I currently have an iPhone X. I like it, but it’s gradually dying. It’s also a bit too big. Perfect size would be the iPhone 7 or similar. I’ve had different brand phones before this, so while I’ve been on Apple for a while, I’ve had Samsung, Motorola, Sony, Nokia etc. all the way back to the Nokia 3210.
I’m becoming a bit fed up of big brands and so want to de-Apple myself, but also not go Google. I would love a dumb phone, but I do have some regular apps: MS Auth for work; Lemmy; Philips Hue; Sensibo; WhatsApp.
I was looking at alternative OS options such as Graphene OS, that in theory allow you to run Android apps without Google. But how well do they work?
This would be my primary (only) phone.
So given size considerations (iPhone 7), ability to not be Apple or Google OS, but also be able to run my key apps, what do my options look like?
I’d go into a store and ask, but say ‘not apple and not google’ and you get a vacant stare in response.
Graphene OS is awesome. It’s Android without Google - you can run all your apps, including Google ones, but have much more control over permissions.
The only reason I don’t use it is because of how important contactless pay and android auto are for me.
Hang on contactless and android auto don’t work on Graphene? I’m really glad I saw this because I was gonna try get lineage or graphene on my phone but I couldn’t use it without those 2.
Them, WhatsApp, music (ripped cds), and my bank apps are all I really use my phone for so I thought it wouldnt be a bother.
Ah, that’s a really good point. I hadn’t thought about that. I use Apple CarPlay and haven’t carried a wallet/cards in years.
Are there any non-Google, non-Apple OSs that allow for these (even if it is the Google app sitting in a sandbox)?