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Discussion
How is graphene compared to Calyx?
I can't speak for calyx, but graphene has been great. Most android apps run by default using a stand-in for google play services; some don't, but its rare, navy federal works for instance, but USAA doesn't, you'll have an easy time with mostly anything that isn't related to the government or banking though. For apps that don't work out of the box, you can run them in a sandbox that protects the rest of your data. Its loaded with a lot of nice features, like the camera app doesn't retain metadata, so if I post a picture here I don't have to worry about it tracking me. Its been very stable overall, the only exceptions being user error in not updating the fdroid store apps. I can't speak to battery life because my (and my spouses) phones are both pretty old, but my battery usually holds if I'm not on amethyst all day. It retains all the major UI elements of android, so I'd be confident recommending it to people, I'm trying to put my mom on it soon and I doubt she will be able to tell the difference. Lastly, gives me a great excuse to not install apps to my phone, anytime someone bugs me to install tiktok I miss notifications from work (I turned them off) I just tell em I have a nutter crypto phone that won't let that stuff work.
sounds quiet awesome actually, thanks for the write up! Will most definitely research and most likely try when the EoL for my Pixel arrives.
So you mentioned you and the missus have old phones but it runs great… how old are we talking? I’m rocking a pixel4a at times but fear it’s longevity. Is GrapheneOS installable on any phone then? Not just locked to Google Pixels like CalyxOS?
That would be very cool!
I'm running a pixel 4 and the better half has a 3, the battery life on the 3 seems to be dropping off too much. If I had to guess, graphene probably has better battery life because its not always phoning home to google etc.
If you have any specific apps you'd like to ask about I'll install them and let you know.
This is fantastic to read, backs up how I always tell people, our users and community are some of the warmest and most welcoming helpful people.
Great question...
GrapheneOS and CalyxOS are much different. GrapheneOS is a hardened OS with substantial privacy and security improvements:
https://grapheneos.org/features
CalyxOS is not a hardened OS. It substantially reduces security. It recently went 2 months not shipping standard security patches.
Compatibility with Android apps on GrapheneOS is also much different. GrapheneOS provides our sandboxed Google Play compatibility layer:
https://grapheneos.org/usage#sandboxed-google-play
Can run the vast majority of Play Store apps on GrapheneOS, but not CalyxOS with the problematic microG approach.
CalyxOS is closer to LineageOS they both share the same issue above and they both always use multiple Google services too while giving them privileged access even if users don't use microG. It would be wrong to imply they don't use Google services. microG is of course an implementation of Google services. GrapheneOS doesn't use Google services by default.
To clarify further they always use Google services even without microG. They use Google for connectivity checks, network time, attestation key provisioning, SUPL, DNS fallback (LineageOS only), PSDS (Pixel 6 and 7), eSIM activation and more enabled by default.
https://blog.privacyguides.org/2022/04/21/grapheneos-or-calyxos/ is a 3rd party article explaining some of the substantial differences between GrapheneOS and CalyxOS. It's a common misconception that they're similar. CalyxOS is far more similar to LineageOS than GrapheneOS. There are many other alternate OSes available.
https://privsec.dev/posts/android/choosing-your-android-based-operating-system/ is another article about privacy and security differences between alternative Android-based operating systems.
If you have any questions though you know where I am, always happy to help. Take care and be well.
Amazing write up ✍️!
I honestly had no idea my Calyx was so dependant on google services! Comes as quite a bit of a shock tbh!
I think i’m definitely sold on GrapheneOS for my next phone now.
One last question, does GrapheneOS operate on all android phones past a certain point or can it be a nuisance to source a decent device?
Many thanks 🙏
GrapheneOS runs on all Pixels currently receiving active security updates from the OEM.
GrapheneOS often also provides Extended Support Releases for devices beyond end of life but they generally cease upon the next major OS being available thereafter.
See https://endoflife.date/pixel for where in the support window each Pixel currently falls.
Thanks for the info. My main reason for adopting calyx over graphene is that graphene is the #1 distro for privacy enthusiasts. It is therefore the #1 target for anti-privacy initiatives. I would rather be under the table eating scraps (and being ignored) than at the feast but a prime target.
Would be interested to hear thoughts.....