this post was submitted on 02 Mar 2026
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DeGoogle Yourself
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Nice, how's it treating you? Run into any issues?
I hope graphene serves you well, maybe someday I'll make the switch as well :)
It's surprisingly smooth, basically "just Android" but less bloat, spam, and creepiness. Way easier than my transition to Linux has been (which still wasn't bad), and I feel like I can relax now.
I AM mildly annoyed that I was unable to fully degoogle though. I need Android Auto which needs Play Services. And I need a navigation app, and the one I chose (Here We Go) works in Android Auto ONLY if downloaded from the Play Store specifically, not even Aurora. Literally the only app that did that once I enabled side loading in Android Auto settings, and literally the only app I needed to work on Android Auto. But it was either that or Google Maps from Aurora basically and uh...nah. I found Open Street Map based apps to be unusable.
Still, it's sort of nice to have the Play Store and Play Services. Play Store is most secure for downloads. Notifications are more reliable. I only give network permissions to each and turned off Play Protect so they can't phone home. Most things auto update between Graphene App Store, Droid-ify, and Play Store (Aurora and Obtanium can auto update on my old phone, but not on GrapheneOS). The stuff I have left in Obtanium are just a few game emulators which aren't security critical. I made a new burner account from the phone settings with a VPN on and it didn't ask for a phone number that way. I can make a new burner next time I get a phone. Or not, and I can buy Play Store gift cards with cash if I really need paid apps. I was starting to like Koala Sampler for example, though it does have a few trackers which I'm not comfortable with.
I'm also mildly annoyed that I had to overpay for the hardware just to lose my SD card slot. Gaming is unimpressive, it's barely an upgrade from a Snapdragon 865+. It definitely still has a premium flagship feel though, and the CPU and camera is a big improvement from my old phone.
for navigation without boogle services, comaps from fDroid or magic earth from Aurora work fine
They may mean that open street maps doesnt have adequate data for their area, in which case those options are unlikely to help
For me the issue is traffic data. I need to know if something crazy happened on my usual route.
Yeah, I have ADHD and accurate time estimations for how long it'll get places inclidimg traffic are REALLY important to me because my brain can't process how long it takes to do things and time manage the way other people can
Sometimes you have needs that aren't totally met by the open source or free license option, and thats okay :)
Hopefully over time it can get better and better, which is why I still like contributing with street complete. Only time will tell if osm will end up working out adequately for me, but if it doesn't work for your needs, that's alright! Maybe in the future it'll be able to :)
we're the data of osm. It can be adequate tomorrow, if you care enough.
This would take dozens of hours though. If there were absolutely no option I would consider it but it is also absolutely useless for discovery: I have to already know it's there and add it myself. Every time someone sends me their address, I have to add it to OSM before I can navigate to it. That is a non-starter for regular, reliable use. If I just had to add something every once in a while that would be one thing, but it's entirely unusable.
Yes, you can, but if every time you have to go somewhere new its not there its not really serving very well as your GPS, especially if you really need your GPS on a regular basis. At a minimum that means you need two GPS apps
I really enjoy adding stuff with street complete and wanna get more in the habit of it for anywhere I go regularly, but if someone needs to be able to get places and osm doesnt have the data they need, its totally reasonable for them to use a different gps- open street maps can't get them where they need to go, so theyre gonna need a different one
Personally I think if someone's needs are simply not met by the open source tool it is okay for them to look for something that will, even if the open source/free licence thing would be better in terms of freedoms
That is correct, a lot of basic, popular places that have been in my area for decades were not listed. And I was unable to simply navigate to an address that doesn't isn't explicitly added, which seems like a huge oversight.
You can easily add them with StreetComplete ☞ https://f-droid.org/packages/de.westnordost.streetcomplete
Thanks for sharing your experience, thats super helpful! I'm curious what navigation app you're liking, I'm currently still using google maps and occasionally trialing foss osm maps, but I'm not sure if they'll adequately fill my needs.
Yeah having to use a pixel is a bummer, I have weird hardware preferences and would really love to have more options but understand why thats not possible. I just dont love what google offers and some of the things I'd loose out on vs more niche options
I hope graphene continues to work well for you! ☺️
You're welcome!
Yeah OSM does not meet my needs in my area. I love the idea though. I'm using Here We Go. Good privacy policy, European, not sketchy. It is easily one of the best functioning alternatives to Google, and only 2 trackers: Crashlytics (which you can turn off in settings) and Facebook Login (which you can just not use). You can save locations and access search history without an account. There is a toggle to work offline if you've downloaded maps for your area, which I usually use. If you use it online it has integrated reviews from TripAdvisor, and traffic data, but you have to opt into sharing yours as well which I don't want to. I use GMaps WV for discovery and reviews, and Here We Go for navigation. But you could probably get away with just Here We Go. As I mentioned though it does require Play Store for Android Auto.
Yeah but you know, first world problems. Still a good phone.
Thanks!
Gotcha, I'd not heard of it! I'll have to try it out sometime
Hope you have a lovely day ☺️