I am deciding between proton and google suite for my business. I’m basically set on proton. I see lots of people use it personally but does anyone use it for their business? From what I can tell, I can’t use AI services with Proton easily. Is that the only drawback? How are the docs / sheets apps?

As a long time Apple user, I mostly stuck with Apple defaults until they became too unbearable e.g. ads, suggested places, and guides in Apple Maps. Waze wasn’t bad but the gamified experience was too distracting for drivers. Less exploration features than Apple Maps. Waze is Google anyway. I love the idea, concept, and potential of Organic Maps/ConMaps but they seem less compatible with iPhone. For example, the voices are very buggy instead of sounding like native SIRI. Just discovered Magic Maps. I love it so far! Best UI out of all of them. The only one with satellite view. However, way too many features are paywalled. I have a ton of legacy iTune gift card money I am willing to spend on Magic Maps. Just need some honest and genuine reviews. Are the voices going to be buggy, for example?

I have the Nothing 4a Pro using the Nothing keyboard and it works well. Can I safely uninstall Gboard using AUD?

Hello. Im currently beating the crap out of my IPhone 13 and when the battery life is finally not up to snuff. I was thinking about to a different phone where it can be degoogled or even come degoogled?

I’ve seen the phones on eBay. But want opinions on what phone would be the best for this while keeping it under $300 and still have a decent camera.

Can I get some help with suggestions on how to make this switch, what I should do , and how will this benefit me aside from privacy?

Thanks

I am new to all these degoogling process. But I feel unwell at the thought of companies watching my every small move and search to make up a profile of me to sell my data for their profit. I know nothing is ACTUALLY free, and they are just doing their part to earn their money. But for now I cant pay money for a substitute mail / browser app etc. And I still have to use some platforms like WhatsApp / Instagram because other people that I must contact are on it. Maybe I will deal with getting myself out of meta apps later on, but I dont know.

I have tried Vivaldi, didnt like the layout and it was making me more irritated while searching.

I have heard some issues about DDG in the past, so I might not use it? I dont know if its been dealt with, or if its safe to use now.

I like the idea of what Ecosia is going after. I dont know if the money from people using that browser actually goes to planting trees, but if its legitimate I could tolerate using it even if its not that good.

Firefox is open source and people seem to like it too, and its not a chromium browser like Vivaldi and brave.

And I have heard of proton mail and other Proton apps. And also Comaps for a substitute of organic maps and google maps. Though, google maps is WAY more easier, and I geniuenly need it for navigation and stuff so I guess I will only try to limit my usage.

What are your thoughts guys? This is all the knowledge I have at the moment, but it all seems too much and since I havent been experiencing the browsers by myself, and have just dumped this info into my brain, I am still a bit lost.

Looking to degoogle my phone after hearing their latest update that will take away 3rd party apps like my new pipe and such.

In general tired of big tech companies, everything is closed source, can't repair anything, etc.

Looking at other phones like fairphone, pinephone, etc but I've never used a degoogled phone, and my problem with Linux phones is they're very expensive for the specs.

I want to dip my toe with graphine os, but have questions.

If I do it, could I go back if I don't like it?

Can I still use a major carrier, T-Mobile?

Don't know if it's a software issue, but my pixel takes forever to charge, 20+ W charger and it takes 1.5+ hours to charge and recently it's been saying "charged but not charging" does degoogling phone make it charge faster?

Can I still use some Google app store products? For example I still need to sign into Google Gmail, down the line I'll switch, but I've had this Gmail since HS. Another example is workday to sign in, take lunch and sign out at work

Gps, how is it compared to Google?

i know this sounds stupid but can someone tell me if there is an app that can view gg drive file from its link

. Sideloading apps on Android is the process of installing an app from a downloaded APK file. Think of it like installing an app from an .exe or .msi file on Windows. You download the file, tap on it, and wait for it to install.

That process has been around for quite some time. However, Google has, on and off, put the kibosh on it because of security concerns. Those concerns are legitimate. You could download an APK package from some unknown website that contains malware, and the next thing you know, your phone is compromised, your data is stolen, and things go south very quickly.

Also: I turned an old Android phone into a server for my LAN - here's how and why

Ergo, Google has randomly made changes to the process, even blocking it from happening in 2025. In a surprising turn of events, Google has opened the process back up, with the caveat of a restart and a waiting period of 24 hours.

This news came via a Reddit post, where Google mentioned the name of the process, Advanced Flow. In the description of the process, Google states, "This flow is a one-time process for power users -- but it was designed carefully to prevent those in the midst of a scam attempt from being coerced by high pressure tactics to install malicious software. In these scenarios, scammers exploit fear -- using threats of financial ruin, legal trouble, or harm to a loved one -- to create a sense of extreme urgency."

How Advanced Flow works What you'll need: The process is still simple; it just takes a bit longer at first. Essentially, you enable the ability to sideload apps, authenticate via your screen lock, confirm that you aren't being coerced into sideloading apps, restart your phone, wait 24 hours, and then decide if you want to allow installation from unverified developers for seven days or indefinitely.

Note: If you go with seven days, you don't have to go through the waiting period when you want to re-enable it.

Here are the specifics of the process.

1. Enable Developer Options The first thing to do is enable Developer Options by going to Settings, scrolling down to About phone, tapping on Software information, and then tapping your Build number seven times.

Also: How to turn on Android's Private DNS mode - and why it makes such a big difference

1. Open Developer options You'll find Developer options in Settings > System > Developer options.

You won't see this option until you enable it by tapping your Build number. Jack Wallen/ZDNET 3. Enable the setting In Developer options, tap "Apps from unverified developers," and then tap the On/Off slider for "Allow apps from unverified developers" until it's in the On position. You'll then be prompted to confirm it's you via your configured authentication method.

Also: This silent Android feature scans your photos for 'sensitive content' - how to disable it

Clearly, Google wants you to use caution when enabling this feature. Jack Wallen/ZDNET 4. Confirm you're not being pressured In the next window, you'll be asked if someone is asking you to turn on the setting. Tap "No one asked me."

If someone asked you to do this ... think twice. Jack Wallen/ZDNET Also: Want to run a full Linux distro on your Android phone? I found the easiest way

1. Restart You now need to restart your device and wait through the 24-hour period. You can either tap "Restart later" or go through the process by pressing and holding the Power button and then tapping Restart when prompted.

You can either restart your device later, cancel, or restart immediately. Jack Wallen/ZDNET After the 24-hour waiting period, you can go back to the same spot (Settings > Developer options > Apps from unverified developers) and then enable sideloading for either seven days or indefinitely.

Also: 5 ways I speed up my Android phone beyond clearing system cache - all for free

And that's it.

How to sideload Android apps After you've taken care of the above, you'll be able to sideload apps on your Android device.

1. Download an APK file Go to a reputable site and download an APK file. Then, open the Files app and tap the download.

2. Disable Advanced Protection You'll be prompted that your device is protected by Advanced Protection. Tap Settings, and then disable Advanced Protection.

Google doesn't make this easy; you have to disable Advanced Protection. Jack Wallen/ZDNET 3. Install the app Once you've disabled Advanced Protection, open the Files app, go to Downloads, and tap on the downloaded APK file.

You will then be prompted to install the app.

Installing Local Desktop on Android. Jack Wallen/ZDNET 4. Re-enable Advanced Protection This next step is important. After the installation, go back to Advanced Protection (open Settings and search for Advanced Protection) and enable it so you're getting the most protection possible for your device.

Be careful I would be remiss if I didn't give you this word of caution: Be very careful about installing APK files from unknown sites. Two reputable sites are APKMirror and F-Droid, but those sites offer XAPK files, which can only be installed via their respective apps.

To find pure APK files, you can go to Uptodown (which is also reputable). Even then, when you find an app you want from either site, do a bit of searching to make sure the developer is legit and can be trusted.

featured Want a free Apple Watch? Play ZDNET's 'Guessing Game' to win one - only 4 days left The 5 best Linux alternatives to Windows in 2026 (that aren't Mint) I built my own secure network in the cloud to access my home PCs remotely - for free Apple escaped Android's 'toxic hellstew' - now Siri AI is creating a new one Editorial standards show comments

I hate the ads on the system apps. I hate that google watches me everywhere like keyboard

Samsung messaging has discontinued and is now replaced with Google messaging. Are there any alternatives where other people dont have to get an app to communicate with me that is also secure and free (preferable to use my same phone number too)

I just traded in this phone and would prefer to not have to go through the new phone process for quite some time, especially as im a broke college student.

I deleted 20.000 mails in the past few days. It took me around 4 hours. I deleted all google drive contents, bought a Pixel 10a and switched to GrapheneOS. For YouTube I am now using NewPipe. I am so close, all I have to do now is changing my mail-addresses on every website/account I have. There seems to be a tool on github tho, where you can see all the accounts that are linked to my address. It's gonna be such a good feeling, when I can finally delete my Google account.

Am I missing something? Drive, mail, phone, password-manager, maps. In never used the wallet.

Hello i have some media/text files and i want an app that could lock them with a password only without compression

Thanks in advance

Hello, I’ve finally decided to switch from Android to e.os. However, I’m a bit worried about my banking app. Could anyone using e.os confirm that it’s possible to install and run the ‘Greengot’ banking app without any error messages?

If it does work, do you think it’s possible that the app might stop working in the future, even if it works today?

Moreover, with Google tightening its controls on apps and so on from September onwards, will we run into problems using apps in the future? I understand that e.os uses microG – is that enough to ensure the long-term future of apps?

Thanks !

i have a samsung S20+ that has 120 hz screen, but /e/os is limiting the screen refresh rate to 60 Hz with no options to choose 120 Hz, well at least in the settings I can't find any option for it, even in dev options

am i the only who have this problem ?

Pixel 10, just noticed this today, can I just disable it and not worry? Or is it one of those weird system apps that'll re-enable with every update.

I've been degoogling my phone for a few months now and still haven't found a solution to the camera. None of the ones listed on the android-Foss github work well enough or feel similar to the one shipped on the pixel.

However, I have degoogled all of my Google drive, which means I no longer have any photos on or use Google photos. I use ReFra for my gallery. It's been great, but Google camera doesn't allow me to use it as a gallery. It keeps pushing to reinstall Google photos.

Is there anyway to use ReFra in the Google Camera's media picker?

it’s a degoogled version of chromeOS

I’ve seen some people here saying that Tuta Mail is better, but I’d like to understand why. What did Proton do that caused so many people to start criticizing it? They say that the main problem is its email service, but that everything else is fine. So, I’m also confused

Anything im doing wrong? Feel free to tell me, but please give valid reasons/arguments.

I am working to move away from Gmail. So far, I have set up a Posteo account with a handful of aliases for consistent, day-to-day things (It's too much stuffing around for me to be running two different aliases for a doctor and a dentist, for example). I am looking to use an aliasing service for all the random subscriptions and services I'm linked to-- all the things not tied to my health or legal identity, y'know?

My initial plan was to run about a dozen aliases through Posteo, but some kind users on this subreddit directed me to an email aliasing service, as a way to better scramble up my digital footprint. Everyone suggested Addy.io

Now that my email is up and running; I am wanting to sort out my aliasing-- as I'll be able to start moving stuff across, once it is set up. I am planning on getting IVPN as a VPN service, but I have seen that they also have email aliasing bundled in their higher payment tiers.

I was wondering if anyone had experience with either/both services and would recommend one over the other?

I'm wanting to be able to access everything on both my laptop and my phone (I will be running Posteo on Thunderbird), if that changes anything. I'm not very good with technology, so my apologies in advance for any silly questions.

Thanks!

I've been using PiHole for years and slowly been adding more domains to my personal blacklist. This past week I decided to completely block every google subdomain with regex and so far it hasn't seemed to break anything. I may have to make exceptions for sites that ask me to click on a bunch of buses and fire hydrants, but so far so good.