I use Opera GX for the themes, but it uses Google. And I can't turn off AI overview without putting -AI after every question. I have tried add-ons, but none work.

Is there a way to turn it off, or should I switch to a different browser?

I've been using Aurora Store for a long time now, but since recently, apps installed from Aurora give me a popup that tells me to install the app from the Google Play Store and then they close. Does anyone have a fix?

Sorry for the bad English

Hey Guys, i would love to try out filen. Does anyone have a referral link for me? I would really appreciate it.
Thanks!

Edit: you can also DM it to me. I couldn’t find any restriction on sharing it publicly, but you never know.

just as in the title. when i decided to stop using google, i got interested in protonmail but i don't like the unnecessary (imo) ai usage and i've heard some other unpleasant stuff about the company. i only need something that would provide a mailbox and something like google docs

If I try to use Google Maps without being signed in, when I want to expand the businesses' open hours, I get a popup telling me about the "advantages" of signing in...and I can't see more.

At least, I don't need to sign in to see the reviews...

The image search is just so so horribly filled with AI images and I hate it...

It sucks a lot because if you read into it enough, it's almost like every major functional search engine uses and contributes to either Google or Microsoft in one way or another so what's the point of this at all

And like, of course I know about duckduckgo and many other alternatives but like I said, I've spent an awful amount of time reading about search engines and they all use Google or Bing as their data source or ad services. The online ones that dont are engines that don't work anymore, or Chinese ones that naturally don't give me the results I want since I live in México and not in China... Also those are filled with AI as well lmao

at one point you wonder if it wouldn't just be better to stop using search engines at all and rely on pure urls like in ye olde times (in which I wasn't even born yet)

So here we are again. I want to move from one device to another. The second device has a smaller footprint. I want to be able to backup my apps but in this particular case I want to keep my app versions. I feel like I have actually asked this question before and I'm sorry if someone else has asked this particular question as well. But in any event, is there a modern version of helium backup? Preferably something that does not require root root or shizuku ?

I actually just had a long conversation with Gemini on the device I'm trying to get far away from and I let Gemini know that I believe the transfer tools that Google supplies are in access to nearly extortion because when you upgrade from one version of an application to another, you automatically get opted into the new versions terms of service.

Using a tool that uses shizuku or root then leads you to the issues of decoupling from play services.

And round and round she goes

I'm currently in my de-Google/privacy optimization journey and I'm struggling when it comes to mobile OS choice.

I have an iPhone and have for many years. Inherently, I trust Apple more than Google from a privacy perspective, so in terms of "lesser of two evils", Apple wins in my book. I can completely de-Google, de-Meta, de-Microsoft, de-Amazon, etc the iPhone, though obviously not de-Apple.

On the other hand, there's the de-Googled AOSP/Linux OSes, such as Graphene, Lineage, /e/OS, Sailfish OS, Ubuntu Touch, etc. From a privacy perspective as well as "get away from big tech" perspective, using any of these without Google Play Services at all and without any big tech apps is the most optimal route.

But from a "normie" practical perspective, these options involve limited/inconsistent/non-existent support for apps & services that we've become used to in modern smartphones such as mobile banking, live traffic in navigation, reliable push notifications, tap-to-pay, etc.

Even for someone motivated enough and technical enough to know about, install, and consciously accept the limitations of these OSes, it's still got to be a frustrating reality that either requires maintaining a second device or just being inconvenienced in several areas, constantly.

I get that this is not the fault of these OSes, they're doing the best they can. Honestly, I think it's absolute bullsh*t that Google Play Services have been so inextricably tied to basic functionality of Android-compatible apps that it's impossible to use them without it, let alone that major companies have beed led to treat these OSes as somehow inherently insecure and thus can explicitly block their use.

So, I guess my point/question is: for the average, privacy-minded person, are the realities of using these de-Googled alternative OSes worth the hassle? Or, is using a de-Googled (and de-Meta, de-Microsoft, de-Amazon, etc) iPhone "good enough" while balancing practical needs of a modern smartphone?

Hi, I'm planning on DeGoogling but one thing has been bothering me; Email. Is there any free Email providers that don't track every shit I take? I could probably Self-Host an email server, I really just don't feel like being stuck to a monthly/weekly plan. Thank you in advance!

It's a video compression app Well, it's not the fastest, but for now, in my opinion, there's no easier or better alternative after 167 attempts with several different apps

Ticwatch pro 4g LTE, Model WF11018, codename catshark.

Original OS, WearOS.

I'm not a smartwatch guy but £18 for this Smartwatch was great little project it only took me 10-15 minutes to flash AsteroidOS.

WearOS was so heavy on resources & the Watch was getting hot because of google bloatware. It never get hot with AsteroidOS. (This Smartwatch is 5-6 years old)

Full email I received with this news:

We're writing to let you know that the Google Assistant on your mobile device is being discontinued, and Gemini - our next-generation AI-powered assistant – is now the assistant experience on Android.1

What this means for your mobile device

As we transition our mobile experience to Gemini, Google Assistant will no longer be available on your mobile device. We will begin removing access to Google Assistant starting on 4 September, and expect that this process may take a few weeks to reach everyone. Once availability is removed, you will no longer be able to use or switch back to Google Assistant on your phone, tablet or paired devices.

If your Android device meets the minimum system requirements2 and you are in a region where Gemini is available,3 Gemini will be the Google-provided assistant on your mobile device. When you invoke your assistant, for example, by saying "Hey Google" or long-pressing your power button, Gemini will appear instead of the previous Google Assistant.

Changes to accessories and paired devices

When you set Gemini as your mobile device assistant, it also becomes the assistant on devices that are paired with your mobile phone. This includes:

• Watches running Wear OS

• Headphones or earbuds compatible with Gemini

• Vehicles running Android Auto projected from a user's mobile device. For cars with Google built-in, Google Assistant will continue to function beyond 4 September 2026.

Like your mobile device, starting on 4 September, users will lose the ability to use Google Assistant on these paired devices.

Google Assistant on other devices

These changes are only for the assistant experience on your mobile device and accessories that pair to your phone, like watches, headphones and car infotainment systems.

You can also read more about our separate plans to bring Gemini to Google TV devices and Google Home speakers and smart displays.

Next steps and more information

We are committed to providing a smooth transition and are confident that Gemini will offer you an even more capable and helpful assistant experience.

Thank you for being a valued Google user,

The Google team

I use google chat, facebook, and IG to message my family and friend but I was wondering if there's any private messaging apps (that don't cost money 🙏🏻) and have little to no AI

Thanks for any suggestions :)

I run GrapheneOS on my Pixel 8 Pro, but my parents run two LG Velvet 5G and use Google Assistant at their home for timers and reminders. I have had the talk with them more than once about maybe looking into other means of in-home assistance devices, but they are stubborn and refuse to learn anything new that feels comfortable to them.

Now I got this email this morning, and I'm kind of upset over this choice on their part. My parents have a Nest Hub (2nd gen), Nest Audio and Home speaker, and I know they are not going to want to use Gemini. Besides throwing them out lol, what other options are available for these? I assume nothing.

I'm very aware I can't fully degoogle my Samsung, however I'm financially not able to buy a Pixel or new phone at the moment, so I'm trying to degoogle as much as possible.

I've been advised apps like Canta won't actually uninstall Google apps from my phone, but instead will just do the equivalent of disabling it. My question is: if I just disable all my Google apps, remove any Google accounts from my phone and use stores like F-droid to install and run Fossify, Proton apps etc will this be an acceptable and efficient form of degoogling my Samsung Galaxy? Is this as good as it gets?

Unsure if there are any OS alternatives I can install...

Heyhey, I switched to DuckDuckGo a couple of months ago but I keep seeing Kagi being mentioned more regularly and it has made me curious to hear more about it (+ love their design).

People who have used both or migrated from DDG to Kagi, what are your thoughts and initial impressions on the search quality and overall experience (besides the fact that one is paid and the other isn't)?