Calvin Wankhede / Android Authority
Google’s Pixel phones have long been sold as some of the most secure Android devices you can buy, thanks to the inclusion of the Titan M2 chip and regular security patches over several years. There’s a bit of irony to that statement, of course — Google’s entire business model revolves around selling ads. Indeed, the search giant has quite a bit of insight into the way you use your device along with a host of other analytics and location data.
Having said that, Pixel phones have one unique advantage: they are compatible with GrapheneOS, an open-source alternative to the default Pixel operating system. GrapheneOS makes it extremely difficult for apps — Google’s included — to phone home in the background.
Of course, what makes the Pixel the first choice for privacy purists isn’t something Google likes to advertise. It’s the fact that you can strip everything Google out of the phone. Here’s why you might want to make the jump.
Hardening your Pixel is easier than you think
Calvin Wankhede / Android Authority
Installing a third-party operating system might seem daunting and reckless — especially if you never flashed custom ROMs back in the Wild West days of Android modding. But GrapheneOS is perhaps the only one among them all that makes the entire process remarkably painless. In fact, I’d argue that it’s easier than installing Windows on a laptop.
Most of the installation process takes place in a web browser, and the only hardware you’ll need is a computer and a USB cable. GrapheneOS’ documentation is clear and walks you through each step — that’s as good as it gets in the world of aftermarket software. That’s partly because GrapheneOS only supports one family of devices: Pixel phones and tablets. With no fragmentation to account for, the instructions are easy to follow with little to no caveats.
Why doesn’t GrapheneOS support non-Pixel devices? GrapheneOS maintains a dedicated FAQ page explaining why the project currently only targets Pixel phones. The long and short of it is that only Pixel devices meet the project’s security standards. Furthermore, Google is the only major phone maker allowing us to install an alternative OS at the moment. Finally, the company provides consistent security patches over a definite support window that GrapheneOS can use as a base for updates. The GrapheneOS team has hinted at a partnership with a phone manufacturer, but there are no public details yet.
Still, I’ve seen one common misconception: that installing GrapheneOS means weakening your phone’s defenses. After all, doesn’t unlocking the bootloader open up security holes? Not quite.
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