Android Setup Guide

No Google Account

I do not sign in to a Google Account on the phone, because I dislike the idea of linking a device to an online account.

Without a Google Account, I cannot install applications via Google Play Store. Thus, I use F-Droid (free and open source) and APKPure (for apps that are not on F-Droid) to install applications.

Applications

• Application market: F-Droid and APKPure
• Browser: DuckDuckGo Privacy Browser and Vivaldi (with user activity tracking disabled by default)

I also use some preinstalled applications, for example, calculator and Google Photos (with backup & sync turned off since I do not sign in to a Google Account).

Troubleshooting

Android cannot connect to an iPhone hotspot

Enable Maximize Compatibility in iPhone Settings → Personal Hotspot (2.4 GHz; some Android phones cannot see 5 GHz). On Android, turn Wi-Fi off and back on. Apple help.