I learned only yesterday that Google is going to effectively shut down open android. So I’m gonna have to move away from there. But what are my options? Is there a nice website that lists and compares alternatives?
I hear that Graphene is the goat, but I’m not on a pixel phone. Currently I’m on a Samsung galaxy a15
I hear about lineageOS as a good second, but it sounds like Google’s decision to close down android might affect lineage too.
I hear about others, but I’m not too well versed in running obscure OS.
The next Motorola will support Graphene OS. https://9to5google.com/2026/03/01/motorola-confirms-grapheneos-partnership-for-a-future-smartphone-porting-features/
There’s a lot of speculation mixed in with what little was confirmed, and I’m going off by memory a bit; support will most likely on be on their 2027 flagship at first. Which if you currently have Samsung a15, I assume your uses to buying the budget models.
As for google’s decision to close down android, they seem to have recently changed into “welcoming third party app stores” Speculatively, it seems their EU lawers explained what a horrible idea it was to shut down 3rd party app stores.
https://www.extremetech.com/mobile/google-cuts-play-store-fees-to-make-android-apps-more-profitable-for-developers
Maybe I’m reading that wrong but it doesn’t mean that app devs wouldn’t need to register with Google - which is what the Android lockdown is about. Theoretically Fdroid could try to become a Google Registered Appstore but the need for devs to register with Google would still be.in place - at least this particular article doesn’t say otherwise.
That’s my reading as well. Google is not backing down on forcing developers to register with them regardless of Google allowing third party stores. And the magical advanced workflow to install unsigned apps, are they in the room with us?
EU law forces Google to allow 3rd part app stores. But it also explicitly requires app stores to “verify” developers.
Think about these age verification laws, we see popping up everywhere. Of course, that doesn’t work without locking down everything. As far as policy-makers are concerned, locking everything is the equivalent of installing GrapheneOS on your country. The government is in control of everything that happens. Google gets deputized to enforce its will.
That’s some good news at least. But it stilll sucks that we’re just dependant on the whims of Google