Basic Security Pixel 7 Security config for 2024

Last updated
May 23, 2024
Mobile brand
Google
Mobile model
Pixel 7
Phone OS
Android
Phone OS version
14
Phone OS Support status
Supported - Able to receive updates for OS and security
Phone OS Updates status
Automatic updates
Google Play Protect settings
    • Scan apps with Play Protect
    • Permissions for unused apps to be removed
Google Play system update
May 1, 2024
App store(s)
    • Google Play Store
    • Other APT/APK sources
App updates
Manually check and update apps*
Phone unlock
PIN (medium-high security)
Biometric security
    • Fingerprint(s)
    • Other biometrics
Stolen Device Protection
Security & Privacy Apps
None
Firewall & VPN Apps
Mullvad
Browser
Firefox
Password manager
Bitwarden
Authenticator
MS Authenticator, Aegis
Phone & Caller ID
Google Phone
Messaging
Whatsapp, Threema, Google Messages RCS and Signal
Music & Podcasts
YT Music, Musicolet
Photo & Video
Google Photos
Entertainment
Youtube, Netflix, Hotstar,Prime video
Note-taking
Google Notes
Cloud storage
Google Drive
Games
Homescapes and similar
Android launcher
Pixel Launcher
File and Photo backup
Google Drive, Google One, Near unlimited Google Photos backup till device EOL on 4a.
Subscriptions
    • Google One Basic 100GB
Notable changes
Android 14 May 2024 SP and Google Play System Update
What I'm looking for?

Looking for medium feedback.

Vasudev

Level 33
Thread author
Verified
Nov 8, 2014
2,236
Updated to July 2023 SP. Faced thermal issue on Pixel 7 after half a day with temps peaking to 45c on 24c ambient temps otherwise it would be below 33C. Had to run bg-dexopt-job to fix the issue as it forced to run app optimizations in foreground.
 

Vasudev

Level 33
Thread author
Verified
Nov 8, 2014
2,236
Between these 4 apps;
  • Which do you use the most?
  • Which offers the best privacy features?
  • Which is your overall personal preference?
  • Whatsapp, Signal, Google Messages.
  • Threema, Signal, Google Msgs, Whatsapp.
  • convenience wise google msgs.
 
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Reactions: harlan4096

Vasudev

Level 33
Thread author
Verified
Nov 8, 2014
2,236
How is the pixel 7 and battery life?
Its been great. Out of the box just connecting to WiFi it was just hot at 50C. Had to enable dev options to unlock BL lock and flash latest available firmware/software through pixe repair website on MS Edge/Chromium browser. Google Pixel - Update and Software Repair
It asked to install adb and add it to env path and proceeded to flash the phone afterwards it was much cooler during setup/migration from 4a. <45C most of the time. I disabled dual sim standby and always ON mobile data which improved idle battery life overnight by 5-7%
5G is a battery hog and I've limited LTE/5G so 5G always being ON lasts only 4hrs whereas on LTE 5-6hrs. With WiFi connected always, I can manage 8-10hrs. Honestly, no lags or whatsoever whilst compared to 4a. WiFi/BT range is amazing.
 

Vasudev

Level 33
Thread author
Verified
Nov 8, 2014
2,236
Upgraded to Android 14 Oct 23. Geekbench scores are much lower and thermal trip point seems to be dropped fro 42C to 36/37C. I tried benching with fixed performance mode and didn't make a difference even after running pm bg-dexopt-job .

Noticed ADB has lot more option to cleanup old unused dex files/artifacts in adb shell. pm art cleanup
Compile all apps(disk usage will be same as OEM default speed-profile): pm compile -r bg-dexopt -a
Compile all apps with optimized for speed and increased disk usage:pm compile -r bg-dexopt -m speed -a
Set fixed perf mode: adb shell cmd power set-fixed-performance-mode-enabled true
unset fixed perf or adaptive performance: adb shell cmd power set-fixed-performance-mode-enabled false
 
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F

ForgottenSeer 103564

Upgraded to Android 14 Oct 23. Geekbench scores are much lower and thermal trip point seems to be dropped fro 42C to 36/37C. I tried benching with fixed performance mode and didn't make a difference even after running pm bg-dexopt-job .

Noticed ADB has lot more option to cleanup old unused dex files/artifacts in adb shell. pm art cleanup
Compile all apps(disk usage will be same as OEM default speed-profile): pm compile -r bg-dexopt -a
Compile all apps with optimized for speed and increased disk usage:pm compile -r bg-dexopt -m speed -a
Set fixed perf mode: adb shell cmd power set-fixed-performance-mode-enabled true
unset fixed perf or adaptive performance: adb shell cmd power set-fixed-performance-mode-enabled false
I treat my pixel how i would a windows laptop, when windows upgrades came out i would clean install them, not upgrade them. Once the upgrade completed i factory reset it to a cleaned up version of 14, much better now.
 

Vasudev

Level 33
Thread author
Verified
Nov 8, 2014
2,236
I treat my pixel how i would a windows laptop, when windows upgrades came out i would clean install them, not upgrade them. Once the upgrade completed i factory reset it to a cleaned up version of 14, much better now.
With A/B seamless the apps resides in different partition/directory and only system files are moved from slot A or B. I don't see much different post 12L. With android 9,10,11,12L I have always upgraded to higher version, make a backup to g drive and then clean install or hard-reset. Its almost been 4 years since I've clean installed Win 10. I just do upgrade in-place nowadays due to avoid missing authenticator keys for company accounts on PC/Phone. Its hard to contact IT team to reset the auth keys.
 

Vasudev

Level 33
Thread author
Verified
Nov 8, 2014
2,236
Updated to Dec 2023 Feature Drop and Google Play system update for November 2023.
Updated Bitwarden KDF to OWASP recommended values.
 
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Reactions: harlan4096

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