So I’ve got Android as I want. LineageOS, no Google, Magisk, MicroG but with AndroidAuto with OsmAnd+.
But the outside world of WhatsApp, Bank apps, etc is putting pressure to join. Plus not everything works properly with MicroG instead of the Google service provider. Makes me cross techno-politically, but I can’t always hard life tech choices when it effects others.
So, what do others do? At the moment, I’ve thinking I need a non-free phone and a free-phone! Then what, I keep swapping SIM?? I can’t see a workable VM solution to run a non-free Android in a freer Android.
The state of the phone market is pitiful.
Here’s what I do. I have GrapheneOS with 3 user profiles for compartmentalization. Mullvad VPN on and set to different locations in all profiles except owner profile. I straight up don’t use the owner profile. I let it sit empty. I only use the two other profiles as they don’t have as much access to the phone. One’s my FOSS profile, which is my main profile. The other one’s my big brother profile, which has Sandboxed Play Services. I think that’s good enough for me, and I try to keep on top of permissions to limit what apps can access. You can always go further though, with more compartmentalization, no Play Services whatsoever, using no SIM/toggling airplane mode,FOSS dedication,… but it all depends on your threat model. For me, I think what I’m doing is good enough.
I’m on GrapheneOS now. I like the Sandboxing of Google. A compromise without feeling too compromised. The bank app runs too. Thanks for heads on GrapheneOS.