This kinds of make me want to get a pixel and install GrafeneOS there.

I'll admit that big companies may have some incentive to protect their users' privacy; but they are an easy legal target. If tomorrow the US or EU pass legislation that mandates a backdoor in all mobile devices, the entire world is screwed.

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edm0nd 4 days ago | parent | next [-]

Very affordable to do.

I bought a cheap refurbished Pixel 7 Pro off eBay for $250 and installed GrapheneOS on it. Threw an eSim $20/m plan on it and use it as my phone when I leave the house and go IRL.

If I ever lose it or it gets taken while traveling, who cares, its secure af. I just cancel my eSim and buy another phone to install GrapheneOS on all while my main phone Pixel 10 Pro is still safe and at home.

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j4hdufd8 4 days ago | parent [-]

What's your threat model for this kind of security?

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edm0nd 4 days ago | parent [-]

1 - My main phone has a bunch of work stuffs on it and all my authenticator stuffs and etc

2 - I've been raided by the FBI before in my past (used to be blackhat in my 20s but now im whitehat :))

3 - I lose my phone sometimes. far better to lose a dinky burner phone VS my main phone.

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crossroadsguy 3 days ago | parent [-]

What is your main phone and setup?

Also — how well/bad Graphene plays with Play Store (esp wrt safety net checks) apps?

	▲	jcul 3 days ago \| parent \| next [-]
		The stuff that I notice not working are: * Google wallet NFC payments * Always on now playing * Always listening OK Google Android auto used to not work but they added support. Voice commands to Google while driving don't work for me, but may be possible to get working. Google voice commands work, but you need to open the Google app. Google wallet works fine for tickets, bar codes etc, just no NFC payments. Android song search works for me, there's a quick access file for it and it works great. I think pixels normally show what's playing on the lock screen, offline. I think this might be the same thing, triggered manually. Though I'm not sure if it's offline or not. I'm in Ireland and any backing apps I've tried work fine, PTSB, AIB, revolut, IBKR, Trade Republic. I've had no issues there. It's a very stable OS IMO, the extra user profiles, being able to choose whether to have Google play or not, and what level of access to give it. I've used it on a pixel 6, which died not too long ago, and now a pixel 9a.
	▲	sathackr 3 days ago \| parent \| prev \| next [-]
		I use it. No issue The only app so far I've found that won't work is ParkMobile and you can just use their website
	▲	edm0nd 3 days ago \| parent \| prev [-]
		main phone is just a regular Pixel 10 Pro. Depends on the apps. You wont be able to use a lot of apps like Chase Bank app and etc w GrapheneOS. Lots of errors bc it blocks a ton of shit your banking apps will need or want to use.

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into_ruin 4 days ago | parent | prev | next [-]

FWIW, the UK recently cited the Investigatory Powers Act of 2016 in an attempt to force Apple to create a backdoor, but Apple refused

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bornfreddy 4 days ago | parent [-]

> ...but as far as we know Apple refused.

Fixed that for you.

	▲	jajuuka 4 days ago \| parent [-]
		To be fair after that came out they disabled ADP for the whole country. If they were willing to go along with it then that would not be the course they would take. Not to mention it's a colossally dumb move to create a back door into your system that anyone can access and can break things like government contracts. Apple is greedy but they aren't suicidal.

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truelson 4 days ago | parent | prev | next [-]

My last pixel (4a) started falling apart after about a year and a half. Is there an android device that's a bit more hardy? I switched back to apple as I was able to use an SE for YEARS. Would love to try running GrapheneOS, though.

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crumpled 4 days ago | parent [-]

My wife uses her Pixel 4a to this day. I moved on from mine after some problems, but a factory wipe of the 4a actually fixed all of the problems with mine too.

And you know what else is cool? If the screen gets cracked or something doesn't work, you can take it to an independent repair shop and they can fix it.

	▲	crossroadsguy 3 days ago \| parent [-]
		The sad part is even security updates stopped for my pixel 5a.

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matheusmoreira 4 days ago | parent | prev [-]

I want to get a Pixel just for GrapheneOS as well but Google is incapable of selling those things worldwide despite being a trillion dollar corporation.

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SapporoChris 4 days ago | parent | next [-]

I had issues buying my Pixel from Google. My memory is fuzzy, but I think after I activated my account they said great, We'll let you purchase in a month... A really cautious security model I suppose. I gave up and bought it on Amazon.

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drnick1 3 days ago | parent [-]

What account? You can just walk into a Google store and buy one. Most big cities in the U.S. have one.

	▲	hxorr 3 days ago \| parent [-]
		The problem is step 0. Be in US

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DANmode 3 days ago | parent | prev [-]

Swappa.com, mail forwarding.