# DivestOS

> discontinued, open source, Android operating system

**Wikidata**: [Q112623395](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q112623395)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DivestOS)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/divestos

## Summary  
DivestOS was a discontinued, open-source mobile operating system based on Android, designed to provide a degoogled, privacy-focused alternative. It was active from 2014 until its discontinuation in 2023.  

## Key Facts  
- **Discontinued in 2023**: The project ended support and development in 2023 after nearly a decade.  
- **Latest version**: 20.0 (Android 13 "Tiramisu"), released on August 8, 2023.  
- **Initial release**: Founded in 2014 as a community-driven Android distribution.  
- **Based on Android**: Specifically built using the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) code.  
- **Official website**: Hosted at [https://www.divestos.org/](https://www.divestos.org/) with a Tor onion service for anonymous access.  
- **Open-source**: Source code available on GitHub and GitLab under the username "divested-mobile".  
- **Subreddit**: r/DivestOS, created on December 14, 2021, with 173 subscribers as of 2022.  
- **Privacy-focused**: Emphasized removal of Google services and enhanced user privacy.  

## FAQs  
### Q: Why was DivestOS discontinued?  
A: DivestOS was discontinued in 2023, though the specific reasons were not detailed in the provided source material. The final update was released on August 8, 2023.  

### Q: Is DivestOS still available for download?  
A: As of its discontinuation in 2023, the official website and repositories may no longer host active downloads, though archived versions may exist.  

### Q: What made DivestOS different from stock Android?  
A: It removed Google services and proprietary components, offering a degoogled, privacy-centric alternative with community-driven updates.  

## Why It Matters  
DivestOS addressed growing concerns about data privacy and Google's dominance in the Android ecosystem. By stripping away proprietary Google services, it provided users with greater control over their data and device security. Though discontinued, it contributed to the broader movement for open-source, privacy-focused mobile operating systems, influencing projects like LineageOS and /e/ OS. Its community-driven development model also highlighted the viability of collaborative, non-commercial alternatives to mainstream tech platforms.  

## Notable For  
- **Degoogled Android experience**: Removed all Google Play Services and proprietary binaries.  
- **Tor accessibility**: Offered an official onion service for private access to downloads and updates.  
- **Long-term support**: Maintained updates for nearly a decade, with the final release supporting Android 13.  
- **Community-driven**: Relied on open-source contributions and user feedback for development.  

## Body  
### Overview  
DivestOS was a mobile operating system classified under both "mobile operating system" and "Android distribution." It was designed to deliver a Google-free Android experience, emphasizing privacy and user autonomy.  

### History  
- **Inception**: Launched in 2014 as a response to concerns over data collection in commercial Android builds.  
- **Discontinuation**: The project concluded in 2023, with the final stable release (version 20.0) on August 8, 2023.  

### Technical Specifications  
- **Based on**: Android Open Source Project (AOSP), specifically Android 13 (Tiramisu) in its last version.  
- **Key features**:  
  - Removed Google services and telemetry.  
  - Included privacy-focused apps and settings.  
  - Supported installation on compatible devices without Google certification.  

### Community & Accessibility  
- **Communication**: Utilized an XMPP channel (`xmpp:divestos-mobile@conference.konvers.me`) for community engagement.  
- **Support resources**:  
  - Issue tracker: [https://www.divestos.org/index.php?page=bug_reporting](https://www.divestos.org/index.php?page=bug_reporting)  
  - Subreddit: r/DivestOS (173 subscribers as of 2022).  

### Legacy  
DivestOS played a role in promoting open-source Android alternatives, demonstrating the feasibility of maintaining a Google-free ecosystem. Its discontinuation reflects the challenges faced by community-driven projects in sustaining long-term development.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.divestos.org/#content)
2. [Source](https://divestos.org/pages/news#2023-05.2)
3. [Source](https://web.archive.org/web/20250106080437if_/https://divestos.org/pages/news#2024-12)
4. [Source](https://www.divestos.org/index.php?page=about)
5. [Source](https://www.divestos.org/index.php?page=history)
6. [Source](https://www.divestos.org/)
7. [Source](https://www.divestos.org/index.php?page=community)