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Comment by h4waii | Hacker News Reader

I get that a lot of the Android-based projects don't pan out, but LineageOS has been going for quite a while now, CalyxOS is relatively new, and GrapheneOS (previously CopperheadOS) have successfully established themselves as the defacto hardened Android platform.

You can download the source, modify it, and build them all freely. Hopefully more people can get involved and move the needle instead of only lamenting how they don't succeed while not actively trying to help them succeed. I mean this in a respectful way.

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> Hopefully more people can get involved and move the needle instead of only lamenting how they don't succeed while not actively trying to help them succeed.

That's totally fair. I don't really have the time or Java/Kotlin/mobile familiarity to jump in here, and these aren't skills I can easily apply elsewhere in my career, personally.

> LineageOS has been going for quite a while now, CalyxOS is relatively new, and GrapheneOS (previously CopperheadOS)

My impression of these OSes is that they still rely on Google Play Services - or if not, micro-G which has many shortcomings. When most of the ecosystem doesn't work until you invite Google back in, it doesn't seem like a true alternative IMO.

Admittedly I haven't personally tried running any of them. Which one would you recommend trying if I were aiming to rid myself of Google's omnipresence?

You can install Lineage without Play, and only use Lineage.

Graphene does not require Play Services, but it only runs on a small subset of Android phones that are ~$500+ here (heavily discouraged to use anything older than 4a 5G)

You can run one of those os's without any Google services. Paid apps are almost certain to not run, and a bunch of other apps that rely on the services. But almost all the apps I use work great.

I have used CalyxOS and it's a great os. I did use microG and 98% of the apps I use worked flawlessly. If you have a supported phone, I'd definitely give it a shot.

I understand it can be done, but then many Android apps can't be run anymore. It's not a viable alternative for many users.

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