Android Starters - a 3rd Opinion

Even though not everything google is gone, it still is the best approach with a wide user base.

Probably your first stop to get more apps. It is an app store, has much less stuff than google play but it get's you covered for starters... and it opens the door to the next appAurora.

Your second stop for even more apps: An alternative to google's play store - no account needed, of course.

Best browser I have ever seen on android, its pro version is totally worth the money, rly! You might wonder, why is a browser essential? Well, check your cookies... a bare minimum of privacy is just not negotiateble

Firefox on Android, a good replacement for the builtin chrome. Also supports many good addons like ublock and noscript...

Your swiss army knife to handle your files. Its free version only lacks network support (see mixplorer) and really easy to handle.

Your other swiss army knife to handle your files. And this one also supports a lot of networking (samba, webdav, sftp and file hosters). Needs some learning but its versatility pays off quickly.

OPTIONAL but the way to go when you need or want root... and the special goodies for it are listed in
https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/collection-of-magisk-modules-v2.3575758/

Splendid adblocker and best with root (see magisk).

They claim "The very last word in instant messaging". Well, centralized messengers are certainly not a solution and how can they be trusted without source code?

With a jabber-client like conversation you are in a federated space like email - it is as resilient as the internet itself without a single point of failure.

Weirdest keyboard ever but within a week you master it. After that you can write with a single hand on a bumpy bus ride or even on a horse. Bonus: Most people probably would never ask again for your phone once they fail at first :D

Simple email for simple needs... if that is not good enough then take fair email.

Quite frankly, the gold standard for email - the settings are so vast, you better bring some wine and cheese and lots of time! For exmaple, it can remove the tracking from your emails.

Free email included. And it is always a good idea to have a spare email.

Like fax machines - the more computers have it, the more useful it becomes. Share freely and quickly anything within your home network. Or shut down your computer. Or just use your phone's screen as mouse. And it just keeps getting better.

Organize your notes, your ideas, perhaps even your entire life! Or at least your shopping list ;)

Got lost? Well, don't! Splendid maps that get better and better, including hidden paths!

How to fill your 256GB memory card? Well, you can start with a complete copy of wiki - that'll be 80GB already - all the knowledge of the world at your fingertips!
https://wiki.kiwix.org/wiki/Content_in_all_languages

Seomthing beeping? This might help to figure out if it's a coil in your computer or just tinnitus :D

Dang! For this one thing I have not found a worthy replacement. Yet...

Rather a toy, but a very good one and easy to use.

Need to check if your GPS works?