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?
I like my secure OS developers to be on the paranoid side of sane.
It’s probably not a stretch to think that there are a lot of people out to compromise that specific team of developers, that’d make me paranoid too.