CheckMag | Hands On: GrapheneOS releases stable and functional "experimental" builds for the Pixel 10 series
GrapheneOS is an aftermarket operating system designed to be as secure as Android can get. Built on the Android Open Source Project (AOSP), GrapheneOS is a security-hardened version of Android, which still provides access to the Google Play Store, either anonymously or via login.
The OS offers a range of security features including disabling the USB port, exploit protection, a duress password, re-locking the bootloader, and sandboxing Play Store apps in their own userspace preventing data tracking across apps, while giving users better control over permissions.
It's the operating system of choice for privacy aficionados, and it's so good, it is often misrepresented by the media as a tool for criminals.
Google may have decided to no longer publish device trees and driver binaries for their devices (prompting concern from the Android community), but that hasn't prevented the GrapheneOS project from releasing the first build of its operating system for the entire Pixel 10 range.
The current release is based on Android 16 QPR1, and is still marked as "experimental". However, Graphene is quoted as saying:
Declaring the releases non-experimental is an arbitrary decision, and we don't know when we'll consider it well tested enough for that to happen. It doesn't make much difference, it's near fully functional and stable now.
After several days of testing, experimental probably isn't a word I would use to describe the current release.
Hands On
Installation requires you to unlock your bootloader by enabling "OEM unlocking" in the developer options, but otherwise, can be done entirely in a web browser in just a few minutes through the GrapheneOS installation page. It will wipe your phone, so make sure you have backed up your data.
All the hardware works as expected, from 5G and Wi-Fi, to connecting Bluetooth accessories and adding fingerprints.
The Play Store can be installed through the Graphene App Store and functions as intended, enabling access to both free and paid apps. If you want to install apps from Google Play without logging in, the Aurora Store can be installed.
I had no problem getting various banking apps to function, although Graphene would regularly indicate that these were relying on basic integrity as opposed to strong integrity. Therefore, your mileage may vary if a specific app will not allow you to run with basic integrity.
A little research was required to get a Galaxy Watch connected, as it would fail at 80% when going through the setup process, however the Graphene forums had that one covered, requiring additional permissions to be added to Google Play Services. This applies to every version of Graphene, not just the Pixel 10 version.
The native Pixel camera app can also be installed from the Play Store, however you won't be able to open the gallery from within the app without installing Google Photos. This is a limitation of the Pixel Camera app. Graphene states that the built-in camera app offers the same lens control and quality as the Pixel app, although this may be up for debate.
Android Auto also works, but like the Galaxy Watch, requires additional permissions to be granted to Google Play Services.
Battery life seems largely unchanged over the stock OS, and other than the identified minor issues, GrapheneOS works as you would expect any custom ROM to work, with a range of additional privacy and security features for those that need it.
Over the Air (OTA) updates will allow you to upgrade easily as new security patches are pushed out, without requiring you to reinstall the OS when Graphene eventually moves out of the experimental phase.
Graphene isn't the most user-friendly operating system to get set up, more tweaking than the stock OS or an alternate custom ROM is required. However, this is the case with any installation of Graphene.
As the only aftermarket ROM for the Pixel 10 series currently available, it is not only more than suitable as a daily driver (despite the "experimental" moniker), but currently the only choice if you want to get away from the stock OS.
The Pixel 10 Pro is available on Amazon at $749 after a 25% discount.
