In a world dominated by convenience and “free” services, it’s easy to fall into the comfort of Big Tech—until you realize that comfort comes at the cost of your data, your privacy, and often your control. I’ve recently gone through the full process of “deGoogling” my life—removing my dependence on Google services and replacing them with open-source, self-hosted, and privacy-respecting alternatives. It wasn’t easy, and at times it was downright frustrating, but it was also incredibly rewarding.
In this article, I’ll walk you through all the steps I took, every decision I made, every tool I used, and even some mistakes I learned from. If you’ve ever felt like you’re being watched, tracked, or just tired of paying for cloud storage and digital tools that should be yours to control, this article is for you.
Step 1: Changing the Default Search Engine
Let’s start with one of the simplest but most powerful things you can do right now—change your search engine.
Most people still use Google Search because it “just works,” but it also just tracks. Every query, every click, every search is logged, analyzed, and monetized. Switching to a privacy-focused engine like DuckDuckGo is the first no-brainer move.
How to do it:
- Open your browser settings.
- Navigate to the “Search” section.
- Set DuckDuckGo as your default engine.
It’s amazing how something so simple can feel so liberating.
Step 2: Ditching Google Chrome for a Privacy-Friendly Browser
Still using Chrome? Bad news—Google owns it and it’s watching everything. Good news? There are fantastic alternatives.
I personally moved to Firefox, which can be customized to be nearly as secure as it gets. If you prefer a Chromium base with more privacy out-of-the-box, check out Brave Browser.
Options to consider:
Once you switch, revisit step one to set your new search engine here too.
Step 3: Say Goodbye to Gmail
I used Gmail for over a decade. It was comfortable, fast, and familiar—but also invasive. Even though Google claims it stopped scanning your emails for ads in 2017, the trust was gone.
You have several great alternatives:
- ProtonMail (end-to-end encryption)
- Tutanota (great for EU users)
- Self-host your own email (more advanced)
I decided to pay for a custom domain and set up my own email. Yes, it took some configuring, but the result? Full control, no creepy ads, and no “you may like this” suggestions based on my inbox.
Step 4: Replacing Android with GrapheneOS
This one was big.
I own a Pixel 9, and it was drenched in Google’s ecosystem. Every notification, setting, and app felt like it was there to capture data or distract me.
So I installed GrapheneOS—a privacy-hardened Android fork specifically made for Pixel devices.
Why I love GrapheneOS:
- Apps close when I close them. No sneaky background tracking.
- I choose exactly what folders and sensors apps can access.
- I can block internet access on a per-app basis.
- Separate user profiles for different apps (like social media).
It changed my relationship with my phone. It finally feels like a tool that serves me again.
Step 5: Replace Google Password Manager with a Self-Hosted Vault
Google’s password manager is convenient, but also locked in. I wanted something I could fully control. Enter Vaultwarden, the self-hosted Bitwarden alternative.
I installed Vaultwarden on a Raspberry Pi 5. It took some trial and error (especially understanding reverse proxies and Docker containers), but once it clicked, it was magical.
No more:
- Monthly fees
- Account syncing errors
- Worrying about breaches on someone else’s cloud
Step 6: Self-Hosting My Own Google Drive Replacement
Tired of paying $20/year for 100GB on Google Drive? Me too.
I set up FileBrowser to handle my file storage needs. It’s open-source, fast, and flexible.
Why it’s better:
- Choose what and when to sync
- Throttle bandwidth
- Works with custom scripts to automate syncing between phone, laptop, desktop
For syncing between devices, I used SSH combined with simple shell scripts for push/pull syncs. Yes, it’s geeky—but it works beautifully.
Step 7: Notes, Docs, and More with Nextcloud
At this point, I was exhausted trying to find separate replacements for Google Docs, Calendar, Contacts, etc. That’s when I discovered Nextcloud.
One install gave me:
- Calendar
- Contacts
- Notes
- Tasks
- PDF Viewer
- WebDAV sync
You can install extra apps too. I self-hosted this on my home server and never looked back.
Step 8: AI—But on Your Own Terms
I don’t like feeding my data into ChatGPT or Gemini every time I want to ask a question. So I installed Mixtral, a local large language model that runs entirely offline.
This was super fun to set up. I can now ask it anything—from coding help to jokes—without anyone knowing.
Step 9: Google Maps Replacement? Sort of.
This is where things got tricky. Replacing Google Maps is hard. I tried Organic Maps, OsmAnd, and even just using my car’s GPS system.
But honestly? Nothing beats Google’s traffic prediction. This is the only area where I feel the alternative still falls short—but I stuck to my principles.
Step 10: Locking It All Down
Once your data is on your own server, security matters.
Here’s how I hardened mine:
- Purchased a custom domain ($5/year from Namecheap)
- Enabled HTTPS via Let’s Encrypt
- Added Zero Trust Access using TailScale – so only my IPs can access services
- Setup Fail2Ban for brute force protection
Now I access all my services like:
- docs.mydomain.com
- drive.mydomain.com
- password.mydomain.com
It feels pro, and it works beautifully.
Step 11: Use What You Already Have
I didn’t build an expensive home lab. I used what I had—my Steam Deck, an old laptop, and a Raspberry Pi. Turns out you don’t need thousands of dollars in server racks to deGoogle your life.
It’s better for the environment. It’s better for your wallet. And it’s better for your freedom.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Is it really possible to leave Google entirely?
A: For most people, probably not 100%. But you can get to 90%—which dramatically reduces tracking and gives you back control.
Q: Is this too hard for beginners?
A: Some parts can be tricky, especially self-hosting. But if you take it one step at a time, use guides, and aren’t afraid to break things, it’s completely doable.
Q: Is GrapheneOS available for all phones?
A: No, it only works with Google Pixel devices. Alternatives like /e/OS or LineageOS may work on other Android devices.
Q: What’s the biggest challenge in deGoogling?
A: Replacing Google Maps and learning how to self-host. But once you get past the learning curve, it becomes fun and empowering.
Q: Is it expensive to do all this?
A: Not at all. Most software mentioned here is free and open-source. If you already have an old device to run a server, your cost is near zero.
Final Thoughts
DeGoogling your life isn’t about paranoia. It’s about choice. It’s about not being the product. It’s about taking back control of your digital existence. I’ve turned my Steam Deck into a privacy fortress. My phone now listens to me, not the other way around. And I’ve learned more in a few weeks of tinkering than years of passively consuming software.
Will I ever go back to Google services? Probably not. The freedom, the learning, and the peace of mind are just too good.
So if you’re reading this and wondering whether it’s worth the effort, my answer is simple: absolutely.
Tags: degoogling, privacy tools, open-source software, Linux, GrapheneOS, Vaultwarden, FileBrowser, Nextcloud, Mixtral, Raspberry Pi, Brave Browser, Firefox, TailScale, SSH automation, password managers, self-hosting
Hashtags:
#DeGoogle #PrivacyMatters #OpenSource #SelfHosting #LinuxLife #GrapheneOS #Vaultwarden #Nextcloud #TechFreedom #MinimalTech #HomeLab #DataPrivacy #Firefox #BraveBrowser #TailScale
Disclaimer:
Some self-hosting setups may expose your device to external risks if improperly configured. Always follow official documentation, use strong passwords, secure your ports, and monitor your systems regularly. This article is for educational purposes only.
