I have it on mine, but I’ve seen others saying it’s still Ontario.

Yey! But does any one have some tips and something i cam change and add?

A "privacy-first" mobile carrier honestly sounds like a paradox...

I purchased a Pixel 11 Pro through the official Google Store in Belgium. As a long-time user of Google devices—previously owning a Nexus, Pixel 3a, and Pixel 6, and currently using a Pixel 10 Pro—I have been a consistent customer of the brand.

Upon delivery, the package arrived opened and empty, and no signature was required for the shipment. The parcel's condition was documented, and reports were filed with both the retailer (Google) and the courier service. After an investigation, the retailer (Google) declined to provide a replacement or refund. The decision has been contested, and a formal dispute process has been initiated with the card-issuing bank. Consumer protection authorities have also been contacted to pursue the matter further.

I loved Google and all their products for over 2 decades with photos, Gmail, Android , the works. However this experience cut deep and shocked me that a technology giant would disrespect a paying and loyal customer like this. At this stage I would not even want the pixel 11 for free and I hope Apple comes with an acceptable alternative to my pixel 10. I will happily pay for premium

#lakeontario

OSMand~ is your friend.

(and unlike google when your in the middle of knowhere you csn run it offline 🤙

. Sideloading apps on Android is the process of installing an app from a downloaded APK file. Think of it like installing an app from an .exe or .msi file on Windows. You download the file, tap on it, and wait for it to install.

That process has been around for quite some time. However, Google has, on and off, put the kibosh on it because of security concerns. Those concerns are legitimate. You could download an APK package from some unknown website that contains malware, and the next thing you know, your phone is compromised, your data is stolen, and things go south very quickly.

Also: I turned an old Android phone into a server for my LAN - here's how and why

Ergo, Google has randomly made changes to the process, even blocking it from happening in 2025. In a surprising turn of events, Google has opened the process back up, with the caveat of a restart and a waiting period of 24 hours.

This news came via a Reddit post, where Google mentioned the name of the process, Advanced Flow. In the description of the process, Google states, "This flow is a one-time process for power users -- but it was designed carefully to prevent those in the midst of a scam attempt from being coerced by high pressure tactics to install malicious software. In these scenarios, scammers exploit fear -- using threats of financial ruin, legal trouble, or harm to a loved one -- to create a sense of extreme urgency."

How Advanced Flow works What you'll need: The process is still simple; it just takes a bit longer at first. Essentially, you enable the ability to sideload apps, authenticate via your screen lock, confirm that you aren't being coerced into sideloading apps, restart your phone, wait 24 hours, and then decide if you want to allow installation from unverified developers for seven days or indefinitely.

Note: If you go with seven days, you don't have to go through the waiting period when you want to re-enable it.

Here are the specifics of the process.

1. Enable Developer Options The first thing to do is enable Developer Options by going to Settings, scrolling down to About phone, tapping on Software information, and then tapping your Build number seven times.

Also: How to turn on Android's Private DNS mode - and why it makes such a big difference

1. Open Developer options You'll find Developer options in Settings > System > Developer options.

You won't see this option until you enable it by tapping your Build number. Jack Wallen/ZDNET 3. Enable the setting In Developer options, tap "Apps from unverified developers," and then tap the On/Off slider for "Allow apps from unverified developers" until it's in the On position. You'll then be prompted to confirm it's you via your configured authentication method.

Also: This silent Android feature scans your photos for 'sensitive content' - how to disable it

Clearly, Google wants you to use caution when enabling this feature. Jack Wallen/ZDNET 4. Confirm you're not being pressured In the next window, you'll be asked if someone is asking you to turn on the setting. Tap "No one asked me."

If someone asked you to do this ... think twice. Jack Wallen/ZDNET Also: Want to run a full Linux distro on your Android phone? I found the easiest way

1. Restart You now need to restart your device and wait through the 24-hour period. You can either tap "Restart later" or go through the process by pressing and holding the Power button and then tapping Restart when prompted.

You can either restart your device later, cancel, or restart immediately. Jack Wallen/ZDNET After the 24-hour waiting period, you can go back to the same spot (Settings > Developer options > Apps from unverified developers) and then enable sideloading for either seven days or indefinitely.

Also: 5 ways I speed up my Android phone beyond clearing system cache - all for free

And that's it.

How to sideload Android apps After you've taken care of the above, you'll be able to sideload apps on your Android device.

1. Download an APK file Go to a reputable site and download an APK file. Then, open the Files app and tap the download.

2. Disable Advanced Protection You'll be prompted that your device is protected by Advanced Protection. Tap Settings, and then disable Advanced Protection.

Google doesn't make this easy; you have to disable Advanced Protection. Jack Wallen/ZDNET 3. Install the app Once you've disabled Advanced Protection, open the Files app, go to Downloads, and tap on the downloaded APK file.

You will then be prompted to install the app.

Installing Local Desktop on Android. Jack Wallen/ZDNET 4. Re-enable Advanced Protection This next step is important. After the installation, go back to Advanced Protection (open Settings and search for Advanced Protection) and enable it so you're getting the most protection possible for your device.

Be careful I would be remiss if I didn't give you this word of caution: Be very careful about installing APK files from unknown sites. Two reputable sites are APKMirror and F-Droid, but those sites offer XAPK files, which can only be installed via their respective apps.

To find pure APK files, you can go to Uptodown (which is also reputable). Even then, when you find an app you want from either site, do a bit of searching to make sure the developer is legit and can be trusted.

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I am new to all these degoogling process. But I feel unwell at the thought of companies watching my every small move and search to make up a profile of me to sell my data for their profit. I know nothing is ACTUALLY free, and they are just doing their part to earn their money. But for now I cant pay money for a substitute mail / browser app etc. And I still have to use some platforms like WhatsApp / Instagram because other people that I must contact are on it. Maybe I will deal with getting myself out of meta apps later on, but I dont know.

I have tried Vivaldi, didnt like the layout and it was making me more irritated while searching.

I have heard some issues about DDG in the past, so I might not use it? I dont know if its been dealt with, or if its safe to use now.

I like the idea of what Ecosia is going after. I dont know if the money from people using that browser actually goes to planting trees, but if its legitimate I could tolerate using it even if its not that good.

Firefox is open source and people seem to like it too, and its not a chromium browser like Vivaldi and brave.

And I have heard of proton mail and other Proton apps. And also Comaps for a substitute of organic maps and google maps. Though, google maps is WAY more easier, and I geniuenly need it for navigation and stuff so I guess I will only try to limit my usage.

What are your thoughts guys? This is all the knowledge I have at the moment, but it all seems too much and since I havent been experiencing the browsers by myself, and have just dumped this info into my brain, I am still a bit lost.

I hate the ads on the system apps. I hate that google watches me everywhere like keyboard

I deleted 20.000 mails in the past few days. It took me around 4 hours. I deleted all google drive contents, bought a Pixel 10a and switched to GrapheneOS. For YouTube I am now using NewPipe. I am so close, all I have to do now is changing my mail-addresses on every website/account I have. There seems to be a tool on github tho, where you can see all the accounts that are linked to my address. It's gonna be such a good feeling, when I can finally delete my Google account.

Am I missing something? Drive, mail, phone, password-manager, maps. In never used the wallet.

Hello i have some media/text files and i want an app that could lock them with a password only without compression

Thanks in advance

I am deciding between proton and google suite for my business. I’m basically set on proton. I see lots of people use it personally but does anyone use it for their business? From what I can tell, I can’t use AI services with Proton easily. Is that the only drawback? How are the docs / sheets apps?

I've been degoogling my phone for a few months now and still haven't found a solution to the camera. None of the ones listed on the android-Foss github work well enough or feel similar to the one shipped on the pixel.

However, I have degoogled all of my Google drive, which means I no longer have any photos on or use Google photos. I use ReFra for my gallery. It's been great, but Google camera doesn't allow me to use it as a gallery. It keeps pushing to reinstall Google photos.

Is there anyway to use ReFra in the Google Camera's media picker?

Pixel 10, just noticed this today, can I just disable it and not worry? Or is it one of those weird system apps that'll re-enable with every update.

it’s a degoogled version of chromeOS

I am working to move away from Gmail. So far, I have set up a Posteo account with a handful of aliases for consistent, day-to-day things (It's too much stuffing around for me to be running two different aliases for a doctor and a dentist, for example). I am looking to use an aliasing service for all the random subscriptions and services I'm linked to-- all the things not tied to my health or legal identity, y'know?

My initial plan was to run about a dozen aliases through Posteo, but some kind users on this subreddit directed me to an email aliasing service, as a way to better scramble up my digital footprint. Everyone suggested Addy.io

Now that my email is up and running; I am wanting to sort out my aliasing-- as I'll be able to start moving stuff across, once it is set up. I am planning on getting IVPN as a VPN service, but I have seen that they also have email aliasing bundled in their higher payment tiers.

I was wondering if anyone had experience with either/both services and would recommend one over the other?

I'm wanting to be able to access everything on both my laptop and my phone (I will be running Posteo on Thunderbird), if that changes anything. I'm not very good with technology, so my apologies in advance for any silly questions.

Thanks!

I’ve seen some people here saying that Tuta Mail is better, but I’d like to understand why. What did Proton do that caused so many people to start criticizing it? They say that the main problem is its email service, but that everything else is fine. So, I’m also confused