Kia ora!

I’ve been an ios user for 100 years at this point, but used to be deep in the android scene before then. I’ve just got an android for a work phone and am wondering what’s changed in the last 10 years - what are your essential apps, settings, customisations? I’ve had a hunt around xda but can’t seem to find much in the way of roms for my model (Samsung A04) - back in the day it seemed there was a thread for every device!

What do I need to know?

    • EuphoricPenguin@normalcity.lifeEnglish
      5·
      2 years ago

      Infinity is still pretty good, and my understanding is that it could easily be updated to support the free individual API keys Reddit is supposedly going to still support.

      • pgetsos@kbin.social
        5·
        2 years ago

        I believe it would be against the ToS of Reddit to do so, so I would hold my breath for it…

        • EuphoricPenguin@normalcity.lifeEnglish
          3·
          2 years ago

          I’m not really sure, to be honest. I guess I’ll see what some of the Infinity people say. Even if it’s not an option, I’m here on Lemmy.

          • EvilColeslaw@beehaw.orgEnglish
            3·
            2 years ago

            Yeah the API limits are meant to be per client. So developing one client and then telling end users to go get their own API keys is going to cause problems. Potentially pulled from app stores and hit with lawsuits type problems.

            • EuphoricPenguin@normalcity.lifeEnglish
              2·
              2 years ago

              Infinity is on F-droid, and if emulators (think BIOS files) demonstrate anything, it’s entirely possible to pass liability to end-users through mechanisms like that.

  • bbbhltz@beehaw.orgEnglish
    22·
    2 years ago

    A lot has been said, but I’ll repeat a few.

    • F-Droid (I use Droid-ify)
    • Debloat it https://github.com/0x192/universal-android-debloater
    • Change the launcher and icons (lots of choices, I use Lawnchair with Arcticons or Delta)
    • Check out the different browsers
    • Check out the different keyboards
    • Get some key apps like Newpipe (or equivalent)
    • If the phone isn’t rooted, any changes can be reset by doing a factory reset, so you have nothing to lose but time.
  • araly@beehaw.orgEnglish
    14·
    2 years ago

    sideloading is a whole thing on android. don’t like the options that the play store gives you ? fdroid has your back

  • Helvedeshunden@beehaw.orgEnglish
    13·
    2 years ago

    Niagara Launcher is the coolest thing I’ve seen happen for mobile interfaces since the first touch interface. It is so clean and well-designed, it makes everything else in iOS and Android look like a cluttery mess - all while adapting to what you need and offering quick access to everything on the phone.

    • dan@upvote.auEnglish
      4·
      2 years ago

      Is it better than Nova? I’ve been using Nova for as long as I can remember.

      • bugsmith@beehaw.orgEnglish
        2·
        2 years ago

        It’s completely different to Nova, and any other drawer based launcher. It has a free version so you can check it out. Personally, I don’t like it but I totally get the appeal.

        Nova was recently bought out by an ad company, so if that’s not something you like then you might check out some FOSS alternatives such as Lawnchair or Neo Launcher (both are currently in development and less feature-rich than Nova though).

    • jennifilm@beehaw.orgOPEnglish
      3·
      2 years ago

      Oh, this is so neat, thank you! I’ve just had a play - especially for a work phone that has real specific uses, Niagara makes a lot of sense! Do you subscribe to pro? Have you found it useful?

      • Helvedeshunden@beehaw.orgEnglish
        5·
        2 years ago

        I do subscribe to Pro. Not really because it’s necessary, because the free version is already pretty great, but it offers a bit more customisation - and it is cheap. I really just wanted to support the devs more than anything.

        • Naate@beehaw.orgEnglish
          2·
          2 years ago

          I’ve been subscribed for a while. I don’t think I could ever go back to another launcher.

          Combined with Tapet for subtle geometric wallpapers, my home screen is a dream.

      • sup@lemmy.caEnglish
        1·
        2 years ago

        Is it subscription based? Or a one time payment to unlock pro?

    • chris. (@nihilx7E3)@beehaw.orgEnglish
      2·
      2 years ago

      agreed, highly recommend for anyone reading this thread who hasn’t tried it yet. it’s one of the main reasons i can never switch to ios

    • Deebster@beehaw.orgEnglish
      2·
      2 years ago

      I’m trying it now - I like it but there are a few confusing choices, like how you can only have one widget visible at once.

      How do you access the shortcuts that would normally be placed on the home screen? I have some webapps and e.g. OpenVPN shortcuts that I currently can’t see.

  • J_C___@lemmy.placeEnglish
    13·
    2 years ago

    I’m interested to hear what others say but I’ll throw in my two cents

    • Nova launcher is still king
    • Fdroid store for open source apks
    • Newpipe app -> disable YouTube
    • EvilColeslaw@beehaw.orgEnglish
      15·
      2 years ago

      Didn’t Nova get sold to some analytics company? Not sure if that’s who I’d trust with my launcher.

    • cnnrduncan@beehaw.orgEnglish
      9·
      2 years ago

      I personally wouldn’t recommend a closed-source Launcher owned by a marketing/analytics company, especially if you’re the kind of person to use F-Droid!

      • FuyuhikoDate@diggit.xyzEnglish
        4·
        2 years ago

        As a long lasring Nova launcer User: what other launcer would you reccomend with the Same Features?

        • cnnrduncan@beehaw.orgEnglish
          1·
          2 years ago

          Honestly I haven’t found any that have as many features while also respecting me as a user so I’ve ended up sacrificing a little bit of customisation in exchange for security and privacy. I’m currently using NeoLauncher and it’s pretty decent!

      • green_witch@beehaw.orgEnglish
        12·
        2 years ago

        UGH that is awful.

        Thanks for posting that. Goodbye Nova.

        Are there any launchers that are recommended?

        • GhostMagician@beehaw.orgEnglish
          3·
          2 years ago

          I ended up giving on custom launchers after that and going with what was included on the phone or custom rom. So not sure which ones are good alternatives.

          • green_witch@beehaw.orgEnglish
            2·
            2 years ago

            I don’t have any particular needs for a launcher, but I just like having options for things, etc.

            Honestly, looking through a few I’ve seen so far… they just aren’t terribly appealing. I’ll probably be in the same boat as you.

            • Andy@programming.devEnglish
              2·
              2 years ago

              It’s already elsewhere in this thread but Niagara launcher is fantastic and worth a try.

  • okiloki@feddit.deEnglish
    12·
    2 years ago

    You can add a private DNS in the settings. It’ll allow you to have a dns level ad blocking experience without having to use any of the dubious ad blocking apps. You also don’t need root or a VPN.

    I’m using my own dns server, but keep in mind that it needs to support DoT. You can’t just enter any IP, because of the certificate check (the dns requests are encrypted using TLS).

    dns.adguard.com works, but as is the case with all dns services, they will be able to see every domain you access. So keep that in mind.

    • dan@upvote.auEnglish
      1·
      2 years ago

      they will be able to see every domain you access

      A lot of people would trust their DNS providers far more than their ISPs, especially if the DNS provider has a no-log (or short log) policy. Using DoH or DoT prevents your ISP from collecting your DNS requests for analytical purposes (building an ad profile based on the sites you go to)

  • VirtualBriefcase@lemmy.fmhy.mlEnglish
    10·
    2 years ago

    Google’s a much bigger part of the ecosystem by default. Used to be the Google app store was a selling feature, now Google is integrated into pretty much every device (and has contracts with manufacturers to force that).

    It’s also, like Shortwavefilter mentioned, much harder to root or flash a devices.

    Though the AOSP has gotten better in ways too. It’s gotten a lot better hardening, and still is fairly open (e.g custom app stores added one click).

    Last, there’s still plenty of bloat pre-installed on some brands, but I think that was the case a decade ago as well if my memory is correct.

    Honestly I can’t think of too many essential settings or apps that’d be a necessity for everyone. Usually I’d say change privacy settings and disabled as much bloat if you’re not using a ROM; but that might not be applicable if you’re on a work phone. Apps wise, I’d say stick to open source if you can for the basic offline utilities -F-Droid is great for that if you’re allowed to install it.

    • jennifilm@beehaw.orgOPEnglish
      3·
      2 years ago

      Thank you, that’s super helpful! I’ll have a hunt to disable bloat and have a play with adb if need be. I’m the one in charge so I can basically do what I like 😅

  • anarchism@beehaw.orgEnglish
    10·
    2 years ago

    cant really say whats essential as thats on a per user basis, but stuff that has made my experience enjoyable include f-droid, aurora store, and youtube revanced.

    • green_witch@beehaw.orgEnglish
      4·
      2 years ago

      I second f-droid. It’s really good!

      I’m using NewPipe for a YouTube replacement, but I hear good things about ReVanced!

    • WiggyJiggyJed@kbin.social
      3·
      2 years ago

      F-droid and aurora store our great! I’d add xManager for Spotify, Wavelet, RethinkDNS, Mull, Bromite, Openboard, Frost, Aves. I like Insular as well so I can keep spammy apps kind of siloed off in a work profile. I keep my banking apps and shopping apps in Insular. I remember rooting android phones back in the day but I don’t do that much tinkering anymore. The aforementioned apps do the trick!

  • Andy@programming.devEnglish
    10·
    2 years ago

    Some of my favorites:

    • Launcher: Niagara
    • Rom: LineageOS
    • Browser: Firefox (with DarkReader and uBlock Origin)
    • Reddit: Relay (is this ending?)
    • HackerNews: Harmonic
    • Lemmy: Jerboa (haven’t tried alternatives)
    • Podcasts: AntennaPod (haven’t tried much else)
    • Identify stuff: LeafSnap (plants), SoundHound, Merlin (birds!)
    • Books: Moon+ Reader Pro
    • Barcodes: Catima
    • Computer stuff: KDE Connect
    • File stuff: Material Files and ZArchiver
    • TTS: @Voice Aloud Reader
    • Passwords: Bitwarden
    • Icons: Crayon or Viral
    • Keyboards: MS SwiftKey, maybe someday FlorisBoard, sometimes Hacker’s Keyboard
    • Scrobbles: Simple Scrobbler
    • Video: VLC and NewPipe
    • Weather: Weawow
    • Voodoo@beehaw.orgEnglish
      2·
      2 years ago

      So many great apps and I see several familiar friends. Have you found a way to have Jerboa send youtube links to NewPipe rather than default to the native youtube app? I am sure there is a easy way that I just don’t know.

      • Theorize3806@beehaw.orgEnglish
        1·
        2 years ago

        Another way is to just disable to stock YouTube app. Then all YouTube links should open in NewPipe.

      • Tony_Pepperoni@beehaw.orgEnglish
        1·
        2 years ago

        If you don’t have an open by default setting on your phone, follow these steps:

        1. Install the app ‘Hidden Settings for MIUI’
        2. Open it and go to ‘Manage Applications’
        3. Select ‘NewPipe’
        4. Click ‘Advanced’
        5. Select ‘Open by default’
        6. For ‘open support links’ select ‘open’. For ‘supported links’ select ‘open youtu.be and other URLs’

        Anytime you click a YouTube link it will now open in NewPipe, no matter what app you’re in.

    • agegamon@beehaw.orgEnglish
      1·
      2 years ago

      Plant.Net is also good for plant id, though I like leafsnap as well. Better than trying to use Google lens on them.

      Relay I think is still up in the air. It’s either shutting down OR going paid subscription, which, despite how good Relay is, would be a deal-killer for me - but I don’t blame DBrady (the dev) for that, I blame reddit

    • Skyline@lemmy.cafe
      3·
      2 years ago

      F-Droid is great! The official client is not the most user-friendly, but Droidify is a great alternative.

      You can also look at Obtanium to download binaries straight from the applications’ developers instead of those built by F-Droid.

  • shortwavesurfer@monero.townEnglish
    6·
    2 years ago

    Well, any samsung with a snapdragon chip is pretty useless for ROMS. To ROM these days you need a Google Pixel (best supported), OnePlus (most models), or Motorola (some models).

  • 00@kbin.social
    6·
    2 years ago

    For some privacy/security features: “Warden” allows you to block Trackers and Loggers on individual apps, if you have root. “TrackerControl” or “Rethink: DNS + Firewall” basically allow you to customize a Firewall and in the case of Rethink also offer a good DNS service. I basically see no ads anymore, even in other apps.

    • oshitwaddup@lemmy.antemeridiem.xyz
      1·
      2 years ago

      If osmand is the best nav/map app you’ve used, how many have you used?

      I think organic maps is better for navigation, or if you’re willing to use a closed source app magic earth uses openstreetmap data but also has traffic data and makes it really easy to flag closed roads and other hazards while you’re enroute

      • 00@kbin.social
        2·
        2 years ago

        Google Maps, Apple Maps, Organic Maps and OSMAnd+. Although Im very willing to admit that “best” is highly dependent on my rather specific personal preferences. Being FOSS gives OSMAnd+ a big plus (hehe), but I also have an interest in GIS, which it is quite good in, since its a rather information dense app. From the sometimes absurd categories that you can search for (e.g. “abandoned”, which is great to search for Urbex targets). I also love the bonkers level of personalization you can achieve with OSMAnd+, considering that the alternatives have very little options on mobile phones.

        • oshitwaddup@lemmy.antemeridiem.xyz
          1·
          2 years ago

          That’s true, if you want as much info and/or customization osmand is the best, especially factoring in that it’s open source. It’s definitely a power users dream, but i think most people would not like it nearly as much for standard navigation as e.g. organic maps

  • TheFriendless@kbin.social
    4·
    2 years ago

    If you want to de Google then I recommend looking at grapheneos. I haven’t yet tried it but I am deeply stuck in the Google ecosystem.

  • Communist@beehaw.orgEnglish
    3·
    2 years ago

    You need good lock, it changes the game for customization, it’s the reason I no longer feel the need to do custom roms

    You also need to use adb to remove all the bloat.

    • araly@beehaw.orgEnglish
      1·
      2 years ago

      do you mean a custom lockscreen ? is that a thing ? is it actually good at keeping the phone locked ?

      • Communist@beehaw.orgEnglish
        5·
        2 years ago

        No, goodlock is a samsung thing that just has a bunch of general customizations for the OS meant for power users.

        There are no good custom lock screens.

      • Communist@beehaw.orgEnglish
        5·
        2 years ago

        neo launcher and lawnchair are the two open source options, I don’t think I could justify using a proprietary piece of software for something that should be so simple.

      • StickBugged@kbin.social
        4·
        2 years ago

        You should look into Niagara Launcher. It’s not a very traditional one, but when you learn it it becomes lightning fast and super customizable

      • Faceman🇦🇺@discuss.tchncs.deEnglish
        4·
        2 years ago

        I used lawnchair for years as a launcher, allowed for excellent customisation and doesn’t require any root tinkering or custom roms.

        I only stopped using it when I got a foldy-thingo and it didn’t support it as well as the stock launcher.

        • Communist@beehaw.org
          1·
          2 years ago

          Please don’t use nova launcher, they were bought out by an analytics company. Stick to foss.

            • Communist@beehaw.orgEnglish
              4·
              2 years ago

              I’d say the fact that it was bought by an analytics company tells you everything you need to know.

              Why else would they buy it?

              • Deebster@beehaw.orgEnglish
                1·
                2 years ago

                of course, I want to know how urgent this is - it’s stealing my data now, or they’ve only just bought it and perhaps just blocking updates is enough (until I find time to find a FOSS replacement)?

  • dan@upvote.auEnglish
    2·
    2 years ago

    If you run your own Plex server, Plexamp is a fantastic music player. You do need to have a Plex Pass subscription or lifetime pass though.

    Aegis and Authenticator Pro are good choices for TOTP two-factor authentication. Both are free and open-source. Authenticator Pro supports WearOS which I like since I can get my 2FA codes on my watch. Aegis is very principled and don’t allow any non-open-source code in their project. I really respect that, but it does mean that they don’t support watches, as supporting WearOS requires using a closed-source SDK from Google.