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If you wanted to install something like WhatsApp or Lyft would it work?

Yes they will work, however to get notifications when the apps are closed you would need to have to some form of Google Play Services. I suggest MicroG if you are intending to do this since it seems to be the least invasive.

In my personal case though, I would still not use MicroG, and would just leave the app open until I am done using it. This is easier on Android because apps are not suspended in the same manner iOS apps are.

What about when the phone locks? My phone is set to autolock after 1 minute. Leaving an app open just to receive notifications seems like a waste of battery.

If your phone is locked you will most likely not get the notifications, it just depends on the app. I do agree it can waste battery.

It's important to remember this is only a concern on non-free apps. The FOSS apps have very low power background services that check for notifications without the app running.

I use /e/os. It is based on LineageOS, is completely de-googled and has MicroG integrated. MicroG means push notifications with apps like WhatsApp will work. https://e.foundation/

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