Google’s Gemini team is apparently sending out emails about an upcoming change to how Gemini interacts with apps on Android devices. The email informs users that, come July 7, 2025, Gemini will be able to “help you use Phone, Messages, WhatsApp, and Utilities on your phone, whether your Gemini Apps Activity is on or off.” Naturally, this has raised some privacy concerns among those who’ve received the email and those using the AI assistant on their Android devices.
I agree it would be concerning if I allowed Gemini access to my phone. Fuck that. This shit is exactly why I am on GrapheneOS.
Can you tell me about Graphene?
I got bank and government ID apps (manditory. Denmark uses MitID for all government related things), but they require things like locked bootloaders and Google security features.
Would those apps be functional on GrapheneOS?
how do they make it mandatory? what happens if you don’t have a smartphone?
is it strictly mandatory, or is the alternative intentionally very inconvenient?
I’m asking because it is very weird to me. but also, in my country also in the EU, there’s this misunderstanding that it is mandatory, while actually it can be replaced with any 2FA code generator app. and then it has a bunch of administrative features in one place for convenience
MitID is hard-required to sign into anything government or personal information required. Previously people would be handed a key-card (a white, fold-out card with a bunch of numbers on it. The numbers were one-time use, so the card would eventually run out, requiring a replacement after a few months).
These key-cards have been completely phased out. Now there is the MitID app or a key-device that is almost impossible to get (you’ll basically have to prove that you don’t have/can’t use a smart phone).
The MitID app has almost no features at all. It’s specifically used for authentication. You log into the gooberment website or bank website, then a encrypted, constantly changing QR code pops up. You open the MitID app on your phone, scan the QR code, and then you gain access.
This is all run through the private security company the Danish government has hired, called “NETS”.
I’m sorry you have to deal with this shit
Something must have changed since I got my physical code display then, because I simply went to their webpage and ordered a free code display device a while ago. https://www.mitid.dk/bestil-mitid-identifikationsmiddel/
I can also recommend CalyxOS. Locked bootloaders, open source emulation of all Google’s play services (meaning an open source binary running on your phone, filtering requests to Google’s servers with absolutely minimal/random info).
Basically I have anonymized access to the play store, and any apps I install other than Google pay work, no issue. ~~I believe even Google’s secure features work. There’s a reddit post about MitID: https://www.reddit.com/r/CalyxOS/comments/w2ordg/a_proven_way_to_use_calyxos_and_banking_apps_etc/~~
E: having read through the technical comments on graphene’s forums, looks like play integrity prevents MitID from running. The service offers free code generators which hang on your keys though.
Do you happen to use android auto? Does that work OK? I could go without, but that’s one integration that’s just got it’s hooks on me hard.
Android auto works on an ungoogled phone last i tried, it does take some tinkering though
ew. Tell your government to stop mandating spyware.
Graphene does let you re-lock the bootloader. IIRC, whether an app works depends on whether they require SafetyNet full, or just basic. I have so far only found one app that refuses to work. However… it looks like MitID was recently updated and no longer works.
https://gist.github.com/lbschenkel/4199be415f2a139b64688ae74c92a7fc
Starting on 2024-06-12, MitID have started using Google Play Integrity API during activation. This means that new installations will no longer work in GrapheneOS nor any other non-stock Android, as they are not certified by Google and will not pass the required checks. The app still works (for now) if you managed to get it activated before that date.
It’s best to never use any apps or accounts for your business life on your personal device. I have two phones for this purpose.
Maybe? It depends on what exactly the app checks for. Some apps don’t work because they check if it’s running on the original ROM. It’s hit or miss.
If you can access what you need through the web, you can go that route instead.
Laughs in eu
Laughs in degoogled android
Cries in non-eu, non-degoogled android
What about LineageOS?
My guess is the problematic parts here aren’t open source so they should never show up in Lineage OS?
At least so far Samsung is letting me disable Gemini, as I try to do to any bloatware I don’t want running in the background.
I have a Pixel phone im bout to throw in the river
I can’t bring myself to use a Pixel because I don’t trust Google-everything. I have so much to say, and yet I’ve said it a thousand times already. So I’m just gonna sigh.
And yes, I know I’m on Android either way.
Second that, graphene os is really nice. I have all my intrusive work apps like team, google play stuff on a separate profile and my maim profile has all the private data and contacts. Just watch a yt for setup and follow website instructions, take maybe a few hours to set up.
boo! custom roms!
get grapheneos!!
Why not throw graphene or another alternative on it (if supported) instead of turning it into e-waste?
Isn’t graphene left for dead because of Google being a bunch of dildos?
There are ways they can work around it, but their lead developer was drafted into their country’s military. Ultimately, they’re going to have to make their own phone, and it looks like they’re making plans to do that.
For now, it’s fine.
Can’t you just delete Gemini with Canta?
“Google is making it easier for Google to pry into your personal data.”
“Water is making it easier for water to make you wet.”
Well I guess I’m glad I moved over to apple. But I guess the enshitification of all our phones is coming soon.
Yeah only reason Apple hasn’t done it is because they haven’t figured out a way to connect it all to its ecosystem.
Like they say, the Apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
Actually, the apple climbs up the tree and claims it made it
switch to grapheneos unless you’re in the eu
I was writing a comment that my device is unsupported and all the supported pixel phones are flagship priced. Then I decided to check my work and look it up.
Long story short I have a refurbished pixel 6 on the way, it was cheaper than my current phone was.
glad to hear, enjoy it!
Thanks, I’ve wanted to do this for ages, but I got this current phone before I knew about grapheneos and the compatibility issue. Now all I need is to fully switch my main email and I’ll be significantly de-googled.
Pls break Google up. Kthx
Let’s not stop at Google. Break them all up!
Seize the means of production
Yes take over the Google factory!
We’ll make the googles ourselves!
If this happens, can we please all make a protest or petition with the FCC?
So is Gemini on there as an app? It isn’t listed as such on my phone
Yes, it’s on there. I have a phone, never downloaded or installed Gemini, but because it’s a motorola with a special extra button… I can push that button and up pops Gemini.
The only way I can stop it is by disabling the Google app, then the button becomes innert again (which is how I like it).
So yes, it’s embedded in the Google app. Disabling the Google app may aslo cause other issues (such as Google Home/Chromecast not working).
Thank you. I disabled the google app (which I tbh low key don’t know what it even does)
Doesn’t the motorola phone have a settings screen for defining what the button does? For Samsung they like to re-purpose the power button.
First of all, it brought up bixby. I turned it back to powering off the phone and disabled bixby.
Then, with the new update they re-assigned the power button to gemini. So, I turned it back to powering off the phone and disabled gemini too.
However, the problem these days is that I’m never completely sure I’ve turned off all of the AI nonsense on my phone.
Yeah, but the question was as to whether Gemini is listed as an app. The answer is no, Google have snuck it in whether you like it or not.
It’s in the app list for me. I set it to disabled.
Phone is Samsung s24 ultra.
I guess my next phone is going to run NixOS.
is gemini on all androids? i remember there once was something called bixby, now when i accidentally hold the home button for too long it tells me to enable “circle”. i’ve disabled all of those “smart” features but fuck knows what is going to get automatically installed in an update next week
Bixby is/was Samsung’s assistant thing. Unrelated to Google’s Gemini
Bixby is, or used to be, on Samsung phones.
Gemini replaced Bitchxby on the latest Samsungs.
It’s in the firmware.
Laughs in GrapheneOS
Nervously chuckles “im in danger” while clicking through to the Graphene rom.
but for how long https://x.com/GrapheneOS/status/1933177989480456365
X is blocked on network level here, could you please copy&paste?
GrapheneOS @GrapheneOS We’re going to be moving forward under the expectation that future Pixel devices may not meet the requirements to run GrapheneOS (https://grapheneos.org/faq#future-devices ) and may not support using another OS. We’ve been in talks with a couple OEMs about making devices and what it would cost. 1:02 AM · Jun 13, 2025
Thanks!
https://xcancel.com/GrapheneOS/status/1933177989480456365
GrapheneOS @GrapheneOS Jun 12 We’re going to be moving forward under the expectation that future Pixel devices may not meet the requirements to run GrapheneOS (grapheneos.org/faq#future-de…) and may not support using another OS. We’ve been in talks with a couple OEMs about making devices and what it would cost.
Jun 12, 2025 · 3:02 PM UTC
Same entire thread on Mastodon: https://grapheneos.social/@GrapheneOS/114670995130379882
Long enough for GOS to port Android 16 or get their own OEM, I hope
i hope so too :/
Why is this a Google Pixel only ROM? Anything special with the Google Pixel?
I even consider Chinese phones a better hardware dela than what Google does, and I know Google software (I mainly use AOSP ROMs, Pixel OS in this case) but if we are swapping right away the ROM of the Pixel and the hardware is subpar what’s the deal with it?
Pixel phones have an extra security chip in them called the Titan. Other manufacturers lack this.
Check out this thread. They go into detail about it.
My wife has been trying to get me to switch to Apple since Ive had a Droid X years ago. I’ve been on android since. It is time to switch. Probably a lateral move, but Google has gone to absolute shit.
You can turn it off by going to Settings > apps > default apps > digital assistant > Google > none.
You should disable the Google app entirely while you’re at it.
Try lineage or graphene before jumping into the money pit maybe?
So there’s an opt-out.
The article seems concrned that the email announcing this doesn’t include a specific path to the opt-out right in the email (which is a weird concern, considering the email provides two links to… presumably that information)?
I’m not sure what this means, either, but presumably the “whether your Gemini Apps Activity is on or off” line is saying that you can still have Gemini send texts for you even if you disable Google storing your apps usage server-side? I don’t use Gemini as an assistant, so I’m not sure, but looking at the Gemini settings menu on my Android phone that’s what it seems to map to.
My interpretation is that you can leave activity of i.e., your interactions are not saved. I may be wrong, but as I’m not interested in it for now, I’m not going to check either.
Right. They have an opt-out for Gemini storing your in-app activity, which I believe is a requirement to get the assistant to be able to do things in the app. This seems to say you may be able to interact with some messaging apps even if you opt out (presumably they would have a rebuilt way to interact that doesn’t store any of your data?).
If this is the case, it’s (apparently) good for privacy.
Less bad, maybe?
Either way it’s definitely a good example of why you should write good emails to your customers that explain things properly.
If this is what they’re saying I’m assuming they didn’t want to be too clear about what info they’re storing if you don’t opt out and ended up making an email that sounds like a threat.
Either way I won’t be using Gemini as an assistant any time soon. Or any other voice assistant, for that matter.
You’re right. Anyeay, my google account is just a placeholder, let’s say. Everything is disable and I don’t actively use it to store anything, not even my calendar.
