GrapheneOS: A Secure Smartphone Operating System
During a time of invasive digital surveillance, it is up to us to migrate away from systems which abuse us, and either create or participate in new solutions.
The Problem
Smartphone technology has become an integral part of modern life. Portable computers which boast built in high definition cameras, flashlights, microphones, translators, navigation systems, calculators, internet access, and countless problem solving apps, have the potential to be extremely useful. However, between addictive patterns and corporate surveillance, mainstream devices have their drawbacks.
When I took a four year break from smartphones for this reason, I experienced a life-changing detoxification which renegotiated my relationship with technology, but I also noticed that I didn´t have the same ability to interface with society as I used to. In many ways, things were more difficult, and people who had a smartphone began to appear to me like augmented humans with supernatural abilities. Abilities for which they had made a deal with the Devil.
While I had indeed broken addictive patterns and distanced myself from the surveillance state, I was at a serious disadvantage. I felt like a relic from twenty years ago, as I struggled to live in a culture of digital interface, but I remained committed to my strike against corporate surveillance. It was during the spring of 2022, that I discovered a little-known operating system called GrapheneOS. It wouldn´t be long before I could have my pie, and eat it too.
What is GrapheneOS?
GrapheneOS is an open-source operating system for mobile devices, primarily focused on privacy and security. It is based on the Android Open Source Project and is designed to provide a secure and privacy-oriented alternative to mainstream mobile operating systems like Android and iPhone. It is specifically built for the Google Pixel Series, which are Google smartphone products usually operated with the Android operating system. The developers chose the Google Pixel because it boasts the most secure hardware, and by replacing its software with GrapheneOS, one creates a very secure device.
For a silly comparison, if you have seen the Terminator movies you may recall how the T-800 (enacted by Arnold Schwarzenegger) was sent back in time to kill Sarah Connor in the first movie, but in the second and third movies it was the guardian and protector of John Connor. The hardware of the T-800 was exactly the same, but the difference was in the software it was running. Similarly, a Google Pixel running Android will track and survey its so-called owner, but the same device running GrapheneOS can be trusted.
GrapheneOS Features
Hardened Kernel: In this context, a kernel is the bridge between the hardware and software layers. It is responsible for tasks like process management, memory management, device drivers, file system management, and system calls. This security feature makes it much more difficult to hack a GrapheneOS phone.
Enhanced Sandbox Mechanisms: Sandboxing mechanisms isolate applications and prevent them from accessing unauthorized data or interfering with other apps. Apps can only access information that you give them access to.
Regular Security Updates: This ensures that users are protected against the latest security vulnerabilities. It is important to note that security updates are not provided for older Pixel phones. Unsupported models are cheaper and will work fine, but will not benefit from regular security updates.
Default Encryption: Data on the device is typically encrypted by default, adding an additional layer of protection to user information.
Privacy Controls: This allows users to manage app permissions directly. Users can control what data apps can access, such as location, contacts, camera, and more.
Anti-Tracking Measures: GrapheneOS implements measures to mitigate online tracking, enhancing user privacy during internet browsing.
Minimal Pre-installed Apps: A minimal set of pre-installed applications reduces the potential attack surface and minimizes privacy concerns associated with unnecessary pre-loaded software.
Verified Boot: This ensures that the device only boots into a trusted and unaltered state, protecting against malicious modifications to the system.
Kill Switches: The user can easily shut off sensors like camera, location, and microphone to quickly secure the device. If there was a private meeting of people who all use GrapheneOS phones, they could kill switch these sensors and speak in absolute confidence.
Open Source: Being an open-source project, GrapheneOS allows users and security experts to inspect the source code, contributing to transparency and security. For this reason, it is asserted that no malicious intentions are being carried out without the user´s knowledge.
More information
This brief posting is only intended to act as an entry-point for those of you who have not heard of this solution, but are conscious of the consequences of the lazy use of mainstream smartphones. For those of you who would like to take a deeper dive into GrapheneOS technology, click here.
If you would like to set up your own GrapheneOS phone, the process has become much more user friendly over recent years, but I do recommend that you investigate OEM unlocking before diving in, because not all Pixel phones are capable of changing operating systems due to this missing feature in some cases. A safe way to acquire an OEM unlockable device is by ordering it brand new and directly from Google, or by verifying with a different supplier that the device is OEM unlockable before purchasing. This YouTuber is a brilliant resource. Once you have acquired an OEM unlockable Google Pixel device, you can follow these instructions to remove Android from it and install GrapheneOS.
Ready out-of-the-box option
Over the last year I have had the pleasure of personally knowing Ramiro Romani, the founder of the Above Agency. The Above Agency sells a variety GrapheneOS phones, and have recently come out with a Linux-based but user friendly laptop to complete the kit. Their Above Phones come preinstalled with GrapheneOS and a full arsenal of open source alternative applications, and they also offer their Above Suite services which takes it all a step further with a VPN, VoIP, email, search engine, video conferencing, and 24/7 email and chat support. This is a fantastic option for the less tech savvy individuals, or those of you who want to get this done quickly, without a steep learning curve.
If you decide to purchase an Above Phone, you can use this 25 USD discount code: OTTY25.
Your purchase also helps finance Over to the Youth - of which I am the founder.
In closing
Thank you for your interest in this subject. I hope that I have provided some insight and inspiration to you to migrate away from Big Tech devices. Our world is in a crisis, and I believe that our path towards prosperity and harmony will be made possible by a large collective of well-applied small solutions. GrapheneOS takes us a step beyond disconnecting from abusive technology. It provides us with the opportunity to reclaim our digital sovereignty, while taking full advantage of the digital world.
After going through a similar no-phone journey to you, I set up a GrapheneOS phone recently in order to do all the promo work I need to for my writing. I'm very happy using it now and finding my time away from smartphones is allowing me to have a much healthier relationship with technology now I've reintroduced it. Using tech in service of our needs - and not the other way round - is also a win!
Thank you very much for all this great information. I’m not so tech-savvy however definitely gonna follow-up with this.