De-Google Android For Privacy

Written by RespawnMaster

I would recommend that you read through this and backup any important information such as Authenticator keys(Exports) from Google Authenticator before removing Google Play Services from your device.

Step 1 - Getting Rid of and replacing Google Play Services (OPTIONAL)

The Easy way is to install a De-Googled Android Rom (Lineage OS or Graphene OS)

  • Research your device on XDAForums as this process varies from device to device. BE CAREFUL YOU CAN BRICK YOUR DEVICE IF YOU DO NOT FOLLOW TUTORIALS EXACTLY.

    • The Hard Way (relatively. Also, DO AT YOUR OWN RISK. )

  • Step A - This Video shows how to remove system apps (Becareful as this can disable important system features if you remove something that you don’t know what it does.)

  • Step B - Remove these three using Canta. (might break default google apps such as gcam on pixel devices, but we can replace them later)
  • com.google.android.gms (Google Play Services)
  • com.android.vending (Google Play Store)
  • com.google.androd.gsf (Google Services Framework)

  • Step C - Go to Settings>Apps>See all apps

  • Step D - Scroll through list and click on a Google app. There should be a button to either Uninstall or Disable it. Repeat for all Google apps or unwanted System apps(calc, clock, etc.).

    • Step 2) Replacing Google Apps (Links, Icons, and Descriptions coming soon)

    App Store- F-Droid (Or F-Droid Alternative Frontends), Aurora Store)

    Authentication- Aegis

    Google Find My Device- FMD in F-Droid (Some non-essential features require root)

    Browser- Icerave (or Your Preferred Browser from the FFUpdater app in F-Droid)

    SMS- QUIK (Fossify SMS app had bugs when sending multiple photos for me)

    Phone- (Fossify Phone)

    Launcher- Fossify Launcher (I use the default launcher of Lineage OS, but I wanted to give a recommendation for those stuck on Devices stock OS)

    Calculator (Search F-Droid for a calculator you like. Just make sure to click the permissions tab at the bottom of the app listing to make sure it does not share unwanted data or have permissions to things it should not)

    Calendar- Fossify Calendar

    Mail- Thunderbird or Your Email Providers App

  • If you need to access Gmail, I personally use Thunderbird to IMAP into the account.
  • For My paid Mailfence account, and Free account of Proton, I use their apps directly from Aurora Store.

    • Notes- Fossify Notes (This is an okay choice for me, but I do plan on changing to something more pretty later.)

    Clock- Fossify Clock (Exactly the same layout of Stock clock app of pixel devices, just with more options to edit color.

    File Manager- Fossify File Manager (Basic, but does mostly everything I need as an intermediate-Advanced user.)

    Weather- Overmorrow (A privacy based weather app that was developed by a 15 year old in Europe that popped up in my Mastodon Feed. Runs on Open Sourced Services)

    Keyboard- FUTO Keyboard (Best Speech recognition ran on device. While not Open Sources, The for profit company does offer free products to support the privacy community. Search ‘FUTO Louis Rossmann’ To judge for yourself.

    Step 3) Replacing Proprietary Social Media’s and Services

    This step is technically optional since you can install all major social media apps from Aurora Store

    Service Replacements

    Gmail- Proton-mail, Mail-fence. Tuta, etc.

    Google Drive- Mail-fence storage, Proton Cloud Storage, pCloud

    G-Suites- Proton-mail (Online), LibreOffice, Free-office

    Facebook- Frendica

    X (Twitter)- Mastodon, BlueSky

    Instagram- Pixelix

    Whatsapp/ Messenger- Signal or Molly Third-party Signal app for extra privacy features.

    TikTok- Loops (Requires an easy application that got accepted overnight for me)

    Third-party Private Front-ends

    (These are against the terms of service for both Youtube and Reddit)

    Youtube- Grayjay by FUTO (Can import subscriptions from Google Takeout. Also Ran by a for profit company that supports user privacy. Search ‘FUTO Louis Rossmann’ To judge for yourself.)

    Reddit- Infinity by Docile-Alligator (Github) (Only Useful in Anonymous Mode to if you are worried about sending info to Reddit to my knowledge)

    Step 4 - Use, Replace, Test

    Getting rid of Google’s many services can be a challenge. They no doubt have a convenient and user-friendly software ecosystem. If you try a listed app and it doesn’t work for you, try something else.