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refactor: Ensure relative links are correct
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@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ description: Our advice for replacing privacy-invasive default Android features
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The **Android Open Source Project** (AOSP) is an open-source mobile operating system led by Google which powers the majority of the world's mobile devices. Most phones sold with Android are modified to include invasive integrations and apps such as Google Play Services, so you can significantly improve your privacy on your mobile device by replacing your phone's default installation with a version of Android without these invasive features.
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[General Android Overview](../os/android-overview.md)
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[General Android Overview](../../../wiki/os/android/_index.md)
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## Our Advice
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@@ -22,12 +22,12 @@ The **Android Open Source Project** (AOSP) is an open-source mobile operating sy
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There are many methods of obtaining apps on Android while avoiding Google Play. Whenever possible, try using one of these methods before getting your apps from non-private sources:
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[Obtaining Applications](obtaining-apps.md)
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[Obtaining Applications](./obtaining-apps/_index.md)
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There are also many private alternatives to the apps that come pre-installed on your phone, such as the camera app. Besides the Android apps we recommend throughout this site in general, we've created a list of system utilities specific to Android which you might find useful.
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[General App Recommendations](general-apps.md)
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[General App Recommendations](./general-apps/_index.md)
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### Install a Custom Distribution
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@@ -38,14 +38,14 @@ This problem could be solved by using an alternative Android distribution, commo
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Ideally, when choosing a custom Android distribution, you should make sure that it upholds the Android security model. At the very least, the distribution should have production builds, support for AVB, rollback protection, timely firmware and operating system updates, and SELinux in [enforcing mode](https://source.android.com/security/selinux/concepts#enforcement_levels). All of our recommended Android distributions satisfy these criteria:
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[Recommended Distributions](distributions.md)
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[Recommended Distributions](distributions/_index.md)
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{ .md-button }
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### Avoid Root
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[Rooting](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rooting_(Android)) Android phones can decrease security significantly as it weakens the complete [Android security model](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_(operating_system)#Security_and_privacy). This can decrease privacy should there be an exploit that is assisted by the decreased security. Common rooting methods involve directly tampering with the boot partition, making it impossible to perform successful Verified Boot. Apps that require root will also modify the system partition, meaning that Verified Boot would have to remain disabled. Having root exposed directly in the user interface also increases the attack surface of your device and may assist in [privilege escalation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Privilege_escalation) vulnerabilities and SELinux policy bypasses.
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Content blockers which modify the [hosts file](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hosts_(file)) (like AdAway) and firewalls which require root access persistently (like AFWall+) are dangerous and should not be used. They are also not the correct way to solve their intended purposes. For content blocking, we suggest encrypted [DNS](../dns.md) or content blocking functionality provided by a VPN instead. TrackerControl and AdAway in non-root mode will take up the VPN slot (by using a local loopback VPN), preventing you from using privacy-enhancing services such as [Orbot](../alternative-networks.md#orbot) or a [real VPN provider](../vpn.md).
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Content blockers which modify the [hosts file](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hosts_(file)) (like AdAway) and firewalls which require root access persistently (like AFWall+) are dangerous and should not be used. They are also not the correct way to solve their intended purposes. For content blocking, we suggest encrypted [DNS](../../services/dns/_index.md) or content blocking functionality provided by a VPN instead. TrackerControl and AdAway in non-root mode will take up the VPN slot (by using a local loopback VPN), preventing you from using privacy-enhancing services such as [Orbot](../../advanced/alternative-networks/_index.md#orbot) or a [real VPN provider](../../services/vpn/_index.md).
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AFWall+ works based on the [packet filtering](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firewall_(computing)#Packet_filter) approach and may be bypassable in some situations.
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@@ -3,8 +3,8 @@ title: Alternative Distributions
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description: You can replace the operating system on your Android phone with these secure and privacy-respecting alternatives.
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---
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<small>Protects against the following threat(s):</small>
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[{{< badge content="Targeted Attacks" color="red" >}}](../../../wiki/basics/common-threats/_index.md#attacks-against-specific-individuals)
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[{{< badge content="Passive Attacks" color="amber" >}}](../../../wiki/basics/common-threats/_index.md#security-and-privacy)
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[{{< badge content="Targeted Attacks" color="red" >}}](../../../../wiki/basics/common-threats/_index.md#attacks-against-specific-individuals)
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[{{< badge content="Passive Attacks" color="amber" >}}](../../../../wiki/basics/common-threats/_index.md#security-and-privacy)
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A **custom Android-based operating system** (sometimes referred to as a **custom ROM**) can be a way to achieve a higher level of privacy and security on your device. This is in contrast to the "stock" version of Android which comes with your phone from the factory, and is often deeply integrated with Google Play Services as well as other vendor software.
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@@ -31,21 +31,21 @@ GrapheneOS provides additional [security hardening](https://en.wikipedia.org/wik
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{{< card link="https://grapheneos.org/faq#privacy-policy" title="Privacy Policy" icon="eye" >}}
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{{< /cards >}}
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GrapheneOS supports [sandboxed Google Play](https://grapheneos.org/usage#sandboxed-google-play), which runs Google Play Services fully sandboxed like any other regular app. This means you can take advantage of most Google Play Services, such as push notifications, while giving you full control over their permissions and access, and while containing them to a specific [work profile](../android-overview.md#work-profile) or [user profile](../android-overview.md#user-profiles) of your choice.
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GrapheneOS supports [sandboxed Google Play](https://grapheneos.org/usage#sandboxed-google-play), which runs Google Play Services fully sandboxed like any other regular app. This means you can take advantage of most Google Play Services, such as push notifications, while giving you full control over their permissions and access, and while containing them to a specific [work profile](../_index.md#work-profile) or [user profile](../_index.md#user-profiles) of your choice.
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[Google Pixel phones](../../hardware/mobile-phones/_index.md#google-pixel) are the only devices that currently meet GrapheneOS's [hardware security requirements](https://grapheneos.org/faq#future-devices). The Pixel 8 and later support ARM's Memory Tagging Extension (MTE), a hardware security enhancement that drastically lowers the probability of exploits occurring through memory corruption bugs. GrapheneOS greatly expands the coverage of MTE on supported devices. Whereas the stock OS only allows you to opt in to a limited implementation of MTE via a developer option or Google's Advanced Protection Program, GrapheneOS features a more robust implementation of MTE by default in the system kernel, default system components, and their Vanadium web browser and its WebView.
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[Google Pixel phones](../../../hardware/mobile-phones/_index.md#google-pixel) are the only devices that currently meet GrapheneOS's [hardware security requirements](https://grapheneos.org/faq#future-devices). The Pixel 8 and later support ARM's Memory Tagging Extension (MTE), a hardware security enhancement that drastically lowers the probability of exploits occurring through memory corruption bugs. GrapheneOS greatly expands the coverage of MTE on supported devices. Whereas the stock OS only allows you to opt in to a limited implementation of MTE via a developer option or Google's Advanced Protection Program, GrapheneOS features a more robust implementation of MTE by default in the system kernel, default system components, and their Vanadium web browser and its WebView.
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GrapheneOS also provides a global toggle for enabling MTE on all user-installed apps at :gear: **Settings** → **Security & privacy** → **Exploit protection** → **Memory tagging** → **Enable by default**. The OS also features per-app toggles to opt out of MTE for apps which may crash due to compatibility issues.
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### Connectivity Checks
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By default, Android makes many network connections to Google to perform DNS connectivity checks, to sync with current network time, to check your network connectivity, and for many other background tasks. GrapheneOS replaces these with connections to servers operated by GrapheneOS and subject to their privacy policy. This hides information like your IP address [from Google](../../../wiki/basics/common-threats/_index.md#privacy-from-service-providers), but means it is trivial for an admin on your network or ISP to see you are making connections to `grapheneos.network`, `grapheneos.org`, etc. and deduce what operating system you are using.
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By default, Android makes many network connections to Google to perform DNS connectivity checks, to sync with current network time, to check your network connectivity, and for many other background tasks. GrapheneOS replaces these with connections to servers operated by GrapheneOS and subject to their privacy policy. This hides information like your IP address [from Google](../../../../wiki/basics/common-threats/_index.md#privacy-from-service-providers), but means it is trivial for an admin on your network or ISP to see you are making connections to `grapheneos.network`, `grapheneos.org`, etc. and deduce what operating system you are using.
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If you want to hide information like this from an adversary on your network or ISP, you **must** use a [trusted VPN](../../services/vpn/_index.md) in addition to changing the connectivity check setting to **Standard (Google)**. It can be found in :gear: **Settings** → **Network & internet** → **Internet connectivity checks**. This option allows you to connect to Google's servers for connectivity checks, which, alongside the usage of a VPN, helps you blend in with a larger pool of Android devices.
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If you want to hide information like this from an adversary on your network or ISP, you **must** use a [trusted VPN](../../../services/vpn/_index.md) in addition to changing the connectivity check setting to **Standard (Google)**. It can be found in :gear: **Settings** → **Network & internet** → **Internet connectivity checks**. This option allows you to connect to Google's servers for connectivity checks, which, alongside the usage of a VPN, helps you blend in with a larger pool of Android devices.
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## Criteria
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**Please note we are not affiliated with any of the projects we recommend.** In addition to [our standard criteria](../../../about/criteria.md), we have developed a clear set of requirements to allow us to provide objective recommendations. We suggest you familiarize yourself with this list before choosing to use a project, and conduct your own research to ensure it's the right choice for you.
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**Please note we are not affiliated with any of the projects we recommend.** In addition to [our standard criteria](../../../../about/criteria.md), we have developed a clear set of requirements to allow us to provide objective recommendations. We suggest you familiarize yourself with this list before choosing to use a project, and conduct your own research to ensure it's the right choice for you.
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- Must be open-source software.
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- Must support bootloader locking with custom AVB key support.
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@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ title: "General Apps"
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description: The apps listed here are Android-exclusive and specifically enhance or replace key system functionality.
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---
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<small>Protects against the following threat(s):</small>
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[{{< badge content="Passive Attacks" color="amber" >}}](../../../wiki/basics/common-threats/_index.md#security-and-privacy)
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[{{< badge content="Passive Attacks" color="amber" >}}](../../../../wiki/basics/common-threats/_index.md#security-and-privacy)
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We recommend a wide variety of Android apps throughout this site. The apps listed here are Android-exclusive and specifically enhance or replace key system functionality.
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@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ We recommend a wide variety of Android apps throughout this site. The apps liste
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## Shelter
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If your device is on Android 15 or greater, we recommend using the native [Private Space](../android-overview.md#private-space) feature instead, which provides nearly the same functionality without needing to place trust in and grant powerful permissions to a third-party app.
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If your device is on Android 15 or greater, we recommend using the native [Private Space](../_index.md#private-space) feature instead, which provides nearly the same functionality without needing to place trust in and grant powerful permissions to a third-party app.
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**Shelter** is an app that helps you leverage Android's Work Profile functionality to isolate or duplicate apps on your device.
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@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ Shelter is recommended over [Insular](https://secure-system.gitlab.io/Insular) a
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## Secure Camera
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<small>Protects against the following threat(s):</small>
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[{{< badge content="Public Exposure" color="green" >}}](../../../wiki/basics/common-threats/_index.md#limiting-public-information)
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[{{< badge content="Public Exposure" color="green" >}}](../../../../wiki/basics/common-threats/_index.md#limiting-public-information)
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**Secure Camera** is a camera app focused on privacy and security which can capture images, videos, and QR codes. CameraX vendor extensions (Portrait, HDR, Night Sight, Face Retouch, and Auto) are also supported on available devices.
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@@ -59,13 +59,13 @@ Main privacy features include:
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> [!NOTE]
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> Metadata is not currently deleted from video files, but that is planned.
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>
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> The image orientation metadata is not deleted. If you enable location (in Secure Camera) that **won't** be deleted either. If you want to delete that later you will need to use an external app such as [ExifEraser](../../software/data-redaction/_index.md#exiferaser-android).
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> The image orientation metadata is not deleted. If you enable location (in Secure Camera) that **won't** be deleted either. If you want to delete that later you will need to use an external app such as [ExifEraser](../../../software/data-redaction/_index.md#exiferaser-android).
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## Secure PDF Viewer
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<small>Protects against the following threat(s):</small>
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[{{< badge content="Targeted Attacks" color="red" >}}](../../../wiki/basics/common-threats/_index.md#attacks-against-specific-individuals)
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[{{< badge content="Targeted Attacks" color="red" >}}](../../../../wiki/basics/common-threats/_index.md#attacks-against-specific-individuals)
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**Secure PDF Viewer** is a PDF viewer based on [pdf.js](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PDF.js) that doesn't require any permissions. The PDF is fed into a [sandboxed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandbox_(software_development)) [WebView](https://developer.android.com/guide/webapps/webview). This means that it doesn't require permission directly to access content or files.
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@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ Main privacy features include:
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## Criteria
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**Please note we are not affiliated with any of the projects we recommend.** In addition to [our standard criteria](../../../about/criteria.md), we have developed a clear set of requirements to allow us to provide objective recommendations. We suggest you familiarize yourself with this list before choosing to use a project, and conduct your own research to ensure it's the right choice for you.
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**Please note we are not affiliated with any of the projects we recommend.** In addition to [our standard criteria](../../../../about/criteria.md), we have developed a clear set of requirements to allow us to provide objective recommendations. We suggest you familiarize yourself with this list before choosing to use a project, and conduct your own research to ensure it's the right choice for you.
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- Applications on this page must not be applicable to any other software category on the site.
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- General applications should extend or replace core system functionality.
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@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ Obtainium allows you to download APK installer files from a wide variety of sour
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## GrapheneOS App Store
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GrapheneOS's app store is available on [GitHub](https://github.com/GrapheneOS/Apps/releases). It supports Android 12 and above and is capable of updating itself. The app store has standalone applications built by the GrapheneOS project such as the [Auditor](../../advanced/device-integrity/_index.md#auditor-android), [Camera](general-apps.md#secure-camera), and [PDF Viewer](general-apps.md#secure-pdf-viewer). If you are looking for these applications, we highly recommend that you get them from GrapheneOS's app store instead of the Play Store, as the apps on their store are signed by the GrapheneOS's project own signature that Google does not have access to.
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GrapheneOS's app store is available on [GitHub](https://github.com/GrapheneOS/Apps/releases). It supports Android 12 and above and is capable of updating itself. The app store has standalone applications built by the GrapheneOS project such as the [Auditor](../../../advanced/device-integrity/_index.md#auditor-android), [Camera](../general-apps/_index.md#secure-camera), and [PDF Viewer](../general-apps/_index.md#secure-pdf-viewer). If you are looking for these applications, we highly recommend that you get them from GrapheneOS's app store instead of the Play Store, as the apps on their store are signed by the GrapheneOS's project own signature that Google does not have access to.
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## Aurora Store
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@@ -47,13 +47,13 @@ Aurora Store does not allow you to download paid apps with their anonymous accou
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## Manually with RSS Notifications
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For apps that are released on platforms like GitHub and GitLab, you may be able to add an RSS feed to your [news aggregator](../../software/news-aggregators/_index.md) that will help you keep track of new releases.
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For apps that are released on platforms like GitHub and GitLab, you may be able to add an RSS feed to your [news aggregator](../../../software/news-aggregators/_index.md) that will help you keep track of new releases.
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### GitHub
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On GitHub, using [Secure Camera](general-apps.md#secure-camera) as an example, you would navigate to its [releases page](https://github.com/GrapheneOS/Camera/releases) and append `.atom` to the URL:
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On GitHub, using [Secure Camera](../general-apps/_index.md#secure-camera) as an example, you would navigate to its [releases page](https://github.com/GrapheneOS/Camera/releases) and append `.atom` to the URL:
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`https://github.com/GrapheneOS/Camera/releases.atom`
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@@ -107,4 +107,4 @@ Other popular third-party repositories for F-Droid such as [IzzyOnDroid](https:/
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The [F-Droid](https://f-droid.org/en/packages) and [IzzyOnDroid](https://apt.izzysoft.de/fdroid) repositories are home to countless apps, so they can be useful places to search for and discover open-source apps that you can then download through other means such as the Play Store, Aurora Store, or by getting the APK directly from the developer. You should use your best judgment when looking for new apps via this method, and keep an eye on how frequently the app is updated. Outdated apps may rely on unsupported libraries, among other things, posing a potential security risk.
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> [!NOTE]
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> In some rare cases, the developer of an app will only distribute it through F-Droid ([Gadgetbridge](../../software/health-and-wellness/_index.md#gadgetbridge) is one example of this). If you really need an app like that, we recommend using the newer [F-Droid Basic](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.fdroid.basic) client instead of the original F-Droid app to obtain it. F-Droid Basic supports automatic background updates without privileged extension or root, and has a reduced feature set (limiting attack surface).
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> In some rare cases, the developer of an app will only distribute it through F-Droid ([Gadgetbridge](../../../software/health-and-wellness/_index.md#gadgetbridge) is one example of this). If you really need an app like that, we recommend using the newer [F-Droid Basic](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.fdroid.basic) client instead of the original F-Droid app to obtain it. F-Droid Basic supports automatic background updates without privileged extension or root, and has a reduced feature set (limiting attack surface).
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