Since I need to run a few apps that won’t work on LineageOS (because dumb developer security stance), I need to buy a “regular” android device that includes all the google “services”.

Ideally, it should be a cheap second-hand phone that will still receive security updates for a long time.

Are there bands that are better (well, “less worse”) than others from a privacy perspective?

  • Raistlin
    35•1 year ago

    I would personally go with the pixel line, as they just have the google spyware, and not 3 other companies spyware installed on top of Google spyware. Also they generally have decent security updates, and get them faster than most other brands, and then you have the option to switch to grapheneOS should you want too. They are also fairly affordable especially if you are getting them second hand.

    • @[email protected]English
      9•1 year ago

      I definitely second this. From what I’ve read, graphene’s sandboxed google services work a little more seamlessly compared to microg.

      Edit: you might want to be careful with secondhand, though, regarding locked bootloaders. An unlocked bootloader is necessary and is NOT the same as “carrier unlocked”

      • @cheese_greater
        3•1 year ago

        Do you know how to access developer tools in Android/GrapheneOS to do that (lock/unlock bootloader)?

        • @[email protected]English
          4•1 year ago

          In settings - about phone, tap the build number tab at the bottom like 7(?) times. That’ll enable the developer section back in settings, and there’s a bootloader option there, OEM unlocking.

          • @cheese_greater
            2•1 year ago

            THANK-YOU!!! Ugh, couldn’t find that trick anywhere. Prolly should have YouTubed it a long time ago 😮‍💨

              • @cheese_greater
                1•1 year ago

                Do you know why someone might have a problem with using Fdroid. Use to be able to use it but now it will never download or install updates and I can’t install anything anymore. Its got me really puzzling how to walk things back to where I used to be able to

                • @[email protected]English
                  1•1 year ago

                  I’m not really sure, apart from fdroid needing permission to install apps. I don’t use fdroid, at least not directly. Most of my apps are installed through obtainium.

      • @[email protected]
        2•1 year ago

        I had bad luck and ended up with a Pixel 2 that was carrier unlocked, appeared to have an unlocked bootloader but was some special Verizon version that did not allow flashing. Fuck you, Verizon.

        • @[email protected]English
          2•1 year ago

          Yuuup, Verizon is exactly what I was getting at lol. They seem to be the most common refurb/second hand devices.

  • @[email protected]
    16•1 year ago

    I’d say Fairphone is less worse than e.g. Samsung or other big companies from a privacy perspective. Their phones are also promised long support cycle, meaning software updates as well as replacement parts, so buying used should be more viable than other brands. Although I believe they might be difficult to find if you’re not in Europe.

  • Siliconic
    4•1 year ago

    I highly recommend you use GrapheneOS with Sandboxed Google Play Services, nearly perfect compatibility and much more private and secure than any stock Android

  • iamak
    2•1 year ago

    If you are rooted and the app doesn’t need any gapps, try hide prop config magisk module. (Some apps have fallbacks for gapps built in like Uber has OSM as fallback for gmaps in India atleast)