Your phone is a tracking device. But it doesn’t have to be. One of the best ways to reclaim your privacy is to ditch iOS and stock Android and install GrapheneOS instead.

This guide is a step-by-step tutorial on converting a Pixel phone to GrapheneOS, tweaking key settings for maximum privacy, and installing apps—including how to handle Google Play Services after setup. If you want to eliminate as much of Google as possible from your device but still need certain apps that require Google Play Services, we’ll show you how to use it in a more privacy-preserving way.

I’ll walk you through how I set up my GrapheneOS device so you can see what’s possible. But this is just one way to do it—if you have your own setup, share your tips in the comments!

00:00 Spyware is all over our smartphones 01:47 Hardware 03:03 Purchase 05:13 Installation 10:24 Setup 13:33 App Stores 19:32 Secondary Profiles 23:46 Your Phone, Your Rules

As difficult as it may seem, it’s actually not that difficult to enjoy all the benefits of a smartphone without compromising your privacy. Remember, privacy isn’t about going off grid; it’s about making informed choices; and with GrapheneOS, you’re taking control of your device, your data, and your digital freedom.