Genuinely asking, because I've always held engineers in high regard (though Tom lerher songs ring in my head as I type this). Hmmm🤔

Signal only allows linked devices through a QR code. However, it's still possible to scan a QR code sent by an attacker without them having physical access to your device.

The document states that the German customs agency has been testing messenger surveillance since the end of 2023, and it has led to success in criminal investigations. They're light on details as to exactly what strategies German customs officials use, but there are plenty of ways to maliciously link a device to an account.

This type of surveillance became an official, permanent strategy available to all agents since August 2025.

The messengers affected include WhatsApp, Telegram, Threema, and Signal.

So i have started my degoogling journey and I’m trying to gradually move away from all the big tech companies as much as realistically possible with everything. I’m curious what alternatives are out there.

For my phone and laptop i use GOS. I put my phone in desktop mode and use that as a laptop essentially as my needs are pretty basic using emails, browsing and a bit of admin.

The next thing I’m looking at is my home. I used to use Amazon Echo/Alexa for voice commands, lights and basic smart home things. I have recently come across Home Assistant and apparently it runs everything locally so I'm looking into that.

I’m also thinking about entertainment. Instead of buying a smart TV and using netflix, disney plus and prime video ect. I'm thinking of using a normal display, getting an Nvidia Shield and using Plex/Jellyfin.

I still buy groceries from big supermarkets and occasionally use Amazon and other places for ordering items but I'm trying to avoid them as much as possible. So I'm looking for privacy friendly, local, open source or independent alternative. I’m especially interested in things that can run locally, don’t require subscriptions, and don’t constantly send data back to a company.

What do you use instead of the big companies for things like:

- Smart home / voice assistants

- TV, films and media streaming

- Music

- Email

- Cloud storage / backups

- Passwords / authentication

- Search

- Maps / navigation

- Browsers

- Messaging

- Cameras / Home security

- AI assistants

- Online shopping

- Anything else I haven’t thought about

I'm trying to find a balance of something that's convenient enough to live with, yet still privacy focused and doesn't hand my data over to companies. What does other peoples setup look like who have gone further down the degoogle/debig-tech route.

I use calendar, maps and app store mainly on my iPhone, not on my computer.
I think iOS is a good balance betwenn google (android) and GrapheneOS so that’s why I may seem a little reliant on Apple

Hello !

I’ve started de-Googling and moving away from Apple in my daily life.

Here’s what I’ve replaced so far. Whenever possible, I prioritize European and French products and services.

My Fairphone 6+ running /e/OS is currently on its way and will replace my iPhone 17 Pro Max.

I’ve replaced my Apple Watch Ultra 2 with a Withings ScanWatch Horizon, which I absolutely love.

I’ve also switched from Apple Music to Deezer.

Do you have any other recommendations, particularly when it comes to computer hardware?

Thank you!

This is my current setup. I spent a few weeks observing and reading a few things and got to those results. I wanted to know your opinion if I really made good choices.

Apps I used :

1. Fossify Clock Beta

2. Rain by DARK NIGHT (downloaded from Play Store)

3. Calendula

4. FUTO Notes

5. FUTO Keyboard

6. Organic Maps

7. Fossify Phone

8. Messages by Anindra (Sourced from F-Droid)

9. Vanilla by sosauce (F-Droid)

10. YT Music, Youtube Morphe, Reddit Morphe, Instagram, X (all patched with Morphe)

11. Noutube

12. SimpleX

13. De1984

14. Screen Time by Atharok

15. For browsers, it's Brave and Firefox.

I'll list down if any others apps are unfamiliar.

I have a Nothing device.

Suggestions are welcome! Thank you :3

In a post in another sub, a commenter complained about how restrictive GrapheneOS is, and wanted to know whether or not a slightly less restrictive version could be implemented so that other devices than Pixels could be used (they were put off by the fact that only Pixels, which can be expensive can be used). My response to that person was that is not what GrapheneOS is for; if they are looking for a solution that is not as hardened as Graphene, solutions like CalyxOS and IodeOS exist.

I was immediately shut down by the mods in that sub, and had my reply removed. Their reason:

You're recommending options not providing anything close to current standard privacy and security patches. Those aren't simply not hardened but rather out lack bare minimum privacy and security. People are far better off simply using an iPhone.

I replied to the mod, asking about the ROM's that I mentioned makes them so much less secure? Of course there was no reply to that. I was wondering if someone here would be willing to elaborate on what was meant by that? Are ROM's like Calyx & Iode really that much less secure that stock Android?

Hey guys, not sure if this is the right place to pose this by why not?

So recently I got sick of all the slop and bloat on Windows 11, so I decided to go with Linux (Bazzite KDE) and it's going well, I've also swapped to all the Proton AG products (ProtonMail, ProtonDrive etc). Along with swapping my OS and email, I've changed browsers, I've started using Firefox (comes with Bazzite. I came from Opera GX) with Brave Search. So far its been awesome, just occasional crashes when I'm in games but it's calmed down a bit now, I've been on Linux for about a week or two. I unfortunately need teams for my school, so I'm going to use Portal for Teams (I haven't joined any meetings yet, so I'm not sure if it will work) is there any tips or anything I need to know as a first time Linux user/de-Googling person?

Edit: I have also swapped to LibreOffice

I'll be happy to answer any questions

Sony Xperia phones are another option for degoogled phones! It's cheaper than FairPhone in many cases plus Google is 100% cut out of the picture. Here's the rundown.

There's several main options I'm aware of for OS :

• Sailfish
• LineageOS
• Official Sony ASOP - Roll your own Degoogled Android!
• Edited stock Android with ADB (drivers here)

Sony is extremely friendly and open with their files. I wouldn't be surprised if more degoogle options appear over time.

Most supported models are not US models. You can check features and release area on GSM Arena. They're unlocked by default.

To get a non-US phone in the USA, just buy from a third party seller. A package forwarding service is another option if you want to buy directly from Sony.

EBay and other secondary markets are another good option, especially for used phones. A used phone is often cheaper, especially if you are OK with a slightly older model. For example, the Xperia 10iv is compatible with Sailfish and Lineage OS. It's around $250 new or $150 used on Ebay at time of posting.

And, yes, it works great! I am using a Degoogled Xperia right now.

When you degoogle a Google phone Google still got money along the way (even if it wasn't from you). When you degoogle a non-Google phone, Google gets nothing. Please consider degoogled non-Google phones.

Feel free to share, copy, edit, and redistribute the information in this post.

Something I have been desperate to find, but seemingly has not occurred to any other notes application developers, is a checklist system that behaves like Google Keep. The only thing I have found that comes close is Fossify Notes, and the interface is awkward enough that I would rather just stick with Keep.

I'm looking then for a notes application that can do the following with its checklists:

• Easily add, edit, and rearrange entries
• Indent/nest entries
• Send checked entries to the bottom of the list
• Return entries to their original location when unchecked

So far, Fossify Notes is the only other app I have found that succeeds at the last two requirements, but sadly fails the first two.

It appears that if a notes app uses Markdown, while the rest can be added with plugins, the last requirement is all but impossible, so Obsidian, Joplin and all other note apps in that vein are unlikely to be an option.

I have seen people recommend Quillpad and Notally as alternatives to Keep, but both fail the final requirement and at least one other along with it.

If anyone has found an app that behaves in this way, or coerced one into doing so, I would greatly appreciate your input.

well.....good luck now on any other phone that isn't a pixel.... (samsung, xiaomi etc)

basically on non rooted phones you can't do "pm uninstall" (adb) anymore (android 17)

tho we instead have pm disable, pm suspend, canta and pm clear but cmon still

I'm so worried about canta breaking with android 18 if it will....hopefully it will stay

I have degoogled my life for 80%, the only thing I’m struggling most with is Gmail, YouTube and Google Lens (and google music recognition).

I can’t seem to change my personal mail from Gmail to a degoogled alternative. I use ProTube as a YouTube alternative, but it’s still YouTube but just with an adblock jacket. Same applies to Google Lens and music recognition. I like the features too much to be able to let them go and I have yet to find a degoogled alternative.

Anyone know some? And maybe some tips on how to change my personal mail?

But more is coming.

My most recent big step was to move entirely from Outlook to ProtonMail.

I'm slowly swapping all of my apps for non google versions, so far I've gotten rid of Maps with Morphe, Gmail with ProtonMail, Google Search with Brave, but I really want to make a jump by ditching Android as a whole, and getting a Google Pixel Phone to get it with GrapeheneOS, but is it really worth it? how much superior is it to LineageOS?

Notice: I've only installed Linux Mint on my old laptop, as it would be a hassle to do on my main PC, in tandem with keeping my laptop up-to-date. It was great to experiment with!

I've been slowly degoogling my whole enviroment, I jumped to Linux a few months ago and it's been a wonderful thing, but my phone is a whole different dillema

I degoogled what I could, that means my browser and search engine, I'm using Brave and Brave engine in my phone and Vivaldi with Brave Engine in my PC, I quit Gmail with ProtonMail and it's been wonderful, but I was having trouble ditching Insta since I use that for communication and just posting memories in my private profile, and google maps, since I've yet to find another map app that works just as fine

Then Morphe appeared, I was already using ReVanced for Youtube but it got ditched and some of the people working on ReVanced started working on Morphe, and they have a mod for EVERYTHING, Google Maps is patched so you can use it properly without pop ups without an account, and it redirects all tracking through Tor (meaning that your personal info gets lost), and Instagram also has plenty of patches that help a LOT, including ads, customized content, blah blah

Although I don't know if I should get a Google Pixel phone to get GrapheneOS or another brand that isn't Samsung or related to anything related to products made in certain nonexistent country