In this article, we will explore the user interface of our mobile devices. This guide will help you familiarize yourself with what youโll see right out of the box after powering on your phone for the first time. ๐
The Home Screen ๐ #
The home screen is your starting point for navigating your device. Here’s what youโll notice:

Layout and Features #
- Minimalist Design: Clean and bloat-free, focused on security and simplicity.
- Preinstalled Widgets: Includes a clock and local weather widget, and space for additional widgets.
- Tab and hold an empty space on the home screen to add your own widgets and change the background.
- Access to Apps: Essential apps like Vanadium Browser, Phone, and Camera are accessible by default.
Customization Options #
- Long-press on the home screen to change wallpapers, add widgets, or tweak settings.
- Easily switch between light and dark themes to suit your style. ๐จ
Preinstalled Apps ๐ฆ #
Our phone comes with a thoughtfully curated set of privacy-focused apps, organized into folders for the following categories:
- GPS / Navigation Apps
Includes tools for navigation such as Maps, Weather, and Orienteering GPS apps. - App Stores
Access popular repositories to install the apps you need, including privacy-focused options. - Office / Productivity
Features document viewers and editors, note-taking apps, calendar, clock, calculator, and email. - Messaging and Social Apps
Includes Telegram and an XMPP messenger for secure communication. - Tools
Contains VPNs, an EXIF erasing app, keyboard settings, a 2FA authenticator, a file-sharing app, and GrapheneOS-specific app stores. - Media Apps
Offers a media player, music app, video content app, and a podcast app for your entertainment needs. - Capturing Apps
Includes the Camera, Voice Recorder, and Gallery for capturing and managing photos, videos, and audio.
Please note that over time these are updated and changed as better options and new discoveries are made. If you know of an awesome app, please let us know!
Here are some of the apps you might notice that are preinstalled:
- Aegis Authenticator: 2FA for extra security. ๐
- Organic Maps: Offline maps for navigation.
- Mullvad VPN: The Truely Privacy-first VPN service that doesn’t log your activities ever.
- Aurora Store: Access apps without Google Play.
- Neo Store: The Open-source app store.
- Grayjay: A way of watching youtube, rumble, odysee, bitchute and content from other video platforms all in one place!
Other essentials include Thunderbird, VLC Media Player, Calendar, AntennaPod and moreโfree of trackers and unnecessary permissions. In depth info on each of these will be coming in the future!
Note: You can easily learn more about each app by searching for it in Neo Store. Neo Store conveniently provides details and links to the app’s development page, where youโll often find extensive information and documentation. For example, Grayjay.app offers a wealth of information about their app.
The App Drawer ๐ #
Access all installed apps by swiping upward on the home screen.

Key Features #
- Alphabetical Sorting: Apps are organized alphabetically for quick navigation.
- Search Bar: Instantly locate apps.
- Manage Apps: Long-press an app icon to uninstall or move it to the home screen.
The Lock Screen ๐ #
The lock screen provides instant access while keeping your device secure.

Key Features #
- Double-Press Camera Access: Quickly launch the camera by double-pressing the power button at any time. ๐ท
- Screenshot Shortcut: Capture screenshots by pressing the power and volume down buttons simultaneously.
- Offline Biometric Unlocking: Your fingerprints are stored locally in a secure, encrypted section of the device. For maximum security, use biometrics or at least a 4-digit PIN. ๐
Navigation Options ๐๏ธ #
GrapheneOS offers two navigation styles:
- Gesture Navigation (Recommended)
- Swipe up: Return to the home screen.
- Swipe up and hold: View recent apps.
- Swipe from the sides: Go back.
- Why use this? Itโs faster and more intuitive once youโre accustomed to it.
- Three-Button Navigation
- Familiar to those using older devices: Back, Home, and Recent Apps buttons.
- Can be enabled via Settings > System > Gestures > System Navigation.
Notifications Menu ๐ #
Swipe down from the top of the screen to view your notifications.
- Grouped Notifications: Organized for clarity.
- Long-Press: Customize notification settings for individual apps by long-pressing a notification. ๐ ๏ธ
- Swipe to dismiss or manage directly from the menu.

Quick Options โก #
Access the quick settings menu by swiping down twice from the top of the screen (or once with two fingers).
- Toggle Settings: Manage Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Airplane Mode, and more.
- Edit Layout: Tap the pencil icon to rearrange or add shortcuts.
- Brightness Control: Adjust screen brightness easily.
- Quickly toggle between light and dark modes.

๐ Thatโs it! An intuitive, privacy-first interface, youโre set up for a secure and efficient experience. ๐