Google login?

Posted Jul 24, 2025 22:04 UTC (Thu) by pabs (subscriber, #43278)
Parent article: Graphene OS: a security-enhanced Android build

Which aspect of the OS/device required a Google login? The article doesn't make it clear. The Aurora Store mentioned in the GrapheneOS docs has allowed me still install apps while avoiding having a Google login, for other Android variants though.

https://grapheneos.org/usage#sandboxed-google-play-instal...
https://auroraoss.com/

Google login?

Posted Jul 24, 2025 22:18 UTC (Thu) by corbet (editor, #1) [Link]

The Google login was required for the Play Store. I haven't tried Aurora.

Google login?

Posted Jul 25, 2025 0:09 UTC (Fri) by rjones (subscriber, #159862) [Link]

If you install and run the "sandboxed play services" then you'll need to log into Google.

Aurora depends on logging into Google to get access to the playstore stuff, but using your personal account is optional. It'll use a generic aurora account or something like that by default.

It has been a while since I did my Graphene OS install so I don't remember for certain, but I don't think it prompted me for google login on first boot. I didn't give it to it if it did. It isn't required by the OS by default.

Google login?

Posted Jul 25, 2025 11:14 UTC (Fri) by vimja (subscriber, #91577) [Link]

I'm running Graphene without a Google Login. You don't need one, really.

You can get proprietary apps through Aurora which will use it's own generic login.

Just if you have something that really-really needs Play services or if you want to buy apps or download a previously bought app, you'll need a Google account.