Which De-Googled operating system(OS) is for you?
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CalyxOS:
We consider this the best option for people new to De-Googled smartphones. If you want privacy but without too much hassle, consider CalyxOS. It's user-friendly, making setup straightforward for those seeking privacy without much hassle. CalyxOS strikes a balance between privacy and usability, ensuring your data stays safe without compromising too much on convenience. The operating system also comes with its own set of privacy alternative apps which help to ease you into the De-Googled experience.
- MicroG? - You can choose whether to include microG during first setup, improving app compatibility if you need it. Refer to the bottom of this page if you're unsure whether you need microG.
- Locked Bootloader? - Yes, this OS will come with a locked bootloader. What does this mean?
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GrapheneOS:
GrapheneOS prioritizes security and privacy above all else, making it the ideal choice for users who value the utmost protection for their privacy-focused smartphones. The developers have dedicated alot of efforts towards eliminating security vulnerabilities that come with most Android phones. Some examples of extra features that come with GrapheneOS are:
- Storage Scopes - Choose which folders/files each specific app can access.
- Location data access indicator - This shows an indicator in the notification bar when an app the user has granted location permissions to, accesses location data.
- And more.
MicroG? - As an alternative to microG, GrapheneOS offers users the option to install(it can be removed at any point) its own innovative solution: Sandboxed Google Play Services. This approach involves isolating Google Play Services from the system partition and treating them as user apps, enforcing strict sandboxing. This means that Google Play Services and the Play Store adhere to Android's security boundaries, allowing users to revoke sensitive app permissions such as location and file access as needed. In essence, sandboxed Google Play services provides a secure way to preserve user privacy whilst also expanding the devices compatibility with mainstream applications.
If you prefer to control which apps have access to Google Play services rather than granting it to all of them, consider installing Google Play in a separate user or work profile specifically designated for apps that rely on it. If you want to pursue this further, we recommend refering to GrapheneOS's own documentation.
- Locked Bootloader? - Yes, this OS will come with a locked bootloader. What does this mean?
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e/OS:
For a De-Googled/privacy oriented operating system that is widely available for many different devices and that is also a good balance between privacy and usability, e/OS is a great option. It aims to provide both privacy and ease of use, making it a solid choice for those who want a hassle-free experience. Similar to CalyxOS, e/OS offers a selection of privacy oriented apps and services as alternatives to Googles ecosystem.
If you buy a device with e/OS from us, it will be the dev build instead of the stable build. This means that the OS may contain non critical bugs. For more information visit this link.
If you want the stable version of e/OS, then you must purchase a phone from the murena shop.
- MicroG? - Yes, e/OS will come with microG. Refer to the bottom of this page if you're unsure whether you need microG.
- Locked Bootloader? - Only Fairphone branded devices come with a locked bootloader on this particular OS. All other e/OS devices with have an unlocked bootloader. What does this mean?
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LineageOS:
If you're looking for a De-Googled OS that is availble on a wide range of devices, LineageOS is worth considering. It supports a wide variety of devices and it is well renowned for being highly customizable. While not necessarily as privacy-focused as the other options, LineageOS offers transparency and control over your device. It will also come with our own selection of pre-installed privacy-focused apps for some added convenience. You will of course be able to remove these apps if they are not to your preference.
- MicroG? - When adding an item to your basket, you are given the option to choose whether you want microG included with LineageOS. Refer to the bottom of this page if you're unsure whether you need microG.
- Locked Bootloader? - No, all devices with LineageOS will come with an unlocked bootloader. What does this mean?
What is the benefit of a locked bootloader?
If someone with the technical know how gains physical access to a device with an unlocked bootloader, the possibility is that they could gain unauthorized access to sensitive data, install malicious software, modify system settings and/or disable security features. A locked bootloader reduces the possibilty of an adversary with physical access to the smartphone from tampering with the device.
If your bootloader is unlocked, be aware that if someone with the relevant technical skills gains physical access to your device, it could result in you being hacked.
What is the purpose of MicroG and GrapheneOS's Sandboxed Google Play Services?
Most applications on android require Google Play Services to be installed, and the use of Google's servers in order to function properly, that is where MicroG and GrapheneOS's Sandboxed Google Play come in. They are both tools that provide alternatives to the official Google Play Services on Android devices. If you are worried about the inconveniences that may come of a De-Googled device, that you will not be able to get by without mainstream apps functioning, then microG or Sandboxed Google Play are recommended. Please be aware that they both still communicate with Google's servers. Choosing to have one of these options over having no Google Play Services can offer a balance between app compatibility and privacy, allowing you to maintain functionality while minimizing your exposure to data collection practices associated with Google's services.
MicroG does have compatibility issues with a small number of apps, these issues are rare but please be aware of this. If you want to check microG's compatibility with a specific app, you may refer to this list.
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