Google's 'advanced flow' for sideloading is a deterrence mechanism, not an escape hatch. 9 steps and a 24-hour wait for software you own? No thanks. #KeepAndroidOpen

Basics

• If you're not using Firefox or any FF-derivative browser, change browsers! It's the only browser that the original uBlock Origin is available on anymore
  • If you're the average user who isn't too tech-savvy, Firefox is a good choice. I recommend tweaking some of the privacy settings before you use it.
  • If you're also willing to spend some time researching and setting things up, then try tweaking vanilla Firefox with Betterfox
  • Librewolf is an good alternative for more privacy-conscious users who want their browser to be configured out of the box
  • Firefox on Android can run extensions too, so switch to FF there too and installing uBlock Origin if you haven't already

Firefox Extensions

• uBlock Origin: Best adblocker ever. You can also use custom filters to block not only ads, but upsell or any other annoyances/dark patterns on websites that you use.
  • Avoid uBlock (without the "Origin"). It used to be uBlock Origin, but it was acquired by a shady company (the people behind the "AdBlock" extension)
• Redirector: This extension redirects you from one website to another.
• Libredirect: TBA
• uBlacklist: uBlock Origin, but for search engines
  • Super SEO Spam Suppressor

Search Engines

• Use No AI DuckDuckGo and/or toggle DDG's "AI Features" settings
  • Duck.ai: Off
  • Search Assist: Never
  • Hide AI-Generated Images: On (this doesn't always work though, so I recommend using Super SEO Spam Suppressor to supplement it)
• Google
  • Write "before:2022" after your query to filter out AI-generated imagery and sites
  • Refer to Ten Blue Links for setting Google without AI Overview as your default search engine

Finding Media

• For YouTube users: turn off your watch history, use your subscriptions tab, avoid Shorts, and use the search bar for the kind of videos that you'd want to see.
  • You can either use the Unhook extension or custom uBlock Origin filters to hide distractions.
  • YouTube is getting cruddier, so consider switching to Invidious, SponsorBlock also works on it.
• Human-curated lists are your friends, and these platforms have plenty of them
  • Rate Your Music
  • Letterboxd