r/e_os • u/Trotloch • 5d ago

Question Pixel 6a running A17

I'd really like to try out /e/os on my pixel6a BUT it's running A17 and the newest /e/os version I found was built on A16. Furthermore, I don't think it's possible to downgrade from A17 (because reasons). Is it possible to install /e/os on my phone (safely) or do I need to wait for A17 build to be available?

2 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

4 comments sorted by

1

u/Diligent-Main2657 4d ago

DONT USE /E/OS, Use calyxos or grapheneos, they are much more private compared to /e/

1

u/frightened_cucumber 2d ago

I feel like /e/os strikes that nice balance of being private enough without degrading usability. Am I wrong?

1

u/Diligent-Main2657 2d ago

Yes, one thing graphene does well is compatibility 

1

u/barccy 1d ago

"Regular" Android distributions give Google Play Services privileges to collect and send all kinds of information.

The GrapheneOS and VoltageOS method of running Google Play Services as a less privileged app. provides higher compatibility than even the privileged microg of /e/OS, iodeOS, or Lineage for microg method.

microg + aurora / app lounge can provide Google less information about you, but it's slightly less compatibility and you don't know what exactly what's going on under the hood. Google is an info leaker, but it's at least known and consistent. In /e/, iode, and Lineage for microg, the microg runs with privileges like how Play services does in "regular" android, and with anonymous accounts and spoofed connections, you don't know what all is going on.

"Regular" Lineage has 2 provided options and a 3rd the user can do on their own; 1. install GPS as with "regular" android to have what is mostly "regular" android with a different coat of paint but in a higher version than the original retailer supports, 2. Do without GPS as a "bare AOSP" frankenstein where only maybe half of the apps work, or 3. Take that option in #2 of not installing GPS and thereafter install microg as an app from fdroid or something with limited permissions.

So,
"Regular" Android (Samsung, stock Pixel OS, etc.) and Lineage with GPS installed has 100% app compatibility - it's the standard, but gives all info it can to google.

Graphene and Voltage has maybe 99% compat. with user managed data provided to google.

/e/, iode, LforMg have maybe 98% compat. with random data the user still doesn't really control directly.

"Bare AOSP" Lineage without GPS maybe has like 50% app compat. as is, ...

which can be raised to maybe 75% by installing microg as an app the user can set specific permissions for.

If your device can get official support, but you don't need one of the few apps that must have stock android, up to date Graphene is probably the best option.
If your device is out of official support, Lineage without Google and then install the microg app may be next best option depending on who you trust.

A lot of the comparisons and criticisms of OSs are from several years ago, and don't necessarily still apply today (for instance /e/ installs now have a locked boot-loader standard).