Robin5d ago
🧵 1/8
Stock Samsung apps are not private. I replaced them all with open source alternatives. The main source: F‑Droid (a massive repository of libre apps). I also added the IzzyOnDroid repo for more recent builds.
#fossifyapps #privacymatters #digitalsurveillance #fdroid
Show threadRobin5d ago

🧵 2/8
First the Fossify suite (lightweight, polished, no trackers):

· Phone, Messages, Contacts, Calendar, Voice Recorder, Music Player.
Fossify Gallery is also great, but I chose Ente Photos for cloud backup (e2ee).

Show threadRobin5d ago

🧵 3/8
Other replacements:

· Keyboard: HeliBoard (Gboard clone, no swype by default but you can add it)
· Calculator: OpenCalc
· Video: VLC (still the best)
· File manager: Material Files (the king of design)
· Notes: Safe Notes (ultra simple UI and extremely private)

Show threadRobin5d ago
🧵 4/8
Camera: Open Camera – highly customizable, open source, works offline.
Office suite: Collabora Office (based on LibreOffice) – reads and edits .docx, .xlsx, .pptx without sending data anywhere.
Show threadRobin5d ago
🧵 5/8
To download apps from Google Play anonymously: Aurora Store (from F‑Droid). You can log in with a dummy session. Yes, F‑Droid shows a warning because it connects to Google servers, but it's far better than having the real Play Store installed.
Show threadRobin5d ago
🧵 6/8
Email and VPN: Proton (ProtonMail + ProtonVPN free tier). Mullvad is better but requires payment, which is very hard to manage from Cuba. Proton's free plan is limited but works.
Show threadRobin5d ago
🧵 7/8
What about Google Play Services? That's the next episode. For now, these replacements cover 90% of daily use. Everything works offline or with minimal data. Speed? Surprisingly good on a Samsung A12.
Show threadRobin

🧵 8/8
Episode 4 will tackle the hardest nut: Google Play Services (notifications, location, authentication). Can we replace it with microG? Spoiler: not easily on this phone.
⬇️ Continue to Episode 4.

#DeGoogledAndroid #privacymatters #digitalsurveillance

May 13 at 5:48pmMastodon for Android