My current phone is starting to annoy me after 7 years of usage (Xiaomi Note 8 Pro) and I’m thinking of finally getting a new one. With that in mind, I’m considering setting up a De-Googled OS as well, but there are a few things that I cannot compromise on:

  • Google Maps (I need the live traffic data when in a hurry, otherwise CoMaps is very nice)
  • Banking Apps (I’ve checked them in the GrapheneOS list and they do seem to work)
  • Instagram (it sucks I know, but I like not being a hermit)
  • Company Portal & Teams (absolute garbage, but I need it for work)

If any one of these aren’t guaranteed to work, then it’s not an option for me right now.

If they do work, which De-Googled OS should I go for? GrapheneOS does seem like the most private one and maybe the most likely to remain worked on and supported for a long time, but it means that I’m going to have to buy a Pixel, probably a refurbished one.

Lastly, if I install another OS and regret it, is it possible to install the stock OS again?

Edit: Also, what happens after Google’s “Unverified App” decision has passed, will this affect these alternative OS?

  • pinball_wizard@lemmy.zip
    5·
    1 day ago

    Teams works fine on GrapheneOS.

    I recall Google Maps working briefly before I fired it in favor of buying a dedicated hardware map solution.

    If they do work, which De-Googled OS should I go for?

    Depends on your needs, I suppose.

    All the options you’ve listed are an improvement over stock.

    I had an old spare pixel to try out GrapheneOS, and it was faster than my newer phone, so I started buying GrapheneOS-ready hardware from then on.

    I put LineageOS on some other hardware, and I miss some privacy features, but it’s still pretty nice.

    Lastly, if I install another OS and regret it, is it possible to install the stock OS again?

    Yes. There’s instructions to take a back up, at the start of the process.

    My plan was to fall back to eOS or LineageOS if I hated GrapheneOS, but it’s been lovely.

    Edit: Also, what happens after Google’s “Unverified App” decision has passed, will this affect these alternative OS?

    That’s all part of Google’s app ecosystem. Install F-Droid or Droidify, and you’ll be immune to all that. Aurora may work as well, but usual disclaimer for Aurora - it relies on Google and might break at any time.

    GrapheneOS has made public statements GrapheneOS itself is unaffected.