Can installing an open source os on a pixel phone count as de-googling?
Can installing an open source os on a pixel phone count as de-googling?
I mean they're still the ones who made the hardware
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Yes. If you install Graphene and no play services your phone is de-googled unless you use Google services through a web browser or install another app that contacts them. Google does not have magical hardware level telemetry.
Call me a paranoid haha.
Ok so which open source os do you recommend? I was told CalyxOS is good how does Graphene compare?
If the internet can be believed, Graphene is the absolute holy grail. That's why people buy Pixel phones specifically so they can flash Graphene.
Have a look at some of the threads on [email protected] for comparisons, my read on it is that GrapheneOS is trying to be as secure as possible which brings a lot of privacy with it, and CalyxOS is a bit more permissive because they're just trying to degoogle. What this means is that only Pixels meet GrapheneOS's standards whereas CalyxOS will run on other devices, and CalyxOS uses MicroG to spoof Google Play Services while GrapheneOS comes without any but allows you to install a sandboxed version of GPS if you need it.
You can have a read though GrapheneOS's website to get the pretty in-depth details on what it does, why it does it, and how to do it yourself. I've been using it for a couple of years now and I'd recommend it, happy to answer any questions if you need!
I've been running both (Calyx and Graphene) since the Pixel 4 XL, then Pixel 6 Pro and now on my 7 Pro. I go back to Calyx only when I read there's a disruptive change, and I always end coming back to Graphene.
From my experience, GrapheneOS is the one Android OS that comes the closest to complete control of your device.
As with everything else in life, your mileage may vary.
How can we* know this for sure? It seems so uncharacteristic of the company.
*or I, a pleb.
They don't care. It doesn't impact them economically in any noticeable way because the user base of these ROMs is too small for it to matter.
Also, you can see all traffic on your local network using Wireshark. Reiterating that computers aren't magic.