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diff --git a/content/blog/2025-06-02-private-ios-apps.org b/content/blog/2025-06-02-private-ios-apps.org new file mode 100644 index 0000000..9b10581 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/blog/2025-06-02-private-ios-apps.org @@ -0,0 +1,321 @@ +#+date: <2025-06-03 Tue 11:38:40> +#+title: Privacy-Friendly iOS Apps for the Paranoid Minimalist +#+description: If you're a privacy nerd with an iPhone, this one's for you. A hand-picked list of iOS apps and resources to help you stay secure and ditch the data grabs. +#+filetags: :privacy:ios: +#+slug: private-ios-apps + +In a world where our phones are extensions of ourselves, balancing convenience +with privacy can feel like a losing battle — especially on iOS, where platform +restrictions narrow the options. But it's not impossible. There's a growing +ecosystem of privacy-respecting apps, tools, and communities focused on helping +iPhone users take back some control. + +Below is a curated list of privacy resources, directories, and testing tools +specifically useful for iOS. Whether you're looking for a better email client, a +trustworthy VPN, or simply places to learn more, these links are a solid +starting point. + +**Resource Table** + +| Name | Type | +|----------------------------------------+-----------------------------| +| [[https://github.com/pluja/awesome-privacy][Awesome Privacy]] | App Lists & Directories | +| [[https://www.privacyguides.org/en/os/ios-overview/][PrivacyGuides.org]] | App Lists & Directories | +| [[https://cyberinsider.com/][CyberInsider]] | Guides & Educational | +| [[https://ssd.eff.org/module-categories/further-learning][EFF Surveillance Self-Defense]] | Guides & Educational | +| [[https://osintframework.com/][OSINT Framework]] | Guides & Educational | +| [[https://securityplanner.consumerreports.org/][Security Planner (Consumer Reports)]] | Guides & Educational | +| [[https://discuss.privacyguides.net/][PrivacyGuides Forum]] | Community & Discussion | +| [[https://www.reddit.com/r/privacy/][r/Privacy]] | Community & Discussion | +| [[https://www.reddit.com/r/iosprivacy/][r/iOSPrivacy]] | Community & Discussion | +| [[https://tosdr.org/en/][Terms of Service; Didn't Read (ToS;DR)]] | Policy & Transparency Tools | +| [[https://browserleaks.com][BrowserLeaks.com]] | Privacy Testing & Tools | +| [[https://mullvad.net/check][Mullvad Privacy Check]] | Privacy Testing & Tools | +| [[https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212025][iOS App Privacy Report (Settings)]] | Privacy Testing & Tools | +| [[https://privacytests.org/][PrivacyTests.org]] | Privacy Testing & Tools | + +#+begin_quote +*Note*: This list focuses solely on iOS-compatible resources and tools. No +Android comparisons here — just options for those of us living in Apple's walled +garden. +#+end_quote + +* Email + +First and foremost, I like to consider email as my first app on a new device. +However, the iOS market lacks a wealth of open-source and private email clients. +There are a few options, such as Proton Mail and Tuta, which are open source and +private, but they lock you into their ecosystem. Tuta doesn't allow for custom +domains and neither allows SMTP/IMAP access. + +Canary Mail is a decent option, as it is a classic SMTP/IMAP client - and does +more than most as it's one of the only PGP email clients on iOS - but is closed +source and the company behind it seems more focused on AI than privacy. + +- [[https://proton.me/mail][Proton Mail]] - A more mainstream-feeling app with PGP support built-in. Good if + you're looking for something that feels like Apple Mail but with privacy + upgrades. +- [[https://tuta.com/][Tuta]] - Tuta (formerly Tutanota) takes privacy a step further by encrypting + subject lines, message content, attachments, and calendar events. It also + avoids using phone numbers or third-party services for registration. The iOS + app is reliable for the basics. Downsides: no IMAP/SMTP support, so you can't + plug it into your own mail clients, and notifications require a premium plan + if you want them in real-time. Great if you care about metadata exposure. +- [[https://canarymail.io/][Canary Mail]] - A more polished, user-friendly email client that supports + end-to-end encryption using PGP and their own “SecureSend” feature for + encrypted messages. Canary works with multiple mail providers (Gmail, Outlook, + etc.), so it's more of a privacy enhancement for existing services rather than + a private mail provider itself. Downsides: it's a proprietary, closed-source + app, and some privacy features require a subscription. Better than stock Mail + for security, but you're still trusting their implementation. + +Another suggestion is to use a browser-based web client. You can install browser +mail clients as progressive web apps (PWAs). For example, I have been using +[[https://webmail.migadu.com][webmail.migadu.com]] as a progressive email app for a while now and it works great +for my purposes. + +This allows for access to your email without installing an application that +access native APIs or other potential data sources you may be concerned about. +This is especially important if you're concerned about allowing permissions to +device APIs, non-reproducible buils from the App Store, or mobile device +fingerprints. + +Lastly, [[https://blog.thunderbird.net/2025/05/thunderbird-for-mobile-april-2025-progress-report/][Thunderbird iOS]] is under development. Keep an eye out for an alpha or +beta release later in 2025 or early 2026. I have a feeling that once Thunderbird +iOS is available, it will easily become the best option for email on iOS. + +#+begin_quote +*I use*: Web-based email on iOS and Thunderbird on my desktop. Once Thunderbird +releases for iOS, I will probably use that. +#+end_quote + +* Browsers + +Your browser is basically the front door to the internet — and also the window, +mailbox, and security camera. It's where trackers, ads, fingerprinting scripts, +and data leaks happen most often. Even on a locked-down phone, if your browser +isn't protecting your traffic, your personal info can quietly leak out through +third-party scripts, embedded media, and background connections. Choosing a +privacy-respecting browser is one of the most impactful decisions you can make +for mobile privacy. + +- [[https://apps.apple.com/us/app/firefox-focus-privacy-browser/id1055677337][Firefox Focus]] - A stripped-down, no-nonsense browser from Mozilla. It + automatically blocks trackers, erases your browsing history with a tap, and + skips extras like tabs or bookmarks. Great for one-off searches and quick + visits to privacy-sensitive sites. +- [[https://duckduckgo.com/app][DuckDuckGo]] - A full-featured private browser with built-in tracker blocking, + HTTPS upgrades, and a clear data button. It also integrates DuckDuckGo search + and email protection. Solid for daily use if you don't want your browsing + activity tied to a bigger tech company. +- [[https://onionbrowser.com/][Onion Browser]] & [[https://orbot.app/][Orbot]] - Your best bet for anonymous browsing on iOS. Onion + Browser routes traffic over Tor, while Orbot can proxy other apps system-wide + through Tor. Slower than normal browsers, but excellent for masking your IP + and avoiding surveillance. +- [[https://brave.com/][Brave]] - Privacy-focused with ad and tracker blocking built-in, Brave also runs + its own private search engine and supports things like Tor tabs (on desktop, + not iOS). On iOS, it's basically a privacy-enhanced Safari/WebKit shell — + better than nothing, but subject to Apple's browser engine limits. +- [[https://www.apple.com/safari/][Safari]] (with caveats) - Surprisingly decent for privacy if you tweak the + settings. Enable “Prevent Cross-Site Tracking,” block all cookies, and disable + preload for best results. Still, it's tied to your Apple ID and iCloud syncing + unless you're careful, so don't treat it as anonymous. For a great baseline + configuration, read PrivacyGuide's [[https://www.privacyguides.org/en/mobile-browsers/#safari-ios][Safari]] section. + +#+begin_quote +*I use*: Hardened safari in private mode for every day use, and Onion Browser +for anonymous browsing. +#+end_quote + +* Messaging + +If you're trying to keep conversations off surveillance infrastructure, choosing +the right messaging app is crucial. Between metadata collection, insecure cloud +backups, and shady server practices, most mainstream chat apps aren't +privacy-friendly by design. On iOS, you're a little more limited than on +Android, but there are still solid options built around end-to-end encryption +and metadata minimization. + +- [[https://signal.org/][Signal]] - The gold standard for secure messaging. Open source, end-to-end + encrypted, and runs its own private push notification infrastructure so Apple + can't read your message content. Downsides: phone number required for signup + (a known metadata weak point). +- [[https://simplex.chat/][SimpleX]] - A decentralized, phone-number-free messaging system. Uses anonymous + message relays and asymmetric keys. Great for pseudonymous chats or if you're + tired of number-based identity systems. +- [[https://getsession.org/][Session]] - A fork of Signal's protocol that eliminates phone numbers entirely. + Routes messages through a decentralized onion network (like Tor). Excellent + for metadata resistance, though message delivery can sometimes lag. +- [[https://element.io/][Element]] - Based on the Matrix protocol, offering decentralized, federated + chat. Great for groups and communities, with optional end-to-end encryption. A + little heavier on resources than the others. + +Privacy-friendly messaging isn't perfect on iOS — background sync restrictions +and notification relay challenges exist — but these tools will cover most needs +while keeping your data away from corporate servers. + +#+begin_quote +*I use*: Signal for private chats with known people, and Matrix for group chats. +#+end_quote + +* VPNs & Networking + +Network traffic is where most surveillance happens. Even with encrypted +messaging and browsers, your IP address and DNS queries reveal a lot. A good VPN +or alternative network routing tool masks this, but not all VPNs are +trustworthy. Avoid “free” services or those lacking transparency. + +- [[https://mullvad.net/][Mullvad]] - A no-logs VPN that doesn't require an email or personal info to + create an account. Consistently audited and privacy-focused. Their app is + excellent on iOS. +- [[https://www.torproject.org/][Tor]] - Best for anonymity rather than everyday VPN use. Routes your traffic + over three relays, obscuring both source and destination. Slower, but + unmatched for high-risk browsing. +- [[https://yggdrasilnetwork.org/installation][Yggdrasil]] - An experimental, encrypted, peer-to-peer mesh network. Less + polished for mobile but useful for hobbyists or building private networks + between devices. + +If you can't self-host or build your own mesh, Mullvad is hands-down the +cleanest option here. There are other VPN options available, but I haven't +tested them all so I will simply put my vote for Mullvad here and let you +research other options if you don't want to use Mullvad. + +#+begin_quote +*I use*: Mullvad for 24/7 usage, and Tor when anonymity is required. +#+end_quote + +* Password Management + +Weak, reused passwords are still one of the biggest risks for personal security. +A good password manager makes it possible to use strong, unique credentials +without memorizing them all. + +- [[https://bitwarden.com/][Bitwarden]] - Open source, audited, and free to self-host. The iOS app + integrates with system autofill and Face ID. Solid for most users. +- [[https://keepassium.com/][KeePassium]] - A KeePass-compatible client for iOS. Local database storage, + optional cloud sync, and no external accounts. Excellent if you want full + control over your credential store. +- [[https://keepassxc.org/][KeePassXC]] + Syncing Solution - If you already use KeePass on desktop, sync + your database with a secure method like [[https://cryptomator.org/][Cryptomator]]-protected cloud storage, + Syncthing, or local-only transfers. + +Good password hygiene matters more than people realize, and these apps give you +control over your vault. + +#+begin_quote +*I use*: Bitwarden Families ($40/year) to protect passwords, passkeys, TOTP +codes, and secure notes for my family. If I were using a solution solely for +myself, I would prefer KeePassXC + Syncthing. +#+end_quote + +* Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) + +MFA is essential, but relying on SMS codes or untrusted proprietary apps defeats +the point. Use open, local, encrypted authenticators where possible. + +- [[https://bitwarden.com/products/authenticator/][Bitwarden Authenticator]] - Integrates with the password manager or works + standalone. Encrypted backups through Bitwarden. +- [[https://ente.io/auth/][Ente Auth]] - Open source, end-to-end encrypted TOTP manager. Syncs encrypted + via Ente's infrastructure. +- [[https://www.tofuauth.com/][Tofu]] - Minimal, offline-first TOTP app. No cloud, no telemetry. +- [[https://raivo-otp.com/][Raivo OTP]] - Open source, native iOS app with secure iCloud backups. Clean + interface. +- [[https://apps.apple.com/us/app/otp-auth/id659877384][OTP Auth]] - A longstanding, trusted TOTP manager with encrypted backups and + Apple Watch support. Not open source. + +I recommend pairing one of these with strong passwords and a VPN for everyday +security. + +#+begin_quote +*I use*: Bitwarden Authenticator, previously OTP Auth. +#+end_quote + +* Notes & Personal Data + +iCloud Notes and Google Keep aren't exactly privacy havens. If you're storing +sensitive personal notes, account details, or journal entries, opt for +encrypted, local-first apps. + +- [[https://beorgapp.com/][Beorg]] - An Org-mode-compatible outliner and task manager for iOS. Great for + Emacs fans and those managing plaintext files. +- [[https://obsidian.md/][Obsidian]] - A local Markdown-based notes app. All data stays on your device + unless you opt for Obsidian Sync (or your own setup). +- [[https://standardnotes.com/][Standard Notes]] - End-to-end encrypted notes, with cross-platform sync. Good if + you want a straightforward, secure cloud service. +- [[https://joplinapp.org/][Joplin]] - Open source, Markdown notes with optional encryption and cloud sync + (Nextcloud, Dropbox, etc). + +These options help decouple your data from major cloud platforms while keeping +notes portable and encrypted. + +#+begin_quote +*I use*: Beorg, since I love org-mode and no longer use markdown. +#+end_quote + +* Photos & Media + +Your camera roll quietly feeds metadata and images to iCloud by default. If you +want to self-host or encrypt your photo library, here's what works on iOS. At a +minimum, I suggest disabling iCloud for the Photos app, so the data stays local +on your device. + +- [[https://immich.app/][Immich (self-hosted)]] - Open source, feature-rich, self-hosted photo manager + with facial recognition and live photo support. Requires a home server. +- [[https://ente.io/][Ente Photos]] - End-to-end encrypted photo storage with iOS and web apps. Paid + plans, but privacy-first infrastructure. + +Good privacy photos apps are rare on iOS — these two are the standout options +right now. + +#+begin_quote +*I use*: Immich for all photos. +#+end_quote + +* Encryption Utilities + +If you're handling sensitive files, you need a proper encryption utility to lock +them down. + +- [[https://cryptomator.org/][Cryptomator]] - Open source, encrypted cloud storage vaults. Integrates with + most cloud providers and works locally. +- [[https://apps.apple.com/us/app/instant-pgp/id1497433694][Instant PGP]] - PGP key generation, import/export, and encrypted message/file + creation. Handy for old-school secure comms. + +If you're serious about privacy, encrypted storage and messaging layers like +these are essential. + +#+begin_quote +*I use*: Cryptomator when syncing sensitive data over Syncthing. I no longer +require Instant PGP since Migadu's webmail client (SnappyMail) supports PGP. +#+end_quote + +* News & Social + +Mainstream news and social apps leak all kinds of usage metadata, even when +you're just lurking. These tools let you follow content with less exposure. + +- [[https://netnewswire.com/][NetNewsWire]] - Free, open source RSS reader for iOS. Follow sites without + tracking. +- [[https://www.talklittle.com/three-cheers/][ThreeCheers]] - Privacy-friendly Reddit client for iOS. No official API calls, + built-in filtering. +- [[https://getvoyager.app/][Voyager]] - Clean, independent Mastodon client. +- [[https://joinmastodon.org/][Mastodon]] - Federated, open source alternative to Twitter. +- [[https://joinpeertube.org/][PeerTube]] - Decentralized video platform, accessible via web or PWA. +- [[https://pixelfed.org/][Pixelfed]] - Federated, open source alternative to Instagram. + +If you're going to be online, at least let it be on your terms. + +#+begin_quote +*I use*: NetNewsWire (via FreshRSS) for RSS feeds, and Voyager for Lemmy. I have +used all of these apps and they are great, but I am not very active on social +sites. +#+end_quote + +* Final Thoughts + +This isn't about paranoia — it's about awareness. Every app you use, every +service you sign into, quietly collects and trades your data. iOS makes true +anonymity harder than other platforms, but these tools and services give you a +fighting chance to keep your personal life personal. + +If you have other privacy-friendly iOS tools you enjoy, [[mailto:hello@cleberg.net][email me]] — I'm always +looking for new things to test. |