I currently use an iPhone 8 Plus, but I’ll be switching to Android soon and I of course want to degoogle it. Is GrapheneOS a good pick over something like Lineage (or anything else)?

Edit: Also, is there support for mainstream apps and services? Most of them aren’t privacy friendly, but I need to use them for contact with people (e.g. Discord, ability to print, gmail, etc.)

  • seedmarx@lemmy.mlOP
    2·
    3 years ago

    What is the difference between the normal Lineage and the MicroG fork? What does MicroG add?

    • DonutVeteran@lemmy.ml
      4·
      3 years ago

      MicroG is an implementation of gapps, or a collection of Google-provided applications, frameworks, and services. Without it, it will be hard to run apps that depend on that support (most apps present in the Play Store); even if an APK of that app is downloaded it will not be able to work properly.

      A free-as-in-freedom re-implementation of Google’s proprietary Android user space apps and libraries.

      https://microg.org/

        • onlooker@lemmy.ml
          4·
          3 years ago

          Just wanted to chime in: you mentioned you needed Discord to work, yes? Discord is reliant on some of Google’s android services, so you will need either microG or opengapps on your phone. @ajz already mentioned LineageOS for microG, which I think would be your best, and simplest, bet.

          Note that microG can be installed with other ROMs, but that is usually a separate thing you have to install after you’ve installed the android ROM, whereas Lineage with microG already comes with microG bundled, as the name implies. Flash it and you’re done.

          CalyxOS also comes with microG and is generally well received, but as you can see here the selection of supported phones is rather limited at this time. Good luck!