Glad that was helpful!
Not sure about Tusky, I remember trying our a number of mastodon apps initially but the original was seemed best. Until hopefully if 3rd parties mature then why not. But the original one is very simply and basic to use, recommend you check it out.
In your profile page/ tab you will see "following", that's where you can see you you're following and also your followers in that tab. Separately at the top (mobile app), you'll see a star and a "bookmark" icon, that's where you'll see your favorites and bookmarked toots.
And as for fun accounts, check out the tweet below that has a bunch that can get you started and fill your timeline slowly. Also keep in mind, you can follow hashtags.
https://toot.cat/@Hashtags/110742042033681800
As for searching, the new mastodon 4.2 I think brings in autocomplete for searches, so you'll see that implemented soon on mastodon servers.
Hope that helps initially!
After x tries, forces a pin similar to the biometric today
Basically pick a number and a spot on the wallpaper. When you unlock the screen shows a bunch of numbers and you move it till your number fits the spot. Takes a second.
Will android ever get something like this? From blackberry android, it was picture password. Simply amazing and never have to worry about someone peaking over and seeing my pin and safer than biometrics
Can't answer your question as I'm also trying to understand but recently Graphene OS has been in the news.
Basically there are apps that won't work if they have not been authenticated by one of Google's APIs. Which means there are apps that won't work if it did not come from the play store.