GrapheneOS: Take Control of Your Phone
How to use GrapheneOS on a Pixel phone for real privacy
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Your phone collects a ton of data about you: where you go, what you search, who you talk with. Most of that ends up with corporations who use it however they want.
GrapheneOS changes that. It’s actually a phone system that respects your privacy.
What’s GrapheneOS?
GrapheneOS is a free operating system for Pixel phones. It looks and works like Android, but without all the stuff that tracks you.
The people behind it take Android, add better security, and remove the parts that spy on you. Simple idea, huge difference.
Why bother?
Your data stays yours. Your phone stops sending info to corporations. Location, searches, habits — all private.
Really secure. GrapheneOS is recommended by security experts from around the world. It’s among the most secure phone systems you can get.
You are in control. You choose what apps can do. You decide what leaves your phone.
Which phones?
GrapheneOS only runs on Pixel phones, because they have the security hardware it requires.
Check grapheneos.org/faq#supported-devices to see which models work.
Tip: Buy your Pixel unlocked, not from a carrier.
Installation
Easier than you’d think. The web installer walks you through it. You need a Pixel, a computer, a USB cable, and about 15 minutes.
Heads up: This wipes your phone. Back up first!
Getting applications
No Play Store by default, but you have options. F-Droid offers a great amount of free, privacy-friendly apps.
The Google Play option: GrapheneOS lets you install Google Play Services in a sandbox. This makes more apps work — including many banking apps. But there’s a trade-off: you’re giving some data back to Google. It’s more private than a regular Android phone since the sandbox limits what Google can access, but it’s not as private as going Google-free. Your choice.
What works well
- Browsers, email, messaging (e.g. Signal, Telegram etc.)
- Organic Maps or OsmAnd-style maps
- Music and video streaming
- The Camera app is great, by default
The truthful challenges
Banking and payment apps are hit or miss. Many banks check if your phone is “approved” by Google. Some apps work fine, some refuse to run, some work but won’t let you use contactless payments. Check your specific bank before switching.
No Google Pay or Apple Pay. Contactless phone payments basically don’t work. You’ll need physical cards.
Some apps just won’t work. Apps with strict security checks — such as some games or corporate apps — might refuse to run.
Smartwatch integration is limited. Fitness tracking and watch connections can be tricky.
It takes effort. You’ll spend time figuring out alternatives and workarounds. Not everything is plug-and-play.
Tips
First, research your must-have apps. Check if your banking app works before you commit. GrapheneOS community forums also have reports on what works.
Go slow. Use it for a week before fiddling with settings.
Try alternatives. Most privacy applications are actually better compared to what you’re used to.
Use profiles. GrapheneOS lets you create separate spaces. Great for keeping things organized.
Is it for you?
GrapheneOS is great if you:
- Value privacy over convenience
- Can live without contactless payments
- Don’t worry about some trial and error
Maybe skip it if you:
- Depend so much on banking applications
- Need everything to just work
- Not wanting to troubleshoot
Learn more
GrapheneOS is not for everyone; there are trade-offs. But if you care about privacy and can tolerate a bit of friction, it’s worth trying.
Ready to explore? Go to grapheneos.org.