Long battery life, better cameras and sufficient performance – according to statistics, these are the three main reasons for buying new mobile phones. But, instead of reaching for new devices, you can also replace old mobile phones. This saves resources and energy and, with the right strategy, offers advantages in terms of data protection. The Topio association has set up a market stall in Berlin for this exact purpose. Those interested can try out refurbished smartphones in the Arminius market hall in Berlin-Moabit. In the associated repair café, you can also have old batteries or broken displays replaced. You can even take advantage of the Berlin repair bonus.
However, Topio focuses on the installation of alternative operating systems such as Graphene, LineageOS or /e/. These usually run more smoothly on older hardware and can significantly extend the service life of mobile phones. At the same time, they send far less data to big tech companies such as Google or Apple.
RESET was there and spoke to Michael Wirths and Beatrijs Dikker, the founders of Topio.
How do alternative operating systems work?
Seventy percent of all smartphones worldwide use Google’s Android operating system. Android was originally developed as free software and was only bought by the software giant in 2005. In keeping with Google’s (now obsolete) motto, “Don’t be evil”, Android is still free software. It can therefore be customised by independent developers. There are therefore many free versions of Android on the internet, also known as “custom ROMs”.
And what about iPhones?
Apple uses the iOS operating system on its own smartphones. Alternative Android operating systems are not compatible with these smartphone models.
It used to be possible to unlock additional functions via so-called “jailbreaking”. Unfortunately, there is currently no way to switch off data tracking.
Michael Wirths and Beatrijs Dikker also expressed doubts about Apple’s security marketing. In their experience, iPhones send a lot of usage data to different manufacturers, especially due to the extensive tracking in installed apps, even if users limit the tracking options of the operating system.
From a long-term perspective, iPhones with their long software support are favourable. However, there is repeated speculation that Apple is deliberately slowing down older devices in order to boost sales of new models.
It is not possible to say in general terms which devices these custom ROMs are compatible with. As a basic requirement, mobile phone manufacturers must allow users to “root” their devices. When rooting, you grant yourself the highest user rights in the operating system. This allows you to intervene more strongly in the system. These new rights then allow users to unlock the mobile phone’s bootloader. The bootloader is a software component that can be compared to the starter motor in a car. It starts the actual engine – in this case the operating system – and can also start another engine once it has been unlocked if this is installed.
Users can carry out this rather technical process themselves. However, those who are not confident enough can also have the rooting process carried out at the Topio market stand. According to Michael Wirths, co-founder and our dialogue partner on site, this does not affect the security of the smartphone. “We are experiencing the opposite. The use of alternative operating systems is leading to greater awareness. 50 per cent of smartphones no longer receive security updates [from manufacturers] anyway”. Accordingly, the installation of alternative operating systems means an increase in security. Furthermore, according to Wirths, there is no malware in alternative app stores such as F-Droid – quite different from the Google Play Store.
However, the selection of apps in alternative app stores is limited compared to Google’s software library of around 1.5 million apps. In addition, many banks and health insurance companies block their apps on devices for which they have recognised rooting.
Custom roms significantly extend the service life of mobile phones
Topio offers on-site advice and installation assistance for the LineageOS, Graphene, CalyxOS, /e/OS and IodéOS operating systems. Which software is the right one depends on the requirements and compatibility with the respective devices. Michael Wirths describes a trend towards greater restrictions in the choice of operating systems. “As smartphones have more and more functions, it is also becoming increasingly complicated to build an operating system. The manufacturer Huawei has now closed its bootloader – Xiaomi is already doing this to some extent.” This is particularly annoying as it would make sense to switch to an alternative operating system for these devices in particular.
The growing mountain of electronic waste
The amount of electrical appliances thrown away increases every year. New smartphones, laptops, fridges and the like are particularly resource-intensive and costly to manufacture.
Extending the lifespan of electrical appliances and consistent recycling are therefore particularly important.
The European Union is therefore endeavouring to create new incentives and restrictions for manufacturers through directives.
You can find out more about how we (should) deal with electronic waste in one of our background articles here!
The reason: smartphones from Xiaomi or Huawei often come with pre-installed apps, so-called bloatware. The manufacturers push down their prices by installing sponsored applications that users cannot always uninstall. At the same time, these apps also come with additional data trackers pre-installed on the devices. This sometimes goes so far that there are even adverts in the operating systems of many mobile phones.
Pre-installed software, adverts and tracking services, as found in most proprietary Android versions, naturally do not have a positive effect on the performance of smartphones. In addition, power consumption increases with each additional tracker. Accordingly, the installation of alternative operating systems is usually accompanied by an increase in performance. This is a great advantage, especially for older models.
Topio‘s experience shows: Old smartphones work wonderfully if you equip them with a custom ROM. And since not all smartphones can get a new engine, the organisation also offers used devices with pre-installed free operating systems at its Berlin location. A model list is available on the Internet.
“Big Tech is a security risk”
However, continuing to use old smartphones is not only more sustainable. Beatrijs Dikker and Michael Wirths and their organisation want to offer an alternative to all people who don’t want to accept the terms of use of big data companies such as Google or Apple.
“Data tracking is easier to switch off in these operating systems,” explains Beatrijs Dikker, summarising the relationship between big data companies and customers as follows. “Big tech is a security risk”.
On its homepage, Topio links to a paper by Amnesty International, which describes the crux of modern corporations such as Google, Meta and Amazon as follows: The companies “help the world connect and provide essential services to billions of people. In order to participate in today’s society and economy and to exercise their fundamental rights, people need access to the internet – and therefore also to the tools that Google and Facebook provide. […] However, the companies’ business models, which are based on surveillance, are incompatible with the right to privacy and pose a threat to freedom of opinion, freedom of expression and other fundamental rights.
Topio’s market stall between restaurants, fruit stalls and cafés will showcase the importance of digital self-determination and the protection of personal data. In this way, the organisation is bringing the topic more into the everyday lives of many people who may be less interested in it in their private lives. This strategy makes Topio unique in Germany. At the same time, they are demonstrating how suitable used smartphones and alternatives to Google, Meta and the like are for everyday use.
In addition to the stand in the Arminius market hall, the Topio team visits weekly markets with a portable market stand. They use it to point out alternatives to apps such as Instagram, WhatsApp and TikTok. Anyone who would like to find out more from the comfort of their sofa can find further information and resources worth reading on all the topics mentioned on the Topio website.
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