Partly because of this, I moved to graphene.
Fuck google, simply. And I did like then 15-20 years ago. How far have they fallen..
this post was submitted on 18 Feb 2026
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Android
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I wish I could, but I don't want to carry around a wallet, so I need Google Wallet :( and it doesn't work on Graphene.
Yeah, same. I have considered a watch to solve this, but not sure.
15-20 years ago? I thought GrapheneOS was 6 years old
Bye bye Android and hello Murena Fairphone.
I wish a have Fairphone, They are great
Nope.
Just remove gapps. Problem solved.
I'm not sure but on same devices removing Gapps on stock ROM can result in soft-brick
Sounds like a huge market for degoogled phones is about to open. Stock up now.
I have an Android device with a locked bootloader and no available custom ROMS. Am I fucked ?
You need to unlock bootloader first
I don't think it's unlockable. You see I'm using an honor device (huawei basically)
So, I will no longer be allowed to install APKs that aren't from the Play Store? I thought they backed down on that.
Only if you have gapps installed. So just reinstall your OS. It's absent by default.
Problem solved.
not just play store it's worse, if the developer didn't pay to google and give ID to Google, no-one can install that app
Right now the best solution is using custom ROMs *without Google Play Services
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A lot of people reported that they did. I don't know why. Nothing in their statement said that. They did say they were going to add some "advanced workflows" but didn't elaborate anymore than that. It says it right in the link in OP:
Update: Google has not “backed down” from developer verification: Contrary to a vague mention of a possible “advanced flow” that may eventually allow “experienced users to accept the risks of installing software that isn’t verified”, Google’s description of the program continues to state plainly that: "Starting in September 2026, Android will require all apps to be registered by verified developers in order to be installed on certified Android devices". Until such time that they have shown evidence that it will be possible to bypass the verification process without undue friction, we must believe what is stated on their official page: that all apps from non-registered developers will be blocked once their lock-down goes into effect.
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FuckGoogle
Is that a new ROM?
What is ROM state of development with locked bootloaders and pixle going down the drain. Not to mention broken VoLTE (last time I looked) now needed in a bunch of countries since 3g cutoff.
Like ideally yes.
But you think they'll stop at the play store?
Use Custom ROMs with MicroG
Here is active and good custom ROMs
LineageOS (many devices) e/os (many devices) crDroid (many devices) GrapheneOS (only pixel)
that's just it, they're targeting custom ROMs with this too. the number of security updates for AOSP is being cut by Google in order to make custom ROMs less secure, so that they can then close down the project while claiming it's to protect users. make no mistake, the end goal here is make everyone who uses Android have to do so on their terms.
it's why Linux phones being mainstream is an absolute priority.
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I just got my fairphone! It feels so free!
Good news on the GrapheneOS front: Graphene will be available on hardware other than Pixels.
I like my Pixel 6 Pro just fine, but I'm nonetheless thrilled about this.
https://piunikaweb.com/2026/02/02/grapheneos-non-pixel-hardware-announcement/
My girlfriend and I both need new phones from her failing and buggy Samsung A52 and my Xperia 5ii. We are not going Samsung anymore because they are putting unremovable Israeli spyware baked into their devices, fairphone 6 still seems very buggy and we had a friend with a fairphone 4 with 99 problems with it, and I don't want to give google money and we want SD card slots instead of almost no memory to force cloud subscriptions.
2027 is starting to be a big ask though.
For what its worth, I've been daily driving a Fairphone 6 with /e/OS for over 4 months now and it seems quite polished to me. I've had a small number of issues that I've had to work through (as has been the case with every phone I've ever used), but I definitely wouldn't describe it as "very buggy."
Do you mind if I ask you a few questions about it? Especially on/e/? I think you are the first user I have seen.
Does android auto work, connect fast, and have all of your enabled apps on it? My girlfriend's maps app just doesn't work in android auto sometimes and the same with Antennapod for me and we have to reconnect. That is quite an important one.
How is battery life with screen off? On my xperia 5ii it has always been terrible with 1.5% per hour (accubattery) on WiFi or 3% per hour on 4G...
Does your microphone work well in calls, recording, and on speaker? I have seen a ton of bug reports for that.
Have you run into the common "terrible haptics/vibration" thing that people are saying with it barely being noticeable or not noticable in your pocket? I have heard that and that the haptics are really really bad in general.
good but I don't have couple months
Refurbished Pixels can be cheap nowadays. I got a Pixel 8a for less than 300 euros in great condition.
That's just the announcement. The devices won't be ready till 2027. 😖
This is only fuel on the EU open source initiatives.
But I'm pretty sure Google wont get away with locking down EU customers anyway, as this is clearly a breach of the DMA.
They could clam a web app is the "alternative" I guess.
They'll shut that down too. Somehow. For "security" I'm sure, even as the Play Store is infested with scam apps.
Play Store is infested with scam apps
Last time when I checked most of the apps was scam
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So, I guess this means that f-droid can only be installed via Google Play. /s
I'm getting flashbacks to using Internet Explorer to install Firefox.
edit: made sarcasm more obvious.
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