Google Pixel 4a | DeGoogled Graphene OS Secure [Grade A]

This is the most secure and private custom ROM available right now. Graphene took the base Android Open Source Project, and prioritized security above all else, at the cost of some convenience and creature comforts.

There is no included app store, so users need to manually download and install F-Droid to access apps for their phones. Within F-Droid, is the Aurora Store, which is a private Google Play Store, where you can download all of the free apps on Google Play anonymously. It’s recommended that you get as much as possible from F-Droid, and whatever you can’t find there you get from Aurora Store.

Most of the regular Android features are present, and if you’ve used Android before, you will be comfortable using Graphene. The sacrifices are necessary to make Graphene secure and private as it mostly involves compatibility with popular apps that rely on Google services.

As the majority of the project’s work has been dedicated to hardening the security of Android, many of Graphene’s security developments have been added to the stock Android Project. Graphene OS has no support for any Google services, meaning some Google-dependent apps will not work correctly or at all. The ROM is also missing some gesture controls and customizability found in other ROMs.

Often companies will have a mobile version of their website that has the same functionality as their app, which can still be used from the safety of Graphene’s security-hardened browser. This means that there are often workarounds for incompatibilities with some apps. Incompatible apps should be carefully considered as to whether they should be installed, or used at all.

The project only supports devices that meet the strict hardware security requirements, which means only newer Pixel devices are currently supported. Ironically, upon the removal of Google, combined with some security hardening, Pixel devices are among the most secure and private phones available.

Pros and Cons:

+ One of the most private and secure phones you can get
+ Feels like a good, familiar Android smartphone
– Some compatibility issues with popular apps
– Setup can be complicated