What is De-Googling?
The process of removing Google services from your digital life to reduce data collection, replacing them with privacy-respecting alternatives.
Also known as: DeGoogle, De-Google
De-Googling is one of the most impactful privacy improvements you can make, because Google touches almost every aspect of digital life.
What Google Collects
- Every search query
- Every website visited (Chrome)
- Every place you go (Maps, Location History)
- Every email you send and receive (Gmail)
- Every video you watch (YouTube)
- Every file you store (Drive)
- Voice recordings (Assistant)
- App usage data (Android, Play Store)
Step-by-Step De-Googling
Phase 1: Quick Wins
- Switch search engine to DuckDuckGo or Brave Search
- Switch browser to Brave or Firefox
- Switch messaging from Google Messages to Signal
Phase 2: Email & Cloud
- Migrate email to Proton Mail or Tuta
- Move files from Drive to Proton Drive or Tresorit
- Switch calendar to Proton Calendar
Phase 3: Mobile
- Install GrapheneOS or CalyxOS (de-Googled Android)
- Use F-Droid for apps instead of Google Play
- Use Organic Maps instead of Google Maps
Phase 4: Account
- Download your data via Google Takeout
- Delete your Google account
The Challenge
Some services are hard to replace (YouTube has no real alternative for content). De-Googling is a spectrum — every step reduces your data exposure, even if you can't eliminate Google entirely.
Related Terms
Big Tech
The dominant technology companies — primarily Google, Apple, Meta, Amazon, and Microsoft — whose products and services collect unprecedented amounts of personal data.
GrapheneOS
A privacy and security-focused mobile operating system based on Android, designed to minimize data collection while maintaining app compatibility.
Surveillance Capitalism
An economic system where personal data is systematically collected, analyzed, and sold to predict and influence human behavior for profit.
Have more questions?
Use our guided flow to get the right next privacy step for De-Googling.
Open Guided Flow