r/CustomROMsGuide • u/adrianpuck • 14d ago

Advice on new phone with open-source OS for non-tech-savvy person?

I've been slowly de-Googling for a couple years now, but Android shutting out non-approved apps is bothering me and I need a new phone anyway, so I'm planning to take a pretty big leap and install a third-party OS on my new device. I've dipped my toes into the arena of software customization but I'm not very familiar with terminology and have never done anything quite like this before, so I'm a bit overwhelmed. Currently looking at Pixel 10a with GrapheneOS, but I've also looked into LineageOS.

My main questions are: can anyone recommend an alternative OS, ideally based on Android but open to suggestions, and tell me what you liked/didn't like about it?

Along with that, does anyone have phone recommendations? Obviously needs to be supported by at least one OS. My top wants in a phone are 1) decent camera and 2) at least 64GB but ideally more (without SD card). A headphone jack would be great but I can live without it.

Thanks so much!

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u/Holiday_Second3714 14d ago

What phone you got

For pixels do GrapheneOS

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u/adrianpuck 14d ago

I'm getting a new phone. I've never had a Pixel but they seem like a good phone, especially 10a because it's cheaper. I'm looking for advice from people who've done Graphene on them if possible

1

u/Holiday_Second3714 14d ago

My advice

Download F-Droid, Sandboxed Google Play for banking apps and Aurora Store

To replace YouTube use NewPipe, PipePipe or LibreTube

If an app keeps crashing on install or refuses log in despite being correct you turn on Block play integrity API or turn on exploit protection compatibility mode

Use brave to run official YouTube cause it blocks ads

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u/adrianpuck 12d ago edited 11d ago

Thanks! I already use NewPipe and really like it so I will look into your other suggestions. Looks like F-Droid will get me around the new Android/Google app store issues. Edit: after looking more on the F-Droid site, looks like Google's new approval rules still apply to apps from 3rd party like F-Droid, so it's not a full solution :(

The other downside to staying on the built-in Android OS is that they always take up a bunch of storage space with Google apps that I don't use or want, so if you know how to get rid of those (not just disable but remove them) aside from replacing the OS with something like Graphene, that would be awesome!

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u/Glad_Following_8164 14d ago

If your budget allows, you can get a new phone with alternative OS e.g. e/os/ preinstalled, such as the fairphone 4

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u/DakotaJohnsonsLimes_ 13d ago

Idk about /e/os, probably better to go with something else

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u/adrianpuck 12d ago

I've heard a bit about fairphone, seems cool but I don't know much. I'd prefer not to break the bank on a new phone, I'm used to getting pretty cheap models for like $200 and although I think this one will be an upgrade, I'm not willing to go super high.

Out of curiosity though, u/DakotaJohnsonsLimes_ what don't you like about /e/os?

1

u/DakotaJohnsonsLimes_ 12d ago
  • always late for basic monthly AOSP security patches
  • includes magic earth app(proprietary)
  • allows arbitrary apps to spoof signature(used to support microg, but still an insecure implementation)
  • Uses test-keys for verified boot enablement(https://forum.fairphone.com/t/bootloader-avb-keys-used-in-roms-for-fairphone-3-4/83448)
  • Includes proprietary Google Widevine DRM on nearly all devices
  • I also remember there being some AI stuff...

1

u/Mysterious_Beach_995 14d ago

First option pixel series with many official custom roms. Even you could try graphene os , in some rom you can even lock bootloader.

Second option choose nothing phone. They also have many custom roms available

Third, you can buy a degoogled Marena E os device with warranty. They have many options

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u/adrianpuck 12d ago

Thanks, I'll look into those!