I’ve had a Galaxy S22+ for 2 years and still want to use it. When I look up how to maximize privacy on Android, many results say to install custom ROMs which I can’t since its a US model and the bootloader is locked. I just want to minimize tracking and sharing of personal information. I could use a firewall app like RethinkDNS to block trackers, but could I completely block tracking from Google and Samsung? Are there any lists of packages to uninstall to improve privacy? (I’ve used ADB to remove a bunch of bloatware. Ex: pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.samsung.android.arzone)
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I dont think there is a way. 90% of the tracking is performed by the OS itself. That’s why the first thing you have to do is log into a Google account so they can immediately begin tracking you, and that’s why they lock the bootloader.
Funny enough, one of the few devices that allow you to unlock the bootloader is made by Google.
Apple aside, which brand doesn’t?
Doesnt what?
Allow unlocking the bootloader.
Pretty much all of them?
I used ADB for years, but I recently started using two Android apps, Canta and Shizuku. With these two apps you can uninstall any app (even the hidden ones) directly from your phone without connecting to a computer. I can be a little tricky to set up, but it’s by far the best and clearest method for uninstalling bloat and spyware from your phone. Even better than Universal Android Debloater (which is still a great option).
Fwiw
I’m actually really glad u showed me this, MUCH more convenient than using adb!
For bloatware, this is what I use if you have access to adb https://github.com/Universal-Debloater-Alliance/universal-android-debloater-next-generation/
As for privacy, I cant think of any approach for base roms aside from piping your connection through a vpn that screens every IP or domain from that device whatever it reaches to. Unfortunately, I dont know any vpn that could do that.
Run the VPN right from the device itself, allowing for DNS blocking of whatever you want. Previously, Blokada was used, now Rethink DNS is preferred.
Or NextDNS.io
Cool
Some bloat is marked as system app and can’t be removed that way.
Not in my case anyway.
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You should use a VPN or an tracker blocker like DuckduckGo. This is the only way to slow down the information you are sending out. You might not be able to completely stop Google and Samsung from tracking you, but there’s no reason to share yourself with all other data harvesting services.
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You have to obfuscate the info that makes it through by using multiple, unlinked Google accounts that let you put separate components of your life into separate silos.
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