this post was submitted on 02 Mar 2025
34 points (97.2% liked)

Ask Android

2391 readers
3 users here now

A place to ask your questions and seek help related to your Android device and the Android ecosystem.

Whether you're looking for app recommendations, phone buying advice, or want to explore rooting and tutorials, this is the place for you!

Rules
  1. Be descriptive: Help us help you by providing as many details as you can.
  2. Be patient: You're getting free help from Internet strangers, so you may have to wait for an answer.
  3. Be helpful: If someone asks you for more information, tell us what you can. If someone asks you for a screenshot, please provide one!
  4. Be nice: Treat others with respect, even if you don't agree with their advice. Accordingly, you should expect others to be nice to you as well. Report intentionally rude answers.
  5. No piracy: Sharing or discussing pirated content is strictly prohibited. Do not ask others for a paid app or about how to acquire one.
  6. No affiliate/marketing links: Posting affiliate links is not allowed.
  7. No URL shorteners: These can hide the true location of the page and lead people to malicious places.
  8. No lockscreen bypasses: Please do not comment, link, or assist with bypassing lock screens or factory reset protection.
  9. No cross-posting: Please take the time to make a proper post instead of cross-posting.
Other Communities

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
 

I’m new to android. (Default android 13, not looking to install custom ROMs because I need this to be very functional and dont have time to deal with bugs).

Anyways, I’ve installed F-Droid, Helix Keyboard and my go to VPN app.

What next? What browser, third party YT player, torrent client, jellyfin client (I’m deaf so need one with opensubtitle integration), email clients, rss aggregator, note taking apps etc. should I install? I’m paralysed by choice.

Is there an equivalent to the ios shortcuts app?

Anyways, I’ll be happy to try out any suggestions. Cheers.

top 28 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] tatann@lemm.ee 13 points 1 week ago (1 children)

If you have f-droid:

  • AntennaPod (for podcasts)
  • VLC (always good to have)
  • Ironfox/Fennec
  • SpamBlocker (to block call centers using regex, etc...)
  • Newsblur (for RSS)
  • Transistor (online radio / any stream)
  • Voyager for Lemmy
  • Bitwarden (password manager)
[–] sbv@sh.itjust.works 5 points 1 week ago

+1 for AntennaPod. I haven't found a great podcast player, but AntennaPod is the best I've seen.

[–] BlastboomStrice@mander.xyz 11 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

What I do is I have droidify (fdroid client) with fdroid, izzyonandroid and few more repos enabled and I browse the list frequently. If I find something cool I might keep it. I try to avoid anything from google play in general.

If I want something specific (apart from searchijg online), I mighr just search the term I want on droidify, install a few apps, try them and keep the one I like.

[–] FundMECFSResearch@lemmy.blahaj.zone 4 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (2 children)

So there’s a bunch of useful FOSS stuff not on fdroid repo? Never heard of izzyonandroid

[–] BlastboomStrice@mander.xyz 8 points 1 week ago

Yeah, I think fdroid is more strict about the apps they include and I think they might do some extra tests (hence why fdroid apps have different signature from git repos of the apps).

Please search it yourself, I don't remember much to help you.

Here's izzy's site: https://apt.izzysoft.de/fdroid/index/info

PS. You might see Izzy in various github app repos talking with developers asking to import their apps to the izzy repo

[–] notanapple@lemm.ee 6 points 1 week ago

Izzy takes apks directly from devs repos iirc Fdroid builds everything themselves so its kinda like the debian repos on linux

[–] officermike@lemmy.world 10 points 1 week ago (2 children)

I'd say Firefox for your browser. It supports extensions like ad blockers.

[–] FundMECFSResearch@lemmy.blahaj.zone 5 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I use librewolf on my computer. I’m assuming librewolf doesn’t have an android version so firefox sounds pretty good.

[–] tatann@lemm.ee 10 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Firefox isn't on f-droid, but Fennec and Ironfox are

Also Firefox TOS current controversy

[–] thebigslime@lemmy.world 6 points 1 week ago* (last edited 6 days ago) (3 children)

~~Fennec is dead in the water. Use IronFox.~~ Sorry, I mixed up Mull and Fennec.

[–] DrSteveBrule@mander.xyz 6 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Why is fennec dead in the water?

[–] thebigslime@lemmy.world 1 points 1 week ago

Sorry, I was mistaken. I thought development halted. That was Mull.

[–] DahGangalang@infosec.pub 4 points 1 week ago (1 children)
[–] tatann@lemm.ee 5 points 1 week ago

Ironfox repo is on their gitlab page (readme) : https://gitlab.com/ironfox-oss/IronFox/

[–] limerod@reddthat.com 2 points 1 week ago

Fennec is dead in the water. Use IronFox.

On what basis do you say Fennec is dead in the water? Please elaborate further.

[–] orize@lemmy.dbzer0.com 4 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Waterfox is the sweet spot between Firefox and LibreWolf

What repo is it in?

[–] MicrowavedTea@infosec.pub 9 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Some apps I'd consider essential:

  • URLCheck for better control when clicking on links
  • Termux for a terminal emulator
  • Tasker for automations (it's a one time payment)

If your phone only has Google's gallery and files apps do yourself a favor and get some third party apps for these things. I use Fossify Gallery and Material Files but there are many alternatives.

And here's a good list for everything else: https://github.com/Psyhackological/AAA

[–] v4ld1z@lemmy.zip 4 points 1 week ago

+1 for URL Check. Trimming down on baked-in trackers and stuff in links you click on is awesome

[–] can@sh.itjust.works 4 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

Not torrent, but if you're looking for music I really recommend the Soulseek client Seeker. It's on fdroid.

Edit: you may need to add the Izzy repo as a source first.

More info here.

[–] Cheradenine@sh.itjust.works 4 points 1 week ago

Browser, Ironfox or Cromite (if you want chromium)

YouTube, either Newpipe, or Tubular (if you want sponsor block)

You might like Droid-ify better than F-Droid, I find the UI better.

For getting apps there is also Obtanium, which pulls directly from the source. Github, Gitlab, etc.

Welcome to the ~~dark~~ better side

[–] Blaze@lemmy.zip 3 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Feel free to crosspost to !android@lemdro.id for wider reach

[–] IDKWhatUsernametoPutHereLolol@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 1 week ago (1 children)

lemdroid's main community doesn't allow personal questions AFIAK

[–] cole 2 points 1 week ago

It didn't, but since there is less activity than reddit's r/android the rule was designed for, the mods decided to relax that rule.

In the long-term if the community gets huge and it becomes problematic the rule will go back into effect

[–] BuboScandiacus@mander.xyz 2 points 1 week ago

Newpipe for youtube <— best app in existence

[–] burgersc12@mander.xyz 2 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

Aegis for 2fa

Pipepipe for youtube

Thunderbird for email

[–] limerod@reddthat.com 1 points 1 week ago

I would recommend an adblocker. If your VPN supports proxy or you can make do without it. I recommend PersonalDNSFilter.

For launcher depending on personal preference I recommend Niagara Launcher or Smart Launcher 6.

For RSS feeds I recommend Feeder

For YT apart from Newpips, there's Libretube and Tubular( a newpipe fork with sponsorblock and youtubedislike support).

For torrent Libretorrent or the basic but simple PikaTorrent. For games there's Endless Sky, Shattered Pixel Dungeon.

For image editors there Image Toolbox

For note taking app I use Orgzly(revived), but you can try the ones like Open Note which are simpler.

For Lemmy clients there's Voyager, Jerboa Both are fantastic, smooth and functional.

If you need recommendations for more categories of apps feel free to ask. The community will answer where it can.

Tasker - for automating anything, everything.