Usually, I have a spare Pixel on hand to test things out with, but the power button broke off of my 2XL.

Anyway, I’ve had a 10a for a couple of weeks now after my 9a was stolen, and I’m finding it really difficult to get jazzed about starting from scratch.

As such, this seems like the perfect time to say “fuck it, I’m giving GrapheneOS a try.”

So, my questions are:

  • Does my eSIM remain intact on the device?

  • How do I get apps without Google Play?

  • Can I still attach a Gmail account for notifications without going all in?

  • What about contacts and message history?

  • Is there a good way to get my password keychain transferred?

  • What is the status of NFC payments?

This whole experience has been hell (I last had to set up from scratch with my 2XL, and as I’m on a 10a now, seems like that was eight years ago), but it’s not even done, and I have no interest in finishing.

This said, as a homeless single guy, having a phone is important, and while I’ve rooted some lesser phones in the past via ADB, I have no margin for error here.

ETA: Without NFC, it can’t be done. My physical card was canceled because my phone was stolen, so my only form of payment is NFC. That’s a shame.

  • Irdial@lemmy.mlEnglish
    71·
    12 hours ago

    You will not be able to use NFC for payments. In my case, it didn’t work for public transit cards either. That’s the only thing stopping me from switching.

    • Scott@lem.free.asEnglish
      3·
      5 hours ago

      Not exactly true.

      I run GrapheneOS and can use NFC payments. You just need the right app and provider.

      In the UK there’s Curve and in Europe there are a number of banks that have apps that can provide the requisite functionality.

      • Irdial@lemmy.mlEnglish
        3·
        11 hours ago

        Personally, I could do without Google Wallet. I usually carry my credit card and ID around with me. However, Chicago’s CTA system has a pretty good mobile app and it’s easier to manage your passes and fare that way.

  • ryannathans@aussie.zone
    3·
    13 hours ago

    You can use google play services and google apps on graphene, it sandboxes google from the rest of your device. If you don’t want it, you install alternative app stores but apps depending on google services won’t work

    Contacts and message history in what apps? Export them if you can

    What’s a password keychain? Most people use a password manager you’d just log into on graphene

    • Powderhorn@beehaw.orgOPEnglish
      21·
      12 hours ago

      Google allows you to save passwords across apps, whereas a password manager remains in the browser.

  • artyom@piefed.socialEnglish
    53·
    12 hours ago

    Does my eSIM remain intact on the device?

    Define “intact”?

    How do I get apps without Google Play?

    Aurora Store, Drodify, Accrescent, Obtainium, etc.

    Can I still attach a Gmail account for notifications without going all in?

    If your admin settings allow you yo use a third party app, yes.

    What about contacts and message history?

    What about them?

    Is there a good way to get my password keychain transferred?

    I dunno what a “password keychain” is.

    What is the status of NFC payments?

    Can’t do it. Carry a credit card.