is it worth it? Do you like it?

yes

6 months in, and I can’t imagine going back. Use the web installer if possible, it is quick and really easy. Then immediately create a secondary user account for the Google compatibility layer, if you want that shit. I dont but I need my bank app. Keep it seperate. If you wanna use Google apps sometimes, have a separate user for that. You will gain quite a bit of battery without Google calling home every couple minutes. But if you install the compatibility layer in your main profile it becomes a chore to move to another account.

is it worth it?

I’ll try to be objective.

The Pros:

1. Graphene gives you more “control” over your data “out of the box” than any other custom firmware. Yes, you can patch and mod your favorite firmware to your liking, but graphene “just works”
2. It’s rock solid and reliable. It only supports one hardware family. I’ve never had graphene lock-up, crash, camera stop working, etc
3. The installation and upgrading is amazingly easy (compared to other cfw) and streamlined. After the initial setup, it behaves just like any ofw.
4. You’ll see just how much of an intrusive cancer Google has become (Google play has a “feature” where they’ll dynamically load code and try to run it - graphene blocks this kinda crap).
5. Going back to stock Google (with locked bootloader) is rather easy. So you don’t have much to lose (other than a few hours) in trying.

The Cons:

1. Some apps will crash. Graphene hardens how applications behave (in terms of accessing memory, for example) some apps are buggy and will not work. Not many apps (may 1 or 2 out of 30+) but it does happen and you can fittle with the app settings to try to fix it, but it’s tedious through trial-and-error
2. Some apps won’t work, like maybe your bank because it will never pass the “Google integrity” checks. The fear and concern is that more and more apps will start to block cfw. So expect that you might need a second device.
3. Any apps/processes that deal with money (tap-to-pay, Google wallet) probably will not work (again, it fails the “Google integrity” checks).
4. (personal preference) I don’t like the graphene launcher nor their store nor their (boring) default icons. However, graphene empowers you to change/replace all this.

“Software integrity cannot be guaranteed on a custom os”

Ah yes software integrity like, sorry we no longer support your device beyond its intended lifecycle and please make sure your beloved app has the latest enshitification update installed.

I’m nearing two years into using it as my daily driver and I would 100% not want to go back. Graphene does everything I need.

Made the jump a couple of weeks ago, and couldn’t be happier with it. Everything just worked out of the box. The web installer is literally point and click, zero hassle. Google store installer is bundled by default, and you can install it right away. All the apps I use worked fine for me without any issues.

I’ve been using Graphene for several years and I love it. I could never go back now, Google android feels so incredibly bloated and invasive by comparison.

Double check your backups just to be safe, and then go for it. It’s not hard to revert if you hate it. There is a big of a learning curve, mainly just using the alternative app stores like Accresent, F-Droid, etc.

But once you spend a bit of time getting your apps installed and your system set up the way you like, you’ll love it.

I recently got a Google Pixel as well and immediately switched to it.

I used to run LineageOS on Fairphone before, the only difference I felt is the bootloader locking.

As for comparison between the base OS, well, way less bloat. Its so much less bloat that its quite refreshing to see your phone screen with so little apps on a new install lol.

Only thing that don’t work is Macdonald’s app for me, but I guess that’s 1 more fast food I am cutting down on.

I bought a Pixel for it (I needed a phone upgrade) and installed GrapheneOS immediately after bringing it home. There was a little bit of friction because a few things weren’t working out of the box for me, like Android Auto and a few apps that use GPS (I tried to Pokemon Go, for example) but all these issues went away eventually. The only thing I miss is tapping my phone to pay for things, but this isn’t a GrapheneOS issue, (bank/card providers in north America and their reliance on Google Wallet/Apple pay are). There are financial institutions from other countries that offer tap to pay using their own app.

I love being able to select what files/contacts each app has access on my phone. I like being able to disable my camera/microphone for all apps with a simple touch.

I’m pretty sure they don’t “guarantee software integrity” as it is. At least not in any meaningful way.

Never going back unless I’m forced to do so.

iodeOS/ LineageOS and especially GrapheneOS (if you don’t stick with older hardware) are the best things I’ve found for the mobile. It’s pure freedom without restricting yourself to a dumb phone. It’s even more worth now when Google will start to ask developers for intrusive verification. I don’t have to worry about apps that I’m using doesn’t meet Google’s bullshit approval because developer doesn’t want to give so much personal data to entity like Google. I was thinking of buying Google Streamer but when I found out about this, I’ll wait and see what happens with apps outside Google Play Store. I know that you still can sideload but I don’t think the apps will update automatically.

It’s 100% worth it. As someone who’s been flashing custom ROMs since the Windows Mobile 5.0 days, it’s never been as safe or as easy to do as GrapheneOS.

There’s only 1 app I can’t use on GrapheneOS (Australian government MyGov app), and that’s a small price to pay to get Google out of my life.

Welcome to the cool side Peter! (Family guy joke). No but seriously, jumping over to GrapheneOS was the best choice i’ve made in years.