4 ms·

From a user perspective I think F-Droid is really good too, mainly because it only allows FOSS apps by default, which cuts out a lot of the BS you see in Play S

by Ajedi32 2mo ago

From a user perspective I think F-Droid is really good too, mainly because it only allows FOSS apps by default, which cuts out a lot of the BS you see in Play Store apps. You can go download a random, no-name app from F-Droid and be very confident it does what it says on the tin and won't be riddled with ads or spam you with notifications.

2Gkashmiri 2mo ago
Thats the only reason for at least me to use f droid and I have for the last decade I think. It "just works". As opposed to play store apps requiring "play store services" meaning having to sign into play store. It refuses to do so on a FOSS principle so I am literally cut off from a lot of apps. Aurora store helps but apps that "require play store services" don't work.
- notpushkin 2mo ago
  > "play store services" meaning having to sign into play store Not necessarily. Most apps that require Play Services should work fine even if you’re not logged into Google. You do, however, have to have the “gapps” installed. (Some apps would also actually check whether you’ve installed them from the Google Play store and not, say, Aurora, but from my experience most don’t bother.) Also, perhaps look into microG? It reimplements the Play Services APIs, but is FOSS and only connects to Google servers when it’s necessary for some functionality (e.g. if you enable push notifications): https://microg.org/ https://microg.org/
  - 2Gkashmiri 2mo ago
    I have microg installed but it doesn't do anything? It also needs to be logged in? Gapps is what exactly. I have stock android on oneplus, just don't have play store signed in. Many apps refuse to work.
    - notpushkin 2mo ago
      I’m using microG without signing in. Could you tell me a bit about what apps you’re using that you’re having trouble with? A good way to sidestep all those issues is getting your “everyday” apps from F-Droid :-) I’m only using Aurora Store for things like banking, taxi, or food delivery apps, and those are usually working great. Some banks are more trigger happy (shame on you, Revolut) while others seem to be okay. I really only miss Google Wallet. microG folks are working on Play Integrity, but it’s an ongoing battle: https://github.com/microg/GmsCore/issues/2967 https://github.com/microg/GmsCore/issues/2967
      - 2Gkashmiri 1mo ago
        https://ibb.co/SDR5h19f https://ibb.co/SDR5h19f
neves 2mo ago
F-Droid was a blow of fresh air. Nice apps that help me do something, instead of exploding ads in my face. It's my first stop of new apps.
- deleted 2mo ago
  [deleted]
paimapi 2mo ago
I am a little wary how many of the newer apps on F-Droid seem fully vibe-coded. there's only so many 'brain training' games and 'fully offline notes' that one really needs I wish there was a 'ranking' feature that periodically (maybe daily?) pulled down star/contributor numbers so you could at least look at projects that are more likely to receive continuing support and have basic hygiene like Dependabot alerts that said, migrating off so many of the Google-native or phone manufacturer apps has been such a liberatory feeling. I do some community organizing in my free-time and am a huge FOSS evangelist in those spaces. there's so many similar values, namely anti-surveillance, and but for resistance to change and preference for hyperpalatable UX, it's such a natural fit
smashed 2mo ago
This. I was looking for a quick Dart board score tracker app to keep scores for family games. The play store results were ATROCIOUS and user hostile, forcing account creation, full screen video ads and other BS. I remembered I had f-droid and I found a perfect, no bullshit app that does exactly what I needed and no ads.

by Ajedi32 2mo ago

2Gkashmiri 2mo ago

Thats the only reason for at least me to use f droid and I have for the last decade I think. It "just works". As opposed to play store apps requiring "play store services" meaning having to sign into play store. It refuses to do so on a FOSS principle so I am literally cut off from a lot of apps. Aurora store helps but apps that "require play store services" don't work.

notpushkin 2mo ago
> "play store services" meaning having to sign into play store Not necessarily. Most apps that require Play Services should work fine even if you’re not logged into Google. You do, however, have to have the “gapps” installed. (Some apps would also actually check whether you’ve installed them from the Google Play store and not, say, Aurora, but from my experience most don’t bother.) Also, perhaps look into microG? It reimplements the Play Services APIs, but is FOSS and only connects to Google servers when it’s necessary for some functionality (e.g. if you enable push notifications): https://microg.org/ https://microg.org/
- 2Gkashmiri 2mo ago
  I have microg installed but it doesn't do anything? It also needs to be logged in? Gapps is what exactly. I have stock android on oneplus, just don't have play store signed in. Many apps refuse to work.
  - notpushkin 2mo ago
    I’m using microG without signing in. Could you tell me a bit about what apps you’re using that you’re having trouble with? A good way to sidestep all those issues is getting your “everyday” apps from F-Droid :-) I’m only using Aurora Store for things like banking, taxi, or food delivery apps, and those are usually working great. Some banks are more trigger happy (shame on you, Revolut) while others seem to be okay. I really only miss Google Wallet. microG folks are working on Play Integrity, but it’s an ongoing battle: https://github.com/microg/GmsCore/issues/2967 https://github.com/microg/GmsCore/issues/2967
    - 2Gkashmiri 1mo ago
      https://ibb.co/SDR5h19f https://ibb.co/SDR5h19f

neves 2mo ago

F-Droid was a blow of fresh air. Nice apps that help me do something, instead of exploding ads in my face. It's my first stop of new apps.

deleted 2mo ago
[deleted]

paimapi 2mo ago

I am a little wary how many of the newer apps on F-Droid seem fully vibe-coded. there's only so many 'brain training' games and 'fully offline notes' that one really needs I wish there was a 'ranking' feature that periodically (maybe daily?) pulled down star/contributor numbers so you could at least look at projects that are more likely to receive continuing support and have basic hygiene like Dependabot alerts that said, migrating off so many of the Google-native or phone manufacturer apps has been such a liberatory feeling. I do some community organizing in my free-time and am a huge FOSS evangelist in those spaces. there's so many similar values, namely anti-surveillance, and but for resistance to change and preference for hyperpalatable UX, it's such a natural fit

smashed 2mo ago

This. I was looking for a quick Dart board score tracker app to keep scores for family games. The play store results were ATROCIOUS and user hostile, forcing account creation, full screen video ads and other BS. I remembered I had f-droid and I found a perfect, no bullshit app that does exactly what I needed and no ads.