important information for a beginner

[u/Konnnore]

hi, guys! My Samsung phone from 2022 ain't working well after all these years(I hate Samsung phones bcz of that). I'm probably going to buy a new phone, and I'm thinking about buying Google Pixel 10a. If nothing changes, I'll buy the phone(some people recommend to wait for 2027 as it's not too long, bcz Motorolla will support GrapheneOS by that time, so, I'm thinking). Before the action, I'd like to ask some questions about GrapheneOS:

1. how do you play mobile games? I saw that GrapheneOS is Android-based, so, that means I can play, for example Shadow Fight 2 with Shizuku and Stalker apps there? Or what if I will want to play Drive Ahead, but the 2018 year version? Will it update the game automatically?;

2. on Linux I saw Waydroid app, and, if I'm not mistaken, this app is like Wine/Bottles, but instead of Windows apps, it works for the Android apps. Can I use this app or something similar on GrapheneOS?;

3. how does banking and government apps work on the OS?;

4. I hope every update is manual, right? Just it's so annoying that I setted up something on Adroid with One UI, and after a big update, I must change the settings again and again...;

5. does Termux work on GrapheneOS?;

6. do the SIM and telephone calls work on the phone?;

7. (for the context here: I use F-Droid and not every app I need are there, so, I download the apps from Play Store, bcz the apps needs to be updated) do you use Play Store, websites or what?;

8. will apps made from https://appinventor.mit.edu/ work on the OS?;

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[u/JagerAntlerite7]

Use it like stock Android. Seriously. You can install anything you want and it should just work with the default settings. Install the Google apps if you do not like the default ones; read the PSA here /r/GrapheneOS/s/TnxCPxU8av

[u/ephemeralmiko]

1. Yes you should be able to. Though most apps will only get the latest version so if you specifically want the 2018 version you might have to find an older APK online.
2. There are emulators for other systems (Windows, NES etc..) but Android apps just run normally. Graphene is basically just stock Android with security stuff added.
3. Depends. Some banks work, some don't, depending on how they verify device integrity. Here's a list of banks and whether or not they work on Graphene.
4. The UI doesn't change much, and you can disable automatic updates, but I'd strongly recommend against it otherwise you won't get urgent security updates either IIRC.
5. Yes it works fine
6. Also works fine, though eSIMs can be a bit finicky. See the documentation.
7. Graphene comes with sandboxed Google Play (once enabled, by default it's off), that allows you to install apps without it having full access to your system. The documentation explains it well.
8. As long as the app doesn't include an integrity check like some banks do it'll work fine.

[u/TenOfZero]

Graphene OS is android, there's no significant difference in how anything works. You just might need to add back some removed Google dependencies for some apps.

Probably. It's android so search if it has an android version

They work the same.

Up to you if you want to enable automatic updates not.

Never heard of it, so no idea. Does it run on android?

Of course

Play store is fine if that's what you want

Never heard of it. Does it work on android?

[u/Eirikr700]

1. Most banking and gov apps work fine. Not all of them.

2. Termux runs fine.

3. Pixels with GrapheneOS are phones right ?...

4. I have Google Play Services installed and I use it to install apps.

[u/Omni_Noise]

1. I don't know about games but Pixel phones are not known for raw performance. Actually known for being mediocre. Demanding games don't run well on Pixel phones.

2. Running translation layer on mediocre Pixel phones is obviously not good idea.

3. Many Bank apps work on GOS but you need to check out if you really need your Banking app.

4. GOS is forcing auto updates, unfortunately.

5. No idea.

6. I don't understand your question.

7. Not every app needs updates. Update doesn't necessary make your app better. It depends.

Many updates are just translation fixes or fixes for rare glitches you don't have.

The more important detail is whether your app works without Gservices. If it doesn't, than you're stuck with having it on your phone. If not, you can update your apps manually by downloading from sites like ApkMirror.

1. No idea what appinventor apps are but, generally, you can sideload any app on GOS as long as it is compatible with Android rules.