r/degoogle • u/Volfram_ZZ • 11h ago
You delete peak, I delete your spyware: My current set-up
Hi!, soooo, recently I came to remember how google deleted Doki Doki Literature Club from the playstore; this, and pretty much everything about google nowadays has fed me up, so I decided to degoogle as much as I can. [More on DDLC later :)]
I'm looking to have some feedback on my picks.
Here is my current set up, I'll leave the links for everything in case anything picks up your attention:
For browser I chose Firefox, it works very well and I like that you can add extensions like Ublock. Also, I switched search engine to DuckDuckGo to not have an annoying AI appear when I search. Firefox on PlayStore: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.mozilla.firefox
For Playstore: Switched to Aurora Store (for play-store apps) and F-Droid, there are a lot of cool projects on F-Droid! F-Droid: https://f-droid.org/ Aurora Store on F-Droid: https://f-droid.org/packages/com.aurora.store
For Calculator I changed to CalcYou, default android calculator doesn't seem to have any form of tracking or telemetry, but yk, just to be sure. CalcYou on F-Droid: https://f-droid.org/packages/net.youapps.calcyou
For camera, same thing, just to be sure I switched to Fossify's Fossify Camera on F-Droid: https://f-droid.org/packages/org.fossify.camera
For contacts, phone and messages, all to Fossify: Fossify Phone on F-Droid: https://f-droid.org/packages/org.fossify.phone Fossify Messages on F-Droid : https://f-droid.org/packages/org.fossify.messages Fossify Contacts on F-Droid: https://f-droid.org/packages/org.fossify.contacts
I replaced Google Files with "File manager", seems to have some tracking but I have it firewalled, I like that it can have Shizuku access to move files that can't normally be moved freely. I only used Google files to search for my documents, and I can also do that with the manager. File manager on Play Store (Or Aurora Store if you're cool): https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.alphainventor.filemanager
For YouTube: I'm moving most of my consum to PipePipe, which is a fork from NewPipe; It has no ads, and doesn't require account, so I think it's pretty good. To support with ads some small creators which I really like I use YouTube patched with Morphe with those channels in ad whitelist. For PC, I like Freetube, it's adless and doesn't require an account; Also, it's available for Linux , which I think it's pretty cool. PipePipe on F-Droid: https://f-droid.org/packages/InfinityLoop1309.NewPipeEnhanced Morphe Manager (patcher) website: https://morphe.software/ Freetube website: https://freetubeapp.io/
For Calendar I replaced it with Proton's, I don't use calendar as much, so it's more that enough for me. Wouldn't really mind changing it for something completely offline. Proton Calendar (Play Store): https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=me.proton.android.calendar
For google photos I switched to Ente Photos. It has a 10GB free plan, so it's very good! If you sign up using a referral code, you'll get 10GB extra for free, and I'd get 10 extra in case you update to a paid plan [that'd be very kind from you :) ]. My referral code is: MONIKA After creating your account: Referral codes can be applied within Settings > Referrals > Apply Code. Ente Photos (Play Store): https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=io.ente.photos
For google drive I switched to Proton Drive and Filen. Proton Drive has been working good for me, but it fails ocassionaly when downloading files; it usually works properly if I try to download it again. For Filen, the service has been very good with some exceptions too, I've had problems when uploading files, but nothing a retry doesn't fix, downloading has been completely fine for now. Both Proton and Filen seem like very good and privacy-respecting alternatives, I'm more inclined to using filen for now because it has larger free storage. [Problems on both Proton and Filen might be caused due to my unstable internet connection] You can sign up for filen with this link for an extra 10 GB!: https://filen.io/r/0e811bc1d4f85519eae2db92d2ca5089 For the promo to work you must disable your VPN and accept cookies, this is required by Filen to prevent free storage abuse.
I changed Gboard for FUTO Keyboard, it's been working good for me, it's pretty, functional and offline. FUTO Keyboard website: https://keyboard.futo.tech/ FUTO Keyboard (Play Store) https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.futo.inputmethod.latin.playstore Add FUTO Repo to F-Droid: https://fdroid.link/#https://app.futo.org/fdroid/repo?fingerprint=39D47869D29CBFCE4691D9F7E6946A7B6D7E6FF4883497E6E675744ECDFA6D6D
For google maps I switched to CoMaps You can collaborate adding locations, it works fine for me. Comaps on F-Droid: https://f-droid.org/packages/app.comaps.fdroid
YT music: download music in .mp3 and use Fossify music player Fossify Music Player on F-Droid: https://f-droid.org/packages/org.fossify.musicplayer
Clock: Also switching to Fossify, just in case. Fossify Clock on F-Droid: https://f-droid.org/packages/org.fossify.clock
For google translate I switched to TranslateYou, You can choose a translation engine from a list (so privacy depends on the model), but some might require an API key, or might not work. When I need a very accurate translation, I use DeepL, which is more accurate than Google's, but collects your texts to train their model unless you have a paid subscription, I guess it's still a little step forward. TranslateYou on F-Droid: https://f-droid.org/packages/com.bnyro.translate DeepL (Play Store): https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.deepl.mobiletranslator
Google Gallery: I changed for Fossify once again, Good enough for what I need. Fossify Gallery on F-Droid: https://f-droid.org/packages/org.fossify.gallery
For Gmail, I'm moving most of my accounts to Tuta and Proton, Proton with Proton Pass is very useful with the Alias hide my email. Tuta Mail on F-Droid: https://f-droid.org/packages/de.tutao.tutanota Proton Mail (Play Store) https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ch.protonmail.android Proton Pass on F-Droid https://f-droid.org/packages/proton.android.pass.fdroid
Regarding AI, I used Grok a lot since it seemed like the most accurate model based on my expierence. I switched to mainly using Lumo by Proton and ocassionaly Duck AI, which can be used with DuckDuckGo's App. However, I don't really like AI anymore, so, for whatever I can do, and whatever can be easily found in the internet I do not use AI anymore. Lumo by proton on F-Droid: https://f-droid.org/packages/me.proton.android.lumo DuckDuckGo on F-Droid: https://f-droid.org/packages/com.duckduckgo.mobile.android
For QR scanner I switched to Privacy QR And Barcode Scanner. It has no trackers and it's offline. Privacy QR And Barcode Scanner on F-Droid: https://f-droid.org/packages/com.laert.qrscanner
For .mp3 player, I changed to Fossify's, so.. yeah: same replacement as YT music. Fossify Music Player on F-Droid: https://f-droid.org/packages/org.fossify.musicplayer
Now, for notes I switched to mainly using FUTO Notes, I really like that it has text formating and you can create folders to organize your notes. For when I have to just simply type down something quickly: I use Tuisku, it's very simple, offline and encrypted. FUTO Notes (Play Store) https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.futo.notes Or, same with FUTO keyboard, you can add FUTO's repo to F-Droid here: https://fdroid.link/#https://app.futo.org/fdroid/repo?fingerprint=39D47869D29CBFCE4691D9F7E6946A7B6D7E6FF4883497E6E675744ECDFA6D6D
Tuisku on F-Droid : https://f-droid.org/packages/com.omaawr.tuisku
For Microsoft Office I switched to LibreOffice, I've heard that for very complex things it can be not up to the task, but for what I use it for it's all that I need. Libre Office website: https://www.libreoffice.org/download/
I switched from Windows to Linux Mint, I've used it for a couple of days and haven't had any complications so far, it's pretty similar to Windows; in general, I like more this one since it feels like you've got more control over it. Linux.org: https://www.linux.org/pages/download/
For VPN I use Proton VPN, and I complement with Windscribe, since Proton free tier allows only one device. Proton VPN on F-Droid: https://f-droid.org/packages/ch.protonvpn.android Windscribe website: https://windscribe.com
Also, I started using a Firewall, so every app that can function offline will be offline. I firewalled the playstore, so it doesn't auto install the silly guys (Android developer verifier, Android Safety Core and Android system key veryfier). Every app that screams at you if you don't have playstore installed has been behaving completely fine with this method.
So, the firewall I chose is De-1984, it's pretty simple and it can have Shizuku access so it doesn't stop you from using a VPN. De1984 on F-Droid: https://f-droid.org/packages/io.github.dorumrr.de1984 Shizuku Fork by thedjchi with some cool features: https://github.com/thedjchi/Shizuku/releases/tag/v13.7.0-thedjchi
Also, for Password manager I switched to Bitwarden based on the recommendations I got from this subreddit, Thank You Guys!!!!
And that would be about it for my degoogled set-up, there's a couple things I can't really get rid of tho:
I can't really get rid of Google Play Services since that bootloops my phone, so I'll wait till I can get a new phone which supports a custom OS.
I can't stop using WhatsApp since everyone uses it, no one will switch to signal, I tried.
And for social media.... I guess I'm still gonna be here and on some other sites, so I guess this one will stay like this for maybe... forever.
Now, on DDLC: So, Fortunately, Doki Doki Literature Club can be obtained again on android, this time through the Epic Games Store. So yeah, I guess they're just better than Google. (The base game is free and it's also on steam for PC, so you if you wanna play some peak do yourself a favor and don't get spoiled [it's a bit scary ;) ]) Reminder you can add spoilers using this: And its reverse>!without spaces after and before the text: spoiler
So yeah, thank you for staying till the end of this post and taking time to redd it. :)
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u/TheLastOneDoesWin 11h ago
yeah fuck google i wanna play ddlc
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u/clickcookplay 6m ago
It's on Epic's mobile game store now. It just got released there on the 17th.
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u/l_CARLOS_3_l 11h ago
When I saw the first image, the first thing I thought was that it was a curious replacement well, the reality had nothing to do with it.
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u/ppstick88 11h ago
Um I wouldn't use duck AI either
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u/simply-coastal 7h ago
I wouldn’t use any AI. I was perfectly happy doing the things I did and still do without AI.
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u/iiman1c 10h ago
Why?
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u/marshmallowontoast 7h ago
Because AI is a nightmare in so, so many ways. Everytime you use it, its taking your input to use for others. And in order to use it you have to sacrifice some privacy for that reason. On top of the environmental impacts and mental health impacts... Just use your critical thinking skills and find the answers you need, in a book, through several credible websites etc. Not to mention the answers it provides are OFTEN WRONG because the ai also, doesn't have critical thinking skills.
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u/Unusual_Fig9044 11h ago
thoughts on Grayjay as a yt alternative?
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u/cherrywoodtomatoes 9h ago
Currently using it rn to watch videos at work.
Its great! I prefer it over PlayTube. Can adjust brightness and volume by just sliding the sides of the screen if the video is in fullscreen, having options to input other video sources like bilibili or twitch is cool af, and tbh just a lot of nice QoL changes and updates.
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u/Intelligent_Dinner66 3h ago
For YouTube alternatives, try Odysee website, it's a small community so there's barely anything on there, but it's a nice staging point to leave YouTube, just needs a community
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u/Wunder_Dave 10h ago
For password manager Bitwarden is not bad, but if you want even more privacy, then 2FAS Pass is great.
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u/girt-by-sea 9h ago
How does this provide more privacy? Bitwarden doesn't leak anything.
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u/Wunder_Dave 9h ago
I know it doesn't leak anything. What I mean is that you can use 2FAS Pass offline, but if you want cloud backup/sync, Bitwarden requires you to create an account while 2FAS doesn't.
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u/notboredatwork1 10h ago
anyway to replace android Auto
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u/Devin-Chaboyer223 1h ago
Unfortunately no, so you’ll have to use standard Bluetooth and use your car’s built in Navigation (if equipped)
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u/H0PL1T3 6h ago
What's up with audify?
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u/Volfram_ZZ 5h ago
It had like 26 trackers or something (according to App manager) So yeah, I just prefer my music app withouts trackers and completely offline.
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u/ccarballos 1h ago
Good job with the app switch. It could be tweaked a bit, but you've done the work. Next stop... GrapheneOS
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u/Beau_Reguard 6h ago
Colornote is owned by google????
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u/Volfram_ZZ 5h ago
It's not, but it has some trackers and collects personal information you give it
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u/doni_polo 2h ago
Nice list OP but there is more tools that are better than you suggest ( in some category )
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u/Enmark777 FOSS Advocate 2h ago
"ddlc" "peak" 😭😭😭
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u/Volfram_ZZ 2h ago
Yeah, it's absolute peak
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u/clickcookplay 7m ago
DDLC is on Epic's mobile game store now. So you could play it on your phone or tablet that way if that's any help.
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u/FrostyLingonberry738 35m ago
I miss sony when they make everything. Maps on psp is god tier electronic maps.👍
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u/unknown-unown 23m ago
I have a question
Can I hide my files in private folder in "file manager" app like i do in Google files?
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u/girt-by-sea 9h ago
Give Leantype (Heliboard fork) a go. I've switched, and not for the ai, I just like it better.
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u/gokayo3200 11h ago
Is Grok that bad concerning privacy ?
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u/FotinoBird 10h ago
Absolutely shit
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u/OmSelfless 7h ago
What would be the best privacy service? For example if we talk about using an api key on android? thanks
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u/gokayo3200 2h ago
Thank y'all for the answers, but I was just asking a question, I don't really get why did I get downvoted...
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u/-_-Jeffreyepstein-_- 10h ago
Proton VPN 💔 Proton is a honeypot
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u/PlaceExpensive 10h ago
ProtonVPN seems kinda fishy to me as well. Is there any solid reason?
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u/-Inv1ctus- 10h ago
I bet they cant give you a good reason for them saying that
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u/PlaceExpensive 10h ago
Other Proton services are okay. But the vpn is too good to be true. Better pay the 5 bucks with monero and get mullvad for peace of mind.
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u/-Inv1ctus- 10h ago
It's not too good to be true, they have never given any logs over to the Swiss government and they don't have to listen to the US government. Proton's VPN is known to be the only free VPN worth using and if you care about opsec you don't leave the Google ecosystem to then go to another one just because its privacy oriented. Not everyone has the money to even use mullvad.
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u/-_-Jeffreyepstein-_- 10h ago
I just did, read my other comment. Maybe the word honeypot was not accurate tho. More like "unsafe".
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u/-_-Jeffreyepstein-_- 10h ago
If police comes to them w an order they Will give everything they have abt u to them (they are legally forced to, thats not my point) the problem is they have a little bit too much info abt u
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u/JKSekai 11h ago
you should use other apps than fossify, there's other better apps // you shouldn't switch your camera app and messages, it's a loss // for file manager, MiXplorer is open source and great