GrapheneOS is calling on Volkswagen customers to pressure the automaker into restoring compatibility with its mobile app after users reported last week that the app no longer works on the privacy-focused Android operating system.
The project pointed to Hyundai and Kia, which it says officially added GrapheneOS support months ago through an alternative verification method.
In a post published on X, the GrapheneOS team said there is “no legitimate reason” for Volkswagen to block the operating system, arguing that the company could verify devices using hardware-backed attestation rather than relying solely on Google's Play Integrity API.
Volkswagen owners using GrapheneOS reported last week that they were no longer able to sign into the company's companion app or remotely control their vehicles. Discussions on Reddit and the GrapheneOS community forum suggested that the issue affected core connected-vehicle features, including remote access via Volkswagen's mobile application.
Volkswagen is one of the world's largest automakers, with its smartphone app serving as a central hub for connected vehicle services. Depending on the vehicle model, the app allows owners to remotely lock and unlock doors, monitor charging status, locate parked vehicles, schedule charging, and perform other remote functions.
GrapheneOS’s call to action
Rather than simply criticizing Volkswagen's implementation, GrapheneOS is now encouraging users to actively campaign for a policy change. The project urged affected customers to leave one-star reviews on the Google Play Store, explaining that GrapheneOS is a secure operating system and requesting that Volkswagen restore compatibility. It also encouraged vehicle owners to submit customer support requests, escalate responses beyond standard support channels, and request compensation for functionality they say was removed after purchasing their vehicles.
GrapheneOS highlighted that Hyundai and Kia officially added support for the operating system to their mobile apps several months ago. The automakers implemented support by recognizing GrapheneOS devices through hardware-backed attestation instead of excluding them via Play Integrity checks.
Google's Play Integrity API is a service widely used by Android developers to help detect tampered applications and devices. GrapheneOS argues that many companies misunderstand what the API actually provides, claiming it does not guarantee a secure device and instead primarily enforces Google's ecosystem requirements. The project maintains that developers can achieve stronger security while supporting GrapheneOS through hardware-based verification.
GrapheneOS also linked developers to its published attestation compatibility guide, which describes how applications can recognize GrapheneOS devices without relying exclusively on Play Integrity. The project says that several apps have already adopted this approach after receiving user requests.
As part of this public pressure effort, the project said it plans to introduce an opt-in feature in its Info app that will notify users when coordinated community feedback could help convince companies to add GrapheneOS support.
Volkswagen has not publicly commented on the reported compatibility issues or whether the behavior stems from a deliberate policy change, a Play Integrity configuration, or another technical implementation.
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