I have a normal Googled Android phone and tinkered with a bunch of settings so that only what I can’t uninstall or disable remains on it.

If I run a vpn on it then the Googled OS may still know my location(from wifi and bluethooth scanning that it may be doing nonstop) and browser searches.

In that case, would the vpn only mask my activity from my internet service provider?

Thanks in advance

PS: This is a locked phone and I understand that it’s spyware but I can’t afford an unlocked one yet thanks

  • hexagonwin@lemmy.sdf.org
    8·
    2 days ago

    Try Universal ADB Debloater, you can probably remove most spywares from it. Surely I can’t trust it as much as a FOSS rom, but from my quick network inspection my samsung stock rom with UAD makes pretty much no network connection at all.

        • Squizzy@lemmy.world
          95·
          2 days ago

          Have you tried being nice, the link you provided wasnt for the playstore and not everyone is as digitally literate as you.

          • hexagonwin@lemmy.sdf.org
            51·
            2 days ago

            Sorry if I sounded mean but this is a privacy community and search engine is literally where you go to search for things you don’t know.

          • youmaynotknow@lemmy.ml
            15·
            2 days ago

            Have you tried searching instead of coming straight to a group of nerds focused on privacy and crying about something not being in the Play Store, which many of us avoid like the plague?

            • Squizzy@lemmy.world
              21·
              1 day ago

              If your opsec was so great you’d realise I was not the OP and just found the comment to be dismissive.

              Communities thrive on dialogue and providing context and links can help with longevity for the community and platform.

              • youmaynotknow@lemmy.ml
                11·
                21 hours ago

                You’re right, I assumed you were the OP, and that’s squarely on me. The cats still remain. Most of the suggestions here will be impossible to find via streamline means, as this is not a streamline network, and much less a “normie” channel.

  • Ulrich@feddit.orgEnglish
    12·
    3 days ago

    If I run a vpn on it then the Googled OS may still know my location(from wifi and bluethooth scanning that it may be doing nonstop)

    The VPN has nothing to do with your phone’s location settings.

    would the vpn only mask my activity from my internet service provider?

    Yes, plus it’s a shared server so it makes it harder for websites to know your location or to track your activities across sites.

  • RyanUrq1328@programming.dev
    16·
    3 days ago

    It can mask your ip from other sites, some have adblocking on them too.

    I personally use PiVPN which gives me access to PiHole so I have adblocking on the go.

    So like Google still gets stuff, but I figure in trying to get privacy, every little helps.

  • MynameisAllen@lemmy.zip
    11·
    3 days ago

    Worth doing, I’d also recommend looking into ADB and removing Gemini and other google apps. It’s not an ideal setup but perfect is the enemy of good

  • merde alors@sh.itjust.works
    11·
    3 days ago

    like i wrote under your last post, install netGuard as a VPN and activate “manage system apps” which will permit you to block google calling home

    also, with ADB you can uninstall almost anything (be careful!)

    you can also choose a dns which would block those (mullvad, for example

  • Steve@communick.newsEnglish
    81·
    3 days ago

    Yes. Exactly.
    But why give your ISP (or any wifi you connect to) all your browsing habits?