Welcome to Freedom Tech Solutions! You’ve just received your privacy-focused device, and we’re excited to help you get started. This is the first of many articles in our Knowledge Base, designed to guide you through every aspect of your device, from the basics to more advanced features. Whether you’re setting up for the first time or looking to unlock the full potential of your de-Googled Android phone, this archive will be your go-to resource. Let’s get started and help you make the most of your new device!
1. Power On Your Device #
To begin, press and hold the power button on the side of the device until it powers on. Each time you turn on the phone, you might notice a warning about using a custom operating system—this is completely normal as the device runs a privacy-focused OS.
This is a standard security measure to notify users that the phone’s software has been modified, which is common with privacy-focused operating systems. It’s nothing to worry about; it simply ensures transparency by informing you that the system has been customized for better privacy and control over your data.
2. Inserting a SIM Card #
If you want to use mobile data and make calls, insert a SIM card by following these steps below.
You can use your existing sim card, there is little purpose in getting a new one but the choice is yours.
- Locate the SIM tray on the side of your phone.
- Use the SIM eject tool (or a paperclip) to press into the small hole next to the tray. This will pop the tray out.
- Place the SIM card into the tray, ensuring it fits in flat and flush with the cutout on the SIM matching the slot.
Once inserted, turn on mobile data by going to:
- Settings > Internet and Network > SIMs > [Your SIM] > Enable Mobile Data.
We also recommend changing your preferred network type to 4G for better privacy:
- Settings > Internet and Network > SIMs > Preferred Network Type and select 4G.
It’s also worth noting that on a normal stock phone, the vast majority of tracking happens on the device-level, it is not the result of using a sim card in your name – the privacy concerns we’ve solved come from using a phone that records everything you do on a software level.
3. Install Privacy-Focused Apps #
Your device is designed with privacy in mind. To install privacy-focused apps, use F-Droid or its enhanced alternative, Neo Store.
Neo Store not only offers a more user-friendly interface but also provides access to additional app repositories that can be easily enabled in its settings.
Both stores feature open-source apps designed to protect your privacy and data.
These two app stores F-Droid & Neo Store have all the privacy-focused apps in one place.
To install apps:
- Open F-Droid or Neo Store from the apps drawer or homescreen.
- Browse or search for apps you want to install and tap Install.
- Wait for the app to download and then confirm the installation when prompted.
4. Install Google PlayStore Apps Anonymously #
If you need apps that are normally found only on the Google Play Store, you can install them anonymously through Aurora Store. This allows you to download Play Store apps without linking your Google account, maintaining your privacy.
To install apps anonymously:
- Open Aurora Store from the apps drawer / home screen.
- Search for the desired app and tap Install.
- Wait for the download to complete and tap install when prompted.
5. Secure Your Device ⚠️ #
This is very important. if you do not have a pin or password everything on your device can be easily stolen if someone physically steals your device.
To protect your data, set up a PIN or password on your device. Here’s how:
- Settings > Security > Screen Lock and select PIN or Password.
Choose a secure PIN or password, and confirm it. Note: If you forget your PIN or password, your data cannot be recovered, so choose something memorable.
6. Join Our Community for Privacy Tips #
For ongoing support and tips on keeping your device private, scan the QR code on the guide provided with your device to join our Telegram channel and have a chat on the discussion group.
You’ll receive updates on new features and best practices as well as interesting news and facts.
Bonus Useful Tips #
- Notifications & Settings: Swipe down from the top of the screen to view notifications. Swipe down again to access quick settings such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and brightness controls.
- Accessing All Apps: Swipe up from the home screen to open the apps drawer, where you can view all installed apps.
- Customize Phone Navigation: Adjust the navigation style between gestures or buttons by going to:
- Settings > System > Gestures > Navigation Mode and choose either Gesture Navigation or 3-button Navigation.
- Settings > System > Gestures > Navigation Mode and choose either Gesture Navigation or 3-button Navigation.
- Faster Charging: Use a USB-C to USB-C cable for faster charging. Most fast chargers require this type of cable.
- Back Up Your Data: Regularly back up your phone to a USB drive or external storage to ensure your data is safe. We recommend using local backups rather than cloud storage for better privacy. Offload photos and videos to your computer to free up space.
- Settings > System > Backup and choose Local Backup.
- See this article for more info on how to backup your device.
- Explore Preinstalled Apps: The Neo Store app on your device offers links and descriptions of all preinstalled apps, so you can learn more about the tools already available on your phone.
- Private Youtube: Use NewPipe for private YouTube viewing.
Newpipe is an app that accesses YouTube anonymously and allows you to watch, download and listen in the background with no ads! You can search for and watch any video on youtube on newpipe. Give it a try! - Access your email accounts:
K9-Mail is an email app / client that allows you to manage and view your email accounts.
It is built for privacy – like every app we preinstalled.
You can login to just about any email provider, even Gmail accounts!
More information and help on that here: https://k9mail.app/ - Search in Settings: If you can’t find a setting, use the search bar inside the Settings app to quickly locate specific options.
For more assistance, contact us via Telegram @FTSdm or visit FTS.info.