Android for Privacy
Tags: privacy, degoogle, android, tracker
Published: 2024-07-08 11:47:47

**Introduction**
Kind of guide to my-self to install and configure my de-googled cellphone.
Android provided by brands has totally googled eco-system, that force you to use the big-tech services, and blind you in terms of trade off about your privacy and the free services.

**Alternatives OS**
To bypass this we have a some alternatives in terms of Operation System for android, I tested LinageOS, CalyxOS, because they have support for my currently hardware, you can consider GrapheneOS and DivestOS. On of advantage is that you can update your phone to newest  android(14).
![LinageOS](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/w08t3gccto2j42f4yfhf.png)
Considering that you are getting a pure S.O with minimal to start to install the Apps that will attend you with functionality versus privacy.

Many ways to follow, because of this I'm writing to my self back and re-learn with my chooses. 

**Apps that track info from you**
My approach is avoid at all big-tech services, and replace for community options, to this you will need spirit of auto custody. 
And take care about you backups, e-mail, calendar, contacts etc.

Transitory time is acceptable to use some tracked apps, but important to you know how to check that and decide considering the risks.

The most popular way is use Exodus Privacy reports to verify this info, basically the web site tell you how many "tracks" the app has, and track means a inside codes in app that collect data from you.
[Twitter/X](https://reports.exodus-privacy.eu.org/en/reports/com.twitter.android/latest/) has 4 tracks and you check will have information about the data that are collect from you.

It's a pain in the ass verify and decide, much time to test and consider witch app you will use.

**Apps**
List of Alternatives [Awesome-Privacy](https://github.com/pluja/awesome-privacy) and [DeGoogle](https://github.com/tycrek/degoogle)
The first app to use is F-Droid, unpopular store no need google account basically is a repository that you can trust more than download the apk from another sources.
I recommend to install Aurora Store, this one "need" google account that you can choose anonymous one and its connected with PlayStore but has linked report with Exodus Services than is easy to check if the app has trackers.

![Aurora Store](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/g9rce7inmo0aeoz0tp7k.png)
**Store**: F-Droid, Aurora Store
**Home**: TCP/UDP WIDGET (developed by KJM), Ewlink
**Sec**: Aegis Authentication, OpenKeyChain.
**Chat**: Telegram Foss, Signal, SimpleX, Proton-Mail.
**Browser**: Mull, Firefox.
**Social**: Amethyst nostr Client.
**Media**: Spotube, Tubular, LibreTube, Materialious, FocusPodcast.
**Maps**: OsmAnd, GMaps WV.
**Others**: Material Files, ConnectBot
**VPN/Firewall**: Orbot, Wireguard Client, NetGuard.

![Exodus Reports](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/wqtbne3k8e27167gndks.png)
[Exodus Reports](https://reports.exodus-privacy.eu.org) are amazing to help you to decide, if you really need install an app or not, sometimes is better to use the service in the web-browser to avoid tracks, sure that on web-site they can collect data, but you can use Firefox extension like uBlock Origin and Privacy Badger that will mitigate that and block the track .
Your Firefox/based Firefox browser is a good option, you need to configure and remove the telemetry about mozilla, but is easy to do this, the extension to improve the privacy are enough. 

**Conclusion**
Nowadays we good services for privacy approach like Proton services, Next-Cloud etc, the best option is your auto custody of your data creating your setup, has more work to do, but has more privacy.