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.
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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.
Therefore, there are some other alternative operating systems such as CalyxOS, /e/OS or LineageOS, which are more independent but whose focus is not necessarily 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 Pixel devices from Google.
- 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- /e/OS: Theoretically Google-free - but usually somewhat outdated, therefore less secure than Graphene and sometimes contains non-transparent, non-open source apps.
- LineageOS: Theoretically Google-free - but often outdated and therefore not as secure.