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Free Android-based operating systems such as grapheneOS, CalyxOS, /e/OS or LineageOS can help you protect your privacy and are less or not at all tied to Google, Apple or Microsoft.

More information

If you are unsure which system you should install, the clear recommendation is currently to install grapheneOS on one of the compatible phones. However, this is not possible for everyone, as these devices are relatively expensive. In addition, some people do not want to support Google financially with their purchase. In addition, non-replaceable batteries and the difficulty of repairing the devices can be reasons to decide against Graphene.

There are therefore a number of other alternative operating systems such as CalyxOS, /e/OS or LineageOS, which are more independent but do not necessarily focus on security and data protection. Nevertheless, this can also be a way in the right direction towards more independence. The individual alternatives are listed below:

  • GrapheneOS: Very secure and Google-independent but only runs on Google Pixel devices.
  • CalyxOS: More user-friendly but contains MicroG (communicates partly with Google) and is technically less robust than Graphene.
  • /e/OS: Theoretically Google-free but usually somewhat outdated, therefore less secure than Graphene and sometimes contains non-transparent, non-open-source apps.
  • LineageOS: Theoretically Google-free but often outdated and therefore not as secure.

Particularly important for the following target groups:

Sources and further links

  1. Data protection only available with alternative Android, golem.de, (de), 2022-04-24
  2. GrapheneOS: The Android for security and privacy freaks, kuketz-blog.de, (de), 2020-11-16
  3. LineageOS Android Distribution, lineageos.org, (en)
  4. /e/OS, e.foundation, (en)
  5. CalyxOS, calyxos.org, (en)
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