Using Open Source Software on Google Android Mobile Devices

This guide contains steps to obtain as much freedom as you can by using open source software on Apple (iPhone) and Google (Android) devices.

 

Disable apps and services that are not used on Android:

Go to Settings / Data Usage. Set any apps that you do not directly need to restrict background data usage to save bandwidth.

Disable apps that you do not use:

  1. Go to Settings / Applications / Application Manager / All
  2. Disable the following:
    1. Drive
    2. Facebook
    3. Google Play Books
    4. Google Play Movies & TV
    5. Google Play Music
    6. Google Play Newsstand
    7. Google+
    8. Hangouts
    9. Instagram
    10. Lookout
    11. Messenger
    12. OneDrive
    13. Pages Manager
    14. YouTube
  3. Limit background data
    1. Go to Settings / Data usage
    2. Click on each app and select “Restrict background data”

 

Install Open Source Software (Android):

These steps show how to use the F-Droid app to download and install open source apps on your phone. F-Droid is a central app, similar to Google's store apps, giving a central place to download and update your open source apps. For iPhone users, simply use the list of software below as a refererence, you may need to visit the website for apps to download and install them directly however some may not be available for iPhone.

  1. Install the F-Droid app by using the phone's default web browser and navigating to: https://f-droid.org, and click on the "Download F-Droid"
  2. Open F-Droid, and search and install apps. The list below are common or more popular. Tip: If you don't find an app here that meets your need, search in the F-Droid app or the F-Droid website above.
    App Description
    DAVDroid Syncs calendar and contacts that use the WebDAV protocol. A great server for hosting your own calendar (CalDAV) and contacts (CardDAV) that works great with this app: Baikal.
    LibreOffice Viewer View Microsoft Office and LibreOffice documents (cannot edit)
    K-9 Mail A very good email program that replaces the default email app. It is very stable and works perfectly with IMAP, which many default apps do not.
    NetGuard Bandwidth limiting and blocking utility for all system services and apps, is an alternative to the default bandwidth limiting available in the phone's default settings. Sets up a proxy that runs on the phone to handle the filtering.
    MuPDF PDF viewer (view PDF files, seems to be very compatible and has far less issues that other readers).
    Silence Secure SMS Messaging App (replaces default Google and Apple Messages app). When users at both ends use this app, you enable secure messaging to that recipient which exchanges a private key to encrypt all SMS messages between the two. This can keep phone carriers and other services from seeing your SMS messages.
    androidVNC VNC viewer for remote administration (advanced users only)
    Compass A free compass app that uses the phone's built in sensors to navigate direction.
    ConnectBot SSH and local shell client (advanced users only)
    FFUpdater Firefox downloader and installer. Firefox is recommended for complete browsing security without surveillance that is done by Google and Apple.
    SatStat GPS app that uses the phone's sensors for GPS navigation.
    Odyssey MP3 and media player
    Delta Chat Instant Messaging app that uses an SMTP (email) server. Use this as an alternative to the regular messenger or even Silence app, so that your messages are not even sent to your phone carrier's servers.
       

 

Optimize settings for a better experience for Android:

  1. Enable calls and SMS/MMS over wifi (helps with weak cellular signals)
    1. Go to Settings / Wireless & Networks / More / Wifi Calling
    2. Set to On
    3. Set Calling Preference to : Wifi Preferred
  2. Go to the SMS app (Silence)
    1. Go to Settings / SMS and MMS
    2. Turn On setting for “Wifi Calling compatibility mode” to use SMS/MMS over wifi.
  3. Enable USB transfers to the PC (to transfer photos, etc.):
    1. Go to Settings / About
    2. Scroll down to build number at the bottom
    3. Tap on Build Number 7 times to enable Developer Mode
    4. Go up to Developer Options / Select USB Configuration, and select PTP to enable camera
      access from the PC.

 

Rooting the phone (unlocking default permissions) for Android (Advanced Users only)

This is helpful if you wish to further remove restrictions by your cellular provider that are installed on your phone. Verizon seems to be the worst carrier for installing a lot of extra apps and spyware.

Check your phone for compatibility with the below software mentioned. Some many not apply, and you risk bricking your phone if you do not follow this carefully. Research how to root your own model phone to verify.

See the links and information below for further information.

  1. Install “android-tools” on Centos7 from epel,nux-dextop repositories.
  2. Enable Android Developer Options (Settings / About / Software / More / Tap Build 7 times)
  3. Enable USB debugging mode (Settings / Developer Options / USB debug mode ON)
  4. Enable installation from unknown sources (Settings / Security / ...)
  5. Download Sunshine S-off (pay $25) to unlock the phone (http://theroot.ninja/)
  6. Download TWRP Recovery (https://twrp.me/about/) to flash via fastboot.
  7. Download for the specific device (go to Devices on this website).
  8. Follow instructions, Run commands:
    1. adb reboot bootloader
    2. fastboot flash recovery twrp.img
    3. fastboot reboot
  9. Shut down the phone.
  10. Do a Recover boot (Hold down Volume Down + Power button for 10 secs).
  11. Select Recovery and press Power to select.
  12. Phone will boot in to TWRP bootloader.
  13. Back up and store on local storage. You can remove these backup files later if all is successful (located in TWRP folder on local phone storage for user).
  14. Now you can connect with ADB and have full root access to the filesystem.
  15. Download SuperSU.zip and using ADB copy to the local filesystem:
  16. Run these commands:
    1. adb kill-server
    2. adb root
    3. adb remount
    4. adb push SuperSU.zip /sdcard
  17. In TWRP interface tap Install.
  18. Follow prompts to install SuperSU.zip
  19. The phone is now rooted. Any apps requesting root access will popup with SuperSU where you can allow them to run. For example, the Amaze file manager.
  20. Removing Verizon custom applications
    1. Run Amaze File Manager.2. Go to the menu / App Manager.
    2. Uninstall anything related to VZW*, Vz*, vz*
    3. Uninstall Setup Wizard (causes SIM popup).
    4. Optional tools (not needed for above):
    5. Through F-Droid:
      1. Terminal Emulator
      2. SuperUser