So, I’ve been rocking a Google Pixel 6 for about two years now — but not with stock Android. Nope, I flashed that sucker with GrapheneOS, and honestly, I haven’t looked back.
GrapheneOS is a nonprofit, open-source Android-based OS that’s laser-focused on privacy, security, and hardened apps (think: browser, PDF viewer, etc.). It’s what the cool kids call an Android custom ROM, but way more hardcore about not letting Big Brother peek over your shoulder.
By default, it ditches all Google Play services (yes, really), but if you absolutely need them, you can re-install them — safely sandboxed with limited permissions. It’s like letting the vampire in, but only into your garage.
My daily driver apps with GrapheneOS:
- F-Droid – the go-to app store for Free & Open Source Software (FOSS) on Android.
- NewPipe – basically YouTube without the ads, tracking, or algorithmic rabbit holes.
- Aurora Store – a privacy-friendly front-end to the Google Play Store. No Google account required.
- Vanadium – a hardened browser forked from Chromium, because plain Chrome is just too trusting.
And here’s the kicker: you don’t need a Google account at all to run GrapheneOS. Zero. Zilch.
What I also love? The whole system is super lean. Unlike your average OEM bloated Android install (I’m looking at you, Facebook pre-installs 😤), GrapheneOS keeps things minimalist. No junk, just control.
It’s rock-solid stable, gets regular OTA updates, and everything just works.
Next phone? Easy choice: another Pixel. Why? Because GrapheneOS only officially supports Pixel devices, and installing it is as simple as plugging into USB and following a web-based installer. Nerd heaven.