CalyxOS preserves the Android security model, using Android's Verified Boot system of cryptographic signing of the operating system, and running with a locked bootloader,[2][3] partly thanks to an installer that guides the user through the process of unlocking and then re-locking the bootloader.[4]
The Calyx Institute annual reports[5] state CalyxOS was publicly launched during their 2018–2019 fiscal year. Inspiration included Tails and Qubes OS, and goals were said to be "completely open source", removing proprietary Google tracking, and including apps Tor, Signal and CalyxVPN for increased privacy.[6]
In April 2022, CalyxOS announced support for OnePlus 8T, 9, and 9 Pro.[8] However, in May 2022, CalyxOS announced OnePlus builds were pulled because of a bootloader "relock issue".[11] As of July 2022, according to CalyxOS the OnePlus relock issue had not been resolved.[12]
In May 2024, CalyxOS supports Pixel all types 3 - 8, Fold and Tablet, Fairphone 4 - 5 , Moto G32 - G52 and Shiftphone SHIFT6mq.[13]
Aurora Store uses the same standard catalog of apps and installs apps directly from the Google servers to phone.[14] CalyxOS gives Aurora Store special privileges so that app updates can be automatically installed.
Repository of FOSS applications for the Android platform
CalyxOS includes a version of F-Droid called "F-Droid Basic" which allows for streamlined app updates, installs, and uninstalls without elevated privileges.[16]
A privacy-focused navigation app for driving, hiking, and cycling. The application uses OpenStreetMap for its map data. It can download maps on the device to be used for location information and navigation without an internet connection.[18]
Seedvault
Encrypted backup and restore application for Android
The Calyx Institute sponsored development of SeedVault [19] and an annual report states they "debuted SeedVault" during their 2019-2020 fiscal year.[20]
Free, privacy-focused messaging and voice talk app, preinstalled as messaging app in CalyxOS.[23]
CalyxOS ships with MicroG as an open-source alternative to the Google Mobile Services, including Mozilla Location Services as an optional replacement to the location services provided by Google, but gives the user the option to disable microG and its location services.[24]
In October 2020, Moritz Tremmel reviewed CalyxOS.[25] A month later, Tremmel explained why he preferred CalyxOS over LineageOS.[26] A year later in September 2021, Tremmel further explained how CalyxOS was different from other ROMs because it did not require as much "fiddling".[27] Rahul Nambiampurath, writing for MakeUseOf in March 2021, termed CalyxOS, "[one of the] best [Android] ROMs for privacy ... offers the perfect middle ground between convenience and privacy".[28] In August 2021, Android Authority wrote CalyxOS "puts privacy and security into the hands of everyday users."[29]
In 2022, the book c't Sicher ins Netz: How to block out monitors and attackers, said "CalyxOS is one of the youngest custom ROMs, it will only celebrate its second birthday in summer 2022. With a built-in Datura firewall, VPN and Cloudflare DNS, Calyx promises more security than some other mobile systems."[30]
In 2023, CalyxOS was the one alternative phone operating system recommended by Carey Parker in the book "Firewalls Don't Stop Dragons".[31]
In a review in February 2023, the Kuketz Security blog said CalyxOS "offers a coherent overall package that should give users who want to (strongly) reduce their dependency on Google a good start" and said the integrated Datura Firewall works well. However, it criticized some previous delayed security updates and said the website does not "quite match what the present analysis revealed" regarding the information given to Google.[32][self-published source]
^"CalyxOS: Google-freies Android". Linux-Magazin (in German). Retrieved April 13, 2023. Bei der Installation wird auch der Geräteschlüssel von Google gegen einen von CalyxOS ausgetauscht. Das ermöglicht einen verifizierten Bootvorgang und stellt sicher, dass sich nur von CalyxOS signierte Updates installieren lassen. Um den Schutz zu aktivieren, fragt der Installer am Schluss, ob er den Bootloader wieder sperren soll, was es zu bestätigen gilt. Anschließend ist die CalyxOS-Installation startklar.
^"Annual Report 2018-2019"(PDF). Archived from the original on July 26, 2022. Retrieved September 19, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
^"Annual Report 2019-2020"(PDF). Archived from the original on July 26, 2022. Retrieved September 19, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
^"Signal". calyxos.org. Retrieved September 29, 2022.
^"5 De-Googled Android-based Operating Systems". It's FOSS. November 13, 2021. Retrieved April 13, 2023. Instead of not shipping the Google Mobile Services (GMS) and leaving users to figure stuff out by themselves (flashing gapps etc), CalyxOS ships with microG. However, you can choose to enable/disable it, thus, giving you total control. [...] Uses Mozilla Location Services instead of Google's Location Services
^Tremmel, Moritz (November 10, 2020). "Bye-bye, Lineage OS!". www.golem.de (in German). Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
^Parker, Carey (2023), Parker, Carey (ed.), "Odds and Ends", Firewalls Don't Stop Dragons: A Step-by-Step Guide to Computer Security and Privacy for Non-Techies, Berkeley, CA: Apress, pp. 541–558, doi:10.1007/978-1-4842-9036-1_13, ISBN978-1-4842-9036-1, retrieved April 13, 2023
