[johnbrodie]

Doing something is better than doing nothing, you're leaking less data overall even if you install all the same apps. In general though, yes, with a deGoogled phone you have to watch out for what apps you're installing and try to stick to FDroid for the most part.

There's also Warden [0], which does a decent job of stubbing out built-in trackers for your "must have" apps that are otherwise privacy-invading.

[0] https://www.xda-developers.com/warden-open-source-app-aurora...

[techrat]

Since this requires root, what benefit does it have over having a HOSTS file that also blocks the trackers directly by holing the hostnames?

[hansel_der]

hosts file is only usefull to blackhole domain NAMES not endpoints. also you have to keep it updated.