I have been an Android user for 13 years now. After using almost every Google service possible I am going down the privacy rabbit hole lately. Gmail -> Proton Mail, Chrome -> Firefox, Keep -> Notesnook, Google Search -> Kagi, …

I am currently using a Galaxy S23 with as few Google apps as possible (and focussing mainly on open-source apps). I am familiar with rooting (I was a CyanogenMod user back in the days), but today I want to use the phone without tinkering and problem solving. I also like to use a smartwatch and banking apps, so GrapheneOS is a no-go unfortunately.

So it is “Stock” Android (or Samsung’s Android ) vs. iOS for me. Is it better (in terms of privacy) to use an iPhone or stick with an Android phone with an system wide ad-/tracking Blocker (I use Adguard)? It seems there are more privacy-friendly/open-source apps on Android.

    • ImFresh3x@sh.itjust.works
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      2 years ago

      Yes. Installing any .api is extremely simple. You can do it with one click. I’ve lots of apps Apple doesn’t want me to have, and they don’t know.

    • SkepticalButOpenMinded@lemmy.ca
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      2 years ago

      You seem to be right: here is their app store policy. That’s helpful to know. They claim this is not sold to others and only used to recommend apps on the app store, but I may not be reading that right.

      In theory, I understand some apps can be sideloaded on Android. But, in practice, can you actually get away with avoiding the Google app store for most apps? I’m skeptical.

      • ponfriend@sh.itjust.works
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        1 year ago

        All apps that you can install from the Play Store can be “sideloaded” on Android, plus many that you can’t install from the Play Store.

      • Fushuan [he/him]@lemm.ee
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        1 year ago

        Aurora store and fdroid are two alternative stores. You can also download any apk and install it. You were skeptical of a 1 minute search, man.

        • SkepticalButOpenMinded@lemmy.ca
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          1 year ago

          No please read my comment again. I know there are alternative stores. In practice, many mainstream apps are not easy to install using these stores. If you had done a 1 minute search, you’d find tons of people complaining about trying to degoogle their phone. I think almost everyone just gives up on at least a few apps.

          • Fushuan [he/him]@lemm.ee
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            1 year ago

            Giving up on a few apps IS being able to sideload most apps, which is what you were skeptical about in your original comment.