Just switched to a new phone carrier, and they had a promotion that included a free phone: the Google Pixel 8. I’m not a fan of Google, but I am a fan of free, so I took the bait.

It’s already bombarded me with pitches for their new AI bullshit. I’ve opted out of as much as the settings allow, but I’m under no illusion that doing so actually provides any real privacy.

So, damage control time.

On my previous device I used YouTube Vanced for music and videos, but I guess Vanced isn’t around anymore, and I’m pretty out of date on what the current options are… any insight on streaming specifically?

 

*I’m a medic who’s only surface-level competent with tech, so please idiot-proof any instructions.

Thanks all!

  • Lem453@lemmy.ca
    0·
    7 months ago

    Before jumping to a whole new os, there’s a few easy things you can do.

    FUTO keyboard instead of gboard

    Install F-Droid app store to replace Google apps with foss versions: aegis, amaze, fossify gallery, grayjay, kvaesitso etc

    Obtainium can pull lots of apps straight from github: Firefox, wireguard, OSS document scanner etc

    Use DDG or something instead of Google search

    These are the easiest things you can do.

    After that there is self hosting things on your own server like immich for Google photos, Seafile for Google Drive backups etc

    Just because you can’t replace everything does mean you can slowly chip away at it and greatly reduce the amount of data you are sharing with Google

    The above steps make a huge difference in their own even without fully changing the os. Then one day when you are ready the option to change OS to graphene will still be there and you will already be used to your FOSS apps