Been doing this for years. Old phone for testing apps and running servers

All the Google stuff is disabled, open source Contacts app,^1 no Google Play Services, no access to remote DNS, Netguard for application firewall and port forwarding, with computer I control as gateway. 1. Have yet to find any other app that can access contacts when storing them this way, even the Meta's biggest Trojans

Meanwhile, new phone, "important phone", stays offline. Wifi off. Location off. path?.xtracloud.net blocked. Phone is used for texting and phone calls, no internet access

The "banking app" argument, i.e., either install a custom ROM or give up or submit to surveillance, is a false dichotomy. There are other options

I don't use a phone for internet banking, I use a computer I can control; there is no "banking app" (talk about high risk, geez)

The "banking app" problem is a common refrain on HN but in the real world I know many people who do not use a phone for internet banking

Mobile OS just suck. It's like being forced to use MS Windows