I have been using /e/ for 6 month now. I really like it for its “degoogled-way” think but since fews days I have doubts because of problems.
Due to the lack of Google API, a number of apps can’t run correctly (crash, can’t log in). It’s the case with Ebay, Freebox, Yuka, dating services… MicroG is supposed to emulate GFS etc but it only works partially
The GPS is completely broken : because of Google API absence and Mozilla Location Service’s lack of precision, it locates me, at best, 200 meters away from my actual position but sometimes it says I’m out the city.
Because of /e/ Store being a “work in progress”, I’m using Aurora Store. But it regularly encounters (to not say “often”) “anonymous login” problems that blocks updates and downloads
To sum up, /e/ is an awesome project but it can also be very frustating.
These days, I have been wondering if I should buy a new phone (Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite, Redmi Note 8 Pro Realme X2, something like that, or an Iphone 7/8) and keep my Lg G5 to check /e/ improvements or if I should be patient, staying with my G5 and hoping for big evolution.
Privacy Protection is a big concern to me. I don’t like Google (nor Apple, FB etc) but in the same time, I have to use their services for multiple reasons (like keeping contact with friends is hard when we use alternative services…). It’s not easy to conciliate all of that
actually only you know what you exactly want and need.
Sadly, privacy has a cost : the user experience. Even if in last years a lot of user friendly tools and alternatives have emerged.
When you choose the path of sovereignty and privacy, you have to change your habits, drastically or not depending of your use.
One thing is certain, if you’re not happy with /e/ and you think it is too binding, you will have to change the OS, and go for proprietary systems.
/e/ isn’t yet for every users as it aims to be. It requires some knowledge and love for issues but the first release of /e/ was on September 2018, and in 14 months the project moved forward very fast. That’s what make me think it’s just the begining.
But it will take some times to be a complete alternative easily useable for everyone, no miracle solution yet.
Hi @jonath08, as @Anonyme said in the end it is up to you to decide what you want. Your privacy on one side and using apps which totally depend on Google Services to function. From its side Google will also ensure that apps that bypass its services do not work properly. We are trying to optimize MicroG but that project will take time even though we now have dedicated resources working on it.
There is alternatives to actual apps. The PWA version.
That’s the way I use twitter, Instagram, and many other services.
It might be helpful for some dating apps and your Freebox app.
Regarding Yuka, I can only suggest you to use OpenFoodFacts. Yuka is actually based on it. The main difference is that OFFacts has nothing to do with any business of any form. It’s a free open source app that gives you the infos without collecting anything or promoting anything.
Anyway, I feel you. I have the same thoughts about /e/. And I have two devices indeed. My Oneplus 6t for the daily life and a Onepls One to check with /e/ evolution and updates.
Let’s not forget /e/ 1.0 version is not out yet. We’re all running “beta” versions. Imperfect, in need of improvements. 14 months into the project, it’s looking like it has a bright future if you ask me.
If you use “Device only” location mode, it won’t use Mozilla services. So your location should be accurate. If not, it’s a device issue or you live in a city with a lot of buildings.
I’m using /e/ on a Moto G 2014 for the past 6 months and I’m not completely satisfied. What I don’t like:
I cannot remove default apps but this will be changed with the 1.0v so I’ll wait;
The App Store lack some new versions like Nextcloud Talk (same in F-Droid) so I have to use Aurora Store. Since Aurora has the annonymous login problem you mentioned, I have to download the apk file from APK Pure. I don’t know why the App Store does not have the newer versions of some apps but I’m fine doing this way;
Sometimes a new system update affects the battery usage. Since this is a wide-ranging subject I understand it as acceptable; some phones will work better than others.
The location subject is not a huge concern to me but the Magic Earth app does not work very well where I live (Brazil). I have to use Waze which is a battery sucker but I use it on my car so my phone is always plugged.
Some things I have done to protect my privacy beyond using /e/:
I don’t use facebook or instagram;
I can’t erase my gmail but I forward every message to my account/domain and I don’t have it stored on my /e/ phone;
I use my Protonmail account for Twitter;
I use New Pipe to watch YouTube videos;
One thing I could not find a satisfying solution yet: WhatsApp.
Here in Brazil is the most used app for communication; if I’m no mistaken, Brazil is the third country in WhatsApp usage in the world.
All my friends are old people , on their fifties or above so they won’t change because of privacy matter and they too use it for working so…
I’m trying to use the Matrix solution with Mautrix bridge but Riot sucks and I couldn’t make it work propperly yet. The Wire solution is not my thing because I want to host my own server like I do with Nextcloud which hosts my calendar, contacts and files (including photos) and it’s installed in my own server back home.
I’m trying the Nextcloud Talk app for audio/video calls but this will only work with my wife and kids. For the rest of the family and friends and business contacts I’ll have to stick with WhatsApp and the only way I could find to not have it installed in my phone is the one I mentioned before (Matrix: https://matrix.org/docs/guides/whatsapp-bridging-mautrix-whatsapp).
Finally, I’m pretty much satisfied and, for me, is a not going back way.
@jonath08 I am loving the way what /e/ has to offer and the way it works. Personally, the level of frustration and displeasure to have your data recorded at Google/IOS will let you decide which path you would prefer proceeding. Moving on to /e/, if you would still reminiscence about Google and it’s services then you can not simply decide. Of course /e/ is in progressing stage and product isn’t yet finalized, comparing /e/ with Google/IOS is absolutely unfair since they have a matured product. I have observed few OS glitches with continuous use of Maps app yet I am happy to have it restarted with no complain. Listening to music while having headphones on and taking phone calls in the middle will cease Music app and doesn’t respond when the call is over yet I don’t complain and have the app restarted in no time. Double tap to wake up function isn’t working in my phone and I have also informed the community about it but it seems to have a bug in my phone, specifically…yet I don’t complain and use fingerprint option to unlock my phone. So it only takes to improvise when you have your data at stake rather than having unfair expectations, benchmark and comparison with biggest data thieves out there. Sum up, give /e/ some time to reach to a stage where we will have less request for rectifications and more comfort…and I am sure they surely will reach up to it. Till then, use /e/ on an average less expensive phone, refurbished perhaps but one thing is for sure…/e/ is satisfaction.
If I don’t use “high accuracy”, I simply don’t have my position. And to be honest, I think it’s been the case even before installing /e/. With the stock LG ROM I remember only High Accuracy has worked correctly
Trick I use with Aurora, When I occasionally check it for updates, get new apps etc, I first always go into settings>account then log out of whatever anonymous account Im currently logged into and re-login with anonymous login again. Then it works perfectly till the next time I open it and then I just repeat this process… Not too much hassle really.
Other Problem I forgot : I have bugs with Snapchat : audio messages can be silent and/or they restart in loop after 2 seconds, video can be totally black or they freeze…
If you’ve login a few mounths ago then yes there was no issue. But Google changed the way SafetyNet worked and MicroG isn’t able to fool SafetyNet anymore so you can’t login to Snapchat. Don’t logout
(Or you’re really able to login and there is something else I’m not aware of)
An honest question, what’s the difference between /e/ and LineageOS? The latter is also free and open source and you don’t have to install GAPPS if you want a Google free phone. It’s established and has much better support than /e/. I wanted to like /e/ but there were just too many issues with it and switched back to LineageOS. Why reinvent the wheel?
It is a matter of personal choice. If after reading the FAQ you still feel that lineage OS without GAPPS is good for your requirements you should use it.
@jonath08 :
To improve your location accuracy, I recommend you install Déjà Vu (https://f-droid.org/fr/packages/org.fitchfamily.android.dejavu/) in addition to Mozilla Location Service, activate it in MicroG settings, then go out with high accuracy location and wifi on : Déjà Vu will “train” your phone into recognizing its location (pretty much like an on-device MLS), and your next positionings should be quicker.
Please send me a PM if you need more information : I have spent weeks tweaking and evaluating positioning tools.
Hey @turboron correct me if I am wrong, there isn’t an independent app market in lineage OS while we have one in /e/ and installing GApps will end up having same Google enabled cellphones with Google silent intrusion of our data which we love to run away from, right? Like there are popular text messaging apps I can install from /e/ App store while being away from Google, which doesn’t seem to be the case in lineage OS.
, on their fifties or above so they won’t change because of privacy matter and they too use it for working so…