While Apple has recently been forced to offer alternative app stores in the EU, they've been around much longer on Android: The more open nature of Google's mobile operating system means it's easier to access apps that haven't been specifically Play Store approved, and the quality and breadth of these apps is better than you might have realized.Leading the way here is F-Droid, a repository of Android apps released as free and open source software, with an emphasis on security and privacy—both the code and the permissions of the apps are presented transparently, and there aren't the usual Google tracking and analysis extras on top.You don't get the full Play Store security protection with F-Droid, and you are relying on the F-Droid team keeping its operations safe and secure—something it has a strong record in. However, down the years this alternative app store has proved a reliable source of safe and trustworthy apps, including the recommended ones below—just be sure to stick to apps that are well-known and frequently updated.
This is a timely moment to be recommending F-Droid apps, because the database is under threat from Google's stricter policies on apps from outside the Play Store, coming into force in several months time. It's going to mean more verification and less privacy for developers, and a more convoluted process for sideloading apps (these will still be allowed, but you'll have to wait 24 hours for each install).F-Droid has put up a campaign page you can read through to understand the issues at stake, and you can sign your support to help it battle this "existential threat." In the meantime, the best way to support F-Droid and its openness is by making use of the platform, and the excellent apps below.Head to the F-Droid site to get the app store up and running, which then gives you access to the app library, including those here. Once these apps are installed, they'll appear in the Android app drawer as normal.Paperize
