Whether you are looking to get rid of Google from your Android phone or just curious about the benefits of going de-Googled, there are many ways to go about it. There is no single way to fully eliminate Google from your device, but you can still download Google-branded apps without having a Google account. Some popular apps have anti-data collection features, which became a popular business model in the smart device market.

LineageOS Operating System

LineageOS is a mobile operating system designed to give you a de-Googled Android experience. Its motto is privacy and security by design, which it delivers by default. It is compatible with a large number of phone models. However, it may be too much of a good thing, as it has a number of security issues. Despite the security issues, LineageOS is still one of the most popular Android based custom ROMs.

Ways to De-Google Your Phone

There are several ways to de-Google your Android phone, including installing a custom ROM, using a recovery image, or a combination of the two. Luckily, the process is not as difficult as it seems. While many phone manufacturers ship with an official Android recovery, LineageOS has its own recovery image for easier installation. You can install it manually or use the Team Win Recovery Project (TWRP) to install it on your device. Freedom Technology and Services provides custom devices as well as Degoogled phones and tablets to protect your privacy 

The LineageOS Wiki page lists supported devices. This is a good starting point if you are wondering which phone to use as a base for a new custom ROM. LineageOS is also supported on the F(x)tec Pro1-X, a budget Android handset that is compatible with a variety of custom ROMs. There are also several other custom ROMs out there, such as CalyxOS. The team has also created an Android based operating system called microG, which is a free and open source re-implementation of the Google Play services. This operating system is also a great alternative to Google Play as it offers many of the same features without the Google branded code. 

Features of LineageOS

LineageOS is the smartest Android based operating system available today. Its features include a comprehensive documentation, which explains how to install and use the operating system. One of the coolest features is that it can be installed on hundreds of phones. Unlike stock Android, LineageOS does not ship with verify-boot enabled, which means you may have to decrypt the phone yourself.

The best part about LineageOS is that the software is open source. As a bonus, you can download and install third party apps to enhance your experience. This is especially useful if you want to use paid apps without a Google account. Using an app marketplace to verify that an app is free of malware is also a good idea.

Among the many custom ROMs on the market today, LineageOS is the best way to go. LineageOS is free to download, and you can install it on most android phones. LineageOS does not include Google's suite of apps, but it does include some features akin to Google's own offerings, such as the Google Apps (formerly known as the Play Store). There are a few things you should know about LineageOS, however here you can learn more.