Subj : GrapheneOS
To   : All
From : Greenlfc
Date : Wed Jan 26 2022 08:08:02

I've been messing around with various alternate Android ROMs for a long time.  
It's always an adventure - get root, unlock the bootloader, find the right ROM 
for your exact version of the device, flash it, brick it, recover it, try 
again, etc.

Usually I'll end up with LineageOS, without any Google services.  However, 
after work got me a Pixel 3 for (cough) testing, I finally had a chance to try 
Graphene OS.

The Pixel 3 is the oldest supported device for GrapheneOS and may fall off 
before too long.  When buying a phone for GrapheneOS, make sure you can unlock 
the bootloader - the carrier-provided versions don't allow this and prevent you 























































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































from installing alternate ROMs.  The eBay listing should mention this, or you 
can ask the carrier.  If the IMEI starts with "3", it's a Verizon phone and 
definitely won't work.   

All that said, installing GrapheneOS is the *easiest* alternate ROM install 
I've ever done.  Their web-based installer is flawless.  Once booted into the 
phone you'll find that it's extremely minimal.  The first thing to do is go 
install F-Droid and Aurora so you can easily install other apps.  The device is 























































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































very smooth and the interface is visually appealing.

In terms of drawbacks, the first is that, as all of the supported devices are 
Pixel 3 and later, you can't buy a phone that has a MicroSD slot; you're 
committed to the storage on the phone and no more.  The second drawback, for 
some users, is that since Google Play services are not installed, some apps 
won't work (including Microsoft Intune, if you need it for work). 

I'm currently daily driving this as my "personal" phone (I need a full Android 
experience for work).  I'll follow up in a few days with some more impressions.

GreenLFC               º e> greenleaderfanclub@protonmail.com
Infosec / Ham / Retro  º masto> greenleaderfanclub@distrotoot
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