I imagine since it’s not an official product of Google’s, it can’t legally be called “Android.” As such it’s something that is not Android, but is highly compatible with it since both are rooted in the AOSP.
But Col Sanders left KFC after selling a business he created with his own secret reciepe. Then after he sold it, he watched the new owners use his image to sell an inferior chicken product.
So he started up another new chicken resteraunt using the original reciepe. Legally he couldn’t call it KFC, but that doesn’t change the fact that it was the original KFC reciepe.
Hows that phrase go? A rose by any other name would smell just as sweet.
Call things whatever word you want, it’s still the same thing in the end.
The point that is clearly not sinking into your wired-to-argue-for-no-reason brain, is that it gets rid of the shit that Google is fucking with. Which is what they were concerned about, not the underlying structure of the OS being offensive to them.
Ok, not OP but also wired-to-argue-for-no-reason :
People present graphene as some independent project that throws the middle finger to Google.
In reality Google could very easily stop tolerating the sandboxed playstore and require them to follow the same “certification” as the other.
Sure graphene could still ship but without the playstore that will be a very different experience. You can roll with F-Droid etc but your choice of apps would be very limited.
Basically, I just wanted to point out that graphene is definitely working with the permission of Google and google could very well sabotage the project in a few dumb requirements.
I’m hoping it’s smaller than any of their current offerings. I really want to support a “factory” GrapheneOS phone, but can’t stand the size of current generation phones.
Even sidegrading to an older mid-high range phone seems like a good idea at this point. I hate android 12 and everything after it with a passion. Moto have been decent in my experience though, hopefully HMD will follow suit with Graphene
At this stage, I’m thinking one of the Motorola phones that will run Graphene out of the box.
Isn’t that Android?
I believe it’s a fork of android that is not managed by Google
It’s an Android fork that has been degoogled
…so it’s android.
Is that meant to be a “gotcha” or something?
My point is, this is the last time I let google control my phone.
I imagine since it’s not an official product of Google’s, it can’t legally be called “Android.” As such it’s something that is not Android, but is highly compatible with it since both are rooted in the AOSP.
Legally? Maybe not.
But Col Sanders left KFC after selling a business he created with his own secret reciepe. Then after he sold it, he watched the new owners use his image to sell an inferior chicken product.
So he started up another new chicken resteraunt using the original reciepe. Legally he couldn’t call it KFC, but that doesn’t change the fact that it was the original KFC reciepe.
Hows that phrase go? A rose by any other name would smell just as sweet.
Call things whatever word you want, it’s still the same thing in the end.
The point that is clearly not sinking into your wired-to-argue-for-no-reason brain, is that it gets rid of the shit that Google is fucking with. Which is what they were concerned about, not the underlying structure of the OS being offensive to them.
Ok, not OP but also wired-to-argue-for-no-reason :
People present graphene as some independent project that throws the middle finger to Google.
In reality Google could very easily stop tolerating the sandboxed playstore and require them to follow the same “certification” as the other.
Sure graphene could still ship but without the playstore that will be a very different experience. You can roll with F-Droid etc but your choice of apps would be very limited.
Basically, I just wanted to point out that graphene is definitely working with the permission of Google and google could very well sabotage the project in a few dumb requirements.
As someone that uses GrapheneOS without google play services, I’d be fine with it. Fuck em.
yes but also no.
google influenced, but not google controlled anymore.
I use graphene on a pixel. Graphene is Android, albeit a much better version of Android.
I don’t care whether it’s technically android or not, I care that it’s not a tool to let google in to my life.
I’m hoping it’s smaller than any of their current offerings. I really want to support a “factory” GrapheneOS phone, but can’t stand the size of current generation phones.
I want the opposite! I currently use a fold phone because phones are too small :P
Even sidegrading to an older mid-high range phone seems like a good idea at this point. I hate android 12 and everything after it with a passion. Moto have been decent in my experience though, hopefully HMD will follow suit with Graphene
any links for more info?
https://discuss.grapheneos.org/d/32656-motorola-partnership-announcement
March 2, 2026 https://motorolanews.com/motorola-three-new-b2b-solutions-at-mwc-2026/
That’s some good news indeed.