I don’t like smartphones. I use a dumbphone.

But this is a wonderful initiative.

  • sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.works
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    3 days ago

    syncthing cant backup your device. that is a file transfer app.

    That’s exactly what backup software is, it’s keeping copies of important data in multiple places so if one dies/gets stolen, you have backup copies.

    I can tell syncthing to copy all my important data to another device.

    I don’t need all the installed apps or a disk image, that’s way overkill. I could do that, but it’ll get way more than I need.

    as does calyx os

    You’re right, Calyx OS is also a good choice.

    I went with GrapheneOS for two reasons:

    • sandboxed Google Play vs microG - no option AFAIK to disable it
    • faster security updates

    My goal is a baby step toward Linux phones, not compatibility with Android. I only have Google Play Services on a separate profile, and I spend 95% of my time on the profile without it. The less I rely on Google Play Services, the easier it’ll be for me to transition to Linux alternatives.

    Better app compatibility is a nice side effect. I have a handful of apps that rely on Google Play Services, and there’s a decent chance they wouldn’t work on microG. But I rarely use them and I’m willing to go without if it means I can have a Linux phone.

    • WhyJiffie@sh.itjust.works
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      3 days ago

      sandboxed Google Play vs microG - no option AFAIK to disable it

      you mean disabling microg?

      if so you can refuse installation at profile setup. if you make a new profile, you can choose to install it there. then in microg settings there are some toggles for functionality

      btw, which of your apps nead google services?

      • sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.works
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        3 days ago

        btw, which of your apps nead google services?

        • Okta - work MFA
        • Google Watch - only use for payments, app is needed to refresh payment tokens
        • Sensi - smart thermostat - I had trouble adding to Home Assistant, will probably try again at some point
        • a few random apps I can live without

        If I had a viable Linux phone, I’d keep my old Android device around for the above, assuming they don’t work with the emulator (Google Watch probably won’t).

        And that’s cool that microG can be disabled. I could maybe live with slower updates, so it sounds viable, assuming the above work.