Crossposted from https://slrpnk.net/post/23183334
GrapheneOS statement on Mastodon: https://grapheneos.social/@GrapheneOS/114661914197695338
Calyx made an official statement on this development here: https://calyxos.org/news/2025/06/11/android-16-plans/
Concerning stuff. Hopefully a workaround or solution is found at some point, but if not, I’m already thinking of how to manage without them.
I can’t see myself going back to a standard Android phone, so I suppose worse case scenario, I’d have to settle with LineageOS, or potentially abandon Android altogether and see if I can manage with discrete separate devices to fulfill the same needs, such as:
- a pocketable mini-Linux PC like a MNT Pocket Reform, which has the ability to use cellular networks. Should be able to text, browse web, and maybe GPS? Alternatively, perhaps the Mecha Comet?
- Small pocket-able dumb camera
- MP3 player
- Dumb-phone kept in a faraday bag when not in use?
According to Calyx, the issue is that AOSP does not support any phones out of the box anymore, even though AOSP 15 supported Pixel phones out of the box. Graphene speculates that this may be a proactive measure preparing for an Android/Pixel split in a future Google antitrust break up.
It’s not the death of Calyx and Graphene, but it is a symptom of the dire state of AOSP. OSes like Sailfish, Purism, and PostmarketOS need to see better support and provide viable alternatives to proprietary OSes like Android and iOS.