WILL BE UPDATE OFTEN Last update : 8/03/2025

THE GUIDE FOR DE-GOOGLED APPS

(🏆 = just the best app ; ❤️ = a more than excellent app)

REMEMBER : Do not install every apps you find, for your security and privacy only install needed apps.

ANDROID

1- Phone and messaging

Phone --> Fossify Phone 🏆

Messages --> Quik SMS 🏆

Contacts --> Fossify contacts 🏆

Whatsapp --> SimpleX ❤️ Briar (For advanced users, maximum privacy concerns)

2- Networking

Chrome (browser) --> Cromite (must be configured) Ironfox ❤️(slower but not chromium-based, must be configured)

Discord --> Element (matrix.org client)

Reddit --> Voyager (a Lemmy client) ❤️

3- Multimedia

YouTube --> Libretube Tubular (a NewPipe fork) ❤️

Spotify --> RiMusic ❤️

Google podcasts (podcasts) --> Antenna Pod 🏆

Gallery --> Fossify Galley ❤️ (Basic app) Aves ❤️ (Advanced gallery)

4- Tools

QrScanner --> Binary eye 🏆

Gboard --> HeliBoard ❤️ (OpenBoard fork)

IME keyboard --> Sayboard

Local sharing --> LocalSend ❤️

Google authenticator (2FA) --> Aegis 🏆

Lastpass (password manager) --> Bitwarden 🏆 (Self-hosted) KeePassDX 🏆 (local storage)

Gcam --> Open camera

5- Others

Clock --> Clock You

Google calendar --> Etar ❤️

PDF viewer --> MJ PDF

Office --> LibreOffice Viewer ❤️ (Only for reading)

LINUX

For more convenience, you can download your apps using the command line and flatpak (Flathub.org)

1- OS

Some Linux distributions recommendations :

  • Linux Mint and Pop OS (for all levels)
  • Arch (mainly for gaming but you can use it as working OS)
  • Debian (for productivity (greatest compatibility) )

For most basic users I recommend using Gnome desktop environment

2- Softwares

Browser --> Firefox ❤️ (It’s recommended to tweaks and the settings and use custom user.js (Explanations about user.js)) Mullvad 🏆 (For an out-of-the-box great experience)

Office --> The LibreOffice Suite ❤️

File sharing --> Local Send ❤️

YouTube --> FreeTube

Adobe Illustrator --> Inkscape

Lemmy --> Photon

Matrix --> Element

That’s all, hope you enjoy, do not hesitate to save the post for future updates and comment your recommendations below ⬇️⬇️

  • /home/pineapplelover@lemm.ee
    1·
    1 year ago

    Mull is a good browser. Basically the librewolf of android.

    I actually use gcam cause it’s better but I will turn off network connectivity from it.

    Same for gboard, I use it but cut internet connectivity from it off

    For calendar I use proton calendar but that might be a service for paid customers

    Qr code I’ve been using [qr code & barcode scanner](QRCode & Barcode scanner (QRCode & Barcode scanner (QR Code & Barcode scanner cross-platform application) https://f-droid.org/packages/com.github.andremiras.qrscan/)

    Youtube I switch between libretube and Tubular if libretube doesn’t work

    If you want to use discord then Aliucord is a good hardened client for android, kind of like Webcord on desktop.

    Spotify, I use a cracked one called Xmanager but I can also access my self hosted music in Synology Audio or Jellyfin.