> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://tchspprt.gitbook.io/tech-support/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://tchspprt.gitbook.io/tech-support/android/alternative-stores.md).

# Alternative Stores

An alternative to Google Play Store that allows you to access Google Play:

* **Aurora Store** 

A totally separate store that hosts mostly Free, Libre and Open Source Software apps (FLOSS): 

* **F-Droid** 

Other stores are available, which come with additional repositories built into the app:

* **Droidify** — fairly stable, but not many repos. Shizuku works easily.
* **Neo Store** — mostly stable, tonnes of repos; sometimes apps download really slowly. Shizuku is mostly stable.

Tools you should have to support these stores:

* **Shizuku** — basically a necessity. Provides non-root root-like functionality, by forming a virtual connection to the phone's own ADB server. Thus, the powers are ADB, not root, but ADB does grant a lot of extra powers. 
* **App Manager** — provides deeper control of which apps are on your phone. You can freeze, suspend, uninstall, and fake-uninstall apps, right down to the system level (so be careful!!!)