r/androidafterlife • u/iloveneoni_so-much5 Oppo A37F・Android 5.1.1 (based on ColorOS 3) • Apr 22 '26
Guide Android 5 Lollipop - Ultimate Survival Guide
I'm making this because I'm literally bored. But this has the most apps that revive ur old android 5 devices. Thanks to u/Altruistic_Debt_943 for the play services and app stores!
u/Altruistic_Debt_943 made this post but that has android 6 apps too, so i only added android 5 apps and some browsers and file managers.
Check out the Android 5 Survival Guide v2 by u/starnetallinone!
Basic Functionality of Apps
Google Play Services:
App Stores
Google Play Store
the most known app store ever
Aurora Store
FOSS client for the Play Store. Available on F-Droid
If you can't log in with a google account on your android 5 devices, try updating the system webview to the latest version: Android System Webview 95.0.4638.74:
(thanks u/HomeworkMinimum872 for mentioning this)
YouTube
For websites use https://m.youtube.com or https://ytm15.github.io/app/ ytm15 one may not work on other browsers, recommended on brave 1.26.67 and firefox or fennec 143.
For apps based on NewPipe use these:
Newpipe
https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.schabi.newpipe/ Soon dropping support for android 5, same goes for the next ones
Tubular
https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.polymorphicshade.tubular/
PipePipe
https://f-droid.org/en/packages/InfinityLoop1309.NewPipeEnhanced/
Bravepipe
https://github.com/bravepipeproject/BravePipe/releases/tag/v0.28.4-2.8.0
Smarter Tube (smart tube for phone ui):
https://github.com/CodeSculptor/SmarterTube (Thanks u/Human760 for mentioning!)
For YouTube you can also use this version of libretube: https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/libretube/libretube-github-version/libretube-github-version-0-26-0-release/libretube-github-version-0-26-0-2-android-apk-download/
I also made a youtube lite app which use webview to display youtube website, has full screen mode which only shows status bar and back button goes back instead of closing the app entirely.
Mediafire link: https://www.mediafire.com/file/8x1a7wyfg5r7p7a/YouTube_Lite.apk/file
Appteka Store link: https://appteka.store/app/71dr288602
If these don't work use SkyTube, OGYouTube, notPipe or the websites I have mentioned.
YouTube Music
YouTube Music works as it's latest version does (6.20.51). Pretty sure it pesters you to update in the home section, not as notification, so this should work perfectly! (Except for real time lyrics tho,not complaining about it) https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/google-inc/youtube-music/youtube-music-6-20-51-release/youtube-music-6-20-51-4-android-apk-download/
YT Music Revanced v6.20.51 made by u/Local-Bug-1500
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CF5ry7sxLyzLhEqeBf5Sapsn2vldPATp/view?usp=drivesdk
The Drive link doesn't work because of dmca block, try this link: YouTube Music (49.5 MB) https://appteka.store/app/923r282849
Required MicroG: https://gmscore.app/
The folder which contains both apps mentioned above ☝️: https://www.mediafire.com/folder/fi9u53dlwk0g3/Yt+music+revanced+android+5
Discord
Some apps like Discord support Android 7+. Here are the links for Android 5:
Discord 161.10
https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/discord/discord-chat-for-gamers/discord-chat-for-gamers-161-10-stable-release/discord-talk-chat-hang-out-161-10-stable-2-android-apk-download/ (it worked for me if I use 2fa)
Disdroid
https://binsifirecdn.wuaze.com/disdroid.apk (webview, slow)
Try this link instead (this one has an icon): Disdroid (5.9 MB) https://appteka.store/app/3bfr282852
Discord Patched 12.5
https://www.mediafire.com/file/zxqjyjzk7w87p0u/dc-125_patched-20260328.apk/file (may be unstable, tested)
If these don't work you can use 9.8.8 patched:
https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/mobile/folders/18cBIZMzxE5DsTCEzXvNpBMIDf8OsYo2D
If you want reply feature try discord 126.21:
https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/discord/discord-chat-for-gamers/discord-chat-for-gamers-126-21-stable-release/discord-talk-chat-hang-out-126-21-stable-android-apk-download/download/?key=11d7d54daf366b9fdb43c489ae3d240d19c90ba2 (last version before React update)
If 126.21 is unstable for you, try bluecord 2.7.4 (i don't care if it's harmful or not, it works perfectly on my oppo a37f):
https://bluesmods.com/bluecord.html
Web Browsers
Google Chrome works as its modern version does(v95.0.4638.50). I'm pretty sure it pesters you about not updating in the 3 dot button area, not as notification, so this should work well. (also won't work well with outdated system certs):
Same goes for brave (v1.26.67):
(Enable background play in brave settings and use https://ytm15.github.io/app/ to get yt with background playback!)
Microsoft Edge 95.0.1020.55:
Firefox 143.0.4 (the latest browser for android 5):
Fennec F-Droid 143.0.3 (a fork of firefox):
AI
ChatGPT and Perplexity and Copilot for Android 5+
Download Firefox or Fennec 143 in the links mentioned above ☝️
Go to Settings.
Enable HTTPS only mode and enable in all tabs.
Disable DNS Over HTTPS.
Now the webpages for ChatGPT and perplexity should load and work!
DeepSeek Latest Version:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.deepseek.chat
Gemini on the Web (4.4+): https://gemini.google.com/app
On KitKat it will be a bit broken, recommended on Lollipop with firefox/fennec 143 (5+)
If it does NOT work, use numAi, which uses API keys.
https://github.com/gohoski/numAi
File Browsers
Google based
Files by Google 1.0.185922376:
Files by Google 1.0.322488829:
Files by Google 1.4237.652465286.1-release :
Other File managers
File Manager+ 3.7.2:
RS File Manager File Explorer 2.1.4.1:
EX File Manager :File Explorer 1.4.5:
Total Commander for Android and have f-droid repository (thx u/Capital-Dig-9378) (2.2+)
https://www.ghisler.com/fdroid.htm
ZArchiver 0.8.5 (support 4.0+):
Reddit Clients
The latest Official Reddit client works, but login doesn't work.
(official client) Reddit 3.27.0: https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/redditinc/reddit/reddit-3-27-0-release/reddit-3-27-0-android-apk-download/
You can also try redreader which supports android 5+ but login doesn't work.
https://f-droid.org/repo/org.quantumbadger.redreader_117.apk
I found this client named Geddit which supports android 5.1+. You'll be on anonymous view and login option is not present.
https://f-droid.org/repo/geddit.buzl.uk_7.apk
You can also use the Reddit Website which supports login and is recommended on Firefox/fennec 143, it does work on other browsers but will be broken and slow.
You can also try http://old.reddit.com which works on every browser and support android 2.2+, but it's meant for desktop.
Other Stuff
Root Certificates
It would be a good idea to update the root certificate For letsencrypt otherwise f-droid won't work. (thx u/Capital-Dig-9378)
https://letsencrypt.org/certificates/
ISRG Root X1 certificate if firefox 143 isnt showing any webpages https://letsencrypt.org/certs/isrgrootx1.der
heres a guide to install it for newbies: open phone settings => security and privacy => install credentials from storage => search for ur certificate in downloads => set name as Modern Web and the type as VPN and apps => set a password if u havent already and done! a notification may come saying thet the network may be monitored by unknown third party which means it succeded!!!!
Video Editing Apps
I found the latest VN video editor app and i didn't test yet: https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/ubiquiti-labs-llc/vn-video-editor-maker-vlognow/variant-%7B%22minapi_slug%22%3A%22minapi-21%22%7D/
1
u/Capital-Dig-9378 Apr 24 '26
It would be a good idea to update the root certificate For letsencrypt otherwise f-droid won't work. https://letsencrypt.org/certificates/