The Privacy Phones are de-Googled by default.
This guide will walk you through how to install, update, and manage apps using privacy-respecting tools.
Traditionally, phones auto-update apps in the background, but this happens with elevated system privileges and without your explicit permission. Both Google Play and Apple’s App Store can silently install, remove, or modify apps, which violates the principles of user control and consent.
GrapheneOS flips that model.
Here, you’re in charge. No app can update itself without your approval, unless you explicitly allow it.
Previously, this meant you had to manually check and update every app. However, thanks to recent improvements:
✅ Aurora Store now supports auto-updates (with background permissions enabled).
This allows you to safely enable automatic updates for apps while still avoiding Google Services and preserving your privacy.
If you prefer, you can still review and update apps manually, giving you full control over what runs on your device.
Once you’ve done it a few times, managing updates becomes second nature.
Note: the above process does not apply to the system updates for the phone. The phone will update the operating system automatically unless you switch that off – not recommended. It is best to always keep your system and apps up to date. Outdated apps and systems can be vulnerable to hacks and attacks or may contain bugs that have been patched in a newer version.
Some people may also feel that updates will slow the phone down (planned obsolence) pushing them to get new devices. That will not be the case with these phones as we have stepped away from bigtech control.
1.0 App Managers
There are two apps that we rely on for the purpose of installing, updating, and managing apps:
- F-Droid: this app contains free and open-source software. These apps are not usually found in the regular Play Store or Apple Store. F-Droid gives you access to some powerful yet privacy-focused apps (such as Aurora).
- Aurora: this app is a replacement for Google Play Store. It gives you access to all the apps that you would normally find in the Play Store, though it has the advantage of remaining anonymous. That means you do not need a Google account to gain access.
Note: if you require access to paid apps linked to your Google account then you will need to log into Aurora using your Google account. The anonymous feature is great for apps that are free so that they are not linked to a personal account.
1.1 App Manager: F-Droid
F-Droid: this app contains free and open-source software. These apps are not usually found in the regular Play Store or Apple Store. F-Droid gives you access to some powerful yet privacy-focused apps.
1.1.1 Why Do We Use F-Droid?
F-Droid is a repository for Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) Android apps. It’s completely non-commercial, which is why it’s not technically an app “store.” You can donate to developers, but none of the apps or games cost anything.
What makes open-source software different is its code is freely available for anyone to use. It’s essentially like solving a math equation and showing your work. Everyone can see what you did and use it themselves.
It’s important to note that there’s a big difference between FOSS apps and apps that are simply free. The majority of open-source software is monetarily free, but that’s not actually what the “free” in Free and Open Source Software means.
Free in this context refers to freedom. FOSS developers generally are concerned about the ethics and morals of using and distributing software. That’s why F-Droid is the app store of choice on privacy-focused Android ROMs like GrapheneOS.
1.2 App Manager: Aurora
Aurora is a replacement for Google Play Store. It gives you access to all the apps that you would normally find in the Play Store, though it has the advantage of remaining anonymous. That means you do not need a Google account to gain access.
1.2.1 Why Do We Use Aurora?
Our goal is to step away from Google and Apple. As such we need to consider how we can access apps that are traditionally available via Google’s Play Store or Apple Store.
That is where Aurora comes in. Aurora gives you access without needing to rely on Google Services or even a Google Account. You can use Aurora anonymously.
Note: if you require access to paid apps linked to your Google account then you will need to log into Aurora using your Google account. The anonymous feature is great for apps that are free so that they are not linked to a personal account.