privacy

https://postmarketos.org/

Well, yes and no.

/e/ is more de-Googled than LineageOS, and it also replaces some GApps with its own ecosystem (whereas LineageOS just gets rid of them). I would say that this makes it slightly more private.

However, /e/ also takes a lot longer to apply updates from upstream Android. LineageOS and GrapheneOS both take a few days up to a few weeks to do this; whereas /e/ sometimes takes months.

In the past, I would have recommended DivestOS and Calyx OS, but sadly DivestOS is unmaintained and Calyx OS have temporarily stopped releasing or updating their OS.

Hi. I too have found myself asking questions like this when I had phones that had custom ROMs.

tell me what Graphene has stronger?

When I looked into this, I found that Graphene is hardened and is more secure while other ROMs spec into the privacy aspect only.

I still keep my list even though my current device/chipset is not supported by these ROMs.

Alternative/Custom ROMS

In no particular order, these ROMs usually change the UX/UI and maybe add some security enhancements.

• LineageOS

• BlissRoms: Close to stock with "some" added privacy

• Evolution X: Android 13 with the Pixel UI

• Paranoid Android: Android with custom enhancements

• ~~PixelExperience~~

• ~~OmniROM~~

• ~~ArrowOS~~

Privacy|Hardened ROMS

Security-wise, LineageOS is a start but (correct me if I am wrong) you need to unlock the bootloader, which is not great. These ROMs purport heightened privacy or "hardened" security.

• iodéOS: "deGoogled" LineageOS fork, uses lots of blacklists for ad- and tracker-blocking. Sells pre-installed devices.

• /e/OS: A "deGoogled" Android experience. Uses microG, no telemetry sent to Google, modified NTP and DNS servers, modified GPS service. Uses the "App Lounge" which combines the Aurora Store with F-Droid and PWAs. Has a tracker blocker. Requires you to have an @murena.io account for some functionalities.

• GrapheneOS: Private, secure, hardened... has a long list of features. Updates are fast, exploitations are quickly mitigated, non-profit. But, Pixel-only.

• CalyxOS: PAUSED

• ~~DivestOS~~

Absolutely not.

Back when DivestOS was operational, they maintained a database of bugs, flaws, and security holes that the E Foundation and Murena refused to patch.

• MicroG isn't a secure front-end, it still phones home to Google.
• Their native IP scrambler is just an old fork of TOR
• Their webview (the core of every phone's ability to run a web application from Lemmy to Fruit Ninja) doesn't have hardened measures to prevent interference.
• The bootloader stays unlocked. This means that the most essential feature for your safety, the metaphorical lock on the front door of your house, is left broken and loose.

Hell no, do not use /e/os. Use Lineage. Use Grapheme. Use Linux Mobile. Use literally anything else.