How to degoogle

Google products collect an enormous amount of data through search, app usage, Gmail, and more. How can you de-Google your life?

Why degoogle?

There are several reasons why someone might want to "degoogle" and reduce their reliance on Google products and services:Privacy concerns: Google is known for collecting and analyzing vast amounts of data from its users, which it uses for targeted advertising and other purposes. Some people may be concerned about the extent to which Google tracks and uses their personal information, and may want to reduce their reliance on Google products and services as a result.Alternative options: There are many alternative products and services that offer similar features to those provided by Google, but without tracking or selling user data. Some people may prefer to use these alternative options in order to protect their privacy online.Monopoly concerns: Google is a large and powerful company, and some people may be concerned about its dominance in certain markets, such as search, advertising, and mobile operating systems. By using alternative products and services, individuals can support competition and diversity in the tech industry.Political or philosophical reasons: Some people may simply have a philosophical objection to Google's business practices or may disagree with the company's values or policies. Reducing their reliance on Google products and services may be a way for them to express their opposition.Ultimately, the decision to "degoogle" is a personal one, and different people may have different reasons for wanting to do so.

Are Google products “free”?

While many Google products, such as Gmail, Google Search, and Google Maps, are free to use, it's important to understand that when you use these products, you are not the customer – you are the product. Google collects and analyzes vast amounts of data from its users in order to target ads and for other purposes. This data includes your search queries, location data, and other personal information.By using "free" Google products, you are essentially trading your personal data for the convenience and functionality of these products. While there is nothing inherently wrong with this trade-off, it's important to be aware of it and to consider whether the benefits of using Google products outweigh the costs in terms of your personal privacy.Furthermore, it's important to note that the term "free" is often used to describe products or services that are funded by advertising, but this does not mean that there are no costs associated with their use. In the case of Google, the cost is your personal data, which has value to the company and to advertisers.For these reasons, some people may prefer to use alternative products and services that do not track or sell their data, even if these products are not strictly "free." By doing so, they can protect their privacy and avoid being tracked and targeted by advertisers.

How to degoogle?

There are several steps you can take to "degoogle" and reduce your reliance on Google products and services:

Use a different search engine: One of the first things you can do is switch to a different search engine, such as DuckDuckGo or StartPage, which do not track your search history or personal data.
Use alternative email services: If you use Gmail as your email provider, consider switching to a different service that respects your privacy, such as Skiff Mail. These services offer encrypted email and do not track or sell your data.
Use alternative cloud storage: If you use Google Drive for cloud storage, you can switch to a different provider, such as Dropbox, OneDrive, or iCloud, which offer similar features and do not track or sell your data.
Use alternative browsers: If you use Google Chrome as your web browser, consider switching to a different browser, such as Mozilla Firefox or Microsoft Edge, which offer similar features and do not track or sell your data.
Use alternative maps: If you use Google Maps for navigation and location services, consider switching to a different service, such as Apple Maps or HERE WeGo, which offer similar features and do not track or sell your data.
Use alternative productivity tools: If you use Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides for productivity, consider switching to alternative tools, such as Microsoft Office or LibreOffice, which offer similar features and do not track or sell your data.
Use alternative mobile operating systems: If you use an Android phone, consider switching to a different mobile operating system, such as iOS or Windows Phone, which offer similar features and do not track or sell your data.
Use alternative social media: If you use Twitter, Facebook, Google+ or other big-tech-owned social media platforms, consider switching to a different service, which offer similar features and do not track or sell your data. You may want to check out PrivacyGuides for more recommendations.

By taking these steps, you can significantly reduce your reliance on Google products and services and protect your privacy online. However, it's important to note that it may not be possible to completely "degoogle" your life, as Google's products and services are so widespread and integrated into the internet. Instead, you can focus on using alternative products and services where possible and being mindful of the data you share with Google and other companies online.

Using F-Droid

F-Droid is a repository of open source Androidapps that you can use to replace proprietary software on your device. It is a community-run software project and is not affiliated with Google or the Android operating system.F-Droid is designed to be a convenient alternative to the Google Play Store, the official app store for Android devices. It allows users to browse and download a wide variety of free and open source apps, including many that are not available on Google Play.One of the main advantages of F-Droid is that it only includes apps that are open source, which means that the source code is available for anyone to review and modify. This can be particularly appealing to users who are concerned about the security and privacy of the apps they use.F-Droid is available as a free download from the F-Droid website, and it can be installed on any Android device. Once installed, you can use it to browse and install apps from the repository, as well as keep track of updates and manage your installed apps.

Private email, drive, and collaboration

We highly recommend switching to Skiff - a privacy-first, end-to-end encrypted collaboration platform with Mail, Calendar, Drive, and Pages products.Skiff Mail supports end-to-end encrypted, private email free from Google servers and tracking; it integrates natively with Skiff Calendar for private event creation and sharing.Skiff Pages and Drive are full, feature complete replacements for Google Docs and Google Drive, with real-time collaboration, public link sharing, and full business support.

Popular self-hosted software

There are many self-hosted software options available, and the most popular ones tend to vary depending on the specific needs of the user and the industry they are in. Some of the most popular self-hosted software options include:WordPress: WordPress is a popular content management system (CMS) that is often used to build websites. It is free and open-source, and it can be easily installed on a self-hosted server.Nextcloud: Nextcloud is a file sharing and collaboration platform that can be self-hosted. It allows users to store, share, and collaborate on files and documents in a secure environment.Mattermost: Mattermost is an open-source team communication platform that can be self-hosted. It offers chat, video conferencing, and file sharing capabilities.These are just a few examples of the many self-hosted software options that are available. The right software for you will depend on your specific needs and goals.

How to de-google your Android phone

There are several steps you can take to "degoogle" your phone and reduce your reliance on Google products and services:

Use a different mobile operating system: If you have an Android phone, consider switching to a different mobile operating system, such as iOS. These operating systems offer similar features and do not track or sell your data.
Use alternative, non-Google apps: Consider replacing the default Google services on your phone with alternative apps that do not track or sell your data. For example, you can use a different search engine, such as DuckDuckGo or StartPage, instead of Google Search. You can also use alternative maps, email, and cloud storage apps.
Use a different browser: If you use Google Chrome as your default browser, consider switching to a different browser, such as Mozilla Firefox or Microsoft Edge, which offer similar features and do not track or sell your data.
Use a different launcher: A launcher is the app that controls your home screen and app drawer. Consider replacing the default launcher on your phone with a different one, such as Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher, which do not track or sell your data.
Use a different phone: If you are unable to find a satisfactory alternative to your current Android phone, you may want to consider switching to a different phone altogether. Although imperfect, some individuals prefer iOS and the iPhone to Android devices. Note that Samsung-made Android devices also come with their own software pre-installed, and all Google-made phones (such as the Google Pixel) have Google software preinstalled as well.

By taking these steps, you can significantly reduce your reliance on Google products and services and protect your privacy on your phone. However, it's important to note that it may not be possible to completely "degoogle" your phone, as Google's products and services are so widespread and integrated into the Android operating system. Instead, you can focus on using alternative products and services where possible and being mindful of the data you share with Google and other companies on your phone.

Non-Google messaging services

There are several private, end-to-end encrypted messaging apps available that can help protect the privacy of your communications and do not require a Google account. Some of the best options include:Signal: This app is widely regarded as one of the most secure messaging apps available. It uses end-to-end encryption for all conversations, and it is open source, which means that its code is available for anyone to review and verify its security. It performs no data collection and does not have any trackers.Session: Session is a popular, open-source, end-to-end encrypted messaging product that works cross-platform and has an Androidapp (or APK available for all Android devices). It has millions of users and is highly regarded in the security community.Telegram: This app does not use end-to-end encryption by default, but it does for secret chats, which are conversations that are not stored in plaintext on the company's servers. It also allows you to create "Secret Chats" that are set to self-destruct after a certain amount of time, providing an additional layer of security. Telegram is not necessarily popular for all privacy-focused users, but it has a huge install base.WhatsApp: This app, which is owned by Facebook, uses end-to-end encryption for all conversations. It has a large user base and is available on a variety of platforms, including iOS, Android, and desktop.

Conclusion

Ultimately, de-Googling is tough and requires significant research and effort, particularly if you are moving from an Android phone or years of Google app usage. We recommend trying out Skiff Mail for private email, collaboration, file storage, as well as the browsers and messaging apps recommended above.Please feel free to contact us on Twitter, Discord, or at [email protected].