Honestly this is one of the only things holding me back from going to graphene. Once this is available to non alpha users I might make the switch properly.
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Absolutely. Android Auto is a must for me.
I'm on stable, and using it.
I tried out this OS last year and really loved it, until I went on a road trip and couldn't use Android Auto. This is huge and will make GrapheneOS an extremely attractive option to privacy minded people.
I think Android Auto is really the only thing keeping me from completely de-googling. Many times in the past I've installed some stripped down ROM or whatever but I always go back because Android Auto is too convenient.
I wish there was a nice open source alternative that worked with my head unit.
So you can have Android Auto while beinging degoogled. I do. As others have pointed out there is: https://github.com/sn-00-x/aa4mg
It's a bit of a faff to install, but works.
The problem I found is no SatNav that can take into account traffic. The best I've found is "Organic Maps", but it is open and works without the Google infrastructure. No getting round that traffic knowledge makes Google Maps better.
I have non AA things forcing me towards having to at least partly re-google.
I've been eying GrapheneOS as a way to compromise without being compromised.
To me it is super weird that GrapheneOS positions itself as a way to degoogle - but it is only supported on google's Pixel hardware.
Pixel hardware is some of the easiest to get/best/cost effective with an unlocked bootloader.
They only support Pixel hardware because it's currently the only line that meets their list of requirements. I'd guess that if something came around which beat the Pixel line, they'd support it...but I also don't see anyone positioned to do that right now.
Though it's worth mentioning that the developers don't emphasize degoogling all that much and their community often have a bit of tension with degooglers who come to join them. The OS certainly meets the needs of those of us getting away from Google but the developers have no problem recommending workflows that go through Google (albeit with regular app access rather than the privileged and deeply integrated access on stock Android) when they're more secure than the alternatives. For example, they'll regularly suggest using sandboxed Google Play over F-Droid or Aurora Store, again because of their stance of prioritizing security above all.
It can sometimes be a bit annoying when your priorities are more about avoiding corporate surveillance than protecting yourself from attackers or a snooping government, but their work ends up supporting both regardless.
That sounds like a reasonable position. Google would have an advantage in getting timely AOSP and security updates, but getting that stuff done should be a high priority for all manufacturers anyway. As for the rest of the list, there are things I don't know about - but at a glance it looks fair enough. So I guess there could and probably should be other phones trying to meet those conditions.
I think because on other manufacturer android phones, like Samsung, you'd have to de-Google and also de-Samsung.
Oh hell yeah. That was a big issue when I tried out gOS last year.
Awesome. I've been using GrapheneOS on my Pixel 7 for almost a year now and it's been great. I won't be using this feature, but am happy it might attract more users.
I'm still sour that Google disables hdmi/DP over USB-C on Pixels on purpose, and it bothers me that Graphene devs never bothered adding it back.
I think it's available on the Pixel 8. Graphene OS enabled USB-C video out a couple of months ago.
I'm still iffy about grapheneos after the rossman issue. Any other good alternatives?
iirc that developer doesn't work on grapheneos anymore
Daniel Micay says he will retire from lead developer and move on to management role, yet I think he is still committing a lot of the code https://github.com/GrapheneOS/platform_manifest/commits/14
However, I do believe he is very devoted to improving the privacy and security for all users, despite his communication issue. So I personally still uses grapheneos.
Similar alternatives are divest and calyx, but it seems like graphene is still the best for me and probably for most beginners and experts alike.
If you need Android Auto, the closest thing you'll get is LineageOS with some sort of GApps, but those are far from the "privacy and security first" goals of GrapheneOS.
If you are looking for something private/"FOSS-focused" and don't need Android Auto, I like CalyxOS a lot, and have heard good things about DivestOS.
I generally like Louis Rossmann, but his arguments in the GrapheneOS video were beyond stupid. He says that he can't trust GrapheneOS because it's developed by Daniel Micay. I guess he doesn't understand that GrapheneOS is open source and anyone can see the code. Then he switched back to the proprietary Google ROM. So he's trusting proprietary software that's filled with spyware over privacy-respecting open source software that can be audited by anyone.
You don't seem to understand the situation either and you blindly follow some YouTuber. I'd advise you to overthink your opinion on this topic.
Is Androit Auto proprietary? Does it depend on Google services (beyond GoogleMaps)?
Yes it's proprietary and depends on a lot of Google services. Usually if you want it on a custom ROM, you need to use the full GApps packages. No Android Auto on smaller GApps packages.
It works with microG but you still need the proprietary Auto app.
Do you need to root your phone for that? Or is it possible without rooting? Afaik Auto app has to be installed in priv-app
About time!
I'd have rather seen Google Pay support than Android Auto though I imagine it's a lot less feasible.
Google would have to approve the OS by whitelisting it
Would they? Why? I'm asking as I'm unaware of what restrictions are in place for it to work.
Edit: i meant to ask: "would they have to approve it?"
They would not. Best case scenario is that you can trick Google into thinking your device/OS is legit. It's of no benefit to them to in any way compromise the security of their highly sensitive payments app.
Google Pay support
I can not comprehend this. Ditching Google is why I yearn for alternatives to stock Android.
Here's an example and why I'm not on a custom ROM. My job has "restaurant credit" as one of the benefits. That's 200 euros a month in a card that can only be used through Google/Apple pay.
So either I skip the money or I need a second phone with me all the time.