How to make a perfect phone

Created on 01/11/2025

This article is based on sprinklednights's one [archive], with more updated tips.

Install a web browser

I tried multiple browsers because I always was encountering issues with Youtube videos or playing games online games on itch.io. Mull works but doesn't allow WebGL. Bromite is old, so prefer Cromite, but it doesn't allow you to listen to Youtube in background. From what I tried, Brave is a bit slow, and consumes a HUGE amount of battery. So I made a compromise, I wanted a fast browser, and I was ready to forget to listen Youtube in background.

That's why I'm using DuckDuckGo. It blocks some ads and requests (but not all of them) and has a special button to erase the whole history. Erasing history is nice, but adding a button to show current history would be better, as literally EVERY other web browser do.

I also miss the ability to quickly switch between tabs that Chromium derivatives offer.

Install an ad blocker

There are 3 apps which comes to my mind:

Blokada 5: a simple button and you're done. Note that it enables a VPN, so if you're already have one then it's unusable. It is also not recommended if your network connection is slow, as it may worsen it. Other than that, you can choose blocklists (OISD's one is very perfect for games) and which websites/requests to block, so you can also use it to block some websites. The subscription is not mandatory, and the app works very well without paying anything. There is Blokada 6, but it is more limited.
Netguard: you choose which apps you forbid to access to the Internet. That's it.
Adaway: more lightweight than blokada, but if you want a custom blocklist you'll have to edit it or download one from the Internet. The app works either with VPN, or operates directly on your phone hosts directory if it is rooted, so no more VPN or network slowdown.

Install core apps

Back in the time Simple Mobile Tools were great open source apps, but they have been bought by a company (ZipoApps), known for its ad-filled apps. Nonetheless, previous versions of these apps have been forked and are handled by a community, known as Fossify, and they added material interfaces, and still follow the "simple" philosophy.

Hovever, as we have seen for Simple Mobile Tools, it is never a good idea to download every app from the company, so here some alternative everyday apps:

Gallery: Aves (doesn't have an internal photo editor though);
Notes: Quillpad;
Keyboard: Heliboard (you can move the cursor through the text using the space bar, and select the text part to delete using the delete button, with swipes);
Clock: BlackyHawky's Clock;
File explorer: Amaze File Manager;
Music Player: Auxio;

Install a launcher

I'm using cLauncher, which is like OLauncher but with a great addition: you can hide app list, so that when you turn on your phone screen you don't feel overwhelmed. You simply type the app name using the keyboard. You miust know your app names though, as they're not necessarily the same as the stores' one. This feature is enabled by default, but you can change it in the app settings hopefully. Moreover, you won't have to see undesirable apps you cannot disable/uninstall.

Like OLauncher, it is very minimalist, so if you're used to that, first days may be disturbing, but it's not a big deal, and you'll be less on your phone that way.