[Android General] BigBrother84:
Privacy-Focused, Open-Source apps alternatives & unwanted content blocking

Useful apps, alternatives, solutions, unwanted content blocking - discussion and ideas​

Additional Information:

If you use xda app It's recommend to launch this thread in browser - BBCode doesn't work properly. I used it a lot...

I created thread for everyone that want to use some apps alternatives which may be better for your privacy.

I'm not paid, I don't promote any apps or products I don't suggest anything (e.g. these apps are bad), I just share information from what I or others found.

You choose what apps you use, I'm not responsible for any of them or for influence on your choice.

You choose what you block and what is "unwanted content" for you.

I do it in my spare time, so do not expect everyday updates and fast news.

Apps Alternatives for the most common solutions

of course, there are more, here I picked only some of them, for people who don't want to search whole internet and read separated articles. ;)

You may also make a glance into post #6 for lightweight apps collection prepared by HemanthJabalpuri

If app pledges to respect privacy I write green RP

If app needs root (super user) permission to work I write red SU (It doesn't include additional features after granting) because you have a choice

If app uses root for additional features, that are not required I write orange SUF

If app is open source I write blue OS (check I want something more if you want know what role it plays)

If app is "pay to use" I write yellow PTU It doesn't include in app additional purchases, because you have a choice to use basic form or more advanced.

If app has additional features paid I write orange PF
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Keyboards:

AOSP keyboard - often included in aosp-based os. [ OS ]

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AnySoftKeyboard - really good customizable keyboard with language packs and gesture typing support [ OS ]

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SMS & MMS:

Silence - messaging app with encryption [ OS ]

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Video Conferences:

Jitsi Meet - encrypted meeting app [ OS ]

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Browsers:

Firefox - browser with add-ons that may help you. If you think, that Firefox is slow especially on android, check

this version Helpful add-ons: NoScript, Ublock Origin, privacy badger, privacy possum, decentraleyes [ OS ]

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Onion Browser

Mail:

Tutanota - free e-mail app with encryption [ OS , PF ]

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ProtonMail - free encrypted email service, free plan is worse than tutanota's one but someone may find it better [ OS , PF ]

K-9 Mail - POP IMAP Mail Client [ OS ]

FairEmail Client [Downloads from F-droid or playstore]

Chat:

I got quote from their site additional info: you can either host your own or use public ones.

Element - most advanced client of matrix server [ OS ]

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If you don't like elements look, you can use other client like Fluffychat but there are not all features available. Add this repository to F-droid or Aurora Droid to download, or download it from play store[ OS ]

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Pattle - other matrix client [ OS ]

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MiniVector - other matrix client [ OS ]

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Tensor - other matrix client [ OS ]

Rocket.chat - encrypted chat [ OS ]

aTox - TOX client - encrypted p2p chat [ OS ]

Briar - encryped p2p chat [ OS ]

Jami - encryped p2p chat [ OS ]

App store:

F-droid - AppStore.

- got this quote from their site so if you want to search for open-source apps for android, check their repository, and everything from there should be open-source! [ OS ]

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Aurora Droid - F-droid but with additional features, with other UI. If you want to download, scroll down and choose direct apk download [ OS ]

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Maps and Navigation:

OSMAnd Maps and navigation (can be offline) [ OS ]

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Calendar:

DAVx⁵ synchronized calendar [ OS ]

Social:

New Pipe - YouTube, SoundCloud replacement with additional features. [ OS ]

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SlimSocial - other Facebook client

Notepad & To-Do list:

Notepad [ OS ]

OpenTasks - Advanced To-Do list [ OS ]

Launcher:

Lawnchair - simple similar to pixel launcher [ OS ]

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Privacy protecting apps:

Xprivacy - choose to successfully block permission and spoof data [ SU , ]

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XprivacyLua - continuation of Xprivacy for newer android. [ SU , PF , ]

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Exodus - Show trackers and permissions from other installed apps (inbuilt in Aurora store) [ OS ]

TrackerControl - allows users to monitor and control the widespread, ongoing, hidden data collection in mobile apps about user behaviour ('tracking'). [ OS ]

Warden - app from the developer of Aurora Store that lets you disable trackers/loggers [ SU, OS ]

ClassyShark3xodus - Checks apps for code signatures of known trackers (provided by Exodus).Also can list all classes for launchable (via the app drawer) packages. [OS]

Multimedia:

VLC - media player [ OS ]

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e-book Reader:

KOReader [ OS ]

Alreader - I have to check if it's open source, but it "respects privacy" RP

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Unwanted content blocking

include: Ads, adware, malware, pornsites blocking

For rooted devices

Adaway app where you can add external hostlists and whitelist/blacklist your choices. It supports Wildcard characters * and ?.

For not rooted devices

Blokada App

AdGuard

Self hosted vpn with set pihole as a DNS check Want know something more? if you want know how it works

Host Lists

Steven Black Steven Black Host (in different variants)

Energized protection (in different variants)

Cryptocurrency digger blocker

"Peters love"

Dans Pollocks host file

AdAway host file

MVPS

HP Host

Goodbye Ads by Jerryn70

YT ads

Other - list of recommended pi-hole hosts (scroll down), some of them are unfortunately discontinued.

Other package same as above

Source: blokada.org app and projects on github

I want more!

Here will be explanations, sources, experiments and other useful information.

Why using open-source apps are good?

(copied from Wikipedia) So what does it mean for every of us? We are able to check code if there may be something unwanted e.g. trackers. The question is: does anyone really do that? ;) Yeah... However It's better when you can do that and it's not forbidden by license or any law. Now compare it with closed-source, really long, unclear licenses. (Don't understand me wrong - I do not point any of company).

how DNS ads blocking works? - It's really smart. You have to know what is DNS So basically pihole is DNS server which doesn't allow ads servers to be loaded. The problem is that it works in your local network. that's why you have to have VPN. With VPN your internet traffic will be going through your local network, so pihole DNS will be found and ads will be blocked (not loaded). If you want some guide how to set up it, write down here, or just type it ;) helpful things you should know something about: DNS, pihole, pivpn, openvpn, wireguard, raspberrypi, ubuntu server, ssh, port forwarding, unattended upgrades.

Is it possible to flash Linux instead Android? Do Linux preinstalled smartphones exist?

Yes! You should be able to replace android on certain smartphones. Check PostmarketOS and Ubuntu Touch and SalfishOS Write down here if you want some PostmarketOS installation tips for newbies (everything you need you should find in their Wiki page)

There are only three Linux designed phones check Librem 5, VollaPhone and PinePhone. PinePhone sholud have maintain Linux kernel!

OK, I want linux on my phone now! - Check if you have compatible device with Ubuntu Touch or PostmarketOS and proceed with steps in installation guide. You need unlocked bootloader and ADB on your computer

There might be a problem... - Many apps are just WebApps, not fully working, without some features like push notification. Look into OpenStore - official Ubuntu touch appstore and search for what you need.

Tutanota is PF!? What are limitations? - Yes, on their site you have choice to have free account which has some limitations... for now [2020/07.05] 1GB space, one account, one calendar, possibility to log in app to one account. Second thing is you are "forced" to use their app their UI because If I'm not wrong they don't provide POP or IMAP. However it's usable :)

Other Tips to save privacy

Stay offline when you can. (whenever you don't trust the provider)

Become self-hoster. You can easily and ethically replace some services like online drives, music streaming clients, DNS.

Mix your data, don't allow to be identified by one email, one name, one account everywhere. (Of course if Terms allows)

Use proxies, Onion Routing, VPNs,

Dont' be lazy and read the terms of use, privacy policies when you feel something is wrong. be aware of different types of licenses.

Search for alternatives. There are always some. You can use: https://alternativeto.net to find app with open-source license.

Feel free to suggest what apps may be good for privacy, post your observation, app pros and cons

I collect information in 1st post, and make up "Changelog" in second post.

Sometimes I make mistakes, please forgive me and correct by sending pm. ;)
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