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The Ultimate Free & Open Source (FOSS) Android Setup

I recently started compiling a list of the best apps for a clean, ad-free, and private Android experience, and I wanted to share the final result. If you are looking to "de-Google" your phone or just want apps that respect your privacy without costing a dime, this list is for you.

Here is a breakdown of the Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) apps I use daily.

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The "Essential" Suite (Gallery, Files, Music, Notes)

You’ll notice a matching set of green icons on my home screen for Gallery, Music Player, File Manager, and Notes.

  • What they are: These are likely from the Fossify suite (or the original Simple Mobile Tools). They are famous for being lightweight, requesting zero unnecessary permissions, and having absolutely no ads.

  • Why you need them: They replace the bloated stock apps that come with your phone.

  • Important Note: The original "Simple Mobile Tools" were recently sold to a company that adds ads. If you are installing these today, make sure to search for "Fossify" (e.g., Fossify Gallery, Fossify Files) on F-Droid or the Play Store. Fossify is the community-run, safe version that keeps the spirit of the original alive.

    https://www.fossify.org/


Productivity & Utilities

  • Bitwarden: The gold standard for password managers. It allows you to sync your passwords across all your devices (phone, PC, browser) securely. https://bitwarden.com/


  • Aegis: A 2-Factor Authentication (2FA) app. It is a secure, offline alternative to Google Authenticator or Authy, and it lets you back up your keys (something many others don't allow). https://getaegis.app/


  • Omni Notes: A powerful note-taking app that offers more features than the basic "Notes" app, including attachments, categorization, and sketching. https://omninotes.app/



  • Geometric Weather (or Breezy Weather): That yellow pinwheel icon is likely Geometric Weather (or its active fork, Breezy Weather). It is hands-down the most beautiful FOSS weather app, featuring a clean "Material Design" look that matches modern Android perfectly. https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.breezyweather/


Media & Entertainment

  • NewPipe: This is a YouTube client that gives you superpowers. You can watch videos without ads, play audio in the background (while the screen is off), and even download videos for offline viewing—all without an account. https://newpipe.net/


  • AntennaPod: A fantastic podcast manager. It’s automated, clean, and gives you total control over your downloads and feeds without tracking your listening habits. https://antennapod.org/



  • Librera FD: An all-in-one book reader. It supports PDF, EPUB, MOBI, and practically any other format you can throw at it. Ideally suited for reading on the go. https://librera.mobi/


  • Immich: A self-hosted photo and video backup solution. It is a powerful alternative to Google Photos that puts you in control of your own memories. https://immich.app/


  • VLC for Android: The legendary media player. It plays any video file format exists, supports subtitles, and can even stream media from your local network. https://www.videolan.org/vlc/


Gaming

How to get these apps?

Most of these are available on the Google Play Store, but for the true FOSS experience, I recommend installing F-Droid, an app store dedicated entirely to free and open-source software. https://f-droid.org/en/

 
 
 

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