My comment was not specific to GrapheneOS. Although I do use it and trust them when it comes to security assessments. It’s not perfect functionality, but it should provide most of the basic functions. I would have to imagine if you’re using Shizuku that it can install it with the proper permissions. Someone mentioned checking the XDA forums, which is probably a good idea before you make any serious changes.

Yeah. I’ve been using it for years.

GrapheneOS prefers using sandboxed Google Play instead for security and functionality reasons, but they are pretty obscure. In theory, microG could be used to install a malicious app with elevated permissions, since it has the ability to bypass security checks. If you trust the apps you install, then it’s a non-issue. It’s potentially less functional as an open-source implementation, since it is not a perfect 1 to 1 replacement of Google services. You may find that there are certain functions it just can’t do. I don’t know of any specific examples.

I use navidrome. You could set it up with individual accounts and use any Subsonic compatible player. I’m not sure what you mean by specific time periods, so I’m not sure about that.

It has a very serviceable web app, and lots of front end clients. I like Tempus on Android, and Strawberry on PC.

I’ve found that navidrome is just more stable and usable than other server apps. Yes, you could do it through Home Assistant or Jellyfin or NextCloud, but those apps are not purpose-built for music. Just my 2 cents.

Thank goodness! This is getting silly!

Following because I am really a beginner myself. That said, I have been self-hosting a dozen or so services for about 2 years now. It is very intimidating to begin.

A docker container is basically a sort of virtual machine stripped down to what is precisely essential for a given container. That means that apps running in docker are repeatable and will run identically on any hardware and software.

When it comes to networking, you can choose to have services exposed to the internet or not. If they are not exposed, you can only access them over a local network. That might be fine for a nightly backup or HomeAssistant that’s only operated locally. It’s a good place to start.

You can also use a certain type of VPN to create a virtual local network. That allows you to access your home server from any connected device. That’s what I do, using Tailscale. It is fine if you are only connecting to the server from a limited number of devices, since each one will need to be logged in to the same network.

If you’re in a conversation about Shizuku, you should probably be downloading apps from the source. I’ve donated the equivalent of buying the app, but you don’t have to pay anything to get the full features.

A lot of open source developers subsidize their users by charging on the Play Store while offering the complete app on F-Droid or other code repo (like GitHub).

The short answer is yes.

Android auto has weird checks and requirements for apps to work. I use shizuku for that on GrapheneOS.

It’s also helpful with little things like lemmy redirect or SD maid.

Actually very helpful. Thank you!

Jellyfin for shows and movies, Chora for Navidrome Music, and it works as a perfect little access to your homeserver.

I haven’t found an Android box that runs without Google services.

Kodi on a Pi is just meh at best imo.

I use ONN Android boxes. Fairly inexpensive, but I think it’s difficult to set up without a Google account (you can create a dummy account on the setup).

Side-loading is trivial. Some favorite apps: TizenTube to replace YouTube (or any of a dozen or so frontends), Projectivy launcher to replace the awful default. Add an always on VPN.

Absolutely. There is not a really good reason to use an all-in-one service that does everything “pretty well” when excellent, purpose-built solutions are available.

I tried hosting books and music on Jellyfin for example, before spinning up CWA and Navidrome.

Yes? OP is specifically looking for something other than NextCloud. OwnCloud has basically zero bloat and in my experience is easier to set up than NextCloud.

I use OwnCloud, which was forked into NextCloud ages ago. I originally intended it as a temporary measure, but it has turned out to be a very reliable, no-frills but adequately featured fileserver. For example, it has file versioning, and companion apps on major OSs that help with managing local and cloud stored files.

If you want a dead simple option, CopyParty is amazing. It’s a 1MB Python file that is basically a Swiss Army knife of file hosting. FTP, web interface, WebDAV, SMB, etc., etc. It wont have system integrations or file versioning, but it’s impressive what it can do.

Edit: worth mentioning CopyParty has an in-browser media player, which is perfectly adequate for previews.

You can also make live audio (and video) calls on SimpleX that are much like a phone call.

WhatsApp requires a mobile number to activate and maintain (cannot be a burner number). It’s also owned by Meta if that makes a difference to you.

I got most of my family on SimpleX because it does video and is reasonably secure. Encryption, no username, no phone number, and it’s self-hostable if that’s your bag

Yes, there are a couple import tools for Google Takeout, and you should absolutely use one. I don’t recall if I used this particular tool, but it is strictly necessary to get a clean import.

Other examples:

Google Photos Takeout Helper - Readme includes detailed step by step instructions.

Takeout Helper Neo - a fork of the above with additional features

Photo Migrator - designed to work with multiple services

There are a lot of apps, such as Material Files, which will show your file structure. Depending on your desired outcome, there are also apps that will help you organize the files.

One of the great ironies of modern life is that people are often disinterested in the workings of the systems we build as a society, while those systems define so much of our lives. It takes time and effort and interest to learn these things, and most people lack at least one of those The folks here on Lemmy tend to be more plugged in than most people, but I’m willing to bet that there are areas where we have big blind spots in terms of the systems around us as well.

If you’re in Vietnam, there is also KBlack offline navigation.

It’s a pretty young project but looks very clean from the screenshots. I’ve never used it as I’m in another part of the world.