So I am wondering how many of our members use their Brax3 phones with apps that are only open source from F-Droid or other open source repositories? Not using Micro-G. Not using Aurora Store. Anyone?
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I believe MicroG is pre installed.
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@404usernotfound
Thanks for the reply. Yes, they are pre-installed.
Let me clarify my first post.
I just wanted to know who is using their Brax3 as their everday phone without using those two pieces of software.
I don’t use either one.
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I made an effort to transfer as many app from my Samsung as possible, using the APK extractor app that’s on f-droid. Most didn’t install. Here are the ones I was successful with, along with APKs that I found from official sources.
Gmail2.apk
Maps.apk
Messages.apk
Signal-Android-website-prod-universal-release-7.50.1.apk
Telegram.apk
com.termux_1022.apk
ch.protonmail.android_v11750.apk
com.audible.application_v2090252813.apk
com.costco.app.android_v37440.apk
com.monotype.android.font.foundation_v330000000.apk
com.sec.android.app.sbrowser_v1280059502.apk
com.ups.mobile.android_v512.apk
libby-8.4.1.apk
org.videolan.vlc_13060506.apk
org.zwanoo.android.speedtest_v234266.apk
I also tried running Geekbench for aarch64 Linux inside of Termux but that had missing dependencies.
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I’ve been close, but unfortunately Proton does not have all of their apps on F-Droid (which is one of their most popular feature requests). I trust Aurora more than APK Pure or APK mirror, so I use it to get my Proton apps.
Otherwise, I only have one other non F-Droid app, which is for communication with my kid’s school. I don’t use MicroG for push message services because I do not need them. Signal works in the background, standard SMS is fine, and I prefer to “pull” rather than have my email’s pushed to me by Proton mail.
The “pull” life is a good life…less distractions in my humble opinion.
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@blaster
I totally agree. The"pull life" is the good life.
I run SimpleX and Briar for messaging.
(I don’t use the built in sms messaging apps at all.)
If somebody doesn’t want to message me through SimpleX or Briar, I guess they really don’t want to chat with me. 
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Yeah, I’ve talked about the dangers and insecurities regarding SMS with many people, but some are unwilling to move off it. I’m probably up to 60% of my contacts being on Signal now, so I’m getting there. I only use SMS when the option to ignore that person/organization is too detrimental.
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Good discussion. To add one point, if you want to ensure there are no microG services (open re-implementation of Google services) running, you can fully uninstall microG using “System Settings > Apps > Preinstalled Apps” and delete it, then reboot. But you would not be able to use Aurora store then, also location services will not be as good (beyond true GPS which will suck more battery but is possible).
@blaster regarding Signal notifications, are you using another push service like ntfy.sh or how is Signal sending notifications? My understanding (maybe incorrect) is that it is using (Google) firebase services by default (communicated to via microG “cloud messaging” section), but it is possible to do it without that (but would need another background service running).
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Hi @rik. It is my understanding that Signal falls back to WebSocket for devices without Google Play Services. I used Signal on a GrapheneOS device for several years with no Google Play services installed at all without issue. I do not have the technical skills to confirm, but I believe that this is how it was working on that device.
The downside to WebSocket is that it has more of an effect on battery life, but on a de-googled device, I did not find this to be a noticeable problem. The battery life on my BraX3 has been very good thus far, so if the device is using WebSocket, I have not noticed any drainage issues.
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On a related note about MicroG should one be blocking access to things like mtalk.google.com and such in iodé app, or blocking access to wi-fi & cellular data in permissions? Especially if you aren’t worried about push notifications…
(I’m a bit like blaster and have moved more and more to pull not push - I don’t want a phone dictating my life via unnecessary notifications creating a false need to respond or be engaged with the device.)
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I agree.
Below is a post I made about notifications and privacy.
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I agree. “Pull” is much more controllable and predictable than “Push”
This is extremely valuable information ( How Notifications Enable Tracking). I plan to pass this information on to my clients. Thanks.
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@pizzalinux1
You’re welcome. Hope the info helps your clients.
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I had forgotten about that! Nice. For some reason I liked it but never bookmarked it!!
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It will, especially after I receive the two Brax3 phones I ordered last July 2025.
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