Develop Bugs

Best root apps

Ive not delved into rooting since my old phone on kitkat so am a bit out of touch on what the best apps are, planning to finally root DP4 next week.
I have titanium backup pro, flashfire, adaway lined up ready.
Is greenify still worth using as I have the paid version of that on my account.
Anything else for general system improvements etc?

Oblox said:
Ive not delved into rooting since my old phone on kitkat so am a bit out of touch on what the best apps are, planning to finally root DP4 next week.
I have titanium backup pro, flashfire, adaway lined up ready.
Is greenify still worth using as I have the paid version of that on my account.
Anything else for general system improvements etc?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
depending on your likes and needs i'd add a decent filemanager with root capabilities. ForceDoze may be to your liking aswell http://forum.xda-developers.com/android/apps-games/app-forcedoze-force-doze-mode-screen-t3377694

Broken303 said:
depending on your likes and needs i'd add a decent filemanager with root capabilities. ForceDoze may be to your liking aswell http://forum.xda-developers.com/android/apps-games/app-forcedoze-force-doze-mode-screen-t3377694
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have solid explorer for that which is very nice.
Force doze looks ok, but is that a no to greenify?

Oblox said:
Have solid explorer for that which is very nice.
Force doze looks ok, but is that a no to greenify?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i agree on solid explorer. i can't say much on the topic of greenify since i never used it. for my case i have found ForceDoze to be sufficient and most of all efficient and easy to set up.

I like greenify still. I also recommend cf.lumen for night time browsing on your phone.

I have to say flashify, ES file explorer, and nandroid manager are a few.

Thanks for all the sueggestions, running Adaway, Titanium, Greenify (aggresive doze disabled), Force Doze (really nice app!) Solid Explorer and Flashfire and all running really well.
Amazing how good things are for rooting now!
Just a question if anyone can answer as i'm a little unsure. Systemless root, is it standard now via cf-auto-root etc? just curious as I wasn't sure if i could try android pay when my bank finally supports it. Ive done the systemless adaway flash

Root or not to root?

What are your top reasons for rooting?

Number one for me is Magisk Modules, namely Injected YouTube Background Playback. Then Adaway, Titanium Backup, and Substratum (although you can still theme without root).

Same here...magisk, titanium backup and afwall+
Sent from my OnePlus5T using XDA Labs

Titanium, Adaway, Greenify, Root browser

First of all Magisk: Stock System with all preferences of root,
Titanium Backup, Firewall, Tasker & AutoTools, AdAway, Greenify, Oxygen Updater, SD Maid, Cerberuss, Terminal Emulator, File Explorer, Better Battery Stats

It should be illegal not to root this phone.

Magisk, Root browser, Adaway, Titanium Backup, AFWall+ and Lucky Patcher are my reasons to root. Oh and iYTBP black themed youtube. I dont like non root version of that.

Same question LOL just got the device today, coming from Op2.
I think I can live without root for now.

Well, my top reason for rooting has always been, because I can.
But after that, all the above reasons same for me. I just like the customization and modding that comes with rooting. You can make a great phone even greater and completely in your vision and interface. I like trying different ROMs and kernels. Also, I need the kernel kcal functionality to adjust my screen colors as I'm very picky about it.
It's not about owning and using a device for me. It's one of my few hobbies as well. :good:

I've been spoiled by Viper4Android and what it can do to make my music sound so much better, so I can't live without that.
Titanium Backup, Magisk Modules and some advanced automations through Tasker are nice to haves, because I can do it. They aren't too essential, in my opinion, and rooting for me is making it mine. I would probably jailbreak my iPhone if I owned one as well.

Thanks for all your replies!

rysx said:
I've been spoiled by Viper4Android and what it can do to make my music sound so much better, so I can't live without that.
Titanium Backup, Magisk Modules and some advanced automations through Tasker are nice to haves, because I can do it. They aren't too essential, in my opinion, and rooting for me is making it mine. I would probably jailbreak my iPhone if I owned one as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm curious about why so many people use Viper4android. Does it make all your music sound that much better, or do u need HiFi audio files? I'm not really an audiophile, so I've never bothered with it, but maybe I'll give it a try.

Honestly?
Literally just Substratum.
Sent from my ONEPLUS A5010 using Tapatalk

Airwolf79 said:
I'm curious about why so many people use Viper4android. Does it make all your music sound that much better, or do u need HiFi audio files? I'm not really an audiophile, so I've never bothered with it, but maybe I'll give it a try.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't really need HiFi FLACs, but most of my library is a mix of Spotify downloads (in extreme quality) and 320k MP3s. Set up right (in my case, using the DDC profile of earpods, of all things, and maxing out Spectrum Extension) it can bring a notable improvement. But it takes time to find the perfect settings for your music styles and preference. I can't say for others, but the difference is there for me.

Airwolf79 said:
Number one for me is Magisk Modules, namely Injected YouTube Background Playback. Then Adaway, Titanium Backup, and Substratum (although you can still theme without root).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What is difference between rooted and unrooted version for injected youtube
Sent from my ONEPLUS A5010 using Tapatalk

MsuatafaKhatab said:
What is difference between rooted and unrooted version for injected youtube
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Never tried the unrooted version.

Airwolf79 said:
Never tried the unrooted version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think the difference on unrooted version you must install micro apk
Sent from my ONEPLUS A5010 using Tapatalk

Does anyone have an issue connecting to a hotel wifi on a rooted phone where it opens a new web page where you need to enter your room number and surname to sign into the wifi?
I used to face this issue on rooted nexus 6p

rrohanjs said:
Does anyone have an issue connecting to a hotel wifi on a rooted phone where it opens a new web page where you need to enter your room number and surname to sign into the wifi?
I used to face this issue on rooted nexus 6p
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That issue has nothing to do with rooting...
Enviado desde mi ONEPLUS A5010 mediante Tapatalk

Tasker, Titanium Backup, Greenify, AdAway, Substratum, Root Explorer. Currently not using Xposed but I do use it on some ROMs.
Tasker:
1) Double tap home screen to lock screen. Status bar is too far away to reach one handed.
2) Disable Heads-up when screen is on and enable it when screen is off. This is to trigger Ambient Display notifications while screen is off but leaving Heads-up turned off when screen is on as I find it too intrusive. I prefer the good old notification ticker on some custom ROMs
Titanium Backup: Backup and restore apps and settings easily on a new ROM. I.e. Good Vibrations for seamless transition between ROMs without having to reset the vibration settings every time.
Greenify: Root mode works so much better. More functions are unlocked with Xposed, but battery life is so good on the OP5T that I really have had no reason to do so.
AdAway: Remove Ads
Substratum: For a black theme to take advantage of the Amoled display and save battery.
Root Explorer: My favourite file explorer so far!

Is rooting Worth it?

Hello everyone,
So is rooting Worth it or should i wait for a while?

Not nearly as important today as years ago when OEM firmware was buggy, laggy and without many features. Nowadays, most of the features we used to root our roms for are built in to stock roms and with as much ram as we have in phones, lagginess no longer seems to be much of an issue.

I was going to wait to root, but getting ads on my phone was a deal breaker. I need a good root-level ad-blocker.

Berner said:
I was going to wait to root, but getting ads on my phone was a deal breaker. I need a good root-level ad-blocker.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't get ads if you opt out of them during setup.

dns.adguard.com
put this as dns in wireless setting.

Currently I have two reasons to flash
To access auxiliary cameras in gcam we need root
And also to use substratum themes we need root.
But since there is no straight way of rooting as in no official twrp support for now ..I will do it later . I can probably do without the above two things

Berner said:
I was going to wait to root, but getting ads on my phone was a deal breaker. I need a good root-level ad-blocker.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
adgaurd is doing good for me so far

Here I briefly provided the device with root, this to restore my apps via swift backup. Then flashed full OTA and back on original boot.img.
I have had root for a while but have not used it a lot, if you want to remove system / apps or something it will not work, thank you Google for this. As long as it is not possible to mount, root is useless for me.

Really it depends on what you want to do /achieve.
Sent from my OnePlus7TPro using XDA Labs

Personally I don't feel it's worth it, given the potential of creating other problems, having to fix boot loops, and generally falling into a rabbit hole vortex which has nothing to do with the everyday life in front of me ?

In short, yes, mainly because you can get back some of the Google apps. The OnePlus phone dialer app is terrible. If you're rude, you can get the Google one. Also you have easier access to Google feed

Lossyx said:
Really it depends on what you want to do /achieve.
Sent from my OnePlus7TPro using XDA Labs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is absolutely true, but virtually most of the things one can gain nowadays are rather minimal gains. Nowadays, with phones having 6,8 and even 12 GBs of ram and better optimized stock roms, they generally run smoother than third party roms. Ten years ago, that wasn't the case. Stock roms didn't have many of the features I wanted and the only way to get them was in adding them to third party roms, like AOSP. Now, many of those features are already baked into Android and overall development is down.
---------- Post added at 04:05 AM ---------- Previous post was at 04:01 AM ----------
Cowbell_Guy said:
In short, yes, mainly because you can get back some of the Google apps. The OnePlus phone dialer app is terrible. If you're rude, you can get the Google one. Also you have easier access to Google feed
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't have to be rooted to get Google feed. Many launchers have it, such as pixel launcher, nova, cpl, lawnchair and others. Also the google phone dialer can be added via apk. No root needed.

jim262 said:
That is absolutely true, but virtually most of the things one can gain nowadays are rather minimal gains. Nowadays, with phones having 6,8 and even 12 GBs of ram and better optimized stock roms, they generally run smoother than third party roms. Ten years ago, that wasn't the case. Stock roms didn't have many of the features I wanted and the only way to get them was in adding them to third party roms, like AOSP. Now, many of those features are already baked into Android and overall development is down.
---------- Post added at 04:05 AM ---------- Previous post was at 04:01 AM ----------
Don't have to be rooted to get Google feed. Many launchers have it, such as pixel launcher, nova, cpl, lawnchair and others. Also the google phone dialer can be added via apk. No root needed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with everything you said. But it's mostly not about making tweaks to get better performance nowadays.
For me, the biggest reason I root is because of Viper4android.
Sent from my OnePlus7TPro using XDA Labs

Upside:
As of now:
Adblocking, Freezing apps, accessing system files, proper backups and restore, easier/more Tasker capabilities, proper substratum, "better" YouTube vanced, working gcam aux, custom kernels and kernel tweaks such as minimum brightness, oh, and did I say adblocking?
In the future:
Twrp, custom ROMs, probably a fix/mod for the goddamn ****ty default camera, you name it...
Downside:
Some reading about how to root
Actually rooting (unlocking bootloader needing a data wipe)
Remembering not to reboot before applying root again after ota system updates (and having to download full size every time)
Some extra settings/work needed to hide root from bank apps
Worth the extra hassle? absolutely freaking yea.
My device, my control?

Eddiemc said:
Upside:
As of now:
Adblocking, Freezing apps, accessing system files, proper backups and restore, easier/more Tasker capabilities, proper substratum, "better" YouTube vanced, working gcam aux, custom kernels and kernel tweaks such as minimum brightness, oh, and did I say adblocking?
In the future:
Twrp, custom ROMs, probably a fix/mod for the goddamn ****ty default camera, you name it...
Downside:
Some reading about how to root
Actually rooting (unlocking bootloader needing a data wipe)
Remembering not to reboot before applying root again after ota system updates (and having to download full size every time)
Some extra settings/work needed to hide root from bank apps
Worth the extra hassle? absolutely freaking yea.
My device, my control
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Everything you say is true, but you can achieve virtually all those things without root nowadays. Most major OEMs offer proper backup and restore software, no need for substratum as themeing (dark mode) is already built in to 10, all apps can be disabled with adb commands and many stock OS's also offer a ability to disable and uninstall many of them. Ad blocking can also be done to varying degrees with out root and most ROMs today are actually smoother and faster because of better optimization nowadays and lots more RAM and storage. These things were extremely important in the day when most phones operated with 2 GB ram and 16 GB storage, but things are way different now, so it is not as critical anymore.

jim262 said:
Everything you say is true, but you can achieve virtually all those things without root nowadays. Most major OEMs offer proper backup and restore software, no need for substratum as themeing (dark mode) is already built in to 10, all apps can be disabled with adb commands and many stock OS's also offer a ability to disable and uninstall many of them. Ad blocking can also be done to varying degrees with out root and most ROMs today are actually smoother and faster because of better optimization nowadays and lots more RAM and storage. These things were extremely important in the day when most phones operated with 2 GB ram and 16 GB storage, but things are way different now, so it is not as critical anymore.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The question is "is rootiong worth it" not "should you do it" or "what was it like in the past." Please try to stay on topic.
"Most major OEMs offer proper backup and restore software." Not all do and most of the apps are abysmally lacking in features.
"no need for substratum as themeing (dark mode) is already built in to 10." Yeah not even close buddy.
"all apps can be disabled with adb commands and many stock OS's also offer a ability to disable and uninstall many of them." Having to connect my phone to a computer with adb installed and learn complicated commands or downloading an app and clicking uninstall/disable...
"Ad blocking can also be done to varying degrees with out root" You get much better adblocking with root and much more controll over your hosts file among other features.
Discussing is root worth it here on XDA is really ironic and shows what this site has become.

^^ How do I back up application ________'s data? I don't update apps daily/weekly, usually quarterly or less. Will take a backup (titaniumbackup) first before doing updating so I can revert back if there issues.
Google backup still is not 100% reliable. How else can the above be done on an unrooted device?

Kirahvi said:
The question is "is rootiong worth it" not "should you do it" or "what was it like in the past." Please try to stay on topic.
"Most major OEMs offer proper backup and restore software." Not all do and most of the apps are abysmally lacking in features.
"no need for substratum as themeing (dark mode) is already built in to 10." Yeah not even close buddy.
"all apps can be disabled with adb commands and many stock OS's also offer a ability to disable and uninstall many of them." Having to connect my phone to a computer with adb installed and learn complicated commands or downloading an app and clicking uninstall/disable...
"Ad blocking can also be done to varying degrees with out root" You get much better adblocking with root and much more controll over your hosts file among other features.
Discussing is root worth it here on XDA is really ironic and shows what this site has become.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"all apps can be disabled with adb commands and many stock OS's also offer a ability to disable and uninstall many of them." Having to connect my phone to a computer with adb installed and learn complicated commands or downloading an app and clicking uninstall/disable... Is that any harder than having to root your phone by connecting your phone to a computer also and use adb commands? As far as themeing goes, I can fully theme my phone on my Vivo Nex, Google Pixel, Samsung S10 and Note10, OnePlus, Xiaomi, Redmi and Huawei phones. Not sure which phones your using, you can theme all these phones. Dark mode can easily be enabled in Android 10 and OnePlus has offered a system wide Dark Mode UI for years and with Google now embracing it, virtually all Google apps can turn dark as well. Gmail, Play Store, You Tube, Photos, etc ... all dark.

jim262 said:
"all apps can be disabled with adb commands and many stock OS's also offer a ability to disable and uninstall many of them." Having to connect my phone to a computer with adb installed and learn complicated commands or downloading an app and clicking uninstall/disable... Is that any harder than having to root your phone by connecting your phone to a computer also and use adb commands? As far as themeing goes, I can fully theme my phone on my Vivo Nex, Google Pixel, Samsung S10 and Note10, OnePlus, Xiaomi, Redmi and Huawei phones. Not sure which phones your using, you can theme all these phones. Dark mode can easily be enabled in Android 10 and OnePlus has offered a system wide Dark Mode UI for years and with Google now embracing it, virtually all Google apps can turn dark as well. Gmail, Play Store, You Tube, Photos, etc ... all dark.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The dark theme you are talking about man doesnt compare to what swift installer or substratum can achieve at the moment. There is a reason why we are still using these apps even when windows 10 has a dark mode. You might be comfortable with it but some of us are not. I like my phone fully black with a proper adblock , viper4arise to make my earphones sound even better, now i have instagram mod called instaperfs can download pics from the gram. The amount of stuff i can achieve with root a lot. So yeah rooting is still way worth it. Banking apps just need to be hidden in magisk and you are good to go

Adaway is a long time fav

For the Millions of Pixel 4a's sold , not much going on here.

I would have expected more activity here......

seems like people are happy with their devices out of the box... so there isn't much need for mods, custom ROMs and stuff like this?!

I think the modding scene died as stock Android progressively chipped away at the best major features of custom ROMs. Better privacy controls, power savings, night & dark modes, quick tiles. Those were pretty much the biggest selling points for me. The only other custom ROM features people liked were PIE controls and and silly animations.
And with the Pixel you'd lose so many of the Pixel extras if you flash a custom ROM. (recognizing music, probably live transcribe, the nifty Live Wallpapers, etc.
I've been occasionaly racking my brain to figure out if there are any value-added features left to pursue. Say, for LineageOS- they could replace all of the stock audio files with some high quality and very unique sounds, get some interesting wallpapers (a fresh coat of paint.), improve the stock launcher, bundle F-Droid, and offer Google Cloud Messaging and location svcs alternatives. They did/are add(ing) an online backup solution called SeedVault.
It's a difficult thing to think of any original ideas. I also have this per-app fuzzy location idea I submitted to Google issue tracker (which iPhone also came up with recently. I think they call it Approximate Location.)
It used to be more exciting to be a flashaholic but every time I look at the custom ROMs these days they don't "do anything" for me. More minuses than pluses.

jawz101 said:
And with the Pixel you'd lose so many of the Pixel extras if you flash a custom ROM. (recognizing music, probably live transcribe, the nifty Live Wallpapers, etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have all these working on derpfest but I generally agree with your point. Im mostly modded for some personal QoL changes that might not be worth having SafetyNet broken, im weighing it atm

I rooted for about 2 weeks until a security update happened. It's such a pain to update without TWRP, I went back to stock. Only thing I miss with root is backing up data with Swift BU. There are a few other things that are nice with root, but not necessary (mainly custom accent colors, and fonts). I know I'd love to be back on Derpfest, but until a stable TWRP is available, sticking with stock.

Just got mine. Love it. Going to enjoy the stock pixel before playing around with root and roms.

Bought the Pixel 4a precisely to avoid all this root and modding stress. And I was not disappointed, everything runs perfectly.

My last 2 phones ran stock with root. This phone is no exception. I'd be on a custom ROM if the stock wasn't AOSP (eg. Samsung, MIUI, etc). Magisk fixes up any annoyances.

tcat007 said:
I rooted for about 2 weeks until a security update happened. It's such a pain to update without TWRP, I went back to stock. Only thing I miss with root is backing up data with Swift BU. There are a few other things that are nice with root, but not necessary (mainly custom accent colors, and fonts). I know I'd love to be back on Derpfest, but until a stable TWRP is available, sticking with stock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
I just bought a Pixel 4a, downgraded it to A10 and install Magisk and TWRP.
It seems to be running fine so far (1 week).
But I am concerned with your comment above about a security update breaking your root.
Is this right?
If so, then is there a way to stop auto-security updates?

JohnC said:
Hi,
I just bought a Pixel 4a, downgraded it to A10 and install Magisk and TWRP.
It seems to be running fine so far (1 week).
But I am concerned with your comment above about a security update breaking your root.
Is this right?
If so, then is there a way to stop auto-security updates?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes it is recommended to turn off auto updates. Go to developers settings > turn off automatic system updates

Royalfox said:
Yes it is recommended to turn off auto updates. Go to developers settings > turn off automatic system updates
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will do. Thank you.

a1291762 said:
Magisk fixes up any annoyances.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What Magisk modules would you recommend?
I am coming from a Samsung S4 and I liked that the built-in Samsung apps each had a different material color header (Phone - green, Email - blue, SMS - Yellow), but the phone app and message app are just mainly all-white screen apps. But this gripe is theme related.
What other non-theme issues have you used magisk to fix?

I would still root for privacy and security reasons, but I can see why the regular schmegular joe wouldnt need to care. Pixel4a is a great phone stock or modded.

JohnC said:
I am coming from a Samsung S4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you and I have different ideas about what needs to be fixed. Adding busybox, updated tz files, removing system from apps so they can be suspended in the background. That's the kind of stuff I have.

a1291762 said:
I think you and I have different ideas about what needs to be fixed. Adding busybox, updated tz files, removing system from apps so they can be suspended in the background. That's the kind of stuff I have.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I meant like what modules/apps do you find indispensable?
I am using XprivacyLUA, +AFwall Titanium Backup, Autostarts and Gravitybox to keep privacy up and to keep running apps to a minimum.
I'm pretty happy that I was able to find a phone that I could install the apps needed to get the control over it as I wanted.

a1291762 said:
removing system from apps so they can be suspended in the background.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know how to freeze apps using TB, which totally disables them. But it sounds like you are just removing their background running permission, but still let them run when you want.
How do you do that?

JohnC said:
I know how to freeze apps using TB, which totally disables them. But it sounds like you are just removing their background running permission, but still let them run when you want.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Android has the ability to block any app from running in the background. It's a battery saving feature. But you can't do it to system apps. The primary system app I've seen abusing this inability to block it is Google maps. It works just fine as a user-installed app. Magisk debloat apps (I used terminal debloater) remove system apps (without actually having to modify /system) allowing you to install them as user apps.

Another easy way is to grab the system app apk from /system/app or priv-app and copy it somewhere, delete original folder, reinstall the apk, this time it will be a user app with the original your phone used rather than an online dl
JohnC said:
I know how to freeze apps using TB, which totally disables them. But it sounds like you are just removing their background running permission, but still let them run when you want.
How do you do that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

jawz101 said:
I think the modding scene died as stock Android progressively chipped away at the best major features of custom ROMs. Better privacy controls, power savings, night & dark modes, quick tiles. Those were pretty much the biggest selling points for me. The only other custom ROM features people liked were PIE controls and and silly animations.
And with the Pixel you'd lose so many of the Pixel extras if you flash a custom ROM. (recognizing music, probably live transcribe, the nifty Live Wallpapers, etc.
I've been occasionaly racking my brain to figure out if there are any value-added features left to pursue. Say, for LineageOS- they could replace all of the stock audio files with some high quality and very unique sounds, get some interesting wallpapers (a fresh coat of paint.), improve the stock launcher, bundle F-Droid, and offer Google Cloud Messaging and location svcs alternatives. They did/are add(ing) an online backup solution called SeedVault.
It's a difficult thing to think of any original ideas. I also have this per-app fuzzy location idea I submitted to Google issue tracker (which iPhone also came up with recently. I think they call it Approximate Location.)
It used to be more exciting to be a flashaholic but every time I look at the custom ROMs these days they don't "do anything" for me. More minuses than pluses.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great post,cause i was thinking the same

I just picked up Pixel 4a this month and I am really wondering if I wanna be rooting or not. I previously have always rooted my devices (had Essential Phone as my last one). Root gets me AdAway (adblock), Swift Theme Installer and YouTube Vanced working but thats all really. Trying to weigh up if its really worth it with the Pixel 4a... original plan was to run it stock with root but now not so sure.

What are the first five apps you install on LOS?

What are your first 5 apps you on LineageOS to get started on a brand new phone? I got slightly inspired by this thread:
What are the first five apps you install on Windows?
What are the first five apps you install on LOS?
Just for starters I have added some of mine but if an app is missing here that you always use, just drop a line here - I will add it (please see below).
Edit: Thanks @ethical_haquer and @MJPollard ! I think it might be best that I also start a list of mentioned apps, linked...
Edit#2: To clarify some things
1. Yes, I really mean first 5 after a fresh install - imagine you just finished flashing and you have to leave now. You have no time for downloading the many-gigabyte-maps of Europe, North America and Asia, just the most important first 5 to get you started.
2. No stuff that is google playstore only - imagine you have a new good 32 character password like Z5fcTcSp(5<q0RiZAv",-9~?j/X9C9LZ since yday and haven't memorized it yet.
3. If you want to have something added, see points 1 and 2 again and then drop not just the name but ideally also a link (I know some apps but surely not all of them).
AccA - Advanced Charging Controller App
https://f-droid.org/packages/mattecarra.accapp/
Aurora Store
https://f-droid.org/packages/com.aurora.store/
Bromite
https://github.com/bromite/bromite
Droid-ify
https://f-droid.org/packages/com.looker.droidify/
F-Droid
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F-Droid
Firefox
https://f-droid.org/packages/org.mozilla.fennec_fdroid/
Magisk
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magisk_(software)
MiXplorer
https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/...released-fully-featured-file-manager.1523691/
Neo Backup
https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/...pps-and-data-backup-tool-for-android.4167179/
NetGuard
https://github.com/M66B/NetGuard
Organic Maps
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organic_Maps
ProtonVPN
https://f-droid.org/en/packages/ch.protonvpn.android/
Retro Text Editor
https://no-go.github.io/TextThing/
SAI - Split APKs Installer
https://github.com/Aefyr/SAI
Shelter
https://f-droid.org/en/packages/net.typeblog.shelter/
SimpleX
https://f-droid.org/en/packages/chat.simplex.app/
Swift Backup
https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/...backup-apps-sms-call-logs-on-android.4394439/
Termux
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Termux

SigmundDroid said:
What are your first 5 apps you on LineageOS to get started on a brand new phone? I got slightly inspired by this thread:
What are the first five apps you install on Windows?
What are the first five apps you install on LOS?
Just for starters I have added some of mine but if an app is missing here that you always use, just drop a line here - I will add it.
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I just learned about MIXplorer! I'll have to try it out, looks cool. Trying to think if there's something else I install...

Swift Backup (in addition to Magisk), so that I can re-install all my apps from the cloud.

SigmundDroid said:
What are your first 5 apps you on LineageOS to get started on a brand new phone? I got slightly inspired by this thread:
What are the first five apps you install on Windows?
What are the first five apps you install on LOS?
Just for starters I have added some of mine but if an app is missing here that you always use, just drop a line here - I will add it.
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Click to collapse
...and Termux! I can't believe I forgot, I always install it to use root and delete things (like system apps) using a terminal - I would definitely add it. I also use Organic Maps (personally I think it is the best open-source alternative to Google Maps) but I am not sure how popular it is. It's nice that everything on your list is open-source.

ethical_haquer said:
just learned about MIXplorer
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I was and still am shocked! I can only advise to get it, it's really THE swiss knife on phones! Perhaps not overly fancy but it does get the job done! What job? Any!
MJPollard said:
Swift Backup
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Yes, LOS own backup is just laughable, so my search ended up with Neo Backup. Had mixed results with restoring my data (but took this opportunity to start fresh, apps worked ok). Did you compare some backups or how did you end up with Swift? I can't recall seeing it before...
ethical_haquer said:
Termux
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Yes! A classic but never made it to my top 5, still a shame that dev options come no longer with a terminal (couldn't find in LOS19).

SigmundDroid said:
still a shame that dev options come no longer with a terminal (couldn't find in LOS19).
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I know! Like, what?

SigmundDroid said:
Yes, LOS own backup is just laughable, so my search ended up with Neo Backup. Had mixed results with restoring my data (but took this opportunity to start fresh, apps worked ok). Did you compare some backups or how did you end up with Swift? I can't recall seeing it before...
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Various threads talking about the deficiencies of former stalwart Titanium Backup (an app that's becoming more and more useless as it has failed to keep up with advances in Android such as split APKs) had people recommending Swift Backup highly, so I tried it, liked it, kept it, and paid for it (as I always do with apps I find useful). I've never used Neo Backup, but I might download it and give it a spin.

I probably install Magisk, Droid-ify, AccA, Battery Guru, and Device Info HW as the first five.
Then randomly K-9, Aurora store, app manager, telegram, orbot, DNS66, VLC, Material Files, MicroG...

Fostel said:
Droid-ify, AccA
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Added.

Any specific reason you talk about Lineage OS?
I don't use custom ROMs. But here are my 1st five:
01. Netguard
02. Nova Launcher
03. SAI
04. Shelter
05. File Manager+
Next 5:
06. SSH Server
07. Shortcut Maker
08. Search Widget
09. Notification Shortcuts
10. AppLock

TheMystic said:
Any specific reason you talk about Lineage OS
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Well, LOS is the thread's home, isn't it?
Valid point, though - the thing is that LOS comes pretty bare bone and it is always a bit of a hassle to get started. Hence I also don't want listing apps that are only on Google PlayStore because they force you into an account.
I will add those "free" ones, of course. (just gimme a sec)

Here are some of my must-haves I didn't already see mentioned:
NewPipe
Retro Text Editor
Fennec (F-Droid)
Antennapod

Haiaaa! So many replies today
I hope I found your right ones (as for links)...

durbanentertainment said:
some of my must-haves
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Was about to add it but NewPipe and AntennaPod are of the first 5 things you install on a fresh system? (say yes and I add them)

TheMystic said:
Any specific reason you talk about Lineage OS?
I don't use custom ROMs. But here are my 1st five:
01. Netguard
02. Nova Launcher
03. SAI
04. Shelter
05. File Manager+
Next 5:
06. SSH Server
07. Shortcut Maker
08. Search Widget
09. Notification Shortcuts
10. AppLock
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Click to collapse
How do you like Shelter? I needed an open-source app that could isolate apps and tried installing Shelter but couldn't get it to work because of Knox.

TheMystic said:
Any specific reason you talk about Lineage OS?
I don't use custom ROMs. But here are my 1st five:
01. Netguard
02. Nova Launcher
03. SAI
04. Shelter
05. File Manager+
Next 5:
06. SSH Server
07. Shortcut Maker
08. Search Widget
09. Notification Shortcuts
10. AppLock
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Click to collapse
Also, how does NetGuard compare to AdAway?

ethical_haquer said:
how does NetGuard compare to AdAway
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NetGuard watches and blocks traffic by your choice (per app, port or address), AdAway relies on precompiled lists of ad-servers and trackers and other scum.

ethical_haquer said:
How do like Shelter? I needed an open-source app that could isolate apps and tried installing Shelter but couldn't get it to work because of Knox.
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Shelter enabled the Work Profile just fine on my S22U. No problems with Knox. My device is fully stock. Everything runs fine on the Work Profile.
ethical_haquer said:
Also, how does NetGuard compare to AdAway?
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Click to collapse
Netguard doesn't require root. But when you use a real VPN, you'll have to disable Netguard. This isn't required with Adaway AfWall+.
Adaway AfWall+ is definitely better if device is rooted. I particularly like the Multiple Profiles feature which Netguard lacks.
EDIT: I confused Adaway with AFWall+. Sorry.
Netguard blocks apps from connecting to the internet, which is much better than Adaway which only blocks the ad servers. Adaway is not great from privacy perspective, relatively speaking.

TheMystic said:
Shelter enabled the Work Profile just fine on my S22U. No problems with Knox. My device is fully stock. Everything runs fine on the Work Profile.
Netguard doesn't require root. But when you use a real VPN, you'll have to disable Netguard. This isn't required with Adaway AfWall+.
Adaway AfWall+ is definitely better if device is rooted. I particularly like the Multiple Profiles feature which Netguard lacks.
EDIT: I confused Adaway with AFWall+. Sorry.
Netguard blocks apps from connecting to the internet, which is much better than Adaway which only blocks the ad servers. Adaway is not great from privacy perspective, relatively speaking.
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Thanks! I beleive the reason Shelter wouldn't work on my phone was because I had previously installed and rooted a custom ROM, and then went back to stock un-rooted. Once I realized it wouldn't work (even the workarounds didn't) I decided to root it anyways.

I was moving/copying to another phone and oh!, it seems I have to actually add another app: Neo Backup.
It's not only on fdroid alright but there is always also an installer in the backup itself, very smart move for lazy people like me and thus it gets moved up in my list very quickly