Breaking Up with Google: My Journey Leaving the Google Ecosystem

Description and use

The author successfully migrated core productivity and communication services to Proton, browsing to Brave, and replaced hardware with open‑source or self‑hosted solutions, achieving greater data control and privacy.

Problem

The author faced poor customer support and frequent privacy toggle changes from Google, prompting a move away from the Google ecosystem.

Outcome

The author successfully migrated core productivity and communication services to Proton, browsing to Brave, and replaced hardware with open‑source or self‑hosted solutions, achieving greater data control and privacy.

Workflow

• Identify services with clear replacements
• Migrate email, calendar, meetings, and cloud storage to Proton
• Switch browser to Brave and search to DuckDuckGo/Brave Search
• Move password management to Proton Pass
• Replace Google Chat with Signal
• Set up Proton VPN and Proton Authenticator
• Replace Google Keep with Standard Notes
• Switch Google DNS to AdGuard DNS and Quad9
• Replace Nest WiFi with Omada router and access points
• Move music and photos to self‑hosted UGREEN NAS with Jellyfin and Proton Drive
• Replace Google Home with Home Assistant
• Swap fitness trackers and payment systems to Garmin devices
• Replace Google Pay with Garmin Pay
• Replace Google Health with Garmin App

Evidence

I moved my email, calendar, meetings, and cloud storage to Proton. These switches happened quickly because the alternatives matched my needs perfectly.

Source

The next group required more effort, research, and hardware changes. I replaced fitness trackers and payment systems with devices that offer better data control.

Source