What is F-Droid?

F-Droid is a software catalog for Android devices that consists specifically of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS). According to the Free Software Foundation, a program is considered free software if the program's users have the four essential freedoms:

(0) The freedom to run the program as you wish, for any purpose.
(1) The freedom to study how the program works, and change it so it does your computing as you wish. Access to the source code is a precondition for this.
(2) The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor.
(3) The freedom to distribute copies of your modified versions to others. By doing this you can give the whole community a chance to benefit from your changes. Access to the source code is a precondition for this."

Installing F-Droid

Step 1. Visit the F-Droid Website (https://f-droid.org) on your Android device.

Step 2. Tap the "Download F-Droid" button.

Step 3. Accept the download and wait for it to finish.

Step 4. Make sure your device allows installations of apps from unknown sources. To find out you would go under "Settings" then "Security". If it is off, turn it on.

Step 5. Go to your "Downloads" folder and tap the newly added FDroid.apk file.

Step 6. Tap "Install" and wait until the installation has completed.

Step 7. Once completed tap "Open". Make sure that your Android device is connected to your data plan or WiFi so that the catalog can update.

Step 8. Under the "Updates" tab you will see that there is a newer version of F-Droid. Tap on it and select the latest stable version indicated with a star.

Step 9. You will go through another installation process and once completed you will be taken back to the "Downloads" folder.

Step 10. Under your "Applications Menu" you will now have the latest version of F-Droid. Congratulations :-)