What are some simple things i can do while using an android phone to maintain some privacy? Been thinking about this since seeing a thread on favorite foss apps. I currently use duckduckgo browser with their tracking deterrent vpn and simple keyboard. Thanks in advance
Install a custom ROM to remove all the google spyware and bloatware if it’s supported by your device. If not, buy a phone that can support one.
LineageOS supports the most devices I believe, so better chance to find one that is supported. Some people don’t find it secure enough since you need to unlock your bootloader. You can have LOS without any google apps, or with some reinstalled with microg. Either option is more private that stock android, but the more google apps you use the more data you give them about yourself. I only use gmaps since no alternative works in my area reliably, and banking apps.
GrapheneOS has better security but is only available on specific phones (I believe google pixels only) which makes it more limiting. There are also no google apps, so you’re totally reliant on foss apps.
This gives you a range of devices and a range of privacy depending on your use case.
Thank you for the idea. However, it looks like my device isn’t supported. Also, not really looking to go that far. Would doing things like disabling search and location history be effective at all? Other simple steps?
On non-root android phone, I always use this steps to maintain privacy
Install f-droid app first, so you can install this apps from f-droid repo
- Mull browser (firefox fork) + uBlock Origin
- Cromite (Chromium fork with adblocker)
- personaDNSfilter or RethinkDNS
- OsmAnd map
- GMaps VW (gmaps webview wrapper)
- Aegis Authenticator (offline 2FA)
- Binary Eye (barcode scanner)
- NewPipe
- K9-Mail
- Nitter for Android
- VLC
- ImagePipe / Scrambled Exif (EXIF remover)
- KeepasDX
- QKSMS
- OpenBoard
I also like NextDNS. You can try it without account as well, I think for 7 days, if you click “Try it now”. Of course, if you delete cookies you get 7 days again.
I want to second this. Paid is only $2 a month or $20 a year. Excellent for blocking various trackers on all devices even those not on your home network.
Universal Android Debloater can help with privacy by deleting some Google programs. As a bonus, it can remove unwanted junk from your phone. Github link to Universal Android Debloater
Debloat your phone as possible as you can, if you dont have a ROM privacy-oriented for your phone, like lineageOS or DivestOS. Replace all google apps for open source apps. Exodus ( https://reports.exodus-privacy.eu.org/en/ ) maybe can help you. Use protonmail or tutanota for email. After read your post, maybe I will create a thread about my journey to degoogle my life/Android
