Hello guys, I have an OPPO phone which does not support GrapheneOS, LineageOS, nor any other custom ROM unfortunately. I want to get rid of all the bloatware of Google and OPPO and I was wondering if it was a good idea to flash Android GSI on my phone. Do you think it is a good idea security-wise? And how much privacy can you get back with a GSI without GMS? Also, do you know if it is safe to upgrade to a more recent version of Android using GSI? Like, my OPPO phone is locked at Android 13 but apparently I could flash Android 16 on it.
What do you think?
This is one of those situations where you’ll hear a bunch of different suggestions, or no suggestions, because all of your options are just kind bad.
The only “good” option for privacy/security would be to bite the bullet and buy a new phone that will get updates. Might as well get a cheap Pixel for GrapheneOS.
Android GSI is meant for app developers and shouldn’t be used. You’ll certainly be worse off for privacy and security and usability, assuming you don’t brick your phone first. You won’t get updates, you won’t have verified boot, etc.
If you really want to keep this phone, I’d just try disabling as many Google and OPPO system apps as I could. That won’t guarantee the bloatware and telemetry goes away, and it will guarantee some stuff stops working, but it’s an option.
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Privacy Guides has a page for that Mobile Phones - Privacy Guides
I’ve had luck saving a few bucks with eBay certified refurbished. Excellent condition means almost indistinguishable from new. Combine that with a last gen budget model and its as affordable as you’ll probably get without some other sale happening.
You can divide the cost by how long the phone will be supported to get the effective rate, if you’re curious and plan to keep the phone until it’s unsupported.
It’s true that GSI is more for developers than actual daily and casual users. I just think that it is a huge win privacy-wise but yeah if it gets rid of verified boot or any other critical security component then it is not worth it. However, I should insist than it really gets rid of most of google’s bloatware and tracking, not entirely though, but that helps a lot.