Over recent user privacy (and security) crackdowns from Google, these OS upgrades seem to be becoming more appealing. Can anyone comment on what differs Lineage from something like GrapheneOS?
That is not to say you have no freedom or extra features with Graphene, or no security with Lineage, it’s just what either project has very clearly as main target.
I do miss some features since switching to GrapheneOS (customizable on screen nav, volume rocker for cursor control), but I’m very happy with stuff like sandboxed google play services.
GrapheneOS provides a lot of features not available in LineageOS. Our focus for is privacy, security and replacing Google apps/services. The features we add aren't only privacy and security features. We provide our own network location and geocoding support. Local text-to-speech and speech-to-text are being developed. It also provides a bunch of assorted features such as forcing the availability of VoLTE, VoNR, VoWiFi and 5G.
https://grapheneos.org/features is an overview of what's provided compared to AOSP but doesn't cover everything yet, especially recent additions.
Graphene is probably better on the devices that support both (Pixels), but since hardware support is so (intentionally) limited, it kind of a moot point. Also the Graphene community is kind of obsessed with "security" and does not seem to place much emphasis on freedom/hackability.
Why the scare quotes? Graphene’s focus on security is legitimate and well founded. They are the only phone OS that is consistently safe from hacking by the likes of Cellebrite long after all other androids have fallen.
I have used both, and I can personally use my smartphone properly with both.
GrapheneOS is more strict about security, making it more secure but less accessible (at the moment you can only run GrapheneOS on Pixel phones).
I am happy with GrapheneOS' policy: that's exactly why I use GrapheneOS, to the point where I bought a Pixel just for GrapheneOS. Many people complain about GrapheneOS not supporting other phones. IMO it's the other way round: the other Android manufacturers do not support GrapheneOS.
If you really want GrapheneOS to lower their security in order to run on another phone, what you want is actually LineageOS.
GrapheneOS is partnered with a major Android OEM we're working with towards their next generation devices supporting GrapheneOS. The devices will meet all of our official requirements listed at https://grapheneos.org/faq#future-devices rather than lowering these standards. We kept the minimum support time at 5 years since we know providing 7 is difficult but all the rest should be possible to provide via a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5.
There is little point in fortifying the front-door when the backdoor is wide open.
The hardware itself should never be trusted when being produced by a vendor like Google and cannot be verified on the component level. Their business model completely revolves in reducing your private sphere and sell it to others.
Never use google hardware if you are serious about security.
A few years ago, Lineage was just a customizable tinkerer friendly AOSP. It served as a base for a lot more Android distros. It was just a smoother Android variant with features like double tap on the notification bar to sleep, better integrated root support, more built in theming options.
Graphene OS was only available for a few Pixel Devices whose source was fully available and mainly focused on security features like improved permissions and more anti tracking features.
To give an example, a company I worked for shipped it's phones with a Lineage OS base with a few patches from Graphene OS to replace default ntp and connectivity check servers.
GrapheneOS is a privacy and security hardened OS. The third party comparison table at https://eylenburg.github.io/android_comparison.htm focused on privacy and security provides a good overview. The GrapheneOS features page at https://grapheneos.org/features provides an overview of many of the changes it makes compared to standard Android.
That's only because Pixels are the only devices meeting the hardware security and update requirements. GrapheneOS has an OEM partner working on meeting our requirements for some of their future devices. That's how GrapheneOS is able to provide our security preview releases with security patches from 3 months of upcoming Android Security Bulletins.
Semaphor|4 months ago
Freedom & Features: LineageOS
That is not to say you have no freedom or extra features with Graphene, or no security with Lineage, it’s just what either project has very clearly as main target.
I do miss some features since switching to GrapheneOS (customizable on screen nav, volume rocker for cursor control), but I’m very happy with stuff like sandboxed google play services.
strcat|4 months ago
https://grapheneos.org/features is an overview of what's provided compared to AOSP but doesn't cover everything yet, especially recent additions.
drnick1|4 months ago
kahnclusions|4 months ago
palata|4 months ago
GrapheneOS is more strict about security, making it more secure but less accessible (at the moment you can only run GrapheneOS on Pixel phones).
I am happy with GrapheneOS' policy: that's exactly why I use GrapheneOS, to the point where I bought a Pixel just for GrapheneOS. Many people complain about GrapheneOS not supporting other phones. IMO it's the other way round: the other Android manufacturers do not support GrapheneOS.
If you really want GrapheneOS to lower their security in order to run on another phone, what you want is actually LineageOS.
strcat|4 months ago
nunobrito|4 months ago
The hardware itself should never be trusted when being produced by a vendor like Google and cannot be verified on the component level. Their business model completely revolves in reducing your private sphere and sell it to others.
Never use google hardware if you are serious about security.
saidinesh5|4 months ago
Graphene OS was only available for a few Pixel Devices whose source was fully available and mainly focused on security features like improved permissions and more anti tracking features.
To give an example, a company I worked for shipped it's phones with a Lineage OS base with a few patches from Graphene OS to replace default ntp and connectivity check servers.
strcat|4 months ago
tcfhgj|4 months ago
strcat|4 months ago