My Android Apps List
Incomplete & will require additions.
Introduction
This article is to list out the Android apps that I use. It's just as nutshelled as the ROM list, since it uses the same format.
All apps I've mentioned here will run without internet and/or Goolag Play dis-services, unless mentioned otherwise.
For the past archive, here's the link.
Gallery
No dishonorable mentions, as Simple Gallery is basically the only gallery app worth installing & using.
Simple Gallery (Pro)
Simple, open source & straightforward gallery app. Can exclude folders, hiding its media from curious eyes (but not the file manager and/or any other gallery apps you may have installed). Lacks subtitle support for videos though, so I end up pairing this with another video app.
As this is one of the Simple Mobile Tools apps, it features customizable themes which extends to the app icon (the app icon customization is for Pro variants) & is written in Kotlin. Unfortunately, they're hosted in GitHub.
Links:
Video
Dishonorable mentions :
- VLC : I'm not cool with combining music & video. In addition, blocking microphone permission in AppOps may prevent the app from functioning (why does a media player need microphone access?).
MPV Android
A port of MPV, for Android. While its file browser interface leaves much to be desired (I use Simple Gallery to browse the gallery anyway, so that point is moot), it has the subtitle support Simple Gallery lacks.
Links:
Music
Theoretically, I could combine Music & Video if I were using VLC. However, I'm not a fan of such approach.
Dishonorable mentions :
- VLC : See the video section for the reason.
- PowerAmp : Basically a Goolag-only paid music player, free version tied to 15-day trial before expiration. I used to enjoy this back when I am stuck in the Goolag ecosystem.
AIMP
Short for (maybe?) Artem Izmaylov Music Player, or as I've enjoyed calling it, Artyom Is Music Player, this is the best music player on Android IMO. It has enough great features for me to rely on it, including theme customizations & manual playlist creation. Unfortunately, it is closed source.
Links:
Camera
No dishonorable mentions (Except for AOSP Camera2), since I don't use my cameras that much to the point of needing GCam in my daily life. Well, I'm stuck with GCam Go on my X3P, but I don't generally go out of my way to download GCam.
Snap
The inbuilt camera app for LineageOS & some other ROMs, mainly Lineage-based ones.
No links can be provided, as it's prebuilt.
OpenCamera
An alternative camera app in case I don't like a prebuilt camera (AOSP Camera2 immediately comes to mind). Interestingly enough, this is made & hosted at SourceForge.
A fork of OpenCamera is prebuilt in /e/.
Links:
GCam Go
A lite GCam that could be inbuilt in some ROMs. Currently using it on the X3P just because it's the prebuilt camera for most (if not all) of its custom ROMs (including Arrow). I personally dislike its lack of interface customizations & the fact that none of the GCam ports are open source.
I won't provide links for GCam mods (except for GCam Go by Greatness as I have decent luck with it & it doesn't have any Play Services dependency). GCam requires Play Services (or at least Gcam Services Provider) to start working, & there is too much versions for GCam mods that finding the one that works the best for you can be a frustating challenge (maybe try OpenCamera, it might not be the best but at least there's only one variant available).
Links to proven variants by Greatness:
Note : Don't install another GCam port if you have one installed.
Notepad
No dishonorable mentions for now.
Simple Notes (Pro)
Simple fire & forget notes app with Simple Mobile Tools' theme customizations, nothing more. Can open up to 1MB files.
Links:
PotatoNotes / Leaflet
The official POSP note app, written in Flutter. Features online note syncing if that matters to you (uses internet).
Links:
Document reader
Librera Reader (Pro)
A feature-rich document reader that supports various formats, including PDF.
Links:
Drawing
Simple Draw (Pro)
Simple Mobile Tools' drawing app. Simple & straightforward, though you may want to use some sort of stylus.
Links:
Calculator
Honorable mentions :
The default prebuilt calculator
Actually, the prebuilt calculator on every ROM is usable enough, save for the lack of theme customizations (depending on what's inbuilt).
No links can be provided, as they're a prebuilt system app.
OnePlus Calculator
A calculator app made by OnePlus. As an OEM-made app, it's interestingly nice that it works without Goolag dis-services. Otherwise, it's just like the default prebuilt calculator, complete with its lack of theme modifications.
For the record, I used the 2/9/2020 build, & also blocked internet access for it, just in case.
Links:
Calendar
Dishonorable mentions :
- AOSP calendar : Looks shit. Also, it demands Goolag sign-in (it could probably work without it, but I'm too frustrated to even consider using it).
- Goolag calendar : While it looks better than AOSP calendar, it still demands Goolag sign-in.
Simple Calendar Pro
Simple Mobile Tools' calendar app.
Links:
Etar
A calendar app prebuilt in some custom ROMs, such as crDroid. In a nutshell, it's AOSP calendar without Goolag sign-in demand on opening, & after getting used to how it looks, I'd say that it isn't as bad as I thought it would be. However, one ugly side of this calendar is that it's not available on GitHub releases - F-Droid & Play Store only.
Compared to Simple Calendar, Etar is unable to set events without a calendar account.
Links:
Clock
The default prebuilt clock
The prebuilt clock app is usable enough, ignoring the lack of theme customizations. On Pie, it looks like shit, with its all blue theme (it's not as bad in A10 & A11, but still, it doesn't have theme customizations).
No links can be provided, as they're prebuilt in every ROMs.
Simple Clock
Simple Mobile Tools' clock app. This is my clock app of choice when I don't like a prebuilt clock app's theme. If you're using it as an alarm, it'll quiet down after some time.
Links:
Keyboard
I prefer to disable any kind of swipe typing, autocorrect, autocapitalization, word suggestions, & all other BS cruft (including sound) built into a keyboard app. Vibration stays enabled as I ended up getting a bit too used to it after trying it out.
Dishonorable mentions :
- SwiftKey : Trash keyboard, nothing more. Swipe typing enabled by default but can be disabled, word suggestions that can't be disabled at all, & Microsoft telemetry are just examples of the bad stuff on this one.
- GBoard : What the AOSP keyboard was supposed to be, but with added Go-ogle telemetry & other kinds of bloat, such as swipe typing. At least there's more themes, I suppose?
Honorable mentions :
- AnySoftKeyboard : Highly customizable, but with plenty of offensive cruft enabled by default.
- FlorisBoard : Basically AnySoftKeyboard with different settings interface.
- OpenBoard : Basically AOSP keyboard, but with more customizations. Only reason I don't use it for long-term prebuilt keyboard replacement is because it's not as light as Simple Keyboard.
The default prebuilt keyboard
The prebuilt AOSP keyboard is fine enough, though it sucks in terms of customizability.
Some ROMs inbuilt GBoard, & while it's better than AOSP keyboard (more themes, adjustable length), it also comes with Go-ogle telemetry, & swipe typing is enabled by default. As a result, I tend to block this app from ever connecting to the internet.
No links can be provided for AOSP keyboard, as they're prebuilt in most ROMs. As for GBoard, I won't be linking any download links.
Simple Keyboard
Similar to OpenBoard, it's basically AOSP keyboard with more customizations. However, it's lighter than the former & packs in less offensive cruft than both OpenBoard & AOSP keyboard (no spellcheck, swipe typing, word prediction bar, emoji BS). Thanks to these factors, it's now my prebuilt keyboard replacement of choice.
Simple Keyboard is not a part of SimpleMobileTools' app suite, despite the name.
Links:
Launcher
No dishonorable mentions for now, aside from Nova requiring Prime unlocker for full features & Lawnchair denying icon pack installation when a "piracy tool" is installed.
Nova Launcher (Prime, 6.2.19)
The best launcher for me, with lots of customizations. It's unfortunately closed source, but that's what you get with permissive (read : cuck) licenses like Apache License - you may fork an open-source software & close-source it. Also, it has some sort of telemetry that can be disabled in Nova Settings > Advanced > Error & usage reporting (and/or disable internet access for Nova Launcher).
To get the Prime unlocker, you might want to collaborate with someone with a Goolag account & extract the APK from their PDA. Just keep in mind that the Prime unlocker will try to check for purchase license in GApps-infested ROMs.
As for the Nova Launcher itself, I'll link the version I'm currently using to APKMirror.
File Manager
The default prebuilt file manager
Prebuilt & available in the ROM from the get go. Enough for regular uses, but couldn't read anything else outside /storage (SD Maid handles everything else outside /storage). As of A11, the default file manager is unable to write to /Android/obb.
No links can be provided, as they're prebuilt in every ROMs.
Root managers
This covers root solutions & root managing apps.
Magisk
The de-facto root solution, with the added ability to hide root from apps.
Flaws I want to mention :
- Internet access required to hide Magisk Manager (7.4.0 & beyond) (or Magisk app starting with 22.0)
- Automatic update checking cannot be disabled, only prevented from checking in the background. You could disable internet access for Magisk Manager (or Magisk app starting with 22.0), but you'll be unable to hide Magisk Manager and/or find Magisk modules from the app.
Maximum compatible Magisk version for each Android version:
- Pie : Tops out at 19.3, lowest limit is 18.0. Didn't try any higher, but 19.x will not work with latest apk.
- A10 / A11 : 23.0. 20.x no longer works with latest Magisk apk; 21.x is still compatible with 22.0 apk, but not recommended since it won't be supported in future versions.
- Magisk Manager (if not using Magisk 22.x & higher) (for those who'd like to hide Magisk Manager without internet) : 7.3.5. Unfortunately, this means users running A10 & beyond cannot hide the Manager app without connecting to the internet.
Links:
Shizuku
Can run without root (uses ADB instead). Allows apps to directly access system APIs.
Since it works with root, it's in the root manager section.
Advantages compared to Magisk:
- The mechanism is generally faster than calling Magisk for root access
- Can run with ADB instead of root.
Flaws:
- Limited app compatibility
Currently only used by Rikka's apps & MyAndroidTools (if set up).
Links:
SD Maid
SD Maid is a category upon itself due to the things it do.
On first run, will search & ask for root permission before requesting storage & usage access.
List of root-dependent features I'm using :
- App controls - freeze system apps that can't be disabled in the Settings
- File manager - access system files & such.
As a root file manager, it has issues regaining root access after tampering with any kind of file in /system. (Pie; may also apply to A10. For A11 on X3(N/P), it works fine for /system.)
And yes, SD Maid can also be used to copy obb files to /Android/obb. Another removal of user choice found on the default that an external app brings back.
Links:
Firewall
Replacement UI for the missing per-app data management, which also works on system apps.
AFWall+
The only viable root firewall around. Requires root access as it uses iptables.
Pie users top out at AFWall+ 3.1.0, while A10 users tops out at 3.4.0 (3.5.x not tested on A10); & A11 users currently top out at 3.5.2.
Links:
Hosts Manager
In a more familiar term, it's called ad-blocker.
AdAway
Root access required as it alters the hosts file. Internet access is needed to update hosts file.
Starting with 5.1.0, AdAway can also function as a VPN-based hosts manager for non-rooted PDAs. Hosts viewer is now at Preferences > Root based ad blocker > Open hosts file. AdAway can also check for app updates in addition to hosts updates, both could be disabled in Preferences > Automatic updates.
Also, starting with 5.1.0, AdAway has a setup wizard that persists until a protocol (root / VPN) is given. After the protocol is defined, it will attempt to apply the default hosts. At this point, the wizard no longer persists & you can access the main UI after closing & re-opening AdAway.
Links:
App Ops
Starting with A10, the AppOps feature is replaced with AOSP's new Permission Manager. These App Ops apps generally requires root access, & can be considered a replacement for the missing AppOps feature. In A11, some apps now take AppOps into account, making AppOps apps usage not as practical as it used to be.
Rikka AppOps
On first run, it will launch a setup tool to determine which enhanced privilege it will use (root / Shizuku / ADB). From 4.0.0 & onwards however, it uses Shizuku.
Has ads that can't be turned off without buying the "Pro" version, though it could be mitigated if AppOps doesn't have internet access.
Permission tuning : Allow; Allow in Foregorund; Deny.
Links:
AppOpsX
Root access immediately requested on first run. Permission tuning is limited to Allow / Deny, but unlike Rikka's AppOps, you can sort apps based on their allowed permissions. Unfortunately, it is no longer in development, with no new builds since 2018.
Kernel Manager
Requires root access (and probably BusyBox too if necessary).
Dishonorable mentions :
- Franco Kernel Manager (FKM) : Available only as a paid app in Goolag Play Store, & has license checking.
- EX Kernel Manager (EXKM) : Similar to FKM, but I didn't even bothered touching it.
- Kernel Adiutor : No longer in development.
- No Gravity App : Limited PDA compatibility, update checking once the app is opened,& not open source. At least it's gratis, I suppose?
SmartPack
The sane choice for kernel managers. Fork of the now-discontinued Kernel Adiutor. I no longer used this for some time as I no longer find any purpose in doing so.
Advantages compared to common kernel managers such as Franco (FKM) & EX:
- Open source
- Unlike FKM & EX, it doesn't have any Goolag license checking BS. It probably doesn't apply to its donation apk though.
- Paid, as in paid in a few megabytes of your internet quota, instead of paid in Goolag Play cash & the aforementioned quota. In other words, it's gratis.
- Also available in Github Releases & F-Droid, unlike FKM & EX's Goolag exclusivity. However, with 16.2 exclusively released in Play Store, I'm concerned that this advantage might disappear, especially if future versions aren't available in GitHub / F-Droid.
6/9/2021 Update : Fortunately 16.3 & further are available in GitHub releases.
Flaws that I see & could be removed if you fork and/or self-compile SmartPack:
- On the GitHub Releases variant, auto-updates are enabled by default, which can be disabled in Settings. Alternatively, you could also simply block SmartPack from accessing the internet.
The last stable GitHub release, 13.4 also has ads, which can be disabled in the Settings, but update checking toggle is buried in About.
- Interface customizations locked behind a paywall, which requires a donation apk.
- SELinux switcher in Misc (can be hidden in Settings)
Initially, I hoped AICP removed their SELinux switcher now there's a root dependent app with the switcher, but turns out it didn't go as expected - not only did AICP not remove it, but various maintainers (for example, thepsambit from WeedyBuilds Telegram group & ChrisW444 / CHRISL7, the soydev who made PocoParts for X3N) released Official ROMs (such as DotOS, SparkOS, & CorvusOS for X3N) with SELinux switchers contained within PocoParts. Thank all that is holy that these maintainers removed the SELinux switcher.
Links:
No Gravity App
The recommended kernel manager for No Gravity Kernel. Not included with the kernel, so it has to be installed separately, if required.
Advantages compared to common kernel managers such as Franco (FKM) & EX:
- Unlike FKM & EX, it doesn't have any Goolag license checking BS.
- Paid, as in paid in a few megabytes of your internet quota, instead of paid in Goolag Play cash & the aforementioned quota. In other words, it's gratis.
Flaws :
- No source code available
- SELinux switcher that can't be hidden (best chance of hiding it is to make sure you're the only one who can open the app)
- Limited compatibility - supports only devices with available NGK builds
- Update checking that ties app opening with internet speed when the app has access to the internet.
Links:
Backup App
Apps that backup your app data. Requires root access.
Mentions :
- Migrate : An alternative to Titanium Backup, it backs up data in a TWRP-flashable zip.
- Titanium Backup : The ye olde backup app that just works. Unfortunately, it's closed source, has questionable permissions such as phone & contacts, & locks some features behind a "Pro" paywall with Goolag license checking (license key without Goolag is available, though it requires PayPal).
OAndBackupX
A fork of the open-source OAndBackup, aimed at bringing it to the standards of current era. After trying out release 7.0.0, I can conclude that it's currently shaping up to be my backup tool of choice, even if it has some imperfections.
Links:
App Manager
Requires root access.
My personal app manager of choice. While it's unfortunate that it's closed source & telemetry is opt-out, it just works. Internet access for this app can be blocked.
Links:
YouTube client / downloader
Requires internet access.
Dishonorable mentions :
- Official YouTube client : Too much BS I can't be bothered to mention, including ads.
- YouTube Vanced : Fixes many issue the official client has except for one : Goolag account still required to view subscription & comment.
- Newpipe >= version 0.20.0 : Video player went from "usable enough" to "annoying shit". At least it could still download videos though.
21/2/2021 Update : In a questionable move, Newpipe's devs pulls a SJW move & reject BitChute with SJW reasoning. Time for me to search another decent one I guess...
Newpipe
An open source YouTube front-end that used to be decent, and still has some advantages compared to both official YouTube & YouTube Vanced, such as support for some platforms like Peertube & ability to download videos. However, starting with 0.20.x, it has gone too far to be an alternative to anything.
Advantages compared to other YouTube clients (such as Goolag's official YouTube client & YouTube Vanced):
- Source code available
- Can download YouTube videos
This is the only reason I'm using NewPipe right now - I consider NewPipe as a "mobile YouTube media downloader that apparently also plays YouTube videos".
- No Goolag account required whatsoever.
- Has its own F-Droid repository, allowing NewPipe to receive updates via F-Droid without its official repo's general delays.
- Support for various platfrms such as Peertube
Flaws I can see:
- Cannot be configured to connect to invidious instances instead of YouTube.
- Relies on YouTube's API. Anytime Goolag changes YouTube API (which they're bound to do), errors in NewPipe will start popping up.
- Starting with version 0.20.0, Newpipe went from being a decent YouTube client to a shitty one. Here are my problems :
- Correct Video Orientation feature (unified player BS) (redacted by 24/7/2021 update, seen below)
1 tap to play & unlock fullscreen, 1 tap to switch to landscape (if watching landscape video & Autoplay is disabled) & be stuck there if you started on portrait mode (& vice versa), & 1 tap to finally go to fullscreen. As someone who don't enable auto rotate unless it's absolutely necessary (I don't see Newpipe as an app that needs auto-rotation), this sucks.
For some smaller devices (such as Xperia XZ1 set to 432 dp), at least it's a 1 tap straight to landscape fullscreen & 1 tap back to portrait, which should be the default for all. Unfortunately, the tap back to portrait refers to tapping the back button on the navbar, but at least it's back to portrait.
24/7/2021 Update : Newpipe 0.21.6 added a toggle to disable forced tablet mode in Settings > Appearance > Tablet mode. Sure, it's opt-out & it only works if the back button's pressed, but at least it's there.
- Back in version 19.8, the progress bar were easier to tap. Now, it's annoyingly harder for no reason whatsoever.
- Autoplay enabled by default when using Wi-Fi connection. It can be disabled in Settings > Video and audio > Autoplay.
- The unified player feature ensures that the video keeps on playing even when I exit Newpipe, albeit on the background. It stops when I close Newpipe, but the notification stays for a bit.
- Technically, these issues aren't present in a contributor's build, but you'll also have to trust per on not putting any additional tracking.
- Confrontational contributors that may act like they're the developer. An example can be found here (archive.org)
Is it just me, or does this avently guy seem like someone who enters a project & (forcefully) "contributes" a change that nobody aside from avently perself even wants (and prevents this "contribution" from ever getting removed / made optional)?
- Issue reporting in Newpipe has to follow a checklist. While this does reduce the likelihood of replica bugs, it seems kinda like reporting an issue in Arch Linux, since any issues that don't follow the structure gets immediately closed.
- Newpipe will give YouTube their user's IP, after being somewhat anonymized. 10/4/2021 Update : Linking the Privacy Policy.
- Auto-update check enabled by default, can be disabled in Settings > Updates.
- With the rejection of BitChute (and how they handled the backlash) (archive), Newpipe has finally degraded to the point I can't recommend it anymore. Don't get me wrong, I think it's ok for them to block it (I mean, it's primarily a YouTube client that could also view Peertube, though I don't know how to do so), I'm just not fine with how the devs handled this.
At the very least, they could have added it (but made sure it's disabled by default & has to be enabled by choice). By completely rejecting BitChute & even censoring some comments for being "disruptive", I believe that NewPipe has sunk too far from being the good YouTube client alternative it used to be.
Another good alternative that could keep Newpipe a recommended YouTube client alternative is to ignore all other platforms, including BitChute & PeerTube, & leaving support for them to other developers.
All Newpipe links (other than the issues) removed, I can't recommend this app as a YouTube client alternative anymore. Besides, even if I could recommend Newpipe again, I still wouldn't since it's still relying on the big G.
App Store
These require internet access to work.
Dishonorable mentions :
- Goolag Play Store : It's so bad I have to list this one out:
- Goolag account is demanded to even view the store when using the app
- There's no way to save APK files for future usage by default
- App availability limitations - Fate/GO USA, as an example, is only available in US, Singapore, Canada, Australia, & UK. You can't get them from the Play Store if you're living anywhere else. However, the game works even in other countries where it's not supposed to be released, such as Indonesia.
- May not work if it's not a system app
- Auto updates enabled by default. The only auto update you can disable is for the apps that aren't Play Store itself.
- Unneccesary permissions such as location, SMS, & telephone access. Why would an app store need one?
- And many other issues I don't want to mention because there's just too much.
- Amazon App Store : Fuck the unethical monopolist whose name caused the rainforest & tribe with a similar name to hardly pop up on search engines unless directly searched.
F-Droid
F-Droid is a catalog of open-source Android apps.
Advantages compared to the common app stores :
- Source code available
- Official repository has only open-sourced apps
- Additional repositories; for example, Guardian Project repo inbuilt by default, but disabled.
- Can also be flashed with NanoDroid module, which also adds Nanolx, Bromite, microG, & Newpipe repos.
Flaws I can see :
- Slower updates for apps (using F-Droid builds)
This is counted as a negative as some apps. For example, Simple Mobile Tools & Newpipe have their own GitHub releases, which allows them to get faster updates than they would with F-Droid. In addition, Newpipe has their own F-Droid repo, which also allows them to use F-Droid to push updates faster.
As for the reasoning behind this, here's a tidbit from Newpipe:
Update via F-Droid. This is the slowest method of getting updates, as F-Droid must recognize changes, build the APK itself, sign it, then push the update to users.
However, a silver lining to this flaw is that it proves that open source apps can be replicated (at least as far as user experience goes).
- If you have installed an app from F-Droid's official repository, they cannot be updated with the ones made by the original developer. This is caused by the signature difference.
- Concerns over F-Droid & security
This is covered by anupritaisno1, GlassROM & GrapheneOS dev. (direct) (archive.org)
16/2/2021 update : F-Droid has used weak signatures in the past, & their way of fixing this issue (the only known reason they'll ever fix this issue is A11 closing some weak signature security hole) is by waiting for the next release & building it with the stronger signature instead of re-building the apps with stronger signature. In addition, F-Droid is known to use obsolete build tools.
Links :
Aurora Store
Aurora Store isn't exactly an app store, it's more of a Play Store frontend, similar to what Newpipe is to YouTube.
Advantages compared to directly using Play Store:
- Open source
- No Google account required (unless you need paid apps)
- Can save split APK (but requires internet connection)
Flaws I can see :
- Relies on Google Play Store's API. If Goolag changes their API (not sure how often they would like to do so on Play Store, but they could), Aurora Store could stop working.
- Aurora's inbuilt anonymous account may randomly not work
- Using Aurora with a Google account may result in said account getting banned.
- APKs installed via Aurora Store are automatically deleted after installation.
- Starting with 4.0.x, the new UI shows "Install" instead of "Download", which is placed at the bottom, potentially causing unintended installations.
Links for Aurora Store removed. I refuse to recommend Play Store & their alternative frontends - even if the frontends are better, they are still dependent on Google.
Other apps I can't categorize here
PPSSPP
The only PSP emulator anyone should use. Currently, it's my only console emulator, since the alternative (RetroArch) has an internet dependency - you cannot download its emulator modules (cores) from anywhere else but the app (not even the website).
Links:
Split APK Installer
An useful asset for installing split APKs, which has became more common in the Play Store, no thanks to some app soydevs making it popular (and Goolag forcing all new PlayStore apps to use this accursed format).
Links:
What I don't use & will never use
Kernel "optimizers" / "tweakers"
The likes of FDE.AI, LSpeed, NFS Injector, MAGNETAR, & LKT. In short - questionable benefits (I dunno, 3 more FPS in the "latest" excessively bloated game you're playing that you won't normally detect?) with loads of issues (random reboots, stuff randomly turning off, unfixable Redmi K20 "Pro" bricking after FDE.AI is installed, etc.).
KTweak is better in every regards compared to the crapshoots above (there's an actual thought for the tweaks, for example), but I can't justify installing this when I don't have any need for kernel optimizers / tweakers.
Patcher apps
The likes of Lucky Patcher & Uret Patcher. Here's a short list explaining why I don't bother with them (at least for personal uses).
- Closed source - even if you know what the patcher is supposed to do, you won't know how it does what it's meant to do. And yes, there's no proper documentation whatsoever to explain how it's done.
- There's no official site for either AFAIK - luckypatchers.com, LP's alleged official site, has the same feel as one of those unofficial Magisk sites. This, compounded with the lack of documentation, makes the patchers themselves a questionable thing to use.
- For whatever purpose these apps are made, they just don't work. Case example - back in February 2020, I tried LP just to deal with a cousin's Minecraft PE license checking issue (using LP was his idea, & he's running a rooted Pixel Experience at that time). Simply said, it doesn't work & Minecraft PE force-closes itself as soon as it's opened, so I advised him to stop playing Minecraft (which he did, fortunately).
- Even if LP (or any of these "magical" patchers) somehow works, chances are I am already using something that didn't require me to constantly rely on a patcher that might not always work. For example, why should I bother patching PowerAmp Trial just to make it usable for longer than 14 days when AIMP perfectly covers my music app needs?
In addition, I never have faced a situation where I have a paid app that I must patch away just so it could work, at least for now... (even Animus: Stand Alone & Nova Prime doesn't need LP to make it work on Vanilla / microG AOSP)
Cloud Storage
Why should I bother relying on a storage controlled by someone else & can only be accessed via internet, when I have microSD & USB drive (maybe add in an external hard drive as well) ready to be drawn out at all times?
DRM media streamers (or screamers according to RMS)
The likes of Netflix & Spotify. Just as I don't want to rely on internet-only storage, I would also like my media to run on whatever app I want to, not just an online-only, DRM-laden, snowflake dis-service.
Also, keep in mind the "DRM" word here refers to Digital Rights / Restriction Management, not Direct Rendering Manager.
Apps that I'm still conflicted about
Browsers
Let's be frank here; all browsers in Android suck.
Dishonorable mentions (don't use these, seriously) :
- Google Chrome
Also known as the overtly popular data collector disguised as a browser with too much bloat & not enough essential features (such as having to rely on arbitrarily selected search engines without being able to add your own preferred engine). Imagine getting a Mi A2 (or any weak PDAs generally) to completely choke to a halt on deleting a history loaded with a week's worth of reading various recipes (mostly based.cooking, sometimes seriouseats.com) & visiting wiki pages.
- Chromium (Bromite's build is a good example of this)
Chromium to Chrome is what Fennec is to Firefox Android.
- Brave Browser
Chromium, but with plenty of shady stuff.
- Firefox Android (and every other Firefox-based browsers; but some will receive special notes)
Before the Fenix release, Firefox was an OK browser despite not being privacy-friendly out of the box, thanks to its support for extensions like uMatrix & extensive moddability (including about.config). However, with the Fenix release, uMatrix is no longer compatible with all Firefox Android builds (including the old IceCat) (and several features including about:config removed). Combined with Mozilla's extremely large amount of hypocrisy & concerns on Mozilla's future, there's no way I'd recommend using any Firefox-based browsers.
- Fennec
Firefox Android, but without a good portion of Mozilla's telemetry & proprietary bits. But still, it's just Firefox Android with a bit less spyware.
- IceCat Android
Once the best Android browser IMO, I once used it extensively as my main browser of choice, until Mozilla released Fenix & made uMatrix incompatible with all Firefox releases. At least IceCat Android is dead.
- Firefox Focus / Klar
Essentially Firefox with "private" browsing enabled at all times, & even less features (including removal of add-on support & about.config).
- TOR Browser
Firefox Android with TOR integrations. Unfortunately, TOR Project thinks embracing CF is a right thing to do (which isn't, despite various attempts at silencing any & all who'd speak out against CF).
Mentions for the ones not yet used :
- Kiwi Browser
The only Chromium-based browser known to support Chromium extensions.
- IceRaven
Firefox Android, with some features such as about:config added back & less telemetry. Unfortunately, it's also less well-maintained than Firefox Android.
Honorable mentions (probably fine to use, but still not perfect) :
- Bromite
Not the worst Chromium-based browsers you'll ever find, but lacks any kind of extension support. Also, since this is a Chromium-based browser, you might want to re-read the part where the A2 is completely stopped in an attempt to clear a week's worth of history loaded with reading wikis & recipes from both seriouseats.com & based.cooking.
Another point against Bromite : Go-ogle search as default search engine.
- Privacy Browser by Stoutner
A not so bad Chromium-based browser with inbuilt ability to block either some 3rd-party connections, or all of them - no in-betweens like uMatrix. Also features a Klar-esque feature where everything (except for bookmarks) is deleted if the app's closed.
- Ungoogled Chromium
Bromite with some more additions, but isn't as well-maintained. Used to have builds with extension support, but it's no longer developed (the build with extensions, not the whole project). Its F-Droid repo will also clash with Bromite's repo.
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