The goals are degoogling and increased use of FOSS when ever possible. If FOSS isn't available I will have to stick with the app that hopefully won't require Google Play Services. I'm open for any app suggestions. When ever the apps support notifications it should be a solution without requiring FCM.

It's probably not smart to ask for so many apps in one thread but I don't want to clutter the forum with small single threats.

(DB) Train navigator
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.hafas.android.db

Is there an app available which supports Maps incl public travel options like Google Maps?

Video Portal
YouTube is likely the platform with the most media content available. There are several web-based interfaces that provide access to YouTube's features as far as I know.

Newpipe might be an option, although it currently doesn't support YouTube Shorts. On my other phone I use YouTube Revanced which is another choice, but it may require Google Play Services to function properly.

Password manager
Keepass or Bitwarden

I use 1Password on my computer as well as on my other smartphone (daily driver). But I don't want to use it on GOS.

Authenticator
Aegis

Keyboard
FlorisBoard looks promising. Only missing feature is word prediction. I need a clipboard with history and a spellchecker.

Gallery
Looking for an ente alternative which supports E2EE (ente does as well) incl. Backups to the cloud.

Maybe the use of Cryptomator and a mainstream clouddrive like Gdrive or Onedrive? Combined with x as a gallery app? But I would rather not use one of those clouddrives if possible.

Short: I'm looking for an gallery app with the ability for E2EE cloud backups or a solution with two apps (gallery and cloudsync).

Scanner app
Looking for a Genius Scan alternative

ToDo
On my main device I'm using Microsoft ToDo. But any other apps which supports reminders and notifications will be fine.

Calendar
I would appreciate the feature to store birthdays in contacts, with these birthdays automatically appearing in the calendar.

Cloud Backups
Cryptomator combined with a clouddrive like Protondrive might be a possibility?
Maybe I should invest some more time in Seedvault.

Emailservice incl App
Tutanota

Email client
Im hosting my mail on a VPS. Fairmail or K9 mail via IMAP should provide me the access I need.

Notetaking
Notesnook or Obsidian both look promising. I tested both and they both fit my needs.

FileManager
MiXplorer which is a really nice file manager incl. options to open clouddrives like (Gdrive, Onedrive, Dropbox and many more), ftp etc. If I need a simple one I'm using Solid Explorer on my other device. Open for alternatives.

Webbrowser
Vanadium or Brave both should be fine. The most important part for me is the ability to sync bookmarks. Are those sync transfers E2EE?

VPN
I will stick with Mullvad. The use of a VPN isn't necessary for me but I like the ability to use it when using public Wifi and for filtering via DNS. Or to circumvent geo blocking.

Adblocking
RethinkDNS or use of the filtered DNS server from mullvad. I have to put more time in this option. What I have found is the ability to use a custom DNS with a VPN. But that might not be smart due to the fingerprint. Is there an option to only filter DNS locally and keeping the standard DNS of the VPN provider?

RSS Reader
I'm usingFeedly on my main device. I like the simple layout. What I really dislike is the expensive monthly price (but it's fine without as well). But it's only available via Google Play. Beside that there are numerous other reasons not to use it. Suggestions?

Messenger
Signal, simpleX. This topic has been widely discussed on the forum here so I'm fine with the two.
WhatsApp might be needed due to the fact that most contacts only have this installed. I guess there are no third party solutions?

Social media
I guess most of you will suggest to not use the mainstream ones like Facebook, Reddit and X.
But how "clean" are the newer ones like Mastodon?

Music streaming
Spotube is a nice concept but I really would like to have a real spotify alternative because their standard app is full of unwanted things (trackers and other bloat). Many of those connections could be filtered via DNS but I rather would have an app without them in the first place. Web Version?
Same with Soundcloud.

MediaPlayer
I guess nothing is wrong with VLC.

Video streaming
Any experience with Syncler available?

IPTV
Everything which supports XC portals. MyTvOnline+ (only on Play Store), Televizo are two popular examples. Televizo premium features are account bonded and not only to Play Store purchases.

Weather
I haven't found anything FOSS which has the same features as Samsung Weather has.

Launcher
I like Nova Launcher very much but it requires Play Services installed as far as I know.

    RSS Reader
    I'm usingFeedly on my main device. I like the simple layout. What I really dislike is the expensive monthly price (but it's fine without as well). But it's only available via Google Play. Beside that there are numerous other reasons not to use it. Suggestions?

    You might like this app for example:

    https://github.com/spacecowboy/Feeder

      Murcielago

      What I'm missing is a "directory of feeds" . Its possible to add different feeds but no directory available.

      AcidDemon The most important part for me is the ability to sync bookmarks. Are those sync transfers E2EE?

      "Brave Sync v2: Enforce client side encryption"
      See https://github.com/brave/brave-browser/wiki/Brave-Sync-v2#current-status for more details

      AcidDemon RSS Reader
      I'm usingFeedly on my main device. I like the simple layout. What I really dislike is the expensive monthly price ...
      ...Suggestions?

      Check out https://github.com/Ashinch/ReadYou

      Note: May edit this later to add more if/as time permits.

        You don't need Play service to use Nova launcher, just download the prime app via aurora store if you paid for it.

        I don't use public transportation at all, but for everything else the Organic Earth/ Osmand combo is fantastic.
        Organic Earth for quick driving directions, Osmand for hiking and map geeking.. I'm amazed by those two apps.

        If you need radar alerts, CamsSam works alright without Play services. Using the paid version, I guess free works just as good.

        I always come back to Fx file explorer, so much so that I never used any other explorer for more that an hour or two since I have a smartphone. Sleek desktop look (should you be into such thing), strong privacy policy.

        Tried many keyboards.. Alas, nothing ever came close to Gboard usability. I think I red a Graphene admin saying such app without network access should be ok from a privacy standpoint so I bit the bullet. I don't use it on the profiles where I installed Play services out of barely informed paranoia though. Same for Gcam.

        Breezy weather is indeed awesome.

        Mullvad is the only VPN I have ever used and I got no complaint whatsoever, almost as fast as no VPN where I live. They disabled port forwarding a while ago but I never found torrent DL really handicapped by that. I don't download much though.

        Brave is probably the most advanced/easy android browser.. Tried to stick to firefox + modules but it's not even close.

        Tubular is the fastest New pipe fork I tried.

        Vimusic (YouTube music frontend) is awesome.

        No strong opinion other than that.

          Canardo_Sanchez

          I also use Organic Maps and OsmAnd for my navigation needs. works really really well :-)

          A couple years ago before switching to GrapheneOS I even bought OsmAnd+ for 6 bucks instead of 20 when they had a sale :-D

            Aeon Organic Earth Maps lol, got that mixed up.

            Same here for Osmand, I find 6€ rather obscene considering the marvel this app is and how often I use it :)

            With GrapheneOS I'm Using the FDroid version though, so no legacy account without Play service.
            It's basically the pro version without cloud functionality.

            First I want to thank everyone for helping me out. I really appreciate it!

            Canardo_Sanchez You don't need Play service to use Nova launcher, just download the prime app via aurora store if you paid for it.

            That's good news.

            Canardo_Sanchez I don't use public transportation at all, but for everything else the Organic Earth/ Osmand combo is fantastic.
            Organic Earth for quick driving directions, Osmand for hiking and map geeking.. I'm amazed by those two apps.

            What I'm missing are live traffic updates based on how much the roads are frequented. Thats probably where the big userbase of apps like Google Maps comes into play.

            But I will invest more time in those two the next days.

            Canardo_Sanchez I always come back to Fx file explorer, so much so that I never used any other explorer for more that an hour or two since I have a smartphone. Sleek desktop look (should you be into such thing), strong privacy policy.

            Thats good news that there are alternatives which have a strong privacy policy.

            Canardo_Sanchez Vimusic (YouTube music frontend) is awesome.

            I took a look at the project. It hasn't been updated since two years. I have experienced some issues when using the app: Searching for a song, selecting it and then when trying to open the album it's from doesn't show anything. It keeps loading forever. But overall it's nice and clean. Fast etc.