Recently I remember someone had made a post asking about apps that “unlock special things” on android, and this post is for all of you who want to unlock your android device to the max!
I wanted to share the link to the repository for each app but besides I’m tired of writing, there are apps that have migrated to Gitlab (like Droid-rec) and then back to Github and I really can’t find the link to their repository and I really don’t want to create a mess of missing links that don’t work and apps without links to their repositories! If someone has time and manages to find the repository of each app please add it in the comments and I would really appreciate it. If you have Droid-ify make sure to enable Izzy’s repository and you will be able to see absolutely every single app in this list.
AutoMute: Have you ever been sent a moaning video or opened a noisy video/audio and forgot you had left the multimedia audio on max by mistake? AutoMute allows you to mute your device’s multimedia audio after a certain amount of time, and has different settings to customize.
Droid-Rec: Droid-Rec is undoubtedly the best app to record your screen on android, besides being considerably customizable it has the great feature of being able to record the internal audio of your device, unlike other apps that you need to use the microphone of your device for that and the audio ends up being disgusting.
Coffe: Have you ever needed to keep your screen on for a while but going to your system settings is a pain? Coffe allows you to change the automatic timeout of your screen with a single click from the tray (the buttons that appear where the notifications are) of your device, you can even make it never turn off at all.
RethinkDNS: RethinkDNS is an app that works as a VPN to provide a system level firewall (meaning that if an app has ads and you have the filter to remove ads, you may not see them anymore). Besides having functionalities to work as a proxy and a DNS changer, RethinkDNS has the absolutely great function to see the logs or pings of each app by IP, absolutely useful if you suspect that an app is doing something weird, and you can even cut its access to the internet in one tap.
OpenContacts: This app is an app that may not really fit in this list but it has a functionality that I’m sure many will love! Have you ever wanted to send a message to someone on Whatsapp or Telegram without having to add them to your contacts? OpenContacts is simply an app to manage and make calls but it also allows you to open phone numbers in Whatsapp or Telegram without adding a number to your contacts!
Termux: A simple shell for Android, basically a terminal emulator to execute commands. For me it is especially useful in different scenarios, for example, using ffmpeg to edit a video or using yt-dlp to download videos without needing a GUI.
URLCheck: URLCheck is an extremely useful app that opens automatically when you open a link, it allows you to shorten links or skip link shorteners, detect dangerous sites (you need a VirusTotal account) and even redirect your links to privacy related front-ends, like Piped.
Shizuku: Shizuku can be defined as a kind of “root” that uses the Android debugger mode to use adb commands without any kind of modification to your phone!
(IMPORTANT: To use some apps from the list below you need to have Shizuku or adb)
Droid-ify: With Shizuku active, Droid-ify (an F-Droid client, note that this one doesn’t need Shizuku) allows you to activate the “Shizuku Installer” which allows you to update apps in the background or install them without interaction, just press “Install” and that’s it, just like in the Playstore.
Canta: Canta is a special program in my opinion. Canta allows you to uninstall any app from your OS and gives you labels telling you if it is recommended to uninstall it or not, and also most apps have a description about why it is recommended to uninstall it. In my special case using a Samsung device I got rid of all Samsung bloatware and I can swear that my device is at least 30% faster overall.
aShell: aShell is an app that allows you to launch adb commands directly from your phone without the need to connect it to a PC, very convenient in my opinion.
LogFox: Have you ever had an app that crashes indescribably and you don’t know why? LogFox allows you to save and record the logs of your whole system, including the apps you have installed and you can even set filters to save logs about a specific app and share it with its developer (you don’t need Shizuku either, but you need adb and with aShell you can access it).
SystemUI Tuner: This app is an absolute gem that I never heard anyone talk about! It allows you to customize parameters of your android that your manufacturer doesn’t let you, for example and for me the coolest: Move apps to SD memory.
SaverTuner: This app allows you to customize the battery saving mode of your device with different saving modes that really save a LOT of battery.
(Like logfox, you need an adb command for this app)
Shizuku opens your device to a wireless install. Sure the default mechanism requires a confirmation of pairing, but this is a vector of attack. Additionally, you will have a small server running, potentially 24/7.
Regular users should NOT be using this!
That’s true, but it’s also important to clarify that if I understand it correctly, using Shizuku or wireless debugger mode is specifically dangerous on unknown networks, like public WiFi networks, where anyone could connect to your device with adb, but in case of use from a secure network such as your home (unless some device has been infected by some type of remote control virus) you can use it without problem.
I understand that most people will not mind leaving it on and their phone will automatically connect to any WiFi network, but in my case my device asks me every time I start the wireless debugger mode that if the network I’m connected is a secure network, and it only works if it’s connected to this network.
Yeah, Shizuku opens up a massive attack surface through ADB. ADB can do a lot to your device without you even realizing it in a lot of cases, and you’re basically giving ADB access to Shizuku itself and any apps that use it (which could be exploited) at all times, so its very risky. Its pretty dangerous and definitely best to avoid an app like this.
Is it safe to have Shizuku installed, but disabled and only run it when required?
Only if it disables the Wireless Debugging option. This controls the service option.
Thank you for this
I have more
- volumeStyles: a shitty proprietary app with pro features, but it allows you to modify your volume bar and doesnt need internet.
- find sms code: listens and copies sms codes
- microG, unifiedNLP: use network location data not from Google!
- captive portal control to remove Google here
- magisk: supl replacer, get rid of Google there
- auto autorotate: have autorotate only on certain apps
- orbot: tunnel any app through Tor
- clear clipboard: custom button, essential for security
- droidfs: use a gocryptFS container on Android
- kde connect: use your phone as remote mouse or keyboard, send files, sms messages, do phone calls, send clipboard, …
- KryptEy: use any messenger and encrypt the messages locally using your Keyboard!
- linksheet: replace android stupid verified links and set apps for links manually
- sd contacts: auto backup contact .vcf
- davX5: sync calendar with CalDav and more
- media merger: automove files
- rootlessJamesDSP: modify your audio in veery hacky ways
- remotecam: use phone as camera
- sayboard: work in progress local voice to text keyboard!
- shelter: easily unlock your work profile and manage app moving
- soundbound: download music from maaany resources and use it without DRM!
- tetherfi: share your Wifi network
A wonderful list, I certainly missed several apps there, and in fact now that you mention it, there is also Insular, an app very similar to Shelter that allows you to install apps in a container using the work profile.
Savertuner made a massive difference on my phone I never used or needed shizuku though just granted the single permission through adb
That’s true, I must forget it. Thank you, is that at the time of writing this I already had given it permission and did not remember.
Amazing. I wonder if you can help. I have canta running. I’m trying to figure out if RECOMMENDED means it’s recommended to remove, or keep? For example I don’t want Samsung payments, Gmail, Google calendar, Chrome, link to Windows, YouTube, etc etc. But they all say recommended.
“Recommended” means that you can delete it without harming your device in any way, so you are free to delete any of the apps that have the “Recommended” label :). However, if you have any doubts you can click on the app you want to remove and it will usually have a description saying why it is recommended to remove it.
Brilliant, thank you! Nearly 50 apps removed. Including you Gmail. Finally! (Triumphant evil laugh)
Thank you internet friend, for this. Game changer.
Good stuff yo
An app like Canta would be absolutely dangerous for me because I’d probably accidentally deleting an app that ends up causing my phone to spiral into chaos, but I can see how others who are more responsible would love it.
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I would suggest you to only remove exclusively the apps that have the '“recommended” label, in that case you should be fine, but I still understand what you say.
Neat
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What tags do you recommend me to put? and I have never used tags, where should I put them? at the end of the post?
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Good post. Thanks.
I knew about some of these already, but some were new to me, so thanks for posting. I tried rethink DNS,but it said it couldn’t access the VPN API or there was a VPN already running. I didn’t think there was a VPN already running, as there isn’t a key icon in the status bar, can you help?
Could you tell me the exact error you are getting?
‘Either VPN permission missing, or another app is in Always-on VPN mode.’
I’ll look into it and if I find anything I’ll answer you here.
Thanks. If it helps, I’m running Android 13 on a Motorola g73.
I’ve been researching on Rethink’s Github and I haven’t been able to find anything.
It may be a silly question, but a real VPN does work? Or does it tell you same error?
I know of other two open source apps that have the same function as Rethink, and they’re Tracker Control and NetGuard. There’s also Blokada but it doesn’t work exactly like Rethink.
I tried AdAway and it also wasn’t able to set up a VPN, so I’m guessing it’s an issue with my device not the software. But if you are able to help me find out what the issue is with device and how to get it working, I would appreciate that.
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