I use GrapheneOS with multiple profiles. My main profile contains only FOSS apps, along with two proprietary apps that have no network access. One secondary profile is for my personal Google account (just Gmail) for work and bills, while another is for a disposable Google account for apps like Google Maps when I need GPS.

On my PC, I maintain a browser profile for work Gmail, which I almost never check, and I don’t have anything else connected to Google.

I’m not entirely comfortable knowing that I’m not free from Google and still rely on some of their services. However, I feel much better than I did a few years ago, when Google had complete control over my phone and everything I did on it. Now, I feel free most of the time.

What about you? Do you feel free? Or does it ever seem like Google owns a part of your life? Share your thoughts with me

  • pcyoypxv@lemmy.mlOP
    1·
    5 hours ago

    though I still haven’t been able to give up YouTube yet. At least I’m never signed in.

    That’s good! Since you’re not logged in, you might want to try PipePipe, which is a fork of Newpipe. The only reason to stick with the official YouTube client is for the recommendations, but even then, I’d suggest checking out Morphe (https://morphe.software/). It’s an alternative to YouTube Revanced that patches the official client to remove ads and add other features.

    Knowing that Google isn’t peeking over my shoulder on my GrapheneOS phone is very freeing.

    I definitely relate to that feeling!