“Sounds great, a privacy-friendly phone… but can I still use my trusted apps?”

That’s a question we hear a lot and rightfully so. Because if you’re switching to a privacy-first smartphone, you want to be sure it still lets you do the things that matter to you. Like using the apps you rely on every day.

So: which apps work? Which don’t? Where can you download them? And why is the OwnPhone much more than just another phone?

OwnPhone: Built from a radically different starting point

The OwnPhone isn’t a variation of existing smartphones. It’s built from a radically different starting point. While most phones are designed to grab your attention and collect your data in the background, the OwnPhone has only one goal: to give you control over your personal data, your usage, and your attention.

You use the phone for your needs. Without tracking. Without hidden data collection. And without unnecessary distractions.

The operating system is open-source, free from Google or Apple, and developed according to privacy-compliant European standards. You decide whether your files and photos stay on your phone or are stored securely on the decentralized internet of ThreeFold. In that case, your data is available in your personal cloud: a private Nextcloud environment only you can access.

Most apps work just fine

If you’re switching to the OwnPhone, you’ll want to know whether your current apps will still work. The short answer: yes, in most cases they do. Messaging, banking, navigation, government services, they all run smoothly.

Common apps that work on the OwnPhone:

  • Messaging: WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, Outlook
  • Navigation: Google Maps, Waze, Organic Maps
  • Banking: Rabobank, ING, ASN, Bunq
  • Government: DigiD, NS
  • Media: Spotify, Netflix
  • Authentication: Microsoft Authenticator, Google Authenticator, Aegis, 2FAS
  • Tools: Firefox, Brave, ProtonMail, Nextcloud

Some apps may not work right away, especially those heavily dependent on Google services or specific security layers. But even then, there’s often a solution. You’ll find tips, workarounds, and support in our user community.

There are also a few apps that unfortunately don’t work at all, apps that are fully locked into Google Play Services, like ChatGPT, Android Auto, or YouTube. Luckily, there are privacy-friendly alternatives for most of them.

⚠️ Note: Apps like WhatsApp, Google Maps, or Gmail collect massive amounts of personal data. Whether you continue using them is your decision, but we warmly invite you to explore more privacy-conscious alternatives.

Discover alternatives in the F-Droid App Store

The OwnPhone comes pre-installed with two app stores: Aurora Store and F-Droid.

  • F-Droid only contains open-source, privacy-friendly apps. Think of Signal, Organic Maps, Simple Calendar, Tasks, and more.
  • Aurora Store gives you access to (almost) all apps from the Google Play Store — but without Google knowing who you are.

You don’t need to create any accounts. Just open the store, search for your app, tap “install” — done.

Micro-G: Essential for many apps

Many apps – like banking, government services or navigation – are built on top of Google Play Services. That’s a bundle of background services most Android phones rely on, including location tracking, push notifications, sync tools, and account connections. You usually don’t notice it, but a lot of apps won’t work without it.

On the OwnPhone, these Google services have been intentionally removed to protect your privacy. Instead, Micro‑G is installed by default.

Micro‑G is an open-source alternative to Google Play Services. It mimics the core functionality that many apps depend on, allowing them to function normally, but without sending any data to Google. Thanks to Micro‑G, apps like Rabobank, DigiD, NS, and WhatsApp work perfectly fine on the OwnPhone.

You set the pace, without giving up convenience

The beauty of the OwnPhone is that you don’t have to change all your habits overnight. You can use your phone just like you always have. Most apps work. Everything your current phone can do, this one can too.

As long as the apps that matter to you still work (and chances are high they do), there’s really no reason not to switch. From there, you decide how far you want to go. Still using WhatsApp because of your kids’ class group? That’s fine, it works. At the same time, you can already start exploring privacy-friendly alternatives.

Of course, switching phones takes a bit of effort. But we’re here to help. From transferring your contacts to importing your calendar, our community offers step-by-step guides and helpful tools.

We’ve got your back, so you can take ownership of your data, without sacrificing ease of use.

Try it for yourself

Want to learn more about the OwnPhone or order one right away?
Visit www.yourdata.network/ownphone

Or sign up for a free live webinar where we explain everything about the OwnPhone and the decentralized internet. Check the schedule at www.yourdata.network or our webinar page