CalyxOS (Android ROM)

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117

If I see the PG criteria :

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  1. CalyxOS is open source
  2. CalyxOS supports relocking on all its supported devices.
  3. CalyxOS published their first Android 14 build on 14th October, 10 days after A14 release and released A14 generally to all supported Pixels on 26th October, which is well within a month.
  4. CalyxOS got A14 QPR3 on June 13th in their security express channel, and rolled it out to stable on June 19th. It was released on June 11th, so well within the 14 days timespan.
  5. CalyxOS got the most recent security patch (as of now, July 2024) on 3rd of July, and rolled out to Stable on the 5th. This patch was released on the 1st of July. I will be honest and say this barely made it, but as noted above, they are very timely with updates.
  6. CalyxOS doesn’t promote or support root.
  7. If we are talking strictly Play Services, then Calyx meets this criteria. It uses microG instead ofc, and it is opt in. The user has a choice to disable it on first setup.
  8. No Play Services, so no system modification required.

So based plainly on the criteria, I have no reason to believe Calyx shouldn’t be recommended. At least for criteria 2, it actually beats DivestOS since DivestOS does have a handful of devices without bootloader relocking (example - Devices - DivestOS Mobile).

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118

I saw this in their documentatiom :

CalyxOS gives F-Droid special privileges to streamline app updates, installs, and uninstalls.

This is totally useless and dangerous. F-droid basic perform background updates like a charm (no need to even open the app and no long download time like Obtainium and Aurora Store), this with only the autorisations to install apps.

Also, I wouldn’t say Microg is “opt-in”, as it is the recommended option.

When you first start your phone, you will be given several options for the microg implementation on your device.

We recommend the default option, microG enabled, no Google Account, push notifications enabled.

BTW, I see no point in recommending CalyxOX, as Divest OS already supports a wide range of phones.

119

This is outdated information. F-Droid is a user app on CalyxOS since release 4.12.2 and btoh Aurora Services and F-Droid Privileged Extension, while included, are on their way to be removed.

Also, I wouldn’t say Microg is “opt-in”, as it is the recommended option

It is a recommended option, not a required option. You will get this screen on first setup where you have the option to choose to enable microG.

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120

Just as a side note, the criteria list of things a product or service should have to be considered, checking all things on the list does not mean it will be recommended.

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121

I based myself on the documentation, which still points out that F-Droid is privileged, but I have now learned that Calyx actually sponsored F-Droid Basic, so good to know.

Great, but saying you cannot run Youtube is a bit misleading. Sure, you cannot run the Youtube app, but the web app works very well.

BTW, does Calyx still has a privileged microg ? DivestOS doesn’t, which I think is a better way of doing things. Microg doesn’t need sensor access for exam