F-droid: An alternative software directory for Android. F-droid: Alternative Software Directory for Android What is f droid

As an example of such an alternative repository, consider the F-droid directory, which consists of programs distributed under free licenses.

But the Android system itself also suggests alternative ways to install applications, up to the possibility of installing a separate apk file downloaded from the developer's site. Therefore, in nature, there are alternative "markets" from which you can install programs for Android.

In truth, quite a large part of these alternative directories are the so-called "warez". But there are also decent directories of mobile programs. This is, for example, the 1Mobile application store. Amazon also has its own "market", which actively uses Android for its devices. Here I would like to draw attention to the F-Droid project, which contains applications only with open source code (Open Source).

F-Droid Features

F-Droid is an online repository exclusively for developers and users of Android open source software. The project was founded in October 2010. The repository address is f-droid.org .

During this time, about three hundred programs have accumulated in the repository. At first glance, this is not enough, especially compared to the same Google Play. However, on the other hand, there are no dummy programs here, not to mention suspicious software, which makes searching for programs a pleasant and rewarding experience. Also in the F-Droid repository there are programs that are not in Google Play.

As expected, the F-Droid storage has its own web interface through which you can find and download the desired application.

The web interface is modest. Allows you to get brief information about the program, download the apk file or download the source code. There is no Russian interface yet. As well as there is no possibility to leave comments directly on the page of the program, there is only an English-language forum for discussion. On the other hand, the web interface is not overloaded with all sorts of bells and whistles and works quickly.

And, of course, there is a package manager for the smartphone. Latest version 0.25. Size 145 kB. There is a Russian interface.

The package manager has three tabs. The first tab shows the software available in the repository. You can get more detailed information about the desired application, a link to the home page, a bug tracker, a link to the source code.

The second tab shows the already installed software. And the third shows existing updates for installed applications.

F-Droid has such a feature as support for multiple versions of applications. That is, it is not necessary to install the latest version of the program. You can, for example, if there are errors in the new version, try one of the previous ones, which is often in demand on old smartphones.

Mikhail ASTAPCHIK

F-Droid is the “client” part of the eponymous repository of applications, games, widgets and other .apk utilities for Android devices. Loads lists of apk-applications of various thematic directions from the database. Sorts and groups them by thematic sections and custom "filters".

The virtual page of each application hosted in F-Droid contains a detailed description, screenshots and a direct installation link. The service hosts exclusively freeware applications that do not require any registration or license payment.

F-Droid functionality

Synchronizes with the repository database, loads lists of .apk files available for download;
Visualizes the list of available utilities in the interface, groups them into thematic sections and sorts them according to the user's "filtering" parameters;
Displays a detailed description of the utility you like, screenshots of its interface and a direct installation link when you "click" on the application icon in the list;
Notifies users when developers change the "free" applications they use, licensing conditions (make the application paid);
Sends notifications about patches for applications installed on the user's device and interesting new items in the repository;
Automatic creates a backup copy of the cache of installed applications and sends it to the "cloud" of the repository (if you enable the appropriate option and have an account).

Repository Features

Does not require prior account creation;
Places only freeware applications in directories;
Contains a detailed and screenshots of the interface description of each downloaded file;
Distribution developers check the source code of hosted applications for viruses, ads and other information "garbage" before publishing;
Each version of an application available for download is “accompanied” by open source code from developers (if you wish, you can check everything yourself “for code purity”);
Regular expansion of the “range” of applications available for download and notification of the release of new products, including patches for applications installed by the user.

Minuses

Not available on Google Play due to direct competition - Google antiviruses "swear" at the application;
Developers must provide up-to-date source code to publish their development;
To enable the automatic backup of the application cache, you still need to register with the service.

One of the many positives Android is its openness. To the guys from Google whether you download third party apps, make your own, or decide to compete with them and open up your own app market. For this reason, let's consider such a phenomenon as - this is an alternative application market, is a repository for FOSS(Free and Open Source Software - free open source software). A wide range of applications will appeal to every user. This alternative also has some advantages. You can choose any available version of the application you are about to install; view the ones already on your device FOSS applications; enable update notifications in the settings of the application itself. In general, this is a good option for finding new applications and then using them, especially considering that they are very similar to Linux desktop programs. Even the app is FOSS application that is licensed under GPLv2+.

Naturally, such a topic is not complete without mentioning security. solved this problem in a completely new way. Developers can upload apk files, but the source code from which the apk file will be created is more preferable. The community guarantees 100% compliance with the source code, which anyone can verify. has long been the basis FOSS of the world, if the guys who understand the codes see something suspicious, then they will report it to everyone.

If you are interested in FOSS then go to F-Droi d for new interesting applications.

F-Droid is an Android app repository that contains only free utilities.

Software catalog

The unofficial F-Droid store offers the ability to download free software. Here you can find not only what is available on Google Play, but also programs that have not been moderated in the official market. Most of the catalog consists of ad blockers, offline dictionaries, "hacker" utilities and other similar software.

Unfortunately, there are quite a few popular programs in F-Droid, and there are practically no games at all. The installation process is also not very convenient - the requested permissions are displayed after the installation process has started. Installed clients should be updated or removed directly from the interface. F-Droid independently monitors the appearance of more current versions and notifies the user about them. It is important to note that all programs from the repository are open source. So you can be sure of their safety.

Usage

F-Droid does not require registration. Another nice plus of using this market is the ability to update applications previously installed from third-party sources. However, with all its advantages, the store has one fairly significant drawback. You cannot use it without obtaining superuser rights (ROOT).

Key features

opens access to the catalog of applications for devices based on Android;
offers only free and open source programs;
informs about the availability of updates, but does not know how to download them (download is performed from the application interface);
does not require prior account creation;
works only if you have ROOT rights;
has a not very intuitive interface.