What are the first things you do with a new Android phone?

Question

Apart from the obvious steps of uninstalling easy-to-remove bloatware.What are some applications you install immediately? (E.g. equivalent for Windows would be Flux, a browser, adblock etc.)Have you got some settings that make your life better? (E.g. maybe a different keyboard app, or some way to prevent apps from sending telemetry home, or anything else?)

jqpabc123 · Accepted Answer

The first thing I do is wipe everything to the point where it won't even boot up.Then I install a de-Googled Android variant and add privacy respecting software as needed.

eternityforest · Answer

I install SyncThing-fork first of all.SyncThing has all my music, notes, and books. Basically anything small enough that I don't worry about storage space lives in a sync folder, unless it's code in a report.My personal use of tech is pretty heavily influenced by that app. If it weren't available I'd probably do a lot of things differently, and rely more on apps with usually proprietary sync built-in.Then I get F-Droid, KDE connect, and BitWarden.After that I usually customize the shortcuts in the tray. I'll get rid of the Bluetooth and location buttons so I can't accidentally turn them off, since I basically never purposely turn them off.Then I get the do not disturb timer app, and get rid of the regular do not disturb, so I don't accidentally leave it on(It's very easy to forget when you only use it a few times a year at the absolute most).Then I get all the usual proprietary "you are the product apps" and set them up, and install all the various apps I like having around.

dimensionc132 · Answer

Install FDROID for opensource appsInstall AuroraStore (from within Fdroid) for access to all apps on GooglePlayInstall OpenBoard opensource keyboard (disable googleboard)Add some official repositories to Fdroid for more apps https://forum.f-droid.org/t/known-repositories/721IzzyOnDroid / DivestOS Official / Bromite

i67vw3 · Answer

Custom Rom/OS->F-droid->Aurora store->Browser->Privacy apps, Regular daily usage apps

brainfog · Answer

- I look up the dates for when security updates will stop, and add a reminder to change phones before then.- Turn off notifications for everything.

fsflover · Answer

Install F-Droid, of course: https://f-droid.org.

What are the first things you do with a new Android phone?

The first thing I do is wipe everything to the point where it won't even boot up.
Then I install a de-Googled Android variant and add privacy respecting software as needed.

Custom Rom/OS->F-droid->Aurora store->Browser->Privacy apps, Regular daily usage apps

- I look up the dates for when security updates will stop, and add a reminder to change phones before then.
- Turn off notifications for everything.

Install F-Droid, of course: https://f-droid.org.