I learned only yesterday that Google is going to effectively shut down open android. So I’m gonna have to move away from there. But what are my options? Is there a nice website that lists and compares alternatives?
I hear that Graphene is the goat, but I’m not on a pixel phone. Currently I’m on a Samsung galaxy a15
I hear about lineageOS as a good second, but it sounds like Google’s decision to close down android might affect lineage too.
I hear about others, but I’m not too well versed in running obscure OS.
The only real alternative is using a Linux phone. The main problems with that would be (1) hardware support; (2) running Android apps. Although, (2) already has solutions in development or you could replace those native apps with web apps.
If Android does lock down, then i guess mobile Linux is the last hope. I bought an older phone to test stuff out and it is usable but the lack of apps is noticable. You can run desktop apps, but that does have its drawbacks.
SailfishOS supposedly runs Android apps. This is probably what I’ll try once my phone is added to the supported list. There is also AppSupport that should allow Linux phones to run android apps but haven’t looked into it.
Good tip. Though those look like commercial offers - unless you buy the Jolla phone ofc.
Which makes sense for the company obviously, but I don’t have that kind of money to take a leap of faith with - I still have a functioning phone after all. It is also sold out apparenly so not sure if I can even consider it for the future :(
Having something like the AppSupport is something I picture would open up the possibilities. Waydroid is just not doing it for me.
Edit: so apparently there is also Furiphone which does something similar and can run Android apps seamlessly
Both graphene and LineageOS are, o am afraid, still Android and still very much bound to what Google does of AOSP.
No AOSP means also no graphene and no LineageOS. They don’t develop an OS, they adapt and fix what Google does. They don’t have the resources or manpower to keep developing android without Google effort.
So if Google really locks android up, those are NOT valid alternatives. Also, even today those without Google Apps and play integrity certification means you cannot use many banking apps, government issued apps, McDonald app (joking, but true) and so on.
The future is even bleaker than what you are envisioning. A real Linux phone is the only answer and we are far from there.
There’s a lot of speculation mixed in with what little was confirmed, and I’m going off by memory a bit; support will most likely on be on their 2027 flagship at first. Which if you currently have Samsung a15, I assume your uses to buying the budget models.
As for google’s decision to close down android, they seem to have recently changed into “welcoming third party app stores” Speculatively, it seems their EU lawers explained what a horrible idea it was to shut down 3rd party app stores.
EU law forces Google to allow 3rd part app stores. But it also explicitly requires app stores to “verify” developers.
Think about these age verification laws, we see popping up everywhere. Of course, that doesn’t work without locking down everything. As far as policy-makers are concerned, locking everything is the equivalent of installing GrapheneOS on your country. The government is in control of everything that happens. Google gets deputized to enforce its will.
Maybe I’m reading that wrong but it doesn’t mean that app devs wouldn’t need to register with Google - which is what the Android lockdown is about. Theoretically Fdroid could try to become a Google Registered Appstore but the need for devs to register with Google would still be.in place - at least this particular article doesn’t say otherwise.
That’s my reading as well. Google is not backing down on forcing developers to register with them regardless of Google allowing third party stores. And the magical advanced workflow to install unsigned apps, are they in the room with us?
This is a comparison of popular Android “ROMs” (better term: AOSP distributions or Android-based OS). Please note I’m not affiliated with any of these projects and I am not giving any specific recommendation. If you think anything is factually incorrect, please let me know.
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Fairphone’s e/os?
Not mentioned yet so here’s another option: use the phone as a tethering device, and carry a portable Linux device.
The only real alternative is using a Linux phone. The main problems with that would be (1) hardware support; (2) running Android apps. Although, (2) already has solutions in development or you could replace those native apps with web apps.
https://mobian-project.org/
https://sailfishos.org/
https://www.ubuntu-touch.io/
If Android does lock down, then i guess mobile Linux is the last hope. I bought an older phone to test stuff out and it is usable but the lack of apps is noticable. You can run desktop apps, but that does have its drawbacks.
SailfishOS supposedly runs Android apps. This is probably what I’ll try once my phone is added to the supported list. There is also AppSupport that should allow Linux phones to run android apps but haven’t looked into it.
Good tip. Though those look like commercial offers - unless you buy the Jolla phone ofc.
Which makes sense for the company obviously, but I don’t have that kind of money to take a leap of faith with - I still have a functioning phone after all. It is also sold out apparenly so not sure if I can even consider it for the future :(
Having something like the AppSupport is something I picture would open up the possibilities. Waydroid is just not doing it for me.
Edit: so apparently there is also Furiphone which does something similar and can run Android apps seamlessly
deleted by creator
Both graphene and LineageOS are, o am afraid, still Android and still very much bound to what Google does of AOSP.
No AOSP means also no graphene and no LineageOS. They don’t develop an OS, they adapt and fix what Google does. They don’t have the resources or manpower to keep developing android without Google effort.
So if Google really locks android up, those are NOT valid alternatives. Also, even today those without Google Apps and play integrity certification means you cannot use many banking apps, government issued apps, McDonald app (joking, but true) and so on.
The future is even bleaker than what you are envisioning. A real Linux phone is the only answer and we are far from there.
Would this still be the case if Graphine paired with Motorola?
The next Motorola will support Graphene OS. https://9to5google.com/2026/03/01/motorola-confirms-grapheneos-partnership-for-a-future-smartphone-porting-features/
There’s a lot of speculation mixed in with what little was confirmed, and I’m going off by memory a bit; support will most likely on be on their 2027 flagship at first. Which if you currently have Samsung a15, I assume your uses to buying the budget models.
As for google’s decision to close down android, they seem to have recently changed into “welcoming third party app stores” Speculatively, it seems their EU lawers explained what a horrible idea it was to shut down 3rd party app stores.
https://www.extremetech.com/mobile/google-cuts-play-store-fees-to-make-android-apps-more-profitable-for-developers
EU law forces Google to allow 3rd part app stores. But it also explicitly requires app stores to “verify” developers.
Think about these age verification laws, we see popping up everywhere. Of course, that doesn’t work without locking down everything. As far as policy-makers are concerned, locking everything is the equivalent of installing GrapheneOS on your country. The government is in control of everything that happens. Google gets deputized to enforce its will.
Maybe I’m reading that wrong but it doesn’t mean that app devs wouldn’t need to register with Google - which is what the Android lockdown is about. Theoretically Fdroid could try to become a Google Registered Appstore but the need for devs to register with Google would still be.in place - at least this particular article doesn’t say otherwise.
That’s my reading as well. Google is not backing down on forcing developers to register with them regardless of Google allowing third party stores. And the magical advanced workflow to install unsigned apps, are they in the room with us?
That’s some good news at least. But it stilll sucks that we’re just dependant on the whims of Google
https://eylenburg.github.io/android_comparison.htm
Comparison of Android-based Operating Systems
This is a comparison of popular Android “ROMs” (better term: AOSP distributions or Android-based OS). Please note I’m not affiliated with any of these projects and I am not giving any specific recommendation. If you think anything is factually incorrect, please let me know.