open-source app Archives

AppWizard

October 5, 2026

The Pixel 11’s HiLight feature is too limited, but I fixed it with this free app

The Google Pixel 11 series introduces the HiLight feature, which consists of eight multicolor LEDs on the back of the Pixel 11 Pro, Pixel 11 Pro XL, and Pixel 11 Pro Fold. HiLight currently has limited functionality, primarily illuminating one of five colors for designated favorite contacts and activating during the use of the Gemini voice assistant. Users can customize HiLight for only five contacts, which may lead to color confusion. A free open-source app called HiLight Studio, developed by Dhananjay Bhosale and available on GitHub and the Google Play Store, enhances user control over the LED lights. Setting up HiLight Studio is straightforward, requiring the Shizuku app and enabling developer options on the device. The Pixel 11 Pro Fold features IP68 durability and magnetic Qi2 support, allowing users to utilize HiLight through the HiLight Studio app.

AppWizard

September 26, 2026

Five Ad Blocker Hacks Every Android User Should Know

Ads are prevalent on Android devices, leading users to choose between enduring them or paying for premium subscriptions. BlockAds is a free, open-source app that blocks ads on Android by creating a local VPN, filtering traffic without requiring device rooting. Users can also employ DNS filtering to block ads by changing their DNS server settings, with services like AdGuard and NextDNS available for this purpose. Firefox supports the uBlock Origin extension for ad-blocking on Android, while NewPipe allows users to watch YouTube videos ad-free and access premium features. The DuckDuckGo browser includes a built-in YouTube ad blocker, and the Brave browser automatically blocks ads and trackers without additional setup.

AppWizard

September 23, 2026

5 Unique Android Apps Worth Your Time

More than 70% of the world’s smartphones operate on the Android platform. Users often struggle to find apps that address specific issues, leading to a time-consuming search through numerous options. A curated list presents five applications that provide practical solutions to common mobile frustrations. 1. AppsFree: Monitors Google Play for premium apps, games, and wallpapers that temporarily drop to free, allowing users to snag deals that would otherwise be missed. Developed by ts-apps GmbH, it enables users to blacklist developers and filter low-quality offers. 2. Monocles Browser: Prioritizes user privacy by disabling JavaScript and cookies by default, reducing tracking. It has an APK size of approximately 13–14 MB and integrates ad blocking and supports Tor/Orbot proxy networks. Created by Arne-Brün Vogelsang, it offers a clean browsing experience. 3. Amarok: Allows users to instantly hide files and applications without resource-intensive encryption by obfuscating filenames and signatures. It supports multiple hiding modes and includes a “panic button” feature for quick data concealment. 4. Buckwheat: Budget manager: Requires manual input of total budget and days to cover, promoting financial reflection. It calculates daily spending allowances and provides detailed analytics. Developed by Danil Zakhvatkin, it has a user rating of around 4.6–4.7/5. 5. Chill Live Wallpaper: Offers minimalist landscapes that sync with local time and weather, providing a visually soothing experience. Compatible with Android 7.1+, it is ad-free and has a compact APK size of 5–6 MB.

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 26, 2026

Alternative App Stores on Android: User Preferences and Platform Considerations

The Google Play Store is the primary destination for Android applications, but many users seek alternative app stores for greater variety, different versions, or region-specific apps. In India, the search for alternative app stores is common due to the diverse needs of users. While the Play Store offers a wide selection of apps and automatic updates, alternative app stores may provide older versions, modded APKs, or apps not available in certain regions. Popular alternative app stores include HappyMod, APKPure, Aptoide, and Uptodown. Users should verify the developer, check reviews, be cautious about permissions, ensure compatibility, avoid unofficial sources, and keep their system updated before installing apps from these platforms.

AppWizard

August 22, 2026

I found a free, open-source Android app that replaced 8 other apps I used to rely on

Image Toolbox is an open-source, free Android application that consolidates various media tools into a single platform, eliminating the need for multiple single-purpose apps. It features a user-friendly interface with four main tabs: Edit, Create, Image, and Tools. Key functionalities include: - Image Resizer and Converter: Allows users to resize images and convert formats with a preview of the final file size. - EXIF Remover: Offers bulk and selective removal of EXIF data from photos. - Background Remover: Provides automatic and manual modes for background removal. - PDF Editor: Includes tools for merging, rearranging, password protecting, and compressing PDFs. - Image Stitcher: Facilitates the stitching of images. - GIF Creator: Converts sequences of images into animated GIFs. - QR Code Generator: Creates customizable QR codes. - Collage Maker: Suggests templates and allows layout adjustments. Users can customize settings such as the app's theme, tool layout, and default save locations. The app has proven to be an efficient replacement for various specialized applications, streamlining media management on Android devices.

AppWizard

July 9, 2026

This open-source app fixed my notification chaos when Android couldn’t

Megan Ellis shared her experience using the app DoNotNotify, which helped her manage and reduce the number of notifications on her smartphone. She found that many apps, including Pokémon Go and Temu, sent numerous vague notifications that were difficult to filter effectively. Despite Android's notification channels, she often had to disable notifications entirely for certain apps. DoNotNotify allowed her to customize her notification preferences without requiring personal data or account creation. The app features tabs for History, Rules, and Blocked notifications, enabling users to track and manage alerts. Ellis successfully used DoNotNotify to block unwanted notifications, particularly from games and shopping apps, and appreciated its privacy-focused design and adaptability to changes in notification content. She recommends the app for users overwhelmed by notifications.

AppWizard

July 6, 2026

Survey says this is the best Play Store alternative, but Google might not agree

In a recent poll of nearly 3,000 participants, F-Droid was the most favored alternative to the Google Play Store, receiving 37.7% of the votes. Aurora Store followed with 17.4%, Samsung’s Galaxy Store garnered 16.3%, APKMirror received 13.7%, and Obtanium had 11.9%. F-Droid is an open-source app store that does not replace the Play Store, lacking popular apps like Spotify and Gmail but offering open-source alternatives. Aurora Store allows access to the Play Store's catalog without a Google account but does not support purchases made through the Play Store.

BetaBeacon

July 1, 2026

5 of the best new Android apps you need to try this July

OpenClaw is an AI assistant that can control anything plugged into it and now has an official app for Android users.

AppWizard

June 28, 2026

These 5 open-source utilities should be on every Android phone

Sefirah is a local companion app for Android that connects devices on the same network, allowing users to manage notifications, messages, and applications in one place, with clipboard mirroring for enhanced productivity. PhotoSwooper is a free photo management app that allows users to swipe left or right to delete or keep images, includes an undo option, and lets users customize folders to exclude from sorting. Neo Store is an alternative app store that builds apps from public source code, prioritizing safety and allowing users to add multiple repositories and update all open-source applications simultaneously. Heliboard is a privacy-focused keyboard app that operates offline, ensuring user data remains secure, and offers features like gesture typing. LocalSend enables file sharing over a local network across various devices, enhancing the experience as more users adopt the app.