I have just received a Samsung galaxy fold5 through the post, however I imagine it’s full of bloatware and I’m inexperienced with this type of device. What is the first things that you would do to secure it? Thank you 😊

Edit: I mean to be more privacy focused

    • Mnky313@lemmy.ca
      7·
      1 year ago

      Hey that’s me!

      One thing I noticed is I never updated the app icon customization section. You don’t need Asapticons/Icon mixer. Themepark has an option to add custom icons now!

      I can also post my De-Bloater config (root only)/list of apps (that can be used to disable them via ADB) I’ve removed when I update the post in a bit.

      I’m still on Fold3/OneUI 5.1 but apps should be similar.

  • elouboub@kbin.social
    9·
    1 year ago

    I can’t even find a custom or stock rom for it :/ You might not have picked the best phone for privacy my dude.

  • ggnoredo@lemm.ee
    91·
    1 year ago

    I use FOSS applications as much as I can and try to avoid all samsung and google apps. In addition to that I’m always on pi-hole network to block background network requests by Samsung/Google

    Some apps I use:

    • k9-mail
    • Zulip
    • Nextcloud/Talk/Notes
    • tasks.org
    • Signal
    • F-Droid
    • Magic Earth
    • NewPipe
    • Keepass2Android
    • Brave
    • Collabora Office
  • chevy9294@monero.town
    4·
    1 year ago
    1. Factory reset
    2. Setup but SKIP GOOGLE & SAMSUNG LOGIN
    3. Install F-Droid/Droid-ify
    4. Install Aurora Store
    5. Uninstall or disable as much default apps as you can
    6. Install Simple Mobile Tools or other opensource alternative from F-Droid
    7. Install everything else you need

    Use openaource apps from fdroid, or if you really have to then use Aurora store. For office use collabora office, for youtube newpipe, video vlc, etc. NEVER LOG IN TO GOOGLE/SAMSUNG ACCOUNT ON ANY APP except Aurora store. For any other recommendation/alternative just aak me.

    • zwekihoyy@lemmy.ml
      1·
      1 year ago

      these changes are going to decrease security overall. privacy and security are not one in the same. edit: I guess they edited the post🫠

      also, logging in to aurora is almost guaranteeing your account getting banned. use a throw away account if the default ones are rate limited

      • chevy9294@monero.town
        1·
        1 year ago

        logging in to aurora is almost guaranteeing your account getting banned

        Im using my main account on aurora store on 4 profiles for past month and everything is ok (for now).

  • Hellfire103@sopuli.xyzEnglish
    2·
    1 year ago

    Use ADB to remove Google and Samsung bloatware and tracking. Ask around for help.

    There isn’t currently a build of LineageOS or DivestOS for this phone, so unfortunately you cannot yet flash a custom ROM (AFAIK). However, rooting should work if you need this (although it can hurt your security a bit).

    • MasterBlaster@lemmy.world
      2·
      10 months ago

      While many devices don’t have ROMs built for them, any recent device should work with a GSI.

      I just bought a tab s8, as I know Andy yan’s LineageOS 20 works on it from other users’ reports. I currently use it on my old tab 10.8 2019.

  • The Living Room@techhub.social
    1·
    1 year ago

    @chaosppe speaking from my personal setup, I’d do all of these but personally my way to prevent as much data harvesting from Samsung phones I also installed Netguard and set only a handful of apps and exclude the rest (even system one) to stop all these Samsung apps from transmitting all types of data (Yes I know this may be somewhat extreme and I know the limitations of Netguard), but hey it’s just my recommendation but maybe you can take this as a possible starting ground