Fossify – A suite of open-source, ad-free apps

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Overview & Motivation

  • Thread centers on Fossify, an open‑source fork of Simple Mobile Tools, valued for being ad‑free, minimal-permission, and privacy‑respecting.
  • Many commenters use Fossify to replace stock/OEM/Google apps or the now‑“enshittified” Simple Mobile Tools apps.

User Experiences with Fossify Apps

  • Frequently praised apps: Gallery (rename/delete, EXIF stripping, no cloud push), Messages (simple, no spammy extras), Calculator (unit conversions), Calendar (non‑intrusive scheduling), Contacts (can store contacts invisible to other apps), File Manager, and basic utility tools (paint, recorder).
  • The Voice Recorder is repeatedly criticized as weak (low volume, reliability issues).
  • Keyboard is seen as OK but limited; lack of swipe typing is a notable gap.
  • Dialer works but has a confusing UX for emergency numbers: Android’s system UI takes over, so it appears as if nothing is happening even though the call connects.

Origins: Fork of Simple Mobile Tools

  • Fossify is explicitly identified as a fork created after Simple Mobile Tools was sold to ZipoApps.
  • Users report SMT Play Store apps now request more permissions, include trackers, ads, and even expensive weekly subscriptions (e.g., flashlight), with some calling them “effectively malware.”
  • Concern is raised about possible GPL violations because SMT’s GitHub appears stagnant while Play Store versions change.
  • Migrating requires reinstalling and reconfiguring; no automatic settings transfer, though F‑Droid users mainly just noticed SMT updates stopping.

Privacy, Ads, and the Android Ecosystem

  • Many see Fossify as a reaction to the growing ad/spyware problem: OEM and Google apps gaining nags (e.g., Photos backup prompts), telemetry, and AI bloat.
  • RCS “ads” via Google Messages and vendor SMS apps are a big motivator to switch, though some clarify these are spam messages, not in‑app banners.
  • Fossify is valued for being open source and not syncing data to Google, unlike stock apps seen as ecosystem lock‑in plus hidden tracking.

Calendars and UI Preferences

  • Debate around “month view”: one side calls it antiquated and limiting (especially around month boundaries); others insist it’s the most useful overview and should remain an option.
  • Some mention alternative designs (multi‑week, seamless scrolling) in other FOSS calendars as preferable.

Launchers and Keyboards

  • Desire for a simple, Pixel‑like FOSS launcher with minimal features and low overhead.
  • Fossify Launcher beta on F‑Droid is praised for simplicity and dense icon grids but reported to “lose” widgets intermittently.
  • Alternatives like Lawnchair and terminal‑style launchers are suggested.
  • Unexpected Keyboard is mentioned as another FOSS keyboard option.

Emergency Calls & Custom ROMs

  • One commenter warns about emergency‑call reliability issues as a reason to avoid heavy customization.
  • Others argue phones already fail in stock configurations and that custom ROMs are a response to that; reliability trade‑offs are acknowledged.
  • Suggestions include arranging test calls with local emergency services via non‑emergency numbers.

Alternatives, OSs, and Funding

  • Users mention running Fossify on LineageOS or /e/OS to avoid Google entirely.
  • /e/OS is praised for low bloat and F‑Droid integration but criticized for lagging security updates and small‑team limitations (e.g., camera quality issues).
  • Several people donate via the Fossify “Thank You” app but dislike keeping it installed; workarounds include removing it after donating or using F‑Droid builds.
  • There is interest in better collective funding structures for suites like Fossify.

Games & Broader Ad‑Free Desire

  • A side thread asks for similarly ad‑free games; suggestions include checking F‑Droid’s game category and specific titles with no ads or microtransactions.
  • Overall sentiment: Fossify exemplifies a growing demand for straightforward, local‑first, ad‑free apps in contrast to the increasingly commercialized mainstream app ecosystem.