this post was submitted on 05 May 2025
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Android Apps

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What are the must have apps for android? (Preferably FOSS but all are fine) (infosec.pub)
submitted 4 days ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
17 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

We haven't had a must-have app thread in quite a while, and since mobile ecosystem moves so fast, thought it might be a good idea to see what people are using these days and consider their must have apps.

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[–] Stomata 2 points 2 days ago

Here is my list πŸ™‚
SD maid se best system cleaner
shizuku for wireless adb to do stuff
Canta to uninstall system apps
capy reader RSS reader
Ironfox hardened Firefox fork
Antenna pod podcast
URL check a actual toolbox for managing links
local send you know about it
Droid-ify best fdroid client
moshidon best mastodon client for me
keepassDx libre fully offline password manager
Tubular newpipe fork with sponsored block
Addy.io email aliases

[–] [email protected] 3 points 4 days ago

If you've got music on an SD card or on your device, like I do, having an app like Auxio is a must. Only problem I've had is that after a single update, a lot of files on my device, regardless of what type of audio file they are, stopped showing how long the audio file is, not how far along in the file you are.

Cannot find any open source alternatives to WabbitEMU (graphing calculator emulator) and their gβ€’β€’gle play store page is gone, so I just use yetCalc despite not needing all the features it has. Also, I proved myself to be an idiot because I found Graph 89 for a graphing calculator on your phone, but ROMs required. Looked up "calculator" on F-Droid and there it was, down the list.

I can only recommend this if you use Proton and their services, but I always keep their mail client app on hand for easy access to my 2 accounts I have with them. From what I can find, it isn't on F-Droid, but you might be able to get an apk directly from them. IDK, would have to check since I just go through gβ€’β€’gle play store for that.

Other than that, most everything else I can think of are things that have many open source alternatives, meaning you'll just have to pick what works best for you. Things like launchers, call apps, image gallery, and message apps (which I personally just use the Fossify versions of).

[–] [email protected] 3 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Davx5 for sync of calendar, contacts, tasks. Aurora store instead of google play. Freeotp+ for dual factor authentication. Signal for secure communication Gadget bridge for privacy preserving workouts.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 days ago (2 children)

Thanks for the recommendations.

Have you tried Aegis? I have settled on that for my 2FA needs.

[–] Stomata 2 points 2 days ago (1 children)

How do you sync them or keep regular backup? I shifted to ente auth after loosing some totp.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 day ago

Take a backup once every 6 months or so, and have it on my computer. Along with my backup of password manager's file.

As a last resort, I just remember my email account's password and keep it's backup codes with me, everything else can be reset as long as I can log into my email account.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Not yet. Any specific benefits come to mind?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Don't even remember why I chose it, but remember everyone being very happy about it. Here's the info from it's FAQ:

Compared to other 2FA apps, we think Aegis stands out in terms of its simplicity and security. Most popular apps like Google Authenticator and FreeOTP don't bother with additional security measures. They allow access to your tokens right after opening the app. Aegis, on the other hand, encrypts all of your tokens at rest and requires a password or the touch of a finger to decrypt them.

Another important feature is the ability to export your tokens and import them into another device. Google Authenticator doesn't have this, which has not only annoyed users for years, but has also resulted in loss of access to lots of accounts.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 days ago

Thats pretty solid, thanks :)

[–] [email protected] 2 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago)

A few FOSS that I havent yet seen mentioned (assuming everyone already uses AntennaPod, Aegis, Keepass2Android, OsmAnd, Signal, VLC, SD Maid SE etc):

  • FairEmail - Email client
  • Voyager - Lemmy client
  • whoBIRD - Shazam for birds
  • Subz - Subscription manager/notifier
  • Untracker - Remove tracking info before sharing links (YouTube, Amazon etc)
  • Obtainium - Update manager/notifier
  • PDF Converter - .pdf tool. May be abandoned but doesnt require internet & is useful
  • MJ PDF - .pdf reader
  • FitoTrack - Fitness tracker
  • Shelter - Work profile for if your employer won't provide a work phone but insists you use a shitty 3rd party proprietary app for everything from booking leave to payslips to health scheme to... Well anything, coz everything has to have its own shitty app these days, right?
[–] [email protected] 2 points 4 days ago (1 children)

I guess I should jump start this by sharing my own list.

I was away from android ecosystem for a few years, but a few of my must-haves are:

  • AntennaPod: Podcast app, open-source. Not a big podcast guy, but this works pretty great.
  • KDE Connect: Connect your phone with computer (Linux, not sure about other OS), you can sync notifications, send commands, message, share files etc.
  • Tasker: All time favourite automation app, don't think there is any competition for this.

Bonus:

  • AppDialer Pro: A search app / widget to quickly open any app / contact / other stuff by using T9 (or full keyboard), I had the previous Pro version but apparently it's outdated now and need to buy the latest version, so not sure if I want to right now. Latest version is called: "AppDialer 11–T9 app search"
[–] [email protected] 8 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) (2 children)

IronFox: Privacy Hardened Firefox

Organic Maps - Navigation

HeliBoard - Most feature complete FOSS keyboard Ive used so far

FUTO Keyboard / Florisboard - runners up to heli IMO, both are great options

Clipious - Invidious client

GrayJay - YT (+ other) client (for when Invidious is down)

PipePipe - YT ( + other) client (for when GrayJay is being directly targeted)

CloudStream - An app that can be used while sailing on the sea

Voyager - Lemmy Client

Catima - keeps track of your membership cards / gift certificates

Signal-FOSS - Strips GMS from Signal

SD Maid - Apps that clear up storage

Find My Device (FMD) - FOSS replacement for Googles Find My Device

I'm sure I could think of more, but I'll leave some for other people to comment :P

[–] Stomata 2 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I was never been able to make cloudstream to work. How do i add extentions? Would you mind sharing?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 days ago

This github gist should be able to help you out. Its an open secret that theres a link called "megarepo" built into CloudStream that let's you download every extension. Paired with the auto-download extensions and autos update extension settings it makes cloudstream extremely useful, you would've had to have stumbled upon the gist or got told in their discord about it though.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 days ago (1 children)

What do you think of NewPipe? That's the only one I use, haven't tried GrayJay or PipePipe

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 days ago

NewPipe is great but its codebase isnt maintained as well as PipePipe ATM because theyre doing a full codebase rewrite is my understanding. When they finish I'll probably switch back

[–] [email protected] 1 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago)