the OS/apps don't spy on you, your location can be triangulated to within 50ft with ANY phone since the phone must communicate with (ping) the cell towers constantly. If you need privacy (whether for good or bad reasons) either (1) use a burner phone not in your name (duh) or (2) turn off the phone and place in a faraday pouch ** however the accelerometer may still be active and recording movement from your last known position. The latter method is the reason I believe manufactures don't make batteries removable for phones made in the last 5+ years - yes it makes the phones thinner, but now you don't know what circuits are being powered even when it's "OFF" it can still spy on you. Some privacy centric phones include hardware switches to turn off the individual sensors - mic, camera, accelerometer, etc. Again, using ANY phone is a privacy risk if it connects to a public network.
@@Gustavo-wt4qq Yes, better BUT Wifi will give away your activity too. Wifi + VPN is a bit better, but ultimately it's what websites you connect to - best to use a pseudonym for posting on social sites, YT, Google, MSN, etc if you want better privacy. It's also the info you give away that matters. Clear cookies or use incognito mode too.
i wouldn't spend more then 30 dollars on a smartphone, and i don't expect very serious levels of privacy or security because i use the phone outside for the most part. my android phone has no sim card, i just use WIFI. honestly i would prefer to have a smartphone when outside.
Thank you to OP and everyone in this thread. I personally keep in mind bug-out options for witness protection type reasons (different situation similar idea) so this info is very valuable regarding phone tracing. So thank you
Thank you for promoting stuff like this. I use lineageOS and it works great for me. It's not as polished or private as graphene but still way better than stock oxygenOS Edit: and really thank you for telling to remove the Google play services the permissions, I forgot to do that
Would Futo be able to help the GrapheneOS team talk to a phone hardware creator, like PinePhone, to work on creating a device that is secure enough? I can't give up my Sansung Galaxy S10e, I love the size, headphone jack, SD card, and durability it has given me.
We'd love to find a hardware vendor open to creating something that includes the security features in the pixel, has microSD and headphone jack, to have them work with this team. I understand the money is not there for most people to do that on the level necessary for it to be viable, but it's on Eron's radar and a major interest of us all. louis@rossmanngroup.com , my email is always open if you have a lead. The hardware can't suck though.
Same, I have a Samsung Galaxy S7 which I absolutely love, I've had a S21 & I currently have a pixel 4a running GrapheneOS but I still continue to daily drive my S7 because its just a phone I love. Obviously done what I can with ADB to make it more private but it ain't GrapheneOS levels of privacy & security that's for sure.
=SONY XPERIA 5 IV..........I'VE GOT XPERIA 5 II SO I CAN RECOMMEND AS HAVE CONFIDENCE...EVERYTHING IS ON PLACE LIKE U WANT............AND PURE ANDROID..........SO COULD'VE BE CHANGED ON GRAPHENEOS,I THINK ......ONLY PROBLEM I'VE GOT IS ABOUT HOLES ON DYNAMIC AND MICROPHONE ARE GETTING DIRTY,BUT THAT'S HOW I'M USING IT
The easiest way to explain Pixel phones : They only have Google spying and they allow removing that. Every other phone has Google spying + Samsung spying and Facebook spying and Microsoft and .. and they don't allow removing any of that
As far as I managed to find, GrapeneOs will not pass SafetyNet check and as such many apps will not work or will work in reduced capabilities - even with Google play framework installed. Im talking things such as Google Pay - requires unrooted, safety net passing device(or spoofed to think it is), Netflix and other streaming will not work or work with Widevine L3 instead of L1 giving worse quality of content. Can't confirm that's the case 100% but it seems to be from my "research"
GrapheneOS sounds like a cool project. With the walking/running/cycling/driving thing, that I feel is something useful. For example if I were driving and there was a collision on my route, for maps to be able to detect people moving through it on a bike and be able to distinguish that from cars, it would be more accurate as to whether the collision has been cleared or not and re-calculate best routes accordingly. My thought process is that I see it as a network and I am willing to partake in because it gives me (and others) the best service possible. So I give my data and everyone benefits from me being a little statistical data point, however small. As a developer I understand the value to the users in having these kinds of statistics. I can't imagine how poor Google maps would be if not for the insane amount of data that is continually processing so it has an accurate picture of traffic for example. People need to participate in order for it to work. I'm happy to be one of those people. But I do think it's nice to use open source software that's gives you lower level control.
@Hoxton more importantly, it won't unless other manufacturers meet the same level of security as Google, which is never gonna happen. Graphene said they are collaborating with some unnamed OEM to meet those criteria but it's a wish and we have yet to see it work
@Hoxton nah my Realme C3 after installing Lineage OS, it worked fine. Then out of curiosity, I tried to relock the device, it bricked. I eventually got the device working after reflashing it back to its original ROM.
I couldn't agree more! I got a new Pixel 6 about 6 weeks ago and have been using GrapheneOS as my only mobile OS since. I have no complaints - I love it! I also love that you've awarded them with a Legendary grant! That's awesome! If I had the means to do likewise, I absolutely would.
I was on the fence on usability (and not wanting to buy new hardware yet) but this really puts some of those issues at ease. Also to get ready for when I do get a pixel is to begin moving to digital minimalism so that i dont get "vendor locked" by some random app that is ultimately unimportant in my life goals.
I have been running GrapheneOS as my daily driver on my Google Pixel 4 for years, and I can tell you that it has been an impeccably smooth experience. Updates are consistent, I have not needed to worry about trackers or any similar nonsense as the OS makes it perfectly clear what tracking happens if at all and I am asked if I want to disable it before it even starts happening which is wonderful for me. It also has allowed my Pixel 4 to outlive the standard Google support for the device meaning I will get feature updates for longer than the stock OS. The phone's been thrown in the mud, submerged in water, and I've personally repaired every issue that has come up on the device and the thing essentially looks and runs like it was the day I got it (although I'm coming up on needing a battery replacement soon).
Thanks for the video. The main reason why I don't use GrapheneOS and other alternatives to Google's Android is the fact that the camera app that comes with stock ROM has certain optimizations that can only be used on stock ROM. Therefore by not using the stock ROM you basically accept that the camera will output considerably worst pictures and videos than the stock app.
I don't need Google's data to figure out where you are. You're in your chair, in Texas... Haha, cheers! And thanks for sharing and educating us, as always.
@@rossmanngroup You do know about the power BS in Feb '21, and how the state allowed predatory price gouging happen with nat gas, right? We have our own different kinds of stupid here. Usually better (definitely better than NY), but still plenty of stupid to go around. :) No escaping humanity
@@rossmanngroup You might not say that if you were pregnant and a rape victim or with an unviable pregnancy forced to carry it to term. Texas is a whole other level of stupid. They should secede so the world can see how living in Texas would be like living in islamic state. Hope you don't get shot.
While I love the mission that GrapheneOS is on, its limitation to Google Devices (while justified) is what keeps me from using it. Until it's available for more devices, I'll keep my eyes on Android Forks for devices I'm actually interested in (like /e/OS and SailfishOS - Though Sailfish has basically the same problem, but for Sony Phones).
Most of them don't really offer security improvements though, they just remove google so there is no on device tracking & use the standard security from AOSP (which is still really good). GrapheneOS stands out above all the other privacy OS's as the undisputed champion.
@@Zaptosis Yeah, being able to run it on the devices I already have would be super useful. But I can't see creating more e-waste and paying a huge bill just for a newer phone, when my current one does still work perfectly fine.
@@HappyBeezerStudios Thats fair, I actually have a GrapheneOS phone but I still use a Samsung Galaxy S7 running the stock os lol. However I heavily gutted the tracking using ADB to remove a bunch of bloat & spyware. Is it private? Mostly. Is it secure? Hell no, but I love the phone & am willing to accept that risk. Plus I doubt I'll be targeted by a state hacking company. When this phone is truly unusable, then I'll switch to GrapheneOS, I'm just not a fan of the current line up of pixels. Too big. I'm waiting for a good in screen fingerprint reader & an under display camera. When that technology is available is when I plan to switch my daily driver. Luckily some Chinese companies are already making phones with under display cameras so I'm guessing 1 - 3 years for Google to do it. Durring that time I'm more than happy to continue using my Galaxy S7, love that phone.
oh Man i always wanted to try the Sailfish OS even when it first came out. And funily enough i also love Sony phones lol. They have been trash for a while after their fall from grace but recently i absolutely love their conservative and different approach. Sadly tho Sailfish works only on the midranger Xperia 10 series while i am using the Xperia 5 III so i can't try it. Tho I have seen a review of Sailfish OS recently and seems like the OS is a bit too much stuck in the past these days, it struggles with features that android struggled back in gingrebread days. It has problems like slow webview and laggy scrolling of everything and battery life isn't the best. To this day i don't get why canonical abandoned Ubuntu Touch. It felt like it got so far and if they continued it could have been usable today. Seeing the other linux being developed to work for phones now and the hype around it, it just makes me sad.
Was on the fence before this video. Now I am sold. Hope my experience is a good one. Thanks for taking the time to make this video. If it works well for me, I will share with others as well.
this sounds like a privacy nuts(me) wet dream....only problem is weve been conditioned to share everything for so long, that i dont even begin to know what type of data id want to secure from google and the rest of the eyes. the stuff i dont want other people to see is already secure, aside from stopping invasive metadata idk what id hide.
Just make two profiles. The main profile has google play not given network access, location, and scanning turned off. Give the second one everything on. Then just switch back and forth between "Location and data sharing on" and "Location and data sharing off" as you need them. At least having control over it.
Do you really think Google is incapable of putting a hardware back door on their phones? If you don't trust Google software, why would you trust Google hardware?
BTW, MAC randomization has been a feature of Android since version 10 I believe. I've used it on my Pixels and Samsungs and am using it now. I'd give GrapheneOS a try if it wasn't for Knox and my locked bootloader
I would be curious to hear more about why you're so confident in the security of the pixel hardware, both from a feature perspective and a back door perspective. You're definitely more qualified than me on that.
I know Samsung is just as bad, but I've excluded the pixel phones from any consideration due to it being associated with Google. This has changed my mind and my next phone will likely be a pixel explicitly because of this operating system. Thank you, Louis.
Samsung are much worse it's not even comparable. On a Samsung phone you're BOUND to use the default software and it comes with Google services, Samsung services, Facebook services, Microsoft apps, and a bunch of other apps. Basically all the tech giants spy on you. While on a pixel it's only Google and you can easily get rid of that
Buy a Google phone to get away from Google... The OS looks really cool, but I don't know if I want to downgrade my Galaxy S8+ to something that doesn't even have a headphone jack or SD card slot so I can use it.
@@chitlitlah Exactly. As cool as GrapheneOS is, my phone will always have a headphone jack and a full screen (no hole punches, notches, or other cutouts allowed). Every phone on the GrapheneOS support list fails that test, meaning I'm not buying those phones and in turn not using GrapheneOS. I don't even care. I'll just run an old, unsupported phone into the ground. And then buy another one off eBay. The phone industry cannot have my headphone jack, ever.
@@mjc0961 I mean I just use a USB-C earphones. But it is annoying if I have to move my laptop over to my vintage hifi as my phone doesn't have an analogue output which could've been used easily :( Not sure what other uses there are for a basic analogue port.
Been using GraphineOS for about a month and a half now, and I absolutely love it. I've had no problems with it, it's 100% just as usable as Google Android, and is fast and clean, and gives me much better control over my mobile life, as well as improved security and privacy!
This does help clear up a lot of misconceptions and makes a solid argument for the OS... outside of the fact that I'd need to fork over in the neighborhood of a grand, to Google themselves no less, for a phone that can run the damn thing. I could get an Index VR headset with all the trimmings for that much! If this ever becomes available for more budget phones I'll be on it like Doritos dust on fingertips, but I have my limits for what I'm willing to spend on a device that'll be unusable after a few years anyway because of the planned obsolescence of one of its many components.
I installed CalyxOS on the Google Pixel 3 XL that I got as a gift for my girlfriend to see if she'd be able to find any issues. Only issue thus far is that Mortal Kombat wasn't able to work and that the phone came with a camera that wouldn't focus since it was used (that I'm going to repair in about a week). I don't think that people understand that you're not actually giving up any functionality by going with a non-stock operating system, the big ones all work just fine and are fully functional (and are free!).
Jup, back in Android 4 days when I switched from Samsungs laggy touchwiz to an unofficial Lineage build (including oc kernal and built-in root) I left no functionality behind. Everything worked absolutely the same. No wait, it didn't. The system ran better and was on a newer OS version. So it was quite the improvement.
@@HappyBeezerStudios That is the thing tho. It used to be like that. It's not anymore. Before the android skins were usually unnecessary and slowed the system down. The pure android looked better and ran better and had less bloatware. Today tho ? The stock android is considered the barebones android and the best version of android is considered OneUI with it's features and everything. Not even talking about how back then unlocking your bootloader was no big deal. Nowdays Samsung disables the Knox layer for good so no encryption and security features for you even if you install the stock rom back. I think they even disable the cameras as well today. Also with almost every custom rom you don't get as good drivers as you have on stock and what suffers the most from this is the Camera, the quality is just not as good and that is a big problem for a lot of people. Also safety net is a big thing. If your device won't pass, a lot of apps won't work that well. And btw evn if it all still works, you do realise that like ninety percent of all apps on google playstore uses google's firebase codebase that has tracking built in anyway right ? If you don't want to get spied on you have to go full open source sadly.
I really hope the GrapheneOS is adapted to other devices as Pixel isnt accessible in other areas of the world. Kinda curious if google books, games, and other content can still be usable.
there's literally a faq page on it, stating that if you want it on something else, its up to you, or the community to port it. they're sticking to pixels for the forseeable future, unless someone manages to come out with something the dev team likes better. moving away from google by supporting google via buying phones from them seems a bit counterproductive.
I chose iphone 12 mini. Used it for a year. Apple then decided that I don't need a 3G network. He turned off the option to choose a 3G network on IOS 16. It's the same as when the car manufacturer cancels your third gear. We decided that you don't need it anymore... My phone works perfectly on the 3G network. The network is empty and has no load. To make things crazy, there is also a 2G network here. 5g does not exist and as far as I can see, it will not appear soon. I wasted a lot of time to restore the phone to 15.7. unsigned firmware . Somehow managed to install . That arrogant behavior from Aple really annoys me. I left Android only because of google play services. Greetings from Serbia Louis Your channel is excellent. I appreciate your work ! Thanks
If I had the money and connections for the right equipment I'd get an IMEI catcher to test and see if Pixel hardware attempts surveillance at a firmware level. Unfortunately a study has not been done on this yet.
I think Google figures it's fine to let a relatively minor group of people escape the net as long as they get to make money off the phones and get free security research so people will never be able to crack a phone with a locked boot loader
honestly most phones would have some sort of backdoor probably requested by the govt to put there or somthing, probably at firmware or bootloader level, something similar to what intel management engine is, it has unrestricted hardware level access and is all closed source
Graphene is awesome, big props to the devs. Personally I use "e OS" made by the e Foundation for similar reasons. It is a fork of Lineage so it works on more devices. It is not as secure as Graphene but it does have similar privacy benefits. Maybe when I get a newer phone I will switch to Graphene.
I first thought about how to make something completely private as soon as you put a sim in it but I realized there are some things that can’t be as easily controlled and bypassed yet. I installed graphene after watching your other videos about it, can’t wait to see what good android is
headphone jack is one of the core things for me, and i cannot imagine using a phone without it. hoping google caves in and re-adds the headphone jack at least for one of the next budget models (like idk 7a or whatever the next pixel phone is) cause when they do that i might actually seriously consider buying one as an upgrade to my current phone (not that i need an upgrade realistically, im doing just fine, the phone works just fine, but given its a xiaomi phone its a privacy nightmare. yes im saying im been backed into a corner where to use my phone i need to give up a lot of my privacy. the way i go about this right now is using blokada and using as little google services as possible - aurora store, f-droid, florisboard, youtube vanced, microg, etc, tho i am aware its nowhere near as private as graphene)
I honestly doubt it, the majority of consumers have already caved and bought wireless earbuds so Google, Samsung, and Apple have already won this fight.
I get it with the headphone jack, but if you haven't yet, I'd try a pair of "True Wireless" earbuds. They've come a long way -- unless you are on them literally all the time, you never have to charge them (since their case is the charger), and they don't have any stuff dangling around your neck or ears unless you specifically want it. Connection issues seem to be a thing of the past as well. I used to demand access to a headphone jack as well, but I haven't used wired headphones since going true wireless 3+ years ago.
The lack of a headphone jack is an inconvenience, but easy to work around. I use a USB-C-to-headphone-jack dongle. While this isn't ideal, it is good enough.
It won't. There is zero beenfit to companies to NOT get your data and the vast majority of people don't give a shit. Privacy is dead, unless we have a total blackout we lost this one.
You missed the best part, way better battery life. With location services actually off until you turn them on now, it isn't constantly draining your battery. Not to mention all of the other spy services from other apps now disabled or heavily frustrated. You also hit the next best part. Lots of updates. When I first switched to graphene 1-2 years ago, outlook and PayPal didn't work. Both were fixed and working withing two weeks WITHOUT me even having to complain to anyone about it. Also switch to the 5a5g for the headphone jack unless you need the horsepower for the 6. Still no SD card slot sadly.... Only issue I've ever experienced is the camera could be slightly more responsive/quick. Also very happy to hear that grapheme has received a donation!
I’ve been using Graphene for the past 3 months. Love it! I need a smaller phone to come out that the Graphene team can support. These Pixels are too huge..
if one handed mode had some adjustability id be fine with the big screen, unfortunately i think graphene just uses aosp's default one handed mode, which is a pointless piece of software imo because the top left corner is still way out of proximity of where normal thumbs can reach on my 6a
Google is running a promo giving $390~ trade in for the iPhone X for a 6a (specifically, other combinations give less money.) I traded in a X that someone gave me and I’m giving my old 5a to my little brother. Another soul has been saved from the pits of hell.
The problem with solutions like these is their extremely limited device support. You have to have one of a specific few models or you're SOL. It's just not enough
THIS. The Graphene devs' attitude towards supporting other devices is bordering on snobbery and it's hard stopping this OS from being used to any significant degree. Yes, the Pixels may have advanced security hardware that other phones don't have, and that is quite nice, but most all people don't need protection from a state-level threat and they DON'T want to run Google's feature-limited Pixel phone. They just need a trustworthy OS that doesn't spy on them. This "Only on Pixel" bullshit is holding this OS back majorly.
@@arnox4554 I agree. The people at GrapheneOS say only Pixel phones meet the security standard of GrapheneOS. I agree that Google Pixel phones are secure hardware-wise but I don't think Pixel phones are the only secure Android phones. I don't see non-Pixel Android phones get hacked easily.
I liked Symbian. Nokia C6 with like 256MB RAM was smoother than a majority of Android devices I used, and I could still sideload apps unlike an iPhone. Great OS.
@@Vinizuca My sister had one of the Nokia Linux phones... Unfortunately it died. It was so weird being able to "apt-get install" common software straight on the phone.
Can confirm. I've been using this for months now, and I highly recommend. With the Aurora Store I am able to use all the apps I need for my bank, school, work and more. Great way to be secure while be able to use everything I need
I would love to do this with my Pixel 6 Pro. But unfortunately, I bought it from Verizon. Verizon worked with Google to permanently lock the bootloader for their version of the phone and they will NEVER let me unlock it to root the phone, no matter how I want to use it. I've been hoping an exploit unlock would become available to change all the software to the unlocked version, but I haven't seen any yet. The reason I got it through Verizon is because I got $650 with a "discount" and a trade in. It was a great value, but Verizon also will only pay me that $650 over two years. I'm afraid they might remove those "discounts" from my monthly bill if I change my active phone before the 2 years is up. 14 months to go.
@@marss4536 No, I bought it from Verizon. I don't understand why they insist on a permanently locked bootloader. I won't be buying a Verizon branded phone again.
i do wish the developers behind releases like this would make it support more phones than just the google pixel or samsung galaxy models... i dont plan on ever getting one of those phones unless they get the microsd card slot back because i value the microsd card slot that highly, which is why i have a nokia 8.1 atm
Just upgraded from my pocophone running a chopped up version of legacy OS, to a pixel 6a. Price was right, and you sold me on finally giving GrapheneOS a go!
I would love to know how you feel about the privacy of an iphone in comparison. I have no doubt that grapheneOS is more secure over all, and im sure iOS is more private than google's shipping flavors of android, but im not sure which IOS leans more towards.
iOS is more secure that is true, it gives you more control over the permissions of the different apps and all. But sadly its not more private compared to google at all. The approach is different. Google wants it's share of your data in android but also lets other developers to spy on you as well through tracking libraries in their apps. Apple however just wants it all for themselves. The phone is super closed up and you have never any idea what is going on in the background, you have no control over it. And trust me these devices are built from the ground up to screw the customer over, even in HW but well that is not an issue of privacy. But what i mean is that apple also tracks whether you run or sit or tracks your location and your habits and everything, absolutely the same as google. They use it for their own stuff of course but they also sell this data to advertisers, they just want to be the only player in that space. Apple likes to have all the control when it comes to their products.
Are you aware if anyone has done any investigation of the phone's hardware itself? I'm concerned about hardware-level spying. For example, screen-logging, or GPS logging. It's a shame that physical switches for camera and GPS aren't more popular.
@@Eluderatnight GPS position is discovered by listening to satellite broadcasts. I'm concerned that the results are transmitted out by other means. GPS alone cannot track you. Edit: Partial correction. Apparently Apple/Google aren't using pure GPS on phones; they are making server calls to find satellite positions faster; which logs your location per-tower. My original comment is only accurate for pure disconnected GPS, like a Garmin.
I wish 2+2=5 It's fundamentally not possible to have the same level of competence as a third party manufacturers. Only Google can achieve this since they have the know-how to make the entire OS. Other manufacturer take android and mess it up real bad, make it very insecure and fully of bugs
@@YounesLayachi I think it's mainly because they are one of the only relatively big players that still allow you to unlock the bootloader. I don't understand how software is related to this when you're getting rid of their version of android to get grapheneos on there.
@@Invictus_Mithra unlocking bootloader is like 5% of the story. That's a given. The rest of the hardware and software security features are what's missing from other devices.
The biggest reason I buy a pixel every year is because of the fact that I can unlock the bootloader, root it and then proceed to do whatever I feel like doing with it.
Just be careful with Pixel phones touched by Verizon. The only company that OEM locks pixel phones 🙄 for "security reasons", forever. Terrible company.
@Michael Palmer buy second hand devices. I get a lot of joy from buying a garage sale device produced by a company I hate, and rooting it to hell, and back. (my most recent project has been a Nintendo Switch, really fun jailbreak)
My only problem was their refusal to allow selinux in permissive, magisk to function, or for persistent system patches after an OTA update which for me is important because GrapheneOS has limitations by default that I need to circumvent for my daily tasks. If they start enabling me to use patches then I'd switch,But rebuilding Android OTA updates on device is not as simple as rebuilding Gentoo.
They will never allow you that, because they are as user-hostile as Google. Their excuse is that this would decrease the security, which is true in some sense, but why shouldn't I as a user be able to make my own trade-off?
@@dfgdfg_ I use a custom systrm webiew that is more updated and has adblocking, kernel patches to use containers and binds (for using docker), microg, larger swap partition, cpu overclock, a static busybox install in /sbin, and I also use lsposed for modifying on a single-app scope and persisting updates.
Thanks for showing it actually works with Google Play apps. I'm gonna definitely be getting a Pixel for my next phone, and now I'm pretty sure it'll be using GrapheneOS for it. This seems easy and painless enough.
Your phone is ALWAYS listening to you - interesting story...one day my cousin came over the house with his set of DeWalt power tools. We were talking about ** DeWalt ** power tools. Next thing you know, less than an hour later I started seeing ads and emails promoting, you guessed it, DeWalt power tools, even though I have never had an interest in this brand. This raises a point too - the algorithms are dumb and can't distinguish sincere interest versus casual conversation versus context.
Too bad the grapheneos community is so toxic. I had an interaction with a lead developer, and as soon as I didn't 100% agree with him on some technical topic, he got angry and verbally attacked me on a personal level. After that I did a bit of research and found out their whole community seems to act like this and in consequence had "wars" with other custom ROM communities, such as CalyxOS. I am not sure if I really want to trust them for my OS's security.
Just bought a Pixel 6 Pro as a result of this video and then looking into Graphene OS - many thanks for bringing this to the fore Louis. One question though - you kept referring to your 'boss' - but aren't you the owner of Rossman Repair Group? Did I miss a merger or acquisition somewhere?
Would've been useful to also mention battery life, coz Google's apps use plenty of the device's background battery & data consumption. I'm also curious about all the different use cases people have with Android phones. Do third party launchers work fine (coz they don't always work fine nowadays even on Pixels)? Do games run just as well? Can apps be granted special permissions that you normally need to root access to grant? Any compromises on modern Android features like Material you? More freedom in using different voice assistants or is it not even an option? Probably worth looking into
If pegasus can bypass firmware flashes im sure the "titan" chip or their own hardware is a risk for being backdoored from the supply chain, that's a thing with modem hardware as well. Nobody can say how differently they can or can't leverage the soc etc just from a feature standpoint, or if any of the voice recognition, isp etc can be accessed through drivers.
Going through the large number of permission settings for every single app one installs takes work that most people won't do, so the OS should have a system that automatically sets the minimum permissions necessary for each app, thereby saving a lot of tedium and ensuring maximum security.
thanks that was very enlightening, and did it seemed a lot easier than described in their...lenghty document. Plus, damn, theres some thing pretty relaxing about watching a video of someone talking in a lazyboy chair rather than from a table with bright lamps in their face..
Hey Louis. Thank you for demo'ing this. I'm really wanting to try it but how do you trust this software? The lead dev Daniel Micay is not really known for his maturity or emotional stability in dev spaces. The other devs are all black boxes. How do we know they're not bad actors? I'm having a really hard time trusting this group of people more than I would Samsung or someone else. Is there any help for me or is it just "trust it or don't"? Maybe you could point me in the direction of allaying my fears? Maybe a video on who they are and why they should be trusted? Anyway, thank you for all you're doing for privacy and r2r.
One misconception to add would be that you need to keep your bootloader unlocked, since thats how it was in the past, and I still believed that. That said, the banking thing isn't entirely true. Capital One does not work. That said, it seems to be the only one so far. Edit: My error was also ignorance. You have to enable "Exploit protection compatibility mode" for Capital One.
Got a Pixel 7 just to install GrapheneOS, so far my device actually runs better. The Pixel 7 used to get hot, now it does not. I missed GBoard but the Microsoft keyboard works perfect including swiping and editing. To get some apps to run, I install the sandboxed Google Services Framework and Google play than removed all the permissions and the apps work. It takes some learning but once you get good at it, it’s incredible. I’m using Signal as my SMS messages. The only Google service I am using now is TH-cam and the only permission is has is network. Facebook did restrict my account for 48hrs because I turned off sensors, contact sharing etc. The Pixel 7 ran COD mobile terribly, however on Graphene it actually runs better and does not get hot. I love this OS and although I thought about trying Calyx OS I can’t see a reason why at this point. I’m a Linux enthusiast and have enjoyed trying the Different FOSS apps. I found this OS when I was searching for Linux Mobile Distros and I am now looking forward to removing Google from all aspects of my life. Just because WE are the product does not mean they can have free range access to everything about us. Thanks Louis. 😊
I want to see this expand beyond Pixel phones. I used to be in the deGoogled bandwagon with my Samsung Note 4 running Havoc-OS Android 10 custom ROM. Nowadays, I'm exploring smartphones that are out of the norm, which is why I bought LG's V50 with its detachable Dual Screen case and Wing 5G since two months ago. Would I install a deGoogled custom ROM on my only V50 and Wing? No, not even slightly. Would I buy another V50 and/or Wing to go back to deGoogled custom ROM flashing? Absolutely.
Would like to hear about the photo and video quality. Since pixels use age-old camera hardware and rely on computational photography, are the pictures and videos taken from a graphene os pixel good? Also, how is the battery life before and after graphene os?
Android Auto is probably the one feature I'd miss if I used an alternative OS. Everything else I could live without, but the seamless (most of the time) integration with my car is way too valuable for me.
Keep in mind that the higher profile users will not want to use Graphene because key security updates are less likely to be rolled out in a prompt manner vs apple or google who have far more resources to achieve these swift updates.
Hoping this becomes available for other devices soon, cause I'm not particularly keen on having to get a Pixel device for it. That's for a handful of reasons, but the big one being giving up expandable storage and the headphone jack
I am highly skeptical that any OS running on a custom chip google designed will be able to get around the (likely) hardware-backdoors in the chip itself. Anyone have more information on this? This probably counts for any of the pre-tensor chips as well since I don't believe they are open source but the situation is even more exxagerated by google-designed chips
Think of your Graphene experience as a Sandbox, and anything you do within that is hidden or 'encrypted' from outside. Memory is partitioned for it, and Android isn't there to run anything or interpret data. The issue with Android is they allow apps through their store but force them to work a certain way so they are reliant on Google services. Graphene mitigates that issue. A teleco can ping your location so not much point stressing about Tensor
What we need are apps that ALSO feed Google all manner of NONSENSE information. Have it telling Google that I'm in five different cities and thee different airplanes at the same time.
So tempted to try it, I really like the concept of play services running in a sandbox, I think that would give me a lot of peace of mind relative to something like lineageos that runs microg with full privileges. But man I am just not sold on google pixels at all, hundreds of dollars for phones with no sd card slot, no headphone jack, relatively small batteries. Anyone know of an OS that does something similar but has more varied supported devices?
it sucks balls. fingerprint sensor on a dedicated button is always better than the built into the screen garbage. the LG V60 had this and it sucked too. the samsung s10e fingerprint sensor on the side button is amazing. the pixel 4a 5G fingerprint sensor on the back under the camera is amazing the pixel 6 pro fingerprint sensor built into the screen is trash. most phones do stupid shit to be trendy that actually makes them worse. curved glass display is another example. It makes it easier for me to touch stuff i didn't mean to touch, but i guess it looks cooler or something. but it works like crap compared to older phones that do not do this stupid shit. IMO, phone hardware peaked over five years ago. it's all downhill since with stupid trendy nonsense like removing microsd/headphone jack, curved screens that are more expensive to refurbish/repair & more annoying to use, fingerprint scanners that don't work as well because it is integrated into the screen.
@@rossmanngroup have you tried the fingerprint sensor on the s21 or s22? i find them pretty accurate and great no issues there no beating dedicated button tho, but if if underscreen can be made decent why not?
@@Loved_ the other issue with it is i have to put my finger in a specific spot on the screen. this is never as easy as a dedicated sensor where i can feel where it is.
Before investing in a Google Pixel phone, which developers state is the only supported models, there are serious questions: If seeking security and distancing oneself from Google, why do developers only support a Google Pixel phone? What assurance do developers have that Google did not design a backdoor into its firmware, OS notwithstanding? I really want to go Graphene, but am hesitant on the Pixel-only aspect.
Well you could be right and it could be a back door firmware waiting to be discovered but for now there is none. And anyways, the pixel devices have specific security features that the graphing OS project requires
One thing I'll say is having Google track my location saved me when a woman filed a police report against me for harassment. She stated I was following her around for over 20 minutes but google showed I had only left my house 20 minutes before I ever was on the street she was on. We believe she was being followed by someone in a similar car to mine I just happened to park nearby.
Been running Graphene on a Pixel 4 for a couple months now. Basically zero usability complains, runs smoothly, and gives me peace of mind in a place where phone theft is extremely common. All of my apps work fine with the sandboxed play services, including banking!
![BOWKYLION - วิงวอน (ex-change) [Official MV]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/cLdnZWDaO-w/mqdefault.jpg)
When someones says «why do i care, i got nothing to hide» i normally just ask them if i can have their phone password and have a look around. Its really effective
That is a really great response. I will be blatantly stealing that from now on.
*Laughs at me actually giving said phone password*
No, seriously. That said, I have 2 phones for a reason lol, and the 2nd phone never goes out of my room.
@@ZX3000GT1 Noted. -NSA
I used to do the same but since im old, I went with SSN or tax return and just loved when the answer was no and I asked why and they answered cause its personal and none of my business. Always put a nice smile on my face to hear that. Some figured it out but most were oblivious that they own themselves.
@@ZX3000GT1 both are logged into your home Wi-Fi with its unique ip address, they are already linked on their end.
"Why concerned with all this if you have nothing to hide?" Tell that to the person who was asked by their doctor to take pictures of their kid's issue but for what reason I can recall. And then lose everything google related for having those pictures in his phone cause someone went thru his phone, called the police on him and cancelled all his services.
But he gave Google Photos permission to upload those photos, which he could have turned off on any regular Android phone. So grapheneos doesn't do anything special to stop that that regular android cannot
@@LowJSamuel yeah he did, which is why we need to inform more people about the right to privacy.
(Instead of having gfs with all the perms and no way to remove them)
The worst part is even AFTER the guy was cleared of wrongdoing by the police, Google still decided to "stand by their decision." This is why privacy matters. Everything can be taken away from you in an instant.
@@LowJSamuel By uploading *anything* to google photos as a new user, you're agreeing to the terms of service. In those terms of service it gives google the right to surrender any images depicting child abuse to the police.
Do they tell you that when using the service for the first time? No.
Is the user informed *at all* that this can happen during normal usage? No.
Just because it's in the TOS, doesn't mean it's fair to the consumer. Having the option AND it being disclosed is the ideal.
@@LowJSamuel There is truth to that, but you're still victim blaming... He shouldn't be treated like this regardless.
I find it hilarious how the average person doesn't know shit about how software works and how it's designed, but they immediately turn around and try and defend the privacy invasion and inconvenience these companies force on their customers.
The average consumer needing "opt out" for all these permissions without that being clear is also kind of predatory for these tech giants. They know the people are clueless, so they do whatever they can.
I also really hate how many apps nowerdays just refuse to start up if you deny them any permissions they demand. Really gives back control to the user as it boils down to the old options: look at the demand list and if you dont like it dont install it. Great.
Average person doesn't understand how software works because certain media organisations engage in subterfuge to give them false information to sell their narratives & are not honest about the realities of hacking.
When I showed non-tech people the following video, they freaked out just how easily their "digital life" could be quickly compromised, see th-cam.com/video/fHhNWAKw0bY/w-d-xo.html
@@invalid8774 They’re called clickwraps and they’ve been here for a long time. Unfortunately they’re completely legal and there’s absolutely nothing we can do about it.
Well to be honest. Me as a none Programmer can hardly verify all the claims graphene OS does on their website. How do I know they are any safer?
@@eropis well, closest thing is getting recommendations from people who seem to know what they are talking about
It's good to see this covered. I switched to a privacy focused rom with no GSF months ago and have been slowly spoofing my way to normality again. Google is truly the cancer that has been killing Android. Once you drop Google, so many little annoyances disappear.
What do you think about using TH-cam. You said that you got rid of google, but still write it on TH-cam which belongs to it. Clearly there is no escape.
@@maxirunpl commenting on a website does not equate to installing an app.
@@frankwren8215 What browser do you use? I use brave, but only on my pc which has Linux on it. I want to make my phone more secure, because I'm typing it from TH-cam app.
@@frankwren8215that doesn’t make any sense, ur still using a google service regardless if on the app or web. Also, aint it a bit ironic saying google is the cancer when they built android to where it is today? And the Pixels excellent secure hardware? But sure google is the cancer right?
@@maxirunpl TH-cam can be accessed through other clients, where Google spyware is more controlled.
People are just not bothered no matter how much information is being collected. Last year in India WhatsApp rolled out some pretty serious privacy violating policies yet most people were not ready to change to other apps like Telegram or Signal, which offer the exact same service. Such is the inertia with people.
Sad but true
It depends on partners you communicate with. When you switch to Telegram, but they dont, with whom will you communicate?
Most people dont have time or care about these things because they most likely have more important things they need to take care of in their life (like raising children)
I can already see Google if Graphene OS gets popular.
User: attempts to run Play services in sandbox
Google: for security reasons we cannot let you run Play services in sandbox mode
Then it just becomes an arms race of tricking the service that it's not in a sandbox. Don't think Google care enough TBH.
Google is actually working on having every Android app run inside a VM.
@@DavidManouchehri All apps already work that way, java/kotlin itself runs everything in a JVM
workarounds to spoof google play for other stuff already exist
@@DavidManouchehri Probably because of all the CPU vulnerabilities that keep coming out every 6 months.
again, we need more videos like this. Calling out genuine improvements and pro-consumer businesses, or even just business practices. It's easy to whale on apple and whatnot, but the simple reality is the solution to the issue is consumer education. Get people to start buying based on how pro-consumer the product actually is, get people thinking about the fact that some products DON'T actively screw you over.
My best bet with misconception about uber/banking apps not working is that it came from rooting your phone, which causes SafetyNet to trip and since most banking apps check it to make sure the software wasn't modified in any way, they will no longer work due to safety concerns
So people now think that if you modify any part of your system, everything will stop working immediately
At least that's my best (worst) guess
With unlocked bootloader you are not able to use some applications even with default OS (like google pay/related, games with extreme anti-cheat, etc) I've dealt with this
It's actually because GrapheneOS didn't always have the ability to install Google Play services. And without those services, some apps totally or partially just don't work. That's why GrapheneOS got a reputation for having bad app compatibility. But like Louis showed, Google Play (and the apps that depend on it) can be used no problem these days. (And it's in the ordinary unpriviliged app sandbox, meaning you can opt-in and remove its permissions, etc.)
GrapheneOS is one of the few OSes/ROMs that work with a locked bootloader.
Most other ROMs don't, and many apps detects that
@@starkle how well does GrapheneOS perform on general? A while back, Techlore showed that GrapheneOS was much slower than stock Android and CalyxOS. But if things are better now, I'd be interested in maybe trying out Graphene again
@@oofyeetmcgee The only real prominent performance difference was the far slower initial app launches, which was the result of the Pixel 3's inferior chip (which Techlore tested with). The Pixel 3 line isn't even supported anymore, and the difference is unnoticeable on newer hardware. And even so, there is a setting to disable the security feature that causes the slower app launch if you really care.
My biggest issue with adopting graphene OS is that they only officially support in lifecycle phones and I always buy pixel phones late due to budgetary constrictions so by the time I get my phone it's no longer getting security updates from graphene OS because they follow the official security update schedule that Google provides
I understand the frustration, I am using a Pixel 3a which is EOL as well. However, there is not much point in getting GrapheneOS security updates if you're not getting firmware security updates. Fortunately the situation of getting only 3 years of security updates has improved with the newer pixels, where you'll get at leasst 5 years.
@@positivemelon7578 Operating system security patches are better than nothing at all for security updates even if the vender goes unpatched. Protects you from less sophisticated attacks like tap jacking
Well if you're going to use an old insecure outdated phone anyways, its still better if that phone is running an older version of GrapheneOS than an older version of the stock OS.
@@Zaptosis yes but it could still be slightly more secure and it would prevent e-waste. you just need proper disclaimers.
@@deadringr Thats exactly what I'm saying... GrapheneOS on a 6 year old pixel is still more secure than a 6 year old pixel without GrapheneOS.
So far, minus giving up a microSD slot with the Pixel 5, with GrapheneOS and the settings changes, this is just like a normal phone. This is fantastic, thank you so much for doing this video, Louis!
Do frequent backups, my 5a had a motherboard failure and apparently it's a very common issue among pixel phones
Does ot have a usb port? If so, you can use an external sd card reader or external soundcard for the headphones.
I agree with your boss. I returned my Pixel 6a after a day of use and went back to my 4a. The 6a feels terrible in the hand. And my hands are not small. edit> I installed CalyxOS on my Pixel 4a nearly six months ago, but went back to Android because of how microG worked (it's still privileged) . Now that I understand that Graphene sandboxes Google services, I may give it a try. Thank you, Louis!
For as long as it's supported :p
Boss?
@@wallofriogrande oh ffs just stop
@@wallofriogrande Big Boss?
@@MrGamelover23 I've still got another 11 months of support for the 4a (non 5G). Plenty of time for me to find another phone to fit my needs.
One of the things that really opened my eyes was when I installed Pi-Hole and saw that every single time I unlocked my phone, it made a call home to Google's servers. One of my favorite things to do now is when I have friends over, open up network calls to from their phone on my TV so they can see how often it talks about what they are doing.
I’d definitely hang out with this guy. 💯
@@Robbie-mw5uu yeah that's a well known personality archetype yes who doesn't know one of these
@@AlkaVirus before i expanded the comments I knew this comment would be here
I really don't know what this means :/
What is pi hole?
TempleOS for life RIP King Terry
For anyone using the Pixel 6a: After you have initially updated your phone with all the latest security updates, you will need to factory reset the phone before starting the graphene install process. This will allow the OEM unlock feature to be available. If you don't factory reset after updating the phone the OEM unlock will be greyed out. This only seems to be for the 6a and not the 6, 6 pro or 7 phones.
I also couldn't get windows update to install the fastboot patch so I had to manually download the pixel USB driver from google and update the driver via windows device manager. There are more detailed instructions for this on the graphene install instructions page. FYI using type-c USB 3 port on my laptop meant flashing the OS was super fast (only a few mins).
Great vid:-) , thanks !
As someone who has brought up support for multiple devices throughout the years, this is bringing back my enthusiasm to get back to making new "custom ROMs" for people. Google is too deeply imbedded into OEM android operating systems constantly data mining. Aaaaaaand GrapheneOS is open source! Yeaaaa that's gonna happen on my OnePlus Nord N200 5G in the not so distant future.
I am a GrapheneOS user and can agree with everything you said 100%. I am SO happy a TH-camr with your reach did a video on this. GrapheneOS should be the norm, not the outlier. Keep it up Louis and thank you.
unfortunately it isn't available on non google phones ..if it were ported to midrange phones it would be great
Maybe you can upload a STEP BY STEP tutorial for the rest of us because all the friggin ones I could find skip so much stuff I couldn't figure it out.. I'm frustrated as hell trying to get thsi stuff to work... and I need to be spoon fed
How can something be the norm when it only officially supports a phone that has a teeny tiny market share
I've been running GrapheneOS full time for over a year now. Was initially concerned about usability so held onto another phone running stock Android at first, but over time the graphene phone has completely replaced it. Runs everything I need it to and the lack of bloatware/incentive to avoid invasive apps has the added benefit of keeping me from staring at my phone so much.
Do you use any Google services on it?
Can you make a copy of Android and go back to it like rooting?
Does Google map work properly?
@@mahipalsinhdabhi9223 I don't bother with it. Magic Earth works fine.
they even call it graphene....i was imagine how real graphene will react to phoneradiation....and this os calls themselfs grapheneOS...better dont touch it, just by the fact craphene is reacting to smartphoneradiation
I hate how practically no phone will give you every little feature you want, you have to compromise somewhere, even though these flagships can cost more than a decent computer, I've come to kinda accept it though and just keep multiple phones for different uses, for example my LG is a media/music device, so at some point I may consider getting a pixel as my travel phone.
Asus's Zenfone is pretty close to a no compromise. But the software isn't on the same level as the Android developers
@@YounesLayachi It's ok, but I actually like their ROG gaming phones better, no notch, heard nice things about the front facing speakers and the novel feature of dual usb ports and a massive battery, so yeah that or Sony are just about the only flagships I'll even consider these days.
Okay. ROG are nice but tablet sized xD
@@YounesLayachi Yeah true, I don't mind large phones if they're actually comfortable to hold though, I had a OnePlus 7 Pro and it hurt my fingers with its super thin curved edges.
I miss keyboards. I wish I could afford a Planet Computers Communicator or similar...
Thanks for this. I’ve been thinking about picking up a Pixel 7 and loading GrapheneOS - and giving it a run in comparison to my iPhone. Great information, Louis!
Having a secure, private OS is a big step for privacy but keep in mind even if the OS/apps don't spy on you, your location can be triangulated to within 50ft with ANY phone since the phone must communicate with (ping) the cell towers constantly. If you need privacy (whether for good or bad reasons) either (1) use a burner phone not in your name (duh) or (2) turn off the phone and place in a faraday pouch ** however the accelerometer may still be active and recording movement from your last known position. The latter method is the reason I believe manufactures don't make batteries removable for phones made in the last 5+ years - yes it makes the phones thinner, but now you don't know what circuits are being powered even when it's "OFF" it can still spy on you. Some privacy centric phones include hardware switches to turn off the individual sensors - mic, camera, accelerometer, etc. Again, using ANY phone is a privacy risk if it connects to a public network.
brother just shut up and stop being paranoid
Or you can just use your cellphone with wi-fi, without a chip
@@Gustavo-wt4qq Yes, better BUT Wifi will give away your activity too. Wifi + VPN is a bit better, but ultimately it's what websites you connect to - best to use a pseudonym for posting on social sites, YT, Google, MSN, etc if you want better privacy. It's also the info you give away that matters. Clear cookies or use incognito mode too.
i wouldn't spend more then 30 dollars on a smartphone, and i don't expect very serious levels of privacy or security because i use the phone outside for the most part. my android phone has no sim card, i just use WIFI. honestly i would prefer to have a smartphone when outside.
Thank you to OP and everyone in this thread. I personally keep in mind bug-out options for witness protection type reasons (different situation similar idea) so this info is very valuable regarding phone tracing. So thank you
Thank you for promoting stuff like this. I use lineageOS and it works great for me. It's not as polished or private as graphene but still way better than stock oxygenOS
Edit: and really thank you for telling to remove the Google play services the permissions, I forgot to do that
How to install that OS
@@EBRIMA-cz6io there is a tutorial on its website. Just look on their website for your phone. Maybe there's a TH-cam tutorial
Thanks
Would Futo be able to help the GrapheneOS team talk to a phone hardware creator, like PinePhone, to work on creating a device that is secure enough? I can't give up my Sansung Galaxy S10e, I love the size, headphone jack, SD card, and durability it has given me.
We'd love to find a hardware vendor open to creating something that includes the security features in the pixel, has microSD and headphone jack, to have them work with this team. I understand the money is not there for most people to do that on the level necessary for it to be viable, but it's on Eron's radar and a major interest of us all. louis@rossmanngroup.com , my email is always open if you have a lead.
The hardware can't suck though.
Something like Asus's ZenFone 9 if it could run GOS would be incredible
Same, I have a Samsung Galaxy S7 which I absolutely love, I've had a S21 & I currently have a pixel 4a running GrapheneOS but I still continue to daily drive my S7 because its just a phone I love. Obviously done what I can with ADB to make it more private but it ain't GrapheneOS levels of privacy & security that's for sure.
@@cheater00 likewise, I love my little Motorola, not everyone has $$$$ to spend on a Snap-On phone
=SONY XPERIA 5 IV..........I'VE GOT XPERIA 5 II SO I CAN RECOMMEND AS HAVE CONFIDENCE...EVERYTHING IS ON PLACE LIKE U WANT............AND PURE ANDROID..........SO COULD'VE BE CHANGED ON GRAPHENEOS,I THINK
......ONLY PROBLEM I'VE GOT IS ABOUT HOLES ON DYNAMIC AND MICROPHONE ARE GETTING DIRTY,BUT THAT'S HOW I'M USING IT
The easiest way to explain Pixel phones :
They only have Google spying and they allow removing that.
Every other phone has Google spying + Samsung spying and Facebook spying and Microsoft and .. and they don't allow removing any of that
can't say I have that issue on iphone!
@@schizofennec stop the cap
@@schizofennec hat emoji
no but seriously do you really think apple cares about privacy?
@@bartek1887 why do you think its the chosen phone for Epstein's?
@@schizofennec If that was sarcasm, it was genius.
As far as I managed to find, GrapeneOs will not pass SafetyNet check and as such many apps will not work or will work in reduced capabilities - even with Google play framework installed. Im talking things such as Google Pay - requires unrooted, safety net passing device(or spoofed to think it is), Netflix and other streaming will not work or work with Widevine L3 instead of L1 giving worse quality of content. Can't confirm that's the case 100% but it seems to be from my "research"
Apps that won't let me play video or audio without safetynet are apps that will never get my money.
I would suggest using a BRAX2 phone from Rob BRaxman.
@@rossmanngroup Nice conviction to have, but that kinda limits your point about "zero real software compromises" when looking at the average user.
on rooted oxygenOS, widevine l1 is easily possible alongside safetynet although on a lineage it got much harder lol
@@rossmanngroup I would be surprised if you have not hear of or tried the Brax2 phone. Check out Rob Braxman.
GrapheneOS sounds like a cool project. With the walking/running/cycling/driving thing, that I feel is something useful. For example if I were driving and there was a collision on my route, for maps to be able to detect people moving through it on a bike and be able to distinguish that from cars, it would be more accurate as to whether the collision has been cleared or not and re-calculate best routes accordingly. My thought process is that I see it as a network and I am willing to partake in because it gives me (and others) the best service possible. So I give my data and everyone benefits from me being a little statistical data point, however small. As a developer I understand the value to the users in having these kinds of statistics. I can't imagine how poor Google maps would be if not for the insane amount of data that is continually processing so it has an accurate picture of traffic for example. People need to participate in order for it to work. I'm happy to be one of those people. But I do think it's nice to use open source software that's gives you lower level control.
In maps, after opting in, that makes sense. I think he was talking about OS level tracking, which you have no options to opt out of.
Only supported on Pixel phones - hope it expands that to other Android phones soon.
@Hoxton more importantly, it won't unless other manufacturers meet the same level of security as Google, which is never gonna happen.
Graphene said they are collaborating with some unnamed OEM to meet those criteria but it's a wish and we have yet to see it work
My friend flashed his non-Pixel phone to Graphene and jit works except for GPS.
@Hoxton nah my Realme C3 after installing Lineage OS, it worked fine. Then out of curiosity, I tried to relock the device, it bricked. I eventually got the device working after reflashing it back to its original ROM.
If your device has custom ROMs there's little in the way preventing you from building GrapheneOS from source
Verizon does not let you unlock the bootloader. Hopefully that changes.
I couldn't agree more! I got a new Pixel 6 about 6 weeks ago and have been using GrapheneOS as my only mobile OS since. I have no complaints - I love it! I also love that you've awarded them with a Legendary grant! That's awesome! If I had the means to do likewise, I absolutely would.
I was on the fence on usability (and not wanting to buy new hardware yet) but this really puts some of those issues at ease. Also to get ready for when I do get a pixel is to begin moving to digital minimalism so that i dont get "vendor locked" by some random app that is ultimately unimportant in my life goals.
Buy one NOW.
I have been running GrapheneOS as my daily driver on my Google Pixel 4 for years, and I can tell you that it has been an impeccably smooth experience. Updates are consistent, I have not needed to worry about trackers or any similar nonsense as the OS makes it perfectly clear what tracking happens if at all and I am asked if I want to disable it before it even starts happening which is wonderful for me. It also has allowed my Pixel 4 to outlive the standard Google support for the device meaning I will get feature updates for longer than the stock OS. The phone's been thrown in the mud, submerged in water, and I've personally repaired every issue that has come up on the device and the thing essentially looks and runs like it was the day I got it (although I'm coming up on needing a battery replacement soon).
Thanks for the video. The main reason why I don't use GrapheneOS and other alternatives to Google's Android is the fact that the camera app that comes with stock ROM has certain optimizations that can only be used on stock ROM.
Therefore by not using the stock ROM you basically accept that the camera will output considerably worst pictures and videos than the stock app.
I installed GrapheneOS on my 6A because of your recent coverage of it and I am loving it.
I don't need Google's data to figure out where you are. You're in your chair, in Texas...
Haha, cheers! And thanks for sharing and educating us, as always.
I sure am. It's better here. :)
@@rossmanngroup You do know about the power BS in Feb '21, and how the state allowed predatory price gouging happen with nat gas, right? We have our own different kinds of stupid here. Usually better (definitely better than NY), but still plenty of stupid to go around. :) No escaping humanity
@@meeponinthbit3466 Every state has its stupidity.. I'd take these over my old state's any day....
@@rossmanngroup You might not say that if you were pregnant and a rape victim or with an unviable pregnancy forced to carry it to term. Texas is a whole other level of stupid. They should secede so the world can see how living in Texas would be like living in islamic state. Hope you don't get shot.
@@meeponinthbit3466 Fair, but we try to minimize how invasive the stupid gets, rather than celebrating it.
While I love the mission that GrapheneOS is on, its limitation to Google Devices (while justified) is what keeps me from using it. Until it's available for more devices, I'll keep my eyes on Android Forks for devices I'm actually interested in (like /e/OS and SailfishOS - Though Sailfish has basically the same problem, but for Sony Phones).
Most of them don't really offer security improvements though, they just remove google so there is no on device tracking & use the standard security from AOSP (which is still really good).
GrapheneOS stands out above all the other privacy OS's as the undisputed champion.
@@Zaptosis Yeah, being able to run it on the devices I already have would be super useful. But I can't see creating more e-waste and paying a huge bill just for a newer phone, when my current one does still work perfectly fine.
@@HappyBeezerStudios Thats fair, I actually have a GrapheneOS phone but I still use a Samsung Galaxy S7 running the stock os lol. However I heavily gutted the tracking using ADB to remove a bunch of bloat & spyware.
Is it private? Mostly. Is it secure? Hell no, but I love the phone & am willing to accept that risk. Plus I doubt I'll be targeted by a state hacking company. When this phone is truly unusable, then I'll switch to GrapheneOS, I'm just not a fan of the current line up of pixels. Too big.
I'm waiting for a good in screen fingerprint reader & an under display camera. When that technology is available is when I plan to switch my daily driver. Luckily some Chinese companies are already making phones with under display cameras so I'm guessing 1 - 3 years for Google to do it. Durring that time I'm more than happy to continue using my Galaxy S7, love that phone.
oh Man i always wanted to try the Sailfish OS even when it first came out. And funily enough i also love Sony phones lol. They have been trash for a while after their fall from grace but recently i absolutely love their conservative and different approach. Sadly tho Sailfish works only on the midranger Xperia 10 series while i am using the Xperia 5 III so i can't try it. Tho I have seen a review of Sailfish OS recently and seems like the OS is a bit too much stuck in the past these days, it struggles with features that android struggled back in gingrebread days. It has problems like slow webview and laggy scrolling of everything and battery life isn't the best. To this day i don't get why canonical abandoned Ubuntu Touch. It felt like it got so far and if they continued it could have been usable today. Seeing the other linux being developed to work for phones now and the hype around it, it just makes me sad.
Was on the fence before this video. Now I am sold. Hope my experience is a good one. Thanks for taking the time to make this video. If it works well for me, I will share with others as well.
this sounds like a privacy nuts(me) wet dream....only problem is weve been conditioned to share everything for so long, that i dont even begin to know what type of data id want to secure from google and the rest of the eyes. the stuff i dont want other people to see is already secure, aside from stopping invasive metadata idk what id hide.
Just make two profiles. The main profile has google play not given network access, location, and scanning turned off. Give the second one everything on.
Then just switch back and forth between "Location and data sharing on" and "Location and data sharing off" as you need them. At least having control over it.
Do you really think Google is incapable of putting a hardware back door on their phones?
If you don't trust Google software, why would you trust Google hardware?
BTW, MAC randomization has been a feature of Android since version 10 I believe. I've used it on my Pixels and Samsungs and am using it now. I'd give GrapheneOS a try if it wasn't for Knox and my locked bootloader
Samsung stinks. I'm so done with them. My 21 ultra is shyte
@@920WASHBURN my s22 ultra is way below my expectations.
@@luminumlx2604 I like my S22 ultra
@@strout2944 i feel like mine is.. like a midrange phone
Not all MAC Randomization is the same. There are issues with the vast majority of standard MAC randomization on devices, GrapheneOS fixes these.
I would be curious to hear more about why you're so confident in the security of the pixel hardware, both from a feature perspective and a back door perspective. You're definitely more qualified than me on that.
I know Samsung is just as bad, but I've excluded the pixel phones from any consideration due to it being associated with Google. This has changed my mind and my next phone will likely be a pixel explicitly because of this operating system. Thank you, Louis.
Samsung are much worse it's not even comparable.
On a Samsung phone you're BOUND to use the default software and it comes with Google services, Samsung services, Facebook services, Microsoft apps, and a bunch of other apps. Basically all the tech giants spy on you.
While on a pixel it's only Google and you can easily get rid of that
I have a galaxy s10+ that can last me another 2 - 4 years but grapheneos is really tempting
Buy a Google phone to get away from Google... The OS looks really cool, but I don't know if I want to downgrade my Galaxy S8+ to something that doesn't even have a headphone jack or SD card slot so I can use it.
@@chitlitlah Exactly. As cool as GrapheneOS is, my phone will always have a headphone jack and a full screen (no hole punches, notches, or other cutouts allowed). Every phone on the GrapheneOS support list fails that test, meaning I'm not buying those phones and in turn not using GrapheneOS.
I don't even care. I'll just run an old, unsupported phone into the ground. And then buy another one off eBay. The phone industry cannot have my headphone jack, ever.
@@mjc0961 I mean I just use a USB-C earphones. But it is annoying if I have to move my laptop over to my vintage hifi as my phone doesn't have an analogue output which could've been used easily :( Not sure what other uses there are for a basic analogue port.
Been using GraphineOS for about a month and a half now, and I absolutely love it. I've had no problems with it, it's 100% just as usable as Google Android, and is fast and clean, and gives me much better control over my mobile life, as well as improved security and privacy!
Does the battery life improve?
This does help clear up a lot of misconceptions and makes a solid argument for the OS... outside of the fact that I'd need to fork over in the neighborhood of a grand, to Google themselves no less, for a phone that can run the damn thing. I could get an Index VR headset with all the trimmings for that much!
If this ever becomes available for more budget phones I'll be on it like Doritos dust on fingertips, but I have my limits for what I'm willing to spend on a device that'll be unusable after a few years anyway because of the planned obsolescence of one of its many components.
Hey Louis, who’s your boss? Genuinely curious since I thought you worked for yourself.
th-cam.com/video/OJPmbcU-Vzo/w-d-xo.html
th-cam.com/video/xZ1rLq4OH8s/w-d-xo.html
@@tailsorange2872 I haye how smart that was 🥂😭🤝
@@rossmanngroup I thought those were going to be links to your cat videos
Clinton.
@@John-McAfee Doesn't work with snapdragon? Well, saved me 15 minutes.
I installed CalyxOS on the Google Pixel 3 XL that I got as a gift for my girlfriend to see if she'd be able to find any issues. Only issue thus far is that Mortal Kombat wasn't able to work and that the phone came with a camera that wouldn't focus since it was used (that I'm going to repair in about a week). I don't think that people understand that you're not actually giving up any functionality by going with a non-stock operating system, the big ones all work just fine and are fully functional (and are free!).
Jup, back in Android 4 days when I switched from Samsungs laggy touchwiz to an unofficial Lineage build (including oc kernal and built-in root) I left no functionality behind. Everything worked absolutely the same. No wait, it didn't. The system ran better and was on a newer OS version. So it was quite the improvement.
@@HappyBeezerStudios That is the thing tho. It used to be like that. It's not anymore. Before the android skins were usually unnecessary and slowed the system down. The pure android looked better and ran better and had less bloatware. Today tho ? The stock android is considered the barebones android and the best version of android is considered OneUI with it's features and everything. Not even talking about how back then unlocking your bootloader was no big deal. Nowdays Samsung disables the Knox layer for good so no encryption and security features for you even if you install the stock rom back. I think they even disable the cameras as well today. Also with almost every custom rom you don't get as good drivers as you have on stock and what suffers the most from this is the Camera, the quality is just not as good and that is a big problem for a lot of people. Also safety net is a big thing. If your device won't pass, a lot of apps won't work that well. And btw evn if it all still works, you do realise that like ninety percent of all apps on google playstore uses google's firebase codebase that has tracking built in anyway right ? If you don't want to get spied on you have to go full open source sadly.
I really hope the GrapheneOS is adapted to other devices as Pixel isnt accessible in other areas of the world.
Kinda curious if google books, games, and other content can still be usable.
there's literally a faq page on it, stating that if you want it on something else, its up to you, or the community to port it. they're sticking to pixels for the forseeable future, unless someone manages to come out with something the dev team likes better.
moving away from google by supporting google via buying phones from them seems a bit counterproductive.
@Zaydan Naufal your best bet is to bought it secondhand on OLX or wherever you want, Pixel 4 is kinda cheap rn, about 3-4mil rupiah
I chose iphone 12 mini. Used it for a year. Apple then decided that I don't need a 3G network. He turned off the option to choose a 3G network on IOS 16. It's the same as when the car manufacturer cancels your third gear. We decided that you don't need it anymore... My phone works perfectly on the 3G network. The network is empty and has no load. To make things crazy, there is also a 2G network here. 5g does not exist and as far as I can see, it will not appear soon. I wasted a lot of time to restore the phone to 15.7. unsigned firmware . Somehow managed to install . That arrogant behavior from Aple really annoys me. I left Android only because of google play services.
Greetings from Serbia
Louis
Your channel is excellent. I appreciate your work !
Thanks
A true activist. Principled and informative without trying to sell anything.
If I had the money and connections for the right equipment I'd get an IMEI catcher to test and see if Pixel hardware attempts surveillance at a firmware level. Unfortunately a study has not been done on this yet.
I wouldn't be surprised. You'd think Google would lock them out of doing this
I think Google figures it's fine to let a relatively minor group of people escape the net as long as they get to make money off the phones and get free security research so people will never be able to crack a phone with a locked boot loader
honestly most phones would have some sort of backdoor probably requested by the govt to put there or somthing, probably at firmware or bootloader level, something similar to what intel management engine is, it has unrestricted hardware level access and is all closed source
Graphene is awesome, big props to the devs. Personally I use "e OS" made by the e Foundation for similar reasons. It is a fork of Lineage so it works on more devices. It is not as secure as Graphene but it does have similar privacy benefits. Maybe when I get a newer phone I will switch to Graphene.
I first thought about how to make something completely private as soon as you put a sim in it but I realized there are some things that can’t be as easily controlled and bypassed yet. I installed graphene after watching your other videos about it, can’t wait to see what good android is
11:59 I like that the logo is a decoy to prevent outsiders from knowing what is actually on the phone.
I have a Pixel 7 on the way. You've convinced me to give this OS a shot.
headphone jack is one of the core things for me, and i cannot imagine using a phone without it. hoping google caves in and re-adds the headphone jack at least for one of the next budget models (like idk 7a or whatever the next pixel phone is) cause when they do that i might actually seriously consider buying one as an upgrade to my current phone (not that i need an upgrade realistically, im doing just fine, the phone works just fine, but given its a xiaomi phone its a privacy nightmare. yes im saying im been backed into a corner where to use my phone i need to give up a lot of my privacy. the way i go about this right now is using blokada and using as little google services as possible - aurora store, f-droid, florisboard, youtube vanced, microg, etc, tho i am aware its nowhere near as private as graphene)
I honestly doubt it, the majority of consumers have already caved and bought wireless earbuds so Google, Samsung, and Apple have already won this fight.
if the jack is the only thing keeping you from trying this - consider the wired usb-c -to- audio adaptor
I get it with the headphone jack, but if you haven't yet, I'd try a pair of "True Wireless" earbuds. They've come a long way -- unless you are on them literally all the time, you never have to charge them (since their case is the charger), and they don't have any stuff dangling around your neck or ears unless you specifically want it. Connection issues seem to be a thing of the past as well.
I used to demand access to a headphone jack as well, but I haven't used wired headphones since going true wireless 3+ years ago.
The lack of a headphone jack is an inconvenience, but easy to work around. I use a USB-C-to-headphone-jack dongle. While this isn't ideal, it is good enough.
Asus Zenfone 9 is coming out for the US soon. It has a headphone jack and SD card- with a few different colored phones. Mind you, its a mid ranger.
iOS has also had MAC address randomization for awhile too. Good to see it in Graphene (they may have had it before iOS for that matter!)
So has android since android 10 in 2019
Well, Android has it since Android 8.
Yeah, but Apple and Google likely log those MACs so they can be the ones to match your relevant activity back to a single user/device.
I have it on Android Pie (v9.0), pixel 2
@@MM-cz2yh I was locked to Android 7 when I REALLY needed that
Bruuuuh
yep, i dont want to live in a world where privacy is a notable feature. i hope this becomes this more mainstream
It won't. There is zero beenfit to companies to NOT get your data and the vast majority of people don't give a shit. Privacy is dead, unless we have a total blackout we lost this one.
You missed the best part, way better battery life. With location services actually off until you turn them on now, it isn't constantly draining your battery. Not to mention all of the other spy services from other apps now disabled or heavily frustrated.
You also hit the next best part. Lots of updates. When I first switched to graphene 1-2 years ago, outlook and PayPal didn't work. Both were fixed and working withing two weeks WITHOUT me even having to complain to anyone about it.
Also switch to the 5a5g for the headphone jack unless you need the horsepower for the 6. Still no SD card slot sadly....
Only issue I've ever experienced is the camera could be slightly more responsive/quick.
Also very happy to hear that grapheme has received a donation!
It is like that one man who had emergency services called because him and his girlfriend were getting it on and he still had his watch on.
I’ve been using Graphene for the past 3 months. Love it!
I need a smaller phone to come out that the Graphene team can support. These Pixels are too huge..
if one handed mode had some adjustability id be fine with the big screen, unfortunately i think graphene just uses aosp's default one handed mode, which is a pointless piece of software imo because the top left corner is still way out of proximity of where normal thumbs can reach on my 6a
I installed Island to enable a work profile, and only use GSF and closed sourced apps in this profile. My main profile only has Open source apps.
Google is running a promo giving $390~ trade in for the iPhone X for a 6a (specifically, other combinations give less money.) I traded in a X that someone gave me and I’m giving my old 5a to my little brother. Another soul has been saved from the pits of hell.
See if you can get yourself a pixel 5 it's the perfect size or 4. Love my 5.
Pixel 5 or 4a are your best bet.
4a is slightly smaller and more durable. 144 mm tall
The problem with solutions like these is their extremely limited device support. You have to have one of a specific few models or you're SOL. It's just not enough
THIS.
The Graphene devs' attitude towards supporting other devices is bordering on snobbery and it's hard stopping this OS from being used to any significant degree. Yes, the Pixels may have advanced security hardware that other phones don't have, and that is quite nice, but most all people don't need protection from a state-level threat and they DON'T want to run Google's feature-limited Pixel phone. They just need a trustworthy OS that doesn't spy on them. This "Only on Pixel" bullshit is holding this OS back majorly.
@@arnox4554 I agree. The people at GrapheneOS say only Pixel phones meet the security standard of GrapheneOS. I agree that Google Pixel phones are secure hardware-wise but I don't think Pixel phones are the only secure Android phones. I don't see non-Pixel Android phones get hacked easily.
I liked Symbian. Nokia C6 with like 256MB RAM was smoother than a majority of Android devices I used, and I could still sideload apps unlike an iPhone. Great OS.
Greedy Nokia board killed Symbian OS. And they should choose uiQ than S60 serie.
Maemo and meego were the future. Linux in a phone how many years ago? I really loved my n900 (still have it, just needed to find new batteries for it)
@@Vinizuca
My sister had one of the Nokia Linux phones... Unfortunately it died. It was so weird being able to "apt-get install" common software straight on the phone.
Can confirm. I've been using this for months now, and I highly recommend. With the Aurora Store I am able to use all the apps I need for my bank, school, work and more. Great way to be secure while be able to use everything I need
This sounds great! I'm a bit shocked to learn that all non-Pixel phones lack security features that are recommended by AOSP
I would love to do this with my Pixel 6 Pro. But unfortunately, I bought it from Verizon. Verizon worked with Google to permanently lock the bootloader for their version of the phone and they will NEVER let me unlock it to root the phone, no matter how I want to use it. I've been hoping an exploit unlock would become available to change all the software to the unlocked version, but I haven't seen any yet.
The reason I got it through Verizon is because I got $650 with a "discount" and a trade in. It was a great value, but Verizon also will only pay me that $650 over two years. I'm afraid they might remove those "discounts" from my monthly bill if I change my active phone before the 2 years is up. 14 months to go.
Verizon scams their customers with fraudulent billing practices. Leave while you can.
Did you buy your phone “unlocked”?
@@marss4536 No, I bought it from Verizon. I don't understand why they insist on a permanently locked bootloader. I won't be buying a Verizon branded phone again.
i do wish the developers behind releases like this would make it support more phones than just the google pixel or samsung galaxy models... i dont plan on ever getting one of those phones unless they get the microsd card slot back because i value the microsd card slot that highly, which is why i have a nokia 8.1 atm
And that is why I have a Sony Xperia 1 iii ATM
Since you are denying all of the data being transferred to Google servers, does this also mean that you get a slight bump in battery life?
Just upgraded from my pocophone running a chopped up version of legacy OS, to a pixel 6a. Price was right, and you sold me on finally giving GrapheneOS a go!
its great to see this project is still churning along.
I would love to know how you feel about the privacy of an iphone in comparison. I have no doubt that grapheneOS is more secure over all, and im sure iOS is more private than google's shipping flavors of android, but im not sure which IOS leans more towards.
iOS is more secure that is true, it gives you more control over the permissions of the different apps and all. But sadly its not more private compared to google at all. The approach is different. Google wants it's share of your data in android but also lets other developers to spy on you as well through tracking libraries in their apps. Apple however just wants it all for themselves. The phone is super closed up and you have never any idea what is going on in the background, you have no control over it. And trust me these devices are built from the ground up to screw the customer over, even in HW but well that is not an issue of privacy. But what i mean is that apple also tracks whether you run or sit or tracks your location and your habits and everything, absolutely the same as google. They use it for their own stuff of course but they also sell this data to advertisers, they just want to be the only player in that space. Apple likes to have all the control when it comes to their products.
Are you aware if anyone has done any investigation of the phone's hardware itself? I'm concerned about hardware-level spying. For example, screen-logging, or GPS logging. It's a shame that physical switches for camera and GPS aren't more popular.
The components of the phone can talk to each other bypassing the OS. Rob Braxman tech is a good channel to check out.
Yes rob braxman
GPS is tracked via satelite.
@@Eluderatnight GPS position is discovered by listening to satellite broadcasts. I'm concerned that the results are transmitted out by other means. GPS alone cannot track you. Edit: Partial correction. Apparently Apple/Google aren't using pure GPS on phones; they are making server calls to find satellite positions faster; which logs your location per-tower. My original comment is only accurate for pure disconnected GPS, like a Garmin.
Yes, grapheneOS 's developers have been investigating the hardware for a while now.
It's not perfect but it's the best that currently exists
I wish it was available on more phones.
I wish 2+2=5
It's fundamentally not possible to have the same level of competence as a third party manufacturers.
Only Google can achieve this since they have the know-how to make the entire OS.
Other manufacturer take android and mess it up real bad, make it very insecure and fully of bugs
@@YounesLayachi What are you talking about? GrapheneOS is not made by google.
@@Invictus_Mithra graphene is made possible by Google's hardware and software.
Keep in mind other devices do not support graphene
@@YounesLayachi I think it's mainly because they are one of the only relatively big players that still allow you to unlock the bootloader. I don't understand how software is related to this when you're getting rid of their version of android to get grapheneos on there.
@@Invictus_Mithra unlocking bootloader is like 5% of the story. That's a given.
The rest of the hardware and software security features are what's missing from other devices.
Thanks Louis i love this OS so much, did a 100$ donation!
I'm happy to see you make this video I've been using graphene and aosp for a couple years now.
The biggest reason I buy a pixel every year is because of the fact that I can unlock the bootloader, root it and then proceed to do whatever I feel like doing with it.
@@yeetyeet7070 no, they're kept fairly nicely and they have normal wear and tear. It's just nice having new tech.
What one is your current everyday ?
Just be careful with Pixel phones touched by Verizon. The only company that OEM locks pixel phones 🙄 for "security reasons", forever. Terrible company.
@Michael Palmer if you really hate Google then your only option is a second hand/used pixel phone. Since that's the only phone you can fully degoogle
@Michael Palmer buy second hand devices. I get a lot of joy from buying a garage sale device produced by a company I hate, and rooting it to hell, and back. (my most recent project has been a Nintendo Switch, really fun jailbreak)
This is informative, and unfortunate
I was looking for this comment.
My only problem was their refusal to allow selinux in permissive, magisk to function, or for persistent system patches after an OTA update which for me is important because GrapheneOS has limitations by default that I need to circumvent for my daily tasks.
If they start enabling me to use patches then I'd switch,But rebuilding Android OTA updates on device is not as simple as rebuilding Gentoo.
They will never allow you that, because they are as user-hostile as Google. Their excuse is that this would decrease the security, which is true in some sense, but why shouldn't I as a user be able to make my own trade-off?
Vanilla Pixel user here. What kind of patches do you mean?
@@dfgdfg_ I use a custom systrm webiew that is more updated and has adblocking, kernel patches to use containers and binds (for using docker), microg, larger swap partition, cpu overclock, a static busybox install in /sbin, and I also use lsposed for modifying on a single-app scope and persisting updates.
Thanks for showing it actually works with Google Play apps. I'm gonna definitely be getting a Pixel for my next phone, and now I'm pretty sure it'll be using GrapheneOS for it. This seems easy and painless enough.
Your phone is ALWAYS listening to you - interesting story...one day my cousin came over the house with his set of DeWalt power tools. We were talking about ** DeWalt ** power tools. Next thing you know, less than an hour later I started seeing ads and emails promoting, you guessed it, DeWalt power tools, even though I have never had an interest in this brand. This raises a point too - the algorithms are dumb and can't distinguish sincere interest versus casual conversation versus context.
Too bad the grapheneos community is so toxic. I had an interaction with a lead developer, and as soon as I didn't 100% agree with him on some technical topic, he got angry and verbally attacked me on a personal level. After that I did a bit of research and found out their whole community seems to act like this and in consequence had "wars" with other custom ROM communities, such as CalyxOS. I am not sure if I really want to trust them for my OS's security.
Just bought a Pixel 6 Pro as a result of this video and then looking into Graphene OS - many thanks for bringing this to the fore Louis. One question though - you kept referring to your 'boss' - but aren't you the owner of Rossman Repair Group? Did I miss a merger or acquisition somewhere?
exactly what i'm wondering
What about camera...is it as good as on official OS
Would've been useful to also mention battery life, coz Google's apps use plenty of the device's background battery & data consumption.
I'm also curious about all the different use cases people have with Android phones. Do third party launchers work fine (coz they don't always work fine nowadays even on Pixels)? Do games run just as well? Can apps be granted special permissions that you normally need to root access to grant? Any compromises on modern Android features like Material you? More freedom in using different voice assistants or is it not even an option?
Probably worth looking into
If pegasus can bypass firmware flashes im sure the "titan" chip or their own hardware is a risk for being backdoored from the supply chain, that's a thing with modem hardware as well. Nobody can say how differently they can or can't leverage the soc etc just from a feature standpoint, or if any of the voice recognition, isp etc can be accessed through drivers.
Going through the large number of permission settings for every single app one installs takes work that most people won't do, so the OS should have a system that automatically sets the minimum permissions necessary for each app, thereby saving a lot of tedium and ensuring maximum security.
Love the thumb trackball. It's the sign of an advanced human.
thanks that was very enlightening, and did it seemed a lot easier than described in their...lenghty document. Plus, damn, theres some thing pretty relaxing about watching a video of someone talking in a lazyboy chair rather than from a table with bright lamps in their face..
Hey Louis. Thank you for demo'ing this. I'm really wanting to try it but how do you trust this software? The lead dev Daniel Micay is not really known for his maturity or emotional stability in dev spaces. The other devs are all black boxes. How do we know they're not bad actors? I'm having a really hard time trusting this group of people more than I would Samsung or someone else.
Is there any help for me or is it just "trust it or don't"? Maybe you could point me in the direction of allaying my fears? Maybe a video on who they are and why they should be trusted?
Anyway, thank you for all you're doing for privacy and r2r.
Maybe their incentives are aligned with yours and therefore you can trust them to act in their own interest which will in turn benefit you.
That's a concern of mine for sure. Trust people who audit the code. It's open source
One misconception to add would be that you need to keep your bootloader unlocked, since thats how it was in the past, and I still believed that.
That said, the banking thing isn't entirely true. Capital One does not work. That said, it seems to be the only one so far.
Edit: My error was also ignorance. You have to enable "Exploit protection compatibility mode" for Capital One.
9:12 I love Google's considerations and trust in their own employees. They watched 1999's Office Space. 😂
Got a Pixel 7 just to install GrapheneOS, so far my device actually runs better. The Pixel 7 used to get hot, now it does not. I missed GBoard but the Microsoft keyboard works perfect including swiping and editing. To get some apps to run, I install the sandboxed Google Services Framework and Google play than removed all the permissions and the apps work. It takes some learning but once you get good at it, it’s incredible. I’m using Signal as my SMS messages. The only Google service I am using now is TH-cam and the only permission is has is network. Facebook did restrict my account for 48hrs because I turned off sensors, contact sharing etc. The Pixel 7 ran COD mobile terribly, however on Graphene it actually runs better and does not get hot. I love this OS and although I thought about trying Calyx OS I can’t see a reason why at this point. I’m a Linux enthusiast and have enjoyed trying the Different FOSS apps. I found this OS when I was searching for Linux Mobile Distros and I am now looking forward to removing Google from all aspects of my life. Just because WE are the product does not mean they can have free range access to everything about us. Thanks Louis. 😊
Your comment made me take the leap to try out Graphene on my 5a. I’ll see how it goes
I want to see this expand beyond Pixel phones. I used to be in the deGoogled bandwagon with my Samsung Note 4 running Havoc-OS Android 10 custom ROM. Nowadays, I'm exploring smartphones that are out of the norm, which is why I bought LG's V50 with its detachable Dual Screen case and Wing 5G since two months ago. Would I install a deGoogled custom ROM on my only V50 and Wing? No, not even slightly. Would I buy another V50 and/or Wing to go back to deGoogled custom ROM flashing? Absolutely.
Would like to hear about the photo and video quality. Since pixels use age-old camera hardware and rely on computational photography, are the pictures and videos taken from a graphene os pixel good? Also, how is the battery life before and after graphene os?
It's a shame that they don't have a way to allow android auto to work on graphene.
Underrated comment by far.
Android Auto is probably the one feature I'd miss if I used an alternative OS. Everything else I could live without, but the seamless (most of the time) integration with my car is way too valuable for me.
BROTHER, YOU ARE THE BEST!!! You oooh really helped me!! THANK YOU VERY MUCH!
ive been using graphene OS for about a week or two and its absolutely the best OS for android currently i got a pixel 4 and boom graphene works
Keep in mind that the higher profile users will not want to use Graphene because key security updates are less likely to be rolled out in a prompt manner vs apple or google who have far more resources to achieve these swift updates.
Hoping this becomes available for other devices soon, cause I'm not particularly keen on having to get a Pixel device for it. That's for a handful of reasons, but the big one being giving up expandable storage and the headphone jack
I am highly skeptical that any OS running on a custom chip google designed will be able to get around the (likely) hardware-backdoors in the chip itself. Anyone have more information on this? This probably counts for any of the pre-tensor chips as well since I don't believe they are open source but the situation is even more exxagerated by google-designed chips
Think of your Graphene experience as a Sandbox, and anything you do within that is hidden or 'encrypted' from outside. Memory is partitioned for it, and Android isn't there to run anything or interpret data. The issue with Android is they allow apps through their store but force them to work a certain way so they are reliant on Google services. Graphene mitigates that issue. A teleco can ping your location so not much point stressing about Tensor
What we need are apps that ALSO feed Google all manner of NONSENSE information. Have it telling Google that I'm in five different cities and thee different airplanes at the same time.
great video about a great OS. can't wait till it's ported to more devices!
So tempted to try it, I really like the concept of play services running in a sandbox, I think that would give me a lot of peace of mind relative to something like lineageos that runs microg with full privileges. But man I am just not sold on google pixels at all, hundreds of dollars for phones with no sd card slot, no headphone jack, relatively small batteries. Anyone know of an OS that does something similar but has more varied supported devices?
LineageOS... all the other ones are mostly only compatible with Pixels
How has your experience with the phone itself been? I've particularly heard some mixed reviews for the fingerprint sensor on the Pixel 6.
Pixel 6 owner. The fingerprint sensor sucks
it sucks balls. fingerprint sensor on a dedicated button is always better than the built into the screen garbage. the LG V60 had this and it sucked too.
the samsung s10e fingerprint sensor on the side button is amazing.
the pixel 4a 5G fingerprint sensor on the back under the camera is amazing
the pixel 6 pro fingerprint sensor built into the screen is trash.
most phones do stupid shit to be trendy that actually makes them worse. curved glass display is another example. It makes it easier for me to touch stuff i didn't mean to touch, but i guess it looks cooler or something. but it works like crap compared to older phones that do not do this stupid shit.
IMO, phone hardware peaked over five years ago. it's all downhill since with stupid trendy nonsense like removing microsd/headphone jack, curved screens that are more expensive to refurbish/repair & more annoying to use, fingerprint scanners that don't work as well because it is integrated into the screen.
@@rossmanngroup have you tried the fingerprint sensor on the s21 or s22? i find them pretty accurate and great no issues there
no beating dedicated button tho, but if if underscreen can be made decent why not?
@@Loved_ the other issue with it is i have to put my finger in a specific spot on the screen. this is never as easy as a dedicated sensor where i can feel where it is.
@@rossmanngroup thats fair. each to their own :) have a good night. and a hello from SA, hope to meet you at another fan meetup thingy
Before investing in a Google Pixel phone, which developers state is the only supported models, there are serious questions:
If seeking security and distancing oneself from Google, why do developers only support a Google Pixel phone?
What assurance do developers have that Google did not design a backdoor into its firmware, OS notwithstanding?
I really want to go Graphene, but am hesitant on the Pixel-only aspect.
Well you could be right and it could be a back door firmware waiting to be discovered but for now there is none. And anyways, the pixel devices have specific security features that the graphing OS project requires
All of your "questions" (aka attempts at spreading FUD) are actually answered on the project's page.
One thing I'll say is having Google track my location saved me when a woman filed a police report against me for harassment. She stated I was following her around for over 20 minutes but google showed I had only left my house 20 minutes before I ever was on the street she was on. We believe she was being followed by someone in a similar car to mine I just happened to park nearby.
where do you find that information, about the time you left home?
@baran dancer Google maps
Tap your profile pic
Tap timeline
Find the day you want.
(You gotta have location on all the time)
@@goldenpun5592 sadly I never use location, so there's that.
Been running Graphene on a Pixel 4 for a couple months now. Basically zero usability complains, runs smoothly, and gives me peace of mind in a place where phone theft is extremely common. All of my apps work fine with the sandboxed play services, including banking!
Android auto works?