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

  • Lee Duna@lemmy.nzEnglish
    15·
    11 months ago

    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
  • Fake4000@lemmy.worldEnglish
    10·
    11 months ago

    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.

  • MajorMajormajormajor@lemmy.ca
    62·
    11 months ago

    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.

    • Will8250@lemmings.worldOP
      4·
      11 months ago

      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?

      • Otter@lemmy.caEnglish
        1·
        11 months ago

        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 🤷

  • dez@lemmy.ml
    2·
    11 months ago

    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

  • habitualTartare@lemmy.world
    2·
    11 months ago

    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.

    • gedaliyah@lemmy.world
      2·
      11 months ago

      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.