Hi everyone. I’m making my first post to Lemmy now. I bought a Pixel 9A last month and have been on stock android.
I should have installed GrapheneOS without setting up a Google account, but I’m still not familiar with Linux or other systems, even though I know GrapheneOS is based on the Android system. I’ve been using an iPhone for almost 12 years now. I know how to protect my data/privacy from massive surveillance.
Now I now want to take full control of my pixel phone without Google Play store/service.
My concern is lack of phone screening feature on Graphene OS but I don’t want to have any Google service on Graphene OS. How do you deal without it?
Thank you for your response in advance
Not quite the answer to your question but did you consider installing e/os/ instead of graphene? I recently switched to e and it has a good tracker blocker built in and you can use it completely without any Google account. If you want apps that only work with Google you can use the preinstalled microG service to minimise your exposure. It also has a very friendly and helpful community.
Security and data protection wise is GrapheneOS very superior to e/OS/, but it has the tradeoff that it doesn’t support MicroG which is less worse reimplementation of Google Play Services, while GrapheneOS only sandbox them and removes the priveleged access.
There is an app on fdroid called SpamBlocker that I am using. It allows you to add spam call databases like the US’s do not call list, for example. You can also do other stuff like block numbers that don’t have a specific area code or that come from a specific state, etc.
Thank you very much! Google Android is turning into IOS this sep. How will it effect to Fdroid? I’m disappointed in Google’s new policy now.
Add all of your regular calls to contacts. Block any calls not coming from your contacts. See “Should I Answer?” app for example.
That sounds interesting! Thank you for the info
The problem is this also blocks SMS from those outside your contacts. It will be an issue with 2FA.
I created a “Do not disturb” profile that only blocks voice calls for non-contacts. SMS still comes through. My ringtone is a silent file, but that’s just my preference.
In the DND profile, I only allowed messaging apps to show notifications. I don’t care about the rest.
I have phone screening. It’s called “block unknown callers” and it comes in most phone apps. If it’s important they’ll leave a VM or text.
Is it on GrapheneOS?
GOS is just the operating system. You can install and use whatever phone app you want.
The stock Phone app on GrapheneOS has options to block unidentified callers, non-contacts, and/or individual phone numbers
Thank you!
Does anyone have an actual answer to the question? I have someone I’m trying to convert to Grapheneos but who is also trying to run a business, making a simple “block unknown callers” not very tenable.
GrapheneOS has benefits even when used with Google Play Services. At least on the primary profile, you can install the Phone by Google and get good call spam blocking. Other apps that you’d prefer to be siloed can be put on another profile without play services.
I used to use Carrion, but sadly it is no longer maintained and I haven’t found a good replacement yet.
Just set up Do Not Disturb and you’re good to go.
I have a google profile, I have all the apps that need google services on that profile, I have my mic camera and location turned off on said profile. IDK if that’s the best way to deal with things but it’s what I do when it comes to apps I have installed via the play store.
