HACKER Q&A
📣 azalemeth

What currently is the best, nerd-friendly, rootable Android phone?


My network provider has turned off 3G and despite my current device supporting VoLTE appears to have blacklisted it on the basis of its model name and I cannot make calls any more.

I like running rooted Android because of systemwide adblocking, the ability to run things like Frida and inspect or modify applications, and _ideally_ be something where I can get CTS_BASIC_INTEGRETY – my main bank (Monzo) works with other OSes and rooted phones quite happily, but having the ability to play the highly irritating fun and games is a bonus point. I despise remote attestation and DRM and ideally would have something that fails from the start (!). I'm aware of the security issues with running a rooted Android device; I just frankly don't think that in my threat model that they are that severe. I'd much rather have the freedom to toggle on/off Secure DoH, change my SIP routing, and spoof settings such as my geolocation for legitimately good purposes (e.g. network-level VPN to a different country!).

I've experienced /e/ OS and CyanogenMod in the past and would like a privacy-focussed, ideally open source OS – linux would be perfect but unfortunately it just appears that the totally free Phone OSes aren't ready for prime-time just yet.

What is the best – or perhaps "least worst" – hardware to run something natively rooted on, or an OS like LineageOS? Is there a single manufacturer that supports this? At the moment I probably lean towards the Fairphone 5 but I honestly would love to know of the least worst option.

  👤 neilv Accepted Answer ✓
When I tried CalyxOS years ago, it gave me the impression of generic Android with all possible "privacy" apps recommended.

I replaced it with GrapheneOS, which at the time seemed seemed to be developed much more seriously. (I haven't looked at recent CalyxOS.)

Choosing GrapheneOS determines the hardware: recent-generation Google Pixel.

For a more open platform, maybe take the Phosh stuff (or whatever it is now) that Purism developed for the Librem 5, and run it with PostmarketOS Linux with whatever is the current most mainline-kernel-and-drivers supported device. Or maybe the KDE Plasma mobile stuff has come along further.

I've been trying to get a good Linux handheld so long (including buying dozens of various devices, trying many approaches, doing many crazy builds, etc.), that I finally gave up. GrapheneOS works as a daily driver without violating me itself.

👤 cyber24
I'm not sure if I can recommend a particular phone model, but in terms of Manufacturers to consider buying a phone from, this can be a good starting point: https://github.com/melontini/bootloader-unlock-wall-of-shame
👤 sandreas
I would probably use either CalyxOS, GrapheneOS or /e/OS with a set of open source apps:

  Aurora Store
  Open Camera
  Immich / Ente.io
  Obtainium
  Magic Earth / Organic Maps
  PDF Doc Scan
  Binary Eye
  K9 Mail
Just to name a few. Best compatibility is Google pixel but Motorola or fairphone might also be supported.

You can also installiert Kali nethunter rootless with tmux.

No need to root in my opinion

👤 WarOnPrivacy
The Motorola G100 is easily rooted. It works with that whitelisting carrier (AT&T). Also works on other GSM networks (T-Mobile, etc).

It's dual physical SIM, the 2nd SIM slot doubles as microSD. Has 3.5 jack, 802.11 AC and does 5G. The rest of the specs are pretty okay.

Worst thing is side button dedicated to Google, which can be 'fixed' after rooting.

https://www.gsmarena.com/motorola_moto_g100-10791.php

👤 hollow-moe
imo Google Pixels are a good bet, officially supported by GrapheneOS, Lineage and a lot of alternative ROMs, easy bootloader unlock. Just buy it refurbished so no money comes from you to Google directly. My second hand Pixel 4a is running lineage micro g for a year and half and the only issue i have is the battery dying.
👤 mystified5016
I just went through this a few weeks ago. From what I can tell, the best available options are Google Pixel, or those open source pinephones with hardware that was obsolete ten years ago.

I got a pixel 8. I'm currently running graphene, but it's definitely not for me so I'll be switching to lineage soon

👤 ignoramous
Get a Pixel or a Motorola and install userdebug GrapheneOS / DivestOS / CalyxOS.

> running rooted Android because of systemwide adblocking, the ability to run things like Frida and inspect or modify applications

nb: Don't need root for any of that.

👤 3np
SHIFT6mq is a favorite of some postmarketOS devs: https://wiki.postmarketos.org/wiki/SHIFT_SHIFT6mq_(shift-axo...

The newer SHIFTphone 8 (still preorder) from the same maker looks quite interesting: https://shop.shiftphones.com/shiftphone-8.html

👤 megasquid
Pinephone is getting more stable. Typing from one now with PostMarketOS. Waydroid android app emulation works. Email works. SMS / calls work. Open source maps work. Time investment required but definitely nerd-friendly and runs android & linux simultaneously. Once you set it up make a backup and you're set.
👤 Beijinger
" appears to have blacklisted it on the basis of its model name"

Why is that?

I think Pixel was always good for this. The problem with rooted phones is that many bank applications wont run anymore.

"of systemwide adblocking"

Your alternative would be to use another DNS service like https://nextdns.io

👤 Moldoteck
Best would probably be pixel. If you want even more freedom - probably last gen fairphone
👤 giantg2
I thought I remembered VoLTE or something related to using VoLTE on some networks wouldn't work with a rooted phone. But I'm not sure since I was looking at this a year or two ago and don't remember.
👤 janice1999
Pixel phones have good support. Here's a good comparison of possible OSes:

https://eylenburg.github.io/android_comparison.htm

👤 jqpabc123
"Best" is a vague requirement.

"Best" performance wise would probably be Pixel.

"Best" price wise would probably be Motorola.

I use Motorola One 5G Ace with e/OS.

Shout out to Discreet Launcher which I run in a blacked out setup.

👤 nijave
Pixel 7 stock OS root passes CTS Basic with Magisk/Zygisk and Play Integrity Fix (usually)

I'd also check out xda developers forums and see which phones are popular on there.

👤 theyknowitsxmas
Galaxy Note 2 + Replicant. I got 2 used for $10, one is my main, the other a dummy airport security can look at.