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List of recommended Android software
Contents
"App Stores"
- F-Droid (FOSS Repo) — Also allows you to add other repository locations as well.
- Aptoide — An alternative, decentralized set of repos that inspired F-Droid, for those who still want mainstream apps and timely updates without having to sign in to Google or sideload apks repeatedly. It features malware scanning and compares the app signature with that of the Google Play Store when available.
- You can also download APK files directly from Google Play with Evozi's APK Downloader or APK Downloader or APKPure. Be wary of third party sources that claim to provide unmodified APKs from Google Play if an app signature, checksum or other means of verification is not available. Some may bundle in malware or adware.
- ApkTrack — Well, it's not an app store, but it scrapes a couple of sites for updates for apps you have installed, and gives you the direct .apk download for them. Useful for people who use proprietary software (e.g. Nova Launcher, KLWP), but want to avoid using the Play Store. One could argue that it's useless when Aptoide (with its' verification and whatnot) already exists, but it never hurts to have more alternatives.
Web browsers
- Firefox for Android
- Very similar to the desktop version in terms of its add-ons;
- FOSS and respects your freedoms;
- Syncs with the desktop version of Firefox, should you sign in (advised against)
- Google Chrome for Android
- Well integrated because it is made by the same people who made Android;
- Closed source, and receives many of the same privacy complaints the desktop version of Chrome does;
- Syncs with the desktop version of Chrome.
- YuBrowser
- Chromium with Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ branch patches (CAF based) that increases performance from 10 to 40%;
- Closed source, and receives many of the same privacy complaints the desktop version of Chrome does;
- Supports audio playback in the background;
- Built in hosts file based adblocker.
- Lightning
- FOSS;
- Follows Google's UI pattern;
- Fast;
- Uses the Webview engine integrated with the Android system, so older versions of Android may have security issues with this browser;
- The Playstore has a paid "plus" version and a free version. Plus comes with integrated, optional adblocking and Free version is limited to 10 tabs open at a time;
- The version on F-Droid is identical to the Playstore's paid version, but free of charge.
- Naked Browser
- Very minimilistic, barebones UI;
- Lists trust as the first feature in the description;
- Author is a confirmed /g/entooman.1;
- Uses the Webview engine integrated with the Android system, so older versions of Android may have security issues with this browser.
*chan browsers
- Overchan — Browse multiple imageboards.
- Dashchan — Powerful *chan browser, uses the extension apps for supporting particular imageboards.
4chan
8chan
Communications
- Signal — The successor of TextSecure and RedPhone. It provides end-to-end encrypted VoIP and IM over Wi-Fi or cellular internet using your existing phone number. It is recommended by both Snowden and Bruce Schneier. Requires Google Play Services.
- Silence — Send encrypted SMS messages. Fork of TextSecure with only the SMS encryption and no internet messaging. Available in Google, Amazon and F-Droid App Store.
- Xabber (XMPP and
Facebook chat, among other things) — has OTR support. - Conversations God tier XMPP client supporting OMEMO, GPG, and OTR encryption.
- DEPRECATED, Zom is spirtual successor.
ChatSecure — XMPP Client focused on Security and Privacy. Supports TOR (needs orbot) and OTR encryption. - K-9 Mail (Email) — supports OpenPGP if APG is installed.
- Telegram (IM) — a more secure WhatsApp/Viber replacement (please be aware that the server side is still proprietary, although you can still use "secret chats").
- Antox — Tox client for android. It is Skype minus the botnet. Still experimental, so expect it to be terrible.
- QKSMS — If you don't care about security, this is a very nice one to use instead of Google Hangouts or your phone's preinstalled messaging app. It is open source also.
Music
- Apollo — FOSS, port of Cyanogenmod's default music player for other ROMs.
- Google Play Music — Your music from the Google Botnet!
- BlackPlayer — A favorite among many /g/entoomen, it is a player light on resources, light on the eyes, but not light on functionality!
- Phonograph — A music player with customization capabilites for appearance.
- PowerAMP — Trial version, but may be worth the money for the extra features.
- GoneMAD Music Player — Know the recently released Foobar2000 for Android? This app more or less is what its' devs are trying to recreate - and they can't do it, despite the fact that it was in development for years. Supports a shitload of formats including .opus(!!), and it has a decent UI, which is reminiscent of Vanilla Player and Rocket Player combined. Good, robust app. It's paid, though - the free version is a 14 day trial.
- Shuttle — Free version has ads, but apks without exist.
- Vanilla Music — A FOSS music player, for those with tinfoil wrapped phones.
- Timber (Currently in beta, so it may have bugs!) — Another open-source player with modern, material inspired design. Comparable to Phonograph in terms of settings.
Video players
- MX Player — A solid player. Will play nearly everything (some formats will require a custom codec), really good subtitle support. Proprietary and ad-supported.
- VLC — Android version of the vastly popular VLC client. Plays everything.
- MPV — An unofficial experimental build of /g/'s favorite player mpv. Suggested for those who want a FOSS video player, but doesn't like VLC. Remember these builds are experimental and might not work very good
YouTube
- NewPipe — A lightweight YouTube front end without the botnet. Can download videos for offline viewing, play audio in background, but cannot view comments. It is under heavy development.
- Skytube — YouTube client with HW acceleration, subscribe to channels without an account.
Privacy and Security
- AFWall+ Easy to use firewall (requires root).
- Greenify — Hibernates bloated botnet apps (Skype, Messenger, Facebook) that attempt to continually run in the background.
- KeePassDroid — KeePass/KeePassX compatible password manager.
- Keepass2Android — a modern version of KeePass for Android. Has an integrated keyboard (to avoid other apps from logging your password in your clipboard), and fingerprint unlocking. Not on F-Droid, but it's open source.
- Locker Factory resets your device after a customisable number of login failures (requires root).
- OpenKeychain APG (OpenPGP).
- Orbot — TOR client for Android.
- Wi-Fi Privacy Police — Defeat certain methods of Wi-Fi location tracking.
- XPrivacy — Requires xposed. Allows you to restrict app permissions.
Ad-blockers
- AdAway — Blocks ads by editing host files - requires root.
- AdBlock Plus — Works as a proxy, battery hungry.
- Adguard — Works as a local VPN. Also battery hungry, but lets you use a firewall even if you don't have root, and can filter mobile traffic.
- DNS66 — Blocking host names through DNS. Can be used for ad-blocking. Best part is that it doesn't require root, or fucking around with proxy settings like in AdBlock Plus. Worst part is that it's got a couple of issues. Be a good /g/entoomen and help the dev find and squash bugs, or suggest features.
File Managers
- File Manager — Comes preinstalled on CyanogenMod.
- Ghost Commander — Gives access to all files on the device. Requires root.
- Amaze — Available on F-Droid, features material design, and has root options.
- File Commander — Light version, needs a premium key to get way more features, but APKs exist.
- Solid Explorer — Free trial for 2 weeks pay required later, but APKs exist. Payment also doesn't work for everyone.
Games
Before you install any games from the Play Store, read over their permissions! A lot of free to play games will run in the background, feed you ads, and data mine the shit out of you. If you have the right security on your phone, you can easily block snoopy permissions and enjoy the terrible free to play game.
- 2048 — A simple puzzle game where you merge matching numbers.
- Pixel Dungeon — An excellent open source traditional roguelike with pixel-art graphics.
- ScummVM — Open source engine for running old Point and Click Adventures like King's Quest, Leisure Suit Larry, Full Throttle, etc. Requires original commercial games to play (which are easily found).
- Shattered Pixel Dungeon — A fork of the original with new features.
- SudoQ — Sudoku without permissions.
- MAPS.ME — OpenStreetMap based offline map and turn by turn navigation.
- OsmAnd — OpenStreetMap based mapping. Allows you to store detailed mapping info locally for offline access.
- Waze — Croudsourced navigation app that allows you to view and report accidents, traffic jams, speed and police traps, and from the online map editor, can update roads, etc.
- HERE WeGo — Based on Nokia's navigation app. Comes with light-triggered night mode and works in offline mode if need be.
Photography
- Snap Camera — Full featured camera application for Android.
- Open Camera — Feature-rich open-source camera app. CM turned your camera to shit and the stock camera app blows? Use this.
- Photo Editor — The only real photo editing software for Android.
- LeafPic — Alternative Image Gallery, Material Design and FOSS.
Torrents
- LibreTorrent — Free and open source torrent client, very similar to Flud but without the ads.
Miscellaneous
- Router Keygen - a free WPA/WEP key generator, can get you access to the internet if you're lucky. Supports a variety of routers.
- AntennaPod — An Excellent podcast manager that is available on F-Droid.
- Material Tea Timer — A fucking material tea-timer so you can have your tea tasting just right, ensuring peak coziness in the cold during months. Cafe de Touhou is also recommended playing in the background.
- Easy Voice Recorder Pro — The paid version of a great sound recording app.
- Forecastie — Get the weather forecast for anywhere in the world, cached for offline use.
- Kiwix — A web reader for offline content, notably Wikipedia.
- Lesser Pad — A simple text editor that saves documents in plain-text format.
- PirateBox — Run a fileshare/chat wireless hotspot. Requires root.
- spaRSS — Auto-updating RSS feed reader with full text extraction (no more truncated feeds).
- Survival Manual — Learn how to survive innawoods. А great companion for both veterans and newbies alike. Hell, it's a good read even if you're not going anywhere. Guide is based on the (public domain) US Army Survival Field-Manual FM 21-76, and is fully working offline. Even has illustrations.
- microG — FOSS re-implementation of Google’s proprietary Android user space apps and libraries. Great for those who desire a bit more privacy, but still want to continue using Google's services. When used on older phone, it can even better your battery life. (Your ROM needs to support signature spoofing - Omni 5 and 6 have it in out of the box, but other ROMs require a patch. If you're not comfortable with running xposed, or just want to avoid it for some reason, you can use Needle by moosd). Implementation status can be viewed here.
- Kernel Adiutor - Manage your kernel's parameters (e.g. you can fuck around with overclocking and/or undervolting - as long as your kernel supports that, and I/O schedulers).
- MuPDF - The Android port of a well known and efficient PDF reader
References
1 Has a bookmark of /g/ in one of the demo screenshots.
External links
- Prism Break — Lists software that respect your freedom and privacy (and points out those which do not).
- Droid Break — Lists notable free and open source software.
