15h ago

Soft degoogle on Android with Launchers

Pre-installed Google apps that can’t be uninstalled can be incredibly frustrating. But not everyone can afford a new phone (also not to mention the environmental impact), and rooting your device is not for everyone. The good news is, there is a simple solution for Android users: open-source launchers that let you hide those apps for good. Below, I’ve rounded up some options to help you take back control of your home screen:

Unfortunately, it is not that easy for iOS, but if you have more suggestions, I would love to read them in the comments

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My additional soft degoogle trick includes installing F-droid, from the store installing Rethink VPN and making it the only ethernet interface for all phone traffic. That way you can block whole apps from accessing the network or certain IPs / domains for any app. I have done this because I can't fucking stand apps like keyboard (gboard) or camera which I don't need to fetch anything connecting to the internet.
- why don't you use a foss keyboard?
  
  Which do you like?
  
  It's different reasons with each one I tried.

They can be disabled using ADB and App Manager
- Shizuku + Canta on f-droid are great for accomplishing this as well, you just start wireless debugging and tick the apps you want to uninstall.
  
  This is the way to go if you do not want connect to a computer. You do not have command like functionality of adb though. So I am not sure google play sevices can be disabled this way.
- ADB seems pretty cool, I didn't know that yet. Thank you for sharing
  
  You can also use UAD-ng (it uses ADB) : https://github.com/Universal-Debloater-Alliance/universal-android-debloater-next-generation
  Use at your own risks :D
  
  I just started messing around with it myself. It is possible to mess up your phone, so yet disabling services with adb first, see if you run into problems. Wait like a week. Then remind them.
  The cool thing is you can remove a ton of bloat via adb without root. It's pretty amazing

I have done this on a few friends phones who cannot afford a new phone, and or, their phone is not supported by lineage, E/os or any other AOSP custom roms.
I install Lawnchair which is not available on F-Droid unless you add the IzzyOnDroid repo. .
I use droid-ify or neostore, both make it easier to add repo's and include lawnchair.
for the debloat:
Adb is the way to go here:
A lot of the google stuff can be removed, the caveat is that google play services and google play store cannot and should not be removed.
you can safely remove: Gmail, Google One, Google Wallet, Google Podcasts, Google News, Google Hangouts, Google AR Core Library, Google Docs, Google Play Movies, Google Music, Google Android Auto, Google Maps, google Chrome as well as facebook. youtube, amazon, ebay, netflix, linkedin, etc,
as well as all the other surveillance, data harvesting bloatware:
com.amazon.appmanager: com.amazon.mShop.android.shopping: com.booking com.ebay.carrier: com.ebay.mobile: com.facebook.appmanager : com.facebook.katana:c om.facebook.services: com.facebook.system: com.linkedin.android: com.netflix.mediaclient: com.opera.browser: com.opera.preinstall: com.spotify.music
A complete list here:
[GUIDE] Remove Google Play Services from Android without root via adb shell (more privacy for your malware phone)
https://xdaforums.com/t/guide-remove-google-play-services-from-android-without-root-via-adb-shell-more-privacy-for-your-malware-phone.4720085/
To enable ADB:
https://www.xda-developers.com/install-adb-windows-macos-linux/
Be careful
- Getting rid of google play services got my phone stuck in bootloop. You can however, use adb to disable those and Gemini. My issue is that I can only disable Windows Services Link and not remove it. Also, Samsung has a modes and routines feature that I can't disable. That has got to be a massive security issue. Thinking about just rooting the damned phone to get rid of that, but its probably in there deep.

Hiding the apps does not turn them off. This will do nothing for privacy or security.
- that's not "hiding"
  
  I'm using OP's phrase. "... open-source launchers that let you hide those apps for good. "

I know it doesnt counter surveillance but for Android TV very happy with Projectivy Launcher.
No bombardment of ads for media to buy films music or episodes. Just quiet navigation.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.spocky.projengmenu

i know it's falling from grace a bit but i still hate how there are no foss launchers as good as nova. :(

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