I transitioned to Linux a few years ago, which has piqued my partner’s curiosity. She’s been genuinely interested and asks questions about it, but she is so deeply integrated I don’t know where to start. She uses iCloud, an Apple Watch, iPhone, iPad, a Mac desktop, plus whatever default proprietary software. She has a semi-technical background.
I want to help and be encouraging without overselling the ease of transition. There’s always some friction with transitioning technology, and of course Apple makes that intentionally difficult. I came from a Windows ecosystem, so I’m lacking any direct insight for potential challenges.
Any advice or personal experiences on moving from the Apple ecosystem to Linux would be hugely appreciated!
(I can host services on my local server, so transitioning to something like Immich vs iCloud for photos is one option we’ve discussed).
I’d start with a cell phone first. The last thing you want to do is give up your life to google and microsoft. Get yourself a graphemeOS compatible phone and replace all the apps with open source solutions. There is a (very very brand new) app called Vela Maps that acts just like google maps, only you can choose not to talk to google servers when you do.
Use sync-thing to auto upload photos to a server you control, even her home PC
There are ways to change the linux desktop to look like apple, though I don’t know what they are. possibly KDE?
unfortunately only google pixel tablets work with grapheme OS. There are tablets that are compatible with ubuntu touch
As for the watches, I don’t know of any that are de-googled.
So, buy a google phone, lol
Yes but install
This removes the Google from the phone, Motorola’s flagship phone is coming out with GrapheneOS in 2027. Expect more to follow.