WILL BE UPDATE OFTEN Last update : 8/30/2024
THE GUIDE FOR DE-GOOGLED APPS
(๐ = just the best app ; โค๏ธ = 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 ๐
Messages --> Quik SMS ๐
Contacts --> Fossify contacts ๐
Whatsapp --> SimpleX โค๏ธ Briar (For advanced users, maximum privacy concerns)
2- Networking
Chrome (browser) --> Cromite (must be configured) Mull โค๏ธ(slower but not chromium-based, must be configured)
Discord --> Element (matrix.org client)
Reddit --> Voyager (a Lemmy client)
3- Multimedia
YouTube --> Libretube โค๏ธ Tubular (a NewPipe fork)
Spotify --> RiMusic โค๏ธ
Google podcasts (podcasts) --> Antenna Pod ๐
Gallery --> Fossify Galley โค๏ธ (Basic app) Aves โค๏ธ (Advanced gallery)
4- Tools
QrScanner --> Binary eye ๐
Gboard --> HeliBoard โค๏ธ (OpenBoard fork)
IME keyboard --> Sayboard
Local sharing --> LocalSend โค๏ธ
Google authenticator (2FA) --> Aegis ๐
Lastpass (password manager) --> Bitwarden ๐ (Self-hosted) KeePassDX ๐ (local storage)
Gcam --> Open camera
5- Others
Clock --> Clock You
Google calendar --> Etar โค๏ธ
PDF viewer --> MJ PDF
Office --> LibreOffice Viewer โค๏ธ (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 ๐ (It's recommended to tweaks and the settings and use custom user.js (Explanations about user.js)) Librewolf โค๏ธ (For an out-of-the-box great experience)
Office --> The LibreOffice Suite โค๏ธ
File sharing --> Local Send โค๏ธ
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 โฌ๏ธโฌ๏ธ
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
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.
In this guide I propose Foss apps for a completely degoogled phone, so I will not recommend Gcam and Gboard, I privilege Libretube as it hide our IP from YouTube, and I do not recommend at all Xmanager because it just remove the ads and paywalls but not tweaks the privacy ๐ for discord, I will not recommend to use the system of discord because of what's behind...
I totally get it. Thanks for making the list though! I hope it helps a lot of people on their degoogling journey.
โค๏ธ