These 4 open-source apps fix Android problems Google refuses to acknowledge

These 4 open-source apps fix Android problems Google refuses to acknowledge Credit: Bertel King / How-To Geek By  Bertel King Published May 31, 2026, 10:16 AM EDT Bertel is a lifelong tech enthusiast with over a decade of experience writing thousands of articles about Android devices, Linux, and more. Before joining the How-To Geek team, Bertel wrote for the likes of MakeUseOf , MakeTechEasier , and Android Police —at the latter he wrote over 3,500 articles. He delights in helping others decide which tech to bring into their lives... and which tech to do without. Bertel graduated from the College of William and Mary in 2012 with degrees in History and Government. He has spent his entire career since as a tech journalist covering Android, Linux, Wearables, Web Apps, and more. Sign in to your How-To Geek account Add Us On Jump links Jump Links Lawnchair Material Files Lotus Aves Gallery follow Follow followed Followed Like Like Thread Log in Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Try something different: Show me the facts Explain it like I’m 5 Give me a lighthearted recap I love Android, but that's mostly because I can install whichever apps I need to fix the issues I have with how things ship out of the box. When setting up a new phone, I start by disabling disappointing apps and installing replacements. Here are four of the open source alternatives I turn to for features that the default Google apps just don't handle. Using open source apps isn't the sacrifice it once was. While you can install any of these apps on a Google Pixel, I'm using them on a Murena Fairphone 6, an Android phone where not only the apps on top are open source, but so is everything else. Murena Fairphone (Gen. 6) Brand Murena Display 6.31 inches The Murena Fairphone (Gen. 6) is the perfect option to bring together privacy and sustainability. Powered by the /e/OS operating system, the Fairphone (Gen. 6) protects you and your data at all times, while at the same time prote