{
  "$type": "site.standard.document",
  "bskyPostRef": {
    "cid": "bafyreiha7mq4v2z2ww5zd6tpfovmgkw67rfi2vtljzlqmi4w4deg53k5pa",
    "uri": "at://did:plc:q2k4ilmlzzrnoog5dccpqwor/app.bsky.feed.post/3mf5b2q7fi4u2"
  },
  "coverImage": {
    "$type": "blob",
    "ref": {
      "$link": "bafkreif4urwxlibajecokrs5gnlcs4phykoe66cycosfz4mt5euqpo53vm"
    },
    "mimeType": "image/jpeg",
    "size": 34129
  },
  "path": "/post/43337100",
  "publishedAt": "2026-02-18T09:31:12.000Z",
  "site": "https://lemmy.ml",
  "tags": [
    "Privacy",
    "SuspciousCarrot78",
    "4 comments",
    "droidify.app/app/?id=net.stargw.fok&repo_address=…",
    "droidify.app/app/?id=com.duckduckgo.mobile.androi…"
  ],
  "textContent": "submitted by SuspciousCarrot78 to privacy\n35 points | 4 comments\n\n\nWanted to share something I’ve been trying for the last few months on my Samsung phone (I know, I know) to cut down ads, tracking, and random background noise.\n\nIt’s a bit more manual than most setups, so YMMV. Also, my device doesn’t have reliable custom firmware that keeps VoLTE working (which I need here), so this is the “no-root, stock OS” route.\n\nTL;DR: I’m running a layered setup. DuckDuckGo App Protection (local VPN), Private DNS (Mullvad adblock), Karma Firewall to sandbox network access, plus ADB to disable stubborn background/analytics apps. All free tools.\n\nWhat each layer actually does:\n\n  1. DuckDuckGo “VPN” (App Protection) - this is a local/on-device VPN, not a traditional “change your IP” VPN. It routes app traffic through Android’s VPN interface so it can block trackers and hidden connections system-wide. It’s more of a privacy filter than an anonymity tool, but it still reduces data leakage.\n\n  2. DDG Browser - lightweight, minimal background noise, and pairs nicely with the tracker blocking above. I know DDG has some controversy attached to it but it works for me / is somewhat faster on my device than alternatives (eg: Fennec). YMMV.\n\n  3. Mullvad Private DNS (adblock) - filters at the DNS level, so many ad/tracking/malicious domains never resolve in the first place. Works across the whole device without root. Free to use with ZDR policy.\n\n  4. Karma Firewall - lets me block apps from accessing the network unless I explicitly allow them. Stops a lot of “phone home” behavior from random apps. Testing between this and DDG as only 1 VPN slot.\n\n  5. ADB cleanup - disables leftover bloat/analytics services that keep waking the phone (Samsung, M$oft etc) that otherwise can’t be killed.\n\n\n\n\nMy approach is basically: filter first, restrict second, minimize trust, sleep the rest.\n\nResults so far:\n\n  * On a 2019 Galaxy A20 (3 GB RAM), I’m getting ~2 days of usable battery. Thats a 6yr old phone.\n  * UI feels noticeably snappier (setting animations to 0.5x in Developer Options helps too).\n  * Less background traffic, less tracking/metadata leakage, built-in ad filtering (no root).\n  * Lower data usage → cheaper mobile plan is now viable (I switched to a $120 for 365 days unlimited SMS and calls with 120GB data)\n\n\n\nFair warning: because multiple layers are filtering traffic, some people may see:\n\n  * Apps/login flows breaking\n  * Slower connections\n  * Certain services (banking/streaming/region-sensitive apps) acting weird\n\n\n\nIn _my_ case it’s been stable, but layered setups always depend on your exact app mix and network.\n\nAnyway, just sharing my “no-root privacy stack” setup. YMMV.\n\nKarma FW: droidify.app/app/?id=net.stargw.fok&repo_address=…\n\nDDG: droidify.app/app/?id=com.duckduckgo.mobile.androi…\n\nDNS: adblock.dns.mullvad.net\n\nNote: Private DNS can run alongside a VPN-based tracker blocker just fine, but Android typically allows only one VPN-based firewall/tracker-blocker per profile at a time.\n\nSo DDG App Tracking Protection and a VPN-style firewall may conflict unless you separate them by profile or choose one.\n\nThe work around is: Settings → Connections → Data usage → Data saver Enable Data Saver Only allow a short whitelist of apps as “Unrestricted”.",
  "title": "Its not much but it's something"
}