Hi. I just got a new phone (Motorola) and spent a bunch of time manually removing access to location etc. I hate Google so much, “don’t do evil” my ass. I’m just looking for my blindspots. Im not in tech so, what should be disabled to keep my phone private?

  • shrek_is_love@lemmy.ml
    18·
    16 hours ago

    Here’s what I’ve done:

    • Delete your advertising ID in the system settings
    • Disable the other ad-related settings
    • Disable tracking in the keyboard app (long-press , to get to settings, then click “Privacy”) or switch to HeliBoard
    • Avoid the Google Play store when possible
    • Use F-Droid and Obtainium instead
    • Install the DuckDuckGo browser and enable DuckDuckGo App Tracking Protection (I only use the DDG app for app tracking protection and email protection; I don’t browse the web with it)
    • Install Firefox with uBlock Origin
    • Set DuckDuckGo as your search engine in Firefox
    • Make sure your next phone supports GrapheneOS and install that instead of normal Android
    • Wait for real Linux phones to become viable and use that in a couple years

    Stuff I haven’t done yet but probably will eventually:

    • Replace the default home screen app (your home screen is an app, btw)
    • Replace the Google keyboard app

    I haven’t looked for good alternatives for these yet so if anyone has suggestions, I’m listening!

    • zemon@lemmy.ml
      3·
      12 hours ago

      Kvaesitso and Lawnchair are launchers that get recommended a lot. I prefer LaunchTime. Unexpected Keyboard is my favorite, minimalist but great. All of these are on F-Droid,

      • Edce@lemmy.ca
        1·
        8 hours ago

        I use Neo Launcher. It’s as close to Nova as I’ve been able to find. It hasn’t been updated in years but I have had no issues with it.

    • 64bithero@lemmy.world
      1·
      16 hours ago

      I dont think we are ever going to see a third consumer level production phone with an alternative Linux based OS. There aren’t enough people out there in the main stream to make a product like this truly viable. Maybe Fairphone or a equivalent. But that’s a tall maybe. Definitely not a flagship level phone.

      What’s more realistic is seeing graphine gain availability on more devices.

      This is the one place I haven’t taken the plunge. My experience with Linux desktops over the years leaves me a little concerned being stuck without making calls in an emergency situation. I’m also using MVNOs and I worry they won’t be compatible with a different OS.

    • ttyybb@lemmy.world
      11·
      13 hours ago

      Wait for real Linux phones to become viable and use that in a couple years

      Is anyone actually working on that?

      • shrek_is_love@lemmy.ml
        5·
        12 hours ago

        postmarketOS, Mobian, Ubuntu Touch, and Mobile NixOS all seem to have recent activity.

        As for hardware, although the PinePhone Pro got lukewarm reviews, maybe they’ll iterate and get better or at least prove to other companies that there’s a demand for Linux phones.

        I’m hopeful there’ll be at least one usable option within 5 years or so. And if not, I’ll be sticking with GrapheneOS.