Android

I switched to it a year ago and I like it. The biggest draw for me is it gives me back control and ownership over my phone. It gives you actual and thorough control over what apps can do on your phone including Google's apps, which on other typical Android OS are being given all or most permissions with no ability for you to deny access to any of them.

To gain almost all the functionality of a regular Android OS you can install Google Play Services and run it sandboxed, which means it will only do what you allow it to do and access only what you will allow it to access, which for me is the bare minimum before things stop working too much for my tastes.

Besides Android auto for now, the only thing that won't work for me on it is my banking app, probably because of all the security checks involved in it. But I just use the browser-based online service to do my banking operations instead.

I think it's great, and have been daily driving it for I think almost 3 years now. With the addition of sandboxed Google Play services, there's little it can't handle.

I'm running it. Bank apps and Safety net things (like Pokemon Go) all work. Aside from Android Auto, Google Pay refuses to work.

So, there's no downsides.

Actually, Google Translate didn't play ball when I tried it. I miss that one.

Upsides: Everything just works, no google tracking, creating a google account is optional and its easy to setup

Downsides: You aren't able to automatically backup the internal storage of apps without a lot of work (external files such as photos and documents are fine though)

I've been using it for about 1.5 years, I would recommend using it if possible

From my experience, its overall good. Its basically stock android, meaning no google smart features and apps by default, with more control over apps and google services. But for caution, some apps may break. You will have to mess around with the app settings to fix them. Also some apps will not work such as the google wallet app due to the OS not being acknowledged as official by google.

In short, its a more security focused OS that may require more involvement in configuration.

Biggest downside is you lose Android Auto haha

But also pretty much all the Pixel-specific features like Call Screen, Hold For Me and many more.

Other than that it's fantastic and easy to install.

I still use Google Contacts, Camera, Photos and GBoard, all with internet connectivity disabled.

Doesn't it only support Pixel phones?

Get a Pixel and give it a shot. If it doesn't work for you the Pixels have amazing support in the custom ROM community so you'll be able to find something you like for sure.

I just moved from a Samsung - migration was a lot of manual work for me. Whether it's worth it depends on how much the increased security and control are worth to you. They were to me - I haven't had any issues otherwise.

i, for one, only have good things to say about it, EXCEPT device support (which is not GOS's fault)

GrapheneOS requires specific safety hardware that, as of now, is usually available only on the Google Pixel line of phones. If your standard smartphone doesn't include it, I doubt a car does.

Android Auto is a specific system that mirrors app contents from your phone. It's basically an extended monitor for your phone with specific formatting to be car usage friendly. It doesn't do anything about a car's embedded systems

the solution is to yank out the stock infotainment system and put in a new one that doesn't suck. that and cracking down on automakers who play dirty

Same. I used graphene and calyx for a while but really needed the nav features so stoped using them. Very excited for this!!

I recall watch pairing being temperamental when I tried it as well, but this will be a solid reason to give it another go. Maybe put it in one of the old phones for a test drive and go from there. Graphine certainly makes it easier to hop over with their online flash tool than most did in the past.

You either connect a mic via Bluetooth or wired headset.

Either you plug a wired microphone each time you receive a call, or you explicitly do not receive calls with the device and use it as a tablet basically.