Sorry to piss off all the Apple shills on here, but sounds like an opportunity to me. I think there’s enough of us that want something better and some traction with Graphene and some Linux options. This should be a spark to ignite some fires. I’m disappointed but unsurpised by this news, but also a little excited about the window of motivation and opportunity this opens.
Android will become a locked-down platform in 194 day
Submitted 2 weeks ago by FirmDistribution@lemmy.world to technology@lemmy.world
Comments
Imgonnatrythis@sh.itjust.works 2 weeks ago
selokichtli@lemmy.ml 2 weeks ago
Honestly, I’m worried. Current Linux options are expensive and or shitty. IDK if Sailfish is still a thing. I can’t use Apple. If I keep taking good care of my not-so-shitty Xiaomi phone, maybe I have a couple more years until I’m pwned.
PostmarketOS seems promising, though.
CalcProgrammer1@lemmy.today 2 weeks ago
PostmarketOS is already in a good state for a secondary device, though I don’t think it can completely replace an Android phone just yet. Most devices still have some fundamental hardware support issues even on the more well supported phones (camera is the big one, call audio is also problematic on a lot of devices). However, as a pocketable Linux machine, it is wonderful. I got a second cheap SIM card so I can have data on my OnePlus 6 postmarketOS phone as there are a lot of tasks that work better on Linux than Android. I keep an Android daily driver but am trying to do less and less on it and more on the postmarketOS device.
XLE@piefed.social 2 weeks ago
If you care about using third-party Android apps, I have good news for you, but grim news for the ecosystem. You will still be able to use third-party apps. But it’s going to be harder. You’ll probably need to use something like Shizuku or an ADB tool. The first wave of those affected won’t be you and me; it’ll be people who aren’t quite as technically competent. Then, slowly, a chilling effect will echo across independent development.
rajano@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
I look forward to LibrePhone coming online. I hope it comes soon …
“Librephone — Free Software Foundation — Working together for free software” www.fsf.org/campaigns/librephone
Pelicanen@sopuli.xyz 2 weeks ago
SailfishOS is still very much a thing and they have a brand new phone on the way. Since it hasn’t been released yet it’s hard to get into specifics, but early interest seems to point in a positive direction at least.
pelespirit@sh.itjust.works 2 weeks ago
Could you go over what Graphene is for phones? Is it easy to switch to an alternative to android?
FUCKING_CUNO@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 weeks ago
Its a version of android OS that can be installed on Google Pixel phones. Its a relatively easy switch if you’re technically inclined, but the device needs to be carrier unlocked.
FauxLiving@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
It’s Android with all of the Google removed where possible and sandboxed where not. You can choose to install the Google Play services and use it like any other Android phone or use it without any Google software.
Some things won’t work, namely things like some banking applications and NFC payments, because they require on hardware attestation that Google will not allow Graphene to pass. Essentially everything that isn’t banking/payment related works exactly like any other Android phone.
It is just a secure phone (though you can still install Facebook on it if you want) that is designed around mitigating attacks that could violate your privacy and security.
Very easy to install, you just buy a Pixel directly from Google (don’t buy from the carriers, they’ll be locked). Enable OEM Unlocking in the Developer menu and then plug it into USB and you can install it directly from the Graphene site via WebUSB. It takes about 5-10 minutes, then your phone will reboot (It’ll give you a scary looking screen about not running a Google OS that you’ll see every time it reboots but it’s just informational, it doesn’t affect anything and the system will boot into GrapheneOS in a second or two).
The more complete instructions and WebUSB install process:
asdfasdfasdf@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
traction with Graphene
What kind of traction? Is it missing something? Or do you just mean more developers behind it?
Imgonnatrythis@sh.itjust.works 2 weeks ago
It’s missing a robust user base imo. More developers too.
BaroqueInMind@piefed.social 2 weeks ago
So then, in 194 days, Android will be an inferior version of iOS and you may as well just switch to Apple because their devices have a better security posture.
LibertyLizard@slrpnk.net 2 weeks ago
It’s mostly marketing honestly. They’re both total ass.
Danitos@reddthat.com 2 weeks ago
No, unless you use GrapheneOS, iOS is far more secure than Android.
mrnobody@reddthat.com 2 weeks ago
FUCK no! Apple is dogshit locked down like crazy, so, fuck no, politely.
PalmTreeIsBestTree@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
At least I can get almost 10 years of updates on iOS.
BaroqueInMind@piefed.social 2 weeks ago
I don’t know if you’re being stupid or trolling, but that’s literally what’s going to happen to Android soon anyways.
arcine@jlai.lu 2 weeks ago
If this happens, I guess it’s Linux Phone time for me… I’m pretty certain GrapheneOS will be able to get around this abuse of power for a while, but it wouldn’t take much effort from Google to kill them too ; they almost already have…
Or maybe dumb phone time ? But I like browsing Wikipedia and playing chess and RetroArch on my phone, I don’t want to lose that just because big G$ said so…
arschfidel@discuss.tchncs.de 2 weeks ago
The new requirements will “only” apply for “certified” Android devices. I’m pretty sure, devices running a custom ROM aren’t certified, especially if you don’t even have Google Services installed. Nevertheless, I’m looking forward to a bright future for Linux phones.
Buddahriffic@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Fwiw, just because a dumb phone doesn’t give you access to “smart” features doesn’t mean the capabilities aren’t present on the phone. It’s just a matter of what could be hidden on the circuit board (lots can be hidden in chips), and what can be hidden in usual expected traffic (if bandwidth requirements are low, even timing of packets could be used to encode hidden data that would never show up in any logs).
Plus the simple tracking of cellphones is necessary for them to function at all.
coolmojo@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
You can still use a dump phone. You can play and browse Wikipedia on a Steam Deck which has WiFi. If you are outsid, you can use a Mifi device of a USB LTE/5G dongle for the SteamDeck.
fishy@lemmy.today 2 weeks ago
Steam decks are expensive and relatively bulky when compared to a phone. I don’t think it’s really a practical solution for most of us.
YiddishMcSquidish@lemmy.today 2 weeks ago
I wonder if there is a dumb phone with tethering currently. Cause if you don’t mind carrying 2 devices, that may be viable for your use case
HertzDentalBar@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 weeks ago
If you just need a mobile data connection there’s alot of sim based wifi routers
hornedfiend@piefed.social 2 weeks ago
The new Jolla phone can’t come soon enough. I truly believe the future of tech independence lies with linux, for us, europeans. Anyone welcome ofc.
I do hope it’ll be a good enough device, even if there will be no NFC phone payments possible.
sixty@sh.itjust.works 2 weeks ago
/e/os
arcine@jlai.lu 2 weeks ago
Do you really think that will survive ? It’s next on the chopping block with GrapheneOS if they keep going this way.
sefra1@lemmy.zip 2 weeks ago
Not sure how I should feel about this, if I should support the cause to keep android “open” (when it’s everything but), or if I should be happy that this piece of shit OS finally shows it’s true colours and people (including me) will finally be forced to find an alternative or stop using this trashware all together.
sonofearth@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Until Linux Phones get good, we are seeing a very rough sail ahead. Or just hard fork Android ig if it’s a logical option.
sefra1@lemmy.zip 2 weeks ago
I understand, but there’s a good argument that Android is the reason why GNU/Linux phones don’t get good.
The death of Android as an “open” platform would put some pressure to actual develop an alternative.
hellomoto@lemmings.world 2 weeks ago
We need alternatives to big tech. They’re reigning in and locking everything they can down, and the states are loving them for it as it solidifies their ability to control us.
danhab99@programming.dev 2 weeks ago
They’re kind of already is. It’s the free and open source community.
The problem is phones are actually incredibly impressive pieces of hardware and the fact that we can Mass produce them has diluted that opinion. I’m actually to look into building my own phone and I wanted to have at least some near-flagship specs. I know how to design my own circuit boards and get someone to print them. But acquiring CPUs that perform at least 1/4 as well as Pixels or iPhones is objectively not possible, these companies have deals with manufacturers for exclusive products. And even if you could these chips are so precise you will never be able to figure out the signaling yourself.
Maybe things have gotten better now that we have ai and you don’t need to be any sort of expert in anything you just need to be good enough at decision making problem solving and communicating to acquire the skills and knowledge to work on these chips. And by the time you’ve done all the work and acquired all the hardware you might have spent close to 3 to 5K on a device you could have just bought for $800. All for what, to circumvent privacy breaches that should be illegal in the first place?
And that’s the root problem we’re trying to solve. Another symptom of these companies being able to engage in the bad behavior that they do is that they gain the ability to overvalue themselves. There should be no safety or privacy concern when engaging in the purchase of any device for the same reason that people should not fear food poisoning every time they go to the grocery store.
That’s what the regulators are for. This is a legal issue not a technical one.
But the only underlying cause for why we’re not regulating tech companies is because fear of privacy violations is not reducing market activity. Apparently people are still going to use their phones even if their phones are listening to them having private conversations. Apparently people will still buy shit off of their phones even if their phones are going to use that data to show them ads.
Apparently the harm of your privacy being breached does not hurt enough to prevent you from doing good things.
Now if Android takes away my F-Droid, Tasker and Termux I’m gonna throw a fit. That’s not privacy that’s self-determination, I bought an Android because I can customize it to be as low friction for me as I need, if my phone starts giving me friction then we’re going to have problems.
x0x7@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
What we need is a good linux phone that is affordable, has hardware that isn’t slow, and isn’t over sold to an annual pre-order.
Sadly, if the first two are true, the third one becomes an issue.
Alaknar@sopuli.xyz 2 weeks ago
What we need is a good linux phone that is affordable, has hardware that isn’t slow, and isn’t over sold to an annual pre-order.
That’s not enough, sadly. That phone must support, at the very least, all the national ID and banking software. And that bit might be tricky.
Alaknar@sopuli.xyz 2 weeks ago
Europe is slowly working on that. Ironically, Trump’s policies were kind of a blessing to Europe, because it forced politicians to finally start working towards strengthening the independence of the region.
dismay3915@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Those who have the expertise should start contributing and working more on Linux for mobile. Postmarket has made great progress it just needs more manpower
njordomir@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
What kind of roles do they have for people who don’t know how to code? I’ve considered helping translate things before, but my languages are among the most popular, so it’s almost always already translated.
sturmblast@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Linux phones look more and more attractive
generic1546@lemmy.ca 2 weeks ago
Graphene OS
Allero@lemmy.today 2 weeks ago
As far as I know, it is still reliant on the whims of Google through shenanigans with AOSP, and of course having to use a Pixel.
Linux offers a more solid and independent foundation, and while it is less polished yet, to me it’s the only real way out.
sturmblast@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
No, linux
Mohamad20ZX@sopuli.xyz 2 weeks ago
Couldn’t agree more Especially when the Pine Phone Pro is improving every year since its has came out and with Posh shell and Waydroid nothing will stop Linux from succeeding in the modern era
rumba@lemmy.zip 2 weeks ago
sadly
The PinePhone Pro was officially discontinued in August 2025, as it didn’t sell well enough to keep production going.[7]
rook@lemmy.zip 2 weeks ago
TD;DR
(FOR EVERYONE)
Here is the petition that we all need to sign:
change.org/…/stop-google-from-limiting-apk-file-u…
(FOR DEVELOPERS or “DEVELOPERS” 😉 )
Here is the form that we need to fill:
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/…/viewform?pli=1
(Please UPVOTE this so others can see!)
mycodesucks@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Call your representativesHire a lobbyist to donate millions of dollars to election campaigns for your representatives
JcbAzPx@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Doesn’t even take that much. Most can be bought with a couple thousand.
tal@lemmy.today 2 weeks ago
!linuxphones@lemmy.ca
They aren’t competitive with Android or iOS phones presently — don’t have the scale of userbase — but there’s only one way that that’s going to change, and that’s people starting to use them.
(“Linux” here as in “GNU/Linux”, as opposed to “the Linux kernel”, which Android phones also use.)
Zak@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
(“Linux” here as in “GNU/Linux”, as opposed to “the Linux kernel”, which Android phones also use.)
I feel compelled to point out that PostmarketOS, one of the popular Linux phone options is not, in fact GNU. It’s based on musl and BusyBox, not glibc and GNU utils.
turboSnail@piefed.europe.pub 2 weeks ago
That’s generally true. Personally, I enjoy using a laptop way more than using a mobile device of any kind.
However, modern life is beginning to require mobile apps (Android or iOS). More and more things simply aren’t available as a website or FOSS. You have to have a vanilla mainstream mobile device to do certain things like using your bank account. I really hate that.
Hardware peripherals are another area that really sucks. If you want to enjoy the comforts of modern life, many people just bow down and use one of the two mobile platforms in order to use their smart ring/scale/lights/curtains/heating/car, etc.
Resisting all that is getting increasingly difficult, because there’s so much to resist. On the other hand, it’s also becoming increasingly appealing as enshittification intensifies.
JaddedFauceet@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
carrying a laptop won’t help. If it helped, I won’t mind running a termux os via proot also. I dont mind if it isn’t optimised for small touchscreen yet.
right now most mobile payment options in my country only work with android/ios. My bank requires a phone for its device token (2fa).
The food and cab ordering platform is also exclusively on mobile only.
very sad
tal@lemmy.today 2 weeks ago
My bank requires a phone for its device token (2fa).
In most cases (at least in the US…I suppose that there might be places that require use of a state bank or something) one can pick their bank. None of the banks I bank with require this, and I have never installed a banking app (though I think that they all have an app as an option). One may need a phone of some sort to respond to a voice call or an SMS to validate oneself. I believe that Bank of America has the most customers in the US, and they’ll even do YubiKeys.
The food and cab ordering platform is also exclusively on mobile only.
I think that GrubHub and Uber Eats are the most-common food delivery options where I am. It looks like both permit ordering from the Web (though I’ve never used their services).
Waymo, which in the US is, I think, the most-advanced robotaxi service (and probably currently the only really practical one where I am), does require an app, so I don’t know if there’s a good Web-based robotaxi option. Lyft looks to me like it requires use of an app. Uber looks like it permits Web-based ordering. I’ve never used anything but traditional cab companies (not that I especially object to the newer services, just never bothered to use them), and I’ve never run into one of those that requires an app — I just call up a human.
This isn’t to say that the same situation is true of where you are. But just pointing out that for many people, there are options…though it may require using an alternative service. Those services will be aware of how many people are ordering in what way, so if people are using different methods of ordering, that will cause them (and others) to tend to provide that route.
bioluminescence@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 weeks ago
What does this mean for GrapheneOS and similar degoogled android versions?
ExLisper@lemmy.curiana.net 2 weeks ago
Nothing changes for now but other moves by Google clearly show they are trying to kill 3rd party ROMs by locking down Android’s code. In my opinion, unless EU steps in and mandates phone manufacturers and Google to support google free apps we’re fucked.
lbfgs@programming.dev 2 weeks ago
EU wants phones to be locked down so they can then make Google implement mass surveillance for “national security” reasons
eleitl@lemmy.zip 2 weeks ago
The EU has no interest in allowing privacy on devices, since it is increasingly attempting to control alternative narratives. We’re in touching distance of the Fourth Reich now.
jabjoe@feddit.uk 2 weeks ago
It is surely called competition law?
DreamlandLividity@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
While it does not affect them in theory, it is unlikely most app developers will give significant effort to only support a small percentage of Android users running custom ROMs. So while GrapheneOS users will be able to install apps, there will likely not be that many apps to install.
rumba@lemmy.zip 2 weeks ago
It means they fork and they’re going to need funding to keep up with security work at least.
Zink@programming.dev 2 weeks ago
The tech companies are doing a great job at making me uninterested in the hottest new phones. I used to follow the news about them and know the tech specs and stuff, because I’m a nerd and gadgets are fun and smart phones in particular are the intersection of SO much technology and engineering. Moore’s law was alive and well during all my formative years, so I am even conditioned to expect the excitement.
But lately, not only have I been ignoring what the big players are offering, I have been ignoring the phone I already have! Instead I have a PC at the end of the couch with a monitor on an arm that s swings right over my lap.
I use my phone pretty much just for music, web browser, Voyager (Lemmy on the go), and occasional texting. When I am at home I will sometimes misplace my phone for hours and just not worry about it.
I have already pushed the megacorp phone + social media experience so far out of my daily life, that if future options for open linux phones are rough around the edges and don’t have tap to pay then oh well I don’t think I care.
It’s much easier to live without the shiny new thing once you see how well your brain does when separated from it. (and you have some loved ones who are still hopelessly addicted to the scroll)
Yliaster@thelemmy.club 2 weeks ago
How do we defend our privacy on Android now?
goatinspace@feddit.org 2 weeks ago
tabular@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
How do I “uncertify” by Android device? Install a fork I guess. Shame it’s not as easy as installing a new OS on the desktop.
eightys3v3n@lemmy.ca 2 weeks ago
Fuck you Google. I won’t do further updates on my Pixel and the moment I run into an issue I’ll move operating systems or phones if required. Half my apps don’t come from Google Play and I don’t want the developers to have to register with Google for anything.
DFX4509B@lemmy.wtf 2 weeks ago
How soon before Windows copies this, given they already tried this sorta lockdown with S Mode?
rajano@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
I have F-Droid on my Android phone. Iike having a marketplace where I can download floss apps.
anon_8675309@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
So basically they wanna be Apple.
Modern_medicine_isnt@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
On the one hand, google is obviously evil, and it’s intentions here are undoubtedly evil as well. On the other, I do think some kind of verification of developers should exist. Just not in google hands. But who. There really isn’t anyway to create an organization that could be trusted to do this. And of course, the user should be able to chose to install apps from an unverified developer.
Bazell@lemmy.zip 2 weeks ago
Dear terrorists, I don’t like your actions, but if you still exist and want to cause destruction and deaths, please, do it by attacking main offices of big corporations. That will be a tragedy for whole world. Thank you!
comradegodzilla@lemmy.ml 2 weeks ago
Is GraphenOS tenable to use as a daily driver?
drdalek@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 weeks ago
Gonna have to wing Ubuntu touch and figure it out as i go. Fuck this shit. Access the boot loader while you can
TheSeveralJourneysOfReemus@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Starting in September 2026, Android will require all apps to be registered by verified developers in order to be installed on certified android devices.
I wonder… I know that we used to mod our consoles due to the limits of ‘certified’ official software.
NotASharkInAManSuit@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Fairphone, here I come.
mapu@slrpnk.net 2 weeks ago
Remember to contribute to postmarketOS!
HrabiaVulpes@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
I’ll be frank with you. As long as my customers are captive on either Apple or Google platforms I can’t do shit.
AnotherUsername@lemmy.ml 2 weeks ago
I probably just need to buy a fair phone at this point.
ArmchairAce1944@discuss.online 2 weeks ago
I want to get a pixel 10 so I can have grapheneOS on it. Fuck it! I am always in a race against time.
HalfSalesman@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Fuck, I don’t have the money to replace my phone. I probably wont by September either. Too many expenses.
linule@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Time to popularize Linux phones. I read that the security model is lacking, but especially given that Android is Linux too, shouldn’t be too difficult to catch up. The EU is also interested in tech independence, so that could be one of the sources of funding. And there are a few viable early projects, like Ubuntu Touch and Sailfish.
jabjoe@feddit.uk 2 weeks ago
There need to be enforced of competition law here. Companies aren’t going to voluntarily support a platform with few users. Users aren’t going to move to a platform without critical apps.
We live in a dystopia were you have to have the banks app to do online banking even on your desktop. You can’t charge your car without an app. You can’t navigate your car without a map app that has traffic information. Etc etc. I want FOSS alternatives to all these, but there isn’t and Google could take even having a FOSS platform at all.
This something we need regulators to fix. It is a politically problem, not a technical one.
America screwing up trust should wake up Europe to dealing with American tech monopolies. Now it’s not something just nerds and economists complain about, it is a geopolitical problem.
tomiant@piefed.social 2 weeks ago
Corporations are getting WAY too much fucking power over our personal lives, it’s at critical mass where their power is superseding that of our basic democratic rights.
We all knew it would happen, and here we are. We need to fight the fuck back with everything we’ve got, and coordination and planning is the first step.
There has to be something already happening, where do we sign up, who do we get in contact with? Where’s the team?
Does anyone know or have any leads on that?
linule@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Fully agree, there should be a regulation, temporary at least, that requires/incentivizes critical companies to make a mobile Linux version of their apps, as well as strategic funding and incentives to make the platforms viable. We as citizens should contribute too, increasing pressure for this to happen, spreading the message, becoming early adopters where possible, submitting feedback, contributing, etc.
Taldan@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
I have never heard of that. Can you give an example?
vacuumflower@lemmy.sdf.org 2 weeks ago
Sailfish is not very alive. Ubuntu Touch too.
But honestly yes. I think the problems are mostly in hardware support.
linule@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
The problems driving the push for independence are fairly recent, so the current state is unlikely to be predictive.
Meshuggah333@piefed.world 2 weeks ago
Android is not Linux (the OS), it just uses the Linux kernel. That means almost nothing is transferable from one OS to the other unfortunately.
ptu@sopuli.xyz 2 weeks ago
You can run Android apps on Sailfish via AppSupport
dreamkeeper@literature.cafe 2 weeks ago
That’s all Linux is though, arguably
asdfasdfasdf@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
IDK, I’d think the best path forward would be to just fork Android and move on from there. That’s what Graphene OS already does. Just standardize on Graphene OS for everything and get them more devs / resources.
snowykitty@piefed.blahaj.zone 2 weeks ago
GrapheneOS has strict standards for what phones they support, which is why you can currently only install it on Pixels.
TwodogsFighting@lemdro.id 2 weeks ago
How about phone as terminal for home pc.
kevin2107@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
yeah I will start deeply researching this because I refuse to use a closed down operating system for my phone my whole life. Fuck android fuck google and fuck apple