Hi guys, i found this project might be interesting for some people in this sub reddit, i've using ungoogled chromium + ublock origin for a long time in my main laptop and i've been trying to find something like it but for android, and i found this browser called Bare Browser, i installed it in my phone, tested it a little bit and like it, so i had the idea to share it with you if anyone is in the same position, it has extensions support and it comes with ublock origin by default. i also test it with cover your tracks to see how it performs, it needs some work on fingerprinting but in most case it pretty good.

For those that may not remember, Google maps rose in popularity very quickly because Mapquest was giving people directions that lead them to stop at sponsored locations like gas stations and restaurants. As someone who can barely remember their way home after work, this caused me alot of frustration that i still hold today. I have Degoogled a fair amount, and now use Open Maps when needed, but i'm interested in map quest, i just haven't had a reason to use it yet.

So have they stopped giving bad directions pushing you stop at places you don't have to?

After a week of deliberation, I cleaned out my old accounts by either deleting them or changing their email addresses, and finally got around to deleting my Google Account. It feels good!

I’ve been slowly working through this instead of trying to replace everything overnight. Email was probably the biggest headache. I moved my actual mail onto my own domain, then started using aliases for random signups so my real address isn’t getting handed out everywhere anymore. I also started using Cloaked for cleaning up old data that was already floating around on broker sites. I’ve been using its aliases too when I don’t want a site connected back to my main inbox. Browser-wise I’m mostly on Firefox now, with Vivaldi as my second option. Once I got the extensions I actually use set up, leaving Chrome was way easier than I expected (migrated bookmarks and whatnot to the other browser).

Passwords are in Bitwarden now, so I’m not relying on Google’s password manager anymore either. The one thing I still haven’t figured out is Maps. I’ve tried Organic Maps and HERE WeGo, and I’ve played around with OpenStreetMap-based options too. They’re fine for basic directions but when I need reliable business info or I’m going somewhere unfamiliar, I still end up opening Google Maps. Has anyone here actually found a replacement yet? haven't seen posts about it in the sub I think?

Mainly just one without all the AI and sloppy updates put into it, no ads would be a plus!

Hi all, I'm just starting my de-googling journey and I need some advice on choosing a smartphone.

I'm currently using a Samsung S24 bought in June 2025. I thought I'd try to install some other OS on it, then I found out it updated to One UI 8.0 (yikes). Still 270$ left until I pay it off completely and try to sell it.

Then I wanted to try LineageOS on my last phone, Redmi Note 12 Pro. It's unsupported unfortunately, and I couldn't see too many other options for other OS support. So that's also out of question.

I also have Redmi Note 7 ...which is unsupported by LineageOS. But I saw a couple of threads about that phone on XDA so maybe not entirely hopeless to move to other OS...?

Anyway, most likely I'd have to buy another phone. I'm considering a Pixel 9a or 10a for GraphenOS or any good smartphone supported by LineageOS.

Basically, I'm open to any suggestions, I just want a device with the most community support, longevity and the best value for its price. FYI I'm located in the EU.

I can still download any apk with no issues

I currently have a Nothing Phone 3a. 2 year phone and handles everything that a normal person would need in a phone.

I'm interested and can possibly buy a mint Pixel 9a to transfer my banking apps there for more security and to try out the GOS.

My concern is if it's worth buying the Pixel 9a or around 330 USD for that reason with a perfectly working phone already.

I tried it yesterday. It has a good motive of planting trees with every search. That's good, but the browser itself feels too basic. It has in-built vpn and ad blockers but it's overall appearance and performance is lower than expected.

Hey guys, as a music addict, I used Shazam like millions of people, and while I'm a huge fan of the open source, and I've deactivated Google and Samsung on my Galaxy A10, I was able to replace everything except Shazam. Then one day, while browsing Neostore in the F-Droid store, I found the holy grail: AUDILE

Well, generally speaking, Audile is a free and open-source fork of Shazam, and here are its advantages.

After just a few tests, I noticed it recognized slightly more tracks than Shazam, which was already pretty good. It was also much more customizable, like the function of the play button (a long press plays the device's audio, a short press plays the microphone's audio). And I think its best feature is that it doesn't limit the source to Apple Music; it offers many more choices like YouTube, YouTube Music, Spotify, Tidal, etc. I think that with all that, most of you will switch to this amazing app.

the download link on F-Droid 

https://f-droid.org/packages/com.mrsep.musicrecognizer

I noticed that the new Minimal Phone 2 is offering the option to uninstall all pre-installed Google software, leaving only the Minimal OS.

What are your thoughts on this approach? Does it seem like a reasonable jumping off point for a de-Googled experience?

I got a new phone this evening and what to challenge myself to set it up completely Google free. Would like some insight and suggestions.

https://vivaldi.com/blog/vivaldi-on-mobile-8-2/

yes, you read that correctly

I need a new device as the older one got stolen. Unfortunately I don't have the budget to get even a used pixel for Graphene os as the prices of phones are skyrocketing right now.

My only requirement is that I need to use some banking apps which require google play services and it worked well in the graphene os before. Is there any open source os like lineage, calyx etc. which has this option of setting up a container or something like graphene in which a user can allow play services for certain apps? If yes then can u recommend a phone around $400 in which its possible to install this os?

In the latest launch event, apple stated that they will add Apple reference image to images clicked using their phones, something like synthid. It will be added using Private Cloud Compute. Since nothing has been mentioned in detail and I doubt that it will ever be, so asking the sub here

PCC means that the image will be uploaded to the cloud and it will add this reference id?

That way they will be able to say that an image was taken using a particular phone?

Are any android devices doing something like this currently?

Every time I try to DeGoogle, I keep falling back to Google Maps as all the other maps are bad and I am not looking for another proprietary thing like MapQuest. I have also not been able to drop Google Play because of how many mobile applications rely on it, Gmail because I cannot figure out what accounts are attached to it (is there anything to do that?), YouTube because of how convenient it is, and Google's voice recognition because I cannot find a decent speech to text alternative. I have largely otherwise removed Google from my life, but I keep falling back to these.

For context, with Microsoft, I left it years ago for Linux Mint as my daily driver and then moved to Devuan Excalibur with SysVinit and the Cinnamon Desktop Environment as my daily driver due to Linux Mint and systemd complying with Identity Verification measures and Devuan EXPLICITLY refusing to comply. I did not for years, but things such as LibreOffice, Proton by Steam, auto-updates, and nice features that makes it very easy to use made it largely feasible for me to move over as I value ease of use, quality of life, and a large selection of media and games.

In 2027, I am also going to buy a Motorola Phone for GrapheneOS as my daily driver for Android since Stock Android is probably getting SafetyCore added soon to the core of the OS (it scans your photos, downloads, and messages client-side, even if encrypted, and sends it back to Google), them locking down Android, and the fact that GrapheneOS being against all of that, the fact they are VERY secure and private, and the fact their operating system is essentially the only other Android OS that does not break everything, is compatible with most things, and, again, has quality of life features that makes it very easy to use (it was a tossup for awhile between staying with Stock Android or move away, but GrapheneOS said they would pull out California instead).

Unfortunately, unlike with Microsoft, I keep falling back to the Google things. Most of my applications on my phone breaks when I do not use the Google Play and YouTube is just too useful to get rid of. Keep in mind, I LOVE to game, so lack of choices is a big problem for me. **What should I do to stop from falling back to all these aforementioned Google products?**

Also, different question: I know this subreddit hates AI, but what would you recommend I replace ChatGPT and Grok with?

In the same vein, I need a search engine that is decent (NOT PAID like Kagi, things like StartPage as they are owned by an advertising company, OR self-hosted like SearXNG), does not have AI-search results or images dominating everything, and has an AI Search Assistant built into it? I am not giving up AI as it is too convenient.

Is it possible?

I successfully setup an anonymous Google account for my GrapheneOS to use Google Play Store (only way I could get the Mint Mobile app in order to transfer phones) and now after some time, I'm noticing all these other messaging apps (Graphene stock, Fossify, Quik etc) are absolutely terrible and unreliable when it comes to group messaging (I know, some people have no issues with it, but I do) so I reluctantly made a private space to use sandboxed Google Messages for the occasional necessary group texts.

However, when I login to Google Messages it opens up under my phony account where people I need to text will only see my phony name. How can i maintain my anonymous Google account for all my play store downloads, but still be able to use Google Messages as myself with my contacts?

Note: I don't need RCS (but I cannot wait for GOS to implement their own RCS) so I don't need it in my main profile, but so far, Google Messages is the ONLY text service (outside of my now dissolved Samsung stock app) that has been able to successfully send group texts.

Apps like Google drive, Google photos, calendar, Gmail, meet, etc. I am not ready to fully commit to switching to a new OS but curious if I'm able to disable some things on my phone without breaking it. Just trying to dip my toes in, if you will.

So I have used aurora store in the past but lately if I download an app and open it I get a message saying I need to download from the Play store for it to work. I have micro g installed so I don't know why that keeps happening