Has anyone de-googled (stopped using Google services)? What was your experience?

[digitaldave]

First, apologies if this is not in the right forum, but I looked around and it seemed like it belongs here...

For a little while now, I've been thinking about removing as much Google from my life as I can, partly because I want to reduce the data they collect on me, and partly because I'm liking them less as a company as time goes on. I know they already have a boat load of info, but I want to reduce what they get going forward. So my plan is to remove as much Google stuff from my life as I can. I don't use Chrome as a browser (haven't for some time), I'm using Safari on my Mac, iPhone and iPad, and Firefox on my PC. I've switched search engines to DuckDuckGo, which seems to be going ok so far. Apple Maps instead of Google. The only other things of theirs that I use are YouTube and Gmail. I am looking at a couple of different options for email (possibly just switch to iCloud or maybe something like Protonmail and a custom domain). As for YouTube, I may bite the bullet and keep that and just use my Gmail account for that and nothing else, as I don't want to start a new email account and end up linking it straight back to a Google service.

I'd be interested to hear from others that may have gone down the same route, and what your experiences have been. Are there things I should look out for (pros and cons)? Was it worth it? Please note that I'm not necessarily looking for specific alternatives to Google services (as there's loads of info out there covering that), more experiences, tips and thoughts on the process.

Thanks,

Dave.

 

[QCassidy352]

I've thought about doing the same and would like to, but Google Maps has been the one I can't give up.

 

[dannyyankou]

I tried switching to DuckDuckGo. As much as I hate google’s lack of privacy, they just provide search results that are so much more relevant.


now I’ve stopped using their mail client, I just have all my Gmail messages directed to my iCloud email address. Maybe that makes it harder for them to track me, I’m not sure.

 

[Mousse]

Can't de-google, because I've got an Android phone. But I've rooted my phone, no data plan and added a firewall. It's locked down tighter than the Pope's chasity belt. I switched to DuckDuckGo, switch to Brave browser, converted my old chromebook to run Ubuntu instead of ChromeOS.

Too little too late, methinks. Google probably already have enough dirt on me to ruin any chance I have of running for public office.😏

 

[Allyance]

I've thought about doing the same and would like to, but Google Maps has been the one I can't give up.

I use DuckDuckGo for most searches, Google maps when Apple maps doesn't show enough info. Can we ever be isolated from Google?

 

[fgengineer]

I am trying to do the same. I try using duckduckgo, but their search is a lot worse than google. Whenever I get results that I don't feel are relevant, I end up going to google search.

I am also trying to ditch google maps, but find Apple Maps lacking. The ui of Apple Maps is not good, and their traffic results are worse. I also don't like the yelp reviews and the fact that I can't look at the pictures without it trying to install the yelp app. I do manage to mostly use Maps.

I switched to fastmail and hardly ever miss google mail. However, I still have most of my contacts on my google account. I need to find a way to switch them.

The other tool that I have not dropped is chrome dev tools. Although I use safari for most of my web browsing, I still use Chrome dev tools for work.

 

[alfonsog]

Is there any good alternative to YouTube? Everyone sends me YouTube links... there's just nothing even close is there?

 

[jeyf]

people keep their whole life history in gmail. Never delete anything.

just me but duckduckgo and Brave browser work well enough ~95%

a vpn on an iPhone works well, set Brave as the defacto browser

 

[4bs]

First, apologies if this is not in the right forum, but I looked around and it seemed like it belongs here...

For a little while now, I've been thinking about removing as much Google from my life as I can, partly because I want to reduce the data they collect on me, and partly because I'm liking them less as a company as time goes on. I know they already have a boat load of info, but I want to reduce what they get going forward. So my plan is to remove as much Google stuff from my life as I can. I don't use Chrome as a browser (haven't for some time), I'm using Safari on my Mac, iPhone and iPad, and Firefox on my PC. I've switched search engines to DuckDuckGo, which seems to be going ok so far. Apple Maps instead of Google. The only other things of theirs that I use are YouTube and Gmail. I am looking at a couple of different options for email (possibly just switch to iCloud or maybe something like Protonmail and a custom domain). As for YouTube, I may bite the bullet and keep that and just use my Gmail account for that and nothing else, as I don't want to start a new email account and end up linking it straight back to a Google service.

I'd be interested to hear from others that may have gone down the same route, and what your experiences have been. Are there things I should look out for (pros and cons)? Was it worth it? Please note that I'm not necessarily looking for specific alternatives to Google services (as there's loads of info out there covering that), more experiences, tips and thoughts on the process.

Thanks,

Dave.

Just in the process of de-googling. Moved to iCloud, use Firefox, Duck Duck Go is a good search tool, Apple maps could be better but ok, got icloud email address to swap for any web logins that I previously used gmail for.. once they are all sorted i’ll be deleting my google account permanently - it’s liberating!

 

[Jessica Lares]

The only reason I still have my account is for Gmail and that gets forwarded to my iCloud. Even like five years after doing that, I get email from random people who decided to try and get in touch (and who hadn't emailed me in years before that), which is why I keep it open. I worry they might do what Yahoo did and let people reuse email addresses.

DuckDuckGo has been ok for me too, that and using Siri.

 

[mk313]

I did something similar, but use bing instead of duck duck go. I tried DDG a few years ago, but found that I had to re-look for stuff in google a lot. bing seems to be better (for my uses). I also use Edge as my browser, as it's close enough to Chrome that everything seems to work fine in it & I can install it on my work laptop & not get any crap (we standardized on Chrome org-wide).

Youtube does seem to be the one that can't be replaced.

Good luck with everything.

 

[tranceking26]

Being a channel/daily watcher on YouTube prevents me. Especially as I pay for premium.

*puts tin foil hat on* At this point in time we are all prolly being tracked, regardless on wether we use the services or not, wouldn't be surprised. I know I'm most likely a "ghost" on fb even after deleting it 3 times!

 

[Huntn]

I tried switching to DuckDuckGo. As much as I hate google’s lack of privacy, they just provide search results that are so much more relevant.


now I’ve stopped using their mail client, I just have all my Gmail messages directed to my iCloud email address. Maybe that makes it harder for them to track me, I’m not sure.

I’m good with DuckDuckGo (Anti-tracking browser and search engine) searches are adequate, however it does not seem to play nice with certain sites, some financial, my impression, especially those that insist on cookies or exposing you to ads. For those instances I switch back to Safari or Chrome. I use Google mail, and Google Maps, in the car, Waze which I believe is a subsidiary of Google, why not?

 

[MBAir2010]

since 2014 google has not found its octopus way into the macbook air.
no google searches, no google this, no google that and google chicken fat!

 

[MBAir2010]

Can't de-google, because I've got an Android phone. But I've rooted my phone, no data plan and added a firewall. It's locked down tighter than the Pope's chasity belt. I switched to DuckDuckGo, switch to Brave browser, converted my old chromebook to run Ubuntu instead of ChromeOS.

Too little too late, methinks. Google probably already have enough dirt on me to ruin any chance I have of running for public office.😏

the popes' charity belt quote ruined any hope for public office
but google will infiltrate or applaud you depending on you social status

 

[MBAir2010]

Is there any good alternative to YouTube? Everyone sends me YouTube links... there's just nothing even close is there?

you can use websites, say macworld has a youtube video that is safer that in you tube, and less annoying with ads and signing in.

 

[Abazigal]

Here’s what I have managed to do.

1) use safari with ad blockers
2) use Apple maps
3) use DuckDuckGo as my default search engine
4) iCloud for photos, contacts, calendar
5) not signed into hangouts

Lockdown app to block trackers on a device level (currently seems to be catching more Facebook trackers than google ones).

2 and 3 are currently good enough for my needs. My school currently uses google drive and gmail pretty heavily. Watch YouTube heavily.

No idea how effective all this is though. Guess I just gotta have faith that it’s helping somehow.

 

[MacBH928]

Smooth sailing no issue, hardest thing to bypass is YouTube as it has no real alternative. Google Maps remain the superior maps service but I don't need to use maps and only enable it when in rare occasion I need to. There is Apple Maps and OpenStreetMaps which I can't tell why is not any more popular.

The area where I feel we can't escape the Google death grip is behind the scenes action. Supposedly web and app developers rely on many Google services for functionality like Google fonts. There is an add-on called Big Tech Detective that blocks everything from the internet has to do with with the top 4 tech companies that runs the internet. The point of it is to show how much of the internet they control, its not meant to be used as a privacy measure.

Heads up, Brave is making a new search service to rival Google. People unhappy with DDG search results, you can use StartPage.com which serves Google results but under a more private layer(they have a contract with them and idk why, it is what it is). You can also find a SearX instance, search what that is if interested. Just for fun, there is a weird search engine called runnarro , "underground" , supposedly private, and obscure.

For Youtube you can browse it using something called an Invidious instance(search for one) or on Android devices an app called Vanced. There is up and coming service video service called Odysee that is based on blockchain. Warning its very new and not as good as YouTube, but has high potential. I would love to hear your opinion on this one.

People who want Chrome, use Brave its the same thing minus Google spy code. Firefox is good too.

Android users: Its not Google software exactly, is open source for everyone managed by Google. Look into LineageOS, Calyx, and Graphene. To bypass Google Play Store, use Aurora Store or F-Droid that carries open source software only.

ProtonMail > Gmail, 0 issues. There is also TutaNota.

Any one looking to degoogle their life please refer to:

r/degoogle

Welcome to r/degoogle! Where you can find all the resources you need to expel Google from your life.

www.reddit.com

Any one looking for alternative privacy respecting services/software:

Best Privacy Tools & Software Guide in in 2025

The most reliable website for privacy tools since 2015. Software, services, apps and privacy guides to fight surveillance with encryption for better internet privacy.

www.privacytools.io

community: https://www.reddit.com/r/privacytoolsio

Can't de-google, because I've got an Android phone. But I've rooted my phone, no data plan and added a firewall. It's locked down tighter than the Pope's chasity belt. I switched to DuckDuckGo, switch to Brave browser, converted my old chromebook to run Ubuntu instead of ChromeOS.

Too little too late, methinks. Google probably already have enough dirt on me to ruin any chance I have of running for public office.😏

please look into LineageOS, Calyx, and Graphene for Android. limiting gathered data kills Google, their business is around current data gathered not so much historical. To bypass Google Play Store, use Aurora Store or F-Droid that carries open source software only.

I tried switching to DuckDuckGo. As much as I hate google’s lack of privacy, they just provide search results that are so much more relevant.


now I’ve stopped using their mail client, I just have all my Gmail messages directed to my iCloud email address. Maybe that makes it harder for them to track me, I’m not sure.

I am trying to do the same. I try using duckduckgo, but their search is a lot worse than google. Whenever I get results that I don't feel are relevant, I end up going to google search.

I am also trying to ditch google maps, but find Apple Maps lacking. The ui of Apple Maps is not good, and their traffic results are worse. I also don't like the yelp reviews and the fact that I can't look at the pictures without it trying to install the yelp app. I do manage to mostly use Maps.

I switched to fastmail and hardly ever miss google mail. However, I still have most of my contacts on my google account. I need to find a way to switch them.

The other tool that I have not dropped is chrome dev tools. Although I use safari for most of my web browsing, I still use Chrome dev tools for work.

Is there any good alternative to YouTube? Everyone sends me YouTube links... there's just nothing even close is there?

If you are unhappy with DDG results you can use StartPage.com, use SearX, there is also a coming search service from Brave to rival Google. Google results are better due to the data they hoard, they can give more relevant information.

For YouTube, use Invidios instance or Vanced on Android. There is a video service called Odysee based on blockchain. Please refer to the top of my post.

I did something similar, but use bing instead of duck duck go. I tried DDG a few years ago, but found that I had to re-look for stuff in google a lot. bing seems to be better (for my uses). I also use Edge as my browser, as it's close enough to Chrome that everything seems to work fine in it & I can install it on my work laptop & not get any crap (we standardized on Chrome org-wide).

Youtube does seem to be the one that can't be replaced.

Good luck with everything.

Use Brave, Microsoft Edge is another data hoarded+privacy breacher. The Choice is yours.

Here’s what I have managed to do.

1) use safari with ad blockers
2) use Apple maps
3) use DuckDuckGo as my default search engine
4) iCloud for photos, contacts, calendar
5) not signed into hangouts

Lockdown app to block trackers on a device level (currently seems to be catching more Facebook trackers than google ones).

2 and 3 are currently good enough for my needs. My school currently uses google drive and gmail pretty heavily. Watch YouTube heavily.

No idea how effective all this is though. Guess I just gotta have faith that it’s helping somehow.

Look into installing pihole for network wide(anything on Wifi+ethernet) ad+tracker blocker.

 

[Westside guy]

I've used DuckDuckGo as my search engine for several years. On those rare occasions that it doesn't give me good results, a subsequent Google search tends to not be any better - I think Google's search quality has taken a significant hit, actually, over the past few years.

My work email is on "G Suite" - but as a state employee, my email history is public domain anyway so Google could have it if they wanted, regardless. My personal email is in Apple's mail - got off Gmail seven or eight years ago. I must say I do miss Google's spam filters... Apple's are pretty terrible. Since I use an alumni email as my permanent address, changing email providers is just a matter of updating the forward - my address stays the same.

I would find it hardest to part with Waze, admittedly. During normal times I take transit a lot; but, when I do drive, Waze is on almost all the time.

 

[Tech198]

It's harder than it is. Particularly when a search engine is the default in a browser.. Just makes things worse you look over at it.

Relying on the "I'll change it from the default" saying, quickly looses momentum, to "I'll just use it"

If your in a business, chances are your using a Google service in part. So anywhere will rub off elsewhere. Only way i see is you and your business is to give it up 'cold turkey'

 

[biker74]

I’ve tried and will give DuckDuckGo another try.

Like others have said, I’m somewhat tied into Google and associated apps. My work is now using Google. I’ve recently returned to the iPhone so I’m transitioning at the moment.

 

[romanof]

Getting off Google is like getting off salt. Almost impossible to completely eliminate it. Still, I block all of the G-trackers and spystuff that I can find with the host.file, Little Snitch, Ghostery and the controls in Safari and Firefox. Still have a Gmail account, but have removed all of importance from it. Nothing comes in but junk now and only laziness has kept me from deleting the account so far. Of course, almost all videos land on YouTube so it is hard to avoid that, but I don't have an account with it. Still, Google is like mold - All you can do is try to control it without any hope of total elimination. Barring some massive new laws, I doubt that a person can surf without them touching you in one way or another without your knowledge.

 

[MacBH928]

It's harder than it is. Particularly when a search engine is the default in a browser.. Just makes things worse you look over at it.

Relying on the "I'll change it from the default" saying, quickly looses momentum, to "I'll just use it"

If your in a business, chances are your using a Google service in part. So anywhere will rub off elsewhere. Only way i see is you and your business is to give it up 'cold turkey'

It doesn't have to be black or white. It can be partial. Less Google service = less data hoarding/breaching = better life altogether.

Its better to use just YouTube account-less than: GMail, GMaps, GDocs, GDrive, Chrome, ChromeOS, Google Pixel, Search, Google Play Store, Stadia, Google Assistant, Waze...etc

Some services are totally replaceable like E-Mail, Browser, Cloud Account.

Getting off Google is like getting off salt. Almost impossible to completely eliminate it. Still, I block all of the G-trackers and spystuff that I can find with the host.file, Little Snitch, Ghostery and the controls in Safari and Firefox. Still have a Gmail account, but have removed all of importance from it. Nothing comes in but junk now and only laziness has kept me from deleting the account so far. Of course, almost all videos land on YouTube so it is hard to avoid that, but I don't have an account with it. Still, Google is like mold - All you can do is try to control it without any hope of total elimination. Barring some massive new laws, I doubt that a person can surf without them touching you in one way or another without your knowledge.

The goal is not to completely boycott Google, but is limit the privacy breaching methods. So if Some service uses Google Fonts or stores their Apps for download on Google servers it does not hurt you.

Switching Google services does not only protect your privacy, but it also opens a market for competitors and break Google monopoly. Monopoly is never good for any society and today Google, Facebook, Amazon, and Microsoft literally have an oligopoly on all mankind internet services. If they go down, everything will go down with it. Compare that to say GMC, Ford, BMW, and Nissan going down. Will be smooth sailing as people opt for Tesla, Toyota, Mercedes, Jeep, Honda...etc .

 

[jeyf]

i posted some stuff last week on an exit from gmail & the apple email client.

there is some goodness in avoiding locking your self into just one tech environment.

It doesn't have to be black or white. It can be partial... Switching Google services does not only protect your privacy, but it also opens a market for competitors and break Google monopoly. Monopoly is never good for any society and today Google, Facebook, Amazon, and Microsoft literally have an oligopoly on all mankind internet services. If they go down, everything will go down with it.

-governments envy google, someone has to do it.
-it is a balance, if you can tolerate the loss of privacy vs paying out right for a secure service.
-google may have functional ethicacy and security but a greater risk is the peeps google sell the information to.
-not everyone is geek enough

 

[dk001]

I have not deGoogled, however I have scaled back my Google footprint and routinely check what they have on me.

Google Maps.
Youtube & Youtube Music.
Google Advanced Search
A couple of Gmail accounts for spam/junk accounts
I have and Android phone and will be replacing it with another

Sorry but DDG is not robust enough.

How to See What Data Google Has on You (and Delete It)

Google knows a lot about you, but just how much does it know? Here's how to see---and how to delete it.

www.howtogeek.com