There are numerous operating systems available for mobiles like Java, symbian, Android, iOS, FirefoxOS, Kai OS, Windows etc however Android and iOS are the only advanced and modern mobile operating systems created for latest smartphones with big market share around the world.
Eventhough iOS from Apple is known for best privacy and security yet it is closed software, while Google’s Android is open source software which means developers and companies can utilise it to build thier own version of Android OS with additional features or changes as they like.
Android like any other mobile operating system includes thier company apps and services on it’s software while most users has no issues with it but few people who don’t trust Google states and believes that Google spying on users and gathering data with it’s closed source apps and services.
However, there is no proof to validate and support those statements but incase if it’s true then it can arise privacy issues which is why few developers who don’t like and trust Google build thier own versions of Android OS using Android open source project aka AOSP with extra privacy and security features and no Google apps and services like Divest OS, GrapheneOS etc.
+ DivestOS – best Android OS custom rom for privacy and security.
+ GrapheneOS – A private and secure custom rom alternative to DivestOS
Recently, we re-visited another open source Android OS custom rom named /e/OS/ formerly known as Eelo created by Gaël Duval in 2018 based on LineageOS a fork of CyanogenMod and AOSP – Android open source project which has numerous features with no Google apps and services for extra privacy.
/e/OS is available out of the box on Murene smartphones which you can buy on esolutions.shop, and if your device is officially supported then you can install /e/OS using Easy installer beta desktop software, in case if you can’t find your smartphone then check list of un-official builds of /e/OS, still not found submit a device proposol or build /e/OS custom rom for yourself and become device maintainer using this guide.
Note : In order to install /e/OS or any other custom rom you have to first unlock bootloader and install custom recovery like TWRP on your device using specific guides created for device from trusted portals like XDA and once done you can only install that /e/OS build which is specifically build for your device, if you install other /e/OS device builds on your device then it will hard brick or softbrick which is sometimes irrepairable.
• /e/OS official support •
– Telegram
– GitLab
– Medium
– Mastodon
Website : e.foundation/e-os/
Email : [email protected]
• How to download /e/OS
It is very easy to download /e/OS from these platforms for free.
• /e/OS key features with UI / UX Overview •
– Google search engine replace with /e/OS meta search engine.
– Bliss launcher
– All Google apps removed replaced with open source apps.
– Google services are replaced by Micro-G
– No use of Google servers to check connectivity.
– NTP servers are not Google NTP servers.
– Default DNS servers are not Google.
– Mozilla Geo-location
– CalDAV / CardDAV
– DAVDroid
– /e/OS also offers online services at ecloud.global like cloud drive, mail, calendar, contacts, tasks, notes, office etc.
Full list : doc.e.foundation
Atlast, this are just highlighted features of /e/OS there may be many un-revealed and hidden features in-build that provides external benefits to give you the ultimate usage experience, so if you want one of the best de-googled custom Android OS then /e/OS is one of the best choice on go.
Overall, /e/OS custom rom is fork of LineageOS with removation of Google apps and services, LineageOS is based on AOSP so on /e/OS you will get Stock Android’s well designed user interface with few extra features that ensures user friendly experience, but in any project there is always space for progress and improvement so let’s wait and see will /e/OS get any major UI changes in future to make it even more better as of now /e/OS is nice.
Moreover, it is definitely worth to mention /e/OS is one of the very few custom roms available based on Android that debloats all Google apps and services to increase privacy, yes indeed if you’re searching for such custom rom then /e/OS has potential to become your new favorite choice.
Finally, This is /e/OS, A privacy focused de-googled and un-googling version of Android OS for smartphones, are you an existing user of /e/OS? If yes do say your experience and mention which feature you like the most in our comment section below, see ya 🙂