Overview
If you are thinking about investing in a de-Googled phone or tablet, you may be wondering what apps work on these unique devices. In this article we introduce you to the following:
Open Source Apps from F-Droid
F-Droid is the most popular repository of verified free and open source software. Open source means the source code of the app can be reviewed and audited, which is important for privacy purposes. Apps available on F-Droid can be browsed, downloaded and installed using the F-Droid client app without the need to register an account.
Additionally, F-Droid follows strict acceptance criteria that developers must adhere to. Once accepted, apps are flagged with "Anti-Features" if there are characteristics that users may not like such as ads, known vulnerabilities, tracking, or non-free dependencies.
Will Your Favorite App Work?
Most apps, about 95%, work just fine on a de-Googled device. A small amount of apps, about 5%, will either not work or only partially work due to attestation checks through Google Play Integrity (previously SafetyNet).
Apps that will not work on a degoogled device:
- Banking and Payment apps (i.e. Bank of America, Chase, Google Pay, Stripe, Revolut)
- Apps that perform in-app purchases (i.e. Uber, Lyft, Uber Eats, Grubhub, DoorDash)
- Gaming apps (i.e. Pokémon GO, Roblox, Fortnite, Call of Duty Mobile)
- Streaming services using Widevine DRM may work but with reduced 480P resolution (i.e. Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, HBO)
If you're wondering "will my favorite app work?", Plexus by TechLore is a crowdsourced database of apps that report functionality based on a tiered grading scale. Simply search the name of an app to see how well it works.
Tip: An easy workaround to use an app that does not pass Play Integrity is to create a Progressive Web App (PWA).
How to Install Your Favorite App
Since de-Googled devices don't come with Play Store, you'll need to install apps from other sources. There are four popular ways to achieve this.
F-Droid: The best place to find apps is on F-Droid, a repository that curates privacy-friendly open-source apps.
Aurora Store: If you cannot find the solution on F-Droid, the next step is to install Aurora Store, an open source app that lets you connect to Google Play Store and download anonymously. The Aurora Store app is available to download from F-Droid.
APKMirror & APKpure: Another less common but effective approach to installing apps is by downloading them from websites like APKMirror and APKpure. These sites have been proven to be safe sources. They are especially useful when you need an older version of an app.
Direct Download: Not all apps have to be installed using an app repository. There are many excellent apps available for download from their developer's website. Just search the internet for a "download APK" link.
Note: If the app you installed complains about not being connected to Google Play Store, ask yourself "Do I honestly need this app?" If the answer is No, delete it. If the answer is Yes, then you'll have to use microG, a Google Play Store signature spoofer. microG comes pre-installed on CalyxOS, iodeOS, and Lineage for microG. GrapheneOS provides a modified version of Google Play Services with limited permissions instead of using microG.
Pre-Installed System Apps
All devices we sell include a suite of pre-installed apps that come with the operating system. These open-source apps are uniquely different from the apps you typically see on a normal Android phone.
Open the links below to view each operating system's pre-installed apps:
Note: We do not install additional apps based on customer requests. This ensures you are the first and only person to access the phone after the OS has been installed, providing peace of mind and security.
Our step-by-step setup guides explain how to install apps from multiple sources. If you need assistance choosing apps, use our list of the best privacy-friendly Android apps. Or contact us if you have questions about a particular app.