CalyxOS Reviews and Details
This page is designed to help you find out whether CalyxOS is good and if it is the right choice for you.
Screenshots and images
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Landing page //
2023-05-01
Features & Specs
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Privacy-Focused
CalyxOS emphasizes user privacy by minimizing data collection and incorporating features like encrypted communications and privacy-respecting apps.
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Security Enhancements
Built on top of Android, CalyxOS includes additional security features such as verified boot and regular security patches to protect against vulnerabilities.
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De-Googled Experience
CalyxOS removes most proprietary Google software, providing a de-Googled experience for users who prefer not to have their data collected by Google services.
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Compatibility with Android Apps
CalyxOS supports F-Droid and Aurora Store, allowing users to install a wide range of open-source and Android apps while maintaining user privacy.
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Regular Updates
The OS receives regular updates to ensure that the latest security patches and features are available to users, helping to keep devices secure.
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User Control
CalyxOS provides users with a high level of control over their device's settings and permissions, enabling them to fine-tune their privacy and security.
Videos
CalyxOS Review: The Private & Secure Android ROM For Everyone!
GrapheneOS vs CalyxOS ULTIMATE COMPARISON (Battery & Speed Ft. Stock Android & iPhone)
Is CalyxOS good?
CalyxOS is considered a good choice for users who prioritize privacy and security on their Android devices. It delivers a balanced experience by offering necessary features with a strong emphasis on user control and minimal personal data collection.
Why choose CalyxOS?
- CalyxOS is designed with a strong focus on security and privacy. It offers an open-source operating system for Android devices that removes bloatware and implements privacy-preserving features such as better app permissions management, encrypted messaging through apps like Signal, and a hardened Linux kernel. Additionally, it includes microG, a free and open-source implementation of Googleโs proprietary Android user-space apps and libraries. This allows users to have Google services if needed, but without compromising their privacy.
Recommended for
- Privacy-conscious users who want to minimize their data exposure.
- Users who want to de-google their phone without losing the ability to use essential apps reliant on Google's services.
- Tech-savvy individuals who prefer using open-source software and enjoy customizing their devices.
External links
We have collected here some useful links to help you find out if CalyxOS is good.
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Check the traffic stats of CalyxOS on SimilarWeb. The key metrics to look for are: monthly visits, average visit duration, pages per visit, and traffic by country. Moreoever, check the traffic sources. For example "Direct" traffic is a good sign.
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Check the "Domain Rating" of CalyxOS on Ahrefs. The domain rating is a measure of the strength of a website's backlink profile on a scale from 0 to 100. It shows the strength of CalyxOS's backlink profile compared to the other websites. In most cases a domain rating of 60+ is considered good and 70+ is considered very good.
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Check the "Domain Authority" of CalyxOS on MOZ. A website's domain authority (DA) is a search engine ranking score that predicts how well a website will rank on search engine result pages (SERPs). It is based on a 100-point logarithmic scale, with higher scores corresponding to a greater likelihood of ranking. This is another useful metric to check if a website is good.
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The latest comments about CalyxOS on Reddit. This can help you find out how popualr the product is and what people think about it.
Social recommendations and mentions
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Google Pixel 4a old firmware is gone, trapping users on the buggy battery update
I use pixel 3 with https://calyxos.org/ as a home phone to play music, record videos, pictures etc. Calyxos is still providing extended support for 4a, but microG doesn't work as well compared to sandboxed google play services on grapheneos (which is use on my 7a). So if google services are not too important go ahead with calyxos. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
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Debloat non-rooted Android devices
For example https://androidauthority.com/grapheneos-3287030/ > "Even if you stomach the Pixel-only requirement" I have not and will not stomach that at all, nope! https://grapheneos.org/faq#supported-devices Nope! I wasn't paying attention, but if I remember, Alphabet/Google was funded to deploy/release Android operating system, and they also were financed to deploy some hardware phones before disappearing to let... - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
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Apple Confirms Governments Using Push Notifications to Surveil Users
I'm sure you did your research. I'm writing for other readers who are interested. There are a few alternatives, more can be found but this is a selection of the most prominent offerings. /e/OS: https://e.foundation/e-os/ GrapheneOS: https://grapheneos.org/ LineageOS: https://lineageos.org/ CalyxOS: https://calyxos.org/ PostmarketOS (based on Alpine Linux rather than Android): https://postmarketos.org/ (for some... - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
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us What's a good (under $500, preferably lower than $200 though) android for geeks?
Ironically, Pixels are the best for de-Googling. GrapheneOS requires a Pixel, as does CalyxOS for the most part. If you don't want your money going to Google, a used/refurb Pixel gets around that in my opinion. Source: about 3 years ago
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Youtube Premium via VPN
Oh I see makes sense, one closed system needs another ๐ but if you look at Android, look at https://grapheneos.org/ and https://calyxos.org/. Source: about 3 years ago
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Android vs Apple phones
I agree with your point, but wanted to ask, have you considered using a device with a degoogled AOSP-based OS like GrapheneOS or CalyxOS? Source: about 3 years ago
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to all windows 7 dota 2 player you have 248 days . to install windows 10
Privacy and user freedom is not a binary thing, so I think that thinking in terms of "wow, no Windows yet Android/iOS" is not useful at all. Even then, there are custom ROMs that are privacy-respecting; check, for example, https://calyxos.org/ or https://grapheneos.org/. Source: about 3 years ago
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Is Fairphone 5 coming this year?
If your phone runs fine, you can definitely wait for a new Fairphone to be released. If it doesn't, then I can recommend a couple of fixes: 1. Make a backup of your files, photos and videos, then do a factory reset of your phone. 2. If you have an Android phone and you're worried about not receiving security updates, install either LineageOS, GrapheneOS, CalyxOS, iodรฉOS, or /e/OS, depending on which project... Source: over 3 years ago
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Welp, android creeped me out again. Is there another smartphone os you'd recommend?
CalyxOS - Similar to GrapheneOS, it mostly supports Pixel devices, but (to my knowledge) doesn't have the same amount of features as GrapheneOS. I've never used it though so I'm probably wrong. Source: over 3 years ago
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why do a lot of linux users hate Google and its products?
Use ProtonMail/Tutanota instead of Gmail. Use Brave Search (get familiar with their new "Goggles Beta" feature; it's actually very cool and very useful) and Startpage search (gives you Google's search results, but privately). Use Cryptee or Cryptpad for your Google Docs alternative. Get a Google Pixel 6a and flash CalyxOS on it. Use Brave or Firefox/Librewolf. Source: over 3 years ago
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Nextcloud on Android
Another pretty good privacy OS is CalyxOS, which some say has a bit of a friendlier or more "accessible" community, and some would also say a more user friendly experience overall, while the OS itself is not quite as privacy preserving and "de-googled" as Graphene. Source: over 3 years ago
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Android Privacy Sandbox
I think you should look up some more info https://calyxos.org/. Source: over 3 years ago
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De-googled Android/Linuxphone Master Race
There's also CalyxOS and GrapheneOS for degoogled android builds on Google pixel phones. Which I already have a pixel phone and wanna try them on it but I don't wanna mess with backups and stuff on my phone either. And the pixel phone I have is my main phone. Source: over 3 years ago
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Pixel 4a might not get Android 14, as developer preview skips the device
Or just install DivestOS or CalyxOS and get OS updates and the AOSP security patches. Source: over 3 years ago
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My pixel spies on me
If you want to avoid this entirely, Pixel's are ironically the best platform to do it, but you need to flash an OS that is isolated from Google's ecosystem, like Graphene OS or Calyx OS... And give up all Google services, meaning no Play Store either. Source: over 3 years ago
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Fairphone 4 gets Android 12 on Feb 1st*
Not sure what android version it is btw, but I'll be running CalyxOS on my fairphone! Source: over 3 years ago
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How does you privacy friendly ecosystem look like?
I use calyx on my phone: https://calyxos.org/. Source: over 3 years ago
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Pwning the all Google phone with a non-Google bug
Can you not use CalyxOS [1]. It relocks the bootloader, although it doesn't come with any of the Google proprietary stuff. 1. https://calyxos.org/. - Source: Hacker News / over 3 years ago
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The Quest for a Dumber Phone
You can get a Pixel 5a 5G phone (selling on ebay for under $200) and then install CalyxOS on it. https://calyxos.org/ I'm going to grab one of the Jolla devices and give it a test drive next month. I think there's decent alternative out there where you can still maintain your privacy without having to step all the way down to a "dumb phone". - Source: Hacker News / over 3 years ago
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LineageOS 20
As a matter of fact, there have been unofficial builds [1], so it's not like the newer Pixel hardware isn't supported at all. Although being Exynos-based likely doesn't help. Besides Graphene, there's also CalyxOS [2], which is basically like LineageOS with MicroG [3]. 1. https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/rom-unofficial-raven-oriole-bluejay-lineageos-20-0-for-the-pixel-6-pro-6-6a.4504823/ 2. https://calyxos.org/... - Source: Hacker News / over 3 years ago
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What are the trade offs between graphene and calyx?
According to the CalyxOS website, they preinstall a number of apps, including Signal, Briar, F-Droid, Aurora Store, Riseup VPN, and Calyx VPN. Many of these apps are great, I've used many of these myself. Source: over 3 years ago
Summary of the public mentions of CalyxOS
CalyxOS has garnered notable attention as a privacy-focused alternative within the mobile operating system sphere, particularly among those seeking to decouple their smartphones from the pervasive integration of Google services. Set within the competitive landscape of Android alternatives, such as GrapheneOS, LineageOS, and others, CalyxOS distinguishes itself by emphasizing user privacy and data security.
Pinpointing Its Edge: Privacy-centric Features
CalyxOS stands out due to its meticulous approach to privacy. It comes preinstalled with Signal for encrypted messaging, Tor browser for anonymous browsing, and access to a trusted VPN service from the Calyx Institute. Moreover, it incorporates the open-source Aurora Store, which serves as an alternative to Google Play Store. Importantly, CalyxOS is devoid of native Google apps, though it provides the option to sideload microG for users who desire limited Google service functionality, ensuring that user anonymity remains largely intact.
Community and Device Compatibility
Critically, the community perception around CalyxOS is shaped by its device compatibility and the support it offers. The OSโs primary focus on Pixel devices has drawn both commendation and criticism. On one hand, its support for older Pixel models, such as the Pixel 4a, has been appreciated, particularly as Google ceases support for these older devices. On the other hand, individuals seeking a broader device compatibility akin to that seen in router firmware ecosystems lament the limited hardware range. This niche support in comparison to more universally adoptable options like LineageOS can sometimes be a deterrent for those outside the Google Pixel user base.
Comparative Analysis with Competitors
When juxtaposed against its closest competitor, GrapheneOS, CalyxOS is often viewed as slightly less privacy-intensive but possibly more user-friendly, especially for those transitioning from a traditional Android environment. Although some reviews suggest that GrapheneOS offers superior integration and stability when using alternatives to Google services, CalyxOSโs balancing act between functionality and privacy continues to command respect.
Public Impressions and Trade-offs
User opinions reflect a nuanced understanding of the trade-offs inherent in adopting CalyxOS. Users comment on the OS as a viable middle-ground offering for those wishing to maintain some semblance of the Android experience without wholesale adoption of Googleโs ecosystem. Additionally, discussions frequently highlight how CalyxOS, paired with Pixel devices, serves as a favored choice for users looking to reject Google's data collection practices while maintaining a robust and reliable smartphone experience.
Conclusion
In summary, CalyxOS represents a robust alternative for privacy-minded mobile users who prioritize open-source software and wish to avoid the omnipresence of Google services on their devices. While its limited hardware support may pose a barrier to entry for some, its commitment to privacy-centric features and ongoing community support sustain its relevance in an ever-evolving mobile OS landscape.
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CalyxOS discussion
Is CalyxOS good? This is an informative page that will help you find out. Moreover, you can review and discuss CalyxOS here. The primary details have not been verified within the last quarter, and they might be outdated. If you think we are missing something, please use the means on this page to comment or suggest changes. All reviews and comments are highly encouranged and appreciated as they help everyone in the community to make an informed choice. Please always be kind and objective when evaluating a product and sharing your opinion.