What /e/OS is
/e/OS is an open-source mobile operating system based on Android that removes Google's apps and services while aiming to stay familiar and easy to use. It was started in 2017 by Gaël Duval, the French entrepreneur who earlier created the Mandrake Linux distribution, and it is developed under the non-profit e Foundation. It is built on LineageOS and runs on a wide range of smartphones.
De-Googled by design
/e/OS goes further than simply leaving out the Play Store. It replaces Google's background services with microG, an open-source alternative that keeps many apps working, and swaps default connections to Google, such as those used for location assistance and network checks, for other providers. The aim is a phone that does not constantly send data to Google, while apps that expect Google features still function.
Apps and privacy tools
Apps come from App Lounge, the system's own store, which offers open-source apps, progressive web apps, and many apps from Google Play without requiring a Google account. Each app shows a privacy score based on its trackers and permissions. A feature called Advanced Privacy can block trackers inside apps, hide your IP address, and give apps a fake location, all controlled from a single home screen widget.
Murena phones and cloud
The commercial side of the project is Murena, a company that sells smartphones with /e/OS preinstalled, including Fairphone models and refurbished phones, for people who would rather not install an operating system themselves. Murena also provides an online account with email, cloud storage, calendar, and contact syncing, giving /e/OS users an alternative to Google's services that works straight out of the box.
Installing it yourself
/e/OS can also be installed manually on many supported phones, either by following a step-by-step guide or by using an installer tool that automates much of the process for selected models. As with any custom ROM, installing it usually requires unlocking the bootloader, which erases the phone. Checking the device list and update status for your exact model before you begin is essential.
The bottom line
/e/OS aims to bring a Google-free phone to ordinary users, combining LineageOS, microG, a privacy-aware app store, and tracker-blocking tools into a polished package. You can install it yourself or buy a phone with it already set up. For people who want more privacy without giving up most familiar apps, it is one of the most approachable options in the de-Googled Android world.
Related on Skillo
See also: What is microG? Explained, What does it mean to de-Google your phone?.
Sources
Published date reflects the original event date (2026-10-23). This article is original Skillo editorial written from the sources above; facts were verified in September 2026.
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