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[Q] Google+ Account needed to Review an App in Google Play Store

Today I wanted to write a Review for a Purchased App that I found to be very nice in the Google Play Store. Unfortunately I realized I am no longer able to do so without changing my Google Account to a Google+ Account.
I tried to stay away from signing up for a Google+ Account for a while now but keep getting closer and closer to having to do so. Does anyone know of a way to Review Apps in the Store without Google+. I was very suprised to see this from Google. Not a very nice change and it will certainly keep some people from writing comments.
By the way I am not writing this to start a debate about the Pros and Cons of Google+ but to find ways to stay away from Google+ for as long as possible for whatever reason there might be. I could not find a debate about Googles Move on XDA so I am wondering if I am the last one without a Google+ Account.

I think if you have Gmail acct you also have Google+ acct. I never "signed up" for Google+ either but if you open the app you'll see your acct already using your Gmail user name. I think the message on the playstore is just a legal notice in case you want to change your user name before posting cause most people don't want their actual legal name posted (like anyone uses their real name for Gmail anyway).
Sent from my M886 using Tapatalk 2

You can avoid G+ for the time being, but Google has plans to bring Android, G+ and Chrome gaming together, so you're pretty much screwed in the near future, sorry.

jbrt said:
I think if you have Gmail acct you also have Google+ acct. I never "signed up" for Google+ either but if you open the app you'll see your acct already using your Gmail user name. I think the message on the playstore is just a legal notice in case you want to change your user name before posting cause most people don't want their actual legal name posted (like anyone uses their real name for Gmail anyway).
Sent from my M886 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well it asks me to upgrade my Gmail Account to a Google+ Account all over the place. And I cant use my Account anywhere were Google mandates a Google+ Account. For now I will not accept the changes and life with the limitations.
renome said:
You can avoid G+ for the time being, but Google has plans to bring Android, G+ and Chrome gaming together, so you're pretty much screwed in the near future, sorry.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are most likely right and I am just hopping to be able to use my Account a little longer until I can change back to Microsoft. Not sure if that will work out for me since I am a Galaxy Note User and with that I most likely will not change until a same sized device comes out with Windows Phone 8. Which probably is not going to hapen anytime soon. Anyway long story short I guess I cant write Reviews for my purchased Apps anymore which I can life with, I rather accept that then change my Account.

Oh man. Well thanks for letting me know.
I'l been doing my damnest to avoid Google+ for years now. Seems like I'll have to stop review apps too.

[Q] Deactivate Google apps

Is there any negative aspects in terms of functionality if you deactivate apps like Hangouts, Movies, Wallet etc?
Does this affect the battery in any negative way? Does this create any weird wakelocks?
What are the pros in deactivating certain pre-installed apps and do they make a significant difference?

porman said:
Is there any negative aspects in terms of functionality if you deactivate apps like Hangouts, Movies, Wallet etc?
Does this affect the battery in any negative way? Does this create any weird wakelocks?
What are the pros in deactivating certain pre-installed apps and do they make a significant difference?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do not deactivate Fused Location and Google App.

No, I was more thinking of Google apps such as Movies, Books, Hangouts etc.

porman said:
No, I was more thinking of Google apps such as Movies, Books, Hangouts etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I disable these apps:
Email
Exchange Service
Fit
Google Play Books
Google Play Games
Google Play Movis & TV
Google Music
Google Play Newsstand
News & Weather
Sheets
Slides
Wallet
I haven't noticed any negative functionality.

porman said:
No, I was more thinking of Google apps such as Movies, Books, Hangouts etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
jss2 said:
I disable these apps:
Email
Exchange Service
Fit
Google Play Books
Google Play Games
Google Play Movis & TV
Google Music
Google Play Newsstand
News & Weather
Sheets
Slides
Wallet
I haven't noticed any negative functionality.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, if you are rooted, you can delete those apps without any side effects. As I allready mention: Do not delete Fused Location (phone won't boot anymore if you delete it), Google Play Services, Google app (if you use GNL, otherwise you can, Google+ (it will break integrated Photo app, if you do), Google Calendar (no substitute app can sync with Google, if you delete it).
Without any consequnce (of course if you don't need them) you can delete: BasicDreams, Calculator, Chrome, CloudPrint, Drive, FaceLock, Gmail, Google Play, GoogleCamera, Keep, LatinImeGoogle, Maps, NewsWeather, Street, Fit, Magazines, Music, PlayGames, Movies, YouTube, Earth, Hangouts, Books, SoundSearch, Wallet, Sheets, Slides, can't remember name of Word viewer, SimTool and some other services, but for now it's better for you to don't know which ones.
Yeah. Also Google gave as some bloatware. :laugh:

Yeah, I'm not rooted, never thought it was needed on the Nexus since stock is flying anyway and I don't use apps that require root and I don't flash custom roms. That was something I did and still do on my old SGS, so on that I used to delete everything that I didn't need.
But I wasn't sure how it works on a non-rooted phone, maybe deactivating a certain app, breaks something else.
Anyway, thanks for the replies.

porman said:
Yeah, I'm not rooted, never thought it was needed on the Nexus since stock is flying anyway and I don't use apps that require root and I don't flash custom roms. That was something I did and still do on my old SGS, so on that I used to delete everything that I didn't need.
But I wasn't sure how it works on a non-rooted phone, maybe deactivating a certain app, breaks something else.
Anyway, thanks for the replies.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Read and understand my post above: deleting or disabling - same effect on performance.

I did understand.

Google play services is vital to the phone. Nothing will work with out it. I've taken films books etc out

When you say you get rid of various unneeded Google Apps do you guys mean uninstall them or use titanium backup to freeze them?
(I'm rooted)

In my case (not rooted), just deactivating them in the app manager, but I guess the question is open to other ways as well.

porman said:
Is there any negative aspects in terms of functionality if you deactivate apps like Hangouts, Movies, Wallet etc?
Does this affect the battery in any negative way? Does this create any weird wakelocks?
What are the pros in deactivating certain pre-installed apps and do they make a significant difference?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I took all those out. No problems. Don't touch webview or other system related products
Sent from my Nexus 5

Will Having a Google+ Account Increase Google Play App Rank?

I'm hoping to improve my app's rank in Google Play and am looking for all the best ways to do so.
I've been told that creating a Google Plus account will increase visibility. I figure at the very least it helps with link building, but Facebook and Twitter do that so I'm hoping having a Google Plus account will carry more weight in Google Play since they are both Google products.
Is there another reason to start another social media account?
I rarely use Google Plus and if there is no reason to have to spend the time to actively manage another thing than I won't bother. But if it can help in the slightest then it will probably be worth the time. Every inch helps right?

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

In fact, you can try this app :
https://forum.xda-developers.com/mate-30/how-to/hey-gugs-app-install-gms-huawei-mate-30-t4039275

I agree, I did sideloaded GMS on my Mate 30 pro but looking into more detail I realize that 95% of the apps I use can be obtained using different app stores eliminating the need of google spy services. I believe its just a matter of time and there will be enough alternatives outside of GMS.
I find it funny that Huawei got blocked from using google but sideloading GMS is still possible. Ok, the initial link got taken down but in essence the same procedure remains and once you have GMS installed on your phone it all works normal. Updates, buying apps trough play store and even most banking apps work. It would be perfect possible for google to block our phones if they really wanted. If my phone provider can see which phone I am using without me telling them I am sure google can see this also. Its just not in their interest of really blocking our phones, maybe there are not enough of us around for them to justify taking action but then again it would be just a matter of programming software. I will root my Galaxy Note 9 to remove or "freeze" most of the google crap I don't really use but honestly I like the fact that there are android devices out there without google. If not for the (build in) stylus I would not have bought the Note 9.

Paid Apps?
[email protected]
But what about the paid Google apps (like premium version of AccuBattery) or game-add ons?
I think they might not work because of no GMS:crying:
And about WhatsApp... Even live location works right?

sheehancein said:
[email protected]
But what about the paid Google apps (like premium version of AccuBattery) or game-add ons?
I think they might not work because of no GMS:crying:
And about WhatsApp... Even live location works right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As Already confirmed in other topics by myself and others, paid google apps are working. Bought several apps on google play store on the Mate 30pro, payment passed no problem and apps all working. What I cannot confirm as I don't use this is google pay in stores, that has been confirmed not to be working.
Wattsapp live locations...explain as I don't know what you mean.

Whatsapp Live location
cfds said:
As Already confirmed in other topics by myself and others, paid google apps are working. Bought several apps on google play store on the Mate 30pro, payment passed no problem and apps all working. What I cannot confirm as I don't use this is google pay in stores, that has been confirmed not to be working.
Wattsapp live locations...explain as I don't know what you mean.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For all of these apps (esp the paid ones) to work, I must install the GMS workaround by LzPlay first right?
What I meant by WhatsApp live location is the location sharing feature that you can use for 15 minutes/1 hour/8 hours, to share your current location to other users...
Since it seems to use Google Maps, I worry that WhatsApp works except for that one feature...:crying:

sheehancein said:
For all of these apps (esp the paid ones) to work, I must install the GMS workaround by LzPlay first right?
What I meant by WhatsApp live location is the location sharing feature that you can use for 15 minutes/1 hour/8 hours, to share your current location to other users...
Since it seems to use Google Maps, I worry that WhatsApp works except for that one feature...:crying:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did not try the paid google apps without GMS on my phone but it seems logic that they would not work without having GMS on it. You could install the APK file but most likely that would be than an unpaid/trail version from the app containing in app purchase and adds.
If wattsapp live is coupled to google maps than you need GMS on your phone for it to work.

I have managed to install the GMS following this Spanish method and everything has gone perfectly, all the apps that require GMS work right -> video

But notifications work for you? After I used this same method, though I don't get the Google store constant popups, I don't get any notifications for anything whatsoever anymore...

According to your method, I have successfully installed youtube

I managed to get all the GMS services working properly but google ar core still does not work

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...