Mobile Apps

Your phone is where autonomy is lost first — and where it's easiest to start taking it back. Every app below works without surrendering your data to someone else's server. Replace one at a time, at your own pace.

3 levels of commitment · 25+ app recommendations

Choose Your Level

🟢 Soft Start

Keep your current OS. Replace apps one by one — messaging, photos, passwords. No technical skills needed.

🟡 F-Droid Route

Stay on stock Android, but switch to F-Droid as your app store. Most apps below are available there.

🔴 Full Stack

Replace the OS entirely — GrapheneOS or CalyxOS. No Google services. Maximum autonomy.

Operating Systems

GrapheneOS A3/T2

Hardened Android without Google. Sandboxed Play Services available if needed. Pixel devices only.

Replaces: Stock Android + Google Play Services

Pixel onlyNo Google by defaultVerified boot Full recipe →

CalyxOS A3/T2

Privacy-focused Android with microG. Easier transition from stock Android — some Google compatibility built in.

Replaces: Stock Android

Pixel + some othersmicroG includedF-Droid built in

LineageOS A3/T2

The longest-running custom Android. Supports 200+ devices. No Google services by default.

Replaces: Stock Android

200+ devicesMature communityOptional GApps

App Store

F-Droid→ Google Play Neo Store→ F-Droid app Aurora Store→ Google Play

Apps by Category

Messaging

Signal→ WhatsAppA2/T2 Element→ Slack / DiscordA3/T2 SimpleX Chat→ TelegramA3/T2 Briar→ MessengerA0/T2

Tuta→ GmailA2/T2 Proton Mail→ GmailA2/T1 FairEmail→ Gmail appA3/T2 K-9 Mail / Thunderbird→ Gmail appA3/T2

Photos & Gallery

Immich→ Google PhotosA3/T2 Ente Photos→ Google PhotosA3/T2 Simple Gallery→ Google GalleryA3/T2

Notes & Documents

Joplin→ EvernoteA3/T2 Obsidian→ NotionA3/T1 Standard Notes→ Apple NotesA3/T2

Browser

Firefox→ ChromeA3/T2 Mull→ ChromeA3/T2 Brave→ ChromeA3/T1

Navigation & Maps

OsmAnd→ Google MapsA3/T2 Organic Maps→ Google MapsA3/T2

Files & Sync

Nextcloud→ Google DriveA3/T2 Syncthing→ DropboxA3/T2

Passwords & 2FA

Bitwarden / Vaultwarden→ 1PasswordA3/T2 KeePassDX→ LastPassA3/T2 Aegis→ Google AuthenticatorA3/T2 ente Auth→ AuthyA3/T2

Keyboard

HeliBoard→ GboardA3/T2 OpenBoard→ GboardA3/T2

Media

Jellyfin→ Netflix / PlexA3/T2 NewPipe→ YouTubeA3/T2 AntennaPod→ Spotify PodcastsA3/T2

Camera

Open Camera→ Google CameraA3/T2

What's Next

Replaced a few apps? Here's where to go deeper: