#degoogled — Public Fediverse posts

Hey EU friends 👋

Google's new reCAPTCHA logs which certified device visited which site and when. Across millions of websites. Without meaningful consent.

That's not just sketchy. That might be illegal under GDPR.

Time to ask some questions. Ep 26 tells you where to start.

🎧 impracticalprivacy.com

#GDPR #EU #DataProtection #Google #ImpracticalPrivacy #privacy #privacytools #degoogle #degoogled #surveillance #surveillancestate

Hey EU friends 👋

Google's new reCAPTCHA logs which certified device visited which site and when. Across millions of websites. Without meaningful consent.

That's not just sketchy. That might be illegal under GDPR.

Time to ask some questions. Ep 26 tells you where to start.

🎧 impracticalprivacy.com

#GDPR #EU #DataProtection #Google #ImpracticalPrivacy #privacy #privacytools #degoogle #degoogled #surveillance #surveillancestate

Hey EU friends 👋

Google's new reCAPTCHA logs which certified device visited which site and when. Across millions of websites. Without meaningful consent.

That's not just sketchy. That might be illegal under GDPR.

Time to ask some questions. Ep 26 tells you where to start.

🎧 impracticalprivacy.com

#GDPR #EU #DataProtection #Google #ImpracticalPrivacy #privacy #privacytools #degoogle #degoogled #surveillance #surveillancestate

For my new Pixel 7a, should I install #android #degoogled #pixel7a

CalyxOS released Android 16 test builds for Pixels, Fairphone, and Motorola devices, adding updated FOSS apps and expanded deGoogled Chromium changes 📱
The privacy-focused ROM replaced apps like Orbot and Organic Maps, while limiting telemetry and delaying unfinished security features pending audits 🔒

🔗 https://calyxos.org/news/2026/05/04/calyxos-progress-update-4/

#TechNews #Tech #CalyxOS #Google #Android16 #Android #Privacy #OpenSource #FOSS #DeGoogled #Cybersecurity #Linux #Signal #Tor #Fairphone #Pixel #Chromium #Security #ROM

CalyxOS released Android 16 test builds for Pixels, Fairphone, and Motorola devices, adding updated FOSS apps and expanded deGoogled Chromium changes 📱
The privacy-focused ROM replaced apps like Orbot and Organic Maps, while limiting telemetry and delaying unfinished security features pending audits 🔒

🔗 https://calyxos.org/news/2026/05/04/calyxos-progress-update-4/

#TechNews #Tech #CalyxOS #Google #Android16 #Android #Privacy #OpenSource #FOSS #DeGoogled #Cybersecurity #Linux #Signal #Tor #Fairphone #Pixel #Chromium #Security #ROM

Google's reCAPTCHA Fails De-Googled Android Users, Impacting Privacy | The Coders Blog | Home

#Android #Google #recaptcha #degoogled

https://thecodersblog.com/google-breaks-recaptcha-for-de-googled-android-users-2026/

How the Company enforces power over users based on their data:

«Google Broke reCAPTCHA for De-Googled Android Users
Google has tied its next-generation reCAPTCHA system to Google Play Services on Android, meaning anyone running a de-Googled phone will automatically fail verification when the system decides to challenge them.»

😤 https://reclaimthenet.org/google-broke-recaptcha-for-de-googled-android-users
--
#google #android #recaptcha #googleplay #smartphone #fail #verification #broken #itsecurity #itsec #degoogle #degoogled

How the Company enforces power over users based on their data:

«Google Broke reCAPTCHA for De-Googled Android Users
Google has tied its next-generation reCAPTCHA system to Google Play Services on Android, meaning anyone running a de-Googled phone will automatically fail verification when the system decides to challenge them.»

😤 https://reclaimthenet.org/google-broke-recaptcha-for-de-googled-android-users
--
#google #android #recaptcha #googleplay #smartphone #fail #verification #broken #itsecurity #itsec #degoogle #degoogled

How the Company enforces power over users based on their data:

«Google Broke reCAPTCHA for De-Googled Android Users
Google has tied its next-generation reCAPTCHA system to Google Play Services on Android, meaning anyone running a de-Googled phone will automatically fail verification when the system decides to challenge them.»

😤 https://reclaimthenet.org/google-broke-recaptcha-for-de-googled-android-users
--
#google #android #recaptcha #googleplay #smartphone #fail #verification #broken #itsecurity #itsec #degoogle #degoogled

How the Company enforces power over users based on their data:

«Google Broke reCAPTCHA for De-Googled Android Users
Google has tied its next-generation reCAPTCHA system to Google Play Services on Android, meaning anyone running a de-Googled phone will automatically fail verification when the system decides to challenge them.»

😤 https://reclaimthenet.org/google-broke-recaptcha-for-de-googled-android-users
--
#google #android #recaptcha #googleplay #smartphone #fail #verification #broken #itsecurity #itsec #degoogle #degoogled

How the Company enforces power over users based on their data:

«Google Broke reCAPTCHA for De-Googled Android Users
Google has tied its next-generation reCAPTCHA system to Google Play Services on Android, meaning anyone running a de-Googled phone will automatically fail verification when the system decides to challenge them.»

😤 https://reclaimthenet.org/google-broke-recaptcha-for-de-googled-android-users
--
#google #android #recaptcha #googleplay #smartphone #fail #verification #broken #itsecurity #itsec #degoogle #degoogled

Looks like #Google managed to sneak #PlatformAttestation into #Android after all, after their insidious #WEI proposal was shot down by pubic outcry. They've tied the nextgen #reCAPTCHA to the Android #PlayServices.

Upon detection of suspicious activity, you'll be asked to scan a QR code with Play Services running. The users of #degoogled Android like #Graphene will no longer be able to solve it. You'll be restricted to devices blessed by Google.

https://reclaimthenet.org/google-broke-recaptcha-for-de-googled-android-users

[1/6]

Oh no! Google's #reCAPTCHA stopped working for de-googled #Android users! 😱 Clearly, the real tragedy here is that those poor souls are now deprived of the privilege of proving they're not robots to the very company they're trying to avoid. 🙄
https://reclaimthenet.org/google-broke-recaptcha-for-de-googled-android-users #Google #degoogled #users #tech #issues #privacy #concerns #robot #detection #HackerNews #ngated

Alright I think I'm all setup with my new number and back on degoogled android. Maybe one day I can run a proper Linux phone but this is at least a step in the right direction.

#Degoogled #Android #DeGoogledAndroid

@tomgwynplaine Nie jestem zaawansowanym użytkownikiem, ale przypuszczam, że odpowiedzią na Twoje pytanie może być system /e/. #eOS #Murena #degoogled

I posted this on Lemmy, but think it's worth reposting here. With the news that Google is locking down Android more, and making it more difficult to install apps of ones own choosing, there is likely going to be more interest in alternatives to Google branded Android.

The best general resource for instructions on how to unlock your phone's bootloader and flash alternate AOSP ROM's or non-Android OS's is https://xdaforums.com/

Please note that not all carriers and oem's allow you to unlock the bootloader though, so choose your device carefully for this.

You will also most likely need a PC (desktop or laptop) with adb & fastboot on it. These are apps used in the terminal, but you only need to copy and paste a few commands into them to use it.

If you have a Google Pixel then best option is Graphene - https://grapheneos.org/

For other devices you can use a "degoogled" Android ROM and get apps from the open source F-Droid app store - https://f-droid.org/

Some choices for this are:

Lineage - https://lineageos.org/

crDroid - https://crdroid.net/

/e/os - https://e.foundation/e-os/

Iode - https://iode.tech/iodeos/

OR use a a true alternative mobile OS. Options for this are:

Ubuntu Touch - https://www.ubuntu-touch.io/

Sailfish OS - https://sailfishos.org/

Mobian - https://mobian-project.org/

Postmarket OS - https://postmarketos.org/

Plasma Mobile - https://plasma-mobile.org/

Droidian - https://droidian.org/

You can also purchase devices with alternative OS's already preinstalled from:

Volla - https://volla.online/en/devices/

Jolla - https://jolla.com/

Fairphone - https://fairphone.com/

Murena - https://murena.com/

Furilabs - https://furilabs.com/

Brax - https://www.braxtech.net/

I posted this on Lemmy, but think it's worth reposting here. With the news that Google is locking down Android more, and making it more difficult to install apps of ones own choosing, there is likely going to be more interest in alternatives to Google branded Android.

The best general resource for instructions on how to unlock your phone's bootloader and flash alternate AOSP ROM's or non-Android OS's is https://xdaforums.com/

Please note that not all carriers and oem's allow you to unlock the bootloader though, so choose your device carefully for this.

You will also most likely need a PC (desktop or laptop) with adb & fastboot on it. These are apps used in the terminal, but you only need to copy and paste a few commands into them to use it.

If you have a Google Pixel then best option is Graphene - https://grapheneos.org/

For other devices you can use a "degoogled" Android ROM and get apps from the open source F-Droid app store - https://f-droid.org/

Some choices for this are:

Lineage - https://lineageos.org/

crDroid - https://crdroid.net/

/e/os - https://e.foundation/e-os/

Iode - https://iode.tech/iodeos/

OR use a a true alternative mobile OS. Options for this are:

Ubuntu Touch - https://www.ubuntu-touch.io/

Sailfish OS - https://sailfishos.org/

Mobian - https://mobian-project.org/

Postmarket OS - https://postmarketos.org/

Plasma Mobile - https://plasma-mobile.org/

Droidian - https://droidian.org/

You can also purchase devices with alternative OS's already preinstalled from:

Volla - https://volla.online/en/devices/

Jolla - https://jolla.com/

Fairphone - https://fairphone.com/

Murena - https://murena.com/

Furilabs - https://furilabs.com/

Brax - https://www.braxtech.net/

I posted this on Lemmy, but think it's worth reposting here. With the news that Google is locking down Android more, and making it more difficult to install apps of ones own choosing, there is likely going to be more interest in alternatives to Google branded Android.

The best general resource for instructions on how to unlock your phone's bootloader and flash alternate AOSP ROM's or non-Android OS's is https://xdaforums.com/

Please note that not all carriers and oem's allow you to unlock the bootloader though, so choose your device carefully for this.

You will also most likely need a PC (desktop or laptop) with adb & fastboot on it. These are apps used in the terminal, but you only need to copy and paste a few commands into them to use it.

If you have a Google Pixel then best option is Graphene - https://grapheneos.org/

For other devices you can use a "degoogled" Android ROM and get apps from the open source F-Droid app store - https://f-droid.org/

Some choices for this are:

Lineage - https://lineageos.org/

crDroid - https://crdroid.net/

/e/os - https://e.foundation/e-os/

Iode - https://iode.tech/iodeos/

OR use a a true alternative mobile OS. Options for this are:

Ubuntu Touch - https://www.ubuntu-touch.io/

Sailfish OS - https://sailfishos.org/

Mobian - https://mobian-project.org/

Postmarket OS - https://postmarketos.org/

Plasma Mobile - https://plasma-mobile.org/

Droidian - https://droidian.org/

You can also purchase devices with alternative OS's already preinstalled from:

Volla - https://volla.online/en/devices/

Jolla - https://jolla.com/

Fairphone - https://fairphone.com/

Murena - https://murena.com/

Furilabs - https://furilabs.com/

Brax - https://www.braxtech.net/

We did it beim DUT in Wiesloch.

Okay, eigentlich war es @aligyie
Danke!

Ein Nokia 8 (2018) läuft jetzt googlefrei mit Android 15.

#DUT #DIDit #DUTgemacht #Wiesloch #Nokia #LineageOS #deGoogled #deGoogledAndroid #UnplugBigTech

#Degoogled Photos? Yes, it's possible. ✅🏞️

The Big Tech does not need to scan & have access to your pictures & videos 👉 use a Google Photos alternative instead.

Find out which open source photo storage we'd recommend: https://tuta.com/blog/google-photos-alternative 

#GooglePhotos #DeGoogle 

Try a #degoogled smartphone with #IodeOS. Excellent Intuitive privacy dashboard. Stop #tracker #blocking

https://shop.iode.tech/ref/1309/

Try a #degoogled smartphone with #IodeOS. Excellent Intuitive privacy dashboard. Stop #tracker #blocking

https://shop.iode.tech/ref/1309/

The new Quintus de-googled phone from German company Volla is now available for advance order via Indiegogo.

Links depend on whether you are in EU or outside.

#degoogled #linuxphone

@volla

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/volla-phone-quintus/

The new Quintus de-googled phone from German company Volla is now available for advance order via Indiegogo.

Links depend on whether you are in EU or outside.

#degoogled #linuxphone

@volla

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/volla-phone-quintus/

The new Quintus de-googled phone from German company Volla is now available for advance order via Indiegogo.

Links depend on whether you are in EU or outside.

#degoogled #linuxphone

@volla

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/volla-phone-quintus/

The new Quintus de-googled phone from German company Volla is now available for advance order via Indiegogo.

Links depend on whether you are in EU or outside.

#degoogled #linuxphone

@volla

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/volla-phone-quintus/

The new Quintus de-googled phone from German company Volla is now available for advance order via Indiegogo.

Links depend on whether you are in EU or outside.

#degoogled #linuxphone

@volla

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/volla-phone-quintus/

AI Hub für Android: Mehrere KI-Tools in einer App

AI Hub ist spannend für alle, die auf GrapheneOS oder degoogled unterwegs sind und trotzdem bequem AI auf Android nutzen wollen.

Statt App-Chaos bündelt AI Hub mehrere KI-Dienste in einer Oberfläche. Schnell wechseln, vergleichen und direkt loslegen — genau das macht die App so interessant.

#GrapheneOS #Android #DeGoogled #AI #OpenSource #FOSS #Mastodon #Nostr #RawInstinctAI #Love

Wer jetzt nicht unbedingt das Neuste sucht, findet mit dem Shift5me ein günstiges Smartphone ohne Google und zum einfachen selbst reparieren. Gut für Oma & Opa oder die Kids. Aktuell im Abverkauf für 177 Euro www.shift.eco/shift5me/ #Ungoogled #DeGoogled #Googlefree #googlefrei

@viralobscurity @omgubuntu while I agree with the sentiment, no part of it will help with the issues described in the original post.

Media gatekeeping is worse than US cable media of decades earlier already and apps will be affected the same on android, play services or not. And while there is a way to get play store apps with a #degoogled OS like with #microG, the age verification framework will hit stern resistance with the userbase and apps will probably just not work.

Impractical for most.

@viralobscurity @omgubuntu while I agree with the sentiment, no part of it will help with the issues described in the original post.

Media gatekeeping is worse than US cable media of decades earlier already and apps will be affected the same on android, play services or not. And while there is a way to get play store apps with a #degoogled OS like with #microG, the age verification framework will hit stern resistance with the userbase and apps will probably just not work.

Impractical for most.

@viralobscurity @omgubuntu while I agree with the sentiment, no part of it will help with the issues described in the original post.

Media gatekeeping is worse than US cable media of decades earlier already and apps will be affected the same on android, play services or not. And while there is a way to get play store apps with a #degoogled OS like with #microG, the age verification framework will hit stern resistance with the userbase and apps will probably just not work.

Impractical for most.

@viralobscurity @omgubuntu while I agree with the sentiment, no part of it will help with the issues described in the original post.

Media gatekeeping is worse than US cable media of decades earlier already and apps will be affected the same on android, play services or not. And while there is a way to get play store apps with a #degoogled OS like with #microG, the age verification framework will hit stern resistance with the userbase and apps will probably just not work.

Impractical for most.

@viralobscurity @omgubuntu while I agree with the sentiment, no part of it will help with the issues described in the original post.

Media gatekeeping is worse than US cable media of decades earlier already and apps will be affected the same on android, play services or not. And while there is a way to get play store apps with a #degoogled OS like with #microG, the age verification framework will hit stern resistance with the userbase and apps will probably just not work.

Impractical for most.

Ich hab aufgehört, meinem Handy zu misstrauen. GrapheneOS hat das geändert.

Kein Google, kein Tracking, kein "wir meinen es gut mit dir". Nur ich, mein Gerät – und Open Source bis in die Knochen.

Es fühlt sich an wie endlich frische Luft nach Jahren in einem Raum ohne Fenster. 🪟✨

#GrapheneOS #FOSS #OpenSource #Privacy #DeGoogled #DigitalFreedom #Android #DeGoogledAndroid

yaay @mollyim released v8.2.2-3 finally fixing the broken #unifiedpush notifications bug 🥳

https://molly.im

#molly #MollySocket #Signal #Fork #FOSS #degoogled #android

🌐 Still using Chrome in 2026?

Chrome sees EVERYTHING:
Every search. Every site. Every click.
All sent to Google 24/7. 📡

I tested 4 browsers so you don't have to:

🔴 Chrome — tracks everything. Avoid.
🟡 Vivaldi — better, but not fully open
🟢 Cromite — FOSS, de-Googled Chrome
🦊 IronFox — the privacy king. My daily.

Full comparison in the image 👇
Which one are YOU using?

#privacy #android #foss #degoogled
#browser #opensource #Quad9 #IronFox

🛡️ Most people use Google DNS (8.8.8.8)
— Google logs EVERY site you visit.

The fix? 9.9.9.9 — Quad9 DNS

⚙️ SETUP IN 30 SECONDS

Android (Private DNS):
Settings → Network → Private DNS →
Type: dns.quad9.net ✅

IPv4: 9.9.9.9 / 149.112.112.112
IPv6: 2620:fe::fe / 2620:fe::9
DoH: https://dns.quad9.net/dns-query
DoT: tls://dns.quad9.net

Here's why it's a PRIVACY SUPERPOWER 🧵👇

#privacy #dns #quad9 #foss #degoogled
#android #privacymatters #cybersecurity

Szanowny Użytkowniku Google! 🖋️

Gdy proszę Cię o przesłanie dokładnego adresu, to nie chodzi o przesłanie mi pinezki Google. Wiem, chcesz mi pomóc. Ale wychodzi dokładnie przeciwnie. 😫

Gdy w moim małym telefonie (bez Google) otwieram Twój link do pinezki Google, bardzo trudno z tego skorzystać. Pewnie nie zdajesz sobie sprawy, że wiele miejsc nie ma wyraźnie przypisanego adresu. Więc nic nie dają mi informacje podawane przy pinezce przez Google. Muszę oddalać mapę i samodzielnie porównywać ją z mapą na moim zestawie nawigacyjnym (aplikacji, która NIE jest mapami Google) i szukać tego miejsca na mapie "na piechotę". Tracę czas, a gdy się śpieszę - bo właśnie jadę odebrać Cię z miejsca, które zaznaczyłeś pinezką Gooble - to jeszcze tracę nerwy.

Naprawdę, gdy proszę Cię o podanie dokładnego adresu, to NIE chodzi mi po podanie pinezki. Nasz kraj dopracował się systemu nazewnictwa wszystkich miejsc (czyli systemu adresowego) i nie potrzebujemy alternatywnego "standardu" adresowania, którego właścicielem jest potężna korporacja zza oceanu.

Z poważeniem,

ja.

#Google #BezGoogle #życieBezGoogle #deGoogle #deGoogled

Ich versteh nicht, was alle haben. 🤷
GrapheneOS läuft bei mir einfach. Alles. Kein Rumgebastele – nur ein OS, das genau das tut, was ich will, ohne mich zu tracken oder zu bevormunden.
Was die da hingezaubert haben ist unglaublich. Android, wie es sein sollte – sauber, schnell, respektvoll.
Wer noch zögert: einfach machen. Bestes Upgrade, das ich meinem Handy je gegönnt hab. 🔒
#GrapheneOS #Privacy #DeGoogled #FOSS #MobilePrivacy

https://thual.eu/articles/2026-03-17-unified-attestation-verification-integrite-android.html

Un peu de recul sur UnifiedAttestation, proposition d'API européenne concurrente à Play Integrity.

Plusieurs questions attendent encore des réponses.

#degoogled #android #volla #grapheneos #unifiedattestation

2 deutsche Smartphones, die googlefrei sind, im ausführlichen Test bei die Zeit! Volla Phone Quintus & Shiftphone 8 (bekommt bald #CalyxOS) #VollaOS #eOS #ungoogled #googlefrei #UnplugBigTech #Shift #Volla #Shiftphone #VollaPhone #Murena #UbuntuTouch #Datenschutz #DeGoogled

RE: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:42pjb4dy3p3ubiekmwpkthen/post/3mgz2vk7epe2v

Pixel Watch 2 - Privacy Preserving Setup

I've been trying everything i could think of to make the watch work under GrapheneOS - Here is what i learned:

• Unpairing the Watch means factory resetting it.
• Every feature (literally everything) is google dependent (who would have thought.. i know)
• Pairing with your phone requires the "Pixel Watch" -App to be installed on your main profile (not work, not private space) alongside Google Play Services. There's no way around.

This is obviously unacceptable. So i did a bit of research and found a way that will not only be way more practical, it will also be private.

First i created a second user on my Phone, installed Google Play Services and the pixel watch app on it, logged in with a newly created google account and completed the setup.

I know some people use a chinese version of the WearOS app to bypass the google login. Since i don't want a chinese app to configure my watch, i didn't even try that.

After the watch was set up, i continued and:

• Deleted the user profile from which i connected the Watch
• Enabled wireless debugging
• Debloated the watch as good as possible (i will have to root the watch in the future to properly do it)
• Removed the Google account in the settings
• Cleared all Bluetooth preferences
• Enabled Bluetooth discovery
• Installed KDE Connect on it (not meant for WearOS but it does work barely)

The watch is now in a state where i can use it daily.

But i also want to make use of all those fancy quality-of-life features, like heartrate monitoring, sleep tracking and so on.

Now comes the fun part.

I've created a basic Kotlin project with both a mobile and WearOS app.

I will implement features like:

• Notification sync
• Call notifications
• Media Player Control
• Weather (openweathermap)
• Heartrate monitoring
• Sleep tracking
• Do not Distrurb Sync
• Homelab integrations (Nextcloud, Immich, Uptime Kuma, ..)
• And much more ..

The goal is to keep the watch offline, let the phone do the heavy lifting and communicate with a selfhosted database. I may even add a frontend and an API so people can integrate it for their needs.

Sounds good but why don't you just buy an #opensource #smartwatch like the #pinetime - You may ask.

Because as much as i hate to admit it, i love the design, the look and feel of the pixel watch. And i'm sure that i'm not the only one.

I also bought this one cheap for around 120€ #refurbished. So the value i can get out of it seems pretty good to me.

So much for today. I haven't even started tackling the Bluetooth connection yet 😅. Let's see how that turns out

I have added a poll to this post to see how many people would be interested in a setup like this. Please let me know if you have any suggestions, ideas or expertise in that regard.

Cheers.

#privacy #security #android #google #pixel #pixelwatch #degoogle #degoogling #degoogled #adb #rooting #grapheneos #smartwatch #development #wearos #bluetooth #qualityoflife #GooglePlay #GooglePlayServices #frontend #api #selfhosting #selfhosted #homelab #opensource

Pixel Watch 2 - Privacy Preserving Setup

I've been trying everything i could think of to make the watch work under GrapheneOS - Here is what i learned:

• Unpairing the Watch means factory resetting it.
• Every feature (literally everything) is google dependent (who would have thought.. i know)
• Pairing with your phone requires the "Pixel Watch" -App to be installed on your main profile (not work, not private space) alongside Google Play Services. There's no way around.

This is obviously unacceptable. So i did a bit of research and found a way that will not only be way more practical, it will also be private.

First i created a second user on my Phone, installed Google Play Services and the pixel watch app on it, logged in with a newly created google account and completed the setup.

I know some people use a chinese version of the WearOS app to bypass the google login. Since i don't want a chinese app to configure my watch, i didn't even try that.

After the watch was set up, i continued and:

• Deleted the user profile from which i connected the Watch
• Enabled wireless debugging
• Debloated the watch as good as possible (i will have to root the watch in the future to properly do it)
• Removed the Google account in the settings
• Cleared all Bluetooth preferences
• Enabled Bluetooth discovery
• Installed KDE Connect on it (not meant for WearOS but it does work barely)

The watch is now in a state where i can use it daily.

But i also want to make use of all those fancy quality-of-life features, like heartrate monitoring, sleep tracking and so on.

Now comes the fun part.

I've created a basic Kotlin project with both a mobile and WearOS app.

I will implement features like:

• Notification sync
• Call notifications
• Media Player Control
• Weather (openweathermap)
• Heartrate monitoring
• Sleep tracking
• Do not Distrurb Sync
• Homelab integrations (Nextcloud, Immich, Uptime Kuma, ..)
• And much more ..

The goal is to keep the watch offline, let the phone do the heavy lifting and communicate with a selfhosted database. I may even add a frontend and an API so people can integrate it for their needs.

Sounds good but why don't you just buy an #opensource #smartwatch like the #pinetime - You may ask.

Because as much as i hate to admit it, i love the design, the look and feel of the pixel watch. And i'm sure that i'm not the only one.

I also bought this one cheap for around 120€ #refurbished. So the value i can get out of it seems pretty good to me.

So much for today. I haven't even started tackling the Bluetooth connection yet 😅. Let's see how that turns out

I have added a poll to this post to see how many people would be interested in a setup like this. Please let me know if you have any suggestions, ideas or expertise in that regard.

Cheers.

#privacy #security #android #google #pixel #pixelwatch #degoogle #degoogling #degoogled #adb #rooting #grapheneos #smartwatch #development #wearos #bluetooth #qualityoflife #GooglePlay #GooglePlayServices #frontend #api #selfhosting #selfhosted #homelab #opensource

Pixel Watch 2 - Privacy Preserving Setup

I've been trying everything i could think of to make the watch work under GrapheneOS - Here is what i learned:

• Unpairing the Watch means factory resetting it.
• Every feature (literally everything) is google dependent (who would have thought.. i know)
• Pairing with your phone requires the "Pixel Watch" -App to be installed on your main profile (not work, not private space) alongside Google Play Services. There's no way around.

This is obviously unacceptable. So i did a bit of research and found a way that will not only be way more practical, it will also be private.

First i created a second user on my Phone, installed Google Play Services and the pixel watch app on it, logged in with a newly created google account and completed the setup.

I know some people use a chinese version of the WearOS app to bypass the google login. Since i don't want a chinese app to configure my watch, i didn't even try that.

After the watch was set up, i continued and:

• Deleted the user profile from which i connected the Watch
• Enabled wireless debugging
• Debloated the watch as good as possible (i will have to root the watch in the future to properly do it)
• Removed the Google account in the settings
• Cleared all Bluetooth preferences
• Enabled Bluetooth discovery
• Installed KDE Connect on it (not meant for WearOS but it does work barely)

The watch is now in a state where i can use it daily.

But i also want to make use of all those fancy quality-of-life features, like heartrate monitoring, sleep tracking and so on.

Now comes the fun part.

I've created a basic Kotlin project with both a mobile and WearOS app.

I will implement features like:

• Notification sync
• Call notifications
• Media Player Control
• Weather (openweathermap)
• Heartrate monitoring
• Sleep tracking
• Do not Distrurb Sync
• Homelab integrations (Nextcloud, Immich, Uptime Kuma, ..)
• And much more ..

The goal is to keep the watch offline, let the phone do the heavy lifting and communicate with a selfhosted database. I may even add a frontend and an API so people can integrate it for their needs.

Sounds good but why don't you just buy an #opensource #smartwatch like the #pinetime - You may ask.

Because as much as i hate to admit it, i love the design, the look and feel of the pixel watch. And i'm sure that i'm not the only one.

I also bought this one cheap for around 120€ #refurbished. So the value i can get out of it seems pretty good to me.

So much for today. I haven't even started tackling the Bluetooth connection yet 😅. Let's see how that turns out

I have added a poll to this post to see how many people would be interested in a setup like this. Please let me know if you have any suggestions, ideas or expertise in that regard.

Cheers.

#privacy #security #android #google #pixel #pixelwatch #degoogle #degoogling #degoogled #adb #rooting #grapheneos #smartwatch #development #wearos #bluetooth #qualityoflife #GooglePlay #GooglePlayServices #frontend #api #selfhosting #selfhosted #homelab #opensource

Pixel Watch 2 - Privacy Preserving Setup

I've been trying everything i could think of to make the watch work under GrapheneOS - Here is what i learned:

• Unpairing the Watch means factory resetting it.
• Every feature (literally everything) is google dependent (who would have thought.. i know)
• Pairing with your phone requires the "Pixel Watch" -App to be installed on your main profile (not work, not private space) alongside Google Play Services. There's no way around.

This is obviously unacceptable. So i did a bit of research and found a way that will not only be way more practical, it will also be private.

First i created a second user on my Phone, installed Google Play Services and the pixel watch app on it, logged in with a newly created google account and completed the setup.

I know some people use a chinese version of the WearOS app to bypass the google login. Since i don't want a chinese app to configure my watch, i didn't even try that.

After the watch was set up, i continued and:

• Deleted the user profile from which i connected the Watch
• Enabled wireless debugging
• Debloated the watch as good as possible (i will have to root the watch in the future to properly do it)
• Removed the Google account in the settings
• Cleared all Bluetooth preferences
• Enabled Bluetooth discovery
• Installed KDE Connect on it (not meant for WearOS but it does work barely)

The watch is now in a state where i can use it daily.

But i also want to make use of all those fancy quality-of-life features, like heartrate monitoring, sleep tracking and so on.

Now comes the fun part.

I've created a basic Kotlin project with both a mobile and WearOS app.

I will implement features like:

• Notification sync
• Call notifications
• Media Player Control
• Weather (openweathermap)
• Heartrate monitoring
• Sleep tracking
• Do not Distrurb Sync
• Homelab integrations (Nextcloud, Immich, Uptime Kuma, ..)
• And much more ..

The goal is to keep the watch offline, let the phone do the heavy lifting and communicate with a selfhosted database. I may even add a frontend and an API so people can integrate it for their needs.

Sounds good but why don't you just buy an #opensource #smartwatch like the #pinetime - You may ask.

Because as much as i hate to admit it, i love the design, the look and feel of the pixel watch. And i'm sure that i'm not the only one.

I also bought this one cheap for around 120€ #refurbished. So the value i can get out of it seems pretty good to me.

So much for today. I haven't even started tackling the Bluetooth connection yet 😅. Let's see how that turns out

I have added a poll to this post to see how many people would be interested in a setup like this. Please let me know if you have any suggestions, ideas or expertise in that regard.

Cheers.

#privacy #security #android #google #pixel #pixelwatch #degoogle #degoogling #degoogled #adb #rooting #grapheneos #smartwatch #development #wearos #bluetooth #qualityoflife #GooglePlay #GooglePlayServices #frontend #api #selfhosting #selfhosted #homelab #opensource

Pixel Watch 2 - Privacy Preserving Setup

I've been trying everything i could think of to make the watch work under GrapheneOS - Here is what i learned:

• Unpairing the Watch means factory resetting it.
• Every feature (literally everything) is google dependent (who would have thought.. i know)
• Pairing with your phone requires the "Pixel Watch" -App to be installed on your main profile (not work, not private space) alongside Google Play Services. There's no way around.

This is obviously unacceptable. So i did a bit of research and found a way that will not only be way more practical, it will also be private.

First i created a second user on my Phone, installed Google Play Services and the pixel watch app on it, logged in with a newly created google account and completed the setup.

I know some people use a chinese version of the WearOS app to bypass the google login. Since i don't want a chinese app to configure my watch, i didn't even try that.

After the watch was set up, i continued and:

• Deleted the user profile from which i connected the Watch
• Enabled wireless debugging
• Debloated the watch as good as possible (i will have to root the watch in the future to properly do it)
• Removed the Google account in the settings
• Cleared all Bluetooth preferences
• Enabled Bluetooth discovery
• Installed KDE Connect on it (not meant for WearOS but it does work barely)

The watch is now in a state where i can use it daily.

But i also want to make use of all those fancy quality-of-life features, like heartrate monitoring, sleep tracking and so on.

Now comes the fun part.

I've created a basic Kotlin project with both a mobile and WearOS app.

I will implement features like:

• Notification sync
• Call notifications
• Media Player Control
• Weather (openweathermap)
• Heartrate monitoring
• Sleep tracking
• Do not Distrurb Sync
• Homelab integrations (Nextcloud, Immich, Uptime Kuma, ..)
• And much more ..

The goal is to keep the watch offline, let the phone do the heavy lifting and communicate with a selfhosted database. I may even add a frontend and an API so people can integrate it for their needs.

Sounds good but why don't you just buy an #opensource #smartwatch like the #pinetime - You may ask.

Because as much as i hate to admit it, i love the design, the look and feel of the pixel watch. And i'm sure that i'm not the only one.

I also bought this one cheap for around 120€ #refurbished. So the value i can get out of it seems pretty good to me.

So much for today. I haven't even started tackling the Bluetooth connection yet 😅. Let's see how that turns out

I have added a poll to this post to see how many people would be interested in a setup like this. Please let me know if you have any suggestions, ideas or expertise in that regard.

Cheers.

#privacy #security #android #google #pixel #pixelwatch #degoogle #degoogling #degoogled #adb #rooting #grapheneos #smartwatch #development #wearos #bluetooth #qualityoflife #GooglePlay #GooglePlayServices #frontend #api #selfhosting #selfhosted #homelab #opensource

Anyone in #prague using a #degoogled phone? Im looking for info on how well the pid #litacka app works. The plexus database gives it a bronze rating but its not clear if ill be able to use it.

#praha #lítačka #EOS #fairphone #degoogle #ceskarepublika

@bloui @jbouchez Les alternatives sont un sujet de plus en plus "tendance" et tant mieux! Par contre beaucoup oublient de questionner leurs #besoins! Consommer moins, viser le #minimalisme (#numérique comme autre) permet aussi de faire des choix. Nous ne sommes pas obliger de tout remplacer! Personnellement, le plus difficile c'est de faire adhérer mes proches à mes nouveaux #outils ( les miens sont accrochés à leur #Whatsapp comme les moules à leur rocher!). #GAFAM #deGOOGLEd #déGAFAMiser