[INDEX FLOSS] List of Free / Libre and Open Source apps for Android

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drabharathan

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Jan 13, 2012
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Thank you this post and for keeping it updated. Some other apps I use that I found useful are
1. FTP server ( free) : full functionality.
2. Podlisten: easy GUI podcast app
3. Night screen: helps reduce brightness loooooower
4. Practice hub: a good kit for musicians
5. Red Reader Beta : ( in no aspect a Beta ) ; Reddit
6. SMS Back up+: adds SMS to Gmail.
7. Share via HTTP : bulk photo / video sharing
8. mBrowser : its so lean, easy to use for specific web purposes ( no need for add blocking add ons and well made ( ugly looking icon ) app.

Just adding in a few.
 
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Primokorn

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Thank you this post and for keeping it updated. Some other apps I use that I found useful are
1. FTP server ( free) : full functionality.
2. Podlisten: easy GUI podcast app
3. Night screen: helps reduce brightness loooooower
4. Practice hub: a good kit for musicians
5. Red Reader Beta : ( in no aspect a Beta ) ; Reddit
6. SMS Back up+: adds SMS to Gmail.
7. Share via HTTP : bulk photo / video sharing
8. mBrowser : its so lean, easy to use for specific web purposes ( no need for add blocking add ons and well made ( ugly looking icon ) app.

Just adding in a few.
mBrowser and ShareViaHttp seem to be discontinued. All others will be added.
 

drabharathan

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Jan 13, 2012
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mBrowser and ShareViaHttp seem to be discontinued. All others will be added.

Thank you. They may not have had an update lately ( which you have been fantastic to be keeping track of ) but please do try them. They are so lean and blend well with system updates. They both run flawlessly on Android 7.1. Try XDA on mbrowser for example without an ad blocker! ?

Many thanks once again.
 

Primokorn

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Thank you. They may not have had an update lately ( which you have been fantastic to be keeping track of ) but please do try them. They are so lean and blend well with system updates. They both run flawlessly on Android 7.1. Try XDA on mbrowser for example without an ad blocker!

Many thanks once again.
I never go anywhere without AdAway and my custom blacklisted domains :) Even if mBrowser seems pretty fast, it is really depreciated and I'm not sure if it's still safe to use it. Is it based on Android Webview?
EDIT: yep. Added.

I can't use ShareViaHttp for now. It seems it doesn't need any update to work flawlessly and it can be really useful for some users so I'll add it.
Thanks for your suggestions by the way.
 
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Primokorn

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Primokorn

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Thanks. If you don't mind me asking, I only see 'Allow whitelist mode' within AdAway settings and you said you are using 'Blacklist mode', am I missing something? In addition, may I ask why you decided to modify the default AdAway host file? Did you add or exclude URLs from the built-in text file? May I ask you to elaborate on this and clue us in, to get to install your setup. Of course it would be excellent if you explain us beforehand what your changes are, why and how you have enhanced your experience whilst using your Android setup. ;)

(I hope I am not being a bother to you. I like to receive feedback from others and discuss topics further.) Thanks for the index; it's a pretty good job. :highfive:
Go to Menu > Your lists and you should have 3 columns (Black, White, Redirection).
I modify the default host files because it doesn't block everything, only the well known domains. Sometimes I use the Log DNS Requests to block further domains and I can import many domains from a txt file.

My modifications:
Whitelist: a few domains to not broke app features
Blacklist: some domains that I found within installed apps + anything related to Facebook (I really don't like this 'social' network) + to stop known NSA / GCHQ / C.I.A. or F.B.I. servers (mass surveillance). You can find useful links on AFWall+'s Github.

Feel free to post your questions. I'm glad to help when I can.
 
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Primokorn

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Tomorrow I'll be on vacation so it's time for a new update :)

NEW APPS:
RedReader: An unofficial client for the news site reddit.com. *** NEW ***
License: GPLv3+

SMS Backup+: Backup SMS and call logs to IMAP. *** NEW ***
License: Apache2

PodListen: Podcast player with lightweight interface. *** NEW ***
License: GPLv3+

FTP Server: This app can serve files over the internet but the most likely usage is to access files from another computer without needing a cable. *** NEW ***
License: GPLv3

Night Screen: Prevent your eyes from being hurt by screen light. *** NEW ***
License: GPLv3

mBrowser: Simple webview based browser. *** NEW ***
License: MIT

Share via HTTP: Share files from your phone to one or many, quickly and easily. *** NEW ***
License: NewBSD

Material Glass: Dark theme for CMTE and Substratum - Android 5.x and 6.x. *** NEW ***
License: Apache 2.0

Browser: Original Material browser based on webview. *** NEW ***
License: GPLv3

UPDATES
- ru.scorpio92.filemanager (still no license despite my request - will be removed soon if nothing is done).

Bitwarden: Stores all of your logins and passwords while conveniently keeping them synced between all of your devices (multi platforms). 100% free.
License: GPLv3
(The dev has opened a thread on XDA. Press the Thanks button to support him! :))
 

Primokorn

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Oh, okay. Great! I am wondering myself which domains are you talking about? I do acknowledge you shared your sources list with us and I strongly appreciate it, yet I want to know precisely which domains you added to your blacklist. The whitelist can wait as I do not get any ads so far. What I want to tighten is blacklist because the more I block related to ads, the better. To wrap it up, is it doable for you to share a .txt file of blacklisted domains only? If so, how can I introduce such .txt file into my blacklist section? That's pretty much it. Perhaps the whole .txt file I already have happen to have the blacklisted domains already but I wonder whether it crashes in redundancy if I add an already known domain to AdAway? How can I set your .txt file up?

Thanks for being kind and spreading the FLOSS word over XDA. :highfive: Keep it up, we are with you.
You can find several sources of host files to block Facebook (e.g Github). About the mass surveillance, the link is on AFWall+'s Wiki.
It's not a good thing to have a huge host file because it increases the latency so your web experience will be degraded.
I already shared my blacklist. You just have to import the list into AdAway (there's an option for that - Your List > Menu > Import). AdAway will automatically merge your existing list with mines.
 

Primokorn

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Despite Black Friday, I have no discount to offer :D

I have created 2 new categories: Alarm clock/Timer/Stopwatch and Monitor. Kernel Adiutor (Mod) is now located in Monitor.
New link in the References section: Liberate Your Device!

UPDATES
Automation category has been removed so LibreTasks is now in the Tools.

NEW APPS
Material Player: Simple audiobook player. *** NEW ***
License: GPLv3+

OmniClock: Based on AOSP DeskClock - developed as part of the OmniROM project. *** NEW ***
License: Apache 2.0

Clock+: Alternative to the Google Clock app for Android, featuring UI/UX enhancements and new time pickers. *** NEW ***
License: Apache 2.0
(Source code)

Movie and Tv suggestions: To browse a movie/tv catalog and see details for specific crewMembers.. *** NEW ***
License: ?
Non-free dependencies: Firebase

Red Moon: Screen filter for night time phone use. *** NEW ***
License: GPLv3+

Omnirom DSP Manager FOR All other rom. *** NEW ***
License: MIT

AROMA Installer: For ROM Chefs/Developers only. *** NEW ***
License: Apache 2.0

PornAway: Extracted version of AdAway to block porn sites. *** NEW ***
License: ?

OpenMapKit: Browse OpenStreetMap features to create and edit OSM tags. *** NEW ***
License: BSD

Lyrically: A lyrics app which works everywhere. *** NEW ***
License: MIT

BARIA: Backup And Restore Installed Apps. *** NEW ***
License: GPLv3

G2L: Define gestures to launch an action like an app, a phone call or playing a song. *** NEW ***
License: GPLv3+

To-Do List: Create and manage tasks and To-Do lists. *** NEW ***
License: Apache2

PixelKnot: Hide messages inside files. *** NEW ***
License: GPLv3

RadioDroid: Browse and stream internet radios. *** NEW ***
License: GPLv3

Riot: Open team collaboration. *** NEW ***
License: Apache2

TrebleShot: An pair-to-pair file and text transferring application. *** NEW ***
License: ?

QR Scanner: Scan QR codes. *** NEW ***
License: GPLv3

OS Monitor: Monitor the Operating System. *** NEW ***
License: Apache2

Network Monitor: Check network connectivity. *** NEW ***
License: Apache2

Network Log: See what's accessing the internet. *** NEW ***
License: MPL2

Wirebug: Enables or disables debugging over Wi-Fi. *** NEW ***
License: GPLv3
 

Primokorn

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Here is a great article about Android without GCraps :D I dont remember where i have found this though.

https://android.izzysoft.de/articles/named/android-without-google-1 .I think you should add it to the OP.
Good documentation even if I disagree with some recommendations :)
Example:
Other privacy-focused and not-that-heavy candidates include CM Browser
Cheetah Mobile is privacy-friendly??? :eek:

I'll add your link as a reference (with a warning).
 

#Henkate

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Primokorn

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I did a lot of modifications on GitLab to have more categories and a better order.

NEW APPS
- Material File Manager: Basic Open Source File explorer developed following the Material Design guidelines.
License: Apache 2.0

- Notes: Create and manage notes. It is also possible to can define categories and assign them to the notes.
License: GPLv3+

- MaterialOS: CM12/CM12.1. It features Material Design and Material Inspired illustrations and iconography from MaterialOS.
License: CC-BY 4.0

- Prey: Prey is a lightweight theft protection software that lets you keep an eye over them whether in town or abroad, and helps you recover them if ever lost or stolen.
License: GPLv3
Uses Play-Services

- Ring: Ring (formerly SFLphone) is a free distributed multimedia communication software. It is developed by Savoir-faire Linux with the help of a global community of users and contributors. Savoir-faire Linux is a Canadian company specialized in Linux and free software.
License: GPLv3+

- Master Password: Password manager that doesn’t store your personal passwords on the device. Instead it generates all passwords on the demand by using a single master password that never leaves the device.
License: GPLv3

- ApertureGallery.
License: GPLv3

- Transcribe: A tool for people who need to transcribe audio recordings to text (more specifically, people that are slow typists and have sticky fingers.
License: GPLv3

- TextFairy: Convert your phone into a mobile text scanner (OCR).
License: Apache 2.0

- Quit Smoking: Application to help smokers to quit smoking.
License: GPLv3+

- Dukto: An easy file transfer tool designed for LAN use. Transfer files from one PC (or other device) to another, without worrying about users, permissions, operating systems, protocols, clients, servers and so on...
License: GPLv2

- Tutanota: Tutanota is the end-to-end encrypted email client that enables you to communicate securely with anyone.
License: GPLv3

- Telecine: Record full-resolution video on your Android devices.
License: Apache 2.0

New reference:
Android without Google (For general information only. There are weird advices like using Cheetah Mobile apps to improve your privacy...)
 
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    List of Free / Libre and Open Source apps for Android

    FLOSS_banner.png


    INTRODUCTION
    I use Android phones for 5 years but I'm interested in FLOSS development for only 1 year. Conlusion? FLOSS apps are very important for the community (not only for Android OS) but they are often underestimated or not well known.
    Many awesome FLOSS apps are available for Android and they well deserve to be better known! Yes, there's a world behind Google, Amazon, Facebook, Apple, Microsoft,...

    XDA Developers wants to promote open source softwares but I have never seen a good thread to share our experience about free/libre and open source apps, except this thread but it's no longer maintained.

    If you want to discover new free/libre and open source apps, give a try to the below apps! I'll add new apps as soon as I try good ones.
    If you want to suggest new apps, feel free to share your list! (please try to avoid discontinued apps)
    If you want to keep using proprietary apps, go away!!! :p

    Of course, we can't put all apps in a simple list so I'd like to highlight the best ones and help more Android users to discover them and spread the importance of FLOSS apps! :fingers-crossed:



    Direct link

    gnu-fdl.png



    by Péhä (CC-By)


    WHERE CAN I FIND FLOSS APPS? HOW CAN I UPDATE THEM?
    Actually you can go to the Google Play Store. Most of the time, it's mentioned in the description but finding them is a brain-teaser so you can check these websites:
    - F-Droid. The application is working well.
    The client makes it easy to browse, install, and keep track of updates on your device.
    - Fossdroid. Same database as F-Droid with a better UI for the desktop version.
    F-droid only provides FLOSS apps. In other words, apps that are only open source are not accepted. (What's the difference? Read the references below)

    If you don't want to use the official Play Store to update your apps that are not available on F-Droid then you may be interested by these tools:
    - APKUpdater, ApkTrack and Yalp Store: tools that simplify the process of finding updates for your installed apps and installing new ones.
    - Blankstore, part of NOGAPPS/microG project. Download free/gratis apps directly from the official Play Store. A new client is planned but no ETA.
    - Raccoon, an apk downloader for Google Play.




    Everything is available on GitLab now. The aim of this thread is only for sharing new apps together and discussing about free/libre or open source apps.
    13
    Do you want to give a try to new FLOSS apps? :)

    - BlitzMail: To set up your email account once and then use it to send emails or short notes to an address of your choice.
    License: AGPLv3+

    - Movim: A distributed social networking platform that tries to protect your privacy and comes with a set of interesting features.
    License: AGPLv3+

    - OpenGapps Downloader: App to auto download opengapps zip files from github.
    License: GPLv3

    - Screens: Automatically enter split screen mode from launcher shortcuts and Quick Settings tiles.
    License: SimplifiedBSD

    - Yalp Store: Download apks from Google Play Store.
    License: GPLv2

    - Password Store: Simple password manager that is compatible with pass: Passwords are stored in simple text files which are encrypted with OpenPGP.
    License: GPLv3

    - TouchDetector: Display your finger touches on screen.
    License: Apache 2.0

    - Open Food: Look up ingredients, allergens, nutrition facts.
    License: Apache 2.0

    - Atomize by @frap129 : Atomize can shrink the file size of an image significantly, often by as much as 70%, and maintains an image's transparency with little to no loss in quality. Atomize uses pngquant as its backend, and is fully opensource.
    License: GPLv2

    - SlimFileManager by @gmillz : Open source, lightweight file manager.
    License: GPLv3

    - Music by @boswelja : A music player based on Auro.
    License: GPLv2

    - Code Aurora SWE Browser by @mattnin : Fully stock and unchanged Code Aurora Snapdragon Optimized Browser.
    License: Various

    - oandbackup: Make backups of selected apps on your device and restore from those backups.
    License: MIT

    - BeHe Explorer has received a major update and it is now available on F-Droid.
    13
    I'm bushed :p
    +20 new apps... The GitLab now includes 300 FLOSS apps!!! :D

    Enjoy this big update guys!

    - Kolab Notes: Take notes locally and optionally sync them with Kolab and IMAP servers in the Kolab v3 storage format.

    - OI Shopping List: A powerful application which makes it easy to create and manage checklists.

    - LnkShortener: Shortens URLs using the Polr API.

    - Muzei: A live wallpaper that gently refreshes your home screen each day with famous works of art.

    - Kodi: An award-winning free and open source cross-platform software media player and entertainment hub for digital media for HTPCs (Home theater PCs)

    - OpenLink With: Open the current webpage you have in another app.

    - Fasthub by @yakov116 : Yet another open-source GitHub client app but unlike any other app, FastHub was built from scratch.

    - Calendar Widget: Home screen widget displaying a list of upcoming calendar events so that you can easily have a glimpse of your upcoming appointments.

    - Password Generator: With Privacy Friendly Password Generator you can generate different passwords for all your accounts while remembering only one master password.

    - Flick Launcher: Pixel Launcher (with a few tweaks) for everyone!
    (pro version available)

    - Signature Spoofing Checker: This Android app tests the signature spoofing capability of your OS as required by the microG Project.

    - Circle of Music App: A basic music player, with add to favorite feature, alarm, Monthly picks and more...

    - Mattemost (also available on Google Play): Open source, private cloud. Slack-alternative. Workplace messaging for web, PCs and phones. MIT-licensed. Hundreds of contributors. 11 languages. Secure, configurable, and scalable from teams to enterprise.

    - Android CUPS Print: Have a local printer shared over CUPS or IPP? Then this app allows you to directly print to it from your Android device.

    - Jelly browser "for all" by @mayanxoni : Stock browser of Lineage OS custom ROM.

    - Spectrum by @frap129: A kernel manager for users.
    (Licensed under Apache 2.0?)

    - SubwayTooter: Another Mastodon client app.

    - 11t: App for connecting to Mastodon, written in FuseTools. 11t lets you use any Mastodon instance

    - Firefox Focus browser by @lexcyn : Browse like no one’s watching. The new Firefox Focus automatically blocks a wide range of online trackers — from the moment you launch it to the second you leave it. Easily erase your history, passwords and cookies, so you won’t get followed by things like unwanted ads.
    11
    Since I no longer have time to find new interesting apps and there was almost no contribution, I close this thread.
    If someone wants to take up the torch for this thread and Gitlab repo then contact me by PM.

    Thanks.