What Is /e/OS

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Last updated: April 11, 2026

Quick Answer: /e/OS is an open-source, privacy-focused mobile operating system launched in 2017 by Gaël Duval, the creator of Mandrake Linux, as a 'deGoogled' alternative to Android. It removes all Google services and apps, replacing them with privacy-respecting alternatives and an Advanced Privacy module that provides real-time tracker management and location/IP spoofing capabilities. The latest version, /e/OS 3.0, introduces enhanced privacy tools including weekly privacy reports and improved parental controls.

Key Facts

/e/OS project launched in 2017 by Gaël Duval, founder of Mandrake Linux
Originally named 'Eelo', renamed to /e/ in July 2018 due to trademark conflicts
e Foundation non-profit organization incorporated in May 2018
Beta versions released September 2018 for 20-30 smartphone models
/e/OS 3.0 released in 2025 with Advanced Privacy module, tracker blocking, and Murena Find search engine

Overview

/e/OS is an open-source, privacy-centric mobile operating system built on the Android framework but without any Google services or applications. Launched by the e Foundation in 2018, /e/OS represents a fundamental reimagining of the smartphone experience for users who prioritize data privacy and want to reclaim control over their personal information.

Created by Gaël Duval, the founder of Mandrake Linux, /e/OS serves as a complete alternative to mainstream Android for users concerned about tech surveillance and data harvesting. The operating system strips away all Google tracking infrastructure while maintaining compatibility with existing Android apps through microG, an open-source implementation that replaces proprietary Google services.

How It Works

/e/OS functions by removing Google's proprietary services from the Android core and replacing them with privacy-respecting open-source alternatives:

DeGoogled Architecture: All Google services, trackers, and default apps are completely removed from the operating system, eliminating the data collection pipelines built into standard Android.
microG Integration: An open-source framework replaces Google Play Services, allowing apps to function without requiring proprietary Google components or sending data to Google servers.
Advanced Privacy Module: Built-in tracker detection and blocking shows users real-time information about which apps are attempting to collect their data, with options to block or fake location and IP addresses.
Privacy-First Search: Google Search is replaced with Murena Find, powered by Qwant, which operates in no-tracking mode and doesn't store user search histories.
Cloud Services Alternative: /e/OS integrates with Murena's privacy-respecting cloud services for email, calendars, contacts, and file storage instead of Google's cloud ecosystem.

Key Comparisons

Feature	/e/OS	Standard Android	GrapheneOS
Google Services	Removed entirely	Deeply integrated	Optional, sandboxed
Tracker Blocking	Advanced Privacy module with real-time detection	None built-in	Limited, permission-based
Location Spoofing	Built-in with multiple modes	Not available	Available via features
Security Focus	Privacy-first, standard security	Device manufacturer dependent	Security-hardened design
App Store	F-Droid plus Google Play (requires Google account)	Google Play Store	F-Droid or sandbox Google Play

Why It Matters

Data Ownership: /e/OS empowers users to truly own their personal data rather than having it continuously harvested by tech corporations, addressing growing concerns about digital privacy and surveillance capitalism.
Transparency: The Advanced Privacy module provides users unprecedented visibility into app behavior, with weekly privacy reports showing active trackers, aggressive data collectors, and an overall Privacy Score.
Accessibility: Unlike security-hardened alternatives like GrapheneOS, /e/OS maintains broader device compatibility and comes pre-installed on Murena phones, making privacy more accessible to non-technical users.
Open-Source Standards: Being fully open-source allows security researchers and developers to audit the codebase, ensuring no hidden tracking mechanisms exist at the OS level.

As digital privacy concerns continue to escalate globally, /e/OS represents an important option for users seeking a practical alternative to surveillance-based mobile operating systems. The project's evolution—from its 2017 inception to the 2025 release of /e/OS 3.0 with enhanced privacy tools—demonstrates growing market demand for privacy-respecting technology. Whether for privacy advocates, journalists, activists, or ordinary users tired of data exploitation, /e/OS offers a viable path toward reclaiming digital autonomy.