if you dont want to fuck around with custom roms, but you want to get rid of the bloat. look around closely in each apps description, cause deleting everyting can easily break moto gestures https://github.com/Universal-Debloater-Alliance/universal-android-debloater-next-generation
switch all apps to foss. or at least most you can.
Here's what I've done:
, to get to settings, then click "Privacy") or switch to HeliBoardStuff I haven't done yet but probably will eventually:
I haven't looked for good alternatives for these yet so if anyone has suggestions, I'm listening!
The launcher is just an app, but the way it's set up ensures that different launcher apps cannot offer the same experience as the stock one.
Rabbit hole I dove into trying to figure out why my back to homepage didn't feel snappy (like the swipe up animation goes and only after it's done the icons load). Turns out that's pretty much intentional and the solution is rooting your phone.
Kvaesitso and Lawnchair are launchers that get recommended a lot. I prefer LaunchTime. Unexpected Keyboard is my favorite, minimalist but great. All of these are on F-Droid,
I use Neo Launcher. It's as close to Nova as I've been able to find. It hasn't been updated in years but I have had no issues with it.
Big fan of HeliBoard
Typing this out using HeliBoard now. So far so good, thanks!🔥
It works well with the additional Swipe library, too (which is unfortunately not a FOSS library).
Why Heliboard over FUTO Keyboard? FUTO makes Immich too.
I used to use FUTO keyboard but I know they had some weird controversies about licensing and such so I figured the safer move would be HeliBoard. FUTO was nice too though
Later Android versions also let you set a custom DNS in settings, so you can have DNS level traffic filtering without an app that does it via local VPN.
I dont think we are ever going to see a third consumer level production phone with an alternative Linux based OS. There aren’t enough people out there in the main stream to make a product like this truly viable. Maybe Fairphone or a equivalent. But that’s a tall maybe. Definitely not a flagship level phone.
What’s more realistic is seeing graphine gain availability on more devices.
This is the one place I haven’t taken the plunge. My experience with Linux desktops over the years leaves me a little concerned being stuck without making calls in an emergency situation. I’m also using MVNOs and I worry they won’t be compatible with a different OS.
Wait for real Linux phones to become viable and use that in a couple years
Is anyone actually working on that?
postmarketOS, Mobian, Ubuntu Touch, and Mobile NixOS all seem to have recent activity.
As for hardware, although the PinePhone Pro got lukewarm reviews, maybe they'll iterate and get better or at least prove to other companies that there's a demand for Linux phones.
I'm hopeful there'll be at least one usable option within 5 years or so. And if not, I'll be sticking with GrapheneOS.
The only way to remove Google tracking is to install a third party firmware like GrapheneOS.
Not on a Motorola though. LineageOS would be the alternative here
That is exactly such a mentioned third party alternative
Depending on the model you could try flashing a different flavor of android like LineageOS, it's easy it just looks hard for the amount of steps tho
If you do i recommend downloading f-droid, inside the app you could download Aurora Store that let you access play store without account :)
Shrekislove posted some good advice, so I’ll add something here for you to evaluate based on what you said above.
“I hate Google so much… I’m just looking for my blindspots… Im not in tech”
Years ago I went all in and too fast on privacy. I’d recommend some guard rails as getting privacy is a journey. First you need to define what “privacy” is for you. Privacy is a spectrum. Only you can determine it based on your needs and wants, and you can do that by figuring out your threat model.
That old expression of tightening your grip and more things fall out applies here.
Think about your security and privacy. Think about what you’re willing to give up, and think about your relationships with others that can be impacted.
You can get recommendations and learn more about privacy by checking out privacyguides.org.
As for me? I’m basically at the point where I’m fatigued with big tech - especially smartphones. I’m waiting to see when GrapheneOS will reveal what new OEM they are working with, to determine if I’ll get another smartphone when my current one is too old. Else, my plan is to upgrade to a truly dumb 5g phone with hotspot. Then I’ll carry my Linux laptop with me and use that when I need the internet.
Best of luck! Don’t go too fast and evaluate everyone’s suggestions carefully. I don’t recommend just dropping the phone you got and going all in on buying a Pixel and installing GrapheneOS. That’s a drastic action to take suddenly since you’re still getting your feet wet on all this privacy stuff. You can improve privacy on your current phone, and then when you’re comfortable and if you decide you need the benefits of GrapheneOS, then look into upgrading in the future.
Buy a Pixel, install GrapheneOS. Or look into Lineage OS supported hardware.
LineageOS is far behind GrapheneOS in terms of privacy and security.
Can you provide a link that explains why LineageOS is behind Graphene?
And still worlds better than standard android.
Yes, but it supports a wide range of devices, has no telemetry and is available sans gapps so is a considerable improvement over stock.
Well, they still usually use test keys and don't support AVB yellow (which doesn't concern me because my phone is old enough it doesn't support AVB anyway).
Yes, which is why I've moved on from LineageOS on Poco 4 to GrapheneOS on Pixel 7a and Pixel tablet. Should GOS become nonviable then we would have to regress to LineageOS or Linux.
Why is that?
If you're just getting started, e/OS is a great option for privacy for non-Pixel phones.
You can check compatibility here: https://doc.e.foundation/devices
It is not. It is better than bloated Google Android but not "great".
Well, apparently they are involved in harassment of gos with caylx and rossman.
Privacy has become a very important issue in modern society, with companies and governments constantly abusing their power, more and more people are waking up to the importance of digital privacy.
In this community everyone is welcome to post links and discuss topics related to privacy.
much thanks to @gary_host_laptop for the logo design :)