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
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’d also toss in AnySoftKeyboard and Organic Maps.
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.
There are a few basic things you can do to enhance your privacy.
Use firefox we a browser.
User an offline password manager like keepassdx.
Substitute Google apps like notes, tasks, and calendar with privacy Foss ones.
Switch your online app with local ones. For example. Rather than using pocket casts, use antennapod instead.
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?
Every little step helps
The worry with some of the privacy toggles in the platform itself is that it might not actually affect what the company collects or uses. So if you can swap an app with a FOSS one, it makes a bigger difference. A chunk of the FOSS apps are better anyways so 🤷
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
A simple thing you can do is be informed on what data google is tracking on your phone.
If you are signed into a Google account on your phone, you should check your Google dashboard: https://myaccount.google.com/intro/dashboard and make sure to turn off any tracking you don’t want. You can also request your data is deleted through the dashboard or through Google takeout.
If you stay with the built in OS and you can also get away from a Google account (don’t sign into a Google account on the phone), you’re tracked less, but that’s a bit challenging for many.
One helpful tip if you want to keep the phone logged out. You will not be able to install apps from the Google store (a privacy nightmare anyway). You of course will want to use as many FOSS apps as you can through F-Droid (or Obtainium, etc). But you may also need to occasionally use nonfree apps. Aurora Store is an excellent front-end for Play Store, available (of course) from F-Droid.
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