De-Googled Pixel 6a (Unlocked) Privacy Smartphone Phone DeGoogled

  

Shop by Operating System(OS)? On most android phones, google monitor almost everything you do.

Google use the massive amounts of data collected to understand us and find new ways of manipulating our opinions. A method that is currently known to be put in action is the redirect method, whereby they use targeted ads and manipulated search results in an attempt to, well,'redirect' you, into googles preferred beliefs.

Google put this into action along with Moonshot cve. Our beliefs affect our actions, and our actions affect the course of our lives.

In short, our data has a real, tangible effect on our world and our beliefs, more than we realise. This is why taking back control of your privacy from questionable companies such as google is important. This is where our De-Googled phones come in. They function just like any other Android device, so there's no learning curve if you're used to smartphones.

The big difference is that they don't send massive amounts of data to Google. Instead, they run on transparent, open-source software.

Unsure of which operating system(OS) to choose? If you are unsure about which to choose, we recommend you select CalyxOS. We recommend CalyxOS because we have found it to be the most user friendly De-Googled operating system. If you would like further guidance on which operating system(OS) might be best for you, we have written a little bit on each OS which you can read here. Which OS is best for you?

We also sell this device in excellent condition. It can be found here. If you choose LineageOS, we have chosen a selection of open-source apps that will come pre-installed. F-DROID - An app store consisting of only free open-source applications. Aurora Store - An app store that allows you to install any application which is usually available on the google play store.

NewPipe - Allows you to watch YouTube videos privately and without logging in, in an intuitive and feature rich fashion. Maps & GPS Navigation OsmAnd+ - A map and navigation application. Signal - Privacy oriented communication app that supports messaging, voice and video calls, and features end-to-end encryption. And more - Basic apps such as a calculator, music player, calendar, clock, contacts, file manager, FM radio, a recorder app and more. You will of course be able to uninstall any of these applications and browse either of the two app stores on the device to find applications you may prefer.

The other De-Googled operating systems all have their own selection of useful pre-installed applications, many of them are the same applications as the ones we have listed here. Additionally, if there is a specific device you would like but don't see listed, please let us know and we will do what we can to arrange it for you. We provide a De-Googling install service. We provide a service for people who already own a device they would like de-googled. You get to help to be a part of the solution! We choose to donate a small portion of each sale towards the developers who make De-Googling possible. That way, you are also helping to be a part of the solution. The following is only relevant if you want to select LineageOS or e/OS. If you want LineageOS but are not sure whether you want microG or not, for most users, we do recommend selecting LineageOS with microG. MicroG allows the device to be compatible with the majority of apps available to android. We recommend it because we are aware many people would be disatisfied with a device that is unable to use the majority of applications available to android devices. You don't need to worry about microG if you choose CalyxOS, GrapheneOS, or e/OS; all of these operating systems come with microG or an alternative solution to microG built in.

For more information on microG and alternatives, see our guide here. If you choose e/OS, the developer build will be installed instead of the stable build. This means that the OS may contain non critical bugs. Please be aware that LineageOS and most e/OS devices (including this one) will come with unlocked bootloaders. If your bootloader is unlocked, be aware that if someone with the relevant technical skills gains physical access to your device, it could result in you being hacked.

This is not a concern for CalyxOS, GrapheneOS and selected e/OS devices, since they will come with locked bootloaders. If you're an advanced user and want your device rooted, simply send us a message. Or leave an order note during checkout, and we'll be happy to accommodate. Which De-Googled operating system(OS) is for you? We consider this the best option for people new to De-Googled smartphones.

If you want privacy but without too much hassle, consider CalyxOS. It's user-friendly, making setup straightforward for those seeking privacy without much hassle. CalyxOS strikes a balance between privacy and usability, ensuring your data stays safe without compromising too much on convenience.

The operating system also comes with its own set of privacy alternative apps which help to ease you into the De-Googled experience. You can choose whether to include microG during first setup, improving app compatibility if you need it. Yes, this OS will come with a locked bootloader. GrapheneOS prioritizes security and privacy above all else, making it the ideal choice for users who value the utmost protection for their privacy-focused smartphones. The developers have dedicated alot of efforts towards eliminating security vulnerabilities that come with most Android phones.

Some examples of extra features that come with GrapheneOS are. Storage Scopes - Choose which folders/files each specific app can access.

Location data access indicator - This displays an indicator in the notification bar whenever an app with location permissions(granted by the user) accesses location data. As an alternative to microG, GrapheneOS offers users the option to install(it can be removed at any point) its own innovative solution: Sandboxed Google Play Services. This approach involves isolating Google Play Services from the system partition and treating them as user apps, enforcing strict sandboxing. This means that Google Play Services and the Play Store adhere to Android's security boundaries, allowing users to revoke sensitive app permissions such as location and file access as needed. In essence, sandboxed Google Play services provides a secure way to preserve user privacy whilst also expanding the devices compatibility with mainstream applications. If you prefer to control which apps have access to Google Play services rather than granting it to all of them, consider installing Google Play in a separate user or work profile specifically designated for apps that rely on it. If you want to pursue this further, we recommend refering to GrapheneOS's own documentation. If you're looking for a De-Googled OS that is availble on a wide range of devices, LineageOS is worth considering. It supports a wide variety of devices and it is well renowned for being highly customizable. While not necessarily as privacy-focused as the other options, LineageOS offers transparency and control over your device. It will also come with our own selection of pre-installed privacy-focused apps for some added convenience. You will of course be able to remove these apps if they are not to your preference. When adding an item to your basket and selecting LineageOS, you should have the option to decide whether you want microG included. No, all devices with LineageOS will come with an unlocked bootloader. For a De-Googled/privacy oriented operating system that is widely available for many different devices and that is also a good balance between privacy and usability, e/OS is a great option. It aims to provide both privacy and ease of use, making it a solid choice for those who want a hassle-free experience. Similar to CalyxOS, e/OS offers a selection of privacy oriented apps and services as alternatives to Googles ecosystem.

For more information visit this link. Yes, e/OS will come with microG. Only Fairphone branded devices and a select few Google Pixel's come with a locked bootloader on this particular OS. All other e/OS devices with have an unlocked bootloader.

What is the benefit of a locked bootloader? If someone with the technical know how gains physical access to a device with an unlocked bootloader, the possibility is that they could gain unauthorized access to sensitive data, install malicious software, modify system settings and/or disable security features.

A locked bootloader reduces the possibilty of an adversary with physical access to the smartphone from tampering with the device. If your bootloader is unlocked, be aware that if someone with the relevent technical skills gains physical access to your device, it could result in you being hacked.

What is the purpose of MicroG and GrapheneOS's Sandboxed Google Play Services? Most applications on android require Google Play Services to be installed, and the use of Google's servers in order to function properly, that is where MicroG and GrapheneOS's Sandboxed Google Play come in. They are both tools that provide alternatives to the official Google Play Services on Android devices. If you are worried about the inconveniences that may come of a De-Googled device, that you will not be able to get by without mainstream apps functioning, then microG or Sandboxed Google Play are recommended.

Please be aware that they both still communicate with Google's servers. Choosing to have one of these options over having no Google Play Services can offer a balance between app compatibility and privacy, allowing you to maintain functionality while minimizing your exposure to data collection practices associated with Google Play Services.

MicroG does have compatibility issues with a small number of apps, these issues are rare but please be aware of this. If you want to check microG's compatibility with a specific app, you may refer to this list.

Have a question or want another OS installed for you?