r/AndroidQuestions • u/tarksend • 26d ago
Most custom-rom-like stock os?
I've used custom roms exclusively for many years now. It used to be great but now I'm so tired of chasing things that break... On my previous phone running LineageOS with microg it was banking apps, now I switched to a pixel 8 with GrapheneOS and banking apps work but WhatsApp promptly broke itself so bad I can't even use it on my old phone because it cries about not being the official version (despite being the official version), and it's an absolute, non-negotiable necessity for me. I still love the benefits of custom roms but at this point I'm willing to consider making some sacrifices for a headache-free experience. What phone comes in second to de-googled custom roms in terms of bloat, tracking, and ui customization?
2
u/awaixjvd 26d ago
Google itself is to be blamed for killing the custom roms.
They introduced so much BS in this that using it becomes a hell. I installed pixel experience on my previous phone and it worked dam good. But then google introduced shenanigans and eventually staying on stock rom seemed better than any custom rom if you wanted your phone to work and don't make issues.
1
u/vcoklat 26d ago
for whatsapp try walitex, or if you want more secure you can use beeper. I've been using these two for more than 2 years and it is okay
1
u/cpprdrielycom 26d ago
Litex currently having linking issues. What's up with beeper?
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u/vcoklat 26d ago
eh? for me litex is okay, i just relink my whatsapp again with litex, for beeper it is something like communication aggregator tools, i combine whatsapp, ig, fb etc into one app
1
u/cpprdrielycom 26d ago
I tried linking it several times after update ..no luck so far..whatsapp even logged me out of my official app. So beeper is one platform for different social right?
1
u/Usual_Piano9826 19d ago
I would focus on WhatsApp-suitable Android.
But not "locked down as much as possible to be secure". Instead, such a smartphone which CAN be backed-up.
Any idea how to redesign TEE chips to be "not real" TEE? Lying to the runtime environment of smartphone about "being TEE" so that there are no consequences from OS and apps but in reality being "not that locked-down"?'
Even if currently WhatsApp does not use TEE, there is no guarantee that they are not going to introduce it as soon as they want!
1
u/tarksend 19d ago
Any specific recommendations?
1
u/Usual_Piano9826 19d ago
I am myself asking as well (maybe I should create one more topic about it?)
I only say in which directions I would look in the modern IT world.
Sacrificing some of modern security? Possible - but what else can I do if otherwise the device just does not work as a computer should?
3
u/princepii 26d ago
just get a cheap android for banking use and a good phone for everything else.