{"slug": "aurora-store", "name": "Aurora Store", "category": "other", "category_name": "Other software", "description": "Open-source alternative Google Play Store client for Android that works without a Google account.", "recommenders": 9, "commenters": 15, "warners": 0, "score": 8.99, "rising": 6.35, "first": "2026-02-17", "latest": "2026-09-26", "why": "Liked for installing Play Store apps and updates without signing into a Google account, often as a fallback to F-Droid on degoogled or GrapheneOS phones.", "why_is_quote": false, "has_verdict": true, "sentiment": {"recommend": 8, "neutral": 8, "compare": 0, "warn": 0}, "spark": [0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 1, 5, 0], "listed": true, "loved": ["No Google account", "Play Store access"], "caveat": "Anonymous accounts", "short_quote": "Aurora 'Store' is a client for Google Play that lets you filter on apps without ads or in-app purchases.", "icon": false, "domain": null, "github_repo": null, "official_url": "https://auroraoss.com", "pricing": "open source", "aliases": ["Aurora Store"], "verdict": [{"text": "Liked for installing Play Store apps and updates without signing into a Google account", "cites": [{"id": 797779856, "item_id": 49861241, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49861241", "by": "hadrien01", "date": "2026-09-26", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "bank apps through Aurora Store, and NFC works without a Google account", "excerpt": "I use Android without a Google account and I have access to banking (bank apps through Aurora Store, and NFC works without a Google account).", "context": "uses Android without a Google account", "use_case": "installing banking apps without Google account", "switched_from": "", "story": "PipePipe: NewPipe hard fork implementing SponsorBlock"}, {"id": 792389888, "item_id": 49524368, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49524368", "by": "DaSHacka", "date": "2026-09-01", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "the nice thing about Aurora Store is it allows you to install apps without a google account linked to your device", "excerpt": "Although the nice thing about Aurora Store is it allows you to install apps without a google account linked to your device, keeping Google Play Services signed-out. Somewhere in the FAQ GOS advertises that Play Services can be used without signing in, but they also recommend the official Play Store (which requires signing in) and explicitly don't recommend Aurora (which doesn't). Unless I'm missing something, I don't", "context": "GrapheneOS user", "use_case": "installing apps without Google account", "switched_from": "", "story": "Play Store blocks AuroraStore, hurting GrapheneOS users"}, {"id": 792436672, "item_id": 49527292, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49527292", "by": "welwala", "date": "2026-09-01", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I use it on a phone with (unfortunately) regular google play services.", "excerpt": "Yes but Aurora isn't only for GrapheneOS. I use it on a phone with (unfortunately) regular google play services. If I sign into the play store, that same account will be used for all other google services on the phone too. I'm not going to do that. I just don't want a google account (nor an apple one for that matter)", "context": "", "use_case": "app store without Google account", "switched_from": "", "story": "Play Store blocks AuroraStore, hurting GrapheneOS users"}, {"id": 788274016, "item_id": 49267126, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49267126", "by": "collabs", "date": "2026-08-11", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "I use aurora store to download and install app updates from the play store", "excerpt": "I have a Motorola moto g stylus 2025. I have not altered the OS or installed a custom rom. I simply have not signed into Google yet. I use aurora store to download and install app updates from the play store. What I'm curious about is why some apps won't even open at all without a Google log in? Is there something in your app that requires a Google account?", "context": "Android user not signed into Google", "use_case": "installing app updates without Google login", "switched_from": "", "story": "Show HN: iPhone app takes simultaneous images from 2 lenses, fuses into 1 photo"}]}, {"text": ", often as a fallback to F-Droid on degoogled or GrapheneOS phones.", "cites": [{"id": 752744322, "item_id": 47046520, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47046520", "by": "sandreas", "date": "2026-02-17", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "Aurora as fallback for non-f-droid Apps", "excerpt": "I personally tend to own two Phones. One all-day carry GrapheneOS device (Pixel 8) and an older WiFi and at home only iPhone for all payment and ensurance stuff. This is inconvenient in some ways, but at least it is sort of privacy as good as it gets while still being able to run official apps when I need them at home. To de-google the phone, I use F-Droid as primary App store, Aurora as fallback for non-f-droid Apps", "context": "", "use_case": "fallback app store", "switched_from": "", "story": "GrapheneOS \u2013 Break Free from Google and Apple"}, {"id": 797318977, "item_id": 49832436, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49832436", "by": "sandreas", "date": "2026-09-24", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "I use a combination of Aurora, Obtainium and F-Droid.", "excerpt": "No... I use a combination of Aurora, Obtainium and F-Droid. Unfortunately there are APP providers actively preventing their apps to work on graphene OS, so i own an extra use@home cheap broken glass iphone for these mandatory but non-graphene apps. It is a pain and it is getting worse... I'm really tempted to get back to the Apple ecosystem for less shens but currently i cannot do this yet... It just feels wrong but ", "context": "", "use_case": "installing Android apps", "switched_from": "", "story": "F-Droid 2.0"}, {"id": 772299280, "item_id": 48268705, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48268705", "by": "theandrewbailey", "date": "2026-05-25", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "I use Aurora on GrapheneOS for a handful of apps", "excerpt": "I use Aurora on GrapheneOS for a handful of apps, though I prefer F-Droid (or third party repositories through it) for most things.", "context": "GrapheneOS user", "use_case": "installing a few apps", "switched_from": "", "story": "Ask HN: Who uses Aurora Store here?"}, {"id": 784737665, "item_id": 49046104, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49046104", "by": "BoxwoodSeed", "date": "2026-07-25", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "You can download stuff that you can only get there through Aurora", "excerpt": "I always disable everything Google that comes preinstalled other than maps, including the App store. You can download stuff that you can only get there through Aurora, but really most of what I use comes from F-Droid. Not that I trust a device running Android enough to do banking, mind you.", "context": "disables Google apps on Android", "use_case": "downloading Play Store-only apps", "switched_from": "", "story": "Android May Soon Restrict On-Device ADB"}]}, {"text": " The most common complaint is that its shared anonymous accounts stop working and stall updates", "cites": [{"id": 792391072, "item_id": 49524442, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49524442", "by": "skeledrew", "date": "2026-09-01", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "Aurora hasn't been working for me for a while", "excerpt": "I've been stuck with unupdated apps because Aurora hasn't been working for me for a while. A few of them have been nagging me to update. I have everything Google disabled or removed, and no I won't reenable any of it. Also I use anon strictly on Aurora, and no I won't login with my Google account; haven't logged in on a phone for over 8 years now and I have no intention of breaking the streak.", "context": "degoogled phone user", "use_case": "app updates on GrapheneOS", "switched_from": "", "story": "Play Store blocks AuroraStore, hurting GrapheneOS users"}, {"id": 792544448, "item_id": 49534028, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49534028", "by": "Markoff", "date": "2026-09-02", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "today I bothered to try various anonymous Aurora accounts and found finally the one working", "excerpt": "I had last successsful update on August 26, which I wouldnt call for a while, tried yesterday, I've got error messages everyone mentions today I bothered to try various anonymous Aurora accounts and found finally the one working (like 5th in row) and updated the apps, I can live with updates once a week, not exactly sure what is OP doing I mean if they are really rate limited just give me waiting time, I don't really", "context": "", "use_case": "updating apps", "switched_from": "", "story": "Play Store blocks AuroraStore, hurting GrapheneOS users"}, {"id": 792761424, "item_id": 49547589, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49547589", "by": "grapheneos", "date": "2026-09-03", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "Aurora Store still works fine without the default enabled account sharing feature by creating an account for this purpose.", "excerpt": "Aurora Store still works fine without the default enabled account sharing feature by creating an account for this purpose. Google hasn't blocked using Aurora Store as an alternate Play Store client. What's happening is that they're getting better at detecting and banning shared accounts. Account sharing was disallowed long before Aurora Store started using it as a way to bypass the need to make a Google account for t", "context": "", "use_case": "Play Store alternative client", "switched_from": "", "story": "Play Store blocks AuroraStore, hurting GrapheneOS users"}]}, {"text": ", and some apps still refuse to open without a Google sign-in.", "cites": [{"id": 786298546, "item_id": 49143659, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49143659", "by": "collabs", "date": "2026-08-02", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "Aurora Store works for the most part but some apps won't even let me open them without a play store signed in account", "excerpt": "Without Google doesn't mean the same thing for everyone. I got a Motorola g moto stylus 2025 and have been running an experiment for almost a year now in which I use this device without ever logging into the device with a Google account. Fdroid and obtainium work flawlessly. Aurora Store works for the most part but some apps won't even let me open them without a play store signed in account which is sad.", "context": "runs phone without a Google account", "use_case": "installing Play Store apps", "switched_from": "", "story": "A big win for Android interoperability"}, {"id": 788274016, "item_id": 49267126, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49267126", "by": "collabs", "date": "2026-08-11", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "I use aurora store to download and install app updates from the play store", "excerpt": "I have a Motorola moto g stylus 2025. I have not altered the OS or installed a custom rom. I simply have not signed into Google yet. I use aurora store to download and install app updates from the play store. What I'm curious about is why some apps won't even open at all without a Google log in? Is there something in your app that requires a Google account?", "context": "Android user not signed into Google", "use_case": "installing app updates without Google login", "switched_from": "", "story": "Show HN: iPhone app takes simultaneous images from 2 lenses, fuses into 1 photo"}]}], "praise": [{"label": "No Google account", "summary": "Lets users get Play Store apps while keeping the phone signed out of Google.", "quotes": [{"id": 792389888, "item_id": 49524368, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49524368", "by": "DaSHacka", "date": "2026-09-01", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "the nice thing about Aurora Store is it allows you to install apps without a google account linked to your device", "excerpt": "Although the nice thing about Aurora Store is it allows you to install apps without a google account linked to your device, keeping Google Play Services signed-out. Somewhere in the FAQ GOS advertises that Play Services can be used without signing in, but they also recommend the official Play Store (which requires signing in) and explicitly don't recommend Aurora (which doesn't). Unless I'm missing something, I don't", "context": "GrapheneOS user", "use_case": "installing apps without Google account", "switched_from": "", "story": "Play Store blocks AuroraStore, hurting GrapheneOS users"}, {"id": 797779856, "item_id": 49861241, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49861241", "by": "hadrien01", "date": "2026-09-26", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "bank apps through Aurora Store, and NFC works without a Google account", "excerpt": "I use Android without a Google account and I have access to banking (bank apps through Aurora Store, and NFC works without a Google account).", "context": "uses Android without a Google account", "use_case": "installing banking apps without Google account", "switched_from": "", "story": "PipePipe: NewPipe hard fork implementing SponsorBlock"}, {"id": 792436672, "item_id": 49527292, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49527292", "by": "welwala", "date": "2026-09-01", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I use it on a phone with (unfortunately) regular google play services.", "excerpt": "Yes but Aurora isn't only for GrapheneOS. I use it on a phone with (unfortunately) regular google play services. If I sign into the play store, that same account will be used for all other google services on the phone too. I'm not going to do that. I just don't want a google account (nor an apple one for that matter)", "context": "", "use_case": "app store without Google account", "switched_from": "", "story": "Play Store blocks AuroraStore, hurting GrapheneOS users"}]}, {"label": "Play Store access", "summary": "Fills the gap for apps that aren't on F-Droid on degoogled phones.", "quotes": [{"id": 752744322, "item_id": 47046520, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47046520", "by": "sandreas", "date": "2026-02-17", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "Aurora as fallback for non-f-droid Apps", "excerpt": "I personally tend to own two Phones. One all-day carry GrapheneOS device (Pixel 8) and an older WiFi and at home only iPhone for all payment and ensurance stuff. This is inconvenient in some ways, but at least it is sort of privacy as good as it gets while still being able to run official apps when I need them at home. To de-google the phone, I use F-Droid as primary App store, Aurora as fallback for non-f-droid Apps", "context": "", "use_case": "fallback app store", "switched_from": "", "story": "GrapheneOS \u2013 Break Free from Google and Apple"}, {"id": 784737665, "item_id": 49046104, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49046104", "by": "BoxwoodSeed", "date": "2026-07-25", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "You can download stuff that you can only get there through Aurora", "excerpt": "I always disable everything Google that comes preinstalled other than maps, including the App store. You can download stuff that you can only get there through Aurora, but really most of what I use comes from F-Droid. Not that I trust a device running Android enough to do banking, mind you.", "context": "disables Google apps on Android", "use_case": "downloading Play Store-only apps", "switched_from": "", "story": "Android May Soon Restrict On-Device ADB"}, {"id": 780784544, "item_id": 48799034, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48799034", "by": "Aachen", "date": "2026-07-05", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "Aurora 'Store' is a client for Google Play that lets you filter on apps without ads or in-app purchases.", "excerpt": "Aurora 'Store' is a client for Google Play that lets you filter on apps without ads or in-app purchases. My experience is that that's be a decent proxy for \"don't show me all the bullshit\". It's also a good proxy for \"no results\" but then at least you know there is no free app that does what you want just yet :) Anyway that's what I use to get the proprietary government and other societally required apps, and while I", "context": "", "use_case": "getting apps without ads", "switched_from": "", "story": "A new Android malware from Google"}]}, {"label": "Blocked app access", "summary": "Can install apps whose store listings block non-certified OSes or fail Play Integrity.", "quotes": [{"id": 793605522, "item_id": 49600345, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49600345", "by": "grapheneos", "date": "2026-09-07", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "apps with store listings configuring to block a non-Google-certified OS can be obtained via Aurora Store", "excerpt": "No, we do not recommend using the Play Store as a source of apps over other options such as Accrescent. We document how people can obtain apps from the Play Store via both the sandboxed Play Store and Aurora Store. We explain apps with store listings configuring to block a non-Google-certified OS can be obtained via Aurora Store but that the sandboxed Play Store is generally a better way to install apps from it. Givi", "context": "GrapheneOS developer", "use_case": "installing Play Store apps", "switched_from": "", "story": "Play Store blocks AuroraStore, hurting GrapheneOS users"}, {"id": 796896337, "item_id": 49806021, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49806021", "by": "Cider9986", "date": "2026-09-22", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "It is useful when apps block installs from the Play Store because of play integrity.", "excerpt": "> Graphene OS devs themselves recommend that you install apps on Graphene OS via Google Play Store for security reasons. Can you provide a source that they've said this recently? This seems to be a bit of a misrepresentation. They say: >The Play Store app is also the most secure way to install and update apps from the Play Store. on /usage, but this does not indicate it's the most private way or that it's the recomme", "context": "GrapheneOS user", "use_case": "installing Google apps", "switched_from": "", "story": "There's a high chance of devices being sold with GrapheneOS preinstalled in 2027"}]}, {"label": "Reliable updates", "summary": "Some users report it still works and updates stay current.", "quotes": [{"id": 797471584, "item_id": 49841974, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49841974", "by": "skeledrew", "date": "2026-09-25", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "It works.", "excerpt": "It works. I see updates from just 3 hours ago, and generally updates have been pretty constant (I use Shizuku for auto-updates) though manual updates sometimes fail.", "context": "", "use_case": "installing Android apps", "switched_from": "", "story": "F-Droid 2.0"}, {"id": 792761424, "item_id": 49547589, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49547589", "by": "grapheneos", "date": "2026-09-03", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "Aurora Store still works fine without the default enabled account sharing feature by creating an account for this purpose.", "excerpt": "Aurora Store still works fine without the default enabled account sharing feature by creating an account for this purpose. Google hasn't blocked using Aurora Store as an alternate Play Store client. What's happening is that they're getting better at detecting and banning shared accounts. Account sharing was disallowed long before Aurora Store started using it as a way to bypass the need to make a Google account for t", "context": "", "use_case": "Play Store alternative client", "switched_from": "", "story": "Play Store blocks AuroraStore, hurting GrapheneOS users"}, {"id": 791415760, "item_id": 49463485, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49463485", "by": "dennemark", "date": "2026-08-27", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I use latest Aurora Store PayPal version and it still works.", "excerpt": "Looking at the description, the title should be changed to \"Contactless PayPal card does not run on GrapheneOS\" I use latest Aurora Store PayPal version and it still works. I just dont use contactless payment.", "context": "", "use_case": "installing PayPal on GrapheneOS", "switched_from": "", "story": "Tell HN: PayPal blocks GrapheneOS"}]}, {"label": "Cleaner experience", "summary": "Liked for filtering out ads and in-app purchases and avoiding dark patterns.", "quotes": [{"id": 780784544, "item_id": 48799034, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48799034", "by": "Aachen", "date": "2026-07-05", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "Aurora 'Store' is a client for Google Play that lets you filter on apps without ads or in-app purchases.", "excerpt": "Aurora 'Store' is a client for Google Play that lets you filter on apps without ads or in-app purchases. My experience is that that's be a decent proxy for \"don't show me all the bullshit\". It's also a good proxy for \"no results\" but then at least you know there is no free app that does what you want just yet :) Anyway that's what I use to get the proprietary government and other societally required apps, and while I", "context": "", "use_case": "getting apps without ads", "switched_from": "", "story": "A new Android malware from Google"}, {"id": 792389664, "item_id": 49524354, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49524354", "by": "troyvit", "date": "2026-09-01", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I prefer it for its lack of toxicity and absence of shitty dark patterns.", "excerpt": "I use Aurora on GOS. I get that they say sandboxed Play is more secure than Aurora, but I prefer it for its lack of toxicity and absence of shitty dark patterns. I think the increased popularity of GOS is going to draw in more users like me who picked it for reasons adjacent to Graphene's original purpose, and I hope it's not too annoying for their community.", "context": "GrapheneOS user", "use_case": "app store on GrapheneOS", "switched_from": "", "story": "Play Store blocks AuroraStore, hurting GrapheneOS users"}]}], "caveats": [{"label": "Anonymous accounts", "summary": "Shared anonymous accounts get banned or fail, leaving apps unupdated until a working one is found.", "quotes": [{"id": 792391072, "item_id": 49524442, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49524442", "by": "skeledrew", "date": "2026-09-01", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "Aurora hasn't been working for me for a while", "excerpt": "I've been stuck with unupdated apps because Aurora hasn't been working for me for a while. A few of them have been nagging me to update. I have everything Google disabled or removed, and no I won't reenable any of it. Also I use anon strictly on Aurora, and no I won't login with my Google account; haven't logged in on a phone for over 8 years now and I have no intention of breaking the streak.", "context": "degoogled phone user", "use_case": "app updates on GrapheneOS", "switched_from": "", "story": "Play Store blocks AuroraStore, hurting GrapheneOS users"}, {"id": 792544448, "item_id": 49534028, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49534028", "by": "Markoff", "date": "2026-09-02", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "today I bothered to try various anonymous Aurora accounts and found finally the one working", "excerpt": "I had last successsful update on August 26, which I wouldnt call for a while, tried yesterday, I've got error messages everyone mentions today I bothered to try various anonymous Aurora accounts and found finally the one working (like 5th in row) and updated the apps, I can live with updates once a week, not exactly sure what is OP doing I mean if they are really rate limited just give me waiting time, I don't really", "context": "", "use_case": "updating apps", "switched_from": "", "story": "Play Store blocks AuroraStore, hurting GrapheneOS users"}, {"id": 792761424, "item_id": 49547589, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49547589", "by": "grapheneos", "date": "2026-09-03", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "Aurora Store still works fine without the default enabled account sharing feature by creating an account for this purpose.", "excerpt": "Aurora Store still works fine without the default enabled account sharing feature by creating an account for this purpose. Google hasn't blocked using Aurora Store as an alternate Play Store client. What's happening is that they're getting better at detecting and banning shared accounts. Account sharing was disallowed long before Aurora Store started using it as a way to bypass the need to make a Google account for t", "context": "", "use_case": "Play Store alternative client", "switched_from": "", "story": "Play Store blocks AuroraStore, hurting GrapheneOS users"}]}, {"label": "Google sign-in apps", "summary": "Some apps won't open at all without a Play Store signed-in account.", "quotes": [{"id": 786298546, "item_id": 49143659, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49143659", "by": "collabs", "date": "2026-08-02", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "Aurora Store works for the most part but some apps won't even let me open them without a play store signed in account", "excerpt": "Without Google doesn't mean the same thing for everyone. I got a Motorola g moto stylus 2025 and have been running an experiment for almost a year now in which I use this device without ever logging into the device with a Google account. Fdroid and obtainium work flawlessly. Aurora Store works for the most part but some apps won't even let me open them without a play store signed in account which is sad.", "context": "runs phone without a Google account", "use_case": "installing Play Store apps", "switched_from": "", "story": "A big win for Android interoperability"}, {"id": 788274016, "item_id": 49267126, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49267126", "by": "collabs", "date": "2026-08-11", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "I use aurora store to download and install app updates from the play store", "excerpt": "I have a Motorola moto g stylus 2025. I have not altered the OS or installed a custom rom. I simply have not signed into Google yet. I use aurora store to download and install app updates from the play store. What I'm curious about is why some apps won't even open at all without a Google log in? Is there something in your app that requires a Google account?", "context": "Android user not signed into Google", "use_case": "installing app updates without Google login", "switched_from": "", "story": "Show HN: iPhone app takes simultaneous images from 2 lenses, fuses into 1 photo"}]}, {"label": "Security tradeoff", "summary": "GrapheneOS considers the sandboxed Play Store the more secure way to install Play apps.", "quotes": [{"id": 793605522, "item_id": 49600345, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49600345", "by": "grapheneos", "date": "2026-09-07", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "apps with store listings configuring to block a non-Google-certified OS can be obtained via Aurora Store", "excerpt": "No, we do not recommend using the Play Store as a source of apps over other options such as Accrescent. We document how people can obtain apps from the Play Store via both the sandboxed Play Store and Aurora Store. We explain apps with store listings configuring to block a non-Google-certified OS can be obtained via Aurora Store but that the sandboxed Play Store is generally a better way to install apps from it. Givi", "context": "GrapheneOS developer", "use_case": "installing Play Store apps", "switched_from": "", "story": "Play Store blocks AuroraStore, hurting GrapheneOS users"}, {"id": 792389664, "item_id": 49524354, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49524354", "by": "troyvit", "date": "2026-09-01", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I prefer it for its lack of toxicity and absence of shitty dark patterns.", "excerpt": "I use Aurora on GOS. I get that they say sandboxed Play is more secure than Aurora, but I prefer it for its lack of toxicity and absence of shitty dark patterns. I think the increased popularity of GOS is going to draw in more users like me who picked it for reasons adjacent to Graphene's original purpose, and I hope it's not too annoying for their community.", "context": "GrapheneOS user", "use_case": "app store on GrapheneOS", "switched_from": "", "story": "Play Store blocks AuroraStore, hurting GrapheneOS users"}, {"id": 792389888, "item_id": 49524368, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49524368", "by": "DaSHacka", "date": "2026-09-01", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "the nice thing about Aurora Store is it allows you to install apps without a google account linked to your device", "excerpt": "Although the nice thing about Aurora Store is it allows you to install apps without a google account linked to your device, keeping Google Play Services signed-out. Somewhere in the FAQ GOS advertises that Play Services can be used without signing in, but they also recommend the official Play Store (which requires signing in) and explicitly don't recommend Aurora (which doesn't). Unless I'm missing something, I don't", "context": "GrapheneOS user", "use_case": "installing apps without Google account", "switched_from": "", "story": "Play Store blocks AuroraStore, hurting GrapheneOS users"}]}, {"label": "Update failures", "summary": "Manual updates sometimes fail.", "quotes": [{"id": 797471584, "item_id": 49841974, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49841974", "by": "skeledrew", "date": "2026-09-25", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "It works.", "excerpt": "It works. I see updates from just 3 hours ago, and generally updates have been pretty constant (I use Shizuku for auto-updates) though manual updates sometimes fail.", "context": "", "use_case": "installing Android apps", "switched_from": "", "story": "F-Droid 2.0"}]}], "who": [{"by": "hadrien01", "context": "uses Android without a Google account", "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49861241", "date": "2026-09-26"}, {"by": "Cider9986", "context": "GrapheneOS user", "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49806021", "date": "2026-09-22"}, {"by": "grapheneos", "context": "GrapheneOS developer", "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49600345", "date": "2026-09-07"}, {"by": "skeledrew", "context": "degoogled phone user", "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49524442", "date": "2026-09-01"}, {"by": "DaSHacka", "context": "GrapheneOS user", "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49524368", "date": "2026-09-01"}, {"by": "troyvit", "context": "GrapheneOS user", "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49524354", "date": "2026-09-01"}, {"by": "collabs", "context": "Android user not signed into Google", "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49267126", "date": "2026-08-11"}, {"by": "BoxwoodSeed", "context": "disables Google apps on Android", "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49046104", "date": "2026-07-25"}, {"by": "theandrewbailey", "context": "GrapheneOS user", "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48268705", "date": "2026-05-25"}, {"by": "strcat", "context": "GrapheneOS developer/team", "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47051794", "date": "2026-02-17"}], "tags": ["for degoogled Android", "for GrapheneOS users", "alongside F-Droid"], "use_cases": ["installing android apps", "installing play store apps", "installing banking apps without google account", "installing google apps", "play store alternative client", "updating apps"], "compared": [{"slug": "grapheneos", "name": "GrapheneOS", "co": 9, "switched_from": 0, "switched_to": 0}, {"slug": "f-droid", "name": "F-Droid", "co": 8, "switched_from": 0, "switched_to": 0}, {"slug": "google-play-store", "name": "Google Play Store", "co": 4, "switched_from": 0, "switched_to": 0}, {"slug": "obtainium", "name": "Obtainium", "co": 4, "switched_from": 0, "switched_to": 0}, {"slug": "accrescent", "name": "Accrescent", "co": 3, "switched_from": 0, "switched_to": 0}], "makers": [], "threads": [{"url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49523754", "title": "Play Store blocks AuroraStore, hurting GrapheneOS users", "mentions": 7}, {"url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49831968", "title": "F-Droid 2.0", "mentions": 2}, {"url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47045612", "title": "GrapheneOS \u2013 Break Free from Google and Apple", "mentions": 2}, {"url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49842764", "title": "PipePipe: NewPipe hard fork implementing SponsorBlock", "mentions": 1}, {"url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49804683", "title": "There's a high chance of devices being sold with GrapheneOS preinstalled in 2027", "mentions": 1}, {"url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49462253", "title": "Tell HN: PayPal blocks GrapheneOS", "mentions": 1}], "sentiment_by_month": {"2025-11": {}, "2025-12": {}, "2026-01": {}, "2026-02": {"recommend": 1, "neutral": 1}, "2026-03": {}, "2026-04": {}, "2026-05": {"neutral": 1}, "2026-06": {}, "2026-07": {"recommend": 1, "neutral": 1}, "2026-08": {"neutral": 1, "recommend": 1}, "2026-09": {"recommend": 5, "neutral": 4}, "2026-10": {}}, "quotes": [{"id": 797779856, "item_id": 49861241, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49861241", "by": "hadrien01", "date": "2026-09-26", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "bank apps through Aurora Store, and NFC works without a Google account", "excerpt": "I use Android without a Google account and I have access to banking (bank apps through Aurora Store, and NFC works without a Google account).", "context": "uses Android without a Google account", "use_case": "installing banking apps without Google account", "switched_from": "", "story": "PipePipe: NewPipe hard fork implementing SponsorBlock"}, {"id": 797471584, "item_id": 49841974, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49841974", "by": "skeledrew", "date": "2026-09-25", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "It works.", "excerpt": "It works. I see updates from just 3 hours ago, and generally updates have been pretty constant (I use Shizuku for auto-updates) though manual updates sometimes fail.", "context": "", "use_case": "installing Android apps", "switched_from": "", "story": "F-Droid 2.0"}, {"id": 797318977, "item_id": 49832436, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49832436", "by": "sandreas", "date": "2026-09-24", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "I use a combination of Aurora, Obtainium and F-Droid.", "excerpt": "No... I use a combination of Aurora, Obtainium and F-Droid. Unfortunately there are APP providers actively preventing their apps to work on graphene OS, so i own an extra use@home cheap broken glass iphone for these mandatory but non-graphene apps. It is a pain and it is getting worse... I'm really tempted to get back to the Apple ecosystem for less shens but currently i cannot do this yet... It just feels wrong but ", "context": "", "use_case": "installing Android apps", "switched_from": "", "story": "F-Droid 2.0"}, {"id": 796896337, "item_id": 49806021, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49806021", "by": "Cider9986", "date": "2026-09-22", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "It is useful when apps block installs from the Play Store because of play integrity.", "excerpt": "> Graphene OS devs themselves recommend that you install apps on Graphene OS via Google Play Store for security reasons. Can you provide a source that they've said this recently? This seems to be a bit of a misrepresentation. They say: >The Play Store app is also the most secure way to install and update apps from the Play Store. on /usage, but this does not indicate it's the most private way or that it's the recomme", "context": "GrapheneOS user", "use_case": "installing Google apps", "switched_from": "", "story": "There's a high chance of devices being sold with GrapheneOS preinstalled in 2027"}, {"id": 793605522, "item_id": 49600345, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49600345", "by": "grapheneos", "date": "2026-09-07", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "apps with store listings configuring to block a non-Google-certified OS can be obtained via Aurora Store", "excerpt": "No, we do not recommend using the Play Store as a source of apps over other options such as Accrescent. We document how people can obtain apps from the Play Store via both the sandboxed Play Store and Aurora Store. We explain apps with store listings configuring to block a non-Google-certified OS can be obtained via Aurora Store but that the sandboxed Play Store is generally a better way to install apps from it. Givi", "context": "GrapheneOS developer", "use_case": "installing Play Store apps", "switched_from": "", "story": "Play Store blocks AuroraStore, hurting GrapheneOS users"}, {"id": 792761424, "item_id": 49547589, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49547589", "by": "grapheneos", "date": "2026-09-03", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "Aurora Store still works fine without the default enabled account sharing feature by creating an account for this purpose.", "excerpt": "Aurora Store still works fine without the default enabled account sharing feature by creating an account for this purpose. Google hasn't blocked using Aurora Store as an alternate Play Store client. What's happening is that they're getting better at detecting and banning shared accounts. Account sharing was disallowed long before Aurora Store started using it as a way to bypass the need to make a Google account for t", "context": "", "use_case": "Play Store alternative client", "switched_from": "", "story": "Play Store blocks AuroraStore, hurting GrapheneOS users"}, {"id": 792544448, "item_id": 49534028, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49534028", "by": "Markoff", "date": "2026-09-02", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "today I bothered to try various anonymous Aurora accounts and found finally the one working", "excerpt": "I had last successsful update on August 26, which I wouldnt call for a while, tried yesterday, I've got error messages everyone mentions today I bothered to try various anonymous Aurora accounts and found finally the one working (like 5th in row) and updated the apps, I can live with updates once a week, not exactly sure what is OP doing I mean if they are really rate limited just give me waiting time, I don't really", "context": "", "use_case": "updating apps", "switched_from": "", "story": "Play Store blocks AuroraStore, hurting GrapheneOS users"}, {"id": 792436672, "item_id": 49527292, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49527292", "by": "welwala", "date": "2026-09-01", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I use it on a phone with (unfortunately) regular google play services.", "excerpt": "Yes but Aurora isn't only for GrapheneOS. I use it on a phone with (unfortunately) regular google play services. If I sign into the play store, that same account will be used for all other google services on the phone too. I'm not going to do that. I just don't want a google account (nor an apple one for that matter)", "context": "", "use_case": "app store without Google account", "switched_from": "", "story": "Play Store blocks AuroraStore, hurting GrapheneOS users"}, {"id": 792391072, "item_id": 49524442, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49524442", "by": "skeledrew", "date": "2026-09-01", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "Aurora hasn't been working for me for a while", "excerpt": "I've been stuck with unupdated apps because Aurora hasn't been working for me for a while. A few of them have been nagging me to update. I have everything Google disabled or removed, and no I won't reenable any of it. Also I use anon strictly on Aurora, and no I won't login with my Google account; haven't logged in on a phone for over 8 years now and I have no intention of breaking the streak.", "context": "degoogled phone user", "use_case": "app updates on GrapheneOS", "switched_from": "", "story": "Play Store blocks AuroraStore, hurting GrapheneOS users"}, {"id": 792389888, "item_id": 49524368, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49524368", "by": "DaSHacka", "date": "2026-09-01", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "the nice thing about Aurora Store is it allows you to install apps without a google account linked to your device", "excerpt": "Although the nice thing about Aurora Store is it allows you to install apps without a google account linked to your device, keeping Google Play Services signed-out. Somewhere in the FAQ GOS advertises that Play Services can be used without signing in, but they also recommend the official Play Store (which requires signing in) and explicitly don't recommend Aurora (which doesn't). Unless I'm missing something, I don't", "context": "GrapheneOS user", "use_case": "installing apps without Google account", "switched_from": "", "story": "Play Store blocks AuroraStore, hurting GrapheneOS users"}, {"id": 792389664, "item_id": 49524354, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49524354", "by": "troyvit", "date": "2026-09-01", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I prefer it for its lack of toxicity and absence of shitty dark patterns.", "excerpt": "I use Aurora on GOS. I get that they say sandboxed Play is more secure than Aurora, but I prefer it for its lack of toxicity and absence of shitty dark patterns. I think the increased popularity of GOS is going to draw in more users like me who picked it for reasons adjacent to Graphene's original purpose, and I hope it's not too annoying for their community.", "context": "GrapheneOS user", "use_case": "app store on GrapheneOS", "switched_from": "", "story": "Play Store blocks AuroraStore, hurting GrapheneOS users"}, {"id": 791415760, "item_id": 49463485, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49463485", "by": "dennemark", "date": "2026-08-27", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I use latest Aurora Store PayPal version and it still works.", "excerpt": "Looking at the description, the title should be changed to \"Contactless PayPal card does not run on GrapheneOS\" I use latest Aurora Store PayPal version and it still works. I just dont use contactless payment.", "context": "", "use_case": "installing PayPal on GrapheneOS", "switched_from": "", "story": "Tell HN: PayPal blocks GrapheneOS"}, {"id": 788274016, "item_id": 49267126, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49267126", "by": "collabs", "date": "2026-08-11", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "I use aurora store to download and install app updates from the play store", "excerpt": "I have a Motorola moto g stylus 2025. I have not altered the OS or installed a custom rom. I simply have not signed into Google yet. I use aurora store to download and install app updates from the play store. What I'm curious about is why some apps won't even open at all without a Google log in? Is there something in your app that requires a Google account?", "context": "Android user not signed into Google", "use_case": "installing app updates without Google login", "switched_from": "", "story": "Show HN: iPhone app takes simultaneous images from 2 lenses, fuses into 1 photo"}, {"id": 786298546, "item_id": 49143659, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49143659", "by": "collabs", "date": "2026-08-02", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "Aurora Store works for the most part but some apps won't even let me open them without a play store signed in account", "excerpt": "Without Google doesn't mean the same thing for everyone. I got a Motorola g moto stylus 2025 and have been running an experiment for almost a year now in which I use this device without ever logging into the device with a Google account. Fdroid and obtainium work flawlessly. Aurora Store works for the most part but some apps won't even let me open them without a play store signed in account which is sad.", "context": "runs phone without a Google account", "use_case": "installing Play Store apps", "switched_from": "", "story": "A big win for Android interoperability"}, {"id": 784737665, "item_id": 49046104, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49046104", "by": "BoxwoodSeed", "date": "2026-07-25", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "You can download stuff that you can only get there through Aurora", "excerpt": "I always disable everything Google that comes preinstalled other than maps, including the App store. You can download stuff that you can only get there through Aurora, but really most of what I use comes from F-Droid. Not that I trust a device running Android enough to do banking, mind you.", "context": "disables Google apps on Android", "use_case": "downloading Play Store-only apps", "switched_from": "", "story": "Android May Soon Restrict On-Device ADB"}, {"id": 780784544, "item_id": 48799034, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48799034", "by": "Aachen", "date": "2026-07-05", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "Aurora 'Store' is a client for Google Play that lets you filter on apps without ads or in-app purchases.", "excerpt": "Aurora 'Store' is a client for Google Play that lets you filter on apps without ads or in-app purchases. My experience is that that's be a decent proxy for \"don't show me all the bullshit\". It's also a good proxy for \"no results\" but then at least you know there is no free app that does what you want just yet :) Anyway that's what I use to get the proprietary government and other societally required apps, and while I", "context": "", "use_case": "getting apps without ads", "switched_from": "", "story": "A new Android malware from Google"}, {"id": 772299280, "item_id": 48268705, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48268705", "by": "theandrewbailey", "date": "2026-05-25", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "I use Aurora on GrapheneOS for a handful of apps", "excerpt": "I use Aurora on GrapheneOS for a handful of apps, though I prefer F-Droid (or third party repositories through it) for most things.", "context": "GrapheneOS user", "use_case": "installing a few apps", "switched_from": "", "story": "Ask HN: Who uses Aurora Store here?"}, {"id": 752828708, "item_id": 47051794, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47051794", "by": "strcat", "date": "2026-02-17", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "so we do recommend it for that specific purpose", "excerpt": "Firefox 147 doesn't provide site sandboxing or even basic content sandboxing on Android. They enabled multi-process support by default but still don't provide any form of sandbox for the separate processes. They enabled the separation part of site isolation which is partially implemented for Firefox desktop and now mobile but do not have content sandboxing and partial site sandboxing as they do for the desktop browse", "context": "GrapheneOS developer/team", "use_case": "working around app install filtering", "switched_from": "", "story": "GrapheneOS \u2013 Break Free from Google and Apple"}, {"id": 752744322, "item_id": 47046520, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47046520", "by": "sandreas", "date": "2026-02-17", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "Aurora as fallback for non-f-droid Apps", "excerpt": "I personally tend to own two Phones. One all-day carry GrapheneOS device (Pixel 8) and an older WiFi and at home only iPhone for all payment and ensurance stuff. This is inconvenient in some ways, but at least it is sort of privacy as good as it gets while still being able to run official apps when I need them at home. To de-google the phone, I use F-Droid as primary App store, Aurora as fallback for non-f-droid Apps", "context": "", "use_case": "fallback app store", "switched_from": "", "story": "GrapheneOS \u2013 Break Free from Google and Apple"}]}