F-Droid Search Bot: app search in chat

Bot • Search

About this App

A friend asks what could replace an app that tracks your every move. Opening a browser, finding a catalog and typing a query takes a while. F-Droid Search Bot does all of it inside a Telegram chat. 🔍

The bot searches F-Droid, a catalog of free software for Android, and works in inline mode.

What F-Droid is and why search it

F-Droid is a repository of open source programs for Android. Every app there can be inspected: its code is available to everyone, and anyone can see what it does.

The catalog is valued for the lack of ad networks and tracking in most of its apps. For people who care about privacy it is a handy alternative to the usual stores. 🛡️

How to search through the bot

The idea of an inline bot is simple: you do not open a dialog with it, you call it from any chat. Telegram shows the results right above the input line.

Press Start in the bot's dialog to see a short help message.
In any chat type the bot's name and a space.
Add a title or keyword, for example "notes" or "calendar".
Pick the right option from the list.
Send the found card to a contact or to your Saved Messages.

The only command in the menu is /start. Everything else runs through inline queries. 📱

What you get back

The results list shows apps from the catalog. When you pick one, you get a short description of the program and can share it with a friend in the chat without copying links by hand.

This is handy when a group is discussing which apps to choose: the suggestion goes out in a couple of seconds.

Who the bot is for

Android users 📲 who want an alternative to a closed program.
Privacy enthusiasts collecting a set of verifiable tools.
Developers looking for examples of open code and ready solutions.
Chat admins who often have to recommend programs.

What to know about how the bot is built

The bot was made by an independent developer, and its source code is open under the AGPL-3.0 license. It is written in Python with the Pyrogram library. The project is small, so do not expect complex settings or filters.

If you like, you can host your own copy: you need Python, a Telegram API key and a bot token.

Installing apps and staying safe

The bot installs nothing itself: it only finds and shows. For installation use the catalog app on your phone or another trusted download source.

Do not download installation files from random chats, even if the name of a familiar app is mentioned. Swapping a file is a classic way to spread malware. ⚠️

Before installing any app, look at the permissions it asks for. A notes app has no need for your contacts, and a flashlight has no need for the microphone. 🧠

#Telegram#Bot#Search

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I use F-Droid Search Bot?▼

Open any chat, type the bot's name and a space, then the title or a word to search for. Telegram will show matching apps from the F-Droid catalog. Pick one and its description is sent to the chat.

Does the bot install apps on my phone?▼

No, it only searches and shows data. For installation use the F-Droid catalog app or another trusted source. Avoid downloading installation files from random chats.

Is it the official F-Droid bot?▼

No, an independent developer made it. The source code is open under the AGPL-3.0 license, so anyone can study how it works or run their own copy.

What if the bot does not respond?▼

Check that there is a space after the bot's name and a keyword in the query. Try the title in English, since the catalog is written in it. If there is still no answer, repeat the query in a minute.