Three paid Android apps have free builds on GitHub or F-Droid, which can save $3.99 to $69.99 each if you can handle a little setup.
Three Android apps that cost money on the Google Play Store can be had for free from other places. The developers allow it. The apps are Open Headunit, OsmAnd Maps and ShizuWall, and all three are open-source projects. The free copies come from GitHub or F-Droid, a store for free and open-source Android apps.
Nothing was cracked or leaked. How-To Geek's Joe Fedewa says this is not piracy. The developers chose to offer two ways to get the app. The Play Store price works more like a tip jar than a price tag, and it helps cover costs such as the Play Store fee.
OsmAnd is a navigation app built on OpenStreetMap data, with offline maps and turn-by-turn directions that work without a data connection. The regular free version allows only seven offline map downloads and lacks Android Auto and CarPlay support. Maps+ costs $14.99 per year or $69.99 for life.
ShizuWall is aimed at privacy. Android normally lets you block only background or mobile data, not an app's internet access entirely. ShizuWall does not need root access, which is a deep level of control over the phone. It uses a tool called Shizuku instead. It also avoids the VPN approach many Android firewalls use, so a real VPN can run at the same time.
Free does not mean effortless. Open Headunit takes some tinkering, and you may need to turn on developer options. Results vary with the devices involved. ShizuWall needs a one-time Shizuku setup through wireless debugging.
Updates are the other issue. F-Droid works like a normal app store and can be checked for updates. GitHub downloads are harder to keep current. The article suggests Obtanium to keep them updated.
If an app is useful to you and you can afford it, paying is still a fair way to support the developer. If money is tight, these builds are a legitimate option. Use F-Droid or the project's own GitHub page, and plan for the manual updates.
Open Headunit, OsmAnd and ShizuWall can be downloaded free from GitHub or F-Droid, but expect extra setup and manual updates.
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