Basic Privacy Setup for Android

[kagz]

If you are using a Pixel, switch to Graphene OS.

For other phones, I follow this procedure. 100% FREE to do.

1. Reset the phone
2. Once you finish the basic setup, uninstall all bloatware manually
3. If you have an old phone, use Universal Android Debloater (UAD)
4. If you have a new phone, use this new fork of UAD

Both UAD are easy to understand. Take your time and remove bloatwares one by one. Understand what it means to remove a specific app and proceed.

5. Once the debloating is completed, switch to FOSS and good quality alternatives to some apps.

For example, Gallery app by Fossify can replace most Gallery apps.

But Gboard has local languages functionality and it is not worth to switch to FOSS options like Floris.

6. I ditched google chrome and switched to brave browser. Ironfox and Iceraven are my secondary browsers. Both are open source and based on Firefox. Install unlock origin extension and you are set to go.

7. Switch default DNS provider to NextDNS. You can create an account and follow the instructions in the nextdns website to set private DNS on your phone.

8. Install ProtonVPN and use a free account. This will cover your basic VPN needs. Don't bother running Tor on Android, it's not secure enough.

There are countless FOSS apps discussed on various privacy forums. Check them out. Don't install every app right away. Keep things simple for your device security.

I follow this setup on every phone I get to configure (friends, family, etc).

Privacy is not a fancy word. Also, you are not bound to watch ads on the phone you bought using the internet pack you bought. If you want to support creators, donate to them.

Let's grow the thread. Suggest apps that you use, methods you follow, and more.

 

[TheNawab]

I also deploy TrackerControl. Nifty little app that blocks trackers and cookies system-wide.

 

[Jee]

For keyboard, you have to try Heliboard. It pretty much has everything you need but for gesture typing, you need to import an library yourself. It should support any languages added but I don't use it myself so cant say how well that works. I would say keyboard is a pretty important app to replace as it can be easily used to track your interests and Google definitely isn't gonna pass on that data trove.

For youtube, I am using Freetube with always on VPN. It still pulls from youtube servers but your ip can be hidden with VPN and no account is needed as everything from subscriptions to channel groups are local mainted. Can be synced across devices with something like Syncthing but I haven't managed to completely automate syncing. Although I am considering switching to Grayjay but the desktop app is still very new and isn't working that well on NixOS for me.

The main advantage or the single reason I bought an Pixel to run GrapheneOS is their sand boxed Play services. I only have it enabled in some of my profiles like Banking and another one for stuff like food delivery, taxi etc. Passkey support is a bit complicated and problematic tho. The same team also have their own browser called Vanadium which would be one of the most privacy focused browsers out there but not as feature rich. It is obviously available on any android device similar to their camera app but doubt it would be that good for non pixel devices.

If you are getting more serious on de-googling and don't mind paying for privacy, start with replacing gmail with other email providers like Tuta, Proton, Fast mail etc with custom domain for catch all email or email alias services like addy.io or simplelogin.io. The free version of addy.io is also pretty good for most as it has unlimited alias but only for receiving emails.

 

[TheNawab]

For youtube, I am using Freetube with always on VPN. It still pulls from youtube servers but your ip can be hidden with VPN and no account is needed as everything from subscriptions to channel groups are local mainted. Can be synced across devices with something like Syncthing but I haven't managed to completely automate syncing. Although I am considering switching to Grayjay but the desktop app is still very new and isn't working that well on NixOS for me.

If you are getting more serious on de-googling and don't mind paying for privacy, start with replacing gmail with other email providers like Tuta.....

Can vouch for Tuta. Pretty good email and calendar services.

Wondering why don't you use ReVanced as it solves the sync problem. I use Enhanced Youtube + UBlock in my Zen Browser on Desktop devices, and ReVanced on mobiles for Youtube.

 

[Jee]

Can vouch for Tuta. Pretty good email and calendar services.

Wondering why don't you use ReVanced as it solves the sync problem. I use Enhanced Youtube + UBlock in my Zen Browser on Desktop devices, and ReVanced on mobiles for Youtube.

I was using it a long time back but that requires an youtube account to maintain subscriptions right? Also since Revanced is just a patch of normal youtube apk, idk if it would actually respects privacy in any way but that's mostly just me being paranoid.

Edit: And to clarify, I obviously don't want to use a google account for youtube as it basically defeats the whole point of de-googling.

 

[kagz]

I also deploy TrackerControl. Nifty little app that blocks trackers and cookies system-wide.

View attachment 235041

Yes tracker control is a nice one.

For keyboard, you have to try Heliboard. It pretty much has everything you need but for gesture typing, you need to import an library yourself. It should support any languages added but I don't use it myself so cant say how well that works. I would say keyboard is a pretty important app to replace as it can be easily used to track your interests and Google definitely isn't gonna pass on that data trove.

For youtube, I am using Freetube with always on VPN. It still pulls from youtube servers but your ip can be hidden with VPN and no account is needed as everything from subscriptions to channel groups are local mainted. Can be synced across devices with something like Syncthing but I haven't managed to completely automate syncing. Although I am considering switching to Grayjay but the desktop app is still very new and isn't working that well on NixOS for me.

The main advantage or the single reason I bought an Pixel to run GrapheneOS is their sand boxed Play services. I only have it enabled in some of my profiles like Banking and another one for stuff like food delivery, taxi etc. Passkey support is a bit complicated and problematic tho. The same team also have their own browser called Vanadium which would be one of the most privacy focused browsers out there but not as feature rich. It is obviously available on any android device similar to their camera app but doubt it would be that good for non pixel devices.

If you are getting more serious on de-googling and don't mind paying for privacy, start with replacing gmail with other email providers like Tuta, Proton, Fast mail etc with custom domain for catch all email or email alias services like addy.io or simplelogin.io. The free version of addy.io is also pretty good for most as it has unlimited alias but only for receiving emails.

I tried Heliboard and finally settled on Futo.

For YouTube, I ditched Newpipe and using a web instance on ironfox with proper background playback and all.

Email alias is excellent for privacy. Addy is good, can vouch for it.

Can vouch for Tuta. Pretty good email and calendar services.

Wondering why don't you use ReVanced as it solves the sync problem. I use Enhanced Youtube + UBlock in my Zen Browser on Desktop devices, and ReVanced on mobiles for Youtube.

Zen is building too fast. I like the UI. But for privacy, I suggest to stick with Libre Wolf. Problem is that Zen has too many updates and LibreWolf has too few

I was using it a long time back but that requires an youtube account to maintain subscriptions right? Also since Revanced is just a patch of normal youtube apk, idk if it would actually respects privacy in any way but that's mostly just me being paranoid.

Edit: And to clarify, I obviously don't want to use a google account for youtube as it basically defeats the whole point of de-googling.

That's the whole point. Revanced with microG just removes ads and add premium features. For privacy, web instance is the best.