App Stores without Google & Apple

60 min Average
Go to recipe
Ein grüner Teller mit einem grünen Sorbet oder Eis, das mit zwei augenähnlichen Stückchen an das Google-Symbol erinnert. Im Kof stecken zwei grüne Stäbchen (vermutlich Schokolade), von denen auch mehrere auf dem Teller verteilt sind. Illustration: Florian Biege

The Google Play Store for apps on Android mobiles is certainly convenient and comes pre-installed, but Google collects extensive data on your app usage, forces many updates and can even remove apps without warning. With open-source alternatives, you regain control over your data and your apps – and you can also use many apps based on open-source software that are not available in the big tech stores.

Anyone who has already ‘de-Googled’ their device (Switch recipe ‘Android Phone Without Google’) can easily access alternative app stores such as F-Droid, Droid-ify or the App Lounge. However, all other Android users can do this too – in addition to their existing Google account and as a data-friendly alternative.

Google is currently threatening to further restrict our freedom: app developers fear that Google intends to block free access to apps in the future and are calling for a protest. They are demanding: “Keep Android open!”.

But Android users actually have an advantage compared to Apple fans. For Apple users, things are a bit trickier: Apple has only allowed apps to be installed from sources other than the Apple App Store for just over two years, and the selection is (still) limited. We’ll therefore limit ourselves to Android mobiles in this guide and garnish the Topping with a few tips for Apple users.

Different ways to cook

Our digital switch recipes provide an easy, simple way to give Big Tech the push, but there are other options available. We have tried to make it easy by focusing on a single approach and a small number of options, but there are other alternatives that are just as good. After all, what we mean by ‘good’, ‘not so good’ and ‘bad’ is open to debate: DI.DAY is about easy ways to give Big Tech the push (without getting into purism or being preachy). Our decisions are based on advice from our advisory panel.

An overview of the alternatives is available on the next page:

Alternatives to Big Tech

Ingredients

1 Android phone

ideally with a ‘de-Googled’ operating system (Switch recipe “Android Phone Without Google)

1 serving of curiosity

about new apps that collect less data

Preparation

1 Prepare the kitchen

Before you start: Back up your most important apps and data.

Next, enable the installation of ‘apps from unknown sources’ on your Android smartphone. To do this, go to ‘Settings’, then to ‘Security’ or ‘Apps’, and find and enable the option ‘Unknown sources’ or ‘Install unknown apps’. Only then will you be able to install apps that do not come from the Google Play Store. On phones running newer versions of Android, you may need to enable this separately for each individual app. For security reasons, you should also disable this permission again once the installation is complete.

2 Install F-Droid as the base

The app F-Droid is the heart of your new app shelf; F-Droid is, so to speak, the ‘organic grocery store’ among app stores – here you’ll find only open-source software without tracking or ads.

Download the latest version of the F-Droid app from the official website. Transfer the downloaded file (‘APK’ – this is how Android programme file names end; the abbreviation stands for ‘Android Package’) to your smartphone and install it. Once installed, open F-Droid AND update the list of available programmes.

3 Add Aurora Store for Google apps without Google account

If there are certain Google or closed-source apps you can’t do without, you can install the Aurora Store via F-Droid (see above). The app store gives you access to all the apps from the Google Play Store, but without a Google account (and without Google tracking) if you use the app with an anonymous account. You can then download apps just as you would if you were using the official store – but without giving away your personal data.

You can also use the Aurora Store to restore app purchases from the Google Play Store if you temporarily sign in with your Google account (and then sign out again later).

4 Replace the most important apps

Now it’s time to replace your most frequently used Google apps with privacy-friendly alternatives. Take some time to get to know these new apps and explore their features. Have a closer look at what’s available and install some essential apps, such as an email app like K9 or a calendar app KashCal. You’ll find further examples in our Switch Recipes.

5 Organise updates

One supposed advantage of the Google Play Store is that it automatically updates your apps. In alternative app stores, you sometimes have to do this yourself. F-Droid offers a ‘Updates’ sub-menu under the settings icon in the top-right corner: there, you can select ‘Install automatically’ to choose whether you want to download app updates automatically never, always, or only when connected to Wi-Fi.

Similar features are also available in Aurora (‘Updates’) and the ‘App Lounge’ under the alternative operating system e/OS (‘Updates’).

Dessert

Additional app stores: Set up APKUpdater or APK-Mirror as a backup option: some apps are neither available on F-Droid nor via the Aurora Store. In such cases, APKUpdater or APK-Mirror are good sources.

IzzyOnDroid is also an excellent source for well-curated open-source apps for Android.

The new Komi Store is a real treat for the open-source community and offers direct access to the packages hosted on the GitHub code database, which many developers use. Obtainium also allows the direct installation of developer apps.

You can also install apps without using app stores at all, via ‘sideloading’. You download the APK file directly from a website. This gives you maximum control, but also requires caution. Practise sideloading with an app you’re already familiar with. Download the APK from a trustworthy source (such as a developer’s official website). Before you start the installation, check the permissions the app is requesting. Ask yourself whether the app really needs access to your contacts, your microphone or your location.

But be careful: not all apps from alternative stores or direct downloads are always safe to use. If in doubt (about the app’s origin or function), we recommend not using it.

Enjoy your meal! You have just taken a big step towards a more independent digital existence.

Once you #DIDit – share our post about the digital switch and inspire others to take control of their own digital lives!

Topping

For iOS users, we recommend using as many open-source apps as possible that are available in the App Store (we also recommend some of these in our Switch Recipes). Some of the apps that you’ll find on F-Droid are also available for iOS – though sometimes with limitations, as Apple has strict rules for app developers.

Since the Digital Markets Act (DMA) took effect in the European Union in March 2024, Apple has also been required to allow the installation of alternative app stores on iOS devices in the EU. While this is an important step towards more competition and user freedom, the choice of app stores is, unfortunately, still limited.

With the new versions of iOS 27 and iPadOS 27, you can at least install AltStore: Open the page in your mobile browser and download the installation file. There, you can select ‘Sources’ (i.e. sources for apps) including Peertube via Framasoft, as well as the Fediverse app ‘Holos Social’ by developer Thomas Schneider. As AltStore is still new, further app directories (“Sources”) will be added gradually. Sideloading is also possible in combination with an additional computer. We recommend this option (https://faq.altstore.io/altstore-classic/how-to-install-altstore-macos) for experts only!

View more recipes

The DI.DAY website is funded by your donations

Donate now