[Q] Remove Google from Android, especially Contact management - General Questions and Answers

Hi there,
I am currently using the excellent i9100 (Galaxy S2) CM11 Linaro/Sabermod ROM created by Markox89.
With that, I use the very minimal Gapps 4.4.4, (just Google play really), maintained by BaNkS.
Very happy so far.
My question is: can I go further and eliminate Google entirely? Specifically I would like to remove Contact management away from gmail.
I would prefer a third-party cloud based contact management or possibly go to Owncloud to create my own.
Any suggestions for removing Google entirely from Android phone? (Other than preferably keeping the Play store, but that may be impossible).
Thanks!

You need root access first. and you can unsintall system apps. using a system app uninstaller.
Such as https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ljmobile.system.app

Sippay said:
You need root access first. and you can unsintall system apps. using a system app uninstaller.
Such as https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ljmobile.system.app
Click to expand...
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I appreciate your reply, but perhaps I am not totally understanding you...
Are you saying that I could uninstall all Google apps with that app? Including contact management?
I can, I believe, wipe my phone clean and just flash the custom ROM, without installing Gapps of any kind...this of course would leave me without any Google apps, including Google Play (not necessarily what I wanted).
By doing that, I believe (and correct me if I am wrong) I would be without any contact management software in the phone? Any ideas on what to use as an alternative?

Related

Expert advice on creating a custom ROM

Hi there,
I need some very basic advice on creating a custom Android ROM.
1. To remove unwanted apps, and possibly include a few of our own (which would appear integrated and cannot be removed)
2. If we were to create our own calendar, media or browser apps, can they override the google ones. So, upon install of susequent apps from the store; if they needed to launch the calendar for example, they would launch our custom app rather than the google version that we would have removed.
Is this a lot of work, very approx idea would be great.
Cheers
Check link in my signature...
uberdev said:
hi there,
i need some very basic advice on creating a custom android rom.
1. To remove unwanted apps, and possibly include a few of our own (which would appear integrated and cannot be removed)
2. If we were to create our own calendar, media or browser apps, can they override the google ones. So, upon install of susequent apps from the store; if they needed to launch the calendar for example, they would launch our custom app rather than the google version that we would have removed.
Is this a lot of work, very approx idea would be great.
Cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lokeshsaini94 said:
Check link in my signature...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks but I am not looking to do this myself, I need someone who has already done, or has experience in the points above. I have a potential (paid) job to deliver a custom ROM and need to find expert advice, and ultimately a team of developers.
Many thanks

Uninstalling Google system apps...

Hey guys,
Dumb question that I'm pretty sure I know the answer to, but I'll ask anyway just to double check:
Stock, rooted N5: Can I use TiBu to uninstall Google apps that are pre installed as system apps, then turn around and install those same apps through the Play Store as regular user apps? Any ill effects to this? Primarily looking at Google Music, so I can then Greenify it once it's installed as a regular app. Everything I know tells me this is fine but it never hurts to ask, right? May do the same with Keep, Currents, G+, etc...
Thanks in advance
slider112 said:
Hey guys,
Dumb question that I'm pretty sure I know the answer to, but I'll ask anyway just to double check:
Stock, rooted N5: Can I use TiBu to uninstall Google apps that are pre installed as system apps, then turn around and install those same apps through the Play Store as regular user apps? Any ill effects to this? Primarily looking at Google Music, so I can then Greenify it once it's installed as a regular app. Everything I know tells me this is fine but it never hurts to ask, right? May do the same with Keep, Currents, G+, etc...
Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, you can uninstall Google apps, like music, plus, magazine, etc... and download as user apps, then greenify them.
I removed some them on day 1 when was on stock and now whenever I flash a new Rom with Gapps. Just be careful with what you choose. I recommend to first back them up then if everything is fine, delete backups.
GUGUITOMTG4 said:
Yep, you can uninstall Google apps, like music, plus, magazine, etc... and download as user apps, then greenify them.
I removed some them on day 1 when was on stock and now whenever I flash a new Rom with Gapps. Just be careful with what you choose. I recommend to first back them up then if everything is fine, delete backups.
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Click to collapse
Great, thanks for confirming. Just gonna stick to the basics, but will back up through TiBu first as a precaution. Google Music was at the forefront because at times it runs in the background when bluetooth is turned on. It was either go this route or purchase the full version of Greenify so I could hibernate all system apps. Greenify is well worth the support, but would rather just de-clutter things this way.
Thanks again, much appreciated. :good:
Don't delete. Freeze. There is nothing to gain by deleting
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
You lose OTA ability if you outright delete.
Like was stated, freeze them. If you were going to uninstall them through Titanium anyway.....
Sent from my Nexus 5 using xda app-developers app
rootSU said:
Don't delete. Freeze. There is nothing to gain by deleting
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
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So freeze Google Music as a system app, then install as a user app from the play store? Seems kind of redundant. I understand that logic and have followed that for other system apps in the past on other devices, but is that really the preferred method if I'm only dealing with Google apps that were installed as system apps from the factory, only by default, and can be easily reinstalled via the play store? Oh, and I'm running Franco's kernel so the OTA capability ship has already sailed anyway...
slider112 said:
So freeze Google Music as a system app, then install as a user app from the play store? Seems kind of redundant. I understand that logic and have followed that for other system apps in the past on other devices, but is that really the preferred method if I'm only dealing with Google apps that were installed as system apps from the factory, only by default, and can be easily reinstalled via the play store? Oh, and I'm running Franco's kernel so the OTA capability ship has already sailed anyway...
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Why would you then install it as a user app? System apps that are also available in play can still be updated via play anyway.
rootSU said:
Why would you then install it as a user app? System apps that are also available in play can still be updated via play anyway.
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Click to collapse
Yes, I know that. So I can greenify it. Google Music will run in the background once bluetooth is turned on. Can't greenify system apps with the basic app, so for that particular app I think this would be the easiest method.
Ah well, yep. Non-donators are forced to do weird things.
rootSU said:
Ah well, yep. Non-donators are forced to do weird things.
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Click to collapse
Lol. Nothing weird about it. Worked fine. Google apps really shouldn't be installed as system apps if they're available in the play store. The user should have the choice of what they want and don't want. Easily corrected.
They do. Its called "custom rom"
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
rootSU said:
They do. Its called "custom rom"
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
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They also have "titanium backup". Uninstalled. Done. "Custom roms" aren't for everyone. I've run plenty since my original droid days and just never use half the features included. I want rooted stock, and I have it. Thanks for everyones input.
Yep. Can get custom roms based on stock that have skeleton gapps. To answer your statement earlier
"Google apps really shouldn't be installed as system apps if they're available in the play store"
Well yes they should as that is where they are designed to be. They are on the play store to allow updating outside the scope of OTA.
And of course it's your prerogative to remove apps as system apps and make them user apps, but I do get the feeling you're only doing it to continue using greenify without donating. But then again, it's none of my business whether you donate or not.
rootSU said:
Yep. Can get custom roms based on stock that have skeleton gapps. To answer your statement earlier
"Google apps really shouldn't be installed as system apps if they're available in the play store"
Well yes they should as that is where they are designed to be. They are on the play store to allow updating outside the scope of OTA.
And of course it's your prerogative to remove apps as system apps and make them user apps, but I do get the feeling you're only doing it to continue using greenify without donating. But then again, it's none of my business whether you donate or not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep. Can get custom roms based on stock that have skeleton gapps. To answer your statement earlier.
- Yep. Know that. I only flash core/mini gapps packages on the "custom roms" I've run. But "based on stock" isn't stock. Point was more about not needing/wanting the extra features that "custom roms" provide. Especially on a pure google device like the N5.
"Google apps really shouldn't be installed as system apps if they're available in the play store"
Well yes they should as that is where they are designed to be. They are on the play store to allow updating outside the scope of OTA.
- Opinion. They're not designed to be system apps and there is no benefit having them installed as such. They're system apps on Nexus devices because they're made by Google, only reason. They're on the play store to allow for users of non google devices to install/uninstall as they please.
And of course it's your prerogative to remove apps as system apps and make them user apps, but I do get the feeling you're only doing it to continue using greenify without donating. But then again, it's none of my business whether you donate or not.
- You get that feeling because that's exactly why I'm doing it. Never implied otherwise. Let's not go down the "you should support all developers for their hard work" road here. I've purchased more apps over the years than I care to admit, and continue to support developers and their hard work. Case in point: Titanium Backup Pro; which I used as the alternative here.

op7pro without google

Greetings,
Since the begginning I use all my android device without google. I know that this phone is new, not so many rom out there, I can't wait to have one, where we can flash gapps separate.
But til that, I deciced to delete all google staff manually (except for gboard, as I can't find any decent keyboard).
I'm not sure, but I guess for this decision I have some issues. All the apps with a built in browser force close or don't react if I wanna use its browser. Some other apps won't even start. (Not even says any "missing google play services msg")
My question is, how can I make sure what cause the problem, plus how I need to do properly to skip google?
I deleted gapps with titanium backup.
I have also an ancient galaxy s4 on lineage, only rom, there these things work like a charm. (With its limited speed )
Or do u think there's gonna be option soon to do only rom for the phone?
Plus if u have the same "googless" system on any device, please share with me how u do with google pendent apps, which play store alternative u use etc..
Thanks
ii9 said:
Greetings,
Since the begginning I use all my android device without google. I know that this phone is new, not so many rom out there, I can't wait to have one, where we can flash gapps separate.
But til that, I deciced to delete all google staff manually (except for gboard, as I can't find any decent keyboard).
I'm not sure, but I guess for this decision I have some issues. All the apps with a built in browser force close or don't react if I wanna use its browser. Some other apps won't even start. (Not even says any "missing google play services msg")
My question is, how can I make sure what cause the problem, plus how I need to do properly to skip google?
I deleted gapps with titanium backup.
I have also an ancient galaxy s4 on lineage, only rom, there these things work like a charm. (With its limited speed )
Or do u think there's gonna be option soon to do only rom for the phone?
Plus if u have the same "googless" system on any device, please share with me how u do with google pendent apps, which play store alternative u use etc..
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Might be the webview, it defaults to chrome. look into developers option/ webview implementation and ensure its set to Android System instead of Chrome. That may solve part of the problem
GUGUITOMTG4 said:
Might be the webview, it defaults to chrome. look into developers option/ webview implementation and ensure its set to Android System instead of Chrome. That may solve part of the problem
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Click to collapse
Yes, that was my first guess as well, but as i deleted google, the only option is the android system, so nothing to do there, its set on that. Also checked on the s4, just by curiosity, it has exactly the same version, therefore this part should be fine.
Thanks
ii9 said:
Yes, that was my first guess as well, but as i deleted google, the only option is the android system, so nothing to do there, its set on that. Also checked on the s4, just by curiosity, it has exactly the same version, therefore this part should be fine.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would start over and go gradually removing stuff and testing starting form the mist insignificant to the most complicated ones like services and framework, etc
Perhaps you want to look also into the tomato debloater thread. They have some tested scripts to remove google apps
Yeah that could be an idea, at some point that will be the next step.
I looked for this tomato db, it also gets closer to my idea, but til i don't find out the thing u mentioned, i'm not sure about it, as it's not 100% google free. Though sure i'll do the invisible option.
Plus there r some things in the extreme, that i'm okay with, like ambient screen for example. My dream is to have fully optimised and stable rom, that use all the benefits, what this exact device can offer, + tweak options, but obviously without all the trash, + without gapps. Y they don't just let us choose if we want netflix for example?
Apart from this, i really don't get, y stock roms don't give basic option, like disable pop up notifications. Such a little option, but so useful.
I wish i knew how long it takes to make these clean roms, but in case if not soon, i'll go for this options what u wrote, thank u
Is there any way to have push notification?
(And i know it's nothing to do with google, but also if you know how to disable popups, please share with me as well)
ii9 said:
Greetings,
Since the begginning I use all my android device without google. I know that this phone is new, not so many rom out there, I can't wait to have one, where we can flash gapps separate.
But til that, I deciced to delete all google staff manually (except for gboard, as I can't find any decent keyboard).
I'm not sure, but I guess for this decision I have some issues. All the apps with a built in browser force close or don't react if I wanna use its browser. Some other apps won't even start. (Not even says any "missing google play services msg")
My question is, how can I make sure what cause the problem, plus how I need to do properly to skip google?
I deleted gapps with titanium backup.
I have also an ancient galaxy s4 on lineage, only rom, there these things work like a charm. (With its limited speed )
Or do u think there's gonna be option soon to do only rom for the phone?
Plus if u have the same "googless" system on any device, please share with me how u do with google pendent apps, which play store alternative u use etc..
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I havent had chrome, ok google, google, and all google related stuff for years. I have deleted them with titanium backup always, even on my op 7 pro. I only have playstore and use brave instead of chrome. No issues so far
ii9 said:
I deciced to delete all google staff manually (except for gboard, as I can't find any decent keyboard).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AOSP keyboard with swipe.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/android/apps-games/enhancedime-aosp-latinime-enhancements-t3366639
jamesfitzes said:
I havent had chrome, ok google, google, and all google related stuff for years. I have deleted them with titanium backup always, even on my op 7 pro. I only have playstore and use brave instead of chrome. No issues so far
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Click to collapse
I did the same, but includeing paly services, framework.., all. I use apkpure store, now i even managed the the system webview to work. Not the one built in, that did't work, no matter what i did. From magisk i found something systemless webview, that does the job.
The only thing i miss is the push notification. (And block popup). Im shocked that no solution so far, that's y we like android. But with some things they look to move on the way of ios.
RogerNZ said:
AOSP keyboard with swipe.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/android/apps-games/enhancedime-aosp-latinime-enhancements-t3366639
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Click to collapse
That's nice, but it stucks on the welcome screen after i've installed. In the settings no otion to change. What i need to do?
Edit
I enabled screen rotation and it's fine now, just an ui issue on landscape
ii9 said:
From magisk i found something systemless webview
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you! Been trying to figure out how to achieve that.

I don't want to update the app, thank.you

Hello everyone.
I'm writing today to see if anyone is willing to help a newbie out with this:
There is a certain app that I feel got ruined with its latest update, and I'd much rather stay with an older version.
Is there a way to tell the playstore to not offer me updates for that particular app anymore? I guess I could just ignore the notifications, but they bother my OCD.
I'm using an unrooted aosp phone under android 10, if it matters.
Best regards.
If you don't use wifi, disable it then set Playstore to only auto update by wifi.
I keep invasive Playwhore disabled except when I rarely needed it.
Use ApkExport to make an installable copy of that version of the apk, just in case.
APK Export (Backup & Share) - Apps on Google Play
Manage and extract your apps.
play.google.com
You can make the same application with different application name with AppCloner. It won't offer update like that.
dedq said:
You can make the same application with different application name with AppCloner. It won't offer update like that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can renaming allow you to easily run multiple versions of the same app?
blackhawk said:
Can renaming allow you to easily run multiple versions of the same app?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It can without any problems.

Move data from modded apk

Hi all.
I've been using modded apk for one of my favorite apps which is accubattery pro, now I want to purchase the official version from play store but the problem is that I need to keep my data records.
The app cannot be directly updated from the play store as it gives an error during installation , also I'm afraid that if I removed the modded apk it will lose all the history for my battery performance.
My device is not rooted and I'm searching for a way without the need to root.
So any ideas please how I can be able to keep the data from the modded app and be able to use it in the official app from google play store ? Or any other work around?
Would be great to know what Android version is running on device. Modern Android versions require ROOT to access user apps data.
BTW:
If the 2 apps don't provide an export/import functionality data migration needs very detailed knowledge on how the apps work internally.
xXx yYy said:
Would be great to know what Android version is running on device. Modern Android versions require ROOT to access user apps data.
BTW:
If the 2 apps don't provide an export/import functionality data migration needs very detailed knowledge on how the apps work internally.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately it's android 13

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