I love GrapheneOS. The biggest downside is that Google integrity API block wireless payments in Google Pay. All Dutch banks now advertise to install Google pay for wireless payments. I've tried asking Google to support GrapheneOS but they told me to do a feature request. Which I did and got no reply to. I've contacted the consumer market authority and made a formal complaint since Google and Apple share effectively a contactless payments duopoly and decide which OS distributions get access. Those are closed source and usually bundled with a lot of spyware. I also explained how the Google integrity API might affect banking availability in the future (and already does for some banking apps). They took it very seriously and I hope to hear from them in the future.

I was bit confused why this was notable, but the Pixel 9a just released Thursday. So this is an incredibly fast turnaround for a community OS.

I installed GrapheneOS on my Pixel 4a after Google deleted the battery life[0], and while the initial move was frustrating with things not working, I've adapted and have a nice feeling of security while using my device again. It feels like it's mine, and I don't have to worry about who will spy on me or rug-pull me next.

[0] https://grapheneos.social/@GrapheneOS/113917226566692707

I think GrapheneOS is one of the most important projects going. Many people walk around with all-purpose spying devices in their pocket, oblivious to how much power they are giving up. They have no control over these devices, and they don't even understand.

GrapheneOS gives us a way to resist. The convenience of having a modern phone is hard to give up, and with GrapheneOS you can have 90% of that convenience while reducing much of the surveillance and attack surface. Now, we just need a pixel phone with two big hardware switches, sliders on each side of the phone: one kills the radios, and the other kills the sensors (cameras, microphones). When you want to take a call, just flip the big slider switch up to activate cameras and mics.

Thank you to strcat and the rest of the team! If you don't use GrapheneOS, I would consider it. You can donate here: https://grapheneos.org/donate And if you have the right kind of programming skills, why not help out?

How "private" is graphene?

How much do I gain from switching to it instead of say, remaining on the Stock Android?

Edit: This looks comprehensive — https://staging.grapheneos.org/features