I’m seriously interested in installing GrapheneOS on one of my Pixel devices. I’ve been spending the past few months reading up and trying my best to optimize the privacy of my devices. I think I’m ready to give GrapheneOS a try, but I’m worried about certain routines and apps that I use on Android that may not be compatible with GOS.
When I travel, I like to have the airline app installed so that I can add the digital boarding pass to the Google Wallet. Is this possible with GOS? Is there even a Google Wallet app for GOS?
I’m reading that I can install the Play Store and download apps from there. Will they be able to automatically update in the background?
Given GOS’s hardened nature compared to Android, is it safer to use social media apps like Facebook and Instagram on GOS? I read that sandboxing is better and I can create profiles to make it even harder for Meta to do cross-app tracking. Would you guys agree with this assessment?
I don’t think I can completely deGoogle as some people have. It’s too difficult and will affect my quality of life. I’m prepared to go as far as I can while balancing convenience and privacy.
I can confirm that the google wallet app does exist on GOS. From my limited experience you should be able to import flight boarding passes fairly simply. The only “broken” thing about the google wallet app on GOS is that tap to pay functionallity does not work, because GOS does not meet the google “Play Integrity API” level which the app requires for NFC payments to work.
As to invasive socia media apps: I would still reccomend against installing these if possible. While the granular permisions provided by GOS, in combination with user profiles or “Private spaces” may mitigate some risk, many of these companies have shown to be actively hostile to user privacy. So yes it’s “safer” than running these apps on Stock android, but imo still not a great idea.
Installing “invasive social media apps” ultimately comes down to your threat model, and what compromises you are willing to make.
Hey! I actually just went on a trip and used all my travel apps on GOS without any issues. I did use google wallet to store my boarding passes/membership cards, but keep in mind nfc doesn’t work so I only use google wallet to store scannable passes with bar codes/qr codes.
Had no issues using the apps to load up everything into the wallet. And yes, play store apps automatically update in the background.
I’d definitely recommend getting a magsafe case so you can use a magsafe wallet to hold physical cards (less stuff to juggle in your hands while going through security) and also so you can use magsafe batteries while traveling. I let my airline apps run in the background to get notifications like gate changes which devours battery, and outlet availability on airplanes for charging is still like a 50/50 crapshoot.
That’s great news indeed. My friends think I’m crazy for having multiple devices for different purposes. Non-functioning NFC is okay for me as I’ll be using Apple Pay for mobile payments.
That’s fine as I use Google Wallet to store my boarding passes and memberships like Ikea. In the US, airlines counters scan the QR code at the gate. Very handy and not something I can easily give up even though I’m against Google’s surveillance capitalism.
With GOS, can I even avoid Google Play and use Aurora to install apps that are also on the Play Store? If so, will the apps auto-update like on Google Play?
I know what you’re saying, but I can’t avoid social media. It’s simply not possible in 2025. I’ve tried using FB in a mobile browser, but it’s not the same experience as using the native apps.
The current plan is to use three phones: Two Google Pixels and an iPhone. I actually have four phones on hand. One of the Pixels will be using GOS. One of the iPhones will be used exclusively for social media like FB. I won’t do any browsing or use any other apps on the same phone with FB installed to prevent cross-app/site tracking.
Haha don’t listen to the haters! I have my normal phone (iphone), work phone (iphone), grapheneos pixel, and a nothing phone 1. I just use whatever I feel like
You can use Aurora store on GOS. However, the Aurora store has had stability issues in the past.
I don’t remember the specifics of the case, but essentially the “anonymous account” functionality of Aurora broke because google blocked a group of email addresses.
Given the instability/unpredictability of the Aurora store “anonymous mode”, and the quality of the GOS “Sandboxed Google Play” functionality I see little reason to use Aurora as a front end to Google Play one a GOS device instead of just creating a google account for the sole purpose of app installation (one per android profile/private space if needed).
Of course, this again comes down to personal preference, threat modeling, and making informed compromises.