Yeah, I'll just ditch Google over this. The only reason I put up with their crap is because I can actually just install software on my phone. If they take that away, there's no motivation to stay.
I'm currently researching Android alternatives, including Librem and Jolla C2, and I'm skeptical that those will be compelling. It's just so sad.
I think we tend to underestimate our ability to get used to stuff.
But not every developer, of course, would agree to register.
All of those will disappear also on F-Droid because of that.
You can try it, but don't cry if it bricks.
The newish one I bought got GrapheneOS instead. That worked without a hitch, but it's got more than a few problems.
It didn't used to be like this but started maybe a year ago.
The browser doesn't handle dark mode well.
The launcher is primitive. Why didn't they just take Trebuchet?
I was also very used to pattern unlock.
Use some other browser if dark mode is really important to you.
I think the launcher is good and I can't think of anything to improve on it. I'm happy it's the default, but I'm sure you can switch to a different launcher if you want.
Pattern unlock is also not there because of security.
If they have anything on the platform that is subject to the CRA, they are a distributer:
https://www.cyberresilienceact.eu/cra-guide-for-importers-di...
Use an iPhone, minimize my use of it. Continue to emphasize Linux on all my other devices. Move away from Google and Apple services to as much self-hosting as possible. Leverage TailScale to make my services accessible, globally, without actually exposing them on the internet. I'm just assuming that I will have to have some kind of attested device in order to run banking and payment apps and that might as well be a locked down device like an iPhone.
Samsung recently stopped allowing the bootloader unlocking. HTC stopped allowing bootloader unlocking in 2018.
My bet is on Nothingphone or Fairphone remaining open for a while.