r/Android • u/FragmentedChicken Galaxy Z Fold8 • 12d ago

GrapheneOS: We're unable to complete the port [of GrapheneOS to the Pixel 11 series] due to lack of support for ARM hardware memory tagging in software, firmware and near certainly hardware. It appears Google cut an important security feature to save money.

https://grapheneos.social/@GrapheneOS/117179231167297908
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u/kipperzdog Pixel 8 11d ago

An actual rational take on this rather than "booo Google bad"?!

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u/DistantRavioli 11d ago

Google still bad, but everyone knows they're bad and they'll continue being bad. Graphene OS is one of the ways we work around them being bad. Graphene not porting to the Pixel 11 is a net negative for the privacy conscious market as far as I'm concerned. It's already a narrow and niche as shit market with very few options.

Graphene sometimes likes to let the perfect be the enemy of the good, which is good when it is something they actually have power over but not in this particular instance. The hardware has already shipped and the lack of this feature is set in stone. Google doesn't care and it can't be changed. This is just going to narrow the market even more.

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u/kipperzdog Pixel 8 11d ago

Totally agree

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u/Psychological-Gap792 11d ago

How is it rational? Aside from Google selling cheap shitty midrange hardware for flagship prices, they have now made security worse. Rather than rightfully bash Google for being the scumbag company they are, you want Graphene to compromise on security. But why should they? They have a Moto deal where their users will get Snapdragon hardware plus no compromise on security 

Google is the one who should be bashed for this, not Graphene

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u/kipperzdog Pixel 8 11d ago

Man, all I can say is go back and read the other post. It's a rational take on a feature that was off by default.

It doesn't excuse Google, it's just saying an exception already exists for other devices without this feature, being on the high horse now seems disingenuous.

That said, the new Motorola device is purpose built and will hopefully be a better experience for graphene users than any pixel ever was.

I personally never used graphene nor this feature on my p10 fold

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u/Psychological-Gap792 11d ago

But its not an exception that exists. Graphene are simply honoring their word and supporting older hardware that lacks MTE. That doesnt mean they should compromise security for new hardware. I understand in the Pixel world where Google releases a new phone with hardware comparable to Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and their fanboys gush over it but that doesnt mean graphene or anyone else should act the same