How to preserve privacy while using smartphones?

Stock android, vpn based firewall so you can block traffic in/out, camera notification notification, app firewalls to look for app communication, virus/root scanner. You can also degoogle the phone, turn off all sync, and use a fake google account just for app updates. Lock down 3rd party apps.

Then turn off everything you can in options on that phone, if you can root it, apk remove/freeze apps.

I de-googled, de-amazon'ed my phone, removed all accounts except google, and no longer use apps, i use a browser. (Except spotify/yt, because I listen to podcasts more than anything else.)

2FA on everything.

As others have said, put GrapheneOS or CalyxOS on a supported Pixel. LineageOS isn't directly privacy focused, but it's an alternative to using a pure Google product so does help.

You'll likely need to deprogram your concept of "quality" to prioritize security and privacy over convenience, then give anything you try an honest chance. Remember, any frustration you might feel early on is just withdrawal from all of the non-volitional and anti-consumer patterns leaving your life.

As far as I know every mobile phone reveals your location to the owners of the radio towers and your provider. It is probable they forward this information to more parties. You can use one with a hardware off switch, but obviously you cannot be reached by phone for the off time, not using one at all would not make a huge difference at that point.

Pixel phone with grapheneOS, nextdns.io private DNS, a good VPN, and f-droid app store. Super easy, I've been using this setup for 1.5 years

Be sure to donate to FOSS projects as well.

I recently switched from an iPhone to a Pixel with GrapheneOS and it's been great so far (a couple months now or so).

It's extremely usable, with only minor hiccups if you're trying to use any apps that require Google Play Services. GrapheneOS does allow you to install play services sandboxed without any special system access (just like any other app). I've replaced a couple of apps that required those to FOSS alternatives without much hassle at all.

Install via WebUSB[0] was very simple and went without a hitch, and at the end of the day is basically just a normal Android experience, just much more secure and private by default.

0: https://grapheneos.org/install/web

It’s unclear what you’re concerned about revealing and to whom. Without a threat model it’s hard to say.

For example, are you worried about location information? Who do you want to avoid knowing if? What granularity is acceptable?

Your smart phone reveals a masssssive amount of information, from checking access points and nfc devices to cookies on the web to exif, to cell towers. If you really want total privacy you shouldn’t carry one at all.

I bought de-googled GS2900 with e/OS this week, will give it a try. Decided after I read an article posted here (Study Warns Android Phones From Samsung, Xiaomi And Others Are Spying On Users - https://hothardware.com/news/samsung-xiaomi-other-android-ph...). You have some more phones available: https://esolutions.shop/ I also created new @e.email address and got 1GB of space on ecloud.global, migrated contacts, still have to migrate SMSs and call log.

What is the option for carriers? Do you need to use a VPN for all traffic if you don't want them tracking you through just basic network usage?

Bro if you’re that paranoid get a candy bar phone