Premise
Often, out of laziness, the possibility of adopting privacy-respecting and tracker-free applications is overlooked. The goal is to get rid of the pre-installed system apps and those downloaded from the Google Play Store. A first concrete step is to gradually replace the applications, retrieving them from F-Droid and then taking the big step towards true digital freedom through a gradual process of degooglization.
Information
| Description | References |
|---|---|
| Category: | Free software repository |
| Short description: | Alternative application archive for Android |
| Web Site: | click |
| Source code: | click |
| License: | GNU GPLv3+ |
Why use it
F-Droid is the first step to familiarize yourself with FOSS software, allowing you to start running the bad grass. You start by installing the repository inside our Android phone, and then move, at a later time, to the use of a mobile phone without Google components or at least if present in a sandboxed context.
Installation
Do not search F-Droid on Google Play Store, as it is not present. The installation procedure is a little more articulated but, in the end you will get all the satisfactions of the case. Don’t be discouraged! A lot of detailed information is available on the web on how to install a apk file on your mobile device. The following instructions have been created with the aim of starting a process of deleting tracking software and operating systems, so examples will be contextualized in a Linux environment.
Download .apk in Linux environment
You must be sure what you are installing so it is mandatory to check if the signature that validated the software is correct. I recommend downloading to the linux computer and then transfer the apk to your mobile phone, for details click here to read.
# Check the correct download path of your operating system
cd ~/my_download
# download files
wget https://f-droid.org/F-Droid.apk
wget https://f-droid.org/F-Droid.apk.asc
# download the public key that signed the apk
gpg --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-key 37D2C98789D8311948394E3E41E7044E1DBA2E89
# verify the file
gpg --verify F-Droid.apk.asc
Control result:
gpg: presupponendo i dati firmati in 'F-Droid.apk'
gpg: Firma effettuata ven 25 ott 2024, 01:00:42 CEST
gpg: utilizzando la chiave RSA 802A9799016112346E1FEFF47A029E54DD5DCE7A
gpg: Firma valida da "F-Droid <admin@f-droid.org>" [sconosciuto]
gpg: ATTENZIONE: questa chiave non è certificata con una firma fidata.
gpg: Non ci sono indicazioni che la firma appartenga al proprietario.
Impronta digitale chiave primaria: 37D2 C987 89D8 3119 4839 4E3E 41E7 044E 1DBA 2E89
Impronta digitale della sottochiave: 802A 9799 0161 1234 6E1F EFF4 7A02 9E54 DD5D CE7A
The values change compared to the version you control, if there is no alteration of the content the signature is valid when it is confirmed. Uncertified key notice can be ignored.
## Transfer the .apk file and install it
After you have completed the transfer on your mobile phone, find the file in the Download folder or location where it was transferred and tap it to start the installation. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process, which may require additional confirmation. Once installed, the app will be available on the main screen or in the app menu, ready to start.