• I used to do side loading on iOS for a modded YouTube app (uYou+) but now I just use YouTube in the browser with AdGuard and Vinegar extensions. There’s ways to sideload and auto refresh the certificate that don’t need you to connect the phone to a computer which apparently work pretty well (I used AltStore which was pretty annoying because it doesn’t do that).
• Usually I think you just have to enable NSFW on a computer/via the browser for it to work in the app. At least that how it is for Telegram iirc. Generally there shouldn’t be a problem accessing anything.
• No idea, the only thing I play on my phone is Shattered Pixel Dungeon and I bought that

iOS is way too locked down. Granted, it depends on what you do and what you need, but since you’re asking in this community yeah… not the best choice.

Honestly just get a Android phone that’s just pure Android OS and nothing else, you don’t have to deal with the added junk that Samsung or whoever want to add on top of the OS. e.g. Google Pixel is quite excellent for this. And even still, if you end up wanting a different OS try installing GrapheneOS & see how it goes.

Funny, I followed the same exact course. IPhone 2-5 then switched to Samsung after 5. I feel like they had a strong edge at that time and it was getting to be more and more of a PITA to jailbreak the iphones then. Pixel w graphene sounds intriguing but I can’t imagine it’s without headaches. If you are already sideloading things frequently though you might be the type to not mind some of the extra steps graphene will demand. I wouldn’t blame anyone for going with Apple right now - I don’t think the Android benefits are as strong as they used to be. At the same time, I don’t see any attractive reason to switch since for me it would mean more cost and dealing with the frustrations of an ecosystem switch without any clear reward in return.

There are other mobile OSs besides Android and iOS. That being said, iOS is one of the most locked-down restrictive platforms on the planet, and any “freedom” you have now can be taken away in a single update as soon as Apple gets an angry letter from Nintendo or the RIAA or whatever.

If you feel like tinkering and walking around with a brick, you can try a DIY raspberryPi Phone - https://www.tomshardware.com/news/raspberry-pi-smartphone-ourphone

https://github.com/evanman83/OURS-project

I have recently gotten an iPad, because my carrier had a banger of a deal (30% off on the 2024 Air, 48 months payment no interest) and my Huawei tablet was getting long in the tooth, so I jumped.

I have owned Android since the first Galaxy (no number), tablets since the first 7" Galaxy Tab.

I have gone through a few tablets, 3-4 Samsung, Lenovo, Huawei, a couple of no names, and I got the iPad, because for tablet things is still the reference. Best experience hands down.

Would I get an iPhone? NO WAY.

The iPad is an occasional use device. I use it for media consumption, some social media (not much of a user) and for graphics stuff with the Affinity suite, which BTW is reason enough to get an iPad if you do design/photo. It’s the device for when the laptop is too cumbersome, or overkill. It’s great to take notes, scribble, sketch. It’s awesome to edit pics on the go, which I do a surprising lot.

But… Apple limits what I can do. Too much.

Would I accept the constraints of iOS in my main electronic device? No. I can live with the iPad’s constraints because I have a super capable phone (a 4 year old Xiaomi which is truly fantastic), which I can tune as I wish, and because it’s use case is fairly well defined. I would not compromise with my phone. Simple things like changing the launcher, what goes on my lock screen like alternate number / emergency contact, or whatever clock I want, or the keyboard, or installing apps from wherever I want, or rooting and changing the ROM (not all phones) or not dealing with iCloud bullshit, or having proper Firefox with extensions, or torrenting, or any of the tweaks, modifications, or whatever that make my Android MINE.

Just search for “things that iphones can’t do”. You’ll have reading for an afternoon.

Sideloading is quite bad. If you’re in the EU, I know you can use AltStore PAL, which costs money (~€1.50 a year), but all you’ll be getting is emulators, virtual machines, clipboard managers, and torrent clients.

There is another method for sideloading that works anywhere and lets you download modified apps, but it is very limited, tedious, and probably insecure. I’ve done it, it’s not worth it. Better to stay on android or use a browser with adblock or something.

I don’t think iOS has any specific limits to do with NSFW stuff, I’ve never heard of anything anyways.

Pirating games is probably not going to be worth it either since you have to sideload apps with the second method.

Other types of piracy are probably fine. If you have AltStore PAL you can get a torrent client and an emulator.

Have you looked at Sony phones? I recently switched to the Pixel Fold from a 1 Mark IV. Sony phones are some of the best IMO.

Welcome to Linux for Mobile.
The next generation OS for keeping your smartphone private and your conversations (kinda) secure.

It’s “next generation”, because we probably won’t have a good enough solution in the lifetime of the current generation’s people.

On mobile you have 4 choices :

• Stock Android, the worst you can get, simply not use it

• iOS, as worst as android but with better UI

• Degoogled Android, good choice, avail able on many devices 👍

• Linux phones, the best but in early development and only available on some devices only

The telegram thing is caused by telegram itself

Login with a pc and disable safety filters for your account and you’ll be fine

iirc the play store version of telegram is the same as the App Store version, but on android maybe you downloaded it directly from the telegram website (?)

Anyway, safety filter can be disabled

I am a degenerate. Can you please PM me your favorite Telegram NSFW channels? Thank you!

Fairphone 4 with eOS, escaping Google and Apple’s duopoly is quite liberating and not as hard as I thought it would be. Yeah, eOS is technically Android, but deGoogled.

https://e.foundation/

Ive use sideloaded youtube thats ad free, apollo for reddit to this day, telegram nsfw stickers, chats, everything, i havent pirated games but i wouldnt sideload a pirated game cuz that seems like a recipe for viruses (for android too). Roms and emulators are fine and easy to play now

Xiaomi. Or poco, redmi… Same stuff. For 200 bucks you get awesome phones and you can usually always remove stock and install LineageOS. They are all freely uockable and still under warranty after that.

Get a model near its end of market life, buy new the oldest you can find… Unlock, install LineageOS, enjoy.

I bought my Poco X3 NFC for 160€ 4 years ago and still rocks today with LineageOS 21 (Android 14).

(It usually take 6 months to 1 year for each new model to get LineageOS support, so don’t buy the latest model Also worth looking if there is official support on LineageOS before buy, or at least some unofficial ports).