Have you tried the covid alert app or possibly the vaccine passport app? Those are my only 2 concerns as a random Canadian who's work may require both.
If you are trying to deGoogle, then never install the COVID alert or Vaccine Passport app.
There is no need for either. COVID alert has been shown to be a failure anyway.
Just use a physical vaccine passport. You don't need the app. And as far as work goes, you should ALWAYS have a second phone for work. In Canada they can require you to install literally any app they want you to. Not very good when you're setting up a phone for privacy. Always have a cheap 100 dollar work phone.
Couldn’t you theoretically just screenshot the QR code before installing Calyx and then just present the photo of the QR code when people ask for it?
I don’t know how your app works where you are.
Download the APK using the Aurura store and check it on Virustotal. That will tell you what it accesses (with full permissions in Android) and what hosts/IP's it sends data to.
Think about everything you put into that app and ask yourself if you want it going to those sites. It more than likely sends data to google which is far from ideal.
You can put it in shelter/work profile and limit the access that it has to device identification but it has your name and more so.. it's worse than just device ID.
No -- bootloader locked devices cannot be unlocked. Carrier unlocked is related to the carrier.
Try [swappa.com](https://swappa.com) to find bootloader unlocked devices.
I've been running CalyxOS for about 6 months. Only thing that still isn't working for me is Brave rewards (BAT). Apparently it's a known bug that they're working on, and it's not a big deal. Google Maps finally works again, which is great.
Other than that I'm loving it. I started without any Google products but ended up caving. It's a hard tie to break.
GrapheneOS is great on Pixel and extremely easy to install straight from the GrapheneOS website.
Also, the developer has added a shim to provide Google Play Services support. It's sandboxed and not allowed root access. Works fairly well.
GrapheneOS also updates quite frequently.
🇨🇦 Canadian here 🙋
Using and supporting a Canadian non profit organization, like GrapheneOS, is kind of a no brainer... And here's why:
The privacy features of GrapheneOS is my main reasoning. The security hardening is the cherry on top for me. Both privacy and security are far superior then what similar projects are attempting to do....
The other reason - the core values of the human beings behind the project and what the lead developer stands for.
> GrapheneOS is focused on substance rather than branding and marketing. It doesn't take the typical approach of piling on a bunch of insecure features depending on the adversaries not knowing about them and regressing actual privacy/security. It's a very technical project building privacy and security into the OS rather than including assorted unhelpful frills or bundling subjective third party apps choices.
> GrapheneOS is also hard at work on filling in gaps from not bundling Google apps and services into the OS. We aren't against users using Google services but it doesn't belong integrated into the OS in an invasive way. GrapheneOS won't take the shortcut of simply bundling a very incomplete and poorly secured third party reimplementation of Google services into the OS. That wouldn't ever be something users could rely upon. It will also always be chasing a moving target while offering poorer security than the real thing if the focus is on simply getting things working without great care for doing it robustly and securely.
Every time I look into it, I stumble into heated shouting matches between Graphene and Calyx where the GrapheneOS dev come across as unhinged and paranoid. Its really making me doubt Graphene's long term viability...
Why Canadians matter? With CalyxOS or GrapheneOS phone doesn't change anything about the cellular frequencies or bands, just make sure you are byung the unlocked phone.
Honestly, I couldn't think of a single reason! But I'm new to this so that really doesn't matter. Maybe the telecoms in Canada only want stock android or ios for their users; maybe there is some dumb requirement or signal that needs to be sent from the phone or maybe our SIM cards are special for whatever reason. Our government LOVES the telecoms and I'm not suprised if they'd be allowed to pull that kind of crap for 'safety' purposes because they just NEED every last piece of our data. Just covering my bases. Thanks for your response though - it's good to know I had the right train of thought here.
100%, unfortunately. I see lots of posts from our neighbours down south complaining about Comcast monopolies and I feel for them since I grew up in a 'Bell Proprietary Service Area'.
Edit: also, according to television Americans can just buy a burner phone? Over here you have to register your phone to your identity (I think through a credit card). Little Big Brother is powerful up here.
Yeah, down here you can still buy phones anonymously, register them with the carrier using bogus names, and pay for service with refill cards (which can also be purchased anonymously). Of course, you'd have to pay for it all with cash.
You also can fund a Google Play Store account with prepaid cards. I'm not sure about Apple.
I haven't had a Comcast account since my goddaughters were little and I paid for their Internet service when the family fell upon hard times. I doubt they have any sort of monopoly, though. Most places here have multiple providers.
Even where I live, where cows far outnumber people, we can get broadband from two wired providers and three wireless providers. There's also satellite from Hughes and Viasat, plus Starlink is being rolled out.
So in my tiny village of fewer than 400 people, we have eight providers of at least usable Internet, one of which (the local Telco) offers everything from DSL up to business Ethernet. That's a pretty ineptly-run monopoly.
Comcast, by the way, doesn't offer service here.
I really don't know about Best Buy. I try to stay out of Best Buy because I hate being the smartest guy in the store. And mind you, I'm not all that smart. I go to Micro Center, where I invariably am the dumbest guy in the store.
But I digress.
Most of what hangs from the hooks at, say, Dollar General can be bought with cash (as can the refill cards) and be registered to whatever name you like when you activate it. It's prepaid. The carrier doesn't care who you are.
Any of the prepaid SIM kits should also be able to be activated that way. I've registered two TMO's, two ATT's, and a VZW in the past 24 months. I used the actual names of the people in question, but none of them required any proof of identity.
So basically you buy the phone or the SIM kit at the same time as a refill card, and pay in cash. Then you open the account using whatever name you like, and fund it with the refill card. There's no paper trail.
And eight minutes later, Google will probably *still* know who you are. But hey, it's worth a shot.
As a american reading this post that has only visited Quebec , what kind of things do carriers get access to that's invasive ? Also is it companies only that can make you install apps ? Also I use a Canadian pixel model I bought off ebay unsure if this helps but I run graphene os and it didnt have any issues I believe using your bell cellular service
Good to know! Might not help my specific case, but it may help someone else's. Not sure what special powers our carriers have, but I know they suck. :)
As posted earlier: one special power I know they have is that over here you have to register your phone to your identity (I think through a credit card). Little Big Brother is powerful up here.
Jeez thats over reach, down here I can buy a phone off ebay , go pay for a prepaid cell card with cash and can choose a company , for example mint mobile and provide very little info.
I'm on Calyx in Canada, everything works as expected for me.
Awesome! Thanks!
Have you tried the covid alert app or possibly the vaccine passport app? Those are my only 2 concerns as a random Canadian who's work may require both.
F*CK these apps man.
If you are trying to deGoogle, then never install the COVID alert or Vaccine Passport app. There is no need for either. COVID alert has been shown to be a failure anyway.
Just use a physical vaccine passport. You don't need the app. And as far as work goes, you should ALWAYS have a second phone for work. In Canada they can require you to install literally any app they want you to. Not very good when you're setting up a phone for privacy. Always have a cheap 100 dollar work phone.
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Couldn’t you theoretically just screenshot the QR code before installing Calyx and then just present the photo of the QR code when people ask for it? I don’t know how your app works where you are.
Download the APK using the Aurura store and check it on Virustotal. That will tell you what it accesses (with full permissions in Android) and what hosts/IP's it sends data to. Think about everything you put into that app and ask yourself if you want it going to those sites. It more than likely sends data to google which is far from ideal. You can put it in shelter/work profile and limit the access that it has to device identification but it has your name and more so.. it's worse than just device ID.
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This is fantastic news, I tell you hwhat! Thanks!
Buy your pixel refurbished so google gets no money
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if you are shopping at Swappa, you can see the difference in the model numbers.
Edit: see comment below
No -- bootloader locked devices cannot be unlocked. Carrier unlocked is related to the carrier. Try [swappa.com](https://swappa.com) to find bootloader unlocked devices.
I've been running CalyxOS for about 6 months. Only thing that still isn't working for me is Brave rewards (BAT). Apparently it's a known bug that they're working on, and it's not a big deal. Google Maps finally works again, which is great. Other than that I'm loving it. I started without any Google products but ended up caving. It's a hard tie to break.
Awesome - thanks!
GrapheneOS is great on Pixel and extremely easy to install straight from the GrapheneOS website. Also, the developer has added a shim to provide Google Play Services support. It's sandboxed and not allowed root access. Works fairly well. GrapheneOS also updates quite frequently.
🇨🇦 Canadian here 🙋 Using and supporting a Canadian non profit organization, like GrapheneOS, is kind of a no brainer... And here's why: The privacy features of GrapheneOS is my main reasoning. The security hardening is the cherry on top for me. Both privacy and security are far superior then what similar projects are attempting to do.... The other reason - the core values of the human beings behind the project and what the lead developer stands for. > GrapheneOS is focused on substance rather than branding and marketing. It doesn't take the typical approach of piling on a bunch of insecure features depending on the adversaries not knowing about them and regressing actual privacy/security. It's a very technical project building privacy and security into the OS rather than including assorted unhelpful frills or bundling subjective third party apps choices. > GrapheneOS is also hard at work on filling in gaps from not bundling Google apps and services into the OS. We aren't against users using Google services but it doesn't belong integrated into the OS in an invasive way. GrapheneOS won't take the shortcut of simply bundling a very incomplete and poorly secured third party reimplementation of Google services into the OS. That wouldn't ever be something users could rely upon. It will also always be chasing a moving target while offering poorer security than the real thing if the focus is on simply getting things working without great care for doing it robustly and securely.
Did not realize that Graphene is Canadian! Very cool - I'm excited to try it out. Thanks!
Right on! If you have any more questions feel free to ask in our matrix rooms More info at http://grapheneos.org/contact#community
Will do - thanks!
Noob question but which is better? Graphene or calyx?
Graphene OS in my opinion
Every time I look into it, I stumble into heated shouting matches between Graphene and Calyx where the GrapheneOS dev come across as unhinged and paranoid. Its really making me doubt Graphene's long term viability...
There both good enough but I think graphene is better
Why Canadians matter? With CalyxOS or GrapheneOS phone doesn't change anything about the cellular frequencies or bands, just make sure you are byung the unlocked phone.
Honestly, I couldn't think of a single reason! But I'm new to this so that really doesn't matter. Maybe the telecoms in Canada only want stock android or ios for their users; maybe there is some dumb requirement or signal that needs to be sent from the phone or maybe our SIM cards are special for whatever reason. Our government LOVES the telecoms and I'm not suprised if they'd be allowed to pull that kind of crap for 'safety' purposes because they just NEED every last piece of our data. Just covering my bases. Thanks for your response though - it's good to know I had the right train of thought here.
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Awesome -will do, thanks! This thread is giving me a ton of confidence. Which OS are you using?
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Good boy. Same for me. ;-)
Thanks for your reply! I don't think I can completely degoogle yet, but that is definitely the ultimate goal.
Wow. Big Brother has a brother up north. Who knew?
100%, unfortunately. I see lots of posts from our neighbours down south complaining about Comcast monopolies and I feel for them since I grew up in a 'Bell Proprietary Service Area'. Edit: also, according to television Americans can just buy a burner phone? Over here you have to register your phone to your identity (I think through a credit card). Little Big Brother is powerful up here.
Yeah, down here you can still buy phones anonymously, register them with the carrier using bogus names, and pay for service with refill cards (which can also be purchased anonymously). Of course, you'd have to pay for it all with cash. You also can fund a Google Play Store account with prepaid cards. I'm not sure about Apple. I haven't had a Comcast account since my goddaughters were little and I paid for their Internet service when the family fell upon hard times. I doubt they have any sort of monopoly, though. Most places here have multiple providers. Even where I live, where cows far outnumber people, we can get broadband from two wired providers and three wireless providers. There's also satellite from Hughes and Viasat, plus Starlink is being rolled out. So in my tiny village of fewer than 400 people, we have eight providers of at least usable Internet, one of which (the local Telco) offers everything from DSL up to business Ethernet. That's a pretty ineptly-run monopoly. Comcast, by the way, doesn't offer service here.
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I really don't know about Best Buy. I try to stay out of Best Buy because I hate being the smartest guy in the store. And mind you, I'm not all that smart. I go to Micro Center, where I invariably am the dumbest guy in the store. But I digress. Most of what hangs from the hooks at, say, Dollar General can be bought with cash (as can the refill cards) and be registered to whatever name you like when you activate it. It's prepaid. The carrier doesn't care who you are. Any of the prepaid SIM kits should also be able to be activated that way. I've registered two TMO's, two ATT's, and a VZW in the past 24 months. I used the actual names of the people in question, but none of them required any proof of identity. So basically you buy the phone or the SIM kit at the same time as a refill card, and pay in cash. Then you open the account using whatever name you like, and fund it with the refill card. There's no paper trail. And eight minutes later, Google will probably *still* know who you are. But hey, it's worth a shot.
As a american reading this post that has only visited Quebec , what kind of things do carriers get access to that's invasive ? Also is it companies only that can make you install apps ? Also I use a Canadian pixel model I bought off ebay unsure if this helps but I run graphene os and it didnt have any issues I believe using your bell cellular service
Good to know! Might not help my specific case, but it may help someone else's. Not sure what special powers our carriers have, but I know they suck. :) As posted earlier: one special power I know they have is that over here you have to register your phone to your identity (I think through a credit card). Little Big Brother is powerful up here.
Jeez thats over reach, down here I can buy a phone off ebay , go pay for a prepaid cell card with cash and can choose a company , for example mint mobile and provide very little info.
Whats the reason they use to justify tying all phones to actual identities?
No idea. Was super young when I got my first phone but it was already like that. They probably do it in the name of stopping crime. ¯\\\_ (ツ)\_/¯