Xenmaster's 2026 Minimal Phone Catalog

Xen Master14 appsUpdated Aug 28, 2026

This is an update to a list I made back in 2019. https://alternativeto.net/lists/8035/minimalist-android/. A lot has changed since then, including me - now I only list apps I use on a regular basis, not just those I install.

I only really use a phone for calling / texting people. Sometimes, I might use a browser to get directions, check hours at a restaurant, or look up the capitol of Zaire if someone asks. My phone app profile reflects this - no social media, no rideshare, no spotify or games.

If you are looking for a minimal phone without having to go pick one up from Minimal, consider the below options on a newly Graphemed Pixel!

GrapheneOS
Like
GrapheneOS is a privacy and security focused mobile OS with Android app compatibility developed as a non-profit open source project. It's focused on the research and development of privacy and security technology including substantial improvements to sandboxing, exploit...
Cost / License
Free
Open Source
Application typeApplication types
Mobile OS
Android ROM
Platforms
Android
Android Tablet
Xen Master’s note
I currently own a Pixel 6a which has Graphene installed. Super easy to do if you are able and highly recommended. This OS currently only supports Pixel phones and tablets, but hopefully one day will be installable on a keyboard phone, like Unihertz or Minimal. One can only dream.
F-Droid
Like
Discover and install FOSS Android apps with ease. Privacy-focused, ad-free, and no registration required, F-Droid offers a lightweight alternative.
Cost / License
Free
Open Source
Application typeApplication types
App Store
Software Installer
Platforms
Online
Android
Android Tablet
F-Droid
Xen Master’s note
I've tried using Obtanium a few years back, but with that app, even downloading and installing Signal was impossible. At current, F-Droid is my go-to for grabbing free and opensource apps.
Aurora Store
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Aurora Store enables you to search and download apps from the official Google Play store. You can check app descriptions, screenshots, updates, reviews, and download the APK directly from Google Play to your device.
Cost / License
Free
Open Source
Application typeApplication types
App Store
Software Installer
Platforms
Android
Android Tablet
HUAWEI AppGallery
F-Droid
OpenAPK
Xen Master’s note
An anonymous client for downloading playapps which aren't available on fdroid. I'll flag those items further down the list.
Signal
Like
An encrypted messaging app focused on privacy, supporting texts, calls, photos, videos, files, and group chats, with no ads or trackers.
Cost / License
Free
Open Source
Application typeApplication types
Instant Messenger
Video Calling App
Platforms
Mac
Windows
Linux
Android
iPhone
iPad
Snapcraft
Android Auto
Flathub
F-Droid
Ubuntu
Debian
OpenAPK
+6
Xen Master’s note
My favourite online messenger. Battle tested for privacy with its end-to-end encryption and capable of group chats, disappearing messages, and voice and video calls. Not available in f-droid so I use the Aurora Store to download and keep this updated. I thought about trying the modified Molly frontend for Signal, which is available on F-Droid, but it doesn't do anything I need extra and it's a bit challenging telling people "I'm on Molly" without making it weird.
Cheogram
Like
Chat on the Jabber network (XMPP protocol); focus on features for gateway users The Cheogram Android app allows you to join a worldwide communication network.
Cost / License
Free
Open Source
Application typeApplication types
Instant Messenger
Encrypted Chat App
Platforms
Android
F-Droid
Xen Master’s note
I use an alternate phone number with jmp.chat for job interviews and other throwaway activities and use Cheogram to connect with that number.
Tuta Mail
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Tuta is an all-in-one email, calendar and contacts app which protects your data with full end-to-end encryption and it requires zero personal information. Tuta is built with open source software so you can inspect every piece of code running on your devices so you can be sure...
Cost / License
Freemium
Open Source
Application typeApplication types
WebMail Provider
Email Client
Platforms
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
iPad
Flathub
F-Droid
OpenAPK
Thunderbird
Xen Master’s note
Front end client for Tuta webmail. Free accounts are a bit hobbled, but I prefer the user experience on Tuta to Proton for personal email (and the fact this app is available on F-Droid).
Proton Mail
Like
Secure Swiss-based email with end-to-end encryption and zero third-party access. Available across devices, offering a free version to promote privacy.
Cost / License
Freemium
Open Source
Application typeApplication types
WebMail Provider
Email Client
Platforms
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
Android
iPhone
iPad
Snapcraft
Flathub
OpenAPK
Tor
+9
Xen Master’s note
Front end client for my Protonmail account. Available on Aurora Store only.
DuckDuckGo Browser
Like
DuckDuckGo Privacy Browser is designed to help users control their personal data while browsing the internet. The browser provides privacy essentials that give users control over their data during web searches.
Cost / License
Freemium
Open Source
Application type
Web Browser
Platforms
Mac
Windows
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
iPad
F-Droid
OpenAPK
+5
Xen Master’s note
Vanadium, which comes native with Graphene, is terrible at blocking ads. I find Ironfox buggy and Cromite hopelessly outdated and Brave unavailable on F-droid and way too bloated. I use the DuckDuckGo browser, which is based on Chrome and pretty stripped down. It's worked well for me in the past and continues to do so.

Note: I generally don't log into any online services using my phone. Just a personal preference and I've never had a need to do something like online shopping or banking which couldn't wait until I got home.
Aegis Authenticator
Like
Aegis Authenticator is a free, secure and open source app to manage your 2-step verification tokens for your online services.
Cost / License
Free
Open Source
Application type
Authenticator
Platforms
Android
Android Tablet
F-Droid
OpenAPK
Xen Master’s note
Multifactor authentication tool I use for sensitive accounts. Works really well.
NewPipe
Like
Lightweight and open-source app for YouTube, PeerTube, SoundCloud, and more. No Google Account needed, supports 4K and background audio streaming with downloads.
Cost / License
Free
Open Source
Application typeApplication types
YouTube Downloader
YouTube Client
Platforms
Android
Android Tablet
Android Auto
F-Droid
Obtainium
OpenAPK
Linux
Flatpak
Flathub
+12
Xen Master’s note
Used for watching Youtube videos. F-droid has a custom repo for this since it needs to be updated quickly to keep up with Youtube updates. This sees a lot of mileage on my Pixel tablet. Word of warning for US viewers - if you download too many videos with this app, Youtube may block your IP for a bit.
Open Camera
Like
Open Camera is an Open Source Camera app for Android phones and tablets. Features:
Cost / License
Free
Open Source
Application type
Camera App
Platforms
Android
Android Tablet
F-Droid
OpenAPK
+2
Xen Master’s note
I actually use the Graphene stock camera, but this app is magnificent when using an Android device compared to the stock camera. Great for both still pictures and video capture.
Fossify Voice Recorder
Like
Introducing Fossify Voice Recorder – where capturing crystal-clear audio and preserving precious moments is effortless and enjoyable. Seamlessly blend simplicity with functionality as you embark on a journey of seamless recording experiences tailored to your needs.
Cost / License
Free
Open Source
Application type
Audio Recorder
Platforms
Android
Android Tablet
F-Droid
OpenAPK
Xen Master’s note
Great for recording notes and songs at the mall to analyze on Shazam later. :)
Fossify Gallery
Like
Private offline photo and video viewer with editing tools, format support, secure locking, EXIF removal, no ads, recycle bin, and material design themes.
Cost / License
Free
Open Source
Application typeApplication types
Photo Manager
Image Viewer
Platforms
Android
Android Tablet
F-Droid
OpenAPK
Xen Master’s note
I use the Graphene gallery for viewing pictures and videos, but Fossify builds a mean gallery too. Comes with a basic image editor too!
MuPDF
Like
Highly versatile PDF and XPS solution offering customizable rendering and viewing with features like digital signatures, redactions, and annotations.
Cost / License
Free
Open Source
Application typeApplication types
PDF Reader
Ebook Reader
Platforms
Windows
Linux
Android
F-Droid
Xfce
OpenAPK
+3
Xen Master’s note
I use Graphene's stock pdf viewer, but mupdf is no slouch and does a great job displaying documents.

Aside from the above, here are some tips for people using Android instead of Grapheme like me:

Download and use the Fossify suite of free software to replace your stock Android apps. Except for SMS and Phone, which have never worked right for me other than the stock dialer and texting app.
If you have to use an Android Phone, use the Netguard app to ensure your offline apps aren't phoning home to secret servers. Grapheme does this automatically. -- https://alternativeto.net/software/netguard/
Tor-Browser is also a great app, but I don't use it with my phone because it's not a secure OS the same way something like Tails or Whonix are. It's great if you want to use for casual browsing and don't mind a slower connection though. -- https://alternativeto.net/software/tor-browser/

Are there any apps I've missed? Please feel free to let me know in the comments below.

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GrapheneOS

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F-Droid

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Aurora Store

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Signal

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Cheogram

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Tuta Mail

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Proton Mail

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DuckDuckGo Browser

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Aegis Authenticator

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NewPipe

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Open Camera

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Fossify Voice Recorder

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Fossify Gallery

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MuPDF

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