I think it’s overappreciated. There are alternatives that better fit the needs of most users, support more phone models and are developed by people more responsive to their users’ needs that Graphene.
GrapheneOS currently supports only Google Pixel devices because they are the only Android smartphones that meet all of its strict security requirements: an unlockable bootloader, proper verified boot implementation, state of the art security chip, and long-term, reliable security updates. Most other manufacturers either don’t provide these features or disable critical security functions when an alternative OS is installed.
But what I find particularly impressive is how efficiently the team operates: with likely fewer than 15 full-time developers, they consistently roll out updates within days, sometimes even ahead of Google’s official Android releases. I think the system is very balanced, a lot of the hardening stuff works in the background without really breaking anything. I had some troubles with very specific apps but most of the time it just works.
That said, their communication style and transparency can sometimes come across as aggressive or uncompromising. Pioneers in FOSS projects often prioritize progress and principle over diplomacy, and GrapheneOS is no exception.
I know all this. 99% of users are using less secure ROMs so clearly top-notch security is not a must have for most people. Saying that someone needs Graphene OS because of security while using other ROMs makes no sense.
Other ROMs are as good or better for privacy, come pre-installled on many devices including Fairphone and have features GrapheneOS devs refuse to add simply because they know better what users should use (like pattern unlock). GrapheneOS is great, I’m using it myself, but a lot of people behave like the only choice is between stock Android or GrapheneOS on a Pixel device while there are many other great options.
Can’t ague with that. You’re not wrong. I just liked to express my joy and a shout out to that incredible dev team behind GrapheneOS. That does not mean other roms are shit. Its just every other rom I tried over the years stoppt working at some point or the project silently died.
I think it’s overappreciated. There are alternatives that better fit the needs of most users, support more phone models and are developed by people more responsive to their users’ needs that Graphene.
GrapheneOS currently supports only Google Pixel devices because they are the only Android smartphones that meet all of its strict security requirements: an unlockable bootloader, proper verified boot implementation, state of the art security chip, and long-term, reliable security updates. Most other manufacturers either don’t provide these features or disable critical security functions when an alternative OS is installed.
But what I find particularly impressive is how efficiently the team operates: with likely fewer than 15 full-time developers, they consistently roll out updates within days, sometimes even ahead of Google’s official Android releases. I think the system is very balanced, a lot of the hardening stuff works in the background without really breaking anything. I had some troubles with very specific apps but most of the time it just works.
That said, their communication style and transparency can sometimes come across as aggressive or uncompromising. Pioneers in FOSS projects often prioritize progress and principle over diplomacy, and GrapheneOS is no exception.
I know all this. 99% of users are using less secure ROMs so clearly top-notch security is not a must have for most people. Saying that someone needs Graphene OS because of security while using other ROMs makes no sense.
Other ROMs are as good or better for privacy, come pre-installled on many devices including Fairphone and have features GrapheneOS devs refuse to add simply because they know better what users should use (like pattern unlock). GrapheneOS is great, I’m using it myself, but a lot of people behave like the only choice is between stock Android or GrapheneOS on a Pixel device while there are many other great options.
Can’t ague with that. You’re not wrong. I just liked to express my joy and a shout out to that incredible dev team behind GrapheneOS. That does not mean other roms are shit. Its just every other rom I tried over the years stoppt working at some point or the project silently died.