I have not any prior experience with installing custom ROMs, but after trying it out (and getting stuck, and googling and finding answers) I successfully did it. Below is my home screen if anybody is curious:
I use OpenBoard for my keyboard. Unfortunately I am still dependent on Play Store since some of the apps I need can only be found there. Sometimes it feels meaningless committing to this whole thing because I’m not perfectly private; then I think this is better than using a regular iPhone or Android phone.
So far I’m liking it. I am naturally inclined to feel hesitant about using this as my main phone and plugging in a SIM since it’s custom, but I’m slowly making the transition.
Feel free to share any beginners advice or your own experience using GOS for the first time. Cheers!
What is the main difference between using Play Store and Aurora store (logged in with your Google account)?
Aurora is a foss wrapper with fewer anti-features like ads. You could trust the client more ig if you’re using Aurora. I use F-Droid for most things and then Aurora for like 3 apps I’m not willing to give up and have no foss alternatives. I mostly just use Aurora out of principle for the apps I can’t get from F-Droid, but also I guess out of a lack of trust for Google (which I suppose is related to the principle of not using proprietary software anyway)
Aurora store has a cleaner interface with no ads and can be used without a google account.
I’m more curious about the privacy aspect of using Aurora over Play, especially considering since I will be logged into my G account.
When starting Aurora, you can choose between an anonymous account or your own. You can still use the anonymous option even if you are logged in to other services with google. If you go logged on anyways, I guess Google will not know your every tap with Aurora? I would think logged in, google play store and aurora would be comparable (not private).
Do you know if it’s safe to download banking apps from third party stores (in this case Aurora)?
It does download from google (servers), so it is safe enough
I have heard Aurora is more insecure and you can risk getting your Google account blacklisted or banned using it. Do you have any experience with this or know how common it is?
Thats easy, use the anonymous accounts. Only use your real one to install paid apps you already have (i dont) then logout
Just dont use your personal g acc (obviously), and its fine.
Excuse my ignorance, but why not use your own G account?
By not using your own g account I meant not using account that is assigned to your identity or account that you use for official things.
Unless you have some purchases on there and you want to use these, but you shouldnt use your own account for that in the first place.