this post was submitted on 07 Mar 2026
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I got my gen 6 a few days ago with /e/os installed. I definitely don't regret it.
same, but installing a different launcher is sadly mandatory as the default is ass
What are the benefits of installing a new launcher? Is it just aesthetics?
That and features. I use Smart Launcher because it has a transparent themes like Liquid Glass which blends with the wallpaper. Has good search function. also Auto organizes your apps in categories.
for me, yes. bliss launcher is imo pretty awful. lawnchair feels more like the samsung one which ive used forever
How do you become comfortable with the amount of permissions the launchers need? I'm struggling with that. The default is not bad though.
I am using GrapheneOS, not Fairphone yet with e os. i went to the permissions after i read your comment and lawnchair actually doesn't have any permissions on my phone. I suspect eOS wouldn't need any either.
I didn't know you could use different launchers until a few weeks ago. I'm so much happier with Lawnchair.
Not a big deal for me as I customize every phone that I own anyway, so for me I'm just using Lawnchair and that works perfectly for me even on this phone so I don't see an issue with it.
Are tutorials to do this available?
I am very relatable regarding this change. i never know the settings page i need to go in order to change the launcher. I go to the settings and in the search bar, i input 'default'. In the result there should appear a Default home app. click that. If you have another launcher installed it should appear on the list.
Installing a new launcher? Just install it from the app store and then activate as your default launcher in androids app settings. It's just that simple.
Same
Nice. How does it work compared to Android? Do all apps work (bank, government, shops and so on)?
I have eOS on the fairphone 5, and I have had zero problems with banking apps and the like.
That doesn't mean you won't have problems though, I don't use many of those kinds of apps other than a bank authentication app, and a few others for public transit tickets, etc. I also live in europe, milage may vary elsewhere.
Keep in mind that eOS IS android, just with google telemetry removed. You can add a google account if you want/need to, at which point any android app should work as expected. That of course defeats the purpose somewhat, but even then eOS will still help you stay as private as possible by informing you about app trackers and using alternative services for location, etc.
Fairphone 6
My bank app will install, but I can't login unless I also install Google Play Services. The website works fine without.
No issues with other apps. I do prioritise installing from F-Droid whenever possible.
I use a different open source OS. Have you tried microG? Or is that already on e? Even if you have it, some parts might need configuring.
Yes, microG is on /e/OS by default. I believe my bank uses some of the security features from Play Services that aren't in microG.
I'm not 100% sure that it can't be fixed, but it's such a minor nuisance that I don't think it's worth my time to investigate.
Not /e/OS user, but it is Android - just degoogled. Uses microG as a replacement for Google services if I'm not mistaken.
As for apps, I recommend checking out an app called Plexus on Fdroid - it's an app where people report how apps work on alternative ROMs with either microG or fully degoogled. It's pretty neat.
Thanks for the info and I am going to order a Fairphone this week.
Surely without Google services it's AOSP. Android is trademarked by Google.
☞ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%2Fe%2F_%28operating_system%29
I used e/OS on an FP4 since Google started fucking with the power button, but the Danish government apps ban anything not made by an American megacorp. Had to reinstall Google Android.
My bank app worked. I was very happy about it. My metro pass app also installed without issue and transferred my pass. Even government apps worked. Microg is useful for sure.
Do you use Google Play? Any (banking) apps that don't work?
It comes with MicroG and the app lounge. Most all apps in App lounge have privacy grades and a link to the analysis that supports the grade. Just kill whatever setting sends the one call home to Google. It's something to do with the cloud. You can see the traffic by installing NextDNS and setting your DNS server to theirs. People complain about it, but some people need a phone that makes transactions and to be marketable they have to provide that option. Not sure why they don't disable the call home by default though. I'm also not sure what happens if you turn it off. I hacked MicroG out of mine entirely and just do banking at home. Banks track the fuck out of you anyways.
Apps from the play store can be downloaded using the app store on the phone which can pull from the play store. My bank app worked using microg. Download the plexus database to see the rating https://f-droid.org/packages/tech.techlore.plexus
Got mine with Android and now wish I'd gone for /e/os instead - looks to be a mega faff to change it now