Building a More Secure OS Based on Android

On this week's episode, we discuss how to overcome some of the challenges in building your own image of Android to use on any device, particularly where security is a concern. We're excited to be joined by one of the developers behind one such project that's made headlines recently, Gabe of GrapheneOS.

• 01:02 - Are we talking about custom ROMs?
• 02:51 - What does GrapheneOS do that AOSP doesn't?
• 12:04 - Why can't I install a custom OS on my existing Android device?
• 19:15 - How can I get apps to work on my custom Android-based OS?
• 28:26 - Why are Android update guarantees still so lackluster?

You can learn more about GrapheneOS at grapheneos.org, and you can try it out on your Pixel device with their easy-to-use web installer.

About the Podcast

Android Bytes (powered by Esper)

A weekly show that dives deep into the Android OS

Android Bytes (powered by Esper) is the podcast that dives deep into the engineering and business decisions behind the world’s most popular OS. 

Android powers over 3 billion devices worldwide and is the platform of choice for over a thousand companies. You’ll find Android on smartphones, tablets, watches, TV, cars, kiosks, and so much more. How does Google architect Android to run on so many form factors, and how do companies fork AOSP to make it run on even more devices? These are the kinds of questions the Android Bytes podcast considers each week.

Join cohosts Mishaal Rahman and David Ruddock, two journalists with extensive knowledge covering the Android OS platform and ecosystem, as they speak to system architects, kernel engineers, app developers, and other distinguished experts in the Android space.

Get in touch with us at Esper if you’re looking to use Android device management for GMS or non-GMS devices — we have the experience you need.

Our music is “19” by HOME and is licensed under CC BY 3.0.