this post was submitted on 29 Sep 2024
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F-Droid

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F-Droid is an installable catalogue of FOSS (Free and Open Source Software) applications for the Android platform. The client makes it easy to browse, install, and keep track of updates on your device.

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I've using FDroid for some time now, but now it says "it was developed for an older Android version (I'm on 14) and can't update automatically" I read that FDroid Basic was recommended for newer phones, so I installed and copied my repos (still have both apps) but it doesn't recognize my installed apps. Am I missing something?

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[–] shortwavesurfer@lemmy.zip 11 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (4 children)

It will recognize your apps once they get one update and then they will begin auto-updating again like they were. But fdroid itself is increasing its Android versions to catch up. I think it's targeting Android 10 or 11 now when it was targeting like Android 6.

[–] GlenRambo@jlai.lu 6 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Droidify > Neo Store.

...at least for me.

[–] shortwavesurfer@lemmy.zip 2 points 1 month ago

I have not used Neo Store though i have heard good things. I like droid-ify and have used it in the past.

[–] lemmyrolinga@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 month ago

OK, I'll give it time then Thanks

[–] masterofn001@lemmy.ca 4 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (2 children)

I used fdroid for the longest time.

Then I found the neo store.

It recognises the apps installed, from whatever repo you use. Shows recommended update based on that. So many options. Comes with dozens of repos ready to go and incredibly simple to enable/disable.

screenshots

[–] boredsquirrel@slrpnk.net 4 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Your comment is not really on topic. Could you put all your screenshots in a spoiler so that they dont take up all that space?

ScreenshotsImages

Btw are you using InviziblePro and the GMail app? Haha that is a bit hypocritical, GMail works with K9Mail.

[–] masterofn001@lemmy.ca 1 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

Thanks.

I use it mainly for DNS and blocking ip's, ipv6, and hosts. Only a few apps are routed through tor.

[–] lemmyrolinga@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 month ago

Tried Neo a few months ago, went back to fdroid

[–] Bitflip@lemmy.ml 3 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Sorry I can't help with F-Droid, but check out Droidify! Hopefully it works for you too

[–] F04118F@feddit.nl 9 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (2 children)

@lemmyrolinga@lemmy.ml I second Bitflip's comment.

F-droid repos are amazing and a must-have, but the default F-droid front-end is not the most user-friendly.

I have been very happy with the Droidify front-end, as have other F-droid users to whom I recommended it.

You can get Droidify using F-Droid, of course.

[–] sabreW4K3@lazysoci.al 6 points 1 month ago

I third Droidify

[–] lemmyrolinga@lemmy.ml 4 points 1 month ago

Tried Neo, didn't like it enough, FDroid seemed cleaner and simpler.

I might try droidifyin the future, but it kind of annoys me that everyone is suggesting other apps instead of answering my question. I'm not asking for a replacement, I just want FDroid to work.

[–] kixik@lemmy.ml 3 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

Regarding android version, I think @boredsquirrel@slrpnk.net already gave a good hint. Currently f-droid version 1.21.0 supports android 6.0+.

According to f-droid basic URL:

NOTE: The Basic version of F-Droid Client has a reduced feature set (e.g. no nearby share and no panic feature). It targets Android 13 and can do unattended updates without privileged extension or root.

I don't see the target version varying between them, I found both to be 1.21.0 on Android (I have enabled unstable updates), and both indicate they support android 6.0+. So if you have LOS or plain android on a version 6.0 or beyond, f-droid should be able to install and work on them.

I use F-Droid since it comes pre-installed and with privileged extension set by default on LOS for MicroG, so I don't find it particularly appealing to install F-Droid basic instead, but if that were not the case, I'd go with F-Droid basic, given I don't set F-Droid to serve nearby devices on any phone, and I haven't ever thought of using the panic feature. I'm using LOS4uG 21, meaning android 14. with no issues, so perhaps 1.21.0 already target android 14, and not just android 13.

So I believe both, the basic and the not basic versions of F-Droid target the same version, and support the same versions, the difference is in basic with a couple of less features. But you can always take a look at the version, and there you can tap on the specific version to see what versions of android are supported.

Greetings !

[–] boredsquirrel@slrpnk.net 1 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Tbh the privileged extension might be a security issue, but people expect automatic background updates. I am the manual updater for my Girlfriend, which is... not a really cool job.

Especially awesome as nowadays you never know when Playstore apps you update are silently implementing Play Integrity check, where GrapheneOS would then fail and the app wouldnt launch anymore. Backing up APKs before every update sucks.

[–] kixik@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 month ago

I agree ! I just pointed out the actual differences. And if you use LOS4uG, you have several options, keep F-Droid as it is, keep it and remove the privileged extension, remove it in favor of the basic version, and on top of the last option see if the unattended updates can be opted out/in.

[–] boredsquirrel@slrpnk.net 1 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

Read about how Android SDK versions work. There is a minimum SDK and a target SDK.

The SDK is a set of libraries shipped with the OS, so if people use outdated Android versions (which especially since Android 11 seems to be horrifyingly common), apps with a higer minSDK than what is shipped will not run.

F-Droid targets outdated Android versions, for sustainability and stuff.

F-Droid Basic targets the latest SDK and runs very fine. I use it for browsing apps and adding repos. For installing I use Obtainium, as otherwise I would rely on IzzyOnDroid a ton, which makes no sense.

Obtainium has more attack surface though, and no support for Mirrors. You will need a Github Account and API key if you have many Apps. You can use it to download F-Droid apps too though.

[–] lemmyrolinga@lemmy.ml 2 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I also use obtainium. Nothing of this answer my question

[–] boredsquirrel@slrpnk.net 0 points 1 month ago

I explained why you would want to use F-Droid Basic. Why it wouldnt recognize your installed apps I dont know, did you look in the "installed apps" section or just updates?

IzzyOnDroid collects Github releases that you would otherwise get with Obtainium. F-Droid builds them on their own so you couldnt update from one version to another as signing keys dont match

[–] foremanguy92_@lemmy.ml -1 points 1 month ago

If you want to have a really good fdroid XP, use droidify or neo store.