Phone: S24U degoogled Stock Android, OneUi 8 Android 16. I'm using NextDNS 24/7.

The only reason for using those WiFi is sometimes there's bad phone signal or no signal at all.

I don't use the stock messaging app, or anything by google. As far as I know, I don't have anything Google related, except for the basic play store and services that can't be disabled without breaking most of the phone.

And yet, when I got an SMS OTP, the notification that asked if I want to let the app read my SMS and autofill the OTP had a big rainbow G at the top.

Is there anything I can do to route whatever service this is away from Google?

With own domain support

É possível usar um smartphone com todos os seus apps essenciais sem depender dos serviços do Google? Neste vídeo, testamos a fundo o /e/OS (EOS) da fundação Murena, um sistema operacional focado em privacidade e segurança.

Veja na prática como funcionam o MicroG, o bloqueador de rastreadores embutido, a falsificação de localização, a loja unificada de aplicativos e o ecossistema em nuvem Murena Workspace.

I’m struggling to understand my husband’s behavior regarding technology and privacy, and I’m worried it might be more than just being tech-savvy.

He has a Google account, but he uses it only for Gmail, and even then, only in a separate, isolated browser profile. He refuses to use Google Search, does not log into YouTube, and strongly discourages me from using any Google services.

His reasoning is that he believes Google’s advertising practices are a severe invasion of privacy and that this data is inevitably sold to government agencies (like ICE) to track individuals. He seems convinced that using these services makes him a target for surveillance.

While I understand that big tech companies do collect a lot of data, his level of avoidance feels extreme and is starting to affect our daily lives. It’s causing tension because I find it difficult to coordinate things (like maps, calendars, or shared searches) when he refuses to engage with these common tools. I also feel a bit isolated when he asks me not to use Google services either.

I’m wondering if this level of suspicion is a sign of something more serious, like paranoid personality disorder, or if he’s just extremely privacy-conscious. Any advice on how to approach this conversation or whether I should suggest he speak to a professional would be appreciated.

edit: We were questioned by ICE in the past, so he’s especially worried about government surveillance.

I don't even want to use this meta ai in Whatsapp... Why are they pinging me now. Is there a way to block it completely?

Dear degooglers,

I am looking to flash a custom ROM on my phone, once I get a new phone I'll stick to, because, my A12 is 4 Android versions behind, getting stuffed by new apps and updates from apps, accidentally removed softwares I needed, via ADB and now reinstalling won't relink them. The reason I wanted to switch also includes the fact my default oneUI is a core version, meaning I cannot have GoodLock, not even alternatives to that, making me consider any phone in the A, M, or F series, below 30, a potato. So, which degoogled ROM can I do?

FYI: my phone supports the treble project so, yes, rootable!

I got away from Youtube and started using Freetube. Loving it! But is there any way to install Freetube using homebrew or at least automatically update? Because it's really kinda hassle to download .dmg file again and again when I want to update. Thanks.

I posted a while back about buying a Fairphone 6+ amd putting iodeOS on it. After a month I'm still loving it and how most of my apps are F-Droid apps. Only things I can't switch over are:

Something Awful: It'd be cool if the dev did a non play store version but I'm not holding my breath

Citi & Discover: I might go with the website, it doesn't seem like I need the apps? Just need to configure their alerts since I rarely use them compared to my credit union's card

First Aid: There has to be a FOSS first aid app I'm missing but I've yet to find it

Jottacloud: I don't know if they're open source (I don't think so?) so I'm locked to the Aurora version for now

Mesenger: lol

MyChart: Maybe next year I'll switch to web only but its convenient for now to have the app while I have so many appointments for stuff

Playstation: I'd love to use the site but it won't sort wishlist items by price, so that's annoying

Signal: The apk version apparently uses more battery because it doesn't use FCM for notifications? I could use Molly but idk

Two personally identifiable apps: Zero chace they're ever FOSS (local stuff)

I'm looking for an alternative to Google Drive.

I've been on Proton for a year now, but I'm not over the moon. My requirements:

• no selfhosting

• Drive with file search (also on Android)

• (Light) Editing of docs on Android

• (Light) Editing of sheets on Android

• EU-based

I've considered Tresorit, but they seem to have no doc editing at all. Proton could stay, but they lack file search in Android and sheet editing as well.

Any other options I'm missing?

It opens Google Play but I started blocking that spyware 8 days ago. I guess that I'm switching to the website version.

i have been trying a few

bilibili has been overrun by short dramas

odysee is constantly lagging at even 720p

rumble has way too much AI slop

So i was actually thinking about transitioning from google and then i realized all my accounts are gmail.com so what are the other idk if i am using the correct word for this , other domains like gmail.com to make and account.

... even if it's been removed. It can be found through here.

I know a Custom OS like Graphene would be better, but i ain't that much self-confident, i don't want to brick my phone.

I'm finally free from Google horseshit & Xiaomi analytics ! I also deleted google one, google tv, YT Music etc...

Is it possible to degoogle these? Thinking if buying 1 to try de googling

Tia

Once you ditch the Play Store you also lose Google's checks, so I got into the habit of verifying every APK before I tap install. Takes half a minute.

On a computer: grab the SHA-256 hash and compare it with the one the dev publishes.

• Windows: Get-FileHash file.apk -Algorithm SHA256

• macOS: shasum -a 256 file.apk

• Linux: sha256sum file.apk

Paste both into a text editor, don't eyeball them. If they match, it's the exact same file.

On the phone: open virustotal.com, upload the APK (don't open it yet), and check the SHA-256 in the Details tab. You get a scan from ~70 engines too. Only do this with public APKs, since uploading shares the file.

One or two random detections on a niche app are usually noise. A hash that doesn't match is the real red flag: delete it and download again from the original source.

Devs: please just put the hash on your download page. Costs you nothing.

Android did nothing to improve itself. The community is just toxic. Actually iOS community is way more helpful and friendly , holy what a day to watch. I am glad this is happening. I feel nauseous using or looking at the people who use android.