Overview

GrapheneOS (Archived) (GOS) is my current mobile Operating System (OS) until a Linux solution becomes much more viable- but even then, GOS does what I need it to do.

EDIT: 2025-09-20
I've been sitting on this, not putting it in my notes. But thanks to having to revisit my notes because of the Zettelkasten Method, I can add this in here after reviewing my past's comments.

This is a concern. Google is implementing authoritarian measures on an attack on Open Source technology. Google will only allow apps from verified developers to be installed on Android.

• Article
• Hacker News
  There have already been GOS implications due to this.
• GOS Tweet, More explanation
• Hacker News
  Google is attacking free software and walling off their garden. Furthering my need for Cyberdecks to be implemented to get a normal Linux distribution on a portable device. Linux "mobile" operating systems are not there yet, though Ubuntu Touch is releasing a 1.0 2025-09-25. Still, it's Ubuntu. A SteamOS-style operating system makes a lot of sense to me, paired with a flip phone for communications.

Back to the rest of the GOS programming

After all, I am an enthusiast- not an expert, not a technical professional, and not formally educated or trained on the matter. It still meets a lot of criteria that I aim to achieve in mobile phones:

• Security
• Privacy

However, I've come to discover other benefits (and drawbacks) that I've incurred with it, such as:

• Battery life
• Limiting use
• Versatility
• Ecosystem

First, I'll get into my use case for phones.

Phone Use Case

Until Cyberdecks become common place, it's convenient for phones to do more than just call and text. It's great to commute with, it's convenient to share media with people, and so forth. The list goes on. But, most of that is very achievable with a cyberdeck or something similar- after the interface gets reworked.

So for now, I text, call, map, share, browse, and read- but mostly tinker. I don't really need or care for the bells and whistles that get bundled in with all of this and jack the price up. I don't need payments, Siri, gaming, dedicated apps for something I use once a month or year, and I could even justify not needing the camera- though convenient to not have to lug around another device. I'm paying so much extra for hardware I don't need. Well- I'm not sure what I'm paying for. Somehow, I managed to get a new (at the time) Pixel 9 Pro XL by re-committing to a contract with my provider. Just goes to show these expensive phones are datamining profit centers.