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Installation Guide for GrapheneOS & Aurora Store

Lucas
Lucas

Unlock Privacy and Control with Cloaked

 

Tired of intrusive ads and data tracking on your Android device? 

In today's digital age, ensuring the privacy and security of your data is more important than ever, especially if you are an Android user. GrapheneOS, a security-focused mobile operating system, offers unparalleled privacy features. Pairing it with Cloaked, a revolutionary privacy app, takes your data protection to the next level. 

Why Choose GrapheneOS and Cloaked for Your Privacy?

GrapheneOS stands out in the realm of Android privacy, offering a hardened version of the operating system with enhanced security features. Cloaked complements this by providing a unique solution to manage your digital identity, including generating virtual phone numbers and email addresses. Together, they form a robust barrier against data breaches and privacy intrusions.

This guide will walk you through installing Cloaked on GrapheneOS using the Aurora Store,  an open-source alternative to Google Play, ensuring a robust privacy shield for your Android device.

Step 1: Preparing Your Device for GrapheneOS

Before diving into the installation, ensure your device is compatible with GrapheneOS. Currently, GrapheneOS is best optimized for Pixel devices. Check the latest device compatibility list on the GrapheneOS website here.

  1. Backup your data: It's crucial to back up all important information from your device.
  2. Download GrapheneOS: Visit the official GrapheneOS website and download the latest version suitable for your device.

Step 2: Installing GrapheneOS

Follow the detailed instructions provided by GrapheneOS (LINK) to install the operating system on your device. This process involves unlocking the bootloader, flashing the GrapheneOS image, and then relocking the bootloader for security.

Step 3: Setting Up Aurora Store

With GrapheneOS installed, the next step is to download the Aurora Store, an open-source alternative to the Google Play Store.

  1. Open the browser on your device and go to the Aurora Store's official website (LINK).
  2. Download and install the Aurora Store APK file (installing the latest available version of the stable build is recommended).
  3. Alternatively, you can download and install the Aurora Store from F-Droid or source code repository

Warning: Cloaked does not support the third party applications required to manage the GrapheneOS ecosystem.  Please take caution when installing applications from sources other than the Google Play Store.

Step 4: Installing Cloaked via Aurora Store

  1. Open the Aurora Store: Locate the app on your device.

  1. If prompted select Aurora Store Login method: (Aurora Store FAQs)
    1. For this demonstration we have selected the Anonymous login method.

  1. Search for Cloaked: In the search bar, type "Cloaked" and select the “Cloaked” app to see details.

  1. From the Cloaked app details screen tap “Install”:

  1. Install Cloaked: Once downloaded, tap "Install" again to proceed with the installation on your device.

  1. Launch Cloaked: After successful installation, tap "Open" to launch the Cloaked app.

  1. Welcome to Cloaked! Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your Cloaked account or login to your existing account.

Congratulations! You have successfully installed Cloaked on your GrapheneOS device via the Aurora Store. Enjoy enhanced privacy and control over your digital footprint. Remember, staying updated with the latest versions of both GrapheneOS and Cloaked is crucial for maintaining optimal privacy and security.

Remember:

  • This guide is for informational purposes only. Please refer to GrapheneOS and Aurora Store documentation for official installation instructions and support.
  • Cloaked is a powerful tool, use it responsibly and ethically.

We hope this guide helped you unlock the privacy potential of Cloaked on your Pixel device. Enjoy your newfound freedom and control over your mobile experience! Don’t forget to share this guide with fellow privacy-conscious Android users on social media!

Attention! Push Notifications and MicroG

This guide focuses on creating a truly privacy-focused Android experience by removing Google Play Services (GApps). However, this comes with limitations, especially concerning push notifications.

Without GApps, most apps won't deliver push notifications, meaning you might miss important updates or alerts. To regain this functionality, we recommend installing MicroG: an open-source alternative providing basic Google Play Services features, including push notifications.

Important points to remember:

  • MicroG is not a complete replacement for GApps. It only offers select functionalities like push notifications and location services. You'll still need to find alternative app stores and services.
  • MicroG isn't perfect. It may not work seamlessly with all apps, and updates might be less frequent compared to GApps.
  • Installing MicroG undermines the full "de-Google" experience. It reintroduces some Google data collection, albeit on a much smaller scale.

Ultimately, the decision to install MicroG is yours. Weigh the benefits of push notifications against the potential privacy concerns. If you value complete privacy, consider alternative notification methods within specific apps or going without them altogether.

 

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Comments

1 comment

  • Comment author
    Throwaway

    Have you actually tried this, or did you just write it?  As of app ver. 2.15.0, Pixel 7a, build 2024060500 as well as most other versions I've tried, your login button does nothing unless you've already installed Sandboxed Play.  If you're going to put out an article like this… I get having a GSF dependency for push notifications, but embedded WebView shouldn't require GSF.

     

    Can anyone else using GrapheneOS without GApps confirm or deny that this method works?

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