GrapheneOS

It is the most private and secure mobile OS at the moment, and it works well. It also has an option for having a sandboxed Google Play Services, if one needs it. Installation is super-easy too.

Easy Setup, instructions are easy to follow, using it for years now with only a few disadvantages, but a big leap in terms of data protection. Love it.

GrapheneOS is the only mobile operating system that really focuses on security and privacy; the security competitor is iOS.

GrapheneOS is general-purpose and entirely user-centric, the operating system strives to be as easy to use as possible, ideally, a user experience almost identical to that of the original operating system, updates are very fast, security and privacy enhancements, additions and features are done elegantly and without disrupting the user.

The highest-priority security and privacy enhancements are visible only via the code, and are not modifiable via a user interface.

Arguably the most secure OS out there and it is not hard to use and install. Even when you just use sandboxed google play to install apps it is way more secure and private then other any other OS you could run.

I have been using this for a couple years now and it's by far my best experience with any custom android OS. The web installer is great, I usually just install it from another phone. It's by far the most smooth custom OS installation process (party due to Pixel phones being so open and modification-friendly).

It's the only Android OS that truly provides security and privacy and compatibility with apps and Play Services.

Beyond this it's also a very sleek and distraction-free OS that gives you the choice to uninstall or disable apps if you wish.

By default it comes with a few GrapheneOS apps that are actually useful (and some actually necessary). And a few essential apps. You can disable what you don't like and group GrapheneOS in a folder in the launcher drawer (if the launcher supports this).

It does (preferably) require some initial setup for most people and it might be intimidating and confusing for beginners.

I have a little list of settings and apps I always change when setting up the OS for friends or family. As well as swapping out some essential apps for QUIK, Fossify apps, FlorisBoard keyboard, Nova Launcher and Droid-ify to mention the main ones.

If you are reading very opinionated comments about "toxic community" etc. you should know that they aren't nuanced. And in my experience the community is pretty normal and enthusiastic.

Most likely what the opinionated comments are referring to is a beef some GrapheneOS leaders had with a different OS community leaders. One of the individuals in question is diagnosed with autism and I has received a lot of negative communication and pressure. I think anyone can understand that every situation has two sides and sometimes people misinterpret or get misinterpreted. Nothing is as simple as it seems initially.

In short, if you actually look into it, it's not something that really reflects on GrapheneOS and is something from the past that people keep bringing up again and again. The GrapheneOS project is much larger than this particular situation from the past and people attribute it to GrapheneOS in an exaggerated way. So please, can we stop talking about something that hasn't been relevant or important for very very long now? :)

As of July 2024, the operating system is as functional as ever. Unparalleled mobile security. I couldn't care less about the community opinions if the product delivers on its promises, which it does. As long as this OS is being supported/updated, I will likely never consider another.

Note that this operating system is not for everyone, as you will likely lose some convenience for added security. My only real inconvenience for myself is lack of NFC/"tap to pay". I highly recommend you donate to their cause, because GrapheneOS and their developers are one of the few that are staying ahead of insane forensic companies like Cellebrite.