Hey people! I was wondering if anyone here has heard of/ used Morena’s /e/OS and would be willing to share some opinions?
I was looking to get a FairPhone 5 sometime soon anyways and randomly came across the option to get it “without Google”
Which took me a bit off guard because I never really considered that something like that could be an option (without the hassle of rooting a phone and slapping a custom OS on it). So - is it any good? It says that you can still install most regular Android Apps. I don’t think I would miss any specific Google features, and getting a fresh start with a phone does sound nice.
I use /e/OS on my OP7.
- Their tracker/ad blocker is great.
- Their app store has a rating about privacy/tracker for each apps.
- They implemented tor in the OS, and you can choose if you want to activate it and for which application.
- They have a mock location feature.
- I get monthly update, and it works smoothly.
- You do not need to use murena account to use the OS
For the drawbacks :
- They have an app store that can install both applications from the play store and from Fdroid, but it isn’t very convenient as you can’t add Fdroid repos, nor uninstall applications with it. (and I’m unable to use it to install applications from the play store for more than a month, I’ve installed the aurora store )
- Most of their system applications are open sources applications available from Fdroid but with a different icon and name.
- Their navigation application named “Maps” is a rebrand of magic earth.
It’s all I have in mind at this moment.
When I’ll change for a fairphone, before turning to /e/OS, I’ll probably try iodé OS. It seems they have similar privacy /anti-ad features but the OS might be less bloated and the system app are not rebranded, they keep their original name and icons.
/e/os is LineageOS + microG with an easy installer available or pre-installed purchase. The interface design is based on how iOS works, for example to move an icon on your phone long press one of the icons and wait till they all go wiggling and then drag the icon to where you want to have it.
I think /e/os is okay for folks who want a deGoogled phone that comes pre-installed.
In case anyone wants to try the /e/os easy installer on an old and supported phone, the /e/os easy install is really much more easy compared to plain LineageOS install.
I have a Fairphone 4 with preinstalled /e/OS and I can say I really like it. I really don’t miss the Google Apps, but if you would need any you could install most of them. Lastly they had a major server fuckup (many Murena services were unavailable, like Update and Drive) but that’s solved mostly now.
I’ve used it for four years on my Fairphone 3 with no serious issues. I don’t use their cloud storage solution so the recent outage didn’t affect me at all. My battery often lasts up to 40 hours. I am very careful with what I install on the phone, but it works and is private/secure enough for my threat model. I recommend it wholeheartedly
I have a fairphone 5 running /e/os, and my previous phone was a galaxy S9+ running IodéOS.
Unfortunately i don’t have time to write a whole review for you, but if anyone have any specific questions about either i’d be happy to answer them when i get time.I run e/OS on a FP5. I ran e/OS on a Essential PH-1 before and going back to a phone with Google installed just didn’t sit right with me. I did not feel like I could trust the device even after trying to toggle as much of the creepy spying off. As if there’s still someone probably looking over your shoulder because you configured something wrong.
It is not perfect, but it is easy to use and full-featured. All regular apps feel great and battery life is good. I still use specific Google services (such as the calendar for work) but no specific Google apps. I guess Maps is the biggest challenge now but alternatives are good enough to get around with.
You can run Android apps. Not sure about payed Android apps. I try to install FOSS apps through the integrated f-droid store if they’re available there. Installing app store apps sometimes fails because Google blocked the installer. I could install everything so far when needed (including banking apps and specific apps for the vacuum cleaner and such). Sometimes the Android app store apps don’t update for a while and I don’t notice.
I don’t use Murena’s services but self-host Nextcloud. Based on the information they send I think they’re doing a great job for their size.
I flashed the FP5 myself with a beta of e/OS when it was just out because the other phone was broken and (again) I did not feel right with the spying demon in my pocket with native Android. You could flash your device too.
It’s comfortable on this side. If you have further specific questions, shoot.
That’s interesting, thank you for the input! The mention of bank apps is really helpful, I didn’t realize before that not having my bank app would be a complete deal breaker for me.
What’s the appeal of eOS over LineageOS?
I’m not very tech savvy when it comes to phones, so having privacy focused software pre installed is a huge selling point for me
Easy install, OTA updates, you can buy a Fairphone preinstalled with it.
So mainly easier access I would say, while not having a downside.
