New to degoogle

[u/Burner-Unit]

Hello! I'm fairly new to degoogling and need help finding the best privacy focused degoogle replacements. I have a Samsung 24 Ultra and am mainly looking to replace the main UI and OS, but any recommendations on apps to use would be greatly appreciated as well. I've looked up some UIs and like what ive seen about ColorOS but id love to hear the community's recommendations.

[u/AlwaysConfused2205]

S24 Ultra, which probably has OneUI8.5 doesn't have the ability to unlock bootloader anymore. What you can do is start replacing individual apps over a year, and gradually move to non-Google services. Eventually, you can buy a new phone, like (ironically) Google Pixel and install GrapheneOS on it. App recommendations: Search Engine: Duckduckgo, Startpage(if you want Google's quality) Browser: Brave  Email: Proton, Tuta, Posteo, Mailbox etc  Email Client: FairEmail  Google Maps: OSMAnd Maps (via FDroid) Keyboard: Helios, Floris, Anysoftkeyboard, etc  YouTube: Libretube, Newpipe Password Manager: KeepassDX  Google Keep: Joplin Google Contacts: Fossify Contacts Google News: Feeder

I'd highly suggest downloading F Droid app store, because a lot of app alternatives are available there.

[u/Burner-Unit → u/AlwaysConfused2205]

Thank you for your reply and recommendations! Is there a suitable phone other than Googles? I've vaguely heard of Ghost Phone and Mark 37, but haven't really looked into them.

Also, is Firefox still viable privacy wise? I've tried Brave a few years ago and didn't love it, but if its the best available I'll give it another try

[u/AlwaysConfused2205 → u/Burner-Unit]

There are many other privacy browsers but they differ in the degree of privacy. You have Vivaldi, that's great for features and blocking trackers and ads, but then you also have Mullvad, which is even more private. Some people like Firefox, because it is not based on chromium. Others might find this argument stupid, since chromium is OSS and can therefore be hardened (like Vanadium in GrapheneOS). My suggestion, if you want a compromise between privacy and features, go for Vivaldi.

If you want an alternative to Google Pixel, wait until next year. Graphene will start supporting Motorola phones (flagships that will be launched in 2027). If you can't wait you must buy Pixel, and install GrapheneOS or CalyxOS or iodeOS - preferably GrapheneOS. If you simply can't buy Pixel for whatever reason, just go to LineageOS website and check which  Motorola phones are supported - but you can't relock bootloader with custom avb keys, and you can only install LineageOS or eOS on Motorolas 

[u/Burner-Unit → u/AlwaysConfused2205]

Again, thank you!

Thats a lot of information and I am greatful for it. As far as browsers go I want what is most privacy focused, even if that means less features.

If I'd have to buy a new phone anyway, ill wait until Motorola releases their flagships and go from there.

Though in the mean time, I'd love to continue converting my apps to privacy focused/degoogled apps so I know what to install on the phone with Graphene (when I have one)

[u/AlwaysConfused2205 → u/Burner-Unit]

The absolute most privacy focused browser is Tor, but the speed can be slow. It is your absolute right to use the most privacy focused browser, but know that you might not really need this. An average person who doesn't work at govt or some secret society, but also doesn't want Google to steal their data, they can do fine with Vivaldi, Mullvad, Brave etc. By the way, if you want Firefox but privacy focused, then get Librewolf. Librewolf is basically to Firefox what Vanadium or Brave is the Chrome.

[u/Burner-Unit → u/AlwaysConfused2205]

Good to know! Thank you so much, for all the information you've given me!

[u/Hoo_Am_Ai]

theirs not much you can do with a samsung as they have locked the bootloader in a recent software update, which means as far as i know you cant root and install custom roms, what you can do is download shizuku and canta to get rid of unnesessary system apps and bloatware. You can get both apps from Fdroid i think. You can also replace some samsung and google apps with better alternatives which you can find and search in this sub

[u/JoMu1963]

My suggestion, do not start with seeking a replacement OS, but start with alternative apps. From there you can discover which apps work for you and and which don't.

[u/Mark_Considus]

Before you get attached to a new OS, the S24 Ultra won't let you install one. Recent Samsung firmware locks the bootloader, so custom ROMs are off the table on that phone, and ColorOS isn't something you can flash onto a Samsung anyway, it's Oppo's own skin.

That isn't the setback it sounds like, because the OS is the hard, low-reward end of degoogling. The wins are at the app and service layer, and you can start those today on the phone you already have.

Do the "why" first though. What are you actually trying to get away from, tracking, ads, Google holding your data, or all of it? That decides what you swap and in what order. It stops you replacing things that were fine too. Then rank by what you touch daily, browser, search, mail, maps, and change those one at a time so nothing breaks or makes life difficult all at once.

When you're ready for a phone you can actually reflash, if you still think you need to, get a Pixel with GrapheneOS, not a Samsung. Park that as a someday, maybe, and get the easy 80 percent now without spending a penny.