Database Info

found app that keeps location private from google

found an app called Location Cache Map in market and it seems from what it says that it prevents maps and other apps from setting location data on phone and clears map cache while still allowing full use of GPS functions. i tried it and it worked, though it takes an extra couple seconds to lock on.
seems to work. you can see your stored location data with it even if you dont want to block location cache. interested in hearing from others on if this seems to really be working.

Any aftermarket Rom do this.
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA Premium App

sure if ya delete maps or something. mine always still saved location data on my phone. this lets you use the functions without phone saving cache data. ive never seen this function on any rom ive used. but if so id like to know how and save some time.

Has anyone else tried this?

Google has always kept this type of information---even before android. It's in their terms and conditions. Honestly, anyone who doesn't want to give Google access to this information, shouldn't use their phone.

aczarney said:
Google has always kept this type of information---even before android. It's in their terms and conditions. Honestly, anyone who doesn't want to give Google access to this information, shouldn't use their phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should, at minimum, have the choice to turn it off and delete the data that is stored on your phone readily.

Let's get real, corporations have too much freedom when it comes to using us as pawns. It should be an option to opt out period. I use google stuff cause I like the way it works, they don't need my location for that.
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App

Google's been collecting information rather openly for years. I just don't get why people are surprised they are collecting it with their phones too. It was never really a secret. There's no option to turn it off simply because that's the terms and conditions for use of the phone--that Google is entitled to access to your location as well as other information regarding how you use your phone. It honestly is like they're watching your every move. If you don't want access given to Google for this information, don't use the phone. That's literally your only option, and legally, Google is completely backed up on that. Now apple, that's a different story. But Google has been doing these things ever since Google as a company was created, its actually part of what has allowed them to grow. To know how their services are used and how their users function more or less.

I could really care less. Ask yourself. What is Google going to do with your information besides direct ads based on you interest. As long as Google execs aren't going to come track me down, I could really care less what data they collect. If your worried about people collecting your data then don't ever buy anything off the internet or for that matter, don't ever use a credit card to make purchases.

read this. its a rant but its how it REALLY is.
Grammer and spelling errors warning!!!
its doesnt matter what they are going to do with it. i have a right to privacy. the more you look into your specfic settings for your google and gmail account, the more you'll see that a lot of what they ask for they don't tell you. they allow you to turn it off.... if you even know how to where to find it, or if you even know they are collecting it.
they keep much more than just location and basic data for ads. im not going to get into all of it because theres too much. go look for yourself.
basically these days to have a phone thats fun (smartphone) you are forced to choose iOS or Android. Both are bull**** when it comes to privacy. THATS WHY THEY ARE DEFENDING THERE ASSES IN COURT!!! Just the fact that it has gotten to the point of major national news shows that it isn't just nothing. $500 million lawsuits aren't to be taken lightly.
And it's not just my privacy. Many MANY apps and services including googles require access to many things that the app has absolutely no reason to have. theres a dev in the market called FREE WING go download his persmissions apps named after specific permissions example: READ_PHONE_STATE, it shows you some of what that permission pulls from your phone such as your name, device ID, phone number, contacts, and more. SMS permission had not just the ability to "tell if i get a text" but has, and records, everything that was said, who sent it, and their numbers. or go get an app called "Denied permissions" it will show you how many each app has and break them down and explain a little of how they work. then use it to look at Google Docs app permissions. it shouldn't have the ability to change,delete, modify my account passwords, and that's just one of its BS permissions.
any facebook app that uses facebook to as an alternative log in gives that app by DEFAULT the ability to read my contacts, status, my FRIENDS status and apps they are using, where they also go, their photos, mine, and more (go to the apps privacy settings on facebook to find this stuff). my friends apps one THEIR phone have access to MY personal information, just because we are associated in facebook. NOT COOL! Facebook just told its game devs a couple days ago that they had like a week or something to change their games to prevent 3rd party apps that are associated with their games from accessing or keeping their patrons information while they play their games.
basically it comes down to my information can be accessed by places i didn't give the OK to or even have heard of. google shares information with apps. try reading the privacy polices for apps sometime (go read AppPack's - Highlight app and T-mobile Mall's app privacy policies). its like the fine print that no one ever reads in contracts or car advertisements. its there but no one takes the time.
google used to be a damn search engine. now they own android, google, Google Chrome OS (just came out), admob, and more. im ok with ads. and them having info i know i asked them to hold on to. I can't imagine what dirt someone could find on someone running for president in 10 years. dirty pics from when someone texted them when they were 25, 18, 16. or their online diary they kept for some reason. things they said on a forum, damn i couldn't imagine my old myspace stuff. some of that could get me in to trouble. i was a party animal at the time. ya see where i'm going? wouldn't have posted that stuff 10 years ago if i had known what i know now.
theres enough info of ours unintentionally online and accessible. go google yourself. they don't need my location to boot
don't believe any of this then take some time to read what you are saying ok to. some privacy policies are like when in those cartoons (devil and daniel mouse) the devil asks you to sign a contract in your own blood, but you forgot their was stuff written on the back page.

But you don't have a right to privacy.....you agreed to the terms and conditions of Google's use when you began using your phone. You signed those rights to privacy away when you signed that Google account into your phone (which, in fact is where the agreement to the terms and conditions lie). You installed Google docs and said "yeah, its okay if this app has access to these things." You update your Google apps every release of a new version. Apple is having issues with this yes, but that's because it was never previously a part of their terms, and they were doing it without customers knowledge. Google is not having issues, will not have issues, and presented all that information to you upfront when you signed up for your Google account, well within your buyer's remorse. Likewise, they do have an option to opt out of "Location services" during most device's initial setup procedures. I bet if anyone sued Google, they wouldn't even prepare a case. They'd refer the judge to the terms of your Google account or those permissions you were okay with.
Bottom line, Yes you have your right to privacy. But you can't give away those rights away to Google or Facebook or whoever then complain about it. Those terms and conditions aren't just there for show, they create them for these specific reasons. It'd be like If I gave you my social security number, checking account number, and address and then was shocked when my identity was stolen and went to file a police report. Working for T-Mobile, I hear these types of arguments on a daily basis, but let me just say it hasn't once changed a thing. Once you agree to them, you can't change your mind until the terms are changed and presented to you again.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. If you like privacy, DO NOT USE A SMARTPHONE. You see, I use a smartphone because I could give two ****s less what Google has access to in my phone. There are only 9 numbers I don't want anyone having access to and lets be honest. I highly doubt Google is stealing our SS #'s.

A link to google and it's work it does for the NSA and CIA. They are more than a company pushing Internet mobile ads. Do not do anything with your phone that you do not want recorded and handed over to the government.
http://www.pcworld.com/article/188581/the_googlensa_alliance_questions_and_answers.html
Remember what google and others did to to people yearning for freedom in China.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/15/technology/15cnd-internet.html

[Q] Using Google Maps without Google Account. (Android) Possible?

Hello,
I really like this forum, i read it a lot. I wanted to register a long time ago, but now i "have" to, because i have a question.
For several reasons i do not want a Google Account on my (Future) Samsung Galaxy Note 2. (Like the big screen)
1. I don't really use apps and the apps i use can be downloaded from their websites.
2. Privacy, Google has the worst privacy (policy) i've ever encountered. (-A company who illegally collect user data from Wi-Fi networks using Google streetview cars can't be trusted ihmo. They also collect anonymous user data, but it still has a unique indentifier... etc etc.)
The question:
I read that some people couln't use Google Maps (With gps) when having no Google Account on their phone. (Jelly Bean and up. 4.1+)
So the question is, is this true? And if it is true, Could i use the mobile website version of Google Maps to navigate? (With GPS?)
I couldn't really find a clear answer, and i searched quite a lot.
Thanks,
Best regards,
John

If you're going to get the phone no matter what, might as well just try it and see.
Personally, I see Google as a business, not a charity - so I don't mind letting them collect data when I use their services - it's basically how I am paying them and lowing them to generate revenue to continue to operate and provide the services they do.
If you wish to avoid their services, why not look for a map/navigation app/service/device that has nothing to do with Google?
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app

Pennycake said:
If you're going to get the phone no matter what, might as well just try it and see.
Personally, I see Google as a business, not a charity - so I don't mind letting them collect data when I use their services - it's basically how I am paying them and lowing them to generate revenue to continue to operate and provide the services they do.
If you wish to avoid their services, why not look for a map/navigation app/service/device that has nothing to do with Google?
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes i thought about that, but i read from a individual that he couln't use gps on Google-Maps and a 3rd-party-map-app while having an Android without a google account. This was on Android 4.1.2. He was using CM. I heard others with succes, but these were older versions of Android.
But maybe it works in the Android browser> Google Maps Mobile. Thats also my question.

Pixel - without Google Assistant

Hello, I am about to order a Google Pixel phone, but can someone tell me whether it is possible to get it without Google Assistant in the stock ROM or there are some custom ROM's without Google Assistant?
I don't like such products due to privacy violating issues but this phone is awesome.

polartux said:
Hello, I am about to order a Google Pixel phone, but can someone tell me whether it is possible to get it without Google Assistant in the stock ROM or there are some custom ROM's without Google Assistant?
I don't like such products due to privacy violating issues but this phone is awesome.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't order it. All your questions have answer of no. Maybe roms in future will exist without assistant. Not yet.
Sent from my sailfish using XDA Labs

It's like a corvette is awesome but can I get it with a 4 cylinder... Don't buy the corvette buy the Honda

Thanks guys!

Turn it off and don't use it. Most services Google provides on Android has an "off" switch.

Yea I don't use any of that stuff either. Not for privacy reasons just think there's no useful features

Some features I use, some I don't. As far as privacy goes just using a smartphone, email, surfing the web, etc. gets enough "user data" out there it doesn't matter all that much anyway. Unless one is doing something "questionable" it doesn't really mean much. Big business and big brother collect more about us than we realize. Phish away.......

A Google Pixel w/o the Assistant would be false advertising. Anyways, you can disable the assistant through editing the build.prop file.

FernBch said:
Some features I use, some I don't. As far as privacy goes just using a smartphone, email, surfing the web, etc. gets enough "user data" out there it doesn't matter all that much anyway. Unless one is doing something "questionable" it doesn't really mean much. Big business and big brother collect more about us than we realize. Phish away.......
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not that really hard to prevent stealing of our data, it's not inevitable, I think we just need to choose carefully what we use.
Privacy not just goes when you use a smartphone that simply isn't designed to leak your data (we don't really need to use GAPPS), or by using an email service hosted on your own secured server with GPG encryption.
Surfing the web without being signed in to google account and using Tor is also a way to surf the web anonymously.
Big brother can't watch you if you don't use his services. It's similar to a deal with the devil
Just saying, nothing is impossible.

In general I just openly declare my mistrust of government, corporatocracy and their avarice on every media channel.
And I turn off my phone sometimes.
If anyone listens in I'm more likely to be censored than snooped! Hah.
I however DO have a secure point to point encrypted private messenger.
Use of phone is definitely complex to say least.
Sent from my sailfish using XDA Labs

I think in today's age of information, there is entirely too much of it. The government would need a reason to watch you or search your information before any of it is of any use to them. Now, if you become a murder suspect, they might question why you Googled body disposal and why you purchased supplies for such. If they're looking for someone to bust doing something illegal they only need to browse social media to find pictures of people doing illegal drugs, wearing gang colors, and God knows what else. Unless you have something to hide, you should be ok... Again, in my opinion.
Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Don't recall if I deliberately turned off the assistant. What I've done is:
Long-press Home screen > Select Settings > Disable Show Google App
Navigate to Settings > Select Apps > Disable Google app
Pretty sure I didn't take any further steps. I no longer have Google Assistant accessible and Google App on home screen is no longer visible.

Looking for way to protect against theft.

Hi all, I work at a group home and one of the clients recently purchased an Amazon Fire tablet to facebook chat with his dad.
My issue is that thanks to the crapiness of humanity I know that there's a strong potential for the tablet to grow legs.
Without getting into details, the client cannot have the tablet always in their posession, and we can't conveniently lock it down anywhere, and ideally whoever is supporting him needs to have access to the tablet whenever possible.
I'm wondering if there is an app, or even better, a device, which can cause the tablet to alert my manager the moment the device leaves the property? Ideally something not easily accessed or removed.
I know getting a tablet just for facebook chat is overkill, I wasn't the one who purchased it for the client, I'm just trying to make do with what is available.

theseventensplit said:
Hi all, I work at a group home and one of the clients recently purchased an Amazon Fire tablet to facebook chat with his dad.
My issue is that thanks to the crapiness of humanity I know that there's a strong potential for the tablet to grow legs.
Without getting into details, the client cannot have the tablet always in their posession, and we can't conveniently lock it down anywhere, and ideally whoever is supporting him needs to have access to the tablet whenever possible.
I'm wondering if there is an app, or even better, a device, which can cause the tablet to alert my manager the moment the device leaves the property? Ideally something not easily accessed or removed.
I know getting a tablet just for facebook chat is overkill, I wasn't the one who purchased it for the client, I'm just trying to make do with what is available.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's an Android right?
I had a look at the Amazon store for anti-theft apps but there were none that I recognised from sources I trust (nit that I have researched them, but maybe you can find a reliable review) You have to be certain it's from a trusted source as these type of apps require special permissions eg admin in order to do their job, and could be abused by a malicious app.
I would recommend Cerberus Anti Theft, I used them for years & they have a good reputation, even though Google removed the app form play store. This is because they had to link the Google app to additional downloads in order to maintain the functionality of the app that made it the best, after Google changed what permissions apps could be granted for apps downloaded from Google store.
You can download for Android devices from their website
https://www.cerberusapp.com/
However there is a potential problem with all antitheft apps, ie. Turning off wifi/data means you can't communicate with it(but Cerberus could be activated via SMS), also a factory reset will remove them, so if a knowledgeable person steals a phone/tablet they can remove the antitheft app, so possibly you would have limited time to activate it. Which is why I used to root & install as a system app, which meant only reinstalling the full factory Android operating system to remove it.
There should be the basic "fined my device" on Android built in (I'm not familiar with Amazon variants) but its not very powerful.

I'll look into it, thanks. It does have tracking but unfortunately that wouldn't alert in time to be able to accurately determine who took it.
If Cerberus can do sms then my manager might be able to get immediate notification if it walks away, once it disconnects from wifi

What I don't get is why isn't there a hardware based solution, something that you have connected to your wifi that alerts you if devices in connected to that wifi signal get disconnected. Or even simpler, bluetooth based.
The problem is that tablets don't all have data, and if turned off they lose the anti theft features. So there needs to be something outside of the device itself that can alert the owner. Maybe it's just to specific a problem unfortunately.

theseventensplit said:
What I don't get is why isn't there a hardware based solution, something that you have connected to your wifi that alerts you if devices in connected to that wifi signal get disconnected. Or even simpler, bluetooth based.
The problem is that tablets don't all have data, and if turned off they lose the anti theft features. So there needs to be something outside of the device itself that can alert the owner. Maybe it's just to specific a problem unfortunately.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
PS. You could use Tasker app (or other automation app) on your phone to set up an alert when the tablet losses connection, if you use your phone as a hotspot, I think.

[Privacy] Puttin' Google in the Goolag

Situation:
I have somewhat of a "love-REALLY HATE" relationship with Google apps and ecosystem.
On one hand, they are great at what they do.
On the other, it's like having a spy satellite overhead, given how much telemetry it does.
Question:
I'd like to cut all of the Google apps' internet, location, sensor and background activity access for good when not in use. Or at least spoof whatever personal data is being sent (Device info, location, activities, etc). Any way to do that?
What I've done so far:
My current way-to-go method involves installing RethinkDNS+firewall, then blocking every single one of google apps including Gboard. It sort-of works, but very inconvenient, as I have to manually enable internet access for a particular app and/or service when needed. I also tried edXposed's XluaPrivacy module to cut off access to certain permissions. Again, cumbersome.
After going through F-Droid, I found an app called "Insular", that claims being able to put all of the "big brother" apps (such as Gapps) behind an isolated sandbox, a digital gulag of sorts.

Thanks for the pointer to Insular whose advertising on F-Droid says:
Insular is a FLOSS fork of Island.
With Insular, you can:
Isolate your Big Brother apps
Clone and run multiple accounts simutaniuosly
Freeze or archive apps and prevent any background behaviors
Unfreeze apps on-demand with home screen shortcuts
Re-freeze marked apps with one tap
Hide apps
Selectively enable (or disable) VPN for different group of apps
Prohibit USB access to mitigate attacks with physical access
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Based on that, I suspect this XDA thread about "Island" may be useful.
[APP][5.0+][BETA] Island - app freezing, privacy protection, parallel accounts​
"Island" is a sandbox environment to clone selected apps and isolate them from accessing your personal data outside the sandbox (including call logs, contacts, photos and etc) even if related permissions are granted. Device-bound data is still accessible (SMS, IMEI and etc).
Isolated app can be frozen on demand, with launcher icon vanish and its background behaviors completely blocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Totesnochill said:
Question:
I'd like to cut all of the Google apps' internet, location, sensor and background activity access for good when not in use. Or at least spoof whatever personal data is being sent (Device info, location, activities, etc). Any way to do that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Like you, my relationship with Google is strained where I don't set up any Google Account on Android and it works just fine.
I don't have a contacts.db sqlite database for that reason too, so my favorite communication apps are all designed to store their own contacts db internally to the app itself.
I replace Google apps with FOSS equivalents such as NewPipe (or, more recently, Vanced YouTube) for example.
And I spoof my GPS location by default (using Lexa Fake GPS, for example).
Of course, given I don't have a Google Account on my phone, I use the Aurora Store instead of the Google Play Store. Of course, I strive for apps that don't require Google Framework Services (GSF) which Aurora neatly filters out for us.
Since I'm not rooted, I can't delete Google Play Store, but I can disable it, which is almost as good.
And, I use privacy-aware apps for my messenger, calendar, contacts, and dialer apps (many of which come from Simple Mobile Tools' suite which are available on F-Droid).
To keep my WiFi SSID/BSSID/GPS/Strength/etc. out of the hands of Google (& Mozilla and Kismet and Wigle, etc.), I add "_nomap" to the SSID and I turn off the SOHO router SSID broadcast (which "hinders" most cellphones from uploading my BSSID information to Google public servers); but then I have to also turn off "AutoReconnect" on Android 12 and also I have the Developer Options set in Android 12 to randomize the MAC address on EACH connection; however that means I need to set any "static" connections on my LAN from the phone and not with address reservation on the router (which typically utilizes the MAC address).
And it's not just Google we need to keep our data out of their hands, as I even use WhatsApp privacy aware tools such as the WhatsApp dialer and WhatsApp Click to Chat mechanisms (to keep my contacts out of Facebook's hands too).
For offline maps, I use a quick web browser lookup on a privacy browser (such as Tor or Epic or Opera), since the Google address lookup is still the best in the world... (which is the love/hate relationship, right?)... and then I paste the GPS coordinates that the privacy browser found on the maps.google.com web site into a local routing application (such as a shortcut to a browser to google maps on the phone or better yet, to a dedicated offline map program such as OSM And~), and even traffic can be gotten without Google (e.g., Sigalert & 511 apps).
I used to reset the Advertising ID with a homescreen shortcut that could be activated from Windows via a batch file over Wi-Fi, but now with Android 12 we can wipe out the Advertising ID altogether (i.e., reset it to all zeroes). However, I still periodically change my GSF ID and other supposedly unique identifiers.
I'm still trying to figure out the implication of "trackers", so if anyone has more information about them, please advise.
Off hand there must be scores more things I do for privacy, where we probably should have a main thread on this site of all the myriad things people can do to increase their privacy on Android (some of which I've screenshotted for you below).

GalaxyA325G said:
Like you, my relationship with Google is strained where I don't set up any Google Account on Android and it works just fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks heaps for the very in-depth response. Really opens up on a lot of things I wasnt aware of, and I realized that unlike desktop, when it comes to mobile privacy I'm still a bit behind.
Are there any guides where I can do some reading on the concepts and techniques you've described? Especially regarding contacts.db sqlite database, GPS spoofing and privacy-aware options for accessing WhatsApp.
Also, what are your thoughts on MIcroG?

Totesnochill said:
Thanks heaps for the very in-depth response.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I try to put effort into the response so that others can benefit (but nobody ever presses the like button so maybe it's not worth the effort).
For example, when I mentioned I spoof my GPS, I looked up the app I used and linked to it so that you wouldn't have to test a score of apps like I did to find the best one.
Totesnochill said:
Really opens up on a lot of things I wasn't aware of, and I realized that unlike desktop, when it comes to mobile privacy I'm still a bit behind.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That was just off the top of my head where there has to be at least a hundred different privacy things I do on Android to distance me from Google that most people don't bother to do.
I admit, sometimes it feels like we're putting a dozen locks on the front door, but in the end, we LEARN a lot about Android in the process.
A lot of the protection is to protect ourselves from others who don't know how to configure their phone, so they are uploading our private information (like our contacts and home locations) to Google databases.
For example, the typical Android phone when it drives by your front door uploads to google your exact location, your signal strength, your unique BSSID and your SSID... where you'll note in my response above I had to do a half dozen things on my phone and router to prevent that from happening (i.e., just adding "_nomap" doesn't work but most people don't realize that because they don't think about it).
Totesnochill said:
Are there any guides where I can do some reading on the concepts and techniques you've described?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm sure there are plenty.
But I have been in MANY situations where there are none.
Take, for example, changing the GSFID... almost nowhere on the net is that described how to do it. Almost nobody does it, but it can be done if you know how.
I really should write a set of privacy tutorials so that everyone can do it but I have to find the time, and this web site doesn't like text tutorials I found out recently. So they make it a PITA in the end to help people. Sigh.
Totesnochill said:
Especially regarding contacts.db sqlite database, GPS spoofing and privacy-aware options for accessing WhatsApp.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you look at the links I gave you in my response for contacts, gps spoofing and privacy-aware WhatsApp, you'll get a good start.
A quickie is to not have a contacts.sqlite database, which means you need your own contacts.csv or more likely contacts.vcf file, which you can maintain on the PC if you like (works with Excel for example).
Now that you don't have a contacts.db sqlite database, you need to find the contacts and dialer and mms/sms apps that can suck in their own contacts.vcf file, which I pointed you to in the Simple Mobile Tools suite.
For GPS spoofing, I didn't mention you need to turn "Mock Location" on in the Android Developer Options, but that's what most people already do so I assumed you knew that. Once you turn that on, you can just select the mock location app of your choice (where I suggested one above which isn't perfect but none of them are).
That particular app moves your location every few feet and it gets the altitude and it can easily be stopped and started, etc., but I'd like it if it didn't move just "west by 10 feet every minute" but instead if it would follow a pre-determined route that I could give it. So they need a lot more work to be as good as we'd like them to be.
For What'sApp privacy, look at the two apps I linked to in the prior post as they don't need the contacts.sqlite database to work.
Your WhatsApp should only have an icon in your folders for the people you contact and nothing else, IMHO. That's the best privacy you can get, although WhatsApp does decent hashing on the contacts file when it uploads it to their servers - but still - why give them your entire contacts when you only contact 10 people (or whatever) on WhatsApp. Right?
Totesnochill said:
Also, what are your thoughts on MIcroG?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Funny you mentioned microG since I installed it for the first time yesterday when I was setting up Vanced Youtube based on this thread.
I generally choose apps that don't use GSF but sometimes you have to use a GSF app (e.g., Zoom meetings), and then it's nice to use MicroG instead of Google Services Framework.
I only installed it yesterday so I really don't know how well it will work for me as I didn't even need to install it to install VancedYoutube. You just need it to log into YouTube but I never do that anyway.
In summary, there's probably a hundred things we do to our phones to set up privacy but I'd have to write each one up in detail to help everyone and that's a lot of work.
Especially if almost nobody reads these threads.

GalaxyA325G said:
I try to put effort into the response so that others can benefit (but nobody ever presses the like button so maybe it's not worth the effort).
In summary, there's probably a hundred things we do to our phones to set up privacy but I'd have to write each one up in detail to help everyone and that's a lot of work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for doing God's work out there. Ethics like these are what creates the content that keeps the internet from becoming a dumpster fire otherwise. Tutorials and explanations that come from the fellow users are THE best and usually directly on-point.
When I was just starting setting up Linux environment, I wrote "how-to notes" on every successful step. At first it was more like the "sticky notes" to help me remember, but eventually (as the list grew) I started writing these tips in a way as if they were to be read by someone with little background in the subject. What used to be the "Linux notes" file became 10563 lines monstrosity now... So every time I need to answer someone's question I just copypaste from this file.
GalaxyA325G said:
That was just off the top of my head where there has to be at least a hundred different privacy things I do on Android to distance me from Google that most people don't bother to do.
I admit, sometimes it feels like we're putting a dozen locks on the front door, but in the end, we LEARN a lot about Android in the process.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Absolutely. I've spent about 2 weeks tweaking my new phone (Nokia X6), trying out different roms/recoveries and app setups. Pissed off a bunch of people in the process - most wouldn't understand that I'm setting up a system to last another 7 years, just like my previous phone (Galaxy Gprime). Not to mention that with the amount of sensitive info on the phone, security and privacy are a legit concern, and worth learning about just how one learns to install and use the lock on the front doors.
Phones became disposable both in software and hardware, and so have the general attitude towards the devices.
My final setup became AOSP PixelPlusUI Rom (comes with about openGapps nano worth of Google stuff) with most other stock apps (contacts , dialer, keyboards, msg etc) removed via ADB and replaced with F-Droid alternatives.
I've also used Rethink DNS with whitelist set up/AppInspector to put Google in the Goolag - no internet access for anything google-related at all times. So far my phone has 253 apps blocked (including almost all of the system apps). Surprisingly, all of the necessary apps off google play store (Whatsapp, FB messenger) still function well. Whenever I need a particular Gservice (like a translator), I just enable access for that (and only that) until I dont need it anymore.
GalaxyA325G said:
If you look at the links I gave you in my response for contacts, gps spoofing and privacy-aware WhatsApp, you'll get a good start.
A quickie is to not have a contacts.sqlite database, which means you need your own contacts.csv or more likely contacts.vcf file, which you can maintain on the PC if you like (works with Excel for example).
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Thanks! I'm not sure why the links didnt show up at first. I'll give this a look. I've been using "simple mobile tools" for quite a while, and I must say I like how they are completely autonomous and transparent about what prems they need and why.
GalaxyA325G said:
For GPS spoofing, I didn't mention you need to turn "Mock Location" on in the Android Developer Options, but that's what most people already do so I assumed you knew that.
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I definitely saw the option in the dev settings, but didnt experiment with it. Well, now I know, thanks!
Funny you mentioned microG since I installed it for the first time yesterday when I was setting up Vanced Youtube based on this thread.
I generally choose apps that don't use GSF but sometimes you have to use a GSF app (e.g., Zoom meetings), and then it's nice to use MicroG instead of Google Services Framework.
I only installed it yesterday so I really don't know how well it will work for me as I didn't even need to install it to install VancedYoutube. You just need it to log into YouTube but I never do that anyway.
In summary, there's probably a hundred things we do to our phones to set up privacy but I'd have to write each one up in detail to help everyone and that's a lot of work.
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I will give microG a try (in a form of LineageOS for MicroG). In fact I did install this rom before but I was a bit confused about what it did and assumed that it is a regular LinOS repack with Gplay store and apps built-in. Time to test again.
Especially if almost nobody reads these threads.
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Threads like these is how I passed my uni exams. Not even exaggerating XD. Thanks again for a very detailed insightful read!

Hello my friends, very happy to meet good hearted people who think alike about Gugle.
as my name suggests I'm noob still and didn't understand much of discussion but very happy to meet you friends. My love & warm regards to all here. Here is what I did uptill now before I saw this thread :
1> Load GSI/ROM.
2> Load TWRP
3> Load Magisk
4> Load microG
5> Install Service Disabler
5.1> Disable bunch of internal services like telemetry, analytics, location (FusedLocation not possible to disable) for every app (3-rd party & system app), contacts sync etc.
6> Install SD-Maid Pro
6.1> Freeze apps like Gugle Calendar Sync Adapter & Gugle Contacts Sync Adapter
7> Install CIAFirewall Fake VPN & configure it.
8> I use Opera browser for Banking, Youtube, Cab booking, Surfing, Gmail, Food Order etc.
9> Install Aurora Store for general app management & installation
10> For contacts I save all contacts in notepad app, and let all calls purposely bounce then I call back aftter checking whose call it was & state false apologies.
#FYI :- Gugle, Mycrowsowft , eFbee are not really to be blamed, rhey are having to comply with FBI, Phentagon, Central Intelligence Agencies, Interpol, etc. or they have to shut bizness.

GalaxyA325G said:
Like you, my relationship with Google is strained where I don't set up any Google Account on Android and it works just fine.
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Hi, I’m glad to have found this thread as I’m not happy with how my normal Android phone is spied upon by google. But I’m not technically knowledgeable and I don’t want to risk bricking my phone by trying amateur attempts at rooting, or installing Insular, etc…
So far I have not signed in, I allow only minimum permissions, use Netguard, Aurora and FDroid, and have disabled bloatware. I also force-stop apps as much as possible when not in use, and enable Location and Bluetooth only when needed.
I know this is just an amateur, token attempt to reduce spying - so I may have to eventually buy a degoogled phone.
I’ve also done some of the privacy suggestions in the attachments you posted.
Could you help me with a couple of newbie questions…
1): I might have minimised some personal data harvested by most of the apps I use, but I guess my privacy precautions will have no significant effect on the amount of telemetry collected by google?
2): If my precautions really have no significant effect, I’m wondering if would it make any real difference if I was signed in as I don’t use any of the google backup services anyway?
Thanks.