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General Apps

We recommend a wide variety of Android apps throughout this site. The apps listed here are Android-exclusive and specifically enhance or replace key system functionality.

Shelter

Shelter logo

Shelter is an app that helps you leverage Android's Work Profile functionality to isolate or duplicate apps on your device.

Shelter supports blocking contact search cross profiles and sharing files across profiles via the default file manager (DocumentsUI).

Repository

Warning

Shelter is recommended over Insular and Island as it supports contact search blocking.

When using Shelter, you are placing complete trust in its developer, as Shelter acts as a Device Admin to create the Work Profile, and it has extensive access to the data stored within the Work Profile.

Secure Camera

Secure camera logo Secure camera logo

Secure Camera is a camera app focused on privacy and security which can capture images, videos, and QR codes. CameraX vendor extensions (Portrait, HDR, Night Sight, Face Retouch, and Auto) are also supported on available devices.

Repository

Downloads

Main privacy features include:

  • Auto removal of Exif metadata (enabled by default)
  • Use of the new Media API, therefore storage permissions are not required
  • Microphone permission not required unless you want to record sound

Note

Metadata is not currently deleted from video files but that is planned.

The image orientation metadata is not deleted. If you enable location (in Secure Camera) that won't be deleted either. If you want to delete that later you will need to use an external app such as ExifEraser.

Secure PDF Viewer

Secure PDF Viewer logo Secure PDF Viewer logo

Secure PDF Viewer is a PDF viewer based on pdf.js that doesn't require any permissions. The PDF is fed into a sandboxed WebView. This means that it doesn't require permission directly to access content or files.

Content-Security-Policy is used to enforce that the JavaScript and styling properties within the WebView are entirely static content.

Repository

Downloads

Criteria

Please note we are not affiliated with any of the projects we recommend. In addition to our standard criteria, we have developed a clear set of requirements to allow us to provide objective recommendations. We suggest you familiarize yourself with this list before choosing to use a project, and conduct your own research to ensure it's the right choice for you.

  • Applications on this page must not be applicable to any other software category on the site.
  • General applications should extend or replace core system functionality.
  • Applications should receive regular updates and maintenance.

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