Android @lemmy.world

1y ago

What's the 3 apps that you can't live without?

I'll start, mine will be Google Notes, 1Password and WhatsApp.

231 comments

Apollo - Twitter - Google Reader
- 😂 😂 😂

Bitwarden.
I used to think the same for WhatsApp, Spotify, Twitter and Apollo but they can all be replaced by alternatives (Telegram / Signal, Amazon Music, Mastodon, Memmy).
I know about Keepass but it’s definitely not as convenient and easy to use as Bitwarden.
I don’t use YouTube app because of ads everywhere but I would have trouble stop using YouTube on my computer.
- Keepass was my go-to (KeepassXC and KeepassDX), but ever since selfhosting bitwarden (vaultwarden), I haven't looked back.
- KeePass is really good, but it definitely requires to handle everything outside the password management (like syncronization between devices, TOTP, password quality check, etc.). It is not user friendly at all. Thankfully KeePassDX (on Android, not pc) has a way better built-in experience.
  For YouTube, check out newpipe on F-Droid. No ads, you can download content, play videos in background, etc.
- youtube revanced is the goat, but make sure to get it from github. It's the only official source at the moment. You gotta patch it yourself but it's basically youtube vanced once it's all set up.

#1 would be the phone app, pretty handy for calling people in real time. Without it I would have to carry a phone separately, It's become pretty hard finding a phone booth today.
#2 Would be SMS, these are quite handy for quick messages without interrupting something important.
#3 GPS maps, I have the most amazing sense of orientation, that basically guarantees I never end up where I’m supposed to, unless I have GPS.
You may take these functions for granted children. But back in the day, maps were something you had in the glove compartment of your car. Phones were something you had on the wall, with a long wire hanging out of them, to connect you to a wired network. Messages was something you send on paper, put a stamp on, and posted through the postal service.
Of course compared to back then, a smartphone has plenty more clever functions. Like the calculator, which we did either in the head or more complex calculations were done on paper.
But I guess these aren’t what you kids were looking for. But they are actually quite amazing, even if you take them for granted. ;)
- Anybody without Maps on their list must take it so deeply for granted. Even for me, growing up printing MapQuest maps as a teenager, it's crazy how much before that was "whip out your massive dangerously distracting atlas and try to figure it out including where you are."
- Yeah those are all huge. Camera app is pretty good important too.
  I was trying to think of stuff beyond system apps but point taken
  
  Yes camera is very cool too. Especially compared to buying film and then have to have them developed. Which was pretty expensive. The quality of pictures from a modern phone is even way way better.
  I knew you meant apps besides "default" or the obvious, I just came to think how different it is today with smartphones, compared to before we had the first mobile phones. Which brings us back to the very early 80's. So I posted as mostly a joke, but also as a reminder that smartphones are pretty amazing IMO. ;)
  PS. I'm from Denmark, and we were very early with first generation nationwide mobile network NMT already in 1982. And a phone for it could be had for as cheap as $7000. How time flies.
- Amazing comment
  
  Thank you. 😉

A lot of people here are recommending bitwarden. What are the advantages of this over Google's native password manager?
- The free tier has all the features you need, it's open-source and it's not a Google product.
  It's also quite easy to switch to it from other managers, even the Google one.
- Well for one it is not just a side functionality as the manager in chrome. It also is open source and was audited several time by external experts. And lastly it is super simple to use on pretty much any platform.
- Ever wondered how other browsers like Firefox can import passwords from chrome without any password? Well, viruses can do that too. With bitwarden they can't just read the passwords from disk because they would need your master password.
  Disclaimer: haven't been saving my passwords in the browser for a while so not sure if other browsers can still scrape the passwords just like that anymore
- You can self-host the server
- I like that I can set up a public container and share certain passwords but still manage it

Bitwarden, Firefox, and Spotify.

Firefox, liftoff (slide before) and bitwarden

It used to be Sync for Reddit, Tachiyomi (Manga reader), and Vivaldi (Web browser, formerly Chrome but I needed adblock)
Replacement for Sync is not found.
- Sync (and Boost) have Lemmy-compatible versions in development right now. Sync for Lemmy might even be out already, I haven't checked yet.
  
  I've heard about it, definitely planning to use it if it does come around. But I'm not even sure if Lemmy is going to replace reddit for my "daily driving" yet. The dust hasn't settled yet, there were so many things reddit did that I'm not sure what the future holds. Lemmy is the only option right now however.
- Give redreader a try

Bitwarden
\ YouTube
\ ~~Pornhub~~ Brave

Bitwarden, Firefox and KDE Connect
- I used KDEConnect for 48h and can't live without it anymore.
  Best media control, file sharing without usb/bluetooth and sharedclip board is next lvl.
- What is kdeconnect?

Telegram, Google Maps and Spotify.... But really 3 apps is just too few!

YouTube Bitwarden WhatsApp

Mull, pokemmo, and youtube revanced are my go to apps.
- Didn't realize pokemmo had a mobile app.

Fennec (Firefox fork), Tutanota (Email/Calendar), and Spotify (evil proprietary company)
- Try Mull, doesn't have the traciking that Fennec has

KeePassDX, Firefox, FairEmail
- I love keepassdx. The keyboard function works real well too to avoid copy pasting.

Tachiyomi
1dm+
Vanced(revanced)
- Wait Vanced still works?! I've been using NewPipe which wasn't great at the beginning but much better now, though Vanced was definitely a much better experience.
  
  There is a new project, ReVanced. They only provide patches so can't really be shut down by Google.
  
  YouTube Revance

Calculator, message and phonebook...

Firefox with uBlock Bitwarden Spotify

YouTube ReVanced - I watch a lot of YouTube.
Bitwarden - No need to remember all my passwords and autofill.
Iceraven (Browser) - It has uBlock Origin along with other useful extensions.

Potato skins mozzarella sticks and jalapeno poppers

Firefox, Signal, OrganicMaps
- I'm having a hard time with OM taking me through weird routes, when there's a simpler, shorter path. Have you had that issue?

Plex, tachiyomi and whatever replaces my rif addiction.
- Tachiyomi is the singular reason I will never be able to own an iPhone. No other manga reader comes close.
  
  You speak truth
- Check out TachiJ2K if you haven't already!

Bitwarden, Spotify and since 18 days jerboa

To me it's still Nova. Ever since they were bought out I've been trying to find a replacement but nothing seems to match it feature for feature. Especially on Samsung or LG phones, I'm using Nova constantly.
I just developed a muscle memory to be able to swipe down or up on any app to trigger a specific task. It allows me to really keep my home screen clean.
I've turned off automatic updates to try to limit branches intrusiveness but I'm eventually going to have to move on.
After that kiwi browser or Firefox Nightly. I need at least one of those. Those are the only browsers that allowed desktop extensions.
I guess I would choose with Firefox Nightly as it gets updated much more frequently and isn't chromium.
- You can do this on IceRaven and Mull, which are open source, you can install all addons using this trick: https://github.com/Divested-Mobile/Mull-Fenix/issues/6#issuecomment-865333904
- My honorable mentions are revanced, Google keep (The easiest way to have my notes sync up as I use a bunch of different phones and tablets), newpipe, musicolet...

Signal, Brave and Bitwarden.

Firefox, Whatsapp and Boost for Reddit (soon Boost for Lemmy, I think)

Firefox with uBlock origin (a must for browsing the web)
Bitwarden (for passwords)
FX file manager (fast and powerful file manager)
Honorable mention to Music speed changer (uses an advanced algorithm to change the pitch and speed of locally stored audio with minimal distortion)
#1, #3, and the honorable mention are Android only. This is a huge reason why I stay on Android.
- Whoa #1 isn't on iPhone? Lmao that sucks
  
  Yup, all browsers on iOS are restricted to WebKit and might as well be Safari-lite

AntennaPod
Bitwarden
Firefox

Liftoff for Lemmy!
Simple Calendar Widget
Discord

Brave (Browser)
Bitwarden (Password Manager)
YouTube if we're talking mobile, VS Code otherwise

Firefox Phone Camera
Seriously phone without phone app or camera would be a photo frame lol

Spotify
Strava
Default alarm clock app
If it weren't for Spotify and Strava for bike rides, I would gladly get rid of my smartphone and replace it with a flip phone. Life was better before the entire internet traveled with you everywhere you go.
- Haha, I have almost the same list. Love it

I'll pick the lesser known ones in my collection:
Aegis - FOSS 2FA Management
Shelter - For splitting off work apps and easily disabling them when I get off work
Poweramp - best music player ever, well worth the price.
- Aegis is great! I really don't know why people use Google Authenticator when much better alternatives exist.
  
  What makes it better? (Honest question)
  
  I use my YubiKey for that. Really useful and convenient

Signal, Firefox, ReadEra (best EBook reader for Android hands down)
Honourable mentions to OLauncher. Super clean UI that makes my phone less distracting and easy to use
- I've never heard of O launcher, looks like a similar concept to Niagara (which is what I've used for a few years now). I love the simplified interface and cleaner look of both!
- Swap Signal for Telegram and we're the same.

Can't believe I haven't seen Tasker yet. Firefox and Feedly are my other two!
- What do you have set up in Tasker?
  
  A myriad of things mostly based on location or time. I have profiles that change the way the phone behaves (notification volumes, screen on time, WiFi/Bluetooth state) based on a combination of where I am and what time it is. I also have profiles that pop up information depending on where I am (for example, the 8 digit door code at a place - it changes monthly, but is not really a secure location).
  I've built a couple of mini apps in Tasker that do things like set up timers or interact with voice recording software. the other major use is to handle notifications for really repetitive apps (e.g. if people are chatting a lot in Messages, it slows the pace of notification sounds).
  Edit: Apparently "Network Timeout" does not imply that your message didn't get posted 😬

OSMand
Spotify
Whatever Lemmy app works best for the moment

Mull, element, bitwarden

Day-to-day use: Bitwarden, YouTube (Revanced), Liftoff.
Productivity use: Duo Authenticator, JuiceSSH, WireGuard

Tachiyomi for manga
Skyleap to play Granblue Fantasy
Bitwarden for password management
- Tachiyomi is absolutely fantastic, so powerful and well made
  
  I like a good Material You app
  Tachiyomi helped me get into manga - still barely scratching the surface tho

F-Droid
Vinyl
AntennaPod
OsmAnd

Play Store
Firefox
lichess

Signal
DuoLingo

3 Stores-ish nested 3 deep count?
- I'll allow it🧑‍⚖️

Revanced, Cloudstream and coffee from fdroid
- Coffee is awesome. Such an easy quick way to keep screen awake. Thanks for the recommendation.
- Speaking of coffee, cofi from FDroid is great for timing coffee recipes

Samsung browser (with adblock), spotify, Samsung email
- Is Samsung email that good? Are their other default apps better than the Google ones?
  
  For me is good enough to not use the google ones.

wefwef Blockinger (tetris game) Musicolet

YouTube, Bitwarden, Niagara Launcher.

YouTube Music, Vivaldi, and Telegram.

Bitwarden, Spotify, Aliucord
Wish I could replace Spotify but haven't found something similar that's selfhosted and foss.
- I absolutely love Aliucord. I've always thought that the UI on mobile looked really bad so using a MD3 theme + compact mode plugin fixed all my issues
- If you're looking for an alternative, spotube is a decent one.
  
  It still uses your paid account but with a different front end? Neat.

Evernote (functional note-taking app), ReVanced (Youtube ads are a blight on civilization), My Boy! (Fire Emblem GBA series are my comfort games which get me through my bus commute. I would buy them on actual hardware if Nintendo didn't make it such an obtuse PITA with limited-time subscriptions to induce artificial scarcity.)
- Literally why I got a Deck instead of a Switch.

Youtube, Fate/Grand Order, and Bitwarden

Syncthing, KeepassDX, F-Droid.
Although in reality, most apps I use could be plausibly replaced with other alternatives.

Firefox, vscode and password manager!

Tasks - My life would be a mess without this or something very similar.
Firefox - Ad blocking, dark mode, bookmarks etc. synced to my laptop.
My bank app.

Google Maps, YouTube, Podcast Addict
Audiobook Shelf Tailscale KDE Connect Venmo AccuBattery Pro
- That's my exact top 3 as well haha

231 comments