Database Info

How I managed to quit Google services cold turkey and lived to tell the tale ;)

Hey folks,
Just sharing my experience getting out of the Google services/framework
I use LineageOS(a custom firmware) with my One Plus 2 and was previously using gaaps pico(the bare minimum) which had Google Services Framework which comes with Google Play Store.
I didn't like the permissions Google Play Store was asking for(almost all permissions) although I made a new Google account and used a gamers gift card to load money onto it to pay for apps, I was just uncomfortable with the privacy policy and all the metadata Google collects.
I searched high and low and found 'Raccoon' and 'Yalp Store' as alternatives to the Google Play Store, ironically I found them using Google Search , Yalp Store is what I went with to download apps from Google Play Store without the Google Services Framework (GSF) and it has the ability to check for app Updates(Yalp Store checks and updates apps using scrapping the Google Play Store, no need for Google Services Framework), I had a choice of using the Yalp Store random account to sign-in or one of my choice. So now I don't install any Gaaps with LineageOS.
I liked the idea of updating apps via Play Store (they are vetted the most in my opinion with respect to security) I don't mind apkmirror but it requires a scrapper to check for updates(which I was too lazy to write).
There were some hiccups using Yalp Store(I signed in with the account In used to pay for apps) for apps like Greenify, that I paid for would not unlock as it required Google Services Framework to do a license check.
There are no push notifications without GSF. The private messenger 'Signal' still works but runs in the background(does not take too much of battery at all).
It's been a two weeks or more without anything Google and even droping Whatsapp. I noticed really good battery life. Had to use various apps(essentials for me) like:
Mail: Bluemail for icloud email
Music: Phonograph (Not GSF dependant)
Video: VLC (Not GSF dependant)
File manager: Solid Explorer PRO (Very cool, uses your IMEI to do a license check initially)
Oneplus Galery and Camera (ported by one of the devs) (btw if you google the OnePlus Gallery on apkmirror, the beta version works fine with the OP2)
Messaging: Signal Messenger
Calendar (com.boxer.calendar): Not GSF dependant
Browser: Firefox and Firefox Focus
Notes: Simplenote
F-Droid: to check for updates to the Yalp Store app (not GSF dependant)
Newpipe (YouTube player which can be downloaded from F-Droid) - Is awesome, can check if your favorite YouTube channels have any updates without signing in, just like the 'YouTube Checker' add-on for Firefox on desktop. Super cool floating popup to watch videos! (non GFS dependant)
Backup: Super Backup (The super backup pro is GSF dependant and cannot complete a license check) I use this app to locally backup Contacts, apps, Calendar events and Messages)
BlueMail checks my email once in a day, just like the old days when they were no smartphones and one would logon on the desktop once a day to check mail, instead of having a fight or flight response everytime a push notification is sent atleast in my case (I can manually do a refresh and check, whenever)
To be honest, it takes some getting used to, but I'm happier in the sense I dont like Google collecting data for their AI and Machine learning, my data is not that important to them and my privacy is not due to any paranoia. I just dont like the concept anymore, I have nothing to hide, it's just the 'Google Free Stuff' comes at a cost, I just watched tech news today and found that Google Chrome, is now, planning to use Machine Learning to determine if the links you click in their browser are Malware, you know what that means right, they have to get access to all the 'links' you click 'to determine' which are Malware. Most people don't get it, others don't care because they feel they have nothing to hide, but, if you really want to go free of either Google or Apple. Stock LineageOS is the best way to go (personal opinion)
Without GSF you have to set a check for notifications(for various apps) at regular intervals, not that battery intensive but counter-intuitive if you dig push notifications.
Wow, feels great to share all that lol.
Also, I found the time to update my 'removal' script to remove all the default ringtones-alarms-notificaton(.ogg file) sounds and copy just the ones I want to use to their respective folders via TWRP flashing (it also removes stuff I dont use in Lineage OS)
https://github.com/forestfirefly/lineageosscript
Have a safe and secure 2018 and please do share any super cool non GSF dependant apps that you use, thanks.
Ps:- Using the LineageOS stock Dialer and Contacts app and really diggin it!
Thanks LineageOS Dev Team for all your hard work, you guys must get that a lot but felt the need to say it
Originally posted here
Update1:
Have moved out of iCloud email and have decided to go with the eco-friendly email provider posteo.de along with the 'K-9 Email' app to fetch email.
Update2:
Am using 'Here WeGo' maps and its not bad at all.
Also switched to APKUpdater(https://forum.xda-developers.com/android/apps-games/app-apkupdater-t3444517) as Yalp Store was sharing my device info with Google (when using my own account, I noticed it in devices)
Update3:
Decided to use Raccoon by Onyxbits to download apks on my linux machine (Mod Edit: Link removed)
It's good and has the ability to check for updates for apps downloaded
It has the ability to download apps you have paid for based on the google ID you use to log in
Changed from Yalp Store as I found Yalp Store to use the google play api to fetch apps and if any other google framework like microG was to be installed it would get the account credentials from Yalp store, also, using it with the Orbot app, made Google flag my account as a "privacy guy", they seemed to know what's going on.
Using Spotify for music (does not require GSF)
Using Simple Calendar Pro for Calendar
Using firefox as my main browser usinf Opera with VPN for anonymous browsing
Using Firefox Notes for end to end encrypted notes instead of SImplenote
Waiting for RCS (Mod Edit: Link removed) Messaging as I've completely gone off WhatsApp for good! Signal Messanger is good for now.

Same for me.

Using a Nubia X without GApps

What are the possible replacements for google services?
Aptoide/Yalp store as replacement for play store?
If it works, I guess installing youtube, maps, etc. from either store should work? Or not?
Or we can find alternative apps thatbwork like youtube, gmaps, etc. anyway
How about retrieving contacts saved in google account? Can i retrieve them using browser logged in my google account? How to import into phone?
Users of Apps/games that require google login like pubg should use alternative logins now. Will it work?
What are the all the requirements for degooglefied phone like nubia x?

Hi,
I'm using one phone like that, until some solution for the google services is found.
It's a bit uncomfortable, but it's working. In anther one post I have uploaded a picture how it looks like.
Here is the answers of your questions:
sgn15 said:
Aptoide/Yalp store as replacement for play store?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm downloading the applications from Google Play store, and then installing the apks manually.
sgn15 said:
If it works, I guess installing youtube, maps, etc. from either store should work? Or not?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
YouTube app generally working, but closes when cant find the google services. Anyway I'm watching the videos from the browser.
Maps - you can install Chrome and then pin it to the home screen. Works like charm.
You can install Mesanger, WatsApp, Viber, Skype - they work.
sgn15 said:
How about retrieving contacts saved in google account? Can i retrieve them using browser logged in my google account? How to import into phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have download a Microsoft launcher. It has Cortana as voice assistant. Then Outlook app, which can import all the contacts and from your accounts (o365, Google, Hotmail, yahoo etc.)
sgn15 said:
sers of Apps/games that require google login like pubg should use alternative logins now. Will it work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With PUBG I had some issues installing it because except the apk has obb, may be I'll try later when I have some time. Fortnite is working like charm. Even with the back screen two additional buttons is like a cheat.
Things which I could not solve until now:
- Outlook cant import o365 mail hosted by GoDaddy.
- It seems that, a lot of applications rely on google services for the push notifications. If the app (let say Viber) is not running, you may not have popup notification on the lock screen. (If anyone knows how to solve that I'll be happy)
So, that's all. At the end you can live with the phone. I'm happy with it.
I hope that answers your question. If you have other questions - let me know

br_other said:
Hi,
I'm using one phone like that, until some solution for the google services is found.
It's a bit uncomfortable, but it's working. In anther one post I have uploaded a picture how it looks like.
Here is the answers of your questions:
I'm downloading the applications from Google Play store, and then installing the apks manually.
YouTube app generally working, but closes when cant find the google services. Anyway I'm watching the videos from the browser.
Maps - you can install Chrome and then pin it to the home screen. Works like charm.
You can install Mesanger, WatsApp, Viber, Skype - they work.
I have download a Microsoft launcher. It has Cortana as voice assistant. Then Outlook app, which can import all the contacts and from your accounts (o365, Google, Hotmail, yahoo etc.)
With PUBG I had some issues installing it because except the apk has obb, may be I'll try later when I have some time. Fortnite is working like charm. Even with the back screen two additional buttons is like a cheat.
Things which I could not solve until now:
- Outlook cant import o365 mail hosted by GoDaddy.
- It seems that, a lot of applications rely on google services for the push notifications. If the app (let say Viber) is not running, you may not have popup notification on the lock screen. (If anyone knows how to solve that I'll be happy)
So, that's all. At the end you can live with the phone. I'm happy with it.
I hope that answers your question. If you have other questions - let me know
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How about updating/syncing contacts? I mean after retrieving them and i added a new contact entry. How do i update/sync that contact into google?
And for photos? Do i have to manually backup to pc or cloud since there's no google photos and no google drive?
Any other concerns i might have forgotten?
Edit:
Link to this thread you mentioned?

I used aptoide - the only google apps that seems to work is Google Chrome Browser and gmaps. youtube did not work through aptoide as didn't all the other google apps i tried. I placed a youtube home page using the chrome broswer on the desktop. Whatsapp apk i downloaded from their official website and installed working fine. When I downloaded whatsapp through aptoide and the chinese market app it won't work and keeps saying date and time is not right even though it is - maybe because its not chinese date and time?
For Contacts i opened my pc with chrome broswer and downloaded the contacts VCARD which you can do and placed in root folder of Nubia X - picked all my contacts up - I'm not sure how to sync though to google accounts as you cant add a google account through the phone unless you root as per other posts.
Pretty silly how they just didn't let you install gapps without root - i buy a lot of chinese phones and its the standard now even if google isnt preinstalled - its been a long time since I've seen a phone that doesn't let you install gapps yourself if you want too even though they dont support it. I'm finding it hard to use the phone and it will probably end up in a drawer for a few months until the international rom is released with google. Its annoying, even switching the phone off the voice assistant starts in Chinese and i want to get rid of this.
I've deleted practically all the bloatware, yet can't get music player to detect music i placed in the music folder.
Should have done my reading before hand but oh well... I got it for less than £495 from geekbuying 128gb version but should have waited out for the international rom version
Most of my good apps I downloaded through the Amazon App Store which is also working so I have 3 markets on my phone at the moment.

Top Apps That Require Google Services, and a Workaround for Huawei Phones

It’s no secret that Huawei’s latest flagship phones does not support Google Apps. At launch, there was a way to sideload the GMS and Google Play Services, but that was quickly taken down. That leaves us in a weird place. We have this flagship Android phone but a limited app store, the Huawei AppGallery, and no Google apps or services.
We wouldn’t really know this we use require GMS to download or to use. That doesn’t mean there aren’t work-arounds for Google’s own services or some other apps. Below are some of the 10 most popular apps and services and how we managed to get them working on the Huawei Mate 30 Pro without GMS or Google services installed.
Watch the Video Here
APK Pure
Since we don’t have Google apps, that means no Google Play Store. Going around and searching for each new app update and apk as they are released is annoying to say the least. APK Pure is an app store that essentially replaces the Google Play Store. It’s a better service to use than downloading APKs directly because it supports installing split APKs. This means apps like Spotify can be installed through APK Pure even if you can’t sideload the APK normally. It will even handle installing updates!
To install APK Pure, all you need to do is sideload the APK Pure app. Once installed, you can search for and install any apps you please. It makes for a very good replacement to the Google Play Store.
You can install APK Pure pretty easily
Download the APK linked below
Install it.
Enjoy your new App Store.
APK Pure
Telegram
Telegram is one of the apps that doesn’t require GMS at all. You can sideload it and use it normally. The only downside of not having GMS installed is the lack of location services. Many apps, including Telegram, require GMS for finding and sharing your location in an app. Telegram, being one of those apps, won’t have access to your location without GMS. This isn’t a huge deal as every other feature works perfectly. To install this app, you can install it through APK Pure or download it through APK Mirror and install the APK yourself.
Installing Telegram is actually really simple.
Open APK Pure
Search for “Telegram”
Select Telegram and hit “Install”
Enjoy your honestly amazing messaging client
Telegram on APK Pure
Gmail
Gmail is a bit of a special case. For Gmail, there is no app that will work. Other email apps like Outlook work, but Gmail doesn’t. That doesn’t stop the web version from working. You can easily just go to the Gmail website and have full access to Gmail and your email. It isn’t as great as the app, but in a situation like this, it’s the best you can get and it’s good enough for the basics.
Gmail Website
Skype
Skype is one of the older and most loved chat platforms. I’ve had it for years and it’s easy to use and honestly just great. Luckily, not having Google isn’t going to stop you from being able to speak to your friends and family on Skype. Everything in the app works perfectly fine without the need for GMS.
To install Skype, it’s simple, just use APK Pure.
Open APK Pure
Search for “Skype”
Select Skype and click “Install”
Enjoy Skyping your friends and family
WhatsApp
WhatsApp is probably one of the most popular chatting apps worldwide. There are over 1 billion people on WhatsApp. WhatsApp can’t just leave you in the dark if you don’t have Google services, so they don’t require it. That’s right, you can use WhatsApp on the Huawei Mate 30 Pro without it. It works perfectly with no features missing.
Installing is as easy as pie as well.
Open APK Pure
Search for “WhatsApp”
Select WhatsApp and install it
Enjoy messaging your friends “What’s up” on WhatsApp
Facebook
Last but not least, Facebook. Facebook doesn’t require Google Services what-so-ever. You can just sign into your account and it will work perfectly. This is because Facebook designs their apps to work on any device, no matter the services installed. All you need to do is sideload the apps and it will work perfectly.
Installing Facebook is also super easy to install
Open APK Pure
Search for “Facebook”
Select Facebook and click “install”
Facebook is now installed and works, sign in and catch up with your friends.
Facebook on APK Pure
Twitter
Twitter, like Instagram, doesn’t require any PWAs or require GMS. All you need to do is side load the app and it works! Just like Telegram, it won’t be able to find your location. This generally isn’t an issue though, you can just type in a location to find it. Installing this is just as simple as the others, all you need to do is sideload the APK and it will work.
You can easily install Twitter with a few clicks
Go to APK Pure
Search for “Twitter”
Select Twitter and click “install”
Enjoy tweeting!
Twitter on APK Pure
Instagram
Instagram is one of the most popular social media apps I’ve ever used. Luckily, it works perfectly without GMS. Unlike Telegram, every feature in the app works. All you need to do is side load the app. You can install this through APK Mirror or APK Pure.
Installing Instagram is something you can do in a snap
Go to APK Pure
Search for “Instagram”
Select Instagram
Click Install
Take and post all the selfies your heart desires
Instagram on APK Pure
LinkedIn
LinkedIn actually works really well without GMS. Everything about the app works so you can check in on your contacts really easily. The only thing that won’t work is signing in with Google, but that’s not a huge deal since you can just sign in using your email. Everything else about the app works.
Installing LinkedIn is just like installing most other apps.
Go to APK Pure
Search for “LinkedIn”
Select LinkedIn and click “Install”
Enjoy connecting with your connections
LinkedIn on APK Pure
Spotify
Spotify is one of the great apps that doesn’t require GMS what-so-ever. All you will need to do is install the APK through APK Pure. Spotify does use split APKs which means you won’t be able to sideload just once APK like many other apps. Once installed, it will function normally. You can sign in using Facebook or your Spotify account, everything works.
To install Spotify, it’s really simple.
Open the APK Pure app store
Search for “Spotify”
Select Spotify and click “Install”
Follow the prompts to install Spotify
Enjoy your music!
Spotify on APK Pure
YouTube
YouTube is by far the largest video media site on the internet. It has almost every video you would ever want to watch. It has so much and can entertain you for hours on end. Sadly, YouTube requires GMS as it is a Google app. Luckily, there are alternatives.
The first alternative is just using the YouTube website. You can go to YouTube.com on the Huawei Browser and have full access to your account. It will also allow you to sign into your account and view all your recommended videos.
The next way to get it working is using YouTube Vanced and MicroG. Luckily, neither of these apps require root. Installing is pretty simple as well.
Download the MicroG and YouTube Vanced APKs
Install both MicroG and YouTube Vanced
You can now sign into your Google account and view all your recommended videos and subscriptions
YouTube Vanced and MicroG APKs
Google Photos
Google Photos is the absolute best service Google has ever released. It allows you to store all your photos in a high quality formats. This is an amazing service, but sadly, it will crash without GMS installed. That means you won’t be able to use the Google Photos app. Instead, you can use the website. The Google Photos website allows you to view every picture you’ve taken and synced with Google Photos along with allowing you to upload photos to Google Photos.
Alternatively, you can use the Huawei Gallery app. The Huawei Gallery app allows you to sync data with Google as well. Using stock apps on your phone is always better than alternatives, so syncing with Huawei Gallery with Google data could really be your best bet.
If you aren’t into Huawei’s Gallery and want to use Google Photos, you can use the Google Photos website. It is really simple, all you need to do is sign into the mobile website through the Huawei Browser app. It has a great and easy to use UI along with the ability to upload photos.
Google Photos Website
Google Maps
Believe it or not, Google Maps is one of the few Google apps that actually works on EMUI 10 without Google apps. The full app doesn’t work, but the main and most important ones do. You are able to search for locations and navigate to the location. You can’t sign into your account or use previous locations through location history, but the main, and most important, parts of the app works.
To install Google Maps, its actually really simple.
Open the APK Pure app store
Search for “Google Maps”
Select Google Maps and click “Install”
Enjoy Google Maps!
Google Maps on APK Mirror || Google Maps on APK Pure
Look, Google services are a huge part of Android, but that doesn’t mean you need them. It’s not going to be a perfect experience using a Huawei Mate 30 Pro without Google apps, but it works and most important services you might be interested in running on the phone should work well. There will be an outlier here and there, but most of the time it will be fine.
I bought my Mate 30 Pro, the Chinese LIO-AL00 variant, before the Google app ban and I was disappointed to see it was. As I used the phone without Google apps, I realized that they are less and less necessary if you are willing to work around it. The hardware and cameras are just so good, it’s worth the trade-off of ease of use for that amazing hardware and camera.
Original Article

This doesn't really belong to p20 pro forums since we aren't affected by the ban. Still, it's useful as we don't know if google play stops working after the high ego HUAWEI has told in the press. Either way, i'm gonna switch to Iphone and never look back

Is there bloatware?

HI,
Not sure if this the correct place to ask. However I have a Pixel 5 on order and given that this is only £100 more I was thinking i might cancel the PIxel 5.
However what I really like about the PIxels is that they have no bloatware on, facebook etc.
Can anyone say if there is much bloatware on this phone?
Cheers

This app list is from Xperia 1 ii but should be same for 5 ii. I have preorder anyway, its very easy uninstall through adb commands without root.
Amazon Prime Video
Call of Duty
Facebook
Google
Google Calendar
Google Chrome
Google Clock
Google Contacts
Google Drive
Google Device Health Services
Google Digital Wellbeing
Google Duo
Google Gboard
Google Gmail
Google Lens
Google Maps
Google Messages
Google One
Google Pay
Google Phone
Google Photos
Google Play Movies & TV
Google Podcasts
LinkedIn
Netflix
Sony Music
Sony Support
TIDAL 3 Months Free
YouTube
YouTube Music
Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/SonyXperia/comments/hgrndx/comment/fw6cxpp

Thanks for the list. Doesn't look to bad.
What concerns me is do they have any tie up to Facebook apis like some of the new OS's
Thanks again

What about Facebook?

Ahh man, missed that....
I wonder how deeply embedded it is into the OS. I know that on Xiaomi the integration can't be removed/disabled.
On a side note I would pay extra so that I could have blank OS, similar to android one.
Satpal

ermacwins said:
What about Facebook?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Facebook was also present, I could only disable the app.
Are there any disadvantages for disabling apps instead of uninstalling them ?

htcsnap93 said:
Facebook was also present, I could only disable the app.
Are there any disadvantages for disabling apps instead of uninstalling them ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They basically do the same but uninstalling will free up the space they took

There is.
Received mine yesterday and I was shocked about the preinstalled Apps.
Facebook, LinkedIn AND Call of Duty, which I couldn't delete. Don't know if I could deactivate them but I deleted those apps with adb.

The Google Apps are no Bloatware and shouldn't be removed if You want a fully functional Smartphone. Buy a Huawei if You don't want that....
So at the End. Bloatware are Apps that are not from the OEM or the Owners of Android. Facebook, Amazon, Games, Netflix. You should wonder why this is pre-installed. And out of Developer View (winkywinky) is it just funny how You think that removing of the Main Apps with ADB would mean they aren't working anymore. There is a lot of background stuff working that You can't remove or disable without Bootloader Unlock (Another thing which speaks for a Huawei if You want that). Just Saying, You are on XDA...

Why We need to have GMS?

Hello,
I would like to open some discussion regarding the GMS and all workarounds and restoring unknown backups! if you check the info.xml file within any of these backups you would find model, build, identification, and serials different from what you have!! and running some Chinese application that has devices administrator with all privileges on your devices!
I know that vanced youtube is using microg project for adding google account. is it possible to have something similar for chrome and maps? I mean microg-chrome or microg-maps?
Thanks

Edge , Firefox , opera .
Here navigation. Magic earth .

Ratio launcher.

I was having issues with some location based apps. For instance google maps and a dating/hookup app. Google Maps would open and then immediately force close. The dating app would say that this app cant run without google play services which your device is not eligible for. What I did: Factory reset phone-install GMS-Made sure all of my accounts were logged into-Installed all apps that I wanted from play store-Then I used an app to freeze google play services and Google services framework-uninstalled the play store.
I then opened my dating app and bam it worked where as before it couldnt detect my location. All was good with that. As far as Google Maps it would still immediately force close, so I uninstalled it. I installed an earler version of Google Maps before my mate 30 pro 5g was released and bam. It worked. My account is logged into and Maps works perfectly with no force closes. I tested it twice now as far as navigation goes. I also had a problem with the Google Voice app. It said having problems retrieving your accounts. This was before I used an app to freeze Google services framework and play services. When I opened Google voice after the freeze, everything went perfect and it recognized my accounts.
As far as apps goes I use petal search to find any apps or apkpure.
Hope this helped!
By the way here is the freeze app that I used. Just follow the instructions to install and then freeze those two Google apps:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/em...-launchers-t4053261/post81803425#post81803425