I’ve been an unapologetic Android fanboy ever since Google took Linux and turned it into something that could power smartphones. Honestly, I never thought I’d see the day when I’d consider leaving Android—or Google—even as they slowly chipped away at the privacy they once promised under the motto “Do No Evil.”

But now, it feels like Google has left me behind.

When Google started wanting to keep a list of my contacts, where I went, who I talked to, and continuously pushed their apps to me so they could gain even more information, I found alternatives that worked as well or better—without requiring me to give up my privacy. NextCloud (https://nextcloud.com/) (and its predecessor OwnCloud, https://owncloud.com/) let me keep contacts, calendars, and files private. Thank God I have a server at a colocation site, so I truly control that (though there are options for people who don’t have their own server). μlogger (https://github.com/bfabiszewski/ulogger-android/blob/master/README.md) lets me plot a track when I’m camping or on a long trip, and share that with friends and family without publishing it to the world (I know, Google still tracks).

I put up with the gradual erosion of privacy, but this latest move is a dealbreaker. Google has decided that, going forward, you won’t be able to install any apps that don’t come from their Play Store (see https://keepandroidopen.org/). Starting with the September update, as I understand it, I won’t be able to install F-Droid (https://f-droid.org) or any apps I just want to use, like RustDesk (https://rustdesk.com). A few years ago, I couldn’t find a vehicle expense logger I liked, so I paid a developer to build one for me. Now, I can’t even install my own app on my own phone. And I rely on the excellent, privacy-enhancing μlogger to share my location on long trips, but it’s only available on F-Droid.

With these new restrictions and the ongoing security concerns, I’ve decided it’s time to move on. There are plenty of alternative operating systems for phones (see the links at the bottom). I still like Android, so I’m sticking with something similar—or better yet, something built from the same code base.

One of the big concerns here is what programmers call ‘scope creep.’ You start off with a simple change, then add another, and another. Before you know it, the result is nothing like what you expected. Google forcing everyone to use only apps approved by them, in their Play Store, is inconvenient. Why can’t developers just get their own Google account (and pay Google a fee, so they charge you more)? Then, maybe later, Google decides they don’t like your app anymore because they can’t make money from it, so they force you to change it or it disappears for users. I’m not saying that’s definitely where this is going, but it’s a real concern. Ten years ago, we all liked Google Docs, and it was convenient to have your contacts and calendars sync across devices. Now, we see the results: targeted ads, YouTube recommendations that keep you watching longer than you meant to, because they know so much about you.

After some research, I narrowed it down to two options that top my list. This might not be the right choice for everyone, but here’s what I’m thinking: GrapheneOS (https://grapheneos.org/) and /e/OS (https://e.foundation/e-os/). Both have their strengths, but since I have an older Pixel—and GrapheneOS is specifically designed for Pixels (and not much else)—I’m leaning that way. The installation looks pretty straightforward, but I’m still planning to get a burner phone and test things out, just in case I break something. For what it’s worth, /e/OS runs on a lot more devices, including Pixels, but I’m hoping GrapheneOS’s focus on my specific phone will make the switch easier.

From what I’ve seen, GrapheneOS comes with almost nothing preinstalled. My big question was: would the apps I use now work without installing the Google Play Store (which is what started this whole mess)? The answer is… yes and no. Below is a list of apps I currently have installed, along with the DuckDuckGo AI’s take on whether they’d work if I switched to GrapheneOS. (Full disclosure: I didn’t research each one—this is just what the AI said, and it’s not always perfect. I’ve edited the responses a bit for clarity.)

My biggest challenge will be finding a good mapping app, but I already use OsmAnd a bit, and Magic Earth looks like a solid option. I mostly need maps when I’m in unfamiliar areas or worried about traffic. I’ll miss wX (a weather app for storm chasers), but CoreNexa is rarely used, and Monocles has plenty of competitors on F-Droid, so I should be fine there.

Stellarium is a real loss. As an amateur astronomer, I love being able to point my phone at the sky and confirm, “Yep, that’s Jupiter–not Venus.” But at the end of the day, phones are communication devices, and I can live without it. If I really need it, GrapheneOS does let you install the Google Play Store–they just warn you about the security risks if you do.

That’s what I want: something that warns you if you’re about to do something risky, but ultimately says, “Hey, it’s your phone.” Google used to be like that.

I’ll get a burner phone so I have a backup if needed, then I’ll take my Android 7a and see what happens. I’ll try to write more when I’ve done that, if anyone’s interested.

Here are some of the links I used while researching. I especially leaned on Wired, since I’ve trusted them for other things. There were a couple more, but I lost track. Give them a read—maybe you’ll come to a different conclusion than I did. Or maybe you’re ready to try a Linux-based phone. There are plenty: Sailfish, Plasma Mobile, KaiOS, and many more. Too many to list, but I’ve made my choice.

• https://www.wired.com/story/best-android-alternatives/
• https://eylenburg.github.io/android_comparison.htm
• https://beebom.com/android-alternative/
• https://itsfoss.com/open-source-alternatives-android/