I’m back! This is a continuation of my series on platform-specific hidden gem apps that you have discovered that are the best in their class for your usecase.
We’ve done iOS+MacOS so far so lets get universal and share our Android hidden gems.
For mine, I would say NewPipe for YouTube… Lets do it!
Edit: Please try to avoid apps that cannot be purchased (subscription apps) since it is important that the creator cannot cut you off once you’ve taken time/effort/money to integrate it into your workflow and dependance. No Apollos, which have that fatal flaw + relying on an external API that they additionally cannot gurantee
Tachiyomi is a brilliant manga reader and tracker. Or you can get its fork, Aniyomi which has anime support and sources as well, not just manga.
Voice - Audio book player: Minimalistic audio book player that supports folders with “.nomedia”. Great if you want to keep your audio books and music library separated.
Phonograph plus if you are a local music nut like me and obtainium if you prefer to not use fdroid to manage your foss app updates
Been really impressed with the open-source spending tracking app Cashew
If you’re ever on iOS, check out MoneyStats. Its the best budgeting + balance forecasting app I’ve ever come across :)
KISS Launcher. Fast and flexible homescreen replacement that puts quick search first, letting you optionally scroll through an app list.
I switched to it one year ago from nova launcher, after getting used to the change, I don’t miss nova at all.
KDE Connect (FREE, open source) is definitely a gem. I love using my phone as a remote mouse and keyboard for my HTPC, and syncing clipboard, files, links, and notifications with the other devices I’ve paired with. (BTW, despite the name, you don’t need KDE - or Linux even - to use it. It works on Windows and Android too.)
URLCheck (FREE, open source) is fantastic. It’s a little pop-up that appears when you click a link, showing you the full URL and letting you modify it before you open with your browser/associated app (e.g., to remove tracking parameters):
URLCheck acts as an amazingly customizable and powerful intermediary when opening url links, allowing, among other things: to remove trackers, affiliate links, unnecessary elements, check Hosts, facilitating link holding and sharing, protecting against certain phishing techniques and many more…
I switched to Device Connect because there’s an issue with KDE Connect & mconnect (since a few months ago) where it re-pairs every time the phone loses network connection. DC has far fewer features, but its reliable and doesn’t require running a KDE or Gnome service stack.
Aegis is a FOSS, local only 2 factor TOTP generator. Essentially a Google authenticator without the Google.
Aegis is what I have used for 2fa for quite some time now, but I think I should also mention Authenticator Pro . The feature set is similar to Aegis and, it’s got a design that some people may find attractive.
P.S: It also has Wear OS support, so that you can see 2fa codes from your watch (I can’t tell how well this feature works as I don’t own any wearable devices)
Local to the Device? Google already did that to me. Then my phone died and I had the world’s worst time trying to convince some of my vendors that I really was me. Like, I had to get my ID notarized in person and sent that paperwork off by international post in one example.
I wouldn’t want to go through that drama again. I moved to Authy, they keep my tokens encrypted on a cloud service. I could potentially be convinced to move to something self hosted, but never local-only again.
That’s why you back up your shit.
I feel like KeePass is a preferable portable format that you can do everything any TOTP app can do without being tied into non-standard apps. Like .kdbx is a standard that works in any KeePass app
Genius Scan. A shameful exception in my otherwise fully FOSS phone.
It scans multi-page documents with the camera, OCRs them, then uploads them automatically to Nextcloud (or manually to any other app, like Paperless).
Into the breach. One of the best mobile games there is. Sadly you can’t get it legally anymore without Netflix subscription.
You couldn’t get it at all before Netflix paid to port it to Android could you?
Ever work on electronics?
I use an apk called “Electrodoc” and it identifies and helps you figure out what all you need for all sorts of transistors and capacitors and smd’s and inductors and all that sorts of crap. Has loads of info and pictures and calculations you can punch in for stuff. Super handy.
Very good file explorer and server
Just Run Zero to 5K.
For me it’s the Golden Age of apps. Easy to use, minimal, good UI, no ads with the ability to buy premium, all the features that you need and non that you don’t.
If you want to start jogging I highly recommend it. I think it’s perfect.
Edit: I went from barely able to jog an exhausting half mile to jogging 4.5 miles in 13 weeks. It wasn’t easy and I think I “failed” a jog twice but having a clear goal with the encouragement of seeing a timer motivate you really helped me.
Smart tube for Android TV.
Minimalist phone. If you have ADHD and/or want to increase productivity or get anxiety about your phone notifications, look into this app. It’s been sooooo beneficial for me.
