DivestOS

{{short description|Discontinued, open source, Android operating system}}

{{Infobox OS

| name = DivestOS

| title = DivestOS

| logo =

| logo size =

| logo caption =

| logo alt =

| screenshot = DivestOS.png

| screenshot_size = 240px

| screenshot_alt = DivestOS homescreen on a Fairphone 4

| caption = DivestOS homescreen on a Fairphone 4

| collapsible =

| version of =

| developer = Tavi{{Cite web |title=About Me |url=https://divested.dev/#about |access-date=2024-10-09 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241009054744/https://divested.dev/ |archive-date=2024-10-09 |url-status=live |website=divested.dev}}

| programmed in =

| family = Android (Linux)

| working state = Discontinued{{Cite web |title=Anniversary and Final Update |url=https://divestos.org/pages/news#end |access-date=2024-12-23 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241224012410/https://divestos.org/pages/news%23end |archive-date=2024-12-24 |url-status=dead |website=divested.dev}}

| source model = Open source

| released = {{Start date and age|2014|12|31|df=yes}}

| discontinued = yes

| RTM date =

| GA date =

| latest release version = December 18th 2024 Update{{cite web |url=https://divestos.org/pages/news |title=Project News |access-date=2024-12-11 |website=divestos.org}}

| latest release date = {{Start date and age|2024|12|18|df=yes}}

| latest preview version =

| latest preview date =

| repo = {{URL|https://gitlab.com/divested-mobile}}

| marketing target = Privacy/Security-focused operating system replacement for Android devices

| language count =

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| language =

| update model = Over-the-air (OTA) or locally

| package manager = * APK

F-Droid (app store)

| supported platforms = ARM

| kernel type = Monolithic (Linux)

| userland =

| ui =

| license = GPL

| preceded by =

| succeeded by =

| website = {{cite web|url=https://divestos.org|title=DivestOS|access-date=April 5, 2025|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241219034220/https://divestos.org/|archive-date=December 19, 2024|date=|author=}}

| support status =

| other articles =

}}

DivestOS was an open source, Android operating system. It was a soft fork of LineageOS that aimed to increase security and privacy with support for end-of-life devices.{{Cite web |title=About |url=https://divestos.org/index.php?page=about |access-date=2022-06-16 |website=divestos.org}} It removed many proprietary blobs and pre-installed open source apps.

DivestOS builds were signed with release-keys so bootloaders may be re-locked on supported devices.{{efn|Not all Android devices support relocking the bootloader with a third party operating system installed.}} An automated CVE patcher was used to patch the kernels against many known vulnerabilities.{{Cite web |title=DivestOS Mobile |url=https://divestos.org/ |access-date=2022-03-17 |website=divestos.org}}

DivestOS included few default applications. F-Droid was included, as well as Hypatia, a "real-time malware scanner" and Carrion, a robocall blocker.

History

The DivestOS project began in 2014, with the first properly signed builds being released in 2015.{{Cite web |title=History - DivestOS Mobile |url=https://divestos.org/index.php?page=history |access-date=2022-03-17 |website=divestos.org}}

Public release of DivestOS was announced on F-Droid forums in June 2020.{{Cite web |date=2020-06-12 |title=DivestOS: long term device support with enhanced privacy and security |url=https://forum.f-droid.org/t/divestos-long-term-device-support-with-enhanced-privacy-and-security/10105 |access-date=2022-06-16 |website=F-Droid Forum |language=en}}

In December 2024, Tavi announced the discontinuation of DivestOS, its apps (notably the firefox-based browser Mull) and XMPP Chatrooms. Whilst the mobile operating system was discontinued, the announcement elaborated that non-mobile Divest projects would continue to receive maintenance.

Supported devices

DivestOS primarily supported devices that had been supported by LineageOS, with additional end of life devices receiving extended support. The entire list of officially supported devices was available on the DivestOS website.{{Cite web |title=Devices - DivestOS Mobile |url=https://divestos.org/index.php?page=devices&base=LineageOS |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250117034458/https://divestos.org/pages/devices |archive-date=2025-01-17 |access-date=2022-06-16 |website=divestos.org}}

Reception

In February 2022, TechTracker.in said DivestOS is one of few custom ROMs focusing on security and privacy, with monthly and incremental updates.{{Cite web |title=DivestOS - best Android OS custom rom for privacy and security. |url=https://www.techtracker.in/2022/02/divestos-best-android-os-custom-rom-for.html |access-date=2022-06-16 |website=Tech Tracker |date=15 February 2022 |language=en}}

GNU/Linux.ch Linux and Freie Software News called DivestOS "relatively new and ambitious" and said it supports many devices, both newer and older.{{Cite web |date=2021-12-23 |title=Freie Fahrt für freie Androiden! |url=https://gnulinux.ch/custom-roms-freie-fahrt-fuer-freie-androiden |access-date=2022-06-16 |website= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211223090634/https://gnulinux.ch/custom-roms-freie-fahrt-fuer-freie-androiden |archive-date=23 December 2021 |url-status=dead}}

DevsJournal called DivestOS 18.1 one of the best custom ROMs for the One Plus One phone.{{Cite web |date=2015-07-26 |title=Best Custom ROMs for OnePlus One (Bacon) - DevsJournal |url=https://devsjournal.com/best-custom-roms-for-oneplus-one-bacon.html |access-date=2022-03-17 |language=en-US}}

DivestOS' Hypatia malware scanner for Android, and how to use their F-Droid repository, was reviewed by Gadget Hacks in March 2021.{{Cite web |title=4 New & Noteworthy Indie Android Apps of the Week — March 26 Edition |url=https://android.gadgethacks.com/how-to/4-new-noteworthy-indie-android-apps-week-march-26-edition-0384474/ |access-date=2022-03-17 |website=Gadget Hacks |date=27 March 2021 |language=en}}

In March 2023, the 2022 Free Software Foundation Award for Outstanding New Free Software Contributor went to Tad (SkewedZeppelin), chief developer of the DivestOS project.{{Cite web |title=Free Software Awards winners announced: Eli Zaretskii, Tad (SkewedZeppelin), GNU Jami — Free Software Foundation — Working together for free software |url=https://www.fsf.org/news/free-software-awards-winners-announced-eli-zaretskii-tad-skewedzeppelin-gnu-jami |access-date=2023-03-30 |website=www.fsf.org}}{{Cite web |last=Dee |first=Katie |date=2023-03-20 |title=The recipients of the 2022 Free Software Awards have been announced |url=https://sdtimes.com/software-development/the-recipients-of-the-2022-free-software-awards-have-been-announced/ |access-date=2023-04-15 |website=SD Times |language=en-US}}