I admit that this is a little narrow - but I figured I'd share my experiences.
I use Replicant, so I really want a phone with few blobs, an unlockable bootloader, and a low price. I did not win on this phone... too many blobs.
However, I like this phone, and it was cheap (I have XT1304 / US GSM edition). I figured that if I could de-Google the device it'd tide me over until CM comes out and is stable. I don't care to use Google Play Services. At all. (I know it's rare, but hey, I like smartphones, just not so tied to the walled garden.)
When I disabled all of the Google & Motorola Services that I could on stock, I'd get crashes from anything that wanted to use my location. ADB revealed it was crashing looking for the "network" location provider.
This would kill everything; even the modem would be reset - I'd miss calls, the Launcher would restart...it was basically a soft reboot because of underlying system crashes. Switching the location mode off of "High Accuracy" or "Device" to "Battery Saving" would cause it not to crash, but that's not exactly a good location provider.
Now yes, I'm disabling "system" services. I'm on my own. But someone's gotta do it.
My solution:
Post-factory reset with no Google account:
Install any location consumer - I used SatStat in F-Droid. (I'm too new to post links; find it yourself. You're smart and people like you.) I installed it via adb after turning on USB Debugging. There aren't many other ways from GNU/Linux distros, but you should be able to MTP it on there too.
Turn location on. Dismiss annoying dialog: No Google you can't snarf my location. (This dialog doesn't save its answer if you don't have a Google Account. It. Asks. Every. Time. Therefore, it must die.)
At this point it gets fuzzy - I basically went on a disabling spree, and managed to disable everything except Google Play Services (No Notifications, Clear Data, Disable Service) checking to see if SatStat would crash between every disable. I was also checking the Location settings every once in a while as well - eventually Google Settings revealed that "Google Location reporting is not avaiable for this location" which means... it's dead, Jim. No more annoying dialog. At this point it was safe to disable Google Play Services.
When I was done I had about half a page of apps - if that. At which point... I installed F-Droid, and am busy repopulating the world.
The entire point of this post: if you're going to de-Google your phone, use CM and don't flash GApps. Disabling everything on stock is risky, but doable. Just expect to factory reset. Disabling in Settings is so much better than the old days of Root & Remove.
I am mad as hell.
I wanted to enable Google Now but in Google Settings I receive the message "Google Now requires location services which are not available".
Googled, found several "hacks", great. I tried the one where you unistall updates/disable Google Play services, etc... and I get the message to activate Google Now, but when I choose so and login with my email I get "This account is not eligible to use google now".
I tried this with 2 different gmail accounts, always get the same message. There are no info on Google about this problem.
Anyone has any idea how to enable google now? I need it, I love it, and I think I am going to break my nexus 5 if I can't have it.
By the way, I am on the latest developer L build (didn't work on 4.4.4 too, I kinda updated only because of the hope that it may work on L).
Also, on my Nexus 7 (2012) google now works great although I am using the same gmail account.
Any help is appreciated!
Uhhhhh.......
Turn on location? Why don't you try that and report back.
SilkyJohnson said:
Uhhhhh.......
Turn on location? Why don't you try that and report back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Read the first line of the original post...
Google Location services are not available in all countries (which is fine) but Google Now shouldn't explicitly need location services. Location services are not available in my country and Google Now still works with no problems on my Nexus 5 and worked on my Nexus 7 (2013) before I updated to the L Developer preview (using the Play Services - Uninstall updates trick) and still shows me location weather information, appointments, news updates, delivery updates, time to work.home, time to get to the location of my next appointment, etc... all without being able to enable location services. I don't understand why Google would limit their service when it clearly works with no problem but has no problems pushing out beta apps to everyone which clearly have issues (new hangouts desktop app).
The Play Services trick did not work on 5.0 for me either. If I do find a way around it I'll let you know.
UPDATE: Managed to get it working with the following steps:
1. Logged out of Google search app
2. Uninstall Play Services updates
3. Connect to a Free UK VPN (I used this: http://www.bestukvpn.com/)
4. Ask Google to remind you of something and select the opt in to Google Now option
5. Go through the steps to enable Google now.
6. When you get the "This account is not eligible to use Google now" click on search bar and search for anything
7. Open the hamburger menu while in search (click on the menu icon or slide from the left)
8. You will notice that you are not signed in. Select sign in and select your account.
9. Viola you will get the opt in to Google now option again and you should then have Google Now
That's what worked for me. Ask Google to remind you of something to make sure its working. Hope this helps .
jonmall1441 said:
UPDATE: Managed to get it working with the following steps:
1. Logged out of Google search app
2. Uninstall Play Services updates
3. Connect to a Free UK VPN (I used this: http://www.bestukvpn.com/)
4. Ask Google to remind you of something and select the opt in to Google Now option
5. Go through the steps to enable Google now.
6. When you get the "This account is not eligible to use Google now" click on search bar and search for anything
7. Open the hamburger menu while in search (click on the menu icon or slide from the left)
8. You will notice that you are not signed in. Select sign in and select your account.
9. Viola you will get the opt in to Google now option again and you should then have Google Now
That's what worked for me. Ask Google to remind you of something to make sure its working. Hope this helps .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doesn't work for me. After the 8th step I never get to the step 9. I sign in, get back on the home screen and never again get asked to opt-in to Google Now
Damn ...
I have the same problem ...I even made 3 more accounts but still not eligible...
????
But my brother made an account and is using Google now ...??
ljesh said:
Doesn't work for me. After the 8th step I never get to the step 9. I sign in, get back on the home screen and never again get asked to opt-in to Google Now
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you try creating a reminder using Google Now after the 8th step. Make sure you are still connected to the VPN. You have to open chrome after connecting to the VPN to verify the connection. A simple search should bring up a window to accept the VPN terms and conditions.
jonmall1441 said:
Did you try creating a reminder using Google Now after the 8th step. Make sure you are still connected to the VPN. You have to open chrome after connecting to the VPN to verify the connection. A simple search should bring up a window to accept the VPN terms and conditions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am connected to the VPN, I can confirm by searching for my IP, it says I got a London IP.
After the 8th step when I try to create a reminder (remind me to thank johnmall1441) nothing happens... in fact, the program closes itself like it was killed. I don't have another device currently to record the screen and show what I am doing and what happens...
hi,
hpw to unninstal play services updates please ?
up
Managed to get it working !
-remove sim card
- Full wipe
-Install the rom (android 5.0)
-Skip Wifi Settings and everything else
-Once skipped all the settings steps, desactivate Location
- Activate Wifi
- Use VPN (bestukvpn Posted by jonmall1441)
-Activate google now and add your google account
Location Services
Hi all, this morning I went into Google Search settings and I could finally enable Google Location Services. This is what was blocking Google Now. With it enabled you shouldn't have to jump through hoops to opt-in. Try checking your location services settings in the Google Search app . They may have enabled it for a number of new countries.
Quick Tip: If the opt-in screen doesn't show up automatically, sign-out and sign-in in the Google Search app. Hope this helps.
Still not eligible ?
Tried v p ns and airplane mode
jonmall1441 said:
Read the first line of the original post...
Google Location services are not available in all countries (which is fine) but Google Now shouldn't explicitly need location services. Location services are not available in my country and Google Now still works with no problems on my Nexus 5 and worked on my Nexus 7 (2013) before I updated to the L Developer preview (using the Play Services - Uninstall updates trick) and still shows me location weather information, appointments, news updates, delivery updates, time to work.home, time to get to the location of my next appointment, etc... all without being able to enable location services. I don't understand why Google would limit their service when it clearly works with no problem but has no problems pushing out beta apps to everyone which clearly have issues (new hangouts desktop app).
The Play Services trick did not work on 5.0 for me either. If I do find a way around it I'll let you know.
UPDATE: Managed to get it working with the following steps:
1. Logged out of Google search app
2. Uninstall Play Services updates
3. Connect to a Free UK VPN (I used this: http://www.bestukvpn.com/)
4. Ask Google to remind you of something and select the opt in to Google Now option
5. Go through the steps to enable Google now.
6. When you get the "This account is not eligible to use Google now" click on search bar and search for anything
7. Open the hamburger menu while in search (click on the menu icon or slide from the left)
8. You will notice that you are not signed in. Select sign in and select your account.
9. Viola you will get the opt in to Google now option again and you should then have Google Now
That's what worked for me. Ask Google to remind you of something to make sure its working. Hope this helps .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How to uninstall google play services updates? I only saw disable option.
I'm frustrated... All methods I can find not working, it used to be easy to turn on google now in 4.4.4.
jonmall1441 said:
Read the first line of the original post...
Google Location services are not available in all countries (which is fine) but Google Now shouldn't explicitly need location services. Location services are not available in my country and Google Now still works with no problems on my Nexus 5 and worked on my Nexus 7 (2013) before I updated to the L Developer preview (using the Play Services - Uninstall updates trick) and still shows me location weather information, appointments, news updates, delivery updates, time to work.home, time to get to the location of my next appointment, etc... all without being able to enable location services. I don't understand why Google would limit their service when it clearly works with no problem but has no problems pushing out beta apps to everyone which clearly have issues (new hangouts desktop app).
The Play Services trick did not work on 5.0 for me either. If I do find a way around it I'll let you know.
UPDATE: Managed to get it working with the following steps:
1. Logged out of Google search app
2. Uninstall Play Services updates
3. Connect to a Free UK VPN (I used this: http://www.bestukvpn.com/)
4. Ask Google to remind you of something and select the opt in to Google Now option
5. Go through the steps to enable Google now.
6. When you get the "This account is not eligible to use Google now" click on search bar and search for anything
7. Open the hamburger menu while in search (click on the menu icon or slide from the left)
8. You will notice that you are not signed in. Select sign in and select your account.
9. Viola you will get the opt in to Google now option again and you should then have Google Now
That's what worked for me. Ask Google to remind you of something to make sure its working. Hope this helps .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Holy sh*t, it's working! Thanks! It's like magic and I don't know why...
jonmall1441 said:
Read the first line of the original post...
Google Location services are not available in all countries (which is fine) but Google Now shouldn't explicitly need location services. Location services are not available in my country and Google Now still works with no problems on my Nexus 5 and worked on my Nexus 7 (2013) before I updated to the L Developer preview (using the Play Services - Uninstall updates trick) and still shows me location weather information, appointments, news updates, delivery updates, time to work.home, time to get to the location of my next appointment, etc... all without being able to enable location services. I don't understand why Google would limit their service when it clearly works with no problem but has no problems pushing out beta apps to everyone which clearly have issues (new hangouts desktop app).
The Play Services trick did not work on 5.0 for me either. If I do find a way around it I'll let you know.
UPDATE: Managed to get it working with the following steps:
1. Logged out of Google search app
2. Uninstall Play Services updates
3. Connect to a Free UK VPN (I used this: http://www.bestukvpn.com/)
4. Ask Google to remind you of something and select the opt in to Google Now option
5. Go through the steps to enable Google now.
6. When you get the "This account is not eligible to use Google now" click on search bar and search for anything
7. Open the hamburger menu while in search (click on the menu icon or slide from the left)
8. You will notice that you are not signed in. Select sign in and select your account.
9. Viola you will get the opt in to Google now option again and you should then have Google Now
That's what worked for me. Ask Google to remind you of something to make sure its working. Hope this helps .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only option is to disable play service and by doing so it removes the google account altogether in official lollipop build.
couldnt get google now in lollipop!!!!
Cant get google now by applying any of the fixes above!!!!!!!common you can do better than this????
the above solution does not work. I performed a full wipe and install of latest lollipop release. I have no uninstall updates button. Only "Force Stop" and "Disable" both greyed out. Not rooted.
hopefully a solution will appear soon.
Finally Got Google Now Working in Lollipop_Nexus 4
1. Switch Off the Phone
2. Remove sim card
3. Do a Hard Reset
4. Skip Wifi Settings and everything else
5. Once skipped all the settings steps, deactivate Location
6. Activate Wifi
7. Use VPN (bestukvpn Posted by jonmall1441)
8. Activate google now and add your google account
9. Enjoy!!!!!!!
does hard reset mean factory reset?
rossoneri_forever said:
does hard reset mean factory reset?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nexus 4
- If your phone is on, turn it off.
- Press and hold the Volume Down button and the Power button at the same time until the device turns on. You'll see the word "Start" with an arrow around it.
- Press the Volume Down button twice to highlight "Recovery mode."
- Press the Power button to restart into Recovery mode. You'll see an image of an Android robot with a red exclamation mark and the words "No command."
- While holding down the Power button, press the Volume Up button.
- Use the volume buttons to scroll to "wipe data/factory reset" and press the Power button to select it.
- Scroll down to "Yes - erase all user data" and press the Power button to select it.
I just downloaded and installed the latest play services on my nexus 5 (7.3.27) running the latest 5.1 (47D) and have noticed that I no longer have access to the Smart Lock settings. They're all greyed out with the text "Disabled by administrator".
My google account is a google apps account, but I've previously set up on-body detection and trusted location since when these first came out without issue. I've not changed anything on the google apps admin side, and can't find any setting in the admin console that appears to deal with smart lock and android.
The phone is encrypted and has a PIN set, and all the available lock options are greyed out except for PIN and Password unlock, as expected. I've rebooted the phone and manually synced the device policy a number of times, without change.
Has anyone else seen this? Is this a bug?
exact same problem
although my email account is a corporate exchange account, I have the exact same issue.previous to the new Google Play services update, my smart lock wasn't working anyway though. It seems to have broke about 2 weeks ago
same problem here
Problem exists for me in all 7.3.x versions. If I uninstall updates and then install the 7.0.x version from the Play Store the problem is resolved. However, even then Smart Lock has stopped working.
Latest is 47I.
Same issue here.
Any solution ...please suggest.
Woke up yesterday morning and I was unable to use any app google or gmail related. Every time I try to open the play store it instantly closes out. "Google" is no longer under the accounts tab in the settings. Can't log into any apps using google because they just crash when I try. Have tried EVERYTHING. Cleared cache and data and uninstalled updates for all google related apps hoping it would help. Nothing. ( yes I tried rebooting it). I have now factory restarted/wiped my phone 3 times and every time I get to the start up wizard I get "verizon location agent has failed" then I get "google play services has failed". Even without completing the startup wizard google and the play store still don't work. Called verizon. Then google. Then Motorola. They couldn't fix anything. Don't know what to do can't use a lot of my apps and I have no contacts just numbers.
Hi, thank you for using XDA Assist. Try going into settings, apps and find Google Play Store Click on it and uninstall updates.
Thread closed.
I'm at a loss here. I have asked Google for their help and they were useless. I have been using a Samsung Galaxy S8+ (AT&T). It has a feature called SMART LOCK that uses a Trusted Place, which has worked in the past without any issues. For those that don't know or use it, it allows you to keep your device unlocked while your at a trusted place. With that being said, My home address keeps deleting from Google Assistant > Settings> Personal Info> Home & Work Locations. My work location stays here, but my Home Location keeps getting deleted for some reason. I can't figure out what is causing it.
I've deleted it and edited it many times and yet it still happens.I thought it was an app or allowed program, but I went through them and didn't see anything that shouldn't be allowed in my Google account. I have deleted my cache, data and uninstalled updates on all, Google Play Store, Google Assistant as well as a few others. Yet my Home Location keeps on disappearing for no apparent reason. I wouldn't care so much, but I use the Smart Lock feature while home.
I have used Tasker from the play store and set up commands and this didn't even work to unlock phone while at home.
I have wiped my phone many times and it still happens. Does anyone else have this issue or at least know a fix or is this a bug?
Any help would be much appreciated.
Sounds very frustrating. I have not heard of the issue before.
I'm wondering if you have also cleared out your Gmail address/contact info and Google calendar profile, as well?
What happens when/if you create a new alias profile? Will the alias address remain?
I would have to get back to you on that. I haven't tried creating another profile (alias). I can create another Google account and see what happens. I was also wondering if it was a fb so that could be doing it, but I have the same apps on my tablet (running marshmallow) and it doesn't get deleted from there.
Is doing it on my phone and my wife's.