GrapheneOS

Last updated

GrapheneOS
GrapheneOS Logo.svg
GrapheneOS Screenshot.png
GrapheneOS home screen
Developer GrapheneOS [a]
OS family Android (Linux)
Working stateCurrent
Source model Open source
Initial releaseApril 2019;5 years ago (2019-04)
Latest release 2024121200 [4] / December 12, 2024;1 day ago (2024-12-12)
Repository github.com/GrapheneOS
Marketing targetPrivacy/security-focused operating system
Update method Over-the-air (OTA) or locally
Package manager APK-based
Kernel type Monolithic (Linux)
License MIT, Apache License, various permissive open-source
Official website grapheneos.org OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg

GrapheneOS [b] is an open source, privacy and security-focused Android operating system that runs on selected Google Pixel devices, including smartphones, tablets and foldables. [5]

Contents

History

The main developer, Daniel Micay, originally worked on CopperheadOS, until a schism over software licensing between the co-founders of Copperhead Limited led to Micay's dismissal from the company in 2018. [6] After the incident, Micay continued working on the Android Hardening project, [6] [7] which was renamed as GrapheneOS [7] and announced in April 2019. [6]

In March 2022, two GrapheneOS apps, "Secure Camera" and "Secure PDF Viewer", were released on the Google Play Store. [8]

Also in March 2022, GrapheneOS reportedly released Android 12L for Google Pixel devices before Google did, second to ProtonAOSP. [9]

In May 2023, Micay announced he would step down as lead developer of GrapheneOS and as a GrapheneOS Foundation director. [10] As of September 2024, the GrapheneOS Foundations' Federal Corporation Information lists Micay as one of its directors. [2]

Features

GrapheneOS' default "AppStore" (formerly known as just "Apps" ) GrapheneOS "Apps" app.png
GrapheneOS' default "AppStore" (formerly known as just "Apps" )

Sandboxed Google Play

By default Google apps are not installed with GrapheneOS, [5] [12] but users can install a sandboxed version of Google Play Services from the pre-installed "AppStore". [12] The sandboxed Google Play Services allows access to the Google Play Store and apps dependent on it, along with features including push notifications and in-app payments. [12]

Around January 2024, Android Auto support was added to GrapheneOS, allowing users to install it via the AppStore. [13] The Sandboxed Google Play compatibility layer settings adds a new permission menu with 4 toggles for granting the minimal access required for wired Android Auto, wireless Android Auto, audio routing and phone calls. [14]

Security & Privacy features

GrapheneOS introduces revocable network access and sensors permission toggles for each installed app. [5] [15] And a PIN scrambling option for the lock screen is included with GrapheneOS. [16]

GrapheneOS by default, randomizes Wi-Fi MAC address' per-connection (to a Wi-Fi network), instead of the Android per-network default. [6] [17]

A hardened Chromium-based web browser and WebView implementation known as Vanadium, is developed by GrapheneOS and included as the default web browser/WebView [15]

Auditor, a hardware-based attestation app, developed by GrapheneOS, which "provide strong hardware-based verification of the authenticity and integrity of the firmware/software on the device" is also included. [18]

Reception

In 2019, Georg Pichler of Der Standard , and other news sources, quoted Edward Snowden saying on Twitter, "If I were configuring a smartphone today, I'd use Daniel Micay's GrapheneOS as the base operating system." [19]

In discussing why services should not force users to install proprietary apps, Lennart Mühlenmeier of netzpolitik.org suggested GrapheneOS as an alternative to Apple or Google. [20]

Svět Mobilně and Webtekno repeated the suggestions that GrapheneOS is a good security- and privacy-oriented replacement for standard Android. [21] [22]

In a detailed review of GrapheneOS for Golem.de, Moritz Tremmel and Sebastian Grüner said they were able to use GrapheneOS similarly to other Android systems, while enjoying more freedom from Google, without noticing differences from "additional memory protection, but that's the way it should be." They concluded GrapheneOS cannot change how "Android devices become garbage after three years at the latest", but "it can better secure the devices during their remaining life while protecting privacy." [6]

In June 2021, reviews of GrapheneOS, KaiOS, AliOS, and Tizen OS, were published in Cellular News. The review of GrapheneOS called it "arguably the best mobile operating system in terms of privacy and security." However, they criticized GrapheneOS for its inconvenience to users, saying "GrapheneOS is completely de-Googled and will stay that way forever—at least according to the developers." They also noticed a "slight performance decrease" and said "it might take two full seconds for an app—even if it’s just the Settings app—to fully load." [23]

In March 2022, writing for How-To Geek Joe Fedewa said that Google apps were not included due to concerns over privacy, and GrapheneOS also did not include a default app store. Instead, Fedewa suggested, F-Droid could be used. [5]

In 2022, Jonathan Lamont of MobileSyrup reviewed GrapheneOS installed on a Pixel 3, after one week of use. He called GrapheneOS install process "straightforward" and concluded that he liked GrapheneOS overall, but criticized the post-install as "often not a seamless experience like using an unmodified Pixel or an iPhone", attributing his experience to his "over-reliance on Google apps" and the absence of some "smart" features in GrapheneOS default keyboard and camera apps, in comparison to software from Google. [12]

In his initial impressions post a week prior, Lamont said that after an easy install there were issues with permissions for Google's Messages app, and difficulty importing contacts; Lamont then concluded, "Anyone looking for a straightforward experience may want to avoid GrapheneOS or other privacy-oriented Android experiences since the privacy gains often come at the expense of convenience and ease of use." [24]

In July 2022, Charlie Osborne of ZDNet suggested that individuals who suspect a Pegasus infection use a secondary device with GrapheneOS for secure communication. [25]

In January 2023, a Swiss startup company, Apostrophy AG, announced AphyOS, which is a subscription fee-based Android operating system and services "built atop" GrapheneOS. [26] [27]

See also

References and notes

  1. ↑ "Frequently Asked Questions - GrapheneOS". grapheneos.org. Archived from the original on 17 September 2024. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
  2. 1 2 "Federal Corporation Information - 1485757-7". Government of Canada. Archived from the original on 2 October 2024. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  3. ↑ "History - GrapheneOS". grapheneos.org. Archived from the original on 18 September 2024. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
  4. ↑ "GrapheneOS Changelog". grapheneos.org. Archived from the original on 24 August 2024. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Fedewa, Joe (23 March 2022). "What Is GrapheneOS, and How Does It Make Android More Private?". How-To Geek. Archived from the original on 10 June 2022. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 Tremmel, Moritz; Grüner, Sebastian (11 December 2019). "GrapheneOS: Ein gehärtetes Android ohne Google, bitte" [GrapheneOS: A hardened Android without Google, please]. Golem.de (in German). pp. 1–3. Archived from the original on 15 November 2021. Retrieved 20 July 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  7. 1 2 Baader, Hans-Joachim (9 April 2019). "Android Hardening wird zu GrapheneOS" [Android Hardening becomes GrapheneOS]. Pro-Linux (in German). Archived from the original on 21 September 2019. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  8. ↑ Hazarika, Skanda (4 March 2022). "GrapheneOS brings its camera and PDF viewer apps to the Play Store". XDA. Archived from the original on 22 June 2022. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
  9. ↑ Wilde, Damien (11 March 2022). "Privacy-focused GrapheneOS based upon Android 12L comes to Pixel 6 in latest beta". 9to5Google . Archived from the original on 28 June 2022. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
  10. ↑ "Daniel Micay (@DanielMicay)". 26 May 2023. Archived from the original on 26 May 2023. I've stepped down as lead developer of GrapheneOS and will be replaced as a GrapheneOS Foundation director. I'll be ending my use of public social media. I'm unable to handle the escalating level of harassment including recent swatting attacks. There will be a smooth migration.
  11. ↑ "GrapheneOS/AppStore Version 24 Release". GitHub . 18 July 2024. Archived from the original on 24 August 2024. Retrieved 24 August 2024.
  12. 1 2 3 4 Lamont, Jonathan (20 March 2022). "A week with GrapheneOS exposed my over-reliance on Google". MobileSyrup. Blue Ant Media. Archived from the original on 6 July 2022. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  13. ↑ Schoon, Ben (3 January 2024). "GrapheneOS, a privacy-focused version of Android, is adding Android Auto support". 9to5Google . Archived from the original on 3 January 2024. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  14. ↑ "2023123000 - Releases". grapheneos.org. Archived from the original on 20 December 2023. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  15. 1 2 Mascellino, Alessandro (16 June 2022). "What is GrapheneOS and how does it improve privacy and security?". Android Police. Archived from the original on 22 July 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
  16. ↑ "This is why James Bond doesn't use an iPhone". Wired UK. ISSN   1357-0978. Archived from the original on 17 August 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
  17. ↑ Valeri, Vitor (17 June 2022). "O que é o GrapheneOS? Como ele aumenta a segurança e a privacidade do celular?". Oficina da Net (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on 22 June 2022. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  18. ↑ "Features overview". GrapheneOS. Archived from the original on 28 January 2023. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
  19. ↑ "If I were configuring a smartphone today, I'd use @DanielMicay's @GrapheneOS as the base operating system. I'd desolder the microphones and keep the radios (cellular, wifi, and bluetooth) turned off when I didn't need them. I would route traffic through the @torproject network". Twitter. Archived from the original on 15 November 2022. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
  20. ↑ Mühlenmeier, Lennart (19 July 2019). "Warum Post, Bank und Co. ihre Kunden nicht zwingen sollten, Apps zu benutzen" [Why Post, Bank and Co. shouldn't force their customers to use apps]. netzpolitik.org (in German). Archived from the original on 18 September 2019. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
  21. ↑ Šlik, Jáchym (6 April 2019). "GrapheneOS chce napravit bezpečnostní prohřešky Androidu" [GrapheneOS wants to fix Android security violations]. Svět Mobilně (in Czech). Archived from the original on 8 April 2019. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  22. ↑ Kalelioğlu, Eray (3 April 2019). "Android Tabanlı İşletim Sistemi 'GrapheneOS' ile Tanışın" [Meet the GrapheneOS Android-Based Operating System]. Webtekno (in Turkish). Archived from the original on 3 April 2019. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  23. ↑ Diane (28 June 2021). "GrapheneOS: A Hardened Android Alternative (Review)". CellularNews. Archived from the original on 14 July 2022. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
  24. ↑ Lamont, Jonathan (13 March 2022). "I replaced Android on a Pixel 3 with an Android-based privacy OS". MobileSyrup. Blue Ant Media. Archived from the original on 6 July 2022. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  25. ↑ "How to find and remove spyware from your phone". ZDNET. Archived from the original on 20 August 2022. Retrieved 20 August 2022.
  26. ↑ "Swiss Startup Takes On Apple and Google With Privacy-First OS". Bloomberg.com. 16 January 2023. Archived from the original on 23 May 2023. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  27. ↑ "Swiss startup takes on Apple and Google with privacy-first OS". The Star. 17 January 2023. Archived from the original on 25 May 2023. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  1. ↑ The developers have been referred to as the "GrapheneOS developers" or the "GrapheneOS project" on GrapheneOS' frequently asked questions page, [1] but the Canadian nonprofit organization "GrapheneOS Foundation" [2] was created "in March 2023 to handle the intake and distribution of donations". [3]
  2. ↑ Formerly Android Hardening or AndroidHardening

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Android 13</span> Thirteenth major version of the Android mobile operating system

Android 13 is the thirteenth major release and the 20th version of Android, the mobile operating system developed by the Open Handset Alliance led by Google. It was released to the public and the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) on August 15, 2022. The first devices to ship with Android 13 were the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro.

Android is a mobile operating system based on a modified version of the Linux kernel and other open-source software, designed primarily for touchscreen-based mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. Android has historically been developed by a consortium of developers known as the Open Handset Alliance, but its most widely used version is primarily developed by Google. First released in 2008, Android is currently the world's most widely used operating system; the latest version, released on October 15, 2024, is Android 15.

A mobile operating system is an operating system used for smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, smartglasses, or other non-laptop personal mobile computing devices. While computers such as typical/mobile laptops are "mobile", the operating systems used on them are usually not considered mobile, as they were originally designed for desktop computers that historically did not have or need specific mobile features. This "fine line" distinguishing mobile and other forms has become blurred in recent years, due to the fact that newer devices have become smaller and more mobile, unlike the hardware of the past. Key notabilities blurring this line are the introduction of tablet computers, light laptops, and the hybridization of the two in 2-in-1 PCs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ChromeOS</span> Linux-based operating system developed by Google

ChromeOS, sometimes styled as chromeOS and formerly styled as Chrome OS, is a Linux distribution developed and designed by Google. It is derived from the open-source ChromiumOS operating system and uses the Google Chrome web browser as its principal user interface.

The version history of the Android mobile operating system began with the public release of its first beta on November 5, 2007. The first commercial version, Android 1.0, was released on September 23, 2008. The operating system has been developed by Google on a yearly schedule since at least 2011. New major releases are announced at Google I/O in May along with beta testing with the stable version usually released to the public between August and October.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">F-Droid</span> Free and open source Android app repository

F-Droid is a free and open source app store and software repository for Android, serving a similar function to the Google Play store. The main repository, hosted by the project, contains only free and open source apps. Applications can be browsed, downloaded and installed from the F-Droid website or client app without the need to register an account. "Anti-features" such as advertising, user tracking, or dependence on non-free software are flagged in app descriptions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Android Nougat</span> Seventh major version of the Android operating system

Android Nougat is the seventh major version and 14th original version of the Android operating system. First released as an alpha test version on March 9, 2016, it was officially released on August 22, 2016, with Nexus devices being the first to receive the update.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CopperheadOS</span> Mobile operating system focused on privacy and security

CopperheadOS is a mobile operating system for smartphones, based on the Android mobile platform. It adds privacy and security features to the official releases of the Android Open Source Project by Google. CopperheadOS is developed by Copperhead, a Canadian information security company. It is licensed under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0, although its source code is not available for public download.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Firefox Focus</span> Free and open-source privacy-focused web browser by Mozilla

Firefox Focus is a free and open-source privacy-focused mobile browser by Mozilla, based on Firefox. It is available for Android and iOS smartphones and tablets. Its predecessor, Focus by Firefox, was released in December 2015 as a tracker-blocking application which worked only in conjunction with the Safari mobile browser on iOS. It was developed into a minimalist web browser in 2016 but retained this background blocking functionality. The Android version of the browser was first released in June 2017 and was downloaded over one million times in the first month. As of January 2017, it was available in 27 languages. The version released for German-speaking countries has telemetry disabled and is named Firefox Klar to avoid ambiguity with the German news magazine FOCUS.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LineageOS</span> Free and open-source Android-based operating system

LineageOS is a open source Android distribution for smartphones, tablets, and set-top boxes. It is community-developed and serves as the successor to CyanogenMod, from which it was forked in December 2016, with the source code available on both GitHub and GitLab. As of 2023, there are about 1.5 million devices running the LineageOS operating system.

/e/ is a fork of LineageOS, an Android-based mobile operating system, and associated online services. /e/ is presented as privacy software that does not contain proprietary Google apps or services, and challenges the public to "find any parts of the system or default applications that are still leaking data to Google."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Android 10</span> Tenth major version of the Android mobile operating system

Android 10 is the tenth major release and the 17th version of the Android mobile operating system. It was first released as a developer preview on March 13, 2019, and was released publicly on September 3, 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MicroG</span> Free and open-source alternative to Google Android libraries

MicroG is a free and open-source implementation of proprietary Google libraries that serves as a replacement for Google Play Services on the Android operating system. It is maintained by German developer Marvin Wißfeld. In a presentation, Wißfeld described microG as "the framework to create a fully-compatible Android distribution without any proprietary Google components".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Google Messages</span> Messaging application developed by Google

Google Messages is a text messaging software application developed by Google for its Android and Wear OS mobile operating systems. It is also available as a web app.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Android 11</span> Eleventh major version of the Android mobile operating system

Android 11 is the eleventh major release and 18th version of Android, the mobile operating system developed by the Open Handset Alliance led by Google. It was released on September 8, 2020. The first phone launched in Europe with Android 11 was the Vivo X51 5G and after its full stable release, the first phone in the world which came with Android 11 was Google Pixel 5.

CalyxOS is a Android-based operating system for select smartphones, foldables and tablets with mostly free and open-source software. It is produced by the Calyx Institute as part of its mission to "defend online privacy, security and accessibility."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Android 12</span> Twelvth major version of the Android mobile operating system

Android 12 is the twelfth major release and 19th version of Android, the mobile operating system developed by the Open Handset Alliance led by Google. The first beta was released on May 18, 2021. Android 12 was released publicly on October 4, 2021, through Android Open Source Project (AOSP) and was released to supported Google Pixel devices on October 19, 2021. As of April 2024, it is the oldest Android version still supported via source code patches.

The Umidigi A9, A9 Pro, and A9 Max are Android-based smartphones sold by Umidigi. Unveiled in December 2020, they are a family of entry-level smartphones.

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.