Regular apps, sporadic apps, to enhance a specific aspect of the phone or even to pass the time in an entertaining way: our collection of Open Source apps is perfect for complete all the software you can download from Google Play. These are also safe apps, we have checked it one by one.
Over the years I have accumulated a good collection of applications that I always install on the Androids I buy and also on those I review: It works great for me to compare battery consumption between cell phones. And not only do I download a list of favorite apps from Google Play, but I also have a small collection of APKs that I find essential. All open source, useful, free and without the hassle of advertisements. They seem essential to me.
Secure apps you won’t find on Google Play
You need to be very careful with what you install outside of the Android store, as it is all too common to find APK files filled with malware. To avoid problems, my advice is only download apps you trust, you should run the APK through Virus Total and see that the repository on GitHub is active and updated frequently. By following these steps, the installation is secure.
My recommendations for open source applications include software of all kinds that have helped me many times. Currently I am left with the following:
- Aurora Store. Essential for downloading apps from Google Play that aren’t on my site. Or for those who own a Huawei mobile: I use it on my Huawei Mate 40 Pro to download most applications. Aurora Store is in your GitLab.
- F-Cold. This legendary open source app store is also open source. It is therefore an excellent starting point for discovering new applications: it is available here.
- OpenCalc. An Open Source scientific calculator which constitutes a very good alternative to the standard application. It’s on their GitHub and on Google Play.
- NewBlowjob. An excellent YouTube client that, in addition to playing the content, allows you to download the videos and even listen to them with the screen off. It is available on GitHub.
- Amazing File Manager. A complete file explorer that is very easy to use and also powerful and compatible with ROOT access. It can be downloaded from its repository and from Google Play.
- Lawn Icons. Designed for Lanchar launcher, this highly composed icon pack is frequently updated and has a really neat design. You need a launcher that supports icon customization: Lawnicons can be downloaded from here.
- Organic matter maps. Great Open Source alternative to Google Maps with offline maps, turn-by-turn navigation, and even Android Auto compatibility. Organics Maps is available in the public repository and on Google Play.
- Kodi. It doesn’t need much introduction, this very composed multimedia center manages to rejuvenate a phone or, as happens to me, an Android TV. Kodi is available on GitHub and can also be downloaded from Google Play.
- VLC. The video player almost par excellence, no file can resist it. And I usually carry it on my Androids for this reason: it opens everything I have saved. The project can be found on GitHub and the app can also be downloaded from Google Play.
- Data Monitor. Android already offers fairly good management of consumed data, but Data Monitor improves it with information that is pleasant to see, simple and varied. It even allows you to test the Internet: it’s on GitHub and Google Play.
All the above apps are free, can be downloaded freely from the respective links, do not include in-app purchases and do not include advertisements. Perfect for managing any Android, personalizing it and even finding new applications: they seem essential to me.
Cover image | DALL-E 3 on ChatGPT
In Xataka Android | This list is a treasure trove of privacy: over 100 free open source apps and services that don’t collect personal data
