this post was submitted on 26 Aug 2024
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DeGoogle Yourself

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Suggestions for google alternatives/foss apps (self.degoogle)
submitted 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) by Cris16228 to c/degoogle@lemmy.ml
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Hello everyone!

Recently, I saw so many posts about this and I started to think about degoogling (degoogleing?) my life.

I've started with fdroid and found some nice apps in there and I'm curious to know some alternatives I may or may not know

  • Youtube: Currently, I use ReVanced and even though is just the default app with something in it, I want an alternative with background listening, import my subscriptions w/ notifications and if possible with sponsorblock
  • Mail: Using a combo or Gmail + proton. I started to use proton recently and I want to move everything there when I have time. Suggestions here?
  • Cloud storage: Self hosted/proton? Alternatives
  • Gallery app: Stock
  • Video player: Stock
  • Music player: Stock
  • 2FA app: I have Authy and I tried to install aegis. I also have Ente but I've never used both
  • Mail app: Using K9 and the app is awesome compared to google or Samsung Mail
  • Password Manager: Bitwarden
  • Weather app: Currently, using Breezy weather

If possible, apps with a nice looking UI, modern with/without Material You

I'm using a Samsung S23 and I would like to know how bad it is to change ROM with something better and if it's really worth Pixel + GrapheneOS. Thanks

Edit: I forgot the most important one with probably no alternatives (?) Thanks to @JustMarkov@lemmy.ml (idk how to mention)

  • Samsung pay
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[–] eco_game@discuss.tchncs.de 5 points 3 months ago (2 children)

Here's what I use:

  • YouTube:
    • LibreTube has really nice UI/UX and integrates SponsorBlock and DeArrow. It relies on Piped for fetching subscriptions (since the newest version it will play just fine with a broken Piped server though).
    • NewPipeX is what I use when LibreTube doesn't work and for downloading YouTube content. It is a fork of NewPipe which integrates SponsorBlock.
  • Mail:
    • I use posteo.de as a provider, but it isn't fully liked here due to it not supporting custom domains.
    • mailbox.org is another solid provider (with support for custom domains AFAIK) if you don't want to use Proton for E-Mail.
    • FairEmail is my mobile client of choice (Geary or Thunderbird are good for Desktop).
    • k9 Mail is an equally good choice.
  • Cloud Storage:
    • For Cloud Storage I prefer the selfhosted Seafile.
    • If you just want to share files temporarily, Wormhole is a good tool for that.
  • Gallery App:
    • Aves Libre is solid if you don't want to selfhost, but it doesn't have fancy features like automatically (od manually) detecting faces.
    • Immich is pretty much the selfhosted Gallery app.
  • Video Player:
    • Just (Video) Player is what I use, but honestly the stock player should be fine.
    • VLC will play pretty much anything you throw at it, but I don't like its UI that much.
  • Music Player:
    • Vanilla Music is alright, but nothing special. Musicolet, while not FOSS, is a privacy respecting Music Player that has a bunch of handy features, most notable one for me is the ability to have multiple queues.
  • 2FA App:
    • Aegis has never let me down, although you should keep in mind it doesn't have any sort of cloud sync.

For password manager and weather I use the same apps as you.

I run a Pixel with GrapheneOS. I actually also came from Samsung, and for me there are quite a few creature comforts missing that I didn't even think about (eg. Samsung Dex, DP altmode, I really like the One UI Dialer, Miracast, Brightness Slider in notifications, switching recents and back button, headphone jack, SD card slot, ...).

As for the Pixel being worth it, I'm ok with it as I was due for an upgrade anyway (Galaxy S10 -> Pixel 6). I'd recommend, if you value your privacy and are fine with losing some Samsung features, to either go all the way and upgrade to a new Pixel when your S23 gets old / dies or buy a cheap used Pixel (Pixel 6 and 7 currently has pretty decent value) to just test it out.

[–] Cris16228 2 points 3 months ago (1 children)

I just installed LibreTube and I want to try it. What does NewPipeX offers more than NewPipe? Sponsorblock and Return to the dislike button, anything else? I'm curious to see if it's worth switching to it

Someone else suggested mailbox.org and I'll check it later! I tried FairEmail but their github page says:

  • Notification settings (sounds) per account/folder/sender (requires Android 8 Oreo) (instructions)
  • biometric unlock Both features are paid, which is not ideal. However, if the application proves to be valuable, I would be more than willing to pay for it or support the developer(s). Before making the switch, I must test the application, and for me, email-based notifications are a must-have feature. As a result, I will continue to use Proton for the time being.

For cloud storage I've always wanted to use my website + Raspberry Pi to host stuff on there but I was never been able to do it so I'm looking for something worth and safe

Others suggested Aves and I will definitely check it later at home

I will check both music players but I prefer privacy focused/foss apps

Authy is my main and I have to switch. For some reasons they revamped the UI and removed dark more, I hated it SO MUCH

I don't use Dex anymore, I'm on linux and with KDE connect I'm more than happy. DP altmode? Slider in notifications is good but I don't use it that much, I have it set to auto brightness, the dialer is nice yes and the good thing about Samsung phones is Good lock/guardian even if it's crazy to think you have to use an app made by someone (or Samsung?) to change how the recents app look (iphone style, stacked, grid, etc) and I hate it a lot

[–] eco_game@discuss.tchncs.de 1 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) (1 children)

AFAIK you nailed the differences between NewPipe and NewPipeX.

As for FairEmail, I've used it for well over a year without paying and it's been great (I plan on buying the pro version soon). It has kind of a pay what you want model, technically you can unlock all features for literally 10 cents.

I'm not that knowledgeable on security for hosting services with external access either, I'm sure there are some great YouTube videos out there.
A Raspberry Pi should be perfectly fine for hosting something like Seafile or Nextcloud though (Nextcloud might be a pain in the butt to host).

DP altmode means being able to output HDMI over your phone's USB-C port, the Pixels are famous for missing that feature. But I believe from Pixel 8 onwards it was added again, if this is important for you you should do your own research on it though.

[–] Cris16228 2 points 3 months ago (1 children)

I can still switch to it since sponsorblock and dearrow is a good combo

I don't mind paying for those extra features if it's worth the price, it's just... I don't know, It's just something I don't like

No worries! It was just an idea I had in mind for sooo long, I'm gonna see how and if I can do something just as test

Ooh got it. Pixel may be great in some stuff but... Aren't they still using slow UFS 3.1? Some other manufacturers use 4.0 (?), isn't the cam lagging in other apps and being bad in general?

[–] eco_game@discuss.tchncs.de 1 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Indeed, they all use UFS 3.1 (so does the 128 GB Galaxy S23 though). I have never looked at storage type and my Pixel 6 doesn't feel slow in any way.

I have no idea what you mean with the camera, it is one of the best Android cameras out there. This is also true when running Graphene OS, as long as you download the 'Pixel Camera' app from either the Google Play store or APK sites (must download as an APK bundle then!).

[–] Cris16228 1 points 3 months ago (1 children)

I know :(

I think there are videos of the camera lagging when switching sensor while zooming, am I wrong?

[–] eco_game@discuss.tchncs.de 1 points 3 months ago (1 children)

I've never used a Pro Pixel (so can't comment on telephoto), but I never noticed it if there is one. From just clicking around between ultrawide and 1x on my Pixel 6, it seems fine and if I had to guess I'd say it roughly takes 0.5s to switch.

[–] Cris16228 1 points 3 months ago (1 children)

I can't find a video/post about it but I'm sure there's a problem while zooming like this https://drive.proton.me/urls/XMB53E3CMG#C9YBCJP64uAN SORRY! Didn't know how to share it lol (not my video)

[–] eco_game@discuss.tchncs.de 1 points 3 months ago (1 children)

No clue how that guy is zooming with one finger, but zooming while recording a video on my Pixel 6 works just fine when pinching with 2 fingers.

[–] Cris16228 1 points 3 months ago

I think by holding the record button and moving the finger up/down

I'm not saying "Trust me bro", I'm saying I know some people experienced it like the green screen

[–] Cris16228 2 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

Imported my youtube subs and they're random In libretube, I've set to sort by new but I get like 2 from a youtuber from 3/4 days ago, below 1 from a youtuber posted yesterday, etc... Is it normal...?

Edit: Changing piped instance changes the order but it's a mess. It looked nice though