Freedom
Features
Degoogling (connections to Google)
Click here for details and which device information are sent.
Google Play Services
Privacy
Security
Updates
Click here for update speed data
Supported devices
This is a comparison of popular Android "ROMs" (or better: AOSP distributions). Please note I'm not affiliated with any of these projects and I am not giving any specific recommendation. If you think anything is factually incorrect, please let me know.
Source: eylenburg.github.io
Last updated: 26 July 2024
| GrapheneOS | DivestOS | CalyxOS | IodéOS | /e/ | LineageOS | "Stock" Android | |
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| Based on | AOSP | LineageOS | AOSP | LineageOS | LineageOS | AOSP | AOSP |
Freedom |
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| Free and open source (FOSS)? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Deblobbed? | Yes, significantly | Yes, extensively | Yes, significantly | Yes, minimal | Yes, minimal | Yes, minimal | No |
Features |
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| Network controls for appsThe controls on LineageOS-based operating systems are leaky as their approach only disabled direct network access (socket) but doesn't disable indirect access via the INTERNET permission, which provides multiple ways of bypassing them not requiring collusion between apps. This functionality is regularly used by apps with no malicious intent. Collusion between apps is an issue for all kinds of granted access, permissions, etc. and not specific to the INTERNET permission. If INTERNET permission is not blocked though, no collusion is required. | Direct and indirect accessIn addition to blocking indirect access via INTERNET APIs, the GrapheneOS Network toggle also emulates the network being down and avoids running scheduled jobs which require the network. | Direct and indirect access | Direct access only | Direct access only | Direct access only | Direct access only | No |
| Network-based location (without GNSS) | Emulated default, or Play ServicesEmulated by default (redirect to GNSS-based location), can use sandboxed Google Play via toggles when installed | No | microG location | microG location | microG location | No | Play Services |
| System-wide connection/tracker blocking | Private DNS setting, or via VPN app | hosts file, Private DNS, or VPN | Private DNS setting, or via VPN app | iode-snort app, Private DNS, or VPN | Private DNS setting, or via VPN app | Private DNS setting, or via VPN app | Private DNS setting, or via VPN app |
| E2E-encrypted phone backups | Yes (Seedvault) | Yes (Seedvault) | Yes (Seedvault) | Yes (Seedvault) | Yes (Seedvault) | Yes (Seedvault) | Yes, but requires Google login |
| Notification forwarding from other user profiles | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Duress PIN (to wipe device) | Yes, see here | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Android Auto compatible | Yes (sandboxed), see hereGrapheneOS has permission toggles to enable the user to provide the least amount of permissions necessary (e.g. wired Android Auto requires only USB access). | No | No | No | Yes, see here | No | Yes |
| Google Pay compatible | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes |
Degoogling (connections to Google) |
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| eSIM activation | Google eUICC w/o data sharingDisabled by default. Unlike the regular Google eUICC management app, it doesn't require Google Play and cannot share data with it. It doesn't communicate with Google servers unless the carrier is hosting with them, which would involve using their servers regardless. | OpenEUICC | Google eUICC (preinstalled) | Google eUICC (preinstalled) | Google eUICC (preinstalled) | Google eUICC (preinstalled) | Google eUICC (preinstalled) |
| Provider for network-based location | Emulated/GNSS default, or GoogleEmulated by default (redirect to GNSS-based location), can use sandboxed Google Play via toggles when installed | n/a | microG location | microG location | microG location | n/a | |
| SUPL | GrapheneOS default, Google or none | Google default, or none | Google default, or none | Google default, or none | None default, or Google | Google default, or none | |
| PSDS - Google Pixel 6 and laterThe default server used depends on the GPS chipset, e.g. phones with Qualcomm chips (e.g. Snapdragon) connect to a Qualcomm server, while newer Google Pixels with Tensor chips connect to a Google server, and other phones with Broadcom GPS (e.g. Exynos) connect to a Broadcom server. Some ROMs override these settings. Click here for details and which device information are sent. |
GrapheneOS default, Google, or none | Broadcom default, or none | Broadcom default, or none | Broadcom default, or none | None default, or Google | Google default, or none | |
| Connectivity check/captive portal | GrapheneOS default, Google, or none | Multiple presets offered | Google (can be changed)can be changed with `adb` command | Kuketz.de | Murena.io | Google (can be changed)can be changed with `adb` command | Google (can be changed)can be changed with `adb` command |
| DNS connectivity check | GrapheneOS default, or Google | ||||||
| DNS server fallback | Cloudflare | Quad9 | Cloudflare | Quad9 | Quad9 | ||
| Network time | GrapheneOS default, or none | NTP.org (can be changed)Server pool with arbitrary providers, which can include Google-hosted servers or even malicious servers. NTP server can be changed with `adb` command. & carrier | Google (can be changed)can be changed with `adb` command & carrier | NTP.org (can be changed)Server pool with arbitrary providers, which can include Google-hosted servers or even malicious servers. NTP server can be changed with `adb` command. & carrier | NTP.org (can be changed)Server pool with arbitrary providers, which can include Google-hosted servers or even malicious servers. NTP server can be changed with `adb` command. & carrier | Google (can be changed)can be changed with `adb` command & carrier | Google (can be changed)can be changed with `adb` command & carrier |
| Hardware attestation provisioning | GrapheneOS default, or Google | ||||||
| DRM (Widevine) provisioning | GrapheneOS default, or Google | DRM not supported | |||||
Google Play Services |
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| Implementation | GmsCompat (sandboxed Google Play)GrapheneOS does not include Google Play as a preinstalled app, but it includes an open source compatibility layer for users who choose to use it. Users can alternatively install microG on GrapheneOS, albeit GrapheneOS does not support signature spoofing. Not all microG functionality requires signature spoofing, for example FCM works with microG without signatures spoofing to the extent it works without special privileges (e.g. microG needs to use a privileged API to wake apps and keep them awake for a short period of time to handle FCM messages). | microG | microG | microG | microG | None by default. It's possible to install microG manually (LineageOS supports signature spoofing for microG since 2024). Alternatively, there are ROMs with microG preinstalled or one can add Google apps during the installation process, but this is not officially supported by LineageOS. | Google Play Services |
| Optional? | Yes (not preinstalled) | Yes (not preinstalled) | Yes (preinstalled but opt-out) | Yes (preinstalled but opt-out) | No (preinstalled without opt-out) | No (preinstalled without opt-out) | |
| Runs in standard app sandbox? | Yes | Yes | NoRuns in the `priv_app` SELinux domain instead of `untrusted_app`, which gives it access to internal system APIs and data along with it being much less isolated. | NoRuns in the `priv_app` SELinux domain instead of `untrusted_app`, which gives it access to internal system APIs and data along with it being much less isolated. | NoRuns in the `priv_app` SELinux domain instead of `untrusted_app`, which gives it access to internal system APIs and data along with it being much less isolated. | NoRuns in the `priv_app` SELinux domain instead of `untrusted_app`, which gives it access to internal system APIs and data along with it being much less isolated. | |
| Can be limited to user or work profile? | Yes | Yes | Yes | ? (TBC) | ? (TBC) | No | |
| Signature spoofing needed/allowed? | No | Only for Google signature | Only for Google signature | Allowed for any app & signatureClick here for details | Allowed for any app & signatureClick here for details | No | |
| Push notifications via Google FCM? | Yes | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional | Yes | |
| Google Play Integrity? | Passes Basic Integrity only, see herePasses MEETS_BASIC_INTEGRITY but not MEETS_DEVICE_INTEGRITY or MEETS_STRONG_INTEGRITY which require a certification from Google. | No | No | No | No | Yes | |
Privacy |
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| Storage scopes | Yes, see here | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Contact scopes | Yes, see here | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Per-app sensor controls | Yes, see here | Yes | No | No | No | No | No |
| Per-connection DHCP state flushing | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | No |
| MAC address randomization | Per connection, see here | Per connection | Per network | Per network | Per network | Per network | Per network |
| SUPL: IMSI or phone number sent? | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes |
| PSDS: user agent sent?May include chipset serial number, device manufacturer and model, carrier, and Android version. Click here for details and which device information are sent. | No | No (device-specific), see here | Partially for Qualcomm chipsChipset serial number is stripped out but other less unique device information remain | Partially for Qualcomm chipsChipset serial number is stripped out but other less unique device information remain | Partially for Qualcomm chipsChipset serial number is stripped out but other less unique device information remain | Partially for Qualcomm chipsChipset serial number is stripped out but other less unique device information remain | for Qualcomm GPS chips |
| Closed cross-profile package leaks? | Yes | Partially | No | No | No | No | No |
| Closed device identifier leaks? | Yes, see here | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Metadata stripping for screenshots | Yes, see here | Yes, see here | Yes, see here | No | No | No | No |
| EXIF metadata stripping for photos | Yes, see here | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Tracking through Android Advertising ID? | Not part of the systemif Play Services are installed by the user, the Advertising ID can be deleted in settings | Not part of the systemif microG is installed by the user, it will generate a random Advertising ID for each request | Randomized IDmicroG will generate a random advertising ID for each request | Randomized IDmicroG will generate a random advertising ID for each request | Randomized IDmicroG will generate a random advertising ID for each request | Not part of the systemif microG is installed by the user, it will generate a random Advertising ID for each request; if Play Services are installed by the user, the Advertising ID can be deleted in settings | Yes, but can be deleted in settings |
Security |
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| Verified boot (if supported by device)? | Yes, incl. system app updates | Yes, but excl. system app updates | Yes, but excl. system app updates | Yes, but excl. system app updates | w/ test keys; excl. system app updates | No | Yes, but excl. system app updates |
| Hardware-based security verification | Yes, see here | No | No | No | No | No | Some devices, see here |
| System app downgrade protection | For updates and boot, with fs-verity | For updates and boot | For updates (incomplete) | For updates (incomplete) | For updates (incomplete) | For updates (incomplete) | For updates (incomplete) |
| Secure application spawning? | Yes (exec) | Yes (exec) | No | No | No | No | No |
| Hardened memory allocator? | Yes | YesPatches taken from GrapheneOS | No | No | No | No | No |
| Hardware memory tagging? | Yes, if supported by device | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Hardened kernel? | Yes, highest | Yes, high (device-specific)Patches taken from GrapheneOS | No | No | No | No | No |
| Hardened libc? | Yes, highest | Yes, highPatches taken from GrapheneOS | No | No | No | No | No |
| Hardened webview? | Yes (Vanadium) | Yes (Mulch)Patches taken from GrapheneOS | No | No | No | No | No |
| Hardened SELinux policy? | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Android Runtime JITJust-In-Time compilation/profiling | AOTAhead-Of-Time compilation w/o profiling | Interpreter/JITJust-In-Time with profiling | Interpreter/JITJust-In-Time with profiling | Interpreter/JITJust-In-Time with profiling | Interpreter/JITJust-In-Time with profiling | Interpreter/JITJust-In-Time with profiling | Interpreter/JITJust-In-Time with profiling |
| Additional hardening | Highest, see here | Medium, see here | No | No | No | No | No |
| Secure TLS for SUPL? | TLSv1.2 if supported by deviceOlder Pixels with Qualcomm chips only support TLSv1.1 | TLSv1.2 if supported by device | TLSv1.1 or TLSv1.0 | TLSv1.1 or TLSv1.0 | TLSv1.1 or TLSv1.0 | TLSv1.1 or TLSv1.0 | TLSv1.1 or TLSv1.0 |
| Fallback DNS server with DNSSEC? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Nouses Quad9's unsecured endpoint (9.9.9.10) with provides no security blacklist and no DNSSEC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Can disable USB-C and pogo pins data?See here for details: [1], [2], [3] | Default (while locked), see here | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Can disable USB-C charging?See here for details: [1], [2], [3] | Opt-in (after boot), see here | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Can disable USB connections?See here for details: [1], [2], [3] | Default (while locked), see hereHardware and software | ? (TBC - like Lineage or stock?) | Default (while locked), software onlyIncomplete implementation. Can only disable high level software attack surface. Cannot disable USB until after early boot. Lacks a way to block new USB connections without ending existing connections. The mode for disabling USB connections while locked continues allowing new connections until existing connections end, including a connection through another method such as a pogo pins USB connection to a stand. | ? (TBC - like Lineage or stock?) | ? (TBC - like Lineage or stock?) | Opt-in, software onlyIncomplete implementation. Can only disable high level software attack surface. Cannot disable USB until after early boot. Lacks a way to block new USB connections without ending existing connections. The mode for disabling USB connections while locked continues allowing new connections until existing connections end, including a connection through another method such as a pogo pins USB connection to a stand. | Device admin APIRequires installing a device admin app like Sentry. Can only disable high level software attack surface. Cannot disable USB until after early boot. Lacks a way to block new USB connections without ending existing connections. |
| Secure connection to network time server? | HTTPS via GrapheneOS server | NTP w/o NTS and carrier-based timeinsecure because cellular networks lack proper authentication | NTP w/o NTS and carrier-based timeinsecure because cellular networks lack proper authentication | NTP w/o NTS and carrier-based timeinsecure because cellular networks lack proper authentication | NTP w/o NTS and carrier-based timeinsecure because cellular networks lack proper authentication | NTP w/o NTS and carrier-based timeinsecure because cellular networks lack proper authentication | NTP w/o NTS and carrier-based timeinsecure because cellular networks lack proper authentication |
Updates |
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| Security update speed (AOSP subset of ASB)It doesn't include information on how the device-related patches in the 2nd half of each ASB (Android Security Bulletin) get shipped, if they do at all. It's also missing the fact that full security patches require the latest monthly/quarterly/yearly updates. Additionally, you need to keep up with the vendor's releases which means falling behind on quarterly or yearly releases results in missing many of the High/Critical severity patches for Pixels or another device launching the new quarterly/yearly version in a reasonable time. The issue is that this heavily varies by device. Pixels require the alternate OS to always keep up to ship updates. Some other device ship yearly updates quickly too. Devices not shipping the latest OS release make it harder for the alternate OS to do it but it is possible, especially if they don't build the vendor image, etc. If the vendor doesn't ship the releases, then the firmware/driver code used from them will be missing the patches. For example, Fairphone is consistently 1 or 2 months behind on the Android Security Bulletin patches so CalyxOS, LineageOS, etc. on it is at least that far behind at all times for the non-AOSP half of the ASB. This is one of the reasons why GrapheneOS currently only supports Google Pixel devices. Every other OEM doesn't ship the monthly/quarterly updates and typically has major delays for yearly updates. Most also do a bad job shipping the backported patches. Click here for update speed data |
usually same day | 1-2 weeks | 2-4 days, sometimes longerquicker updates in optional "security express" update channel | 2-4 weeks, sometimes longer | 1-2 months, sometimes longer | 1-2 weeks, sometimes longer | Depends on phone vendor |
| Partial security updates (ASB) after EoL datemissing most driver and firmware patches after the phone's end of life date | until 5 years from launche.g. 2 years of extended support for 4th and 5th generation Pixels | Several years | 1-3 years | Several years | Several years | Several years | By definition: No |
| Number of Android versions supportedOnly the latest major release of AOSP has full security patches. Most privacy fixes are in fact only included for the new OS versions, not in the security patches. The ASB patches patches rarely include fixes for permission model / sandbox flaws resulting in privacy leaks since they're given Moderate severity and often require invasive changes including potential compatibility breaks. | Usually 1 Android version | 7 Android versions (incl. backports) | Usually 1 Android version | Usually 1 Android version | 2-3 Android versions | Usually 3 Android versions | Usually 3 Android versions |
| Webview update speedClick here for details | <2 days | <2 days | <1 week, sometimes longer delays | <2 weeks | Several weeks/months | <2 weeks | Depends on phone vendor |
Supported devices |
Hardware requirements | Hardware requirements | |||||
| Asus* | No | Older devices only | No | No | Older devices only | Older devices only | Yes (ZenUI) |
| Fairphone | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Yes | Yes | Yes | Older devices only | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Motorola | No | Older devices only | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Oneplus | No | Older devices only | No | Older devices only | Older devices only | Yes | Yes (OxygenOS) |
| Samsung* | No | Older devices only | No | Older devices only | Older devices only | Older devices only | Yes (OneUI) |
| Sony | No | Older devices only | No | Older devices only | Older devices only | Yes | Yes |
| Xiaomi | No | Older devices only | No | Older devices only | Older devices only | Yes | Yes (HyperOS) |
| * these manufacturers don't support bootloader unlocking anymore for all or most of their new devices. "Older devices only" = no devices released since 2023. |