Honestly this is one of the only things holding me back from going to graphene. Once this is available to non alpha users I might make the switch properly.
Absolutely. Android Auto is a must for me.
I’m on stable, and using it.
I tried out this OS last year and really loved it, until I went on a road trip and couldn’t use Android Auto. This is huge and will make GrapheneOS an extremely attractive option to privacy minded people.
I think Android Auto is really the only thing keeping me from completely de-googling. Many times in the past I’ve installed some stripped down ROM or whatever but I always go back because Android Auto is too convenient.
I wish there was a nice open source alternative that worked with my head unit.
Oh hell yeah. That was a big issue when I tried out gOS last year.
Awesome. I’ve been using GrapheneOS on my Pixel 7 for almost a year now and it’s been great. I won’t be using this feature, but am happy it might attract more users.
I’m still sour that Google disables hdmi/DP over USB-C on Pixels on purpose, and it bothers me that Graphene devs never bothered adding it back.
I think it’s available on the Pixel 8. Graphene OS enabled USB-C video out a couple of months ago.
To be fair, in terms of adding features, they probably care more about parity with stock Android (as their secondary focus, since their primary is security) vs actually superceding it.
Has anybody else figured out how to add it back to the Pixel? If so, you might be able to convince them to pull the work of others over.
Is Androit Auto proprietary? Does it depend on Google services (beyond GoogleMaps)?
Yes it’s proprietary and depends on a lot of Google services. Usually if you want it on a custom ROM, you need to use the full GApps packages. No Android Auto on smaller GApps packages.
It works with microG but you still need the proprietary Auto app.
Do you need to root your phone for that? Or is it possible without rooting? Afaik Auto app has to be installed in priv-app
You need Magisk.
Thanks. I tried an experiment recently, how long can I live without rooting. This is finally a reason to install magisk again.
Never tried microG, so that’s good to know.
I’m still iffy about grapheneos after the rossman issue. Any other good alternatives?
iirc that developer doesn’t work on grapheneos anymore
Daniel Micay says he will retire to management role, yet I think he is still committing a lot of the code https://github.com/GrapheneOS/platform_manifest/commits/14
However, I do believe he is very devoted to improving the privacy and security of the mass, despite his communication issue. So I personally believe graphene os is still good.
Similar alternatives are divest and calyx, but it seems like graphene is still the best for me at this point.
If you need Android Auto, the closest thing you’ll get is LineageOS with some sort of GApps, but those are far from the “privacy and security first” goals of GrapheneOS.
If you are looking for something private/“FOSS-focused” and don’t need Android Auto, I like CalyxOS a lot, and have heard good things about DivestOS.
I’d have rather seen Google Pay support than Android Auto though I imagine it’s a lot less feasible.
Google would have to approve the OS by whitelisting it
Yeah that’s definitely not going to happen lol
Would they? Why? I’m asking as I’m unaware of what restrictions are in place for it to work.
Edit: i meant to ask: “would they have to approve it?”
They would not. Best case scenario is that you can trick Google into thinking your device/OS is legit. It’s of no benefit to them to in any way compromise the security of their highly sensitive payments app.
Rephrased my initial message.
Google Pay support
I can not comprehend this. Ditching Google is why I yearn for alternatives to stock Android.
Here’s an example and why I’m not on a custom ROM. My job has “restaurant credit” as one of the benefits. That’s 200 euros a month in a card that can only be used through Google/Apple pay.
So either I skip the money or I need a second phone with me all the time.
It may be possible to convince them to offer that another way, if you care about software freedom and they care about what you value.
If the number in the username is a zip code, they don’t care.
Is there a four digit ZIP code format I’m not aware of
I guess it’s called US defaultism
ZIP codes are US specific, postal codes are international.
I looked it up before my comment
I really hope google pay is next, but safety net makes that hard
play integrity.
To me it is super weird that GrapheneOS positions itself as a way to degoogle - but it is only supported on google’s Pixel hardware.
I think because on other manufacturer android phones, like Samsung, you’d have to de-Google and also de-Samsung.
oh wow! i doubt im going to use that feature because android auto is insufferable but that’s still really neat!
I am curious why you think that? My reasons for liking it are the fact that it essentially just works, and gives me a consistent UI across multiple vehicles. What are your issues with it?
What don’t you like about Android Auto? What alternative would you use to interface with a vehicle head unit if you didn’t AA?
He’s probably gonna reply aux cable lol
That’s what I use (or Bluetooth) and I don’t see how you can get more consistent.
I use a phone holder…