Hey

I am planning on putting graphenos (or another os) on my pixel (currently using a pixel 6 but will have a pixel 8 shortly). I have a few questions about using then new os. Mainly are there any apps that don’t work. I use my phone for work being a OTP to logine daily etc is that still possible and reliable. There is one game I play on phone downloaded from the play store is that still possible? Lastly how do updates come can I download an update regularly from phone or do I have to plug into PC each time and know there is an update ready and how would you revert back to Google os if needed.

Sorry if that is a lot I just feel scared to take the “leap” into what is for me unknown. Thanks

  • faede
    17·
    1 year ago

    I use it on pixel 6a. I have encountered no problems, all apps have worked including games from google play store. Only exception is google wallet.

    Edit: updates come over the air

    • Kanga@lemmy.world
      2·
      1 year ago

      Does Google wallet and maps work in sandboxed pay services environment?

      Can you create another work profile besides the one for Google Play services?

      • oranki@sopuli.xyz
        4·
        1 year ago

        You install the Google services and Play store from the gOS Apps application, then use them like normal.

        Behind the scenes they run in the sandboxed environment, but to the user it makes no difference.

      • faede
        3·
        1 year ago

        It will be kept in its own container but I have noticed no significant changes to how play store apps work.

  • ctr1@fl0w.ccEnglish
    15·
    1 year ago

    I’ve been using it for years and I think it’s great. Currently on a 6 Pro. It’s true that some apps don’t work without Google Play services, but GrapheneOS has the option to install the google stuff in a sandbox, so you shouldn’t run into any issues if you do that. Personally, I don’t use Play services unless I need to, and use Aurora store for any apps that aren’t on F-Droid.

    In any case, you can always revert to stock or try another OS

    Edit: as faede has pointed out, it appears that Google Wallet has issues. Also, the usage docs mention issues with banking apps in general, so that’s something to consider

    • Grass@sh.itjust.works
      8·
      1 year ago

      For banking apps, long pressing them to get to settings and enabling exploit protection compatibility mode usually fixes the problem.

      • ctr1@fl0w.ccEnglish
        3·
        1 year ago

        Ah good to know! Will try that if I ever run into issues, thanks

        • LoveSausage@lemmygrad.ml
          1·
          1 year ago

          Also worth noting there are banking apps and banking apps. The good ones don’t rely that heavy on Google. Those works for me fine , I have one shitty one in a separate profile with playstore on it to get it to work.

  • wreckedcarzz@lemmy.worldEnglish
    12·
    1 year ago

    In order of question:

    • just gPay contactless payments (that I’ve found)
    • me too, no issues
    • should play just fine with gPlay
    • updates are ota just like stock android (once gos is initially installed); they have a restore method that afaik uses the google restore website, I haven’t used it in a while but it does work and is pretty straightforward

    (used many, many roms over the years, currently gos for 3.5y)

  • The Hobbyist@lemmy.zip
    12·
    1 year ago

    Almost all apps work. Some may require you to disable a security feature (native code debugging), specifically banking apps. Others may require you to install the sandboxed google services but you can do that in a separate dedicated profile.

  • gasull@lemmy.ml
    111·
    1 year ago

    Apps that don’t work:

    • Google Pay

    As far that I know, that’s it.

        • cyberwolfie@lemmy.ml
          3·
          1 year ago

          Out of genuine curiosity from someone who has never used it, what are the features of Android Auto that are so good/useful that it alone would determine whether to use a custom ROM or not?

          • helpImTrappedOnline@lemmy.world
            3·
            1 year ago

            Many car infotainment/navigation systems suck. Android Auto and Apple Car play do not suck (as much), and the bigger car screen is great for maps.

            Additionally, some cars will show the nav instructions on the dash, my car shows an arrow of the direction I need to go and the distance until then. Reduces the need to look at the map constantly wondering which turn to take.

            For anyone who drives to different places regularly, doesn’t want to buy a dedicated car gps, or pay to update in-car maps - a phone is the way to go.

            • cyberwolfie@lemmy.ml
              1·
              1 year ago

              Ok, then I don’t think that I am missing out on much based on my usage. But I can understand that it can be a pain to rely on some of these built-in systems if you use them a lot.

            • LoveSausage@lemmygrad.ml
              1·
              1 year ago

              Android auto needs basically root access and every privilege possible , and is a privacy nightmare. Perhaps it works on other ROMs if you have gapps insyltalled

              • Monkey With A Shell@lemmy.socdojo.com
                1·
                1 year ago

                It did work on Lineageos, but there where a lot of other aspects that where a bit flakey. Lack of auto support is really the reason I didn’t stay with Graphine. I may try Lineage again here now that I’ve figured out some of the new ‘featires’ of Android 14 (adaptive connectivity my ass, kept turning off my cell data to save power) since at least some removal of Google is better than none.

  • monty33@lemmy.ml
    8·
    1 year ago

    Android Auto is the big one for me that does not work on graphene. If they can find a way to get that to work I’d switch immediately.

  • b9chomps@beehaw.org
    5·
    1 year ago

    plexus by techlore tries to crowd source if apps work on degoogled phones. However like others said GrapheneOS has the option to use sandboxes google services. I only had one app that didn’t work at all and it was very niche.

  • mctoasterson@reddthat.com
    5·
    1 year ago

    I’ve successfully used stuff like Google Maps and even Uber, with sandboxed Play Services.

    There is some niche functionality that doesn’t work. For example I use the Sam’s Club app to scan and purchase stuff in the club and that all works fine, but when attempting to use the app to pay for gasoline at their pumps, it gives a connection error.

  • HumanPerson@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    4·
    1 year ago

    I installed it on a pixel 7a recently, and it was pretty idiot proof. I did manage to slightly bork the install but it was easily unborked. I know there are apps with issues but I haven’t found any. Sandboxed google play allows running google play apps easily, though you must use an account (to my knowledge). If you don’t end up liking it, there is an official Google Android image that you can go back to. I would definitely recommend giving it a try.

    • Blxter@lemmy.zipOPEnglish
      1·
      1 year ago

      Since your comment is recent. Do you know if I do this does it void insurance on the phone if I break it beyond repair. EX drop a weight on it (from experience). I read it voids warrentys but what about insurance? And if you do it to a phone and return/trade in that phone going from p6 to p8 is that acceptable. If you dont know all is well thanks

  • TurtleTourParty@midwest.socialEnglish
    2·
    1 year ago

    I couldn’t get coinbase to work, but their webapp is good enough for me. I had to turn on compatibility mode for a couple others.

  • iloverocks@feddit.de
    1·
    1 year ago

    The APP from my local kebab Restaurant it uses googleplay services and i refuse to install even if it is sandboxed

  • pe1uca@lemmy.pe1uca.devEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    The only issue I’ve had is with games from kakao, they crash after a few minutes of starting. I think the last time I tried it said something abiut modification to the OS. But that’s the only developer I’ve had problems with, the rest of the games I have play without issue.

    Also the only downside I see is the tap to pay not working at all, but that’s not graphenOS’ problem, google won’t certificate them.

  • T (they/she)@beehaw.org
    54·
    1 year ago

    We were considering switching to graphene but apparently there are lots of drama regarding the lead Dev which scared us from the idea

      • Lettuce eat lettuce@lemmy.ml
        13·
        1 year ago

        Louis Rossman has a video on it, you can search it on his channel, “Why I deleted GrapheneOS.”

        Basically, the lead dev for GrapheneOS started acting erratic and eventually left the project a few months ago handing it off to other devs.

        I still use GrapheneOS happily and personally still trust it.

        • h3ndrik@feddit.de
          11·
          1 year ago

          Yeah, I wouldn’t use Louis’ video as the only source nor Techlore. Looks to me like the person has autism and/or struggles with mental issues and it reflects on the way they treat people and deal with stuff. That doesn’t necessarily make it better or worse, malicious or whatever. The converstion style is definitely not ‘normal’ and it contains quite some manic behaviour. It’s probably more nuanced. I think the whole story is a bit sad and I like GrapheneOS as a project.