Non-Linux

Windows

You shouldn’t use Windows.

It’s non-free (as in freedom), bloated spyware made to make computers as miserable as possible only used by corporate-slave boomers who delusionally believe it’s good because some debt-based billionaire lied saying so once.

However, if you are forced to use it for whatever reason, or know someone who dogishly refuses to install Linux, this short list of programs may prove useful:

First, remove Microsoft spyware & other pre-installed jokes of programs with Windows 10 Debloater.

• Text Editor – Notepad++
• Image Viewer – JPEGView
• Video Player – mpv
• Music Player – foobar2000 (non-free)
• Document Viewer – MuPDF
• RSS Reader – RSS Guard
• Image Modification – GIMP
• Archiver – 7zip
• File Encryption – Gpg4win (pgp)
• Password Manager – Pass4win (pass)
• Email Client – Thunderbird, user.js
• File Transfer – Syncthing
• Torrent Client – Transmission
• Messenging – Gajim (xmpp)
• Voice Chat – Mumble

To manually install a program:

• Put its folder in C:\Program Files\, or if 32 bit, in C:\Program Files (x86)\.
• Make a shortcut to the .exe & place it on the desktop.
• Or, when opening a file: Open with → Choose another app.

Android

Phones have no real use case. For video recording, get a camera. For music, get a MP3 player (e.g. iPod or Sansa Clip) & flash Rockbox. But, since some are stuck on these miserable devices, here’s a list:

• App Store – F-Droid
• Keyboard – Simple Keyboard
• Camera – Open Camera
• Bar Code Reader – QR & Barcode Scanner
• Image Viewer – Fossify Gallery
• Video Player – mpv
• Music Player – Auxio
• Document Viewer – MuPDF viewer
• RSS Reader – Read You
• File Encryption – OpenKeychain (pgp)
• Password Manager – Password Store (pass)
• Email Client – K-9 Mail
• File Transfer – Syncthing
• Video Downloader – Seal (yt-dlp)
• Torrent Client – LibreTorrent
• Messenging – Conversations (xmpp)
• Voice Chat – Mumla (mumble)

Fossify has other apps for calling, texting, contacts, alarm clock, &c.

If you must install a proprietary app, quarantine it with Shelter.

If you can help it, use LineageOS on a Google Pixel. They’re easy to flash & list for cheap on eBay—I had one for around $50.

General privacy & security advice:

• Set a lock-screen password of 8-12 letters or numbers.
• Disable internet GPS (“assisted GPS”), USB debugging, &c.
• Disable mobile data, Wi-Fi, blue-tooth, GPS &c. while not in use.
• Block microphone & camera access while not in use.

To disable the rotation pop-up, run via ADB:

settings put secure show_rotation_suggestions 0

De-bloating

Use Magisk to de-bloat system apps by making a module to overlay a blank file/directory over the system app’s APK. If the device boot loops, boot into safe mode to disable all modules: Press volume-down while booting (Pixels only it seems). Universal Android Debloater has information on what each system app does.

To see where an app is located, run:

cmd package path app

De-Bloater may be of use if you want to use an app.

De-Googling

Disable Google DNS, open the Settings app:

• Network & internet → Private DNS
  • Private DNS provider hostname: dns.mullvad.net

If you’re using a VPN/proxy, the DNS should be resolved with it, so no need to set a system DNS.

Disable Google captive portal, run via ADB:

settings put global captive_portal_mode 0
settings put global captive_portal_use_https 0
settings put global captive_portal_http_url about:blank
settings put global captive_portal_https_url about:blank
settings put global captive_portal_fallback_url about:blank
settings put global captive_portal_other_fallback_urls about:blank

Use NTP Pool instead of Google, run via ADB:

settings put global ntp_server pool.ntp.org

iPhone

You shouldn’t use iOS.

However, if you are forced to use it for whatever reason, or know someone who is, this short list of apps may be of use:

• Image Viewer – N/A
• Video Player – Outplayer (mpv)
• Document Viewer – N/A
• Password Manager – Pass (pass)
• File Transfer – Synctrain (syncthing)
• Messenging – Monal (xpp)
• Voice Chat – MumbleWay (mumble)