What are some useful apps that are only found on F-Droid?

RandallFlagg@lemmy.world to Android@lemmy.world – 207 points –
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Netguard. There is a Google Play version, but it cannot do system-wide adblocking.

Do you mean to block system apps' internet access?

Settings ->Advanced options ->Toggle "Manage system apps"

No, what I mean is under

Settings -> Advanced options -> Toggle "Filter traffic"

And the related settings:

Settings -> Backup -> Hosts file download URL

and

Settings -> Backup -> Download hosts file

Try RethinkDNS. You can specify blocklists at DNS level, so you don't even need the app if you don't need the other stuff.

You mean, like TrackerControl? You still need special settings to block your own phone system apps from reaching their Samsung, etc tracking addresses. Like, how do you block Samsung keyboard from sending all their tracking data otherwise? These apps have limited versions in the Play store that won't block system apps.

Most likely those things are on some blocklist which you can enable individually https://rethinkdns.com/configure and then it generates a dns address for you. Unless the Samsung apps override the dns, they shouldn't get through. Or you can still combine that dns with some vpn or firewall, rethink or some other.

(I'm not affiliated btw.)

But hey that's why we're taking about F-Droid apps!

Can you use anything else instead of a Samsung keyboard? The problem with spyware apps is that they collect the data, and if they just sniff some hint of a free internet access, they'll send the collected data. It's not like if you block them for a week, they'll never try again. Shitty little things. At least a vpn/dns/fw will prevent the pings, but it's still best to avoid shitty apps altogether.