Basic Security Oldschool's Pixel 9a Configuration

[oldschool]

Here's my initial setup for my new Pixel 9a. Getting acquainted with the Pixel UI and the whole Google experience before making the change to GrapheneOS. Should I be brave and take the plunge?

I may add Edge or Brave but I do very little browsing on the phone, so I added NextDNS protection for now.

 

[ErzCrz]

Grats on the new phone I suggest seeing how you get on with the PixelUI for a bit and then swap it out if you prefer Graphene. My smart phone is a work phone so I can't mess around with it. Anyway, looking forward to hearing how you get on with the Pixel 9

 

[Gandalf_The_Grey]

Congratulations
If you don't do much with your phone, is it worth the trouble of switching to GrapheneOS ?
The Pixel 9a is well supported by Google with 7 years of OS- and securityupdates.

 

[TuxTalk]

Just stick with GoogleOS, i have 8A and it rocks. Android 16 otw and already have the April security update ( Always on the 5th of each month )
7 years of updates, i will never change to any custom ROM. Banking apps can give you alot of trouble then.

 

[oldschool]

I suggest seeing how you get on with the PixelUI for a bit

That's been my plan all along ...

Just stick with GoogleOS, i have 8A and it rocks. Android 16 otw and already have the April security update ( Always on the 5th of each month )
7 years of updates, i will never change to any custom ROM. Banking apps can give you alot of trouble then.

I really like it, especially coming from a very old, very cheap Samsung, with their UI plastered on top of Google, on top of Android. I plan on giving Google OS a good, long, leisurely look. My phone needs are very simple. Very few needed apps, no banking or other important stuff done via phone. Mostly calling, texts, and a few other tasks. I like the Pixel since it doesn't force as much app bloat as Samsung, but there are still a lot of Google distractions that I've either yet to tame, or not able to disable. So we'll see. I'm in absolutely no rush.

That being said, I'm me a good candidate for Graphene, based on all the reading I've done. Installation with their web installer is nothing like the old days of side-loading ROMs, and all the hassles that entailed. I've still to get more info on the "what if" situation arises, and I want to revert to the stock OS. Graphene would give me even better battery life than I get with the 9a's bigger battery, plus the 7 years of updates that follow what Google provides. And the idea of a secure, pure stock Android OS, with no distractions, is very appealing ...

... so only time will tell, my friend.

 

[Sammo]

I love Pixels and have had them for years now. Currently have the Pixel 9 Pro w/512gb

 

[Zero Knowledge]

Pixel 9a looks superb! Congratulations on the new phone.

Should I be brave and take the plunge?

Nah I would keep stock Android. The security is pretty good with regular monthly patches and the way your most likely to get compromised is someone stealing your phone and having physical access at that point GrapheneOS won't help you. I find GrapheneOS sort of like Qubes, what or who are you trying protect your device from?

 

[Digmor Crusher]

Yup, I would stick with Android as well, just keep looking thru all the settings and set up everything how you like it, took me many hours to set up my Pixel and even now I discover a setting I didn't know was there.

 

[McLovin]

I'm interested on how you go with GrapheneOS.
Been looking at playing around with this on an old work Android phone.

 

[simmerskool]

That's been my plan all along ...
I really like it,

Yes congrats -- keep us updated!!

 

[oldschool]

Been looking at playing around with this on an old work Android phone.

FYI: GrapheneOS only works on Pixels.

 

[oldschool]

Yup, I would stick with Android as well, just keep looking thru all the settings and set up everything how you like it, took me many hours to set up my Pixel and even now I discover a setting I didn't know was there.

Actually, the plan always was to get very familiar with Pixel. I was considering GOS mainly because I prefer a minimalist setup. One thing holding me back is that the GOS UI is terribly plain., with stock black and white Android look throughout. There is one FOSS launcher called Lawnchair that is Pixel-based and highly configurable, so I'd probably use that. GOS should also result in better battery performance, but so far the 9a has been excellent with my usage pattern.

 

[oldschool]

I'm really enjoying my new phone, and haven't found much of anything to complain about.

 

[oldschool]

Installed the big May 5th security update.

 

[oldschool]

Installed PixelOS 16 update.

 

[ForgottenSeer 123526]

Are you utilizing full security features in your pixel such as the built in VPN and or now since the Android 16 update the Advanced Protections? Im a Pixel fan although I'm still rocking an older Pixel 6 I still qualified for the latest Android 16 so while I lack the built in VPN I'm able to utilize the Advanced Protections and like you also use NextDNS on it as well.

 

[oldschool]

Are you utilizing full security features in your pixel such as the built in VPN and or now since the Android 16 update the Advanced Protections?

Yes, on the advanced protections, and no, on the VPN.

 

[ForgottenSeer 123526]

Yes, on the advanced protections, and no, on the VPN.

Given the known conflicts, I was curious if you disable private DNS and enabled Google VPN on your mobile device when you're mobile such as occasional use cases, connected to a friend's Wi-Fi or a hotel network ect.

 

[oldschool]

Given the known conflicts,

I'm not sure I understand what you're referring to.

I was curious if you disable private DNS and enabled Google VPN on your mobile device when you're mobile such as occasional use cases, connected to a friend's Wi-Fi or a hotel network ect.

Haven't had the phone long enough to encounter such a use case, but I'll probably use it when I do, like when on public Wi-Fi.

 

[ForgottenSeer 123526]

I'm not sure I understand what you're referring to.

Many Nextdns users have reported Google VPN bypassing their custom DNS settings to use their own DNS Servers.