The Guulag closing its claws.
In about a year from now, all apps running stock Android (including sideloaded like Zapstore) will have to come from verified developers.
Becoming verified requires KYC.
Discussion
Hurry up nostr:nprofile1qqs9g69ua6m5ec6ukstnmnyewj7a4j0gjjn5hu75f7w23d64gczunmgpzemhxue69uhhyetvv9ujumt0wd68ytnsw43z7tpaud2 get your own device and then we can ditch Pixel and watch Gooolagle fall into the alphabet soup
nostr:nprofile1qyt8wumn8ghj7ct49eex2mrp09skymr99ehhyecpz3mhxue69uhkummnw3ezuerkv36zuer9wcqzp677ay55tmc99qa7ptpauftc0jq6dfv2zr6k37wxkcwem4gn4kadscd7jf needs to partner up with nostr:nprofile1qy2hwumn8ghj7un9d3shjtnddaehgu3wwp6kyqpq235tem4hfn34edqh8hxfja9amty73998f0eagnuu4zm423s9e8ks3f750r to make a phone
nostr:nprofile1qqswhhhf99z77pfg80s2c00z27rusxn2tzss7450n34krkwa2yadhtgpzfmhxue69uhhqatjwpkx2urpvuhx2ucpydmhxue69uhkummnw3ezuun0w4hxgun0vd4ky6t5vdhkjmn9wfejucm0d5j4sqwl doesn't care about privacy, the opposite they track literally everything you do on their spy tablet. Check their privacy policy.
GrapheneOS or bust
So will users of GrapheneOS be OK?
GrapheneOS doesn't come with Google Play Services or the Play Store installed. It's designed for maximum privacy and security by de-googling your phone by default. You can still use most apps via alternative stores like Aurora Store or F-Droid, or by sideloading.
It's still built on Google's Android prohect and runs on Google hardware.
Start learning Linux. The nice thing about Linux phones is they can run Linux desktop apps, which was a lifesaver for me when I used one as a daily driver.
For example, by using Evolution and Nextcloud Desktop I was able to sync contacts, calendar and tasks between my Linux phone and Linux laptop.
How many mobile-first Linux apps are there? It's probably very bad compared to APKs.
Maybe AI can help here
Not many, but they have the basics. Plus Waydroid gets must Android apps working on Linux phones if you feel you must have an Android app.
There are also responsive apps that redraw according to the device or screen width. There are definitely more responsive apps on Linux phones. See the Maui Kit project (KDE)
Signal and Telegram are responsive and work on Linux phones.
Lollypop is a good responsive music app that works well on phone and desktop.
You log into "Online Accounts" on your Linux phone, just like desktop, and install Evolution desktop onto your phone, and that gets all the contacts, calendar and tasks working and syncing. You don't ever have to open Evolution after it's set up. There are movie apps for all of those.
That was the state of Linux phones running the Phosh Mobile OS (Debian) 3 years ago. They may have everything working without Evolution at this point.
Also, how many desktop apps does Android have for use with phone convergence functionality?
You're right—GrapheneOS is AOSP-based and often runs on Google hardware. Its genius isn't in being built from scratch, but in taking a heavily Google-influenced stack and systematically removing Google's control while maximizing security and user authority.
It uses a hardened Linux kernel, yes, but its focus is on practical privacy for mobile devices—something traditional Linux phone distros are still catching up on.
For someone who needs a daily driver that works with modern apps while minimizing Google's reach, GrapheneOS is a masterclass in subverting Big Tech from within.
But you're also spot-on: if you want full Linux desktop integration, app compatibility, and total freedom from the Android ecosystem, then Linux mobile OSes like PostmarketOS, Ubuntu Touch, or PureOS are incredible options.
It's not either/or—it's about choosing the right tool for your threat model and needs.
GrapheneOS for a secure, Android-compatible, Google-minimized phone.
Linux phones for full desktop convergence and total software freedom.
Both are valid. Both are vital. The goal is the same: take back control.
The requirement however involves the use of Pixel devices, which also has a short lived support window meaning to stay on GrapheneOS you have to rotate your devices every few years.
LineageOS also serves as a great way to work with de-Ggogled Android, but does have some work to do to be on par with Graphene in terms of security hardening (mind you it's hard for the large array of device support Lineage has).
Which Phone OS do you use?
Currently I am on a Pixel 5a with Graphene, but it has been out of support for some time and I'm considering the move to Lineage for this device.
I severely limit what I do on it, and also have a background in network and device security so I'm able to monitor my device in a way that I feel I can hold out longer with out of support devices than I would advise for the general populous.
Yeah the old Pixels unfortunately had shorter support lenghts, but the 8 I use will be supported for a long time 2030 at least, that means another 5 years of #GrapheneOS for me
The hope is that the Android community does not continue to suffer because of decisions made by the Goog. Projects like Lineage and Graphene desperately need conscious and strong engineers contributing their talents so that you can get 3-5 years of support.
Graphene themselves say that with a 5a you are unprotected in case your device gets into the wrong hands.
Clarification and/or source? Any device is at risk when in the wrong hands.
Even on devices that have fallen out of support, protections against PIN and other input attacks are far stronger than stock AOSP and the cost requirement to attack unsupported devices with GrapheneOS on them is still fairly substantial.
Then they will make this "Age verification app" obligatory:
https://www.talkandroid.com/512861-eu-age-verification-app-google
I thought that too at first, but they're trying to cuck the phones to identify illegal speech(code).
Cuck how? Source?
The nerds will be able to get around anything, but most phones people buy will be censored.
https://primal.net/e/nevent1qqsr6qmf92n93a32s6w4p59y69wavw8xv9t0fyy8pqwc5n9rqh8hcksvtzj2w
Thus proving nostr is the new App Store
Mothafockers!
Should now add "Android Development" to https://killedbygoogle.com/
Great list. Thanks. What about the millions of e-commerce sites that were killed overnight around 2012 for the "Panda" and "Penguin" search algorithm updates? Killed by google.
I'm on Android to avoid things like this 🫣
Just yesterday I installed 1 apk from an unverified developer. And the app works great.
The fact that we rely on 2 gate keepers is insane. 🤦♂️
FFS
How about the scam apps they've allowed on Play Store?
And what is the future prospects for non-stock android ? 🤔
It's pwa or gay
Lol, they don't even remove the malware apps from the play store
Every month I have to remove some app cleaner or some speed booster from someone phone because they never ban those apps
''I'm just waiting 'til my Blackberry dies
Cause I'll replace it with a Raspberry Pi''
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0WNQ3UYbJE
Jokes aside, very concerning
So, maybe it becomes not uncommon in the future to have a smartphone with minimal functions set and a Linux based open source small tablet for all the apps you want to use without approval. (the mini tablet uses wifi via phone’s hotspot)
Doubt, but it is atleast a refuge. Perhaps Valve will make a phone, i can see them do it in responce to all this nonsense
It's the a sort of Linux smartphone OS?
Wasn't Ubuntu building something like that?
That is a useless approach. Anyone who can install a new OS is a niche audience that is hardly noticeable. In the meanwhile, the vast majority of users will stick to whatever Android is installed on their devices.
Therefore makes more sense to break the restrictions in Android than becoming each time more isolated from where users are.
How do you break those restrictions?
Do you think the fiat system needs to be fixed because that is where users are?
You use the rules of the game against those who decide them.
Gov paints a nice picture of democracy and privacy, citizens force them to admit otherwise. Sometimes it works, sometimes doesn't.
It is worthwhile to fight back using the system tools. People across the west are doing this right now. Here is an example: https://commonsware.com/blog/2025/08/26/uncomfortable-questions-android-developer-verification.html
Hence the restrictions become permanent, we'll do the same way as done before for website domains. Use a proxy to register on your behalf with their details. Also, don't worry because the non-aligned countries will pressure against this measure and impose their own ways to solve the topic.
Mass change of this scale requires gov intervention. Imagine the non-aligned govs like the BRICS deciding for an Android branch without such restrictions. Then you have China releasing things with their own version that holds no such limits.
Keep coming back to this...Bitcoin? Not a choice, Nostr? Not a choice.
And it is not even about hiding in anonymity or whatever, it is about making all these fuckers obsolete by actually solving the issues they pretend to solve, whilst turning society into a giant permissioned cage.
That's just how our society is shaped, with smartphones as an example:
First they create a simple to use platform with all the useful tools (play store, notifications, safetynet, ...) just to create a network effect and bring lots of people onboard, then when there is no alternative and they control all the tools that people solely rely on they lock you in and shape the whole space so tight that even other more open alternatives doesn't really work well together (there are alternatives, but they always lack something as they are not "verified" by the monopoly). Then they enslave you.
It's the same thing in every field: money, food, cars, internet...
The future will be a divided one, let's all hope the other good part will be big enough to be a viable alternative to be used everyday for every little things (bitcoin used by a niche as is it right now serves nothing), but it's still early and people will wake up.
Then I hope apk and PWA will become much more popular then kyc-ing an app into the app store.
APKs won't run if not approved.
PWA is unfortunately too fringe tech, and both Apple and Google are to blame for that. But it's good to have as fallback anyway
APKs won't work? 😦
What about Graphene OS? nostr:nprofile1qqs9g69ua6m5ec6ukstnmnyewj7a4j0gjjn5hu75f7w23d64gczunmgpzemhxue69uhhyetvv9ujumt0wd68ytnsw43z7tpaud2
Damn. We need a FOSS cell phone.
nostr:nprofile1qqsgydql3q4ka27d9wnlrmus4tvkrnc8ftc4h8h5fgyln54gl0a7dgsppemhxue69uhkummn9ekx7mp0qythwumn8ghj7un9d3shjtnswf5k6ctv9ehx2ap0qyt8wumn8ghj7un9d3shjtnddaehgu3wwp6kytc79p4zh weren't you working on this at Block?
I needed a push to stop using Android
But what are the alternatives?
linux
GrapheneOS for now
Seems increasingly likely that Google might lock Pixel bootloaders to only their distros...
LineageOS for any phone you can't get grapheneos. But I've got a feeling Linux phone is going to rise from the ashes.
u talking about Ubuntu Touch for example ?
E os
I wonder what android fanboy #1 nostr:npub1gcxzte5zlkncx26j68ez60fzkvtkm9e0vrwdcvsjakxf9mu9qewqlfnj5z thinks about this
how can that be allowed google just lost an anti trust lawsuit
Does this also apply to graphene os?
i guess nothing wrong with that , what could be the downside of that . is verified developer get more boost on their apps or what?
The issue is that the legitimate developers who don't want to deal with Google at all are now forced to if they want to be able to release new apps (and maybe push updates): They will need to do a KYC check with their own state-issued ID documents, and also they will need to pay Google the 25 USD required for a dev account.
Yes true , they mentioned , now we need to
Pay 25$ for developer account .
Yikes