Hey guys,

First, thanks to the developers for your amazing work. I want to know if there is any plan sooner or later to give the default apps a little refresh? The UIs are quite old now, especially since Material You is out.

Right now, as a temporary replacement, I am using Google apps without network access (Clock, Calculator, Gallery), since they can't leak (I think?) any data. Do you think I can do the same for Contacts for example, or maybe Phone (I am less confident about this one)?

    you can replace default apps with apps of your choice, including phone and sms apps, google phone and messages work fine, if you make them your default, you can disable the default phone and messaging apps

    Sorry I didn't explain that I want to degoogle as much as possible. I mean that I am okay to install Google apps only if no data are sent back to them.
    Since I am running Google Play services, I use Play Store for security, but I don't want Google to get my contact list or phone calls. I know their apps can communicate between them, that's why I am asking what is the list of "safe" apps (like the one I already installed).

    QfLzVieXoMGCdGGo5TzYqkzG8C8Bd5 the apps you refer to are AOSP apps and realistically are intended to be replaced.

    I can recommend SimpleMobileTools AOSP app replacement suite which has theming available and they all have restrictive permissions based only on what the app actually needs:
    https://github.com/SimpleMobileTools

    Just be aware that if you use multiple user profiles and want them to have SMS access then you MUST use the stock messaging app as no other app works across profiles for SMS.

    Hope this helps

    Thank you for your answer. I was already aware of these Simple apps, but they doesn't suit my needs since they are not as elegant as the Material You one.

    Does AOSP apps are going to get a redesign (in the future by AOSP community or maybe GrapheneOS team)?

    Until this happen (or not), do you think I can replace Contacts with the Google one? (Network off, but is the app still able to communicate with others like Google Play and then leak my contacts?)

    Sorry if I wasn't precise enough, I am not a native speaker.

    12 days later

    Any good options for just customizing the UI of the stock apps myself?

    I'd love to change the blue background in the clock app to black.

    I am brand new to GrapheneOS, but am enjoying it thus far. I have some coding experience, but don't know where to begin with customizing UI myself. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

      MetropleX I'd rather just keep the current clock app. Would I be able to edit it via my computer? I am willing to take the time, plus there are a few other things I'd love to be able to tweak in some other places.