F-Droid Archives

AppWizard

September 10, 2026

Tor VPN Beta brings isolated app-by-app Tor routing to Android

The Tor Project has launched Tor VPN Beta for Android, allowing mobile applications to route traffic through the Tor network, expanding beyond web browsing. This development was driven by user demand for privacy tools to bypass internet censorship, particularly in restrictive regions. The concept originated in 2021, and after initial testing and user feedback, the beta was announced on September 9. Tor VPN creates a separate Tor circuit for each application, enhancing privacy by complicating activity correlation across apps. Users can select which applications use Tor, and the interface has been improved for easier management. The beta version 1.4.0 includes support for WebTunnel bridges to disguise Tor connections as standard encrypted traffic. Usability testing revealed issues with exit-node selection, leading to a design change that requires users to connect to Tor before choosing an exit. Tor VPN is built on the Arti implementation of the Tor protocol and the Onionmasq networking layer, ensuring stability and component sharing. The software supports reproducible builds and is available via F-Droid and APK downloads. A security review in June 2025 found no major flaws but identified some issues being addressed. Tor VPN is currently in beta and focuses on enhancing circumvention capabilities and usability rather than competing with commercial VPNs on speed. Users in censored areas are advised to configure bridges for access.

AppWizard

September 8, 2026

Google is making sideloading harder, but Android fans aren’t giving it up

Sideloading, or installing apps from sources outside the Google Play Store, has become common among tech enthusiasts, who often use alternative app stores like GitHub and F-Droid for unique features. Breezy Weather is an example of an alternative app with enhanced capabilities compared to Pixel Weather. However, downloading and maintaining these apps can be more complex than using the Play Store. In response, Google has implemented new security measures for sideloading, including checks, a 24-hour installation delay, and mandatory device restarts. A recent poll with nearly 2,200 responses showed that 47.5% of participants believe the hassle of sideloading is always worth it, while 36.6% are willing to sideload select apps. Over 80% of respondents are open to navigating sideloading complexities, indicating a challenge for Google. Despite this, 16% of users rely exclusively on the Play Store, showing its continued relevance.

AppWizard

September 6, 2026

The best Android alarm app isn’t on the Play Store. Here’s how to install it

Many users prefer default applications for calendars, messaging, and clocks, but third-party options like Chrono offer enhanced experiences. Chrono is an open-source clock application that provides a user-friendly interface, extensive alarm features, and an ad-free experience, but it is not available on the Google Play Store. The app features four tabs: Alarm, World Clock, Timer, and Stopwatch, with customization options including dark mode and Material design. Users can personalize the app's appearance and tag alarms for organization. Chrono's alarm functionality includes assertive alarms that require tasks to be completed before turning off, adjustable snooze intervals, and the ability to lock alarms. To download Chrono, users must visit the F-Droid website, download the app, and follow installation instructions. Updating Chrono through F-Droid is straightforward, while sideloaded users must check for updates manually or use a tool like Obtainium.

AppWizard

September 4, 2026

This Google Chrome alternative is the most exciting Android browser I’ve used all year

Solipsism Browser is a third-party, open-source browser based on Chromium, launched just over three months ago. It features a unique side-rail design for navigation buttons, allowing for ergonomic one-handed use, especially on larger devices. Users can customize the homepage with HTML and CSS, and it includes a built-in ad blocker powered by uBlock Origin and a malware scanner. However, it lacks extension support, which is a strength of Firefox, and the address bar's placement at the top can hinder one-handed usability. Solipsism is not available on the Google Play Store and requires updates through platforms like F-Droid or Obtanium. The developer plans to create a future version based on the Servo engine.

AppWizard

August 31, 2026

I tried 2 of the best third-party Android weather apps. Here’s the one I’m sticking with

In a recent poll, user preferences for weather apps were as follows: Gradient Weather: 22%, Breezy Weather: 29%, Neither (preferring Pixel Weather): 21%, Other: 28%. Breezy Weather is an open-source app focused on privacy and customization, offering extensive data metrics and a clear user interface. It is ad-free and does not have a premium tier, but is not available on Google Play and lacks radar functionality. Gradient Weather features a polished design, color-coded alerts, customizable notifications, and radar functionality for tracking storms and other weather metrics. Gradient requires a financial commitment for full access, while Breezy is free. The author prefers Gradient Weather for its radar and advanced notification features.

AppWizard

August 31, 2026

This open-source Android launcher is my new Niagara Launcher replacement

Niagara Launcher is appreciated for its minimalist design but is not open source, prompting the exploration of alternatives like Escape Launcher, which is available on F-Droid. Escape Launcher features a text-only interface, presenting favorite apps in a list format and allowing users to swipe left for all installed applications. It emphasizes thoughtful font selection and spacing, creating a curated experience. Users can customize fonts, color themes, and basic clock styles, and hide unwanted apps. While it lacks some features of Niagara Launcher, it is favored for its minimalist approach and reduced distractions.

AppWizard

August 29, 2026

6 awesome things you can do with a terminal emulator on Android

Terminal emulators allow users to interact with operating systems through text commands. Termux is an open-source terminal emulator for Android available on the F-Droid store. Users can test internet speed directly from Termux by installing Python and using the speedtest command. Weather information can be accessed using the curl command for a three-day forecast, and users can create shortcuts for convenience. Termux can display system information using colorful ASCII art with tools like fastfetch or macchina. It allows remote access to the phone via SSH after installing openssh. Users can run AI chatbots locally using the command-line tool Ollama. Termux can also facilitate the installation of Linux-based operating systems on Android devices using the proot-distro tool.

AppWizard

August 28, 2026

Content Creators Will Love This FOSS Android App

Image Toolbox is an Android app developed by Malik Mukhametzyanov, designed to assist content creators by consolidating essential functions such as resizing, format conversion, watermarking, and platform-specific exports into a single interface. It features batch processing capabilities, 61 built-in export presets for platforms like Instagram, X, and YouTube, and background removal options using various AI models. The app is free, ad-free, and released under the Apache License 2.0. Users can customize the app's color scheme, and it includes a "Usage Statistics" page that tracks app usage while ensuring user privacy. Image Toolbox is available on F-Droid and the Play Store, with both versions being identical except for the inclusion of Google-related trackers in the Play Store version. There is no paid plan, and donations are welcomed. APK files can also be downloaded from the project's GitHub repository.

AppWizard

August 26, 2026

How to sideload Android apps on your phone in 2026 – and what’s behind the changes

Google has revamped the sideloading process on Android devices with a new protocol called "Advanced Flow" to enhance user security while allowing the installation of applications from downloaded APK files. Users must enable sideloading, authenticate their identity, and confirm they are not being pressured into installation, followed by a device restart and a 24-hour waiting period. Users can choose to allow installations for seven days or indefinitely. To sideload apps, users need to download an APK file, disable Advanced Protection temporarily, install the app, and then re-enable Advanced Protection. Caution is advised when downloading APK files from unknown sources, with recommendations for trusted sites like APKMirror, F-Droid, and Uptodown.

BetaBeacon

August 24, 2026

PPSSPP vs Dolphin vs RetroArch Android: 127 Cores

PPSSPP is a dedicated PSP emulator that does not require a BIOS file to boot a game. Dolphin emulates GameCube and Wii consoles and requires newer Android versions for better performance. RetroArch is a frontend that loads separate cores for different systems, offering a wide range of emulation options.