LibRe-S Phone — refurbished Android devices with alternative open-source operating systems. Free. Renewed. Secure.
Today, the majority of smartphones worldwide are based on Android as operating system.
Android is 100% open source. That means: Everyone can view the source code of the system and the internal apps when looking for bugs or potential security issues. Plus: you can use/change the code for your own projects and devices.
Google, the company behind Android has put a layer of proprietary ("closed source") apps on top of that, e.g. Gmail, Google Maps, Google Search and many more. These extras use a lot(!) of your phone's CPU and memory. Also, it uses a lot of internal storage that you might use better for apps or your personal data.
Samsung (btw. a great company / AMOLED displays) puts an additional layer on top of that already bloated Android/Google combi: Knox + Samsung Galaxy Store, body sensors / fitness / wearable apps and more.
When buying a Samsung phone (new or used) today you usually get:
→ Here is why LibRe-S Phone might be an interesting alternative
LibRe-S stands for:
As far as our research goes, during COVID some Linux / open-source enthusiasts in Europe had the idea to create guidelines for a collection of specific "de-googled" phones:
Alternative operating systems like Lineage OS, crDroid, /e/OS, GrapheneOS, Havoc OS and others.
Way less than half of the original sales price of a new (Samsung) phone — typically around or less than €200. New spare parts (display, charging plug, …) only if necessary.
Built on 3+ years old used / refurbished phones (mostly Samsung). Renewed hardware, longer life cycle, less e-waste.
With the bloat removed, the same hardware runs up to 50% faster than phones with the pre-installed Android / Samsung system.
No Google apps pre-installed. Only some (micro) open-source libraries might be present to make up to 98% of apps from the original Google Play Store run on these devices.
Sync to a secure, encrypted server in Europe. Protected by the GDPR (DSGVO), not under restriction of US authorities (Google, Meta, …).
Search online platforms like ebay.de or willhaben.at. You easily recognise it by the logo "L R S" on the back cover of the phone. Also, the battery is min. 80% capacity and the display is either brand new or with minimal/fine scratches only. All phone functions working 100%.
100% free and open-source apps we recommend to install on a LibRe-S phone.
A free store for 100% free / open-source apps — e.g. PipePipe (YouTube alternative without ads), NewPipe and more.
An open-source Play Store clone for all "common" apps: Facebook, Instagram, Firefox, Chrome, online banking apps, LinkedIn, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, etc. So far ±98% of all apps run perfectly — like on the original operating system.
Contacts, Calendar, SMS, Gallery, Notes, and more. Clean, open-source replacements for the default Android apps.
Your ideas, projects, tips, to-do lists — synced and private.
Sync / backup all your contacts, calendar entries, events and tasks to a secure, encrypted server in Europe. Protected by the GDPR, free for private use.
A few other helpful, free tools for daily work — open-source utilities, file managers, VPN clients, and more.
THIS PAGE IS FOR INFORMATION PURPOSE ONLY. No selling, no repairing, no refurbishing, no business here.
The LibRe-S Phone is not a single product, but a category of refurbished Android phones fitted with alternative, open-source operating systems. Branding, availability and pricing vary by reseller and region.
All product names, trademarks and registered trademarks are property of their respective owners. Android is a trademark of Google LLC. Samsung, Galaxy, Knox and related marks are trademarks of Samsung Electronics. LineageOS, /e/OS, GrapheneOS, crDroid, Havoc OS and others are open-source projects by their respective communities.
No warranty for completeness or accuracy. The information on this site may change at any time without notice.