If you frequently use Android devices, you should know that there is life beyond Mountain View. Despite the deep integration we see in Google's services, it's actually not that hard to find alternatives from the FOSS world. One of the most popular windows to access such content is F-Droid, which has just reached version 1.0.
When it comes to getting apps for Android, there are three main routes: downloading everything through Google's official store, obtaining APK files manually with services like APKPure, or adopting a different software repository. The traditional route is usually the safest, but we are anchored to Google's whims, and when its store starts spewing weird errors, it can be more cryptic than Windows blue screens. Direct APK gives the user enormous freedom, although it faces considerable risk. Android malware is particularly nefarious, and the last thing we want is an infected app with elevated privileges.
Instead, secondary stores deliver a bit of both, and the best part is that they can focus on a specific class of software, just like F-Droid does. In other words, everything F-Droid offers is FOSS, and any user has the possibility to download the code of their favorite apps. At the same time, F-Droid stands out when programs have features like user tracking or dependencies on nonfree elements. Although F-Droid does not require root access, it is necessary to enable installation of apps from unknown sources.
F-Droid reached version 1.0 after spending quite some time in alpha. In its client we find several interface adjustments, but the general experience remains intact. F-Droid's installation is done from its official page, and immediately after its first run we will receive the update for the repository. In summary, if you want to cut Google's chains and make your Android device a bit more software-independent, F-Droid is what you're looking for.
