I have not any prior experience with installing custom ROMs, but after trying it out (and getting stuck, and googling and finding answers) I successfully did it. Below is my home screen if anybody is curious:

I use OpenBoard for my keyboard. Unfortunately I am still dependent on Play Store since some of the apps I need can only be found there. Sometimes it feels meaningless committing to this whole thing because I’m not perfectly private; then I think this is better than using a regular iPhone or Android phone.

So far I’m liking it. I am naturally inclined to feel hesitant about using this as my main phone and plugging in a SIM since it’s custom, but I’m slowly making the transition.

Feel free to share any beginners advice or your own experience using GOS for the first time. Cheers!

  • land@lemmy.ml
    0·
    4 months ago

    Aurora store and F-droid will be your besties, you don’t need play store unless you have purchased something.

  • jawsua@lemmy.one
    0·
    4 months ago

    Check out Heliboard (also on F-Droid) and follow the instructions to enable gesture typing. I also suggest Futo for on-device voice to text.

    What specific apps are you using that you can’t deal going away from? Other than some social media or gamr or something. Even then it seems like there are replacements a lot of the time

  • Codilingus@sh.itjust.works
    0·
    4 months ago

    http://futo.org/keyboard

    Been using that for a few days now, I’ll never go back to AOSP, gboard, heli, nor anything else. Saw a video of who I think is the head of futo, giving a no fucks given presentation, says he’s tired of non google keyboards that make it feel like your typing drunk. Website has a QR code to add the Futo repo to fdroid, ez pz.

    • FuzzyRedPanda@lemm.eeEnglish
      0·
      4 months ago

      What don’t you like about HeliBoard? I have it and FUTO both installed, but I prefer HeliBoard due to its ‘hold space bar to move cursor’ option. Then I use FUTO for the occasional SpeechToText.

        • FuzzyRedPanda@lemm.eeEnglish
          0·
          4 months ago

          Ooh in that case I may try using it for typing again. My typing accuracy on Heliboard is abysmal.

          • null@slrpnk.net
            01·
            4 months ago

            Can confirm I had the exact same experience moving from Heli to Futo. Immediately noticed I was way more accurate, better swipe and predictions too.