GrapheneOS Archives

AppWizard

May 15, 2026

Android 16 Bug Allows Apps to Ignore VPNs and Leak IP Addresses

Android 16 may have a vulnerability that allows applications to bypass VPN protections, potentially exposing users' IP addresses. A security engineer reported this issue through Google’s Vulnerability Reward Program, but Google's security team deemed it "infeasible" to address. The vulnerability lies within the ConnectivityManager system service, which circumvents the VPN tunnel, leading to unencrypted traffic and exposure of sensitive information. This issue persists even with "Always-on VPN" or "Block connections without VPN" features enabled. Although there is no confirmed exploitation of this vulnerability, it poses ongoing risks for users. GrapheneOS has patched the issue, indicating a fix is possible. A debug command has been identified as a temporary workaround for affected users, but it requires caution and understanding of USB debugging mode.

AppWizard

March 3, 2026

This Privacy-First Android Software Is Coming to Future Motorola Phones

GrapheneOS will soon be available on a wider range of devices beyond its traditional exclusivity to Google Pixel smartphones, thanks to a partnership with Motorola. Motorola will provide production support for select upcoming devices, with an initial focus on high-end models such as the Motorola Signature series, Motorola razr fold, and Motorola razr ultra. Specific device compatibility details are not yet disclosed, but GrapheneOS is preparing for a 2027 launch. There are plans for potential future expansion to midrange and budget-friendly models, including popular lines like the Moto G and Moto Edge. Additionally, Motorola is exploring the integration of some privacy features from GrapheneOS into its main operating system, which will be separate from the option to run GrapheneOS itself. Previously, GrapheneOS was exclusively available on Google Pixel devices, including around 20 different models from the Pixel 6 to the Pixel 10 series.

AppWizard

March 3, 2026

With developer verification, Google’s Apple envy threatens to dismantle Android’s open legacy

The F-Droid team published an open letter to Google, supported by 35 organizations, expressing concerns about Google's changes to the Android ecosystem. Many Android users rely on Google for app installations, facing challenges when trying to use alternative app stores or open-source apps without verification. Some developers are shifting to progressive web apps instead of Android. Alternatives to Google's verification system include non-certified Android devices and privacy-focused ROMs like LineageOS or GrapheneOS, but these options come with security vulnerabilities and installation difficulties for most users. Telecom companies impose restrictions on devices to ensure they work on their networks, leading to a reliance on stock software and security updates from Google and manufacturers.

AppWizard

October 28, 2025

Pixel Camera finally works again on GrapheneOS — and no downgrade is needed

The Pixel Camera app has faced issues on de-Googled operating systems like GrapheneOS, crashing or failing to launch without Google Play Services due to a missing font. Users have reverted to older app versions for functionality. A solution is available for GrapheneOS users on version v2025102300 and earlier, allowing them to install the GmsCompatLib app version 100 from the GrapheneOS store to fix the crashing issue. An upcoming update, version v2025102600, is in Alpha and will include the necessary fixes natively, eliminating the need for the compatibility app. Users can choose to install the app or wait for the system update.

AppWizard

October 23, 2025

The Pixel Camera app now requires Play Services for the silliest of reasons (APK teardown)

The latest update of the Pixel Camera app (version 10.x) has introduced a dependency on Google Play Services, causing crashes and preventing the app from launching on de-Googled systems like GrapheneOS. This issue stems from the app's requirement for the Google Sans Flex font, which is only available through Google Play Services. A crash log indicated that the new version references this font resource ID (0x7f090013), a change not present in the previous version (9.9), which worked on de-Googled Android builds. Users can revert to the older version (9.9.106.773153235.19) or use sandboxed Play Services to continue using the latest version without issues.

AppWizard

October 23, 2025

It looks like Google just locked out GrapheneOS users from the Pixel Camera app

Google's Pixel Camera app version 10.x is incompatible with privacy-centric operating systems like GrapheneOS, requiring Google Play Services and causing crashes for users who prefer a de-Googled experience. Users can revert to version 9.9.106.773153235.19 (Build ID 68469120) through the Aurora Store by uninstalling the current app and installing the older version, while blocking future updates. Users with sandboxed Google Play Services on GrapheneOS report no issues with the latest update, indicating a divide in experiences based on configurations. The GrapheneOS team plans to develop their own camera application aiming for Pixel-level image quality.