Android is a great mobile operating system but it is a bit of a privacy nightmare.
But with a bit of effort and maybe a few compromises it can be vastly improved.
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Operating systemWhile it is possible to simply remove the Google account from your phone, using the version of Android that is already installed, there are probably many undesirable features left.
My choice is to flash
LineageOS. Then don't flash a GApps package!
While it is not required, root access is very useful. LineageOS offers an optional "su" package but I think Magisk is a better option.
ApplicationsWithout a Google account it is not possible to access the Play Store. So a different source for applications is needed.
F-Droid gives you access to a large repository of open source apps.
Missing appsSome apps are not available on F-Droid and don’t have an open source equivalent. But the Yalp Store (on F-Droid) allows to install apps from Google Play without an account. Of course, it is no possible to install paid apps.
Some open source apps are not on F-Droid but can be downloaded from the project's webpage. It's not as convenient but it's worth the effort for the apps you really want.
Calendar and ContactsI use NextCloud to synchronise my calendar and contacts with the help of the app DAVDroid. Hubzilla should work just as well (I'll try it soon).
Favorite appsThe default launcher in LineageOS is improving greatly. But at the moment I like using Lawnchair, based on the launcher from the Pixel phones.
- Contact sync: DAVDroid
- Ad blocking: Adaway (root required)
- Maps: Mapps.me (downloaded from the project’s website)
- Music: DSub (I run an Ampache server) and MALP
- Torrents: Transdrone
- Documents: MuPDF, FBReader
- Passwords: KeePass DX
- Web: Firefox, DuckDuckGo Privacy Browser
Other useful apps
- oandbackup (root required): backup and restore your apps. Good replacement for Titanium Backup.
Does it work?Yes it does!
There are just a few paid apps that I haven’t been able to replace to my satisfaction. But overall, it is possible enjoy using Android without being dependent on Google.
The paid apps I couldn't replace yet- Epsilon Notes: a markdown wiki that I synchronise with my NextCloud server.
- Nova Launcher: I do miss it, it's fantastic.
- NZBManager (older free versions are available on their website)