I'm working on cleaning out and resetting my phone. Can I simply use the Samsung browser (and Aurora Store) to avoid logging in to Google at all? (I don't need email on my phone)
Just wondering if there's some unforeseen problem or risk with doing that.
I'm using my "backup" phone (same model, from eBay) to save some of my data and settings before I factory reset my phone to clear out the 15G of "other." I'd like to try avoiding Google products.
Trying Samsung browser on the backup phone, and next to no pages will load. Just white page. Tried mstdn.social. Some news pages will load. Pieces of some pages will load, like the Reddit banner for example.
Obviously it can't be "clear your cache" as it's a new device. Enabled java & cookies.
I am posting fron the "backup" phone, not signed in to Google, but now using Chrome as Samsung wouldn't show any websites.
I wanted to avoid Google products entirely including Chrome but maybe "not signed in" is at least a little better?🤷🏻♀️
OH WAIT WAIT WAIT, I think I found them. But GEEZ. What a labyrinth it has been.
And now, no idea which release I'm supposed to download.
No wonder people who are not tech-oriented get sucked into consumer monetized surveillance crap.
It's taking me hours upon hours upon days of exploring, re-inventing the goddamn wheel, and having to teach myself reams of stuff JUST to reach for pieces of a Google-free phone. 😑
But I did it!! I'm in! Got Aurora Store up and running. So that when I restore my phone from THIS phone, I'll have Aurora Store available on it without having to go through more Google crap.
*Link ⬇️ for anyone wanting to go straight to that page (SKIP OVER ads in middle and go to bottom where there are folders. I selected "Release" folder and used uppermost listed apk):
I am so sorry it is giving you so much hassle! I appreciate you live blogging the process, since I probably need to do it myself
Did you ever get Samsung internet working?
I've never heard of Aurora store before your threads. I think f-droid is the standard non Google place to get apps?
It was easy to download, although iirc, even going through the website might require google play store. Maybe that's why you're not using it?
I think I do everything without logging in? The Google store is always asking me to login but there's a thing you can click to skip it
My phone now, is logged in to Gmail
@NilaJones @_L1vY_ I just saw this thread no idea if this helps but
I use brave on both my phones, or Vivaldi (or other browsers). I dont use chrome at all ever.
I use Kmail to get my gmail but it means at least I avoid any AI and don't give google any gmail tracking. I use Msilspring on my Mac or PCs.
I use Fdroid for some apps, they work fine
I dont use any G docs at all. Or G drive at all except for back up. Will be changing that too asap.
This may be useful, or not!
Thanks, I will give all a try at this point, as long as I can get into my social media and do some searches 😆
Mother Bones
NilaJones
Dr Pen