I thought that “walled-garden” was for security and privacy in the case of Apple? I always relied on them for that.

Honestly, fuck security. I want every app on my phone to phone home to other malicious app stores with all my personal data. I want them to install backdoor VPNs that tunnel all my data to a man in the middle. I want them to allow me to jailbreak my phone so I can install permanent rootkits, that way adversaries can reload their botnets even after I factory reset my phone.

I kinda agree with your sentiment. If I’m spending $1000+ on a device, I want to truly own it and do whatever I want with it. Unfortunately people have gotten very used to companies like Apple telling them what they can and can’t do, and Apple artificially restricting things (like giving first-party apps special permissions that third-party apps can’t get) so they make more money. It’s not great that this is so widespread now. At least there’s people like Louis Rossman that still care about these things.

If the manufacturer wants to have an “easy mode” where they limit what can be done, like what Apple does today, that’s totally fine. Just don’t force it onto everyone.

Thats the thing. I buy apple products for that sole reason rather than use a GrapheneOS device.

I want it locked down. I want it immutable. I want it matching every other device so im not fingerprinted. I want it backing up to the cloud with end to end encryption while syncing with all my other devices. I want it to airplay to my TV. I want it to be a webcam for my macbook. I want it to hold some health data while keeping it out of prying eyes. I want iMessage to end to end encrypt my text messages to other iMessage users.

Why bother an iOS device if thats not what you’re after? Their products are some of the most secure devices, with the longest support life. I save money by holding an iPhone for 6 years, versus 3 years with an Android phone.

Listen, I LOVE grapheneOS. Its just not a complete ecosystem yet.

I want it locked down. I want it immutable. I want it matching every other device so im not fingerprinted.

That’s totally fine… But it should be optional, so that people who want to take full advantage of their device (instead of being restricted) can do so.

I save money by holding an iPhone for 6 years, versus 3 years with an Android phone

There’s no reason you couldn’t hold an Android phone for just as long. Samsung and Google both offer 7 years of security updates.

We can agree to disagree. I don’t think apple devices should be opened up at all. If you want an opened up device, look for a different manufacturer.