{"slug": "lineageos", "name": "LineageOS", "category": "os", "category_name": "Operating systems and desktop", "description": "Open-source Android-based operating system for phones and tablets, successor to CyanogenMod.", "recommenders": 19, "commenters": 39, "warners": 3, "score": 19.021, "rising": 4.4, "first": "2025-11-05", "latest": "2026-10-24", "why": "Liked for keeping old phones and tablets running current Android long after manufacturers stop updates and for running a de-Googled daily driver, often paired with microG.", "why_is_quote": false, "has_verdict": true, "sentiment": {"recommend": 19, "neutral": 16, "compare": 2, "warn": 3}, "spark": [1, 0, 3, 0, 0, 1, 1, 4, 1, 4, 1, 3], "listed": true, "loved": ["Extends device life", "De-Googled Android"], "caveat": "App compatibility", "short_quote": "I would highly recommend LineageOS. Supports non-Pixel phones", "icon": true, "domain": "lineageos.org", "github_repo": null, "official_url": "https://lineageos.org/", "pricing": "open source", "aliases": ["LineageOS"], "verdict": [{"text": "Liked for keeping old phones and tablets running current Android long after manufacturers stop updates", "cites": [{"id": 790676048, "item_id": 49417253, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49417253", "by": "yonatan8070", "date": "2026-08-24", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "through LineageOS I updated it all the way to Android 11", "excerpt": "Not the OP. I'd say that we need regulation requiring user-replacable software. Even though a PC might not be supported by Windows 11, and subsequently major browsers will cease support. You can still install a 3rd-party OS like Linux which will maintain support far beyond the original EoL. Same goes for Android devices, I used to have an LG G2 (the phone, not the TV), which IIRC shipped with Android 4 or 5, and thro", "context": "", "use_case": "updating an old Android phone", "switched_from": "", "story": "New EU-wide product repair rules come into force"}, {"id": 749421200, "item_id": 46838825, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46838825", "by": "boricj", "date": "2026-01-31", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I still kept it up to date with LineageOS and then unofficial versions for fun (it's at Android 13 last I checked).", "excerpt": "That reminds me of my own Samsung Galaxy SII. Shipped out of the box with Android 2.3, Samsung supported it up until Android 4.1, then I switched to CyanogenMod until my father rage-bought me a new phone in 2016 because it crashed so much he had trouble contacting me. I still kept it up to date with LineageOS and then unofficial versions for fun (it's at Android 13 last I checked). Do I expect a Samsung Galaxy SII to", "context": "", "use_case": "keeping old phone updated", "switched_from": "CyanogenMod", "story": "Nvidia's 10-year effort to make the Shield TV the most updated Android device"}, {"id": 776283280, "item_id": 48517705, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48517705", "by": "t_mahmood", "date": "2026-06-13", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "Because it was bootloader unlockable, and LineageOS exists, I still can use it.", "excerpt": "I'm using a OnePlus 7, as my daily driver. Because it was bootloader unlockable, and LineageOS exists, I still can use it. And it performs respectfully, and serves my purpose. Except, my banking software, and digital payment applications, all works So, OEM just have to let us unlock the bootloader, just let us unlock it after they stop selling it, and it would reduce so much waste. They are just so greedy", "context": "daily driver OnePlus 7 user", "use_case": "extending old phone life", "switched_from": "", "story": "A low-carbon computing platform from your retired phones"}]}, {"text": " and for running a de-Googled daily driver, often paired with microG.", "cites": [{"id": 802695905, "item_id": 50168494, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50168494", "by": "hgfygkh", "date": "2026-10-20", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "My main device uses MicroG with LineageOS.  It works really well, and I recommend it.", "excerpt": "My main device uses MicroG with LineageOS. It works really well, and I recommend it. It is a Murena phone from here: https://murena.com/", "context": "", "use_case": "main phone OS", "switched_from": "", "story": "MicroG: Free-libre re-implementation of Google's proprietary Android user space"}, {"id": 791661088, "item_id": 49478818, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49478818", "by": "nazgulsenpai", "date": "2026-08-28", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I use LineageOS with MicroG", "excerpt": "I use LineageOS with MicroG and decided probably 5 years ago to just use PWAs instead of apps for any online service and grab whatever other utilities I might need from Obtanium or F-Droid. Also the experience on my Thinkphone is the exact same as it was on my Pixel XL 2. I know not everyone can do this, and some PWAs are downright terrible if they work at all, but for my usecase it has been great.", "context": "uses PWAs instead of apps", "use_case": "phone OS", "switched_from": "", "story": "\u201cIt works better in the app\u201d"}, {"id": 777193792, "item_id": 48574612, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48574612", "by": "chasil", "date": "2026-06-17", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "My daily driver is a de-Googled LineageOS device", "excerpt": "My daily driver is a de-Googled LineageOS device, but I purchased a $50us iPhone SE 3 for FaceTime. I have moved most of the my finance activity to it, along with my license and passport. I would never trust a Google device with this much, and the convenience has been profound in a few circumstances. I would relegate any intrusive apps here, and happily deny them cross-app tracking privileges.", "context": "", "use_case": "daily driver phone OS", "switched_from": "", "story": "Volkswagen started blocking GrapheneOS users"}]}, {"text": " The most common complaints are banking and payment apps that refuse to work on it", "cites": [{"id": 784752482, "item_id": 49047030, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49047030", "by": "nh2", "date": "2026-07-25", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "it doesn't work with LineageOS anymore", "excerpt": "Wise in the UK currently is good. You can use it completely without a phone app. It also has good support for passkeys, TOTP, and SMS OTP, allowing to add multiple of each as it should be. If you do choose the Wise app, it currently warns when you run a custom Android ROM, but let's you use it. Our company also uses Revolut business, but that requires a phone app to verify online payments with cards. And Revolut rece", "context": "uses custom Android ROM", "use_case": "custom Android ROM", "switched_from": "", "story": "Android May Soon Restrict On-Device ADB"}, {"id": 780152129, "item_id": 48759508, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48759508", "by": "0x000xca0xfe", "date": "2026-07-02", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "up-to-date Lineage or Graphene OS with recent kernels and frequent updates constantly run into apps refusing to work", "excerpt": "I have an old $70 test device with stock Android/Google that hasn't seen security updates in half a decade yet all banking apps, electric car charging, Google services, you name it, work absolutely fine. Meanwhile the daily driver phones of my privacy-aware family members running up-to-date Lineage or Graphene OS with recent kernels and frequent updates constantly run into apps refusing to work for \"security\" reasons", "context": "", "use_case": "family members' phones", "switched_from": "", "story": "A new Android malware from Google"}, {"id": 796379537, "item_id": 49773721, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49773721", "by": "tEem21", "date": "2026-09-20", "stance": "warn", "quote": "I used to run a separate Lineage phone with microG for this purpose, but it became too cumbersome", "excerpt": "This is something that gets mentioned a lot, especially from people who don't use Graphene or other custom ROMs themselves. Personally, I have not had any issues using banking apps on Graphene without Play Services. While this is just anecdotal, even if apps required them, I use a separate \"secure profile\" where I dump all the fishy, but necessary apps that require Google. I used to run a separate Lineage phone with ", "context": "", "use_case": "separate phone for Google-dependent apps", "switched_from": "", "story": "Android 17 is the first since 3.x to add new APIs without releasing to the AOSP"}]}, {"text": " and older devices eventually losing official support.", "cites": [{"id": 803535136, "item_id": 50220946, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50220946", "by": "mikey2410", "date": "2026-10-24", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "it works beautifully running a supported version of lineage", "excerpt": "I've considered this before, but the short software support timeframe given by device manufacturers makes this a costly endeavour. I still have a perfectly functional Galaxy Tab S2 9.7, but even the third party ROMs have dropped it. I have a pixel 4a, and although it works beautifully running a supported version of lineage it's very likely that the modem baseband has a significant vulnerability that Google isn't patc", "context": "", "use_case": "alternative ROM on Pixel 4a", "switched_from": "", "story": "Your Phone Is About to Stop Being Yours: 70 Days Until Lockdown"}, {"id": 777076080, "item_id": 48567255, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48567255", "by": "opan", "date": "2026-06-17", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I would highly recommend LineageOS. Supports non-Pixel phones", "excerpt": "I would highly recommend LineageOS. Supports non-Pixel phones, some of them many years old (although now that I double check, the Galaxy S3 and OnePlus One aren't on the devices list anymore, I guess they do stop supporting old stuff eventually...). The OnePlus 5 is still supported and was released in 2017. For anything older than that, I guess I'd recommend looking into postmarketOS.", "context": "", "use_case": "custom Android on non-Pixel phones", "switched_from": "", "story": "GrapheneOS has been ported to Android 17 and official releases are coming soon"}, {"id": 765504736, "item_id": 47844046, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47844046", "by": "danilocesar", "date": "2026-04-20", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "provide unofficial versions of Lineage so I can keep using it", "excerpt": "I look into my perfect workable Samsung Tab S7+ and remember that it has been an year since the last security update. Now I rely on a few random individuals who, for all I know could be state agents or a ransomware organization to provide unofficial versions of Lineage so I can keep using it. Battery isn't the only problem to avoid e-waste, but it's a start.", "context": "Samsung Tab S7+ owner", "use_case": "keep old tablet updated", "switched_from": "", "story": "All phones sold in the EU to have replaceable batteries from 2027"}]}], "praise": [{"label": "Extends device life", "summary": "Commenters keep years-old phones usable and updated well past the manufacturer's end of support.", "quotes": [{"id": 790676048, "item_id": 49417253, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49417253", "by": "yonatan8070", "date": "2026-08-24", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "through LineageOS I updated it all the way to Android 11", "excerpt": "Not the OP. I'd say that we need regulation requiring user-replacable software. Even though a PC might not be supported by Windows 11, and subsequently major browsers will cease support. You can still install a 3rd-party OS like Linux which will maintain support far beyond the original EoL. Same goes for Android devices, I used to have an LG G2 (the phone, not the TV), which IIRC shipped with Android 4 or 5, and thro", "context": "", "use_case": "updating an old Android phone", "switched_from": "", "story": "New EU-wide product repair rules come into force"}, {"id": 749421200, "item_id": 46838825, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46838825", "by": "boricj", "date": "2026-01-31", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I still kept it up to date with LineageOS and then unofficial versions for fun (it's at Android 13 last I checked).", "excerpt": "That reminds me of my own Samsung Galaxy SII. Shipped out of the box with Android 2.3, Samsung supported it up until Android 4.1, then I switched to CyanogenMod until my father rage-bought me a new phone in 2016 because it crashed so much he had trouble contacting me. I still kept it up to date with LineageOS and then unofficial versions for fun (it's at Android 13 last I checked). Do I expect a Samsung Galaxy SII to", "context": "", "use_case": "keeping old phone updated", "switched_from": "CyanogenMod", "story": "Nvidia's 10-year effort to make the Shield TV the most updated Android device"}, {"id": 776283280, "item_id": 48517705, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48517705", "by": "t_mahmood", "date": "2026-06-13", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "Because it was bootloader unlockable, and LineageOS exists, I still can use it.", "excerpt": "I'm using a OnePlus 7, as my daily driver. Because it was bootloader unlockable, and LineageOS exists, I still can use it. And it performs respectfully, and serves my purpose. Except, my banking software, and digital payment applications, all works So, OEM just have to let us unlock the bootloader, just let us unlock it after they stop selling it, and it would reduce so much waste. They are just so greedy", "context": "daily driver OnePlus 7 user", "use_case": "extending old phone life", "switched_from": "", "story": "A low-carbon computing platform from your retired phones"}]}, {"label": "De-Googled Android", "summary": "Commenters use it, often with microG, as a working Android setup without Google services.", "quotes": [{"id": 802695905, "item_id": 50168494, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50168494", "by": "hgfygkh", "date": "2026-10-20", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "My main device uses MicroG with LineageOS.  It works really well, and I recommend it.", "excerpt": "My main device uses MicroG with LineageOS. It works really well, and I recommend it. It is a Murena phone from here: https://murena.com/", "context": "", "use_case": "main phone OS", "switched_from": "", "story": "MicroG: Free-libre re-implementation of Google's proprietary Android user space"}, {"id": 791661088, "item_id": 49478818, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49478818", "by": "nazgulsenpai", "date": "2026-08-28", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I use LineageOS with MicroG", "excerpt": "I use LineageOS with MicroG and decided probably 5 years ago to just use PWAs instead of apps for any online service and grab whatever other utilities I might need from Obtanium or F-Droid. Also the experience on my Thinkphone is the exact same as it was on my Pixel XL 2. I know not everyone can do this, and some PWAs are downright terrible if they work at all, but for my usecase it has been great.", "context": "uses PWAs instead of apps", "use_case": "phone OS", "switched_from": "", "story": "\u201cIt works better in the app\u201d"}, {"id": 777193792, "item_id": 48574612, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48574612", "by": "chasil", "date": "2026-06-17", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "My daily driver is a de-Googled LineageOS device", "excerpt": "My daily driver is a de-Googled LineageOS device, but I purchased a $50us iPhone SE 3 for FaceTime. I have moved most of the my finance activity to it, along with my license and passport. I would never trust a Google device with this much, and the convenience has been profound in a few circumstances. I would relegate any intrusive apps here, and happily deny them cross-app tracking privileges.", "context": "", "use_case": "daily driver phone OS", "switched_from": "", "story": "Volkswagen started blocking GrapheneOS users"}]}, {"label": "Reliable daily driver", "summary": "Long-time users say it works well day to day and recommend it.", "quotes": [{"id": 800659328, "item_id": 50041208, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50041208", "by": "khkjlhgkl", "date": "2026-10-11", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I love LineageOS.  I have been using Lineage and previously Cyanogen for many years.", "excerpt": "I love LineageOS. I have been using Lineage and previously Cyanogen for many years. This is how Android is meant to be.", "context": "", "use_case": "phone operating system", "switched_from": "CyanogenMod", "story": "LineageOS 24"}, {"id": 803535136, "item_id": 50220946, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50220946", "by": "mikey2410", "date": "2026-10-24", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "it works beautifully running a supported version of lineage", "excerpt": "I've considered this before, but the short software support timeframe given by device manufacturers makes this a costly endeavour. I still have a perfectly functional Galaxy Tab S2 9.7, but even the third party ROMs have dropped it. I have a pixel 4a, and although it works beautifully running a supported version of lineage it's very likely that the modem baseband has a significant vulnerability that Google isn't patc", "context": "", "use_case": "alternative ROM on Pixel 4a", "switched_from": "", "story": "Your Phone Is About to Stop Being Yours: 70 Days Until Lockdown"}, {"id": 748062640, "item_id": 46753915, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46753915", "by": "ece", "date": "2026-01-25", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I've used Lineage as a daily driver before for a while, so I'll probably just go back to that", "excerpt": "If auto-updating apps stops working on fdroid, I'll be installing Graphene, Lineage or taking a shot at something like postmarket/ubuntu touch/plasma mobile. I've used Lineage as a daily driver before for a while, so I'll probably just go back to that and tell developers to support the platform I'm using. It doesn't rent seek on developers or users.", "context": "", "use_case": "daily driver mobile OS", "switched_from": "", "story": "Google confirms 'high-friction' sideloading flow is coming to Android"}]}, {"label": "Dedicated devices", "summary": "Commenters repurpose hardware running it as dashboards, kitchen timers and TV boxes.", "quotes": [{"id": 753868192, "item_id": 47116762, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47116762", "by": "ctl0v0", "date": "2026-02-22", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "I used a raspberry pi, LineageOS, along with Nova Launcher", "excerpt": "Not to hijack, but if folks are interested, I built a similar project based on a very similar premise, but since I had a old touchscreen monitor laying around and some woodworking experience I used a raspberry pi, LineageOS, along with Nova Launcher to build a similar implementation based on android. I posted about it here if interested. https://www.reddit.com/r/raspberry_pi/comments/1ik3myy/turning_an_old_touchscree", "context": "has woodworking experience", "use_case": "home dashboard", "switched_from": "", "story": "I built Timeframe, our family e-paper dashboard"}, {"id": 747572192, "item_id": 46723262, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46723262", "by": "reify", "date": "2026-01-22", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I personaly prefer Lineage over E.OS.", "excerpt": "I dumped smart phone shite with CyanogenMod back in 2010. I still have an old Oneplus 5T running lineage with android 15 A samsung S4 with android 11 as my kitchen timer. My family have Motorola edge 20 and Motorola edge 20 pro both with android 16. https://doc.e.foundation/devices https://wiki.lineageos.org/devices/ I personaly prefer Lineage over E.OS. I use droid-ify app store, which saves messing about with addin", "context": "installs it on phones at an old care home", "use_case": "mobile OS on old phones", "switched_from": "", "story": "Ask HN: What is your opinion on non-mainstream mobile OS options (e.g. /e/OS)?"}, {"id": 776659680, "item_id": 48541230, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48541230", "by": "nosioptar", "date": "2026-06-15", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "at least its degoogled", "excerpt": "I picked up an android TV box for $25 that works with LineageOS. It sucks because its android, but at least its degoogled. Edit: for a TV, I love my 30 year old Panasonic. Paid $20 for it at the Mormon goodwill. Only 720p, but has the best speakers of any TV I've owned.", "context": "", "use_case": "degoogled Android TV box", "switched_from": "", "story": "Fox to Buy Roku Streaming Service in $22B Deal"}]}, {"label": "Replaces bloat", "summary": "Commenters use it to replace bloated vendor software and like its quality-of-life features.", "quotes": [{"id": 793515712, "item_id": 49594732, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49594732", "by": "Markoff", "date": "2026-09-07", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "I used Lineage or other custom ROM to replace bloated MIUI", "excerpt": "I was just clarifying distinction between brands since they can have a litle bit different approach to preinstalled apps and ads, the chaper the model the more lieky to have ads and preinstalled apps, though in times of RN3 Pro they were pretty much same, the MIUI was already bloated back then which was actually bigger problem than nowadays since HW was weaker than now, when the bloated system doesn't matter that muc", "context": "Xiaomi phone user", "use_case": "replacing bloated MIUI on Xiaomi", "switched_from": "MIUI", "story": "How to debloat your Xiaomi 15 Ultra without root access"}, {"id": 800767872, "item_id": 50047992, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50047992", "by": "SpecialistK", "date": "2026-10-11", "stance": "compare", "quote": "I'm definitely open to trading some security/privacy features in favour of some QoL features Lineage had last time I used it", "excerpt": "I'm definitely open to trading some security/privacy features in favour of some QoL features Lineage had last time I used it - moving the clock back to the right (where persistent notifications belong) and power button for flashlight. It's a shame this has to be a \"or\" but as I use a burner phone when crossing borders anyway...", "context": "uses a burner phone when crossing borders", "use_case": "Android OS", "switched_from": "", "story": "LineageOS 24"}]}], "caveats": [{"label": "App compatibility", "summary": "Some banking and payment apps that require Google Play Integrity refuse to run on it.", "quotes": [{"id": 784752482, "item_id": 49047030, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49047030", "by": "nh2", "date": "2026-07-25", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "it doesn't work with LineageOS anymore", "excerpt": "Wise in the UK currently is good. You can use it completely without a phone app. It also has good support for passkeys, TOTP, and SMS OTP, allowing to add multiple of each as it should be. If you do choose the Wise app, it currently warns when you run a custom Android ROM, but let's you use it. Our company also uses Revolut business, but that requires a phone app to verify online payments with cards. And Revolut rece", "context": "uses custom Android ROM", "use_case": "custom Android ROM", "switched_from": "", "story": "Android May Soon Restrict On-Device ADB"}, {"id": 780152129, "item_id": 48759508, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48759508", "by": "0x000xca0xfe", "date": "2026-07-02", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "up-to-date Lineage or Graphene OS with recent kernels and frequent updates constantly run into apps refusing to work", "excerpt": "I have an old $70 test device with stock Android/Google that hasn't seen security updates in half a decade yet all banking apps, electric car charging, Google services, you name it, work absolutely fine. Meanwhile the daily driver phones of my privacy-aware family members running up-to-date Lineage or Graphene OS with recent kernels and frequent updates constantly run into apps refusing to work for \"security\" reasons", "context": "", "use_case": "family members' phones", "switched_from": "", "story": "A new Android malware from Google"}, {"id": 796379537, "item_id": 49773721, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49773721", "by": "tEem21", "date": "2026-09-20", "stance": "warn", "quote": "I used to run a separate Lineage phone with microG for this purpose, but it became too cumbersome", "excerpt": "This is something that gets mentioned a lot, especially from people who don't use Graphene or other custom ROMs themselves. Personally, I have not had any issues using banking apps on Graphene without Play Services. While this is just anecdotal, even if apps required them, I use a separate \"secure profile\" where I dump all the fishy, but necessary apps that require Google. I used to run a separate Lineage phone with ", "context": "", "use_case": "separate phone for Google-dependent apps", "switched_from": "", "story": "Android 17 is the first since 3.x to add new APIs without releasing to the AOSP"}]}, {"label": "Device support ends", "summary": "Older devices get dropped, leaving users on unofficial builds from individual developers.", "quotes": [{"id": 803535136, "item_id": 50220946, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50220946", "by": "mikey2410", "date": "2026-10-24", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "it works beautifully running a supported version of lineage", "excerpt": "I've considered this before, but the short software support timeframe given by device manufacturers makes this a costly endeavour. I still have a perfectly functional Galaxy Tab S2 9.7, but even the third party ROMs have dropped it. I have a pixel 4a, and although it works beautifully running a supported version of lineage it's very likely that the modem baseband has a significant vulnerability that Google isn't patc", "context": "", "use_case": "alternative ROM on Pixel 4a", "switched_from": "", "story": "Your Phone Is About to Stop Being Yours: 70 Days Until Lockdown"}, {"id": 777076080, "item_id": 48567255, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48567255", "by": "opan", "date": "2026-06-17", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I would highly recommend LineageOS. Supports non-Pixel phones", "excerpt": "I would highly recommend LineageOS. Supports non-Pixel phones, some of them many years old (although now that I double check, the Galaxy S3 and OnePlus One aren't on the devices list anymore, I guess they do stop supporting old stuff eventually...). The OnePlus 5 is still supported and was released in 2017. For anything older than that, I guess I'd recommend looking into postmarketOS.", "context": "", "use_case": "custom Android on non-Pixel phones", "switched_from": "", "story": "GrapheneOS has been ported to Android 17 and official releases are coming soon"}, {"id": 765504736, "item_id": 47844046, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47844046", "by": "danilocesar", "date": "2026-04-20", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "provide unofficial versions of Lineage so I can keep using it", "excerpt": "I look into my perfect workable Samsung Tab S7+ and remember that it has been an year since the last security update. Now I rely on a few random individuals who, for all I know could be state agents or a ransomware organization to provide unofficial versions of Lineage so I can keep using it. Battery isn't the only problem to avoid e-waste, but it's a start.", "context": "Samsung Tab S7+ owner", "use_case": "keep old tablet updated", "switched_from": "", "story": "All phones sold in the EU to have replaceable batteries from 2027"}]}, {"label": "Firmware security", "summary": "Commenters warn that baseband and vendor firmware can stay unpatched on supported devices.", "quotes": [{"id": 803535136, "item_id": 50220946, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50220946", "by": "mikey2410", "date": "2026-10-24", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "it works beautifully running a supported version of lineage", "excerpt": "I've considered this before, but the short software support timeframe given by device manufacturers makes this a costly endeavour. I still have a perfectly functional Galaxy Tab S2 9.7, but even the third party ROMs have dropped it. I have a pixel 4a, and although it works beautifully running a supported version of lineage it's very likely that the modem baseband has a significant vulnerability that Google isn't patc", "context": "", "use_case": "alternative ROM on Pixel 4a", "switched_from": "", "story": "Your Phone Is About to Stop Being Yours: 70 Days Until Lockdown"}, {"id": 781305664, "item_id": 48831604, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48831604", "by": "nobody42", "date": "2026-07-08", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "Shady sponsors (if there is any) doesn't matter when transparency is in place.", "excerpt": "Is this some kind of FUD? Shady sponsors (if there is any) doesn't matter when transparency is in place. Want to reveal malicious intent? Provide a PoC. Only hardware that supports bootloader relocking are Pixel devices. There are no others to consider development effort - plain simple. No, you can't use an unlocked device as a daily driver. Up to a minute out of your hands (or triggered reboot from public power outl", "context": "", "use_case": "Android custom ROM", "switched_from": "", "story": "LineageOS Statistics"}]}, {"label": "No Google replacements", "summary": "One commenter notes it doesn't provide replacements for Google services or user toggles for them.", "quotes": [{"id": 780232609, "item_id": 48764538, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48764538", "by": "grapheneos", "date": "2026-07-02", "stance": "warn", "quote": "LineageOS doesn't provide replacements for the Google services pr toggles for user control.", "excerpt": "> Read their terms. There are no such terms. In a comment further in this thread, you linked to inaccurate posts from an anonymous user on the Privacy Guides forum as your sources. > They still run everything through Google services. No, this is completely untrue. GrapheneOS doesn't have any mandatory connections in the first place. > They are essentially a man in the middle to Google services. No, GrapheneOS is a pr", "context": "", "use_case": "mobile OS", "switched_from": "", "story": "A new Android malware from Google"}]}, {"label": "Unofficial build quirks", "summary": "One commenter reports a Wi-Fi limitation on an unofficial XDA build for their tablet.", "quotes": [{"id": 775956820, "item_id": 48497301, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48497301", "by": "joe_mamba", "date": "2026-06-11", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "the lineageos branch of my tablet", "excerpt": "My powerful Android tablet is limited to 72mbps link due to a quirk with the way the XDA developer implemented wifi support on the lineageos branch of my tablet, meaning the device can't see the region specific 5ghz band of the modem of my ISP is outputting, so it can only connect to the 2,4ghz band of that SSID meaning it's stuck to 72mbps. And despite this, it works ok for what I used it: Brave web browsing, youtub", "context": "", "use_case": "tablet OS", "switched_from": "", "story": "Developer Gets Half-Life Running at 30 FPS on a Nokia N95"}]}, {"label": "Hardware cost", "summary": "A few commenters say compatible hardware tends to be expensive, though others run it on cheap or old devices.", "quotes": [{"id": 800740752, "item_id": 50046297, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50046297", "by": "Grimeton", "date": "2026-10-11", "stance": "warn", "quote": "The alibi open source version of android that only runs on hardware in the +1000 USD range.", "excerpt": "The alibi open source version of android that only runs on hardware in the +1000 USD range. A bargain for a test device or a daily driver for the not so wealthy. You want to change something? Want to be recognized for making anything better? Port it on sub $200 devices. That's where the masses are. That's where you start the degoogle revolution. Where you can build a sustainable business.", "context": "", "use_case": "", "switched_from": "", "story": "LineageOS 24"}, {"id": 777952048, "item_id": 48622003, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48622003", "by": "dredmorbius", "date": "2026-06-21", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "LineageOS specifically requires Google Pixel, at least until the Motorola partnership bears fruit.", "excerpt": "NB, there are sub-$100 feature (and even Android) phones available, though there are compromises to be made. Jose Briones's Dumbphone Finder lists about 45, sorted by price, and that's just what he's reviewed. Going to $250 there are about 65 options. <https://josebriones.org/dumbphone-finder> Once you're into the Android or Android-adjacent OS territory (LineageOS, SailfishOS (the Callback runs this), /e/OS, iodeOS,", "context": "", "use_case": "alternative phone OS", "switched_from": "", "story": "Commodore Made a Digital Detox Phone That Isn't Dumb"}]}], "who": [{"by": "Markoff", "context": "Xiaomi phone user", "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49594732", "date": "2026-09-07"}, {"by": "nazgulsenpai", "context": "uses PWAs instead of apps", "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49478818", "date": "2026-08-28"}, {"by": "vertnerd", "context": "de-googled with wife", "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49329925", "date": "2026-08-17"}, {"by": "nh2", "context": "uses custom Android ROM", "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49047030", "date": "2026-07-25"}, {"by": "codedokode", "context": "privacy-conscious Linux user", "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48596713", "date": "2026-06-19"}, {"by": "t_mahmood", "context": "daily driver OnePlus 7 user", "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48517705", "date": "2026-06-13"}, {"by": "danilocesar", "context": "Samsung Tab S7+ owner", "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47844046", "date": "2026-04-20"}, {"by": "ctl0v0", "context": "has woodworking experience", "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47116762", "date": "2026-02-22"}, {"by": "reify", "context": "installs it on phones at an old care home", "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46723262", "date": "2026-01-22"}, {"by": "theandrewbailey", "context": "installs Linux at an e-waste recycling company", "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46134393", "date": "2025-12-03"}, {"by": "yellowapple", "context": "uses non-default ROMs", "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45976493", "date": "2025-11-18"}], "tags": ["for older phones", "for de-Googling", "with microG", "for dedicated devices", "for Android tablets"], "use_cases": ["phone os", "de-googled phone os", "custom android rom", "daily driver phone os", "alternative rom on pixel 4a", "main phone os"], "compared": [{"slug": "grapheneos", "name": "GrapheneOS", "co": 18, "switched_from": 0, "switched_to": 6}, {"slug": "f-droid", "name": "F-Droid", "co": 6, "switched_from": 0, "switched_to": 0}, {"slug": "e-os", "name": "/e/OS", "co": 4, "switched_from": 0, "switched_to": 0}, {"slug": "ubuntu-touch", "name": "Ubuntu Touch", "co": 3, "switched_from": 0, "switched_to": 0}, {"slug": "postmarketos", "name": "postmarketOS", "co": 3, "switched_from": 0, "switched_to": 0}, {"slug": "sailfish-os", "name": "Sailfish OS", "co": 2, "switched_from": 0, "switched_to": 0}, {"slug": "droid-ify", "name": "Droid-ify", "co": 2, "switched_from": 0, "switched_to": 0}], "makers": [], "threads": [{"url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50040276", "title": "LineageOS 24", "mentions": 3}, {"url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48826329", "title": "LineageOS Statistics", "mentions": 2}, {"url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48755965", "title": "A new Android malware from Google", "mentions": 2}, {"url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48571526", "title": "Volkswagen started blocking GrapheneOS users", "mentions": 2}, {"url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47935853", "title": "Phone is about to stop being yours", "mentions": 2}, {"url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50208558", "title": "Your Phone Is About to Stop Being Yours: 70 Days Until Lockdown", "mentions": 1}], "sentiment_by_month": {"2025-11": {"recommend": 1, "neutral": 1}, "2025-12": {"neutral": 1}, "2026-01": {"recommend": 3}, "2026-02": {"neutral": 2}, "2026-03": {"compare": 1}, "2026-04": {"neutral": 2, "recommend": 1}, "2026-05": {"recommend": 1}, "2026-06": {"neutral": 4, "recommend": 4}, "2026-07": {"neutral": 3, "warn": 1, "recommend": 1}, "2026-08": {"neutral": 1, "recommend": 4}, "2026-09": {"neutral": 2, "warn": 1, "recommend": 1}, "2026-10": {"recommend": 3, "warn": 1, "compare": 1}}, "quotes": [{"id": 803535136, "item_id": 50220946, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50220946", "by": "mikey2410", "date": "2026-10-24", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "it works beautifully running a supported version of lineage", "excerpt": "I've considered this before, but the short software support timeframe given by device manufacturers makes this a costly endeavour. I still have a perfectly functional Galaxy Tab S2 9.7, but even the third party ROMs have dropped it. I have a pixel 4a, and although it works beautifully running a supported version of lineage it's very likely that the modem baseband has a significant vulnerability that Google isn't patc", "context": "", "use_case": "alternative ROM on Pixel 4a", "switched_from": "", "story": "Your Phone Is About to Stop Being Yours: 70 Days Until Lockdown"}, {"id": 802695905, "item_id": 50168494, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50168494", "by": "hgfygkh", "date": "2026-10-20", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "My main device uses MicroG with LineageOS.  It works really well, and I recommend it.", "excerpt": "My main device uses MicroG with LineageOS. It works really well, and I recommend it. It is a Murena phone from here: https://murena.com/", "context": "", "use_case": "main phone OS", "switched_from": "", "story": "MicroG: Free-libre re-implementation of Google's proprietary Android user space"}, {"id": 800767872, "item_id": 50047992, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50047992", "by": "SpecialistK", "date": "2026-10-11", "stance": "compare", "quote": "I'm definitely open to trading some security/privacy features in favour of some QoL features Lineage had last time I used it", "excerpt": "I'm definitely open to trading some security/privacy features in favour of some QoL features Lineage had last time I used it - moving the clock back to the right (where persistent notifications belong) and power button for flashlight. It's a shame this has to be a \"or\" but as I use a burner phone when crossing borders anyway...", "context": "uses a burner phone when crossing borders", "use_case": "Android OS", "switched_from": "", "story": "LineageOS 24"}, {"id": 800740752, "item_id": 50046297, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50046297", "by": "Grimeton", "date": "2026-10-11", "stance": "warn", "quote": "The alibi open source version of android that only runs on hardware in the +1000 USD range.", "excerpt": "The alibi open source version of android that only runs on hardware in the +1000 USD range. A bargain for a test device or a daily driver for the not so wealthy. You want to change something? Want to be recognized for making anything better? Port it on sub $200 devices. That's where the masses are. That's where you start the degoogle revolution. Where you can build a sustainable business.", "context": "", "use_case": "", "switched_from": "", "story": "LineageOS 24"}, {"id": 800659328, "item_id": 50041208, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50041208", "by": "khkjlhgkl", "date": "2026-10-11", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I love LineageOS.  I have been using Lineage and previously Cyanogen for many years.", "excerpt": "I love LineageOS. I have been using Lineage and previously Cyanogen for many years. This is how Android is meant to be.", "context": "", "use_case": "phone operating system", "switched_from": "CyanogenMod", "story": "LineageOS 24"}, {"id": 796985296, "item_id": 49811581, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49811581", "by": "david_bai", "date": "2026-09-23", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "LineageOS covers many older devices", "excerpt": "The security story is more nuanced than \"obsolete\". Project Mainline (APEX modules) keeps parts of the framework - media codecs, DNS resolver, conscrypt - updated through Google Play system updates even after the OEM stops patching, and WebView, which is the biggest real-world attack surface for most people, keeps updating as a Play app. What actually freezes is the kernel, vendor blobs and baseband, so the risk is \"", "context": "", "use_case": "custom ROM for old phones", "switched_from": "", "story": "Ask HN: What do people do with Android phones once security updates end?"}, {"id": 796379537, "item_id": 49773721, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49773721", "by": "tEem21", "date": "2026-09-20", "stance": "warn", "quote": "I used to run a separate Lineage phone with microG for this purpose, but it became too cumbersome", "excerpt": "This is something that gets mentioned a lot, especially from people who don't use Graphene or other custom ROMs themselves. Personally, I have not had any issues using banking apps on Graphene without Play Services. While this is just anecdotal, even if apps required them, I use a separate \"secure profile\" where I dump all the fishy, but necessary apps that require Google. I used to run a separate Lineage phone with ", "context": "", "use_case": "separate phone for Google-dependent apps", "switched_from": "", "story": "Android 17 is the first since 3.x to add new APIs without releasing to the AOSP"}, {"id": 794138384, "item_id": 49633649, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49633649", "by": "xethos", "date": "2026-09-09", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "I love mine, though I've flashed LineageOS for Android 16", "excerpt": "12 years, not 15, but there are currently BlackBerry Classic shipping with modern internals. I love mine, though I've flashed LineageOS for Android 16 https://zinwa.com/", "context": "", "use_case": "OS on BlackBerry Classic", "switched_from": "", "story": "iPhone Duo"}, {"id": 793515712, "item_id": 49594732, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49594732", "by": "Markoff", "date": "2026-09-07", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "I used Lineage or other custom ROM to replace bloated MIUI", "excerpt": "I was just clarifying distinction between brands since they can have a litle bit different approach to preinstalled apps and ads, the chaper the model the more lieky to have ads and preinstalled apps, though in times of RN3 Pro they were pretty much same, the MIUI was already bloated back then which was actually bigger problem than nowadays since HW was weaker than now, when the bloated system doesn't matter that muc", "context": "Xiaomi phone user", "use_case": "replacing bloated MIUI on Xiaomi", "switched_from": "MIUI", "story": "How to debloat your Xiaomi 15 Ultra without root access"}, {"id": 791661088, "item_id": 49478818, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49478818", "by": "nazgulsenpai", "date": "2026-08-28", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I use LineageOS with MicroG", "excerpt": "I use LineageOS with MicroG and decided probably 5 years ago to just use PWAs instead of apps for any online service and grab whatever other utilities I might need from Obtanium or F-Droid. Also the experience on my Thinkphone is the exact same as it was on my Pixel XL 2. I know not everyone can do this, and some PWAs are downright terrible if they work at all, but for my usecase it has been great.", "context": "uses PWAs instead of apps", "use_case": "phone OS", "switched_from": "", "story": "\u201cIt works better in the app\u201d"}, {"id": 790676048, "item_id": 49417253, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49417253", "by": "yonatan8070", "date": "2026-08-24", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "through LineageOS I updated it all the way to Android 11", "excerpt": "Not the OP. I'd say that we need regulation requiring user-replacable software. Even though a PC might not be supported by Windows 11, and subsequently major browsers will cease support. You can still install a 3rd-party OS like Linux which will maintain support far beyond the original EoL. Same goes for Android devices, I used to have an LG G2 (the phone, not the TV), which IIRC shipped with Android 4 or 5, and thro", "context": "", "use_case": "updating an old Android phone", "switched_from": "", "story": "New EU-wide product repair rules come into force"}, {"id": 789454545, "item_id": 49340909, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49340909", "by": "dredmorbius", "date": "2026-08-17", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "tablet/phone running GrapheneOS or LineageOS", "excerpt": "If you want pure-play Linux, there's Purism (PureOS), Pine (PineOS), SailfishOS, Ubuntu Touch (33 supported devices, including Fairphone, Xiaomi, Google Pixel, and Lenovo, amongst others), Tizen, Mobian (based on Debian), and postMarketOS (based on Alpine Linux). If you want an alternative to the iOS / Android duopoly, and will accept AOSP (Android Open Source Project) or de-Googled Android, there are AOSP devices (i", "context": "", "use_case": "de-Googled mobile OS", "switched_from": "", "story": "How to disable or avoid intrusive AI"}, {"id": 789278801, "item_id": 49329925, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49329925", "by": "vertnerd", "date": "2026-08-17", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I had switched my phone to LineageOS", "excerpt": "We (wife and I) de-googled ourselves about a year and a half ago, moving half a TB of photos to Ente and canceling our paid Google subscription (while still keeping our gmail addresses). We set up our (Android) phones to back up photos to Ente and everything was lovely. Then I started noticing my wife's Google Photos storage use growing again. Somehow her phone had been switched to backing up on Google again. I turne", "context": "de-googled with wife", "use_case": "de-googled phone OS", "switched_from": "", "story": "How do I permanently disable Google Photos pop-up prompt to backup my photos?"}, {"id": 787149216, "item_id": 49196826, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49196826", "by": "ethagnawl", "date": "2026-08-06", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "I've only ever used Cyanogen/Lineage or Graphene", "excerpt": "> I use adb to uninstall all of the system apps like facebook I've only ever used Cyanogen/Lineage or Graphene, so I had no idea this was a thing. I'm not surprised but ... WOOF.", "context": "", "use_case": "phone OS", "switched_from": "", "story": "On non-rooted Android 17, ADB uninstall of system apps fails"}, {"id": 784752482, "item_id": 49047030, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49047030", "by": "nh2", "date": "2026-07-25", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "it doesn't work with LineageOS anymore", "excerpt": "Wise in the UK currently is good. You can use it completely without a phone app. It also has good support for passkeys, TOTP, and SMS OTP, allowing to add multiple of each as it should be. If you do choose the Wise app, it currently warns when you run a custom Android ROM, but let's you use it. Our company also uses Revolut business, but that requires a phone app to verify online payments with cards. And Revolut rece", "context": "uses custom Android ROM", "use_case": "custom Android ROM", "switched_from": "", "story": "Android May Soon Restrict On-Device ADB"}, {"id": 781305664, "item_id": 48831604, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48831604", "by": "nobody42", "date": "2026-07-08", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "Shady sponsors (if there is any) doesn't matter when transparency is in place.", "excerpt": "Is this some kind of FUD? Shady sponsors (if there is any) doesn't matter when transparency is in place. Want to reveal malicious intent? Provide a PoC. Only hardware that supports bootloader relocking are Pixel devices. There are no others to consider development effort - plain simple. No, you can't use an unlocked device as a daily driver. Up to a minute out of your hands (or triggered reboot from public power outl", "context": "", "use_case": "Android custom ROM", "switched_from": "", "story": "LineageOS Statistics"}, {"id": 781241826, "item_id": 48827614, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48827614", "by": "burningChrome", "date": "2026-07-07", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "One of the first versions of LineageOS I used was Evolution X", "excerpt": ">> 74% of installs are unofficial builds, not ones released by LineageOS. One of the first versions of LineageOS I used was Evolution X on my Moms old OnePlus phone since it wasn't supported by the \"official\" Lineage version. Great track record of almost daily updates, and the customization you could do with it was phenomenal. The funny thing was I was running Ubuntu Touch on it before and it was super sluggish (tota", "context": "", "use_case": "custom Android ROM", "switched_from": "", "story": "LineageOS Statistics"}, {"id": 780232609, "item_id": 48764538, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48764538", "by": "grapheneos", "date": "2026-07-02", "stance": "warn", "quote": "LineageOS doesn't provide replacements for the Google services pr toggles for user control.", "excerpt": "> Read their terms. There are no such terms. In a comment further in this thread, you linked to inaccurate posts from an anonymous user on the Privacy Guides forum as your sources. > They still run everything through Google services. No, this is completely untrue. GrapheneOS doesn't have any mandatory connections in the first place. > They are essentially a man in the middle to Google services. No, GrapheneOS is a pr", "context": "", "use_case": "mobile OS", "switched_from": "", "story": "A new Android malware from Google"}, {"id": 780152129, "item_id": 48759508, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48759508", "by": "0x000xca0xfe", "date": "2026-07-02", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "up-to-date Lineage or Graphene OS with recent kernels and frequent updates constantly run into apps refusing to work", "excerpt": "I have an old $70 test device with stock Android/Google that hasn't seen security updates in half a decade yet all banking apps, electric car charging, Google services, you name it, work absolutely fine. Meanwhile the daily driver phones of my privacy-aware family members running up-to-date Lineage or Graphene OS with recent kernels and frequent updates constantly run into apps refusing to work for \"security\" reasons", "context": "", "use_case": "family members' phones", "switched_from": "", "story": "A new Android malware from Google"}, {"id": 777952048, "item_id": 48622003, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48622003", "by": "dredmorbius", "date": "2026-06-21", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "LineageOS specifically requires Google Pixel, at least until the Motorola partnership bears fruit.", "excerpt": "NB, there are sub-$100 feature (and even Android) phones available, though there are compromises to be made. Jose Briones's Dumbphone Finder lists about 45, sorted by price, and that's just what he's reviewed. Going to $250 there are about 65 options. <https://josebriones.org/dumbphone-finder> Once you're into the Android or Android-adjacent OS territory (LineageOS, SailfishOS (the Callback runs this), /e/OS, iodeOS,", "context": "", "use_case": "alternative phone OS", "switched_from": "", "story": "Commodore Made a Digital Detox Phone That Isn't Dumb"}, {"id": 777547408, "item_id": 48596713, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48596713", "by": "codedokode", "date": "2026-06-19", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "I am considering options to port an open-souce firmware like Lineage OS", "excerpt": "It doesn't matter how bad is Windows or Mac because I do not use them. Apple might have something made for the government. They are very cooperative and routinely remove VPN apps from the repository at the request of Russian government, probably they will happily cooperate with US government as well. > how do you defend from Microsoft/Google/Apple deciding to spy on you My smartphone is in airplane mode since purchas", "context": "privacy-conscious Linux user", "use_case": "privacy-focused phone firmware", "switched_from": "", "story": "I found 10k GitHub repositories distributing Trojan malware"}, {"id": 777339201, "item_id": 48583700, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48583700", "by": "blablabla123", "date": "2026-06-18", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "I've never seen either before and I used both stock Android and LineageOS.", "excerpt": "On every boot I see the sha hash of the image plus there's the attestation App. I've never seen either before and I used both stock Android and LineageOS. Also every App gets granular permission control and there's an automatic reminder to remove permissions for unused Apps. Classic example of Enterprise thinking on VW's side.", "context": "", "use_case": "phone OS", "switched_from": "", "story": "Volkswagen started blocking GrapheneOS users"}, {"id": 777193792, "item_id": 48574612, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48574612", "by": "chasil", "date": "2026-06-17", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "My daily driver is a de-Googled LineageOS device", "excerpt": "My daily driver is a de-Googled LineageOS device, but I purchased a $50us iPhone SE 3 for FaceTime. I have moved most of the my finance activity to it, along with my license and passport. I would never trust a Google device with this much, and the convenience has been profound in a few circumstances. I would relegate any intrusive apps here, and happily deny them cross-app tracking privileges.", "context": "", "use_case": "daily driver phone OS", "switched_from": "", "story": "Volkswagen started blocking GrapheneOS users"}, {"id": 777076080, "item_id": 48567255, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48567255", "by": "opan", "date": "2026-06-17", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I would highly recommend LineageOS. Supports non-Pixel phones", "excerpt": "I would highly recommend LineageOS. Supports non-Pixel phones, some of them many years old (although now that I double check, the Galaxy S3 and OnePlus One aren't on the devices list anymore, I guess they do stop supporting old stuff eventually...). The OnePlus 5 is still supported and was released in 2017. For anything older than that, I guess I'd recommend looking into postmarketOS.", "context": "", "use_case": "custom Android on non-Pixel phones", "switched_from": "", "story": "GrapheneOS has been ported to Android 17 and official releases are coming soon"}, {"id": 776659680, "item_id": 48541230, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48541230", "by": "nosioptar", "date": "2026-06-15", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "at least its degoogled", "excerpt": "I picked up an android TV box for $25 that works with LineageOS. It sucks because its android, but at least its degoogled. Edit: for a TV, I love my 30 year old Panasonic. Paid $20 for it at the Mormon goodwill. Only 720p, but has the best speakers of any TV I've owned.", "context": "", "use_case": "degoogled Android TV box", "switched_from": "", "story": "Fox to Buy Roku Streaming Service in $22B Deal"}, {"id": 776283280, "item_id": 48517705, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48517705", "by": "t_mahmood", "date": "2026-06-13", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "Because it was bootloader unlockable, and LineageOS exists, I still can use it.", "excerpt": "I'm using a OnePlus 7, as my daily driver. Because it was bootloader unlockable, and LineageOS exists, I still can use it. And it performs respectfully, and serves my purpose. Except, my banking software, and digital payment applications, all works So, OEM just have to let us unlock the bootloader, just let us unlock it after they stop selling it, and it would reduce so much waste. They are just so greedy", "context": "daily driver OnePlus 7 user", "use_case": "extending old phone life", "switched_from": "", "story": "A low-carbon computing platform from your retired phones"}, {"id": 775956820, "item_id": 48497301, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48497301", "by": "joe_mamba", "date": "2026-06-11", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "the lineageos branch of my tablet", "excerpt": "My powerful Android tablet is limited to 72mbps link due to a quirk with the way the XDA developer implemented wifi support on the lineageos branch of my tablet, meaning the device can't see the region specific 5ghz band of the modem of my ISP is outputting, so it can only connect to the 2,4ghz band of that SSID meaning it's stuck to 72mbps. And despite this, it works ok for what I used it: Brave web browsing, youtub", "context": "", "use_case": "tablet OS", "switched_from": "", "story": "Developer Gets Half-Life Running at 30 FPS on a Nokia N95"}, {"id": 772856224, "item_id": 48303514, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48303514", "by": "0x59", "date": "2026-05-27", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "Few months ago I switched to Lineageos and started using the web browser instead of apps. It's peaceful.", "excerpt": "I don't think I've got a push notification in awhile. Few months ago I switched to Lineageos and started using the web browser instead of apps. It's peaceful. I still get notifications (SMS, email, calendar, etc) but nothing pushed", "context": "", "use_case": "phone OS", "switched_from": "", "story": "What Apple and Google are doing to your push notifications"}, {"id": 767166561, "item_id": 47947910, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47947910", "by": "palata", "date": "2026-04-29", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "I can install an alternative OS on my Android device (e.g. GrapheneOS or LineageOS)", "excerpt": "Respectfully, I think this is the wrong fight. And I fear it may be counter-productive, because all the effort put into asking Google to make it a little less painful to install an unverified app is not put into the real fight. IMHO, it should be fine for Google or Apple to do whatever they want with their OS. What should be forbidden is to prevent people from installing an alternative OS on their hardware. But this ", "context": "", "use_case": "alternative Android OS", "switched_from": "", "story": "Phone is about to stop being yours"}, {"id": 767016880, "item_id": 47938555, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47938555", "by": "627467", "date": "2026-04-28", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "dozens of Android models that work perfectly with LineageOS or other variants", "excerpt": "The level of panic here feels totally out of proportion. While these restrictions are a sad reminder of where personal computing is headed, the shift toward appliances over computers isn\u2019t a new trend at all. What\u2019s more frustrating is the \"your android phone will stop being yours\" narrative. Where is that supposed to lead the reader? Moving to iOS to escape restrictions is a total contradiction, as the situation the", "context": "", "use_case": "daily driver phone OS", "switched_from": "", "story": "Phone is about to stop being yours"}, {"id": 765504736, "item_id": 47844046, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47844046", "by": "danilocesar", "date": "2026-04-20", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "provide unofficial versions of Lineage so I can keep using it", "excerpt": "I look into my perfect workable Samsung Tab S7+ and remember that it has been an year since the last security update. Now I rely on a few random individuals who, for all I know could be state agents or a ransomware organization to provide unofficial versions of Lineage so I can keep using it. Battery isn't the only problem to avoid e-waste, but it's a start.", "context": "Samsung Tab S7+ owner", "use_case": "keep old tablet updated", "switched_from": "", "story": "All phones sold in the EU to have replaceable batteries from 2027"}, {"id": 760293937, "item_id": 47518371, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47518371", "by": "monegator", "date": "2026-03-25", "stance": "compare", "quote": "eos is not much better than lineage.", "excerpt": "nitpick: just changed my monitor to a UWQHD one. The text on this blog occupies 1/6 of the screen, 5/6 of white. If i only use half the screen for the broswer, it would be 1/3 and 2/2. Still too much white space for me. Anyway: Not sure why fairphone. While i like the concept it's still an android phone, eos is not much better than lineage. If i had to change today i would go again for a Pixel 8A (or a series 10) and", "context": "", "use_case": "", "switched_from": "", "story": "Apple Just Lost Me"}, {"id": 753868192, "item_id": 47116762, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47116762", "by": "ctl0v0", "date": "2026-02-22", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "I used a raspberry pi, LineageOS, along with Nova Launcher", "excerpt": "Not to hijack, but if folks are interested, I built a similar project based on a very similar premise, but since I had a old touchscreen monitor laying around and some woodworking experience I used a raspberry pi, LineageOS, along with Nova Launcher to build a similar implementation based on android. I posted about it here if interested. https://www.reddit.com/r/raspberry_pi/comments/1ik3myy/turning_an_old_touchscree", "context": "has woodworking experience", "use_case": "home dashboard", "switched_from": "", "story": "I built Timeframe, our family e-paper dashboard"}, {"id": 752769777, "item_id": 47048111, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47048111", "by": "lanfeust6", "date": "2026-02-17", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "I use this and lineage", "excerpt": "I use this and lineage, but in a few years time this could be moot if Google decides to completely lock down devices. That leaves commercial options like Fairphone", "context": "", "use_case": "", "switched_from": "", "story": "GrapheneOS \u2013 Break Free from Google and Apple"}, {"id": 749421200, "item_id": 46838825, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46838825", "by": "boricj", "date": "2026-01-31", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I still kept it up to date with LineageOS and then unofficial versions for fun (it's at Android 13 last I checked).", "excerpt": "That reminds me of my own Samsung Galaxy SII. Shipped out of the box with Android 2.3, Samsung supported it up until Android 4.1, then I switched to CyanogenMod until my father rage-bought me a new phone in 2016 because it crashed so much he had trouble contacting me. I still kept it up to date with LineageOS and then unofficial versions for fun (it's at Android 13 last I checked). Do I expect a Samsung Galaxy SII to", "context": "", "use_case": "keeping old phone updated", "switched_from": "CyanogenMod", "story": "Nvidia's 10-year effort to make the Shield TV the most updated Android device"}, {"id": 748062640, "item_id": 46753915, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46753915", "by": "ece", "date": "2026-01-25", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I've used Lineage as a daily driver before for a while, so I'll probably just go back to that", "excerpt": "If auto-updating apps stops working on fdroid, I'll be installing Graphene, Lineage or taking a shot at something like postmarket/ubuntu touch/plasma mobile. I've used Lineage as a daily driver before for a while, so I'll probably just go back to that and tell developers to support the platform I'm using. It doesn't rent seek on developers or users.", "context": "", "use_case": "daily driver mobile OS", "switched_from": "", "story": "Google confirms 'high-friction' sideloading flow is coming to Android"}, {"id": 747572192, "item_id": 46723262, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46723262", "by": "reify", "date": "2026-01-22", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I personaly prefer Lineage over E.OS.", "excerpt": "I dumped smart phone shite with CyanogenMod back in 2010. I still have an old Oneplus 5T running lineage with android 15 A samsung S4 with android 11 as my kitchen timer. My family have Motorola edge 20 and Motorola edge 20 pro both with android 16. https://doc.e.foundation/devices https://wiki.lineageos.org/devices/ I personaly prefer Lineage over E.OS. I use droid-ify app store, which saves messing about with addin", "context": "installs it on phones at an old care home", "use_case": "mobile OS on old phones", "switched_from": "", "story": "Ask HN: What is your opinion on non-mainstream mobile OS options (e.g. /e/OS)?"}, {"id": 738150288, "item_id": 46134393, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46134393", "by": "theandrewbailey", "date": "2025-12-03", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "I also de-googled my phone at the same time (LineageOS, then GrapheneOS)", "excerpt": "I made the switch earlier this year, only to get a job at an e-waste recycling company where I install Linux on laptops and desktops. Coincidentally, I also de-googled my phone at the same time (LineageOS, then GrapheneOS). The only place where I use Windows anymore is my retro desktop with Windows 98.", "context": "installs Linux at an e-waste recycling company", "use_case": "de-googled phone OS", "switched_from": "", "story": "Linux on the Desktop"}, {"id": 735623889, "item_id": 45976493, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45976493", "by": "yellowapple", "date": "2025-11-18", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "LineageOS on my Fairphone 4, which I then replaced with GrapheneOS", "excerpt": "RCS has been a royal pain for me on Android, too. Partially my fault since I'm using non-default ROMs (LineageOS on my Fairphone 4, which I then replaced with GrapheneOS on my Pixel 9a), but also mostly Google's fault for taking as janky of an approach as possible when it comes to its Messages app (which seems to be the only actively-maintained Android SMS app with RCS support, because of course it is). The Graphene ", "context": "uses non-default ROMs", "use_case": "Android ROM", "switched_from": "", "story": "I just want working RCS messaging"}, {"id": 733152048, "item_id": 45822003, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45822003", "by": "TYPE_FASTER", "date": "2025-11-05", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "an open version of Android Automotive OS, like Lineage for our cars", "excerpt": "I think it drives the instrument cluster too. Maybe instead of a new head unit, what we will need in the future is an open version of Android Automotive OS, like Lineage for our cars. We use CarPlay with our Mazda. The heads up display on the windshield displays the next turn information from Apple Maps. Edit: it looks like Lineage has support for Android Automotive: https://lineageos.org/Changelog-30/", "context": "", "use_case": "open car infotainment OS", "switched_from": "", "story": "GM Deprecating In-Car App Store for Models as Recent as 2020"}]}