Apps

Last updated: September 29, 2025

Overview

  • Curated, privacy‑respecting apps we recommend for Zer0 phones. Each entry below summarizes what it is, when to use it, and links to a richer per‑app page with maintainer, repo, safe‑use tips, limits, and history.

Messaging & Social

  • Signal — End‑to‑end encrypted messenger for 1:1 and groups; supports calls, stories, disappearing messages. Best for contacts already on Signal. Link: Apps: Signal
  • Briar — Peer‑to‑peer messaging that works over Tor, Bluetooth, or local Wi‑Fi without servers. Best for small, high‑trust groups and offline scenarios. Link: Apps: Briar

Web & Network

  • Tor Browser — Privacy‑preserving browser routing traffic over Tor. Best for research and reducing tracking/fingerprinting. Link: Apps: Tor Browser
  • Orbot — System‑level Tor proxy you can route specific apps through. Best when you need Tor for non‑browser apps. Link: Apps: Orbot
  • WireGuard — Fast, modern VPN; the official Android client. Best for always‑on VPN with kill‑switch. Link: Apps: WireGuard

Email & Identity

  • K‑9 Mail — Mature open‑source IMAP/POP email client. Best for power users; integrates with OpenPGP providers. Link: Apps: K-9 Mail
  • Aegis — Encrypted, offline TOTP/HOTP authenticator. Best to keep 2FA secrets local and backed up securely. Link: Apps: Aegis
  • KeePassDX — Offline password manager supporting KeePass (KDBX 3/4). Best for fully local password workflows. Link: Apps: KeePassDX

Maps & Media

  • Organic Maps — Offline maps and navigation, forked from Maps.me. Best for travel with no account or tracking. Link: Apps: Organic Maps
  • NewPipe — Lightweight YouTube frontend without Google libraries. Best for watching videos without a Google account. Link: Apps: NewPipe

Camera & Utilities

  • Open Camera — Feature‑rich camera app with manual controls. Best for privacy‑friendly shooting without vendor bloat. Link: Apps: Open Camera
  • Simple Keyboard — Minimal on‑device keyboard (no network). Best when you want a tiny, non‑phoning‑home keyboard. Link: Apps: Simple Keyboard
  • Simple Dialer — Clean dialer/contacts app from the Simple Mobile Tools lineage. Best as a stock dialer replacement. Link: Apps: Simple Dialer
  • Shelter — Work‑profile tool to isolate apps into a separate profile. Best for compartmentalizing risky apps. Link: Apps: Shelter
  • Syncthing — Peer‑to‑peer file sync over LAN/Internet. Best for device‑to‑device sync with no central server. Link: Apps: Syncthing

Stores (Sources)

  • Andromeda Store — Our curated, signed repository.
  • F‑Droid — Community FOSS catalog with reproducible builds where possible.
  • Aurora/Neo Store — Frontends to access Play apps anonymously or browse F‑Droid.

Safe‑Use Principles

  • Prefer FOSS apps; install from trusted sources (Andromeda/F‑Droid). Verify signatures when side‑loading.
  • Keep permissions minimal; review per‑app network access; use per‑app VPN rules if needed.
  • Avoid cloud backups for sensitive content; keep local encrypted backups (KeePassDX + Aegis vault).
  • Fewer apps → smaller attack surface; uninstall what you don’t need.