FOSS for Android
Hello everyone and a # HUGE THANK YOU FOR 1000+ FOLLOWERS on /c/fossdroid! It's great to see that this community and this instance see some actual usage! That makes me happy. 😁 Thank you for all the really nice, civil and constructive conversations we had on here so far and let's hope that our community will continue to grow steadily! We'll soon push Lemmy in the Automoderator messages, the banner and the description on Reddit, so we'll be able to lure more people here, hopefully. If you want to help, just spread the word! Once again, thank you, thank you, thank you and have a great one! Edit: Yes, I'm aware I just violated my own "no memes" rule. 🤣 ✌️
Hi guys! So, I have Proton Mail, and this also gives me the Calendar. I love that I have a encrypted private calendar, but it bothers me that it doesn't play well with any other app, as it's not officially a "calendar" to Android. There's a way in Proton to permanently share a link to your private calendar. In effect, it's an up-to-date .ics file, that needs to be downloaded every time there's an update. Is there a way to update this in Proton? Alternatively, I wouldn't mind creating some caldav system that imported this, but not sure if there's already any guide for it? Thanks so much!
Hi all! I've been seriously impressed with the Kaldi offline voices you can download from Sherpa-onnx implementation. After installing these, they can be picked by any Android app supporting TTS, such as Organic Maps driving instructions, which is truly awesome! I was now trying to get some sort of fully offline voice assistant. Dicio might fit the bill, but their included voice input is not compatible with anything else... And it kinda sucks. Is there any other Android Voice Input-compatible app? I'm thinking Dicio should pick it up instead of Vosk. Thanks!
PhoneProfilesPlus allows automatically or with one click configuring the device for life situations (at home, at work, in your car, sleep outside, ...).
www.f-droid.org
Make typing fun again.
www.f-droid.org
Hauk lets you share your location in real-time with friends and family for a specified period of time. Meeting up with someone? Send them a Hauk link, and they can follow your location live on a map until you arrive to meet them.
Hi guys! Is there any alternatives to Nova... Other than Neo Launcher? This one seems to be crapping out on me, and keeps prompting me to choose the default launcher... Thanks!
Sometimes I swipe away a notification, or someone deletes a message before I can read it, or or or. Is there a FOSS app that will log all notifications - or better still, let me choose which applications I want to log notifications from?
Pretty much what the title says. Simple Messenger basically doesn't do group chats, any other FOSS Material You SMS messengers? Honestly I only want monet theming, if the layout isn't perfectly material 3, that's... fine.
I find the device location history super useful for finding "that one place I went to six months ago on that trip", but obviously I'm trying to take back the grasp on my data from Google inch-by-inch. Are there any alternatives that store the data on-device or on a personal server?
There are a number of options, such as [Just Player](https://www.f-droid.org/en/packages/com.brouken.player/), [Next Player](https://apt.izzysoft.de/fdroid/index/apk/dev.anilbeesetti.nextplayer), [VLC](https://www.f-droid.org/en/packages/org.videolan.vlc/) and others. Which player has found a place on your phone and possibly your heart?
www.f-droid.org
I did not realize that there is a FOSS version of this player. Fantastic!
Hi all. I used to follow the progress of Florisboard and stoped hearing from it a while back. I was anxiously waiting for swipe gestures and French predictive text. I went to the GitHub, and while I see a few commits past June, latest release is more than a year old. Was the project abandoned ?
Is there any other FOSS screen recorder other than ScreenCam and DroidRec? Because these both app are very buggy.
Title
github.com
Hi there, I found an app for editing pictures. It works really well, has many features and a nice design.  "Image toolbox is the app which based on modern tech stack using Clean Architecture. It has features like filters applying, cropping, EXIF editing, quality and output image type picking and tons of another options" [F-Dorid](https://f-droid.org/packages/ru.tech.imageresizershrinker/) [IzzyOnDroid](https://apt.izzysoft.de/fdroid/index/apk/ru.tech.imageresizershrinker) [PlayStore](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ru.tech.imageresizershrinker)
For example, i want to automatically open youtube links in kde connect
Or even better, when you're get inside a diameter of x meters around it. Are any of them a thing?
[SpMp](https://apt.izzysoft.de/fdroid/index/apk/com.toasterofbread.spmp) is a Youtube Music client that was released recently, yet it's incredible. Although it has some features I dislike such as showing what's popular by default, the app has what I can only describe as a next generation UI. Where lyrics are placed, the typeface in use, animations, menus, colors all tie the app together to create a unique experience. It's not quite ready for daily use due to bugs here and there but I had to mention it because I see so much potential in it.
I'm messing around with obtainium and I like it so far. But mobile github is a bit of a pain to navigate. How do you find foss apps that aren't on f-droid yet?
I've been using Feeder on my phone, and while I quite like the app, I would love a widget for my RSS feeds on my launcher. Are there any apps that include a widget, or standalone widgets, but that are also FOSS?
As the title says would like a app that can provide upcoming and recent fixtures, premier league table for example. Any help will be great thanks!
So I thought it would finally be smart to find a replacement for Bromite. I picked up Mulch, and after an initial shock (I didn't think Bromite has *that* many enhancements for the basic things), I'm still having two main problems: 1) Using Lemmy as a pwa doesn't keep me logged in. In the normal browsing mode it works, and so it does in Bromite (incl. pwa). I can't figure out what I could change. Ideas? 2) Background video doesn't play. Or rather, it always pauses when minimising the app, and I need to resume it in the notification. Stupidly annoying. I couldn't find a solution for this, as most results lead to "Chrome will allow bg video in a beta from 5 years ago" or similar. Can't it just keep playing? I'm not talking about YouTube btw. These were the primary things I need a Chromium-based browser for, as FF doesn't play nice with pwa nor some video sites. (I don't feel like installing Brave or similar. I installed Chromium and I booted it after 2 minutes of seeing all the Google crap.)
cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/1260715 > cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/1260359 > > > Hello everyone, I recently developed a website called [**F-Droid Insights**](https://dbeley.github.io/fdroid-insights/), which is a simple website that let you explore F-Droid apps enriched by data coming from external websites such as Github. > > > > F-Droid is amazing and serves as my main source to find Android apps. Unfortunately it can be difficult to discover new apps there, as F-Droid lacks a method to estimate the popularity of a project. **F-Droid Insights** incorporates repository information (number of stars, number of forks) coming from Github, Gitlab and Codeberg. > > > > A few notes: > > > > - To create filters (in order to see all apps from the "Games" category or to filter out apps hosted on github) you can use the Custom Search Builder located at the bottom of the page. > > - The first page load can be quite slow on mobile devices, just wait for the page to be completely loaded and it should be fine. > > > > Feel free to reach out if you have any questions!
I'm looking for a document scanning app. I currently have OpenScan installed, but I feel like the only usable setting is the default one which only takes a picture and allows you to crop it. I'm looking for something closer in processing to adobe scan to pdf, so the end pdf looks more "scan like". Is there such an app? What are guys using?
I have tried alot of launchers but never really settled on one that meets all my needs. I have also read all the threads on reddit about FOSS launchers. **My preferences:** - Multiple pages - Widgets on home screen - search function; app/contacts/ddg The closest one yet is NeoLauncher, but the search function is not quite there I reckon. Any suggestions?
Both apps locate me just fine, and in the maps I can see my address written on my house. I can tap it, and I see my full address. When I search my address, both apps say it doesn't exist. I've tried typing in some other addresses from around my city and have the same issue. I've tried "Address, Street" and "Street, Address," searches. What am I doing wrong?
What if we use the Google Speech utility to make it work? I'm tired of apps not integrating themselves with Assistant. I use Microsoft To-do for work. And I have a Windows device so it's extremely convenient for me since it syncs it. But when I ask Google to add a task, it won't do that. (Refer to the attached image.) It will only add tasks or reminders to its own shitty Tasks app. So, I want to be able to automate my work by having some service that can do this, and doesn't have to depend on Assistant or the devs to add Assistant compatibility...
I hope this questions hasn't been overdone, but for those active in financial markets does anyone have a recommendation for an app to track markets? I can only find widget apps with limited functionality (don't show volumes on graphs, missing trend data etc.) I'm currently using Stocks Widget, which missing some graph features and the widget function is buggy on my phone. (https://github.com/premnirmal/StockTicker) The source of the data isn't strictly important in my case, as long as it can pull EU market info.
I have been using QKSMS for years now, though at times it has trouble sending photos. If anyone has alternatives I could try, it would be appreciated
github.com
Whenever I open the note-taking app Saber (github link above, also on Fdroid and Playstore) a window appears telling me to decide if I want to have personalized advertisrments shown to me or not and demanding from me to update the app even though I can keep using it without any further problems.
Hi there, I'm Leon, a solo developer from Poland who loves coffee. I've created [Cofi](https://github.com/rozPierog/Cofi), an open-source coffee recipe/brew timer app for alternative brewing methods. It's available on Android and WearOS and features seamless synchronization between both versions. With Cofi, you can store your favorite ways of brewing coffee, and thanks to the step system, you will always see what you need to do and what the next step is. This way, your cup of coffee will be perfect every time. And if it's not, it's easy to adjust the timings to make it better next time. By default Cofi contains recipes for most popular alternative methods, but you can always change then or add entirely new ones to fit your needs. Cofi is 100% free and contains no tracking whatsoever. To be honest, I created it because I was frustrated with the lack of equivalent apps without built-in tracking. Since it's my hobby project, I use it to explore new Android APIs and features. As a result, it supports dynamic theming, Material You, themed icons, WearOS, tablet UI, app shortcuts, Picture-in-Picture, and more. You may be wondering, "Why would anyone need it?" Well, let me explain. I'm not a morning person, and I struggle with remembering exact timings and values. Having Cofi allows me to offload this information and makes my mornings easier. I hope it can do the same for you too. You can get Cofi from the [Play Store](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.omelan.cofi), [F-Droid](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.omelan.cofi/), or [GitHub](https://github.com/rozPierog/Cofi/releases) Keep in mind that to sync between WearOS and Android you need to install both apps from the same place (eg. both from the Play Store, or both as APK from Github)
On the journey to degoogle my life and wanted to ask if the community prefers OSMAnd+ or Organic Maps for driving navigation. I got OSMAnd+ but now started to hear some really good things about organic Maps. Was wondering if I should consider switching.
Hello, my first post here on lemmy and in this community, so I just setup a Miniflux on my server and looking for client app. I see [News](https://www.f-droid.org/packages/co.appreactor.news/) has support but the app itself are unsupported for older android version like lolipop 5.1
I just spent half an hour going through all of the app's settings and I'm in awe from the amount of work that went into it. Some of the things that made me realize the author put their heart and soul into it: - Custom filters; pages that show tasks satisfying a certain criteria, e.g. due date is up until tomorrow - Notification sound can be played repeatedly 5 times to catch your attention - Random reminders in case you're procrastinating - Optionally ignore fields you don't use in the task editing screen. I hid reminders (because the defaults are good enough), tags, location, priority. I appreciate it so much. - **The fucking widget** is customizable to death, you can hide the check boxes, hide the dividing lines between tasks, change the font size. It's perfect, it's obviously on F-Droid, and it obviously syncs with Nextcloud. The widget thing was what made me write this post. They really went out of their way to make the app satisfy everyone. Thanks for listening
It's foolish to think open source isn't possible on Android. # 0. Introduction I was a fool myself, I thought the apps my phone's vendor made were simply too aesthetically pleasing to switch from. I thought there were barely any good libre apps, and they were all limited in functionality compared to their closed source alternatives. I was ignorant to the fact that the apps I was using were filled to the brim with corporation branding, useless features, and bugs (which I thought were acceptible for some reason). But I digress, I'm here to show that there is a world where you install only libre software and still use your phone to do whatever you'd like. I needed this years ago, so I'll take you on a journey down the rabbit hole to prove it. Assuming you already have some idea why libre software is preferable, the first step is embracing minimalism. Of course, you will not find open source versions of the exact same proprietary apps you love and use on a daily basis. Though, an open source alternative will aways exist in some form. If you embrace minimalism and identify what you want from an app with precision, you won't be carried away with extra featues that may simply be bloat. Disclaimer: Some of the open source communities may be nasty, but at least they don't hide their dirt. # 1. Basic phone features You need to replace your default system apps. You didn't choose to install them, you were fed those apps. Just because the vendor doesn't want you to replace them doesn't mean you have to keep using them. Root your phone (Why is it dangerous and letting a company you know nothing about have control over your device and data isn't?) and delete those apps. **Phone app (Dialer)**: Go ahead and install [Koler](https://github.com/Chooloo/koler) or [Simple Dialer](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.simplemobiletools.dialer). [NoPhoneSpam](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/at.bitfire.nophonespam/) can be used to block based on patterns. [Call Recorder](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.github.axet.callrecorder/) can be used to record your calls, use [Call Recorder - Skvalex](https://callrecorder.skvalex.com/get) (closed source) with its Magisk module if it doesn't work. Use [Share my number](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.github.characterdog.share_my_number/) if you need to share your number with a QR code. **Gallery**: [SimpleGallery](https://www.f-droid.org/packages/com.simplemobiletools.gallery.pro/) has an all albums view in addition to per album view. It can remove metadata, filter media, has a recycle bin support, and allows basic editing. **Contacts**: [Simple Contacts](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.simplemobiletools.contacts.pro/). **Files (browser/explorer/manager)**: Are you, by any chance, still using Root Explorer? Perhaps your vendor's modern files app? You could also be dependent on Google and using Files by Google. Maybe ES File Manager and its ads had an impact on you. No matter which one you use, [Material Files](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/me.zhanghai.android.files) welcomes you. It has everything you need. If you can't give up your files app because it cleans junk files / optimizes or speeds up your 256 GB phone with 8 GB of memory, know that you don't need any of it. If you're used to the 2 panel layout, remember minimalism. You don't need it, this app has multi-window support. **Messaging**: [QKSMS](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.moez.QKSMS) or [Simple SMS Messenger](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.simplemobiletools.smsmessenger), the former should be superior to the default messaging app. If you can get a friend to read this post, you can use [Silence](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.smssecure.smssecure) (not to be confused with [Silence the call blocker](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/me.lucky.silence)) to converse with them encrypted. **Software catalogue app**: [Droid-ify](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.looker.droidify) for open source apps and [Aurora Store](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.aurora.store) for apps on Play Store only. You can log in to download the apps you've paid for. **Launcher**: Stop using a Google launcher, Nova Launcher, or OneUI's launcher. Yes, you can do without a Google search, weather, cpu temperature, and free space widgets (though you can still find them in libre launchers). There are a lot of open source launchers, though [Olauncher](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/app.olauncher) (for elegant simplicity), [KISS Launcher](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/fr.neamar.kiss) (power users), [Discreet Launcher](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.vincent_falzon.discreetlauncher) and [Omega Launcher](https://github.com/otakuhqz/omega) (more familiar) are some of the highlights. It's fun trying out new launchers, don't be afraid: F-Droid is your playground. **Voice Recorder**: There are decent open source voice recorders but the proprietary ones are way better, no doubt. You can still live without editing voice recordings though, install [Audio Recorder](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.github.axet.audiorecorder) (not to be confused with [Audio Recorder](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.dimowner.audiorecorder/)), it allows you to go back a few seconds and record over. Check out [RingDroid](https://www.f-droid.org/packages/com.ringdroid/) if you want to trim an audio file. **Clock**: Yes, even the default clock app can be changed, so why not? Try [Clock (the new version)](https://www.f-droid.org/packages/com.best.deskclock/). **Camera**: [Open Camera](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/net.sourceforge.opencamera) is worth a try. If not, stick with what works best for your use case. Keep in mind minimalism, though. Don't take a photo unless you really want/need to and consider using a simpler camera app in case you don't need filters or anything like that. **Browser**: It might sound surprising but this is the easiest part. If you're using Chrome, install [Bromite](https://github.com/bromite/bromite). If you like Firefox, install [Mull](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/us.spotco.fennec_dos). There are some simpler browsers that run on WebView, you can test them out if you want. For syncing bookmarks, use [xBrowserSync](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.xBrowserSync.android). **Music**: [Newpipe](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.schabi.newpipe) (casual), [Seeker](https://github.com/jackBonadies/SeekerAndroid) (hq) to save locally. [Vanilla](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/ch.blinkenlights.android.vanilla) to play local music. [Blade](https://github.com/vhaudiquet/blade-player) if you're paying Spotify or want Deezer's library. [Spotube](https://www.f-droid.org/packages/oss.krtirtho.spotube) works as a Spotify client. [ViMusic](https://www.f-droid.org/packages/it.vfsfitvnm.vimusic) is a simple player that can play from Youtube Music. # 2. Social media Don't use it. If you must, [Frost](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.pitchedapps.frost) for Facebook, [Fritter](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.jonjomckay.fritter) for Twitter, [Infinity](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/ml.docilealligator.infinityforreddit) for Reddit, [Newpipe](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.schabi.newpipe) for Youtube, [NewPipe x SponsorBlock](https://apt.izzysoft.de/fdroid/index/apk/org.polymorphicshade.newpipe) for Youtube with SponsorBlock support (NewPipe's developers refused to implement it), [Clipious](https://www.f-droid.org/packages/com.github.lamarios.clipious/) as an Invidious client (you can use it to read replies to Youtube comments and proxy videos through Invidious), [Xtra](https://github.com/crackededed/Xtra) for Twitch, [GIider](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/nl.viter.glider) for Hacker News, [Jerboa](https://www.f-droid.org/packages/com.jerboa) for lemmy (the only working Lemmy client on Android so far). Use Matrix bridges for Discord and Telegram servers, [SchildiChat](https://www.f-droid.org/packages/de.spiritcroc.riotx) and [Element](https://www.f-droid.org/packages/im.vector.app) are two popular clients. # 3. The Google suite **Gmail**: [K-9 Mail](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.fsck.k9) hands down, [FairEmail](https://www.f-droid.org/packages/eu.faircode.email) is another solid alternative. **Google Drive**: [RCX](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/io.github.x0b.rcx) to access your files on Google Drive, Onecloud, Dropbox, Amazon Cloud. See also [Round Sync](https://github.com/newhinton/Round-Sync), an actively maintained fork of it. Any self-hosted solution like [Nextcloud](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.nextcloud.client) will still be better. **Google Translate**: [SimplyTranslate Mobile](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.simplytranslate_mobile) uses Google Translate, so the translation is decent. [Monocles Translator](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/de.monocles.translator) if you want to go all libre and use LibreTranslate, which has mediocre translations. [InstaLate](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.concept1tech.instalate) for seamless LibreTranslation with an overlay. **Snapspeed**: [Litrato](https://github.com/DrMint/Litrato) comes close depending on what you want to do. There's also [Phimp.me](https://github.com/fossasia/phimpme-android), which can edit images but it is far from a polished app. Don't use an image editing app, try Litrato and Phimp(dot)me if you must, go with Snapspeed if you really need those features. You can use [Simple Gallery](https://www.f-droid.org/packages/com.simplemobiletools.gallery.pro/)'s built-in editor or [Imagepipe](https://www.f-droid.org/packages/de.kaffeemitkoffein.imagepipe/) If what you need boils down to filters, cropping, rotating, sketching; [Pocket Paint](https://www.f-droid.org/packages/org.catrobat.paintroid/) also works as it has layer support, you can get creative with it. **Google Authenticator**: [Aegis](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.beemdevelopment.aegis) is just better. If you need MOTP, use [andOTP](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.shadowice.flocke.andotp) which is larger in size. **Google Photos**: Self-host a [Piwigo](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.piwigo.android), [PhotoPrism](https://github.com/photoprism/photoprism-mobile), or an [Immich](https://github.com/alextran1502/immich) server. Better yet, embrace minimalism and don't have thousands of images in your gallery. Frequently organize and delete unnecessary images. **GBoard**: [FlorisBoard](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/dev.patrickgold.florisboard) as it has detailed custom themes. FlorisBoard already has a clipboard. You can also try [XClipper](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.kpstv.xclipper) if you're not satisfied. **Google Keep**: This app is so basic that most open source note taking apps should suffice. As for the top editors, [Joplin](https://github.com/laurent22/joplin-android) is good, can sync pretty well and even has error correction tools in case sync goes wrong, but you can't attach files bigger than 10 MB to notes. [Neutrinote CE](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.appmindlab.nano) is almost just as good, it even has basic sketching feature but you can't attach anything other than images. It also doesn't offer anything to organize or group your notes that works with other apps. [Markor](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/net.gsantner.markor) has terrible UX but it has good attachment support. [Quillpad](https://www.f-droid.org/packages/io.github.quillpad) is the closest in UI to Google Keep. It has an enjoyable UX and live markdown processing. Unfortunately, you can attach only images in-line, and you have to manually put in the whole path to the image as though you're on PC. [Notesnook](https://www.f-droid.org/packages/com.streetwriters.notesnook) was added to F-Droid recently. It has clients on all major platforms and it might be the most modern libre notes app. Though, it has several features (some vital depending on the use case) locked behind a paid subscription. **Google Docs/Slides/Sheets**: [OpenOffice Document Reader](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/at.tomtasche.reader) can read and edit, but don't expect much. [Collabora Office](https://github.com/CollaboraOnline/online) is a way better editor, it works but doesn't have as many features as Google Docs does. Neither of these options offer collaboration. [Padland](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.mikifus.padland) has collab through Etherpad but it's well-known how hard it is to get everyone you are working with to switch to another app. **Google Fit**: [RunnerUp](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.runnerup.free) to track your runs with a voice coach. [Plees-tracker](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/hu.vmiklos.plees_tracker) to track your sleep. [Pedometer (Privacy Friendly)](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.secuso.privacyfriendlyactivitytracker) to count your steps. [MediLog](https://www.f-droid.org/packages/com.zell_mbc.medilog) to log weight, blood pressure and more. **Google Assistant**: [Dicio](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.dicio.dicio_android) is already on F-Droid but it won't get what you are saying. Possible actions are limited. There's also [Athena](https://github.com/Tadashi-Hikari/Athena) that's in development, though it is not ready for any kind of use. Depending on whether you need some sort of an accessibility service, you can get away with ditching Ok Google / Alexa / Cortana / Bixby. [TalkBack](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.android.talkback/) should help with it too. **Google Play Books**: [Aurora](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.funkymuse.aurora/) to get books, [Librera Reader](https://github.com/foobnix/LibreraReader) to read them, [Badreads](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.timenotclocks.bookcase) or [Openreads](https://www.f-droid.org/packages/software.mdev.bookstracker) to log and review them. **Google Calendar**: [Etar](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/ws.xsoh.etar) or [Simple Calendar](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.simplemobiletools.calendar.pro), can't go wrong with either. **Google News**: No alternatives. Unless it has to do with your job, it's a stressful form of entertainment, drop it. [News Provider](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/m.co.rh.id.a_news_provider) can get news from rss feeds though. [Thud](https://github.com/aerotoad/Thud) has a lot of feeds set up by default, but it is laggy. [Read You](https://www.f-droid.org/packages/me.ash.reader) offers the smoothest RSS experience I've had on Android. **Google Tasks**: [Tasks.org](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.tasks) is easily the best tasks app out there. It doesn't have smart language recognition or quick add, but it's still great. It's comparable to Todoist and TickTick. **Google Maps**: [Organic Maps](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/app.organicmaps) (based on OpenStreetMaps) can suffice. You probably think an offline map would just suck and you can't do anything with it, but it works pretty well. It has add-ons that can report traffic jams. Your biggest issue will be the lack of places (with user comments and additional information), for which you will have to use [GMaps WV](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/us.spotco.maps), a wrapper for Google Maps. **Wallpapers**: [Olauncher](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/app.olauncher) has a new wallpaper every day. [Cardboard Museum](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.example.forgottenumbrella.cardboardmuseum) changes your wallpaper periodically with a different one from Danbooru. There is [Muzei](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/net.nurik.roman.muzei/), which offers a new wallpaper every day. [Doodle](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/xyz.zedler.patrick.doodle) has several wallpapers and offers some customization. [Resplash](https://github.com/b-lam/Resplash) is like Google Wallpapers in how it pulls from a large online database, it is basically an Unsplash client. If you don't like any of these apps, browse the internet; don't use the the spyware that is Zedge. **Digital Wellbeing**: [UsageDirect](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/godau.fynn.usagedirect) can display your screen time per app. [DetoxDroid](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.flx_apps.digitaldetox) can make your screen grayscale (per app) and break infinite scrolling. With [OpenTimeLimit](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/io.timelimit.android.open), you can limit an app's usage for a user. [TimeLimit.io](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/io.timelimit.android.aosp.direct) can be used for multi device support either self-hosted or with monthly subscription. **Speech Services by Google**: [RHVoice](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.github.olga_yakovleva.rhvoice.android) offers TTS. No open source STT that works for the English language is available on Android ([Dicio](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.dicio.dicio_android), barely). # 4. Oddly specific alternatives **Samsung SoundAssistant**: [Audio HeadQuarter](https://github.com/Alcatraz323/audiohq_md2) works the same way with its Magisk module, is also way more customizable. At least some parts of it are not open source, however. **Goodreads**: [Badreads](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.timenotclocks.bookcase) or [Openreads](https://www.f-droid.org/packages/software.mdev.bookstracker) with no community reviews. Embrace offline apps. **Trakt**: [Episodes](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.redcoracle.episodes) for series (still needs some work for an enjoyable experience). [Nekome](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.chesire.nekome) can be used for anime and manga if you trust Kitsu. [CineLog](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.ulicae.cinelog) and [Movie DB](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.notabug.lifeuser.moviedb) can both act as a database where you save movies or look up other movies, but they aren't actively developed and lack organization features. This is where [SeriesGuide](https://github.com/UweTrottmann/SeriesGuide) comes into play. It can be found on Izzy's repository and it "tracks or reports your" activity but it can help you group and organize your series and movies. It has premium features (extra) that require a monthly subscription. There is also an alternative called [Showly](https://github.com/michaldrabik/showly-2.0). **Any streaming app (Hulu, Netflix...)**: [Cloudstream-3](https://github.com/recloudstream/cloudstream). See [CS3 Docs](https://recloudstream.github.io/csdocs) to learn to set up the app and install the repositories you want. **VPN**: Depends on the provider. [CalyxVPN](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.calyxinstitute.vpn) is free, [Mullvad](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/net.mullvad.mullvadvpn) is paid. Both have open source apps. **Spotlight-like**: [Blue Line Console](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/net.nhiroki.bluelineconsole), can be used alongside your favorite launcher as an assistant app. It can do basic math and unit conversions, supports widgets. It's addictive. **WinDirStat**: [DiskUsage](https://www.f-droid.org/packages/com.google.android.diskusage/) does not have a list but it offers a visual block view that can clearly show what's eating up all the space on your phone. **Github**: [OctoDroid](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.gh4a), very slow development but it's still good. It doesn't support Github Discussions and the new issue forms yet. **CamScanner, Office Lens**: [OpenScan](https://github.com/Ethereal-Developers-Inc/OpenScan) will get you covered. Don't use the 155 MB spyware CamScanner. **Forest, Flip (Productivity / Pomodoro Timer)**: [Goodtime](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.apps.adrcotfas.goodtime) is perfect, you can use it with your phone's screen locked. **Moon Reader**: [Librera Reader](https://github.com/foobnix/LibreraReader) is just as good, if not better. **Adobe Acrobat Reader (PDF read and annotate)**: [Librera Reader](https://github.com/foobnix/LibreraReader). **Sketchbook**: [Saber](https://www.f-droid.org/packages/com.adilhanney.saber) for basic sketching. [Krita](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.krita) is a great app that works properly only on tablets. Another option is [Pocket Paint](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.catrobat.paintroid), which is barely okay. [PxerStudio](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.benny.pxerstudio) is great for pixel art. **Your Phone Companion**: [Zorin Connect](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.zorinos.zorin_connect), [KDE Connect](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.kde.kdeconnect_tp/), [Device Connect](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/net.dcnnt) all do the same thing. [Share To Computer](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.jim.sharetocomputer) is the simplest wireless way to transfer files or text from phone to computer, as it doesn't ask for an internet connection, it's handled locally. **Whatsapp**: [Jami](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/cx.ring) has come a long way, use it if you have people who'd be interested in a libre P2P Whatsapp alternative that doesn't require any signup or phone number. XMPP/Jabber is also an option as long as you can host a server yourself. If not, then use [Signal](https://github.com/mollyim/mollyim-android), if that still doesn't work for you, no alternatives. You can use [Whatsapp Web To Go](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/io.kuenzler.whatsappwebtogo), it should work without the Whatsapp app. Try [Open In Whatsapp](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/io.github.subhamtyagi.openinwhatsapp) if you need to text people not in your contacts. **Vocabulary(dot)com, Knudge(dot)me**: No alternatives. If you aren't preparing for a test, don't bother with these and just consume media. **Merriam-Webster DIctionary**: [CollinsDictionary](https://github.com/Konyaco/CollinsDictionary) (MW alternative), [Notification Dictionary](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.xtreak.notificationdictionary) (simple text definitions), [WordBook](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/dev.atahabaki.wordbook) (personal dictionary), [EnglishWiz](https://github.com/ezechuka/EnglishWhiz) (offline with examples and word saving). **MyFitnessPal**: [Waistline](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.waist.line) is the only app that comes close but has only packaged products, so you can't use it if you don't consume a lot of packaged food. **Squid, Nebo (Handwritten notes)**: [Xournal++ Mobile](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/online.xournal.mobile) is not fun to use, but it is free software. [Saber](https://www.f-droid.org/packages/com.adilhanney.saber) is a new alternative. **Remote for Samsung TV (old smart TVs)**: [Sam Remote](https://www.f-droid.org/packages/mkg20001.net.samremote) uses Wi-fi, so there is no need for infrared. The app doesn't have play/pause buttons. **VirtualTablet**: [Weylus](https://github.com/H-M-H/Weylus) can mirror the screen to the client. [GfxTablet](https://www.f-droid.org/packages/at.bitfire.gfxtablet/) can also be used, though it has no mirroring. **AccuBattery**: [BBS](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.asksven.betterbatterystats) can be used to track what's draining your battery. [AccA](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/mattecarra.accapp) with its Magisk module is a must-have as it will help your battery last longer. **Any fitness app (Thenx, Sweat...)**: [Feeel](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.enjoyingfoss.feeel) for a workout database and how to do exercises. [Wger](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/de.wger.flutter) too has a database of workouts. [Workout Time!](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/es.ideotec.workouttime) has predefined workouts as well and it offers a timer, which helps if you have issues with resting too much. [GymRoutines](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.noahjutz.gymroutines) is a simple workout app, you can make your own routines. There are just so many apps with unique featues in the open source scene, just try them out. **PS Remote Play**: [Chiaki](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.metallic.chiaki). # 5. Essentials **QR/Barcode Scanner**: [Binary Eye](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/de.markusfisch.android.binaryeye), no doubt. This app can zoom, crop, use the flashlight, scan images from the gallery, use both back/front cameras, have history, create barcodes. **Calculator**: You don't notice how infrequently you use your calculator app until you delete it. For simple calculations, [Blue Line Console](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/net.nhiroki.bluelineconsole) can act as the most unobtrusive calculator. For complex calculations, try [num++](https://github.com/DylanXie123/Num-Plus-Plus) or [MicroMathematics Plus](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.mkulesh.micromath.plus) (plots, graphs). If you happen to make simple calculations frequently, there's [Calculator Notification](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.tananaev.calculator). [Calculator++](https://www.f-droid.org/packages/org.solovyev.android.calculator) is a good app with interesting gestures, a widget and a window mode. **Ad blocker**: [AdAway](https://www.f-droid.org/packages/org.adaway) edits the hosts file to block ads. **Reminder**: [SimpleReminder](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/felixwiemuth.simplereminder) is almost feature-complete now. **Metadata eraser**: Prefer [Imagepipe](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/de.kaffeemitkoffein.imagepipe) (over [ScrambledExif](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.jarsilio.android.scrambledeggsif), this one opens the share menu automatically instead of saving the image) for quickly cropping, scaling, and sharing images because it is lighter and still has more features. [ExifEraser](https://github.com/Tommy-Geenexus/exif-eraser) to erase metadata of all images in a directory. [Simple Gallery](https://www.f-droid.org/packages/com.simplemobiletools.gallery.pro/) can also remove metadata from multiple images. **Sync**: [Syncthing](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.github.catfriend1.syncthingandroid) is a godsend, you can use it to sync your notes, images, music, any kind of library and archive P2P in your local network. Use [WireGuard](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.wireguard.android) and sync from anywhere in the world. **Firewall**: [AFWall+](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/dev.ukanth.ufirewall) allows apps to access wifi/mobile/vpn/lan. Can't do without it. **Package manager (and the likes of SD Maid)**: [De-Bloater](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.sunilpaulmathew.debloater) to use custom scripts that can delete tens of apps at once, and restore deleted apps in case something goes wrong with its Magisk module. [App Manager](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/io.github.muntashirakon.AppManager) is an all-in-one tool that can block activities, permissions, control app ops, check app directories, disable modules, and so much more. It's powerful and you probably need it. **Text editor**: [Editor](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.billthefarmer.editor) by the amazing billthefarmer, master of lightweight apps. **Video player**: [mpv](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/is.xyz.mpv)'s UX is better than [VLC](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.videolan.vlc) and it doesn't try to be everything at once. It's just a video player, and it can play network streams. **Root**: [Magisk](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.topjohnwu.magisk) because why wouldn't you want to root your phone? It's systemless, has modules support that renders Xposed obsolete, and it is open source unlike SuperSu. **Search inside files**: [aGrep](https://www.f-droid.org/packages/jp.sblo.pandora.aGrep/) takes a string and a directory as input. It searches for the former inside the files found in the latter. # 6. Quality of life **Image Viewer**: [ImgurViewer](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.ensoft.imgurviewer) (can see images/videos from a lot of websites), so you don't have to open media links in your browser. **Link manager**: [URLCheck](https://www.f-droid.org/packages/com.trianguloy.urlchecker) will make it much easier to deal with links as it allows you to view the full link before opening it, choose an app to open the link with, copy/share the link, and clean the link (delete unnecessary parameters that track you). **Image upload**: [Pomfshare](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/science.itaintrocket.pomfshare) can upload your images to Pomf(dot)cat, Sicp, Uguu, one by one, not as an album. When it works depends on the servers. **Redirecting**: [UntrackMe](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/app.fedilab.nitterizeme) redirects to open source frontends: Youtube to Invidious instances, Twitter to Nitter, Reddit to Teddit, Instagram to BIbliogram, Medium to Scribe, Wikipedia to Wikiless, Google Maps to OpenStreetMaps. **Share to save**: [SaveTo](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/xyz.myachin.saveto) saves files via sharing, you can use its companion app [SaveTo.Downloader](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/xyz.myachin.downloader/). **Showing an image**: [Secure Photo Viewer](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.gtp.showapicturetoyourfriend) is great if you happen to show an image to someone else. **2FA ease of use**: [BluePass](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.booncode.bluepass4) syncs your 2FA codes sent via SMS with your PC. **Quick music player**: [Dialog Music Player](https://github.com/VishnuSanal/DialogMusicPlayer) is useful when you want to listen to an audio file in your files app. **Password manager**: [KeePassDX](https://www.f-droid.org/packages/com.kunzisoft.keepass.libre) is one of the best password managers out there. **Blue light filter**: With [RedMoon](https://www.f-droid.org/packages/com.jmstudios.redmoon), you can adjust the color temperature, dim level and intensity level of the filter. It makes it easier to use your phone at night. **File Encryption**: [Secret Space Encryptor](https://www.f-droid.org/packages/com.paranoiaworks.unicus.android.sse) encrypts files or folders. [DroidFS](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/sushi.hardcore.droidfs), creates encrypted volumes that are easy to access. **Battery saver**: [SaverTuner](https://www.f-droid.org/packages/s1m.savertuner) is not a battery saver, rather it allows you to configure Android's builtin battery saver better. # 7. Miscellaneous [**OpenKeychain**](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.sufficientlysecure.keychain): PGP encryption for mails and files. [**Shelter**](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/net.typeblog.shelter): Use the work profile to sandbox apps and have two instances of the same app. [**Neo Backup**](https://www.f-droid.org/packages/com.machiav3lli.backup): The ultimate backup app. Can back up / restore your apks and app data, you can even schedule backups. [**Screen Shift**](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.sagar.screenshift2): Change your screen resolution. [**Terminal Emulator**](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.termoneplus): Lightweight terminal, better than the default one with multiple window and special keys support. [Termux](https://www.f-droid.org/packages/com.termux) is a powerful terminal emulator. [**Video Transcoder**](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/protect.videoeditor): Simple video editor and transcoder. Use ffmpeg on Termux for faster and more accurate results. [VideoCrop](https://github.com/CherryPerry/VideoCrop) allows you to resize and crop videos, output is up to 20 seconds. [**Kotatsu**](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.koitharu.kotatsu): Download and read manga, 40 MB smaller than Tachiyomi. [**LibreTorrent**](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.proninyaroslav.libretorrent): Torrent app, pretty good. [**MyExpenses**](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.totschnig.myexpenses): A solid expense and debt tracking app where you add your transactions manually. There are lots of apps like this on F-Droid, check them out and pick whichever you think is the best. [**Decisions**](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/de.markusfisch.android.libra): Making better decisions. I wish I learned of this app sooner. [**Orbot**](https://github.com/guardianproject/Orbot): Tor proxy. [**LM videodownloader**](https://github.com/hikikomoriphoenix/Beedio): Download videos you come across on the web, pretty useful when you don't have a direct link to a video. Use [YTDLnis](https://apt.izzysoft.de/fdroid/index/apk/com.deniscerri.ytdl) on websites supported by yt-dlp, [Seal](https://www.f-droid.org/packages/com.junkfood.seal) freezes during some batch operations. [**Photok**](https://www.f-droid.org/packages/dev.leonlatsch.photok): Image vault. Encrypt your images and view them conveniently. [**Currencies**](https://www.f-droid.org/packages/de.salomax.currencies): Quickly convert currencies, it allows you to favorite frequently used ones. [**Monocles chat**](https://www.f-droid.org/packages/de.monocles.chat): is an XMPP/Jabber client. You can join group chats and send direct messages to other users, you can think of it as federated Whatsapp. Monocles isn't very stable but it makes the chatting experience much better by merging messages sent by the same user under just one avatar unlike [Cheogram](https://www.f-droid.org/packages/com.cheogram.android), another XMPP client that is more stable but has less features. Both are forked from [Conversations](https://www.f-droid.org/packages/eu.siacs.conversations), which has no themes with pitch black background. [**FFShare**](https://www.f-droid.org/packages/com.caydey.ffshare): It pipes multimedia through ffmpeg to compress them before sharing. [**Privacy Indicators**](https://www.f-droid.org/packages/com.nitish.privacyindicator): An icon pops up when camera/microphone/location service is in use. [**Image Toolbox**](https://www.f-droid.org/packages/ru.tech.imageresizershrinker): It is the best libre app to resize images. It supports batch resizing too. [**TextBender**](https://github.com/elizagamedev/android-textbender): Interact with any text on the screen. [**SuperImage**](https://www.f-droid.org/packages/com.zhenxiang.superimage): An image upscaler that works locally. # 8. Games While video games aren't F-Droid's strong suit, there are some great games there. [**Gurgle**](https://www.f-droid.org/packages/org.billthefarmer.gurgle): Bill Farmer's take on Wordle. [**Falling Lightblocks**](https://github.com/MrStahlfelge/lightblocks): It's an amazing tetris implementation, but it's not on F-Droid due to its closed-source backend for multiplayer. [**Lato**](https://www.f-droid.org/packages/ardash.lato): A calming downhill snowboard game with serene landscapes. [**Rabbit Escape**](https://www.f-droid.org/packages/net.artificialworlds.rabbitescape): A puzzle game that gets confusing early on. [**Antimine**](https://www.f-droid.org/packages/dev.lucanlm.antimine): Modern minesweeper. [**Lichess**](https://www.f-droid.org/packages/org.lichess.mobileapp.free): The best chess client on Android. [**Xeonija**](https://www.f-droid.org/packages/xyz.deepdaikon.xeonjia): A creative adventure game with a plot. [**SuperTuxKart**](https://www.f-droid.org/packages/org.supertuxkart.stk): One of the best video games on Android. It's a racing game that also works on Linux, has singleplayer and multiplayer modes. You can even play soccer with karts. # 9. Apps tightly tied to a service Banking apps and shopping apps have no alternatives, you don't have to use them for the most part as they work in browsers. Do it in a work profile through Shelter if you need these apps. # 10. Magisk modules [**AudioHQ**](https://github.com/Alcatraz323/audiohq_module) module is required to use Audio Headquarters. [**ACC**](https://github.com/Magisk-Modules-Repo/acc) is required to use AccA. [**Webview Manager**](https://github.com/Androidacy/WebviewManager-Module) allows you to replace the webview installed on your phone with Bromite or Ungoogled Chromium's webviews (or a custom one if you wish). The webview installed can be updated through an F-Droid app, they are updated also when you update the module. [**De-bloater**](https://github.com/sunilpaulmathew/De-Bloater) companion magisk module. [**Disable screenshot and camera sounds**](https://github.com/Magisk-Modules-Repo/disable-screenshot-camera-sounds) disables screenshot and shutter sounds in case your rom does not offer an option to do so. [**MagiskHidePropsConfig**](https://github.com/Magisk-Modules-Repo/MagiskHidePropsConf) can be used to change your device's fingerprint and pass the SafetyNet test. You may need this app if you want to run banking apps. [**Call Recorder - SKVALEX**](https://github.com/Magisk-Modules-Repo/callrecorder-skvalex) is the module needed to record calls using the closed source call recording app. # 11. ROM Arguably the most drastic change. Go to your device's [Xda forum](https://forum.xda-developers.com/) page and pick a rom for yourself. Don't be fooled by the number of options, almost all are based on [AOSP](https://source.android.com/), [LineageOS](https://lineageos.org/), or [GrapheneOS](https://grapheneos.org/). If the rom has a different name than these three, then it has further customizations, which can be a great thing, though make sure it's not bloated. GrapheneOS is the first recommendation. [DivestOS](https://divestos.org) is the second one, followed by LineageOS. # 12. Device Get a Pixel and install [GrapheneOS](https://grapheneos.org). # 13. Concluding remarks When you go down the rabbit hole, you become part of the Android open source community and a supporter of the free software movement in a way. You may donate to developers, share the idea with masses through word-of-mouth, moderate communities focused on FOSS, be a number in the # of times an app has been downloaded, or write about it to spread the idea further like I did with this post. Using libre software also allows you to communicate with the developers, contribute to their apps, and have an impact on the development of the apps you love. This is incomparable to Play Store reviews or telemetry. I would have never imagined writing 3000 words promoting free sofware on New Year's Day if it wasn't for [F-Droid](https://f-droid.com/) and the community itself. Thank you.
[Owl](https://apt.izzysoft.de/fdroid/index/apk/io.github.yamin8000.owl) for some reason won't display definitions and seemed to lack a considerable amount of definitions. [QDict](https://www.f-droid.org/en/packages/com.annie.dictionary.fork/) requires additional apps so I didn't really both with it. Seems to be abandoned. [JADA](https://apt.izzysoft.de/fdroid/index/apk/com.sbeve.jada) no longer seems to function and is abandoned. [CollinsDictionary](https://www.f-droid.org/en/packages/me.konyaco.collinsdictionary/) seems good for basic use. It requires the internet to function and can't search in a definition page. I don't believe it has sections for etymologies, though it had a neat pronunciation option. The definitions have the best layout I've seen so far being very easy to read. It seems to be abandoned and the most recent release hasn't been published to FDroid. [Spell4Wiki](https://www.f-droid.org/en/packages/com.manimarank.spell4wiki/) again would be good for basic use and has about the same features as CollinsDictionary. Includes etymologies and (I think) is a wrapper of wiktionary. [Aard 2](https://www.f-droid.org/en/packages/itkach.aard2/) is my favorite at the moment and I think has the most features. Features I found useful in include search in definitions, bookmarks, offline viewing, translations, and histories. Although it can be used offline, it requires the internet permission to optionally load remote content. The setup was a bit difficult and I had to hop around on some websites to download the dictionaries. [QuickDic](https://www.f-droid.org/en/packages/de.reimardoeffinger.quickdic/) was pretty nice. It's very similar to Aard 2 but lacks alot of features. You can conveniently install dictionaries within the app, but for some reason the definitions aren't formatted which create a bunch of spaghetti words. Despite that, it was pleasant to use. I believe the app works without the internet permission after installing the dictionaries.
Dose anyone know of a Foss web app handler/"installer" that is not a browser. I use firefox on my phone but the way it handles web apps is lacking. What is out there I could use for this that is not a full web browser itself as I don't want a second one on my phone. Thanks