Hey, there!

To get things going here and also because I’m interested in what kind of fun stuff you’re running on your phones, I’ll post a list of apps that I’m using daily or that are part of my Android experience.

To start it all off, I’d like to emphasize that I try to run FOSS apps almost exclusively and I also don’t use Google Play Services whatsoever (not even MicroG). I do run some very few closed source applications in a separate profile with Insular, but I plain out refuse to run them if they flat out require Google Play Services.

Feel free to tell me what YOU are running in the comments!

My installed Apps

Apps not available on F-Droid

These are apps that aren’t available on F-Droid, due to either containing non-free dependencies or other reasons.

  • Bitwarden(GPL-3.0) | Powerful cloud password manager with auto-fill capabilities*
  • boum(MPL-2.0) | Client for listening to music on Jellyfin*
  • Brave(MPL-2.0) | Web browser based on Chromium with privacy in mind (I use it when Mull breaks something)
  • Record You(GPL-3.0) | Record your voice or your screen

Honorable Mentions

These are apps that I wholeheartedly recommend, but don’t use any more, because I replaced them with something else.

*CAN be used as a client for self-hosted services
**Offers additional features if root access is present
***Requires root access to be present
****Part of a Magisk module

Edit: Added some links and changed Infinity’s description

  • Drewski@kbin.social
    5·
    1 year ago

    Not on F-Droid

    • Signal Encrypted messaging app
    • Edge Multi cryptocurrency wallet
    • Netto Hikari@social.fossware.spaceOPMEnglish
      1·
      1 year ago

      Thanks for your addition! What does a 3rd party SMS app offer over the regular SMS app that comes with your phone, though?

      Is it an american thing to still use SMS broadly? It’s kind of weird to me, because of the inherently non-private and restrictive features of SMS.

      Just genuinely asking.

  • meliache@feddit.deEnglish
    4·
    1 year ago

    Here some not yet mentioned #FOSS #Android apps that I think add value to me:

    • Anki-Droid (github) for spaced repetition learning, synced with the Anki desktop app. I create and manage cards in the desktop app, but a mobile client is convenient for review on the go. Makes memory a choice.
    • AntennaPod for #podcasts
    • #OSM: Organic Maps, and StreetComplete for easy contributing
    • Wikipedia
    • Orgzly outliner using the org-mode markup format of the #Emacs text editor. I use it to view and edit my org-mode notes created in the Emacs text editor on my phone. That use-case is pretty niche, but the app is also decent by itself.
    • Syncthing for syncing directories between several devices (mobile & desktop) without the need for a central “cloud” server.
    • Wallabag: Self-hosted pocket alternative. Save websites to read later and sync that list across devices.

    Not on F-Droid:

    • Medito (IzzyDroid, github): Guided #meditation for beginners and a FOSS alternative to headspace and the like. Though if you’re experienced just a timer app might be sufficient, there are plenty of those. Might do some tracking, there seem to be some problems getting it into FDROID, see this issue
    • Netto Hikari@social.fossware.spaceOPMEnglish
      2·
      1 year ago

      Thank you very much for your list! I forgot Anki-Droid. I use it to learn Japanese. I used to use Syncthing in the past, but it hasn’t been 100% reliable for me. But that was probably a configuration issue on my side.

      Gonna check out Medito now.

  • may_pretender@feddit.roEnglish
    3·
    1 year ago

    It’s very interesting that OP doesn’t use microG. How do you deal with no notifications? Do you use apps with custom (non-google) notification support? What are the disadvantages?

    Here’s a list of apps I use that are not on OP’s list:

    Compared to OP, I do use MicroG with LineageOS. I also use quite a few closed source apps (banking apps, uber-like, car/bike sharing, some local apps for public transport, chatting apps, navigation, etc) but I do try my best to avoid them if I can. From time to time I log into Facebook / Instagram or use Google Maps in the browser, but don’t have the apps installed.

    • Netto Hikari@social.fossware.spaceOPMEnglish
      3·
      1 year ago

      Hey, thanks for your list! Very interesting. I used to use ACCA, too. But due to me not using that many apps (especially only very few closed source apps) and therefore not having many background processes, my batteries are always very healthy. My phones usually last around 4 years and never once has a battery failed on me, despite me regularly charging and discharging my phones almost completely every 1 1/2-2 days. ACCA is a good piece of software, but I feel that I don’t need it. Funny enough, my old phone (Xiaomi Mi MIX 2) still works the whole day when charging it during the night, but what made me ultimately get a new phone is that the screen had burn in issues and the volume and power buttons acted up from me using it so much.

      I also used to use GadgetBride for my Mi Band, but after some weeks, I usually take my band off and then it collects dust for months. Don’t know why that is, though.

      I wish I could use OpenBoard or any other keyboard. I need Japanese input and I want to have it in one single application. Right now, only Microsoft SwiftKey is able to do that for me in a convenient way, which means, I have it installed and completely cut off from the internet, due to it being closed source. Another thing is that I use Insular for closed source apps in a work profile and a second installation of SwiftKey there has native support for syncing settings and dictionaries with the one on mainland.

      I personally don’t care for Signal at all. I know, Telegram isn’t private, but I’m making a compromise here. I really like the UI / UX of Telegram. Something where Signal lacks. It’s all a matter of taste, but I just don’t like it. Also, all my friends and family are either on Telegram or on WhatsApp.

      Regarding me using no Google Services Framework or MicroG at all: I don’t need them. No truly FOSS app will utilize that. They all handle notifications on their own. The few closed source apps I use (including banking, etc.) are on my Insular space and they don’t need GSF also. If I try to use a closed source app that straight out requires it or crashes when no GSF is present, I uninstall it immediately. Simple as that.

  • Shakuni@karab.in
    3·
    1 year ago

    I use Syncthing and KDE Connect both. They’re fantastic at what they do- wireless sync specific folders between devices, send/receive files, share a clipboard between devices, remotely operate a device, share notifications etc. Basically you can create your own seamless ecosystem of devices that belong to any platform! If you’re like me and use a lot of offline-only apps, these two will let you sync your data between 2 or more devices. I use it for my offline music library (fully legal of course, no question about it haha lol), logseq notes, books (again, definitely completely legal).

    I also use BitWarden, but I might switch to Keypass because it is fully offline.

    • Netto Hikari@social.fossware.spaceOPM
      1·
      1 year ago

      Does syncing a password vault or app settings work flawlessly like that or do hiccups occur? I usually try to use things that are FOSS and offer a selfhosted backend, but I’m not opposed to the usage of fully offline applications, as well.

    • Netto Hikari@social.fossware.spaceOPMEnglish
      1·
      1 year ago

      Thank you, Obtanium is a great piece of software, too.

      For those that are going to use it, though… Keep in mind that only applications that are on F-Droid are sure to be free of proprietary libraries, etc. I personally tend to stretch the rules a bit, so that’s fine with me. But there are some Richard-Stallman-esque people who truly only want FOSS on their phone and I get that.

      Also, if you installed something from F-Droid (or sometimes from somewhere else) and then try to update the same app through obtanium, it’ll refuse to work, unless you uninstall the already installed version first. Same goes for updating F-Droid apps through Aurora Store (or Play Store).

  • Temezi@sopuli.xyzEnglish
    3·
    1 year ago

    Lots of great recommendations and I got a few ideas from here. I came here to mention AFWall+, which blocks apps’ internet connection with iptables for that additional layer of security.

  • DeltaTangoLima@aussie.zoneEnglish
    3·
    1 year ago

    Great list - picked up a couple new ones for myself. Thanks.

    Adding to your list:

    • Paperless Mobile An almost fully-fledged mobile app for my Paperless-ngx server
    • Syncthing Helped me (with Photoprism) replace Google Photos, but also syncs backup files made by other apps (Tasker, Signal, calls & texts, etc) from my phone to my computer overnight
    • Simple Search Completely configurable search widget, lets me search with my private Whoogle servers from my phone’s home screen
    • Shelter A lot like Insular, lets you utilise work profile for your own needs - apps, files, etc.
    • Droid-ify Another F-droid alternative
    • Netto Hikari@social.fossware.spaceOPMEnglish
      1·
      1 year ago

      Do you selfhost paperless-ngx? I used to run it for some time, but then took it offline, because I didn’t find it as useful as I thought it’d be.

      Also, after looking at this comparison table again, I think I might switch from Insular to Shelter, as it supports auto freeze.

      • DeltaTangoLima@aussie.zoneEnglish
        2·
        1 year ago

        Do you selfhost paperless-ngx?

        Indeed I do. It’s not necessarily something I find myself using every single day, but it’s come in handy on so many occasions, I can’t imagine NOT having it now. I’m (slowly) scanning all my existing paper archives in and shredding them, only keeping the physical copies of things that make sense (eg. birth certificates). The more data I put into it, the more useful it is.

  • markkdark@lemmy.oneEnglish
    2·
    1 year ago

    Thanks, yours recommendation it’s like my. It’s seems that have “my phone”. 😂😂😂

  • muaveri@lemmy.worldEnglish
    2·
    1 year ago

    Available on Fdroid & IzzyOnDroid:

    • Gmaps WV - wrapper for Google Maps
    • Aegis - 2 factor authenticator
    • Aurora Store - alternative for Play Store
    • Thunder - app for Lemmy
    • K-9 Mail - e-mail client
    • LocalSend - cross platform file sharing app over local wifi ou hotspot
    • Fennec Firefox mobile app
    • Simple Gallery Pro - gallery app
    • VLC - media player
    • Record You - voice or screen recorder
    • NewPipe - youtube client
    • Binary Eye - QR code scanner
    • Organic Maps - OpenStreetMap offline maps
    • SimpleXChat - messenger
    • Markor - text editor
    • Activity Manager - activity launcher
  • florge@lemmy.worldEnglish
    2·
    1 year ago

    I’d like to mention ImgurViewer, can handle quite a lot of image/video links. Particularly useful at the moment with all these new lemmy apps not having the best handle over links.