• Why Automation is a Serious Alternative to Tasker and MacroDroid
  • The Catch: Choosing the Right “Flavor”
• The Update Problem (and How to Fix It)
• Step-by-Step Setup Guide
  • 1. How I migrated from F-Droid
  • How it Works Behind the Scenes

Android automation has long been dominated by powerhouses like Tasker and MacroDroid. They are incredibly capable, but they come with trade-offs: steep learning curves, closed-source code, and, increasingly, restrictive permission changes driven by the Google Play Store.

If you are looking for a powerful, privacy-first, and completely free alternative, there is a hidden gem you should know about: Automation (developed by Jens Schröder, I don’t know how it is pronounced).

Here is a breakdown of what makes Automation a fantastic alternative, why the version you choose matters, and a step-by-step guide on how to keep the full-featured version updated automatically without relying on the Play Store.

§Why Automation is a Serious Alternative to Tasker and MacroDroid

Automation is an open-source Android app that allows you to automate tasks based on triggers—like your location, time of day, Wi-Fi connections, or device state.

While Tasker often feels like a complex programming environment and MacroDroid targets a more casual user base, Automation hits the sweet spot.

• Completely Free & Open-Source: No premium paywalls, no ads, and no data tracking. The code is transparent.
• Logical Workflow: It uses a structured system of Triggers (when to run), Conditions (rules to check), and Actions (what to do). It is intuitive but incredibly deep.
• Old School UI: LOL, maybe this is not a feature, but can be easily change it in Control Center > Settings > UI Theme

§The Catch: Choosing the Right “Flavor”

If you look for Automation, you will find it in three different places, but they are not identical:

1. The Google Play Store Version: Bound by Google’s strict policies, meaning certain intrusive but necessary permissions (like background SMS or advanced system toggles) are restricted.
2. The F-Droid Version: Safe and open-source, but completely stripped of Google Play Services integration. If your automation rules rely on precise location APIs or geofencing, this version might struggle.
3. The Developer’s Full Version: Hosted directly on the developer’s website. This version has zero Play Store permission restrictions and retains full access to Google Play Services. It is the definitive way to experience the app.

§The Update Problem (and How to Fix It)

The main downside to installing APKs directly from a developer’s website is that you lose automatic updates. You are stuck checking the site manually or missing out on bug fixes.

Fortunately, we can solve this using Obtainium—an excellent open-source tool designed to track app releases directly from their source repositories (GitHub, GitLab, or raw HTML pages) and update them seamlessly.

Because the developer uses a dynamic download link, standard tracking breaks. Here is the exact way to configure Obtainium so it successfully reads the file headers and tracks new releases.

§Step-by-Step Setup Guide

If you are migrating from an old version (like F-Droid), make sure to export your current configuration rules within the Automation app settings before starting.

§1. How I migrated from F-Droid

1. I exported the current Automation configuration, then I uninstalled it. Then the next steps will be useful to your fresh install:
2. Install Obtainium https://obtainium.imranr.dev/
3. Open Obtainium and tap Add App.
4. In the URL field, paste the exact direct download link:

https://server47.de/automation/?action=getLatestVersion 5. Look for the provider dropdown menu (which defaults to GitHub/GitLab based on the URL) and explicitly change it to Direct Link (or Direct APK Link depending on your Obtainium version). 6. Tap Add.

§How it Works Behind the Scenes

When Obtainium checks for updates, it sends a quick request to that URL. The developer’s server responds with the actual filename of the current build (for example, Automation-apkFlavor-v1.8.7.apk).

Obtainium instantly extracts the version number from that filename, compares it to the one installed on your device, and alerts you the second a new version drops. You get the unrestricted, full-featured version of the app, paired with the convenience of an app store.