[Q] Re-Googling My Chinese Android Phone - General Questions and Answers

I bought a Chinese Android phone for my father, Pioneer E80W which runs Android 4.0.4. It works great except for one big problem - it has been de-googled!!! This is obviously a huge problem, as you cannot load a google account on there, so cannot sync contacts, cannot load Google play on there, Google Maps etc etc. It seems even if you find the APK file for a Google app, it won't install properly, whereas some from other developers will work.
I guess part of fixing it will be to root the phone, but Superoneclick says it is already rooted. This has made a great phone pretty useless. Help!!!!
Also, to double check, does anybody know a reliable source of apk files for things like Google Play as I always seem to get dragged into spammy sites that insist I load other software etc etc.

Related

[Q] P5110 bought in wrong country!!! How can make it my own?

Hello Forum Members...
I am Ex-pat living in Shanghai China & just 2 days back bought GT-P5110. Unfortunately, i did not investigate properly before buying & just within few minutes of usage i came to know that this Tablet is lacking Google Play, Google Map,, Google Talk, Photo Share to Picasa from Gallery & even S-Memo missing...!!! Its been shocking to me...as i am fan of Android devices because of these stock features only.
Without all these things, seems this tablet is nothing more than a Digital Photo Frame to me. I called Samsung Customer support in China, they simply says the Chinese Models are like this only.....they have some of their own Chinese replacements to cater all these features...so no Google niceness in this. My frustration turned more severe when i came to know that it does not support even Flash. I am unable to play any flash contents in stock browser also.
I tried following:
I transferred FileExpert apk file from my HTC Desire to Tab, installed it & luckily found there 1Mobile Apps. Now i at least start downloading some apps.
I downloaded Flash Player from 1Mobile Apps, installed it - but no use,
I downloaded then Google Chrome browser, Mobile Opera - None is able to run flash contents.
Even have Google Maps widget in stock widgets, but when i am moving it to home screen, its just not opening, no response at all...when tap, the screen black-out & then return to home screen.
I even downloaded Google Play apk file & installed it, this also can not open.
Reader Hub, Music Hub...all taking to Chinese contents....OMG...pls. save me.
All online ebooks need Flash player plug-in...so i am helpless on that front also.
I tried to select country Singapore, India, US etc. while opening Samsung Apps first time, but then while downloading any Apps from Samsung Apps, it just says your Samsung ID is not workable in this Country!! If i select country China, the all apps available there are in Chinese only & Samsung Apps interface also in Chinese!!!
Can some expert here advice me if there is some way out of this...? Rooting & clockworkmod will help? I actually dont want to do so at so early stage & me not to expert to do all these.
I really need Google Play Store, Google Maps, GTalk & is there any way to change the Inbuilt Reader & Music Hub contents to English, by changing the Location to some other country or some other trick?
How to link the Flash Player app with Stock or downloaded browsers?
Pls. help.....
either your tablet being modded by others or its duplicate coz i have same p5110 from china and its working great .....try doing factory reset it might solve the problem ...or if u know how to root and flash this rom http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1722099 its performing well for my tab .....all the best !!!
I experienced the same thing with the P3100 I purchased earlier this week (I live in Beijing). The issue is that the Chinese government and Google don't like each other very much so Chinese models take this into account. What I did was install ClockworkMod Recovery, and then installed a stock version from Singapore or anywhere non-China of ICS 4.0.4. Worked like a charm more or less, though I still have issues accessing some free and all paid apps in Google Play.
There's a How-To at the top of the Galaxy Tab 2 7" Android Developmement forum that's helpful. Also search sammobile or elsewhere in this forum for the stock ICS 4.0.4.
YMMV.

[Q] n00b with 2 new/ Tmobile Avants - rudimentary questions about custom roms

Hi ... I'm a n00b when it comes to phone hacks but not technology so please don't dumb your answers down on account of me.
We bought two Tmobile Samsung Avants a cpl days ago (one to use and one as a spare) because the price was right and I'm leaving a WM device for Android. HOWEVER I don't like the idea that Google, who has no personal or business relationship with me, has access to all my personal information just because I'm using a phone they've branded. So I'm looking for an Android ROM that doesn't have Google tentacles in it.
I've been researching this since we got the phones but I'm not clear on what ROMS are avail for my phone ... it doesn't look like cyanogenmod has one (although they have one for my gf's old Exhibit T599!! ) - is there a repository, website or thread I haven't found that has a list of what's out there? am I stuck rooting the phone and MANUALLY removing everything? The phones have Kitkat installed.
I saw a youtube vid where they've ported Lollipop to the Avant - would that come de-Googled?
Do Android ROMs from Android come without a Google footprint? Some users have posted that Android as an independent company is not necessarily Google and their OS is NOT a Google product so my thoughts are you can have one without the other.
Any help / info is appreciated. thanks!
master-richie said:
Hi ... I'm a n00b when it comes to phone hacks but not technology so please don't dumb your answers down on account of me.
We bought two Tmobile Samsung Avants a cpl days ago (one to use and one as a spare) because the price was right and I'm leaving a WM device for Android. HOWEVER I don't like the idea that Google, who has no personal or business relationship with me, has access to all my personal information just because I'm using a phone they've branded. So I'm looking for an Android ROM that doesn't have Google tentacles in it.
I've been researching this since we got the phones but I'm not clear on what ROMS are avail for my phone ... it doesn't look like cyanogenmod has one (although they have one for my gf's old Exhibit T599!! ) - is there a repository, website or thread I haven't found that has a list of what's out there? am I stuck rooting the phone and MANUALLY removing everything? The phones have Kitkat installed.
I saw a youtube vid where they've ported Lollipop to the Avant - would that come de-Googled?
Do Android ROMs from Android come without a Google footprint? Some users have posted that Android as an independent company is not necessarily Google and their OS is NOT a Google product so my thoughts are you can have one without the other.
Any help / info is appreciated. thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a project that doesnt have google stuff but you lose alot. Like no app store and things like that. Also Android is a google project. Like WP is by microsoft.
No there is no site like you are looking for.
Android is not a company but an OS like IOS, Windows, Linux and such.
The issue is mainly that if your device is not widely used then there may not be anything available for it. You also need to find out if the bootloader is locked or not and if kernel source is available for the device.
Google doesnt brand phones persay. The android operating system is theirs.
master-richie said:
Hi ... I'm a n00b when it comes to phone hacks but not technology so please don't dumb your answers down on account of me.
We bought two Tmobile Samsung Avants a cpl days ago (one to use and one as a spare) because the price was right and I'm leaving a WM device for Android. HOWEVER I don't like the idea that Google, who has no personal or business relationship with me, has access to all my personal information just because I'm using a phone they've branded. So I'm looking for an Android ROM that doesn't have Google tentacles in it.
I've been researching this since we got the phones but I'm not clear on what ROMS are avail for my phone ... it doesn't look like cyanogenmod has one (although they have one for my gf's old Exhibit T599!! ) - is there a repository, website or thread I haven't found that has a list of what's out there? am I stuck rooting the phone and MANUALLY removing everything? The phones have Kitkat installed.
I saw a youtube vid where they've ported Lollipop to the Avant - would that come de-Googled?
Do Android ROMs from Android come without a Google footprint? Some users have posted that Android as an independent company is not necessarily Google and their OS is NOT a Google product so my thoughts are you can have one without the other.
Any help / info is appreciated. thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google has not shown itself to be a malicious company. Is it a little creepy that they know everything about you? Yes. Will it make your user experience better? Probably. When you flash a custom ROM it removes all of the Google apps but the Google apps are really useful. Play Store, Maps, Gmail (can store all your contacts so if you get a new phone you can just import them), etc. are all very useful in my opinion. I don't personally need Google Music for example so I deleted that. All of my music comes through Spotify and Bandcamp downloads. But I can't imagine my phone without the Play Store and Gmail. It would make the experience very annoying. Cyanogen Inc. is looking into pushing their ROMs on to retail Android phones so the phone would come with Cyanogenmod and have their own equivalent to GApps. But, that won't happen for a while. The best bet to get Google out of your hair is to root it and delete the apps you don't need, or use SlimRom.
Edit: Make sure your phone is the same model as the ones that SlimRom is created for.
dictatorkara said:
Google has not shown itself to be a malicious company. Is it a little creepy that they know everything about you? Yes. Will it make your user experience better? Probably. When you flash a custom ROM it removes all of the Google apps but the Google apps are really useful. Play Store, Maps, Gmail (can store all your contacts so if you get a new phone you can just import them), etc. are all very useful in my opinion. I don't personally need Google Music for example so I deleted that. All of my music comes through Spotify and Bandcamp downloads. But I can't imagine my phone without the Play Store and Gmail. It would make the experience very annoying. Cyanogen Inc. is looking into pushing their ROMs on to retail Android phones so the phone would come with Cyanogenmod and have their own equivalent to GApps. But, that won't happen for a while. The best bet to get Google out of your hair is to root it and delete the apps you don't need, or use SlimRom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is not true. Even without gapps there are still many google base system files that are built into the system. There is only one Google-less project that is being worked on but they do have issues as the OS is not built to run without them. Even Slim Rom still use alot of googles stuff.
zelendel said:
This is not true. Even without gapps there are still many google base system files that are built into the system. There is only one Google-less project that is being worked on but they do have issues as the OS is not built to run without them. Even Slim Rom still use alot of googles stuff.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't say you can completely de-Google an Android device. But, you can make it appear to be de-Googled, although the system files you mentioned will still be there. But you can completely opt out of Gmail and the like.
dictatorkara said:
I didn't say you can completely de-Google an Android device. But, you can make it appear to be de-Googled, although the system files you mentioned will still be there. But you can completely opt out of Gmail and the like.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used to have an IT company not too long ago and I run a bunch of commercial grade servers in my house - My needs aren't the same as the typical phone user with respect to data redundancy, cloud computing, etc - I have that capability already. I pretty much use my phone to snap photos, internet browsing, texting, making calls and sometimes use the gps when driving. What I don't need is a copy of all my activity, contacts, calls, texts and browsing history stored on google servers to be sold or given to entities that I a. wouldn't consent to b. have no clue it's happening.
I don't really care if there is a Google footprint left in the phone, I just want to remove Google's ability to mine my personal data from my phone which also includes registering my device via a google+ account.
With respect to playstore, isn't Aptoid a suitable alternative?
What is SlimROM? where can I get more info on it? I saw the post you had linked to originally which prompted me to post my OP because I couldn't find any other info on it
master-richie said:
I used to have an IT company not too long ago and I run a bunch of commercial grade servers in my house - My needs aren't the same as the typical phone user with respect to data redundancy, cloud computing, etc - I have that capability already. I pretty much use my phone to snap photos, internet browsing, texting, making calls and sometimes use the gps when driving. What I don't need is a copy of all my activity, contacts, calls, texts and browsing history stored on google servers to be sold or given to entities that I a. wouldn't consent to b. have no clue it's happening.
I don't really care if there is a Google footprint left in the phone, I just want to remove Google's ability to mine my personal data from my phone which also includes registering my device via a google+ account.
With respect to playstore, isn't Aptoid a suitable alternative?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No Dont use that. They are all warez and are known for including data miners, Keyloggers and screen recorders.
Ill be honest. You picked the wrong OS for that then. GPS itself uses google software to connect to the satalites.
This is your best option
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1715375

Can´t istall Google Apps

Hi XDA, I was given a tablet to explore any chance of repair, having fallen from a considerable height, shell opened, broken sd card, a mess...
It´s a Samsung Wi-Fi only GT-P3110, serial nr. c0808d0058bc2af which had an Android 4.0.1 installed, but inoperative. I tried to put it together, a little glue, a new 8Gb sd card, but the system was unavailable.
Since I had the original cable and charger, connected to the pc, with proper drivers installed,
it was recognized by Windows, but that´s all. I tried flashing some roms and CWM/TWRP, all
with buggy behaviour, untill I found the CyanogenMod version 13.0.20160222-2054-UNOFFICIAL-p3110, flashed it, and it gave me access to Android 6.0.1. At last I got Wi-Fi connection and could surf the internet, with a basic flaw: no access to Google Services, even the simplest of apps, the Gmail app. On the site of Google store, trying to install anything, the device, contrary to my other Android devices, appears greyed out, so no installation whatsoever allowed. It´s awkward to have an Android device without access to Google store, services and apps, it´s almost useless!
Can you help? Can you show me the way to the needed access to Google services? Please!
Every time I try to install Google Services, the system hangs and I have to, in recovery, wipe everything and reflash the Rom and reinstall every app. I´m sure someone can provide me a link to download the proper and compatible zip file which I will flash and have Google Services available in the device.
Thank you for your time, and sincerely hope to get an answer from you. My email [email protected]
With my best regards
Luis

P40 Lite 5G

I got a P40 Lite 5G in the last couple of days, and didn't think or know about the Huawei / Google issues. I'm not from the US, so it was something I heard in the news, but wasn't sure if it would affect us.
I'm probably fine without having google services on my phone for personal use, the alternatives should be fine - never been a big fan of getting tracked like that anyways.
BUT, we use GSuite at work and I need Google Chat on my phone ... so it's a pretty hard stop for me
I'm not opposed to rooting the phone and installing a custom rom, but:
1. Does this solve all the problems, does google apps/services work fine on a rooted phone and custom rom? Or does google block it based on the hardware? (Is that what the spoofing circumvents, or would it still not work?)
2. Doesn't seem like there are any custom roms available even?
I searched through the forum here and did not see anything that looked like it works, I did try Googlefier, MicroG, etc - none worked so far. (My EMUI is already updated, which I understood you shouldn't do - didn't know).
That said, most of these posts were from a few months back, not sure if anything has changed by now?
Any help/advice appreciated, please
wb90 said:
I got a P40 Lite 5G in the last couple of days, and didn't think or know about the Huawei / Google issues. I'm not from the US, so it was something I heard in the news, but wasn't sure if it would affect us.
I'm probably fine without having google services on my phone for personal use, the alternatives should be fine - never been a big fan of getting tracked like that anyways.
BUT, we use GSuite at work and I need Google Chat on my phone ... so it's a pretty hard stop for me
I'm not opposed to rooting the phone and installing a custom rom, but:
1. Does this solve all the problems, does google apps/services work fine on a rooted phone and custom rom? Or does google block it based on the hardware? (Is that what the spoofing circumvents, or would it still not work?)
2. Doesn't seem like there are any custom roms available even?
I searched through the forum here and did not see anything that looked like it works, I did try Googlefier, MicroG, etc - none worked so far. (My EMUI is already updated, which I understood you shouldn't do - didn't know).
That said, most of these posts were from a few months back, not sure if anything has changed by now?
Any help/advice appreciated, please
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as I know we can't root the phone.
The best work around I've found is using vmos to create a sandbox for Google login. It's not perfect but it does the job I need.
If I'm not wrong, you can still use the web browser version, like Doc, Sheet, Slide, Keep, Calendar and etc. So most probably you can still use Google Chat in your mobile browser without problem.
Yeah, but google chat doesn't have a mobile web version ... you can put Chrome into "Desktop Site" mode, but it's not a great experience.
Also, the important part for having it on my mobile is the notifications of new messages if there's any issues...
I thought id highjack to ask my own questons about the p40 lite 5g in relation to the dualspace method
how often do i have to reinstall dualspace?
Is the process of upgrading google apps any more complicated than stock android?
Are there any google apps that cant be installed?
are there any apps that have only partial functionality?
Do the apps crash any more often?
do the google apps have ads in them?
are the ads intrusive?
does it need to be rooted?
How does dualspace affect the phones and apps performance?
I didn't find any functionality of DualSpace ... on Mate40 pro.
Maps isn't working ok, banking apps isn't working (security warnings) ... Nothing new for me.

Motorola XT2125-4 EdgeS Help needed

Hi,
I purchased a new phone a Motorola Edge S (hardware SKU XT2125-4), unfortunately it is a China ROM phone which means it didn't come with Google play store. This was side loaded and I am able to install apps from google. But I have SO many issues with this and I am hoping someone has something helpful to actually use this phone
1. When I try to use Google setup a nearby device (to transfer everything over to this phone), it simply can't find my new phone (despite having bluetooth and location on for both phones
2. I can't restore contacts from google drive even though I can connect
3. I downloaded the MAGISK app, however the file browser is unable to install as the app is not allowed. The toggle to trust the app can not be changed.
I am at a loss as to how to actually use this phone as essentially it's useless at the moment. Any help would be appreciated.
It is already running Android Version 11
Baseband version M55_HI20_209.334.01.60R NIO_PVT_SUPERSDS_CUST
Kernel Version 4.19.136-perf+
Build Number RRN31.Q1-20-17-6
I can provide any / all other information if needed
If the solution is to root the phone, I'm ok with that too, but see point 3.
I'm in the same situation. Purchased the XT2125 as well. Got the Google stuff working by side loading the play store, services and framework. However, initially, while everything else was working, the contacts wouldn't sync. After a few hours of searching, finally came across an article which said that I also needed to side load an apk called google contacts sync and give it permission. Contacts started syncing after that. Fast forward a couple of days and a system update later, SMS are delivered with really long delays and outbound ones fail. Google maps crashes constantly and navigation just doesn't work. I don't know what to do with this phone now honestly, since I need Google maps navigation on a regular basis. Have tried reinstalling maps, resetting permissions, clearing cache and data but nothing seems to work. And with the SMS delay, I can't sign on our complete transactions on a lot of apps because the SMS usually arrives after such a delay that the code has expired. Feels like such a waste of money this phone even though it's supposed to be great bang for the buck.
I am hopeful that when they release the Moto G100 (same phone actually), that we will be able to flash it with this ROM to make it usable.
Slartibartfast70 said:
Hi,
I purchased a new phone a Motorola Edge S (hardware SKU XT2125-4), unfortunately it is a China ROM phone which means it didn't come with Google play store. This was side loaded and I am able to install apps from google. But I have SO many issues with this and I am hoping someone has something helpful to actually use this phone
1. When I try to use Google setup a nearby device (to transfer everything over to this phone), it simply can't find my new phone (despite having bluetooth and location on for both phones
2. I can't restore contacts from google drive even though I can connect
3. I downloaded the MAGISK app, however the file browser is unable to install as the app is not allowed. The toggle to trust the app can not be changed.
I am at a loss as to how to actually use this phone as essentially it's useless at the moment. Any help would be appreciated.
It is already running Android Version 11
Baseband version M55_HI20_209.334.01.60R NIO_PVT_SUPERSDS_CUST
Kernel Version 4.19.136-perf+
Build Number RRN31.Q1-20-17-6
I can provide any / all other information if needed
If the solution is to root the phone, I'm ok with that too, but see point 3.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wait it's like that with motorola too
I thought it's only like that with xiaomi
Seems like even with motorola it doesn't come with google apps if it's a china rom
Though it was only with xiaomi where if it's a china rom it doesn't come with any google apps guess im wrong
Slartibartfast70 said:
I am hopeful that when they release the Moto G100 (same phone actually), that we will be able to flash it with this ROM to make it usable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I think it's being released in a couple of days. Anyway, I did a factory reset and the maps issues sorted out. Had to go through the pain of sideloading google again but the device is being shown as google play certified, but yeah, would be nice to just have the international rom on it.
Were you able to make any headway with your device? I didn't put a sim in mine but the rest of it seems to be working ok, except Youtube Vanced isn't signing in with a google account.

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