If by side-loading you mean installing from a ‘non-trusted’ or ‘unofficial’ source (apps other than google play store), then yes, that is the only option. however, this is not much less convient or secure.
There are a few ways to install apps (these should work with any Android phone, not just Grapheneos):
Any non-paid apps on google play can be installed using Aurora Store. supposedly you can use it without even logging in to google account (but i havent gotten that to work). Eg. Facebook
Most FOSS apps will be in the F-Droid repository, and can be installed with the F-Droid app, or other similar apps such as Droidify. Eg. K-9 Mail
If an app is not on the main F-Droid repo, alternative repositories can be added to your F-Droid client.
APKs (app packages) can be installed from the web. this is how F-Droid is usually installed for the first time. Eg. Signal is not available on F-Droid (for reasons)
Basically, if you need a proprietery app like Facebook, use Aurora; if you need an open source app, look for it on F-Droid or download the APK.
There are of course pros and cons of each method in terms of security and convenience.
So if you want graphene you either have to side load everything or use webapps? Or would side loading not even work?
If by side-loading you mean installing from a ‘non-trusted’ or ‘unofficial’ source (apps other than google play store), then yes, that is the only option. however, this is not much less convient or secure.
There are a few ways to install apps (these should work with any Android phone, not just Grapheneos):
Any non-paid apps on google play can be installed using Aurora Store. supposedly you can use it without even logging in to google account (but i havent gotten that to work). Eg. Facebook
Most FOSS apps will be in the F-Droid repository, and can be installed with the F-Droid app, or other similar apps such as Droidify. Eg. K-9 Mail
If an app is not on the main F-Droid repo, alternative repositories can be added to your F-Droid client.
APKs (app packages) can be installed from the web. this is how F-Droid is usually installed for the first time. Eg. Signal is not available on F-Droid (for reasons)
Basically, if you need a proprietery app like Facebook, use Aurora; if you need an open source app, look for it on F-Droid or download the APK. There are of course pros and cons of each method in terms of security and convenience.