Want Google out of your life? It’s straightforward to find alternative search engines, email services, and photo storage options, but finding a mobile operating system free from Google isn’t as simple. The most obvious option is an iPhone, but if you’re aiming to escape Google, jumping to Apple might not be ideal either. Although Apple offers slightly better privacy, it still has its flaws.
Don’t worry, privacy-minded WIRED reader, there are alternatives to Android. Most of these alternative mobile operating systems are based on Android rather than being true replacements, but they all remove Google and its related services to varying extents. Typically, this means that Google services are stripped out and replaced with other code—usually through projects like micro g—which are sandboxed to limit their access. The end result is a phone that relies less on Google, respects your privacy more, and can sometimes provide a more secure experience. However, fundamentally, these systems still run on Android.
For a genuine alternative to Android, there are a few options out there. Unfortunately for free software enthusiasts, the most functional alternative remains iOS. Most people looking for alternatives aren’t keen on switching to Apple devices, though. There are a couple of Linux-based phone systems, with SailfishOS being the most notable since it can run Android apps (I plan to test this next), but in my experience, none of the Linux-based systems are truly ready for everyday use.
### Why De-Google Your Phone?
First, you don’t have to eliminate Google entirely. Plenty of folks enjoy running Google Services on LineageOS simply to tinker with their devices and expand their phone’s capabilities. That’s a perfectly valid reason to explore Android alternatives.
However, it’s not difficult to see why many people want to de-Google their phones—Google’s privacy record isn’t great, to put it mildly. De-Googling your phone lets you enjoy the conveniences of smartphone technology without sharing your personal information with Google and the multitude of apps that utilize its APIs. Shouldn’t you be able to navigate technology without sacrificing your privacy? I believe so, which is why I’ve been using GrapheneOS, an Android alternative, for over five years.
### What Is the Android Open Source Project?
Google’s Android operating system is open source, meaning any developer can theoretically create their mobile OS using the Android Open Source Project (AOSP). However, AOSP only serves as a foundation; a functional mobile operating system requires much more than just code.
While Android itself is open source, it utilizes device-specific drivers and Google’s extensive Play Services APIs along with a suite of built-in apps for essential features. This layer complicates things for other projects trying to deliver a great user experience on top of AOSP. While getting the AOSP code running isn’t particularly challenging, creating a smooth mobile experience is a different beast—explaining why the list of quality de-Googled Android alternatives is limited.
### What Is the Bootloader and Why Is It Locked?
The bootloader is a piece of code that enables you to change the software your phone boots up with. Phone manufacturers embed a cryptographic key, a public read-only key, on the device. When updates are released, the manufacturer signs those updates, and your phone checks for a matching signature before applying them. This security feature protects your device but also restricts you from installing alternate operating systems, so unlocking the bootloader is one of the first steps when installing a de-Googled OS.
After unlocking the bootloader, you’ll install your desired OS, but most users don’t relock it afterward because doing so usually doesn’t work. This is why Pixel phones are favored by those who like to customize—it’s possible to relock the bootloader on Pixels (and a few others). However, most users of alternative OSes simply live with an unlocked bootloader. While this isn’t ideal and poses a security risk, the best option is generally to get a Pixel.
### Apple’s iOS vs. Android Options
Apple’s iOS does offer more privacy features than stock Android. While I find it to be a solid operating system, it remains heavily tied to Apple’s ecosystem. You can avoid iCloud and use your own syncing software, but you’ll find yourself battling against the phone’s design. If iOS suits your needs, that’s great, but many of us find a de-Googled Android phone to be easier and more convenient.
### Best Preinstalled Phone: Fairphone 6 With /e/OS
The best de-Googled phone experience for most people is the Murena’s /e/OS version of the Fairphone 6. It provides a full /e/OS experience right out of the box, focusing on privacy and blocking tracking by apps. The Fairphone hardware is also repair-friendly, with a replaceable battery and a locked bootloader. Just a heads-up, if you’re in the U.S., the Fairphone 6 only works with T-Mobile and its MVNOs. Ironically, it performed well on GoogleFi during testing, as editor Julian Chokkattu found last year. I tested it on T-Mobile’s prepaid plan and RedPocket’s T-Mobile service without any issues.
The Fairphone 6 shines even brighter with /e/OS. Thanks to its privacy-first design, apps generally don’t track you, while still working 99% of the time—something not all alternate OSes can boast (looking at you, banking apps).
/e/OS includes an Advanced Privacy app that lets you block or allow in-app trackers. There are additional features for hiding your IP address and geolocation too. While IP and geo-spoofing are handy in specific situations, the main draw for most users is blocking trackers in apps, and believe me, there are plenty out there.
Murena also includes a well-designed app store called the App Lounge with /e/OS. It’s similar to the Play Store but includes privacy information for each app. Each listing has a score from 1 to 10, where 1 indicates poor privacy, and 10 means minimal trackers. The App Lounge also evaluates apps based on their permissions—fewer permissions mean a higher rating.
