Google's Bloatware! - Android General

I bought the nexus 6 today and hate the google bloatware more than any other bloatware. When Samsung or Sony or insertcompanyhere has bloatware on their phones it makes people angry. Why do these companies continue to pump resources into developing **** no one wants to use or deal with? I don't know, and I don't believe they know either. No one makes me as angry as google in this game though, because I can't shake the feeling that they should just know better. Almost all of googles preinstalled apps can not be removed. Why? Every other app requires me to have interest, download it, use it, and then uninstall it when I lose interest. Why does google think their apps are an exception, so much so that they design android software to break if you try to remove their garbage? Can someone, anyone, link me a resource that can show me how to get rid of every google app from my phone? I don't want it disabled, I want it obliterated from my cell phone. Google +, Google Maps, Google Hangouts, Google everything but the market. Can this be done? If the baby has to be thrown out with the bathwater, what rom will give me stock android with google play ONLY, and how do I install it. And can anyone explain to me why google is so scared of their apps not being used that they consistently shove it down the throats of humanity with such violent, unrelenting force? Why can they not have all of their apps that lots of people use available for download on the market, and sell the nexus 6 with nothing but the market, giving everyone the OPTION to download their applications, and the OPTION to uninstall it when they are done, or not install it to begin with? I pray for that day to come!

Warlock10000 said:
I bought the nexus 6 today and hate the google bloatware more than any other bloatware. When Samsung or Sony or insertcompanyhere has bloatware on their phones it makes people angry. Why do these companies continue to pump resources into developing **** no one wants to use or deal with? I don't know, and I don't believe they know either. No one makes me as angry as google in this game though, because I can't shake the feeling that they should just know better. Almost all of googles preinstalled apps can not be removed. Why? Every other app requires me to have interest, download it, use it, and then uninstall it when I lose interest. Why does google think their apps are an exception, so much so that they design android software to break if you try to remove their garbage? Can someone, anyone, link me a resource that can show me how to get rid of every google app from my phone? I don't want it disabled, I want it obliterated from my cell phone. Google +, Google Maps, Google Hangouts, Google everything but the market. Can this be done? If the baby has to be thrown out with the bathwater, what rom will give me stock android with google play ONLY, and how do I install it. And can anyone explain to me why google is so scared of their apps not being used that they consistently shove it down the throats of humanity with such violent, unrelenting force? Why can they not have all of their apps that lots of people use available for download on the market, and sell the nexus 6 with nothing but the market, giving everyone the OPTION to download their applications, and the OPTION to uninstall it when they are done, or not install it to begin with? I pray for that day to come!
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Let me see. Your using a Google OS on a Google device. All you need is root to remove these apps. If you search will find a project that is android without Google, but mind you that without Google's services you will lose alot of the abilities of the OS

Related

Saving an APK for a purchased app that no longer exists on Google Play

I'm not sure if this is against the rules, I took a look but couldn't find anything pertaining to this.
My roommate and I play Dungeons n Dragons and we found an awesome application on Google Play a while back called Fifth Edition Character Sheet. I never did end up paying for it, and by the time I tried to it had been removed from Google Play. I can't find the reason why, only that it's now gone. My roommate did pay for it. The method of purchase was via in-app payment. It opened up the Google Play thing, allowed him to pay, and that was it. Unlocked full features. However he's selling his tablet and wants to transfer the app to his Phone instead. I can't find a way to do this. Anytime I've used a Save APK option it just saves the base version without the tag saying he paid for it with all features unlocked. It's brutally annoying because, well, he paid for the app. He can't install it through Google PLay anymore on his phone and will unlock automatically, it's just non-existent. I've found the APK online a few times but there were no premium/paid ones.
So my question is this. Is there anyway to save the APK while retaining the fact that it was paid for so he can use it on his phone? Otherwise we'd have to go back to using other things which suck immeasurably compared to this awesome app.

The status of Android without a Google Account

Hi everyone,
I have been researching and I've compiled a list of all the options available to use an Android device with Cyanogenmod without a Google account and I was wondering if anyone has a better solution considering the options I've found are all lacking.
Here is what I found including the issues for each option:
- Amazon web store (Not every app is available)
- Third party repositories, like apkmirror (Security implications of running apk that anyone can upload)
- F-Droid (Not every app is available)
- Getting the apps I need from the play store once and then backup the apks with a file manager (No updates) or I am going to need a different phone with a Google account and the play store.
Moral of the story, it's not easy to run an android phone without a google account.
Ps. A solution that I think could work (but I wasn't able to find a project that works) is an open source apk downloader (maybe on github) that get the apps straight from google via command line but all the projects I've seen are either out of date or not working...
Any suggestion is really appreciated! Thank you all!
Keep an android device with google play installed, then move the apks of things i really want, or bought already.
But honestly, after some choices I've made (running my own dropbox-like service on my server) I could definitely live with just F-Droid. Of course I'm not using some stuff like facebook or snapchat, so my needs in terms of apps isn't as extensive as others. Sometimes it does feel like i'm hamstrung when the next new fad comes and goes, but I'll live without them.
surfinpika said:
Keep an android device with google play installed, then move the apks of things i really want, or bought already.
But honestly, after some choices I've made (running my own dropbox-like service on my server) I could definitely live with just F-Droid. Of course I'm not using some stuff like facebook or snapchat, so my needs in terms of apps isn't as extensive as others. Sometimes it does feel like i'm hamstrung when the next new fad comes and goes, but I'll live without them.
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Hi surfinpika,
thanks for your input, I am starting to feel like your solution (of having a separate device with just the google account setup) is the cleanest option.
I am not into facebook or snapchat or the next fad either... but f-droid wouldn't cut it for me, stuff like keepass2android or some of the other apps I use are definitely not there. I wonder what are the security implications of using F-Droid compared to getting the apks from apkmirror. Considering my level of paranoia I wouldn't feel safe with either option.
_polymar said:
Hi surfinpika,
thanks for your input, I am starting to feel like your solution (of having a separate device with just the google account setup) is the cleanest option.
I am not into facebook or snapchat or the next fad either... but f-droid wouldn't cut it for me, stuff like keepass2android or some of the other apps I use are definitely not there. I wonder what are the security implications of using F-Droid compared to getting the apks from apkmirror. Considering my level of paranoia I wouldn't feel safe with either option.
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Click to collapse
One issue I can think of with this approach is that both the device with google play store and the device where the apps are going to be installed will require the same CPU architecture.
Won't be able to download the apk on a cheap android (most likely ARM) and install it on ARM64...
_polymar said:
One issue I can think of with this approach is that both the device with google play store and the device where the apps are going to be installed will require the same CPU architecture.
Won't be able to download the apk on a cheap android (most likely ARM) and install it on ARM64...
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Click to collapse
Yeah, luckily my back up is the same architecture as my non-gapps phone.
And there are also ways of getting some of the apks straight from the sources, like keepass2android from the project's website. but even if it is google, they sort of give a sense of security in that the apk won't be messed with.
It's such a mess though otherwise, hard to separate the google from the android, and no other viable OSs are any better. hope some competition at least makes a nice little niche to get away from the big G.

Question Issues with purchased items in Google Play

I'm having this problem ever since purchasing this phone, and it's really annoying. Sometimes I find out some games or apps I purchased from Google Play appear with the price tag, like if I never purchased them before. This happens also with subscriptions, I think is something about Xiaomi and Google maybe? The only solution I have found is clearing data/cache from Google services, framework and Google Play, then removing my Google account, restart the device and the sign in again with my account in Google. But doing this like every two weeks is frustrating sometimes it happen more often and I don't know what to do. I have the global version (MI) installed can someone please help? Does anyone have this issue as well? Thanks.
I got tired of the problems with Playstore paid apps and avoid them whenever possible and buy to app directly from the developer* if possible.
It's to the point now that I package and firewall block Playstore. Once a paid app is activated many times this and firewall blocking the app stops annoying "Do you wish to upgrade" etc bs.
Lol, I have Samsung Androids and similar issues. It's more like Playwhore...
*Google's pay protection is a sick joke. Just do a charge back on the card if you must. Most developers though provide good support. I haven't had issues outside of Playstore.
$5 is chump change but the time wasted trying to bring Playstore in line is far more costly!!!
Hmm, I have made purchases while being on MIUI 12.5 and MIUI 12.5 (EU) (debloated) . I had no issues with single/subscription purchases.
Are you sure you did not end up disabling some necessary background service from Google or Xiaomi?
Maybe a hard reset or switching to a debloated version of MIUI might help but this sounds more like a particular service not functioning properly.

Why most developers don't support 3rd party apps store?

it's crazy when you don't want Google on your phone for privacy,
like some devs have "google play DRM" with their app, so even if you do "APK" backup, it won't work unless you have google services and google play store.
heck, some of these apps require you to be "OnLiNe" for 24h wtf is this?
its 2022 devs should do better than this and stay a way from monopoly and anti-privacy companies.
Well put. For some apps, I have offered devs 10 to 20 USD to buy a license. Very few bother to reply. These apps might cost 2 to 5 USD on google play. My phone has no gapps installed so often I have to get these apks from other sources. In many cases I already paid for them when I had google play years ago, so I don't feel any guilt in using them. It is indeed a hassle to attempt to patch apps I previously bought to run on a phone without google as they otherwise phone home for a license check.
However when I did get a reply from a dev I bought thru Amazon and emailed the payment screenshot to the dev and they sent me a link to download an apk!
Anyone on here should be able to install an apk without an app store.
Fdroid is the only app repository I will consider putting on my phone.
Strange times indeed. Very few people understand that most of the network activity done by apps has very little to do with the apps actual functioning, in most cases. Its just a privatized big brother. I hate it.
End rant. Sorry.

Question Am I better off just debloating google apps?

I means systemly removing them maybe keeping ones I want? I got all the major ones removed except for Google play services on stock rom. Replaced google camera with open camera and replaced google photos with lineage gallery. That way I can still have some google apps in some form. I deleted YouTube and music and just added them as third party apps instead that I can uninstall. It's easier than installing a custom ROM these days.
Temporarily disable* Google play Services when not needed. Gmail, Google backup and Playstore are dependencies of it. That may increase your SOT by a couple percentage an hour.
* uncheck find my device as system Administrator first in security. Otherwise Google play Services disable option may be grayed out.
why not degoogle? do you rely on google play services for something?
you can gain tons of performance, battery life and privacy without the google play services, and for me its worked fine with aurora store and f-droid.
Can I get signature spoofing with micro g using stock firmware? If so how? I wanna get signature spoofing with youtube for when I'm out in public.
RDS5 said:
why not degoogle? do you rely on google play services for something?
you can gain tons of performance, battery life and privacy without the google play services, and for me its worked fine with aurora store and f-droid.
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Using online Gmail through the browser is a pain.
Some apps need Google play Services and some apps are only available on Playstore.
Google is a pig... just hog tie it.
With debloating apps and magisk I made a lot of Google apps disappear. Kept important ones like files. And you can make it seem like google play is sandboxed with stock ROM of you know what you are doing.
Why do you want a less capable camera?
UltimateGamer83 said:
Can I get signature spoofing with micro g using stock firmware? If so how? I wanna get signature spoofing with youtube for when I'm out in public.
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Click to collapse
what about newpipe (alternative youtube client). or vanced?
otherwise, im pretty sure there are magisk modules to enable signature spoofing, but im not sure if they work on stock..
EDIT: nanodroid seems to be exactly what you need
i use lineageos/aosp on most of my devices tho..
blackhawk said:
Using online Gmail through the browser is a pain.
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i agree honestly, its probably intentional to get you to download the app..
arent there 3rd party mail clients tho? maybe those dont work as well tho
blackhawk said:
Some apps need Google play Services and some apps are only available on Playstore.
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aurora store can download apps from google play, and most apps that "need google play" dont actually need it and just throw warnings
blackhawk said:
Google is a pig... just hog tie it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
at the end it all depends on the apps and services you use.
if you are reliant on google services (eg. gmail, gpay) then you need google play services, no matter the downside.
for me i havent had a use for these services (i use a phone to make calls, play some games, take photos and watch videos. all of these can be accomplished without google play) but for many they are tied to this.
i just hope antitrust can come and bite these companies in the ass
how come microsoft got sued for IE in the 90s but now, doing the exact same thing with edge, they arent in any trouble? just something to think about..
I don't know if I am just stupid or missing something?
Why buy a Pixel if you are not going to use Google services? Like that is the whole point.
You think that by disabling Google services, using 3rd party apps and app stores you will not be tracked?
Google makes OS, UI, and processor. You don't think they can track your use in other ways besides Google services and Google apps?
You think that the 3rd party apps are safe and not tracking you?
I mean I totally get why you want to have privacy and less use on the processes and ram but I just feel like there is no escape.
Plus you lose the great AI in the camera if you switch to something else.
I just figured if I get a Pixel part of the deal is I get Google. Android is pretty much a Google mobile OS so they can track what they want once you agree to the EULA to use the phone. At least I know going in most of what I do is being monitored and monetized. Unlike some other companies that hide that fact and act privacy focused.
Sounds like you might be looking for CalyxOS
Wi1son said:
Why do you want a less capable camera?
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My question, too... One of the big selling points of Pixel is the camera, but it works in tandem with software?
krakout said:
My question, too... One of the big selling points of Pixel is the camera, but it works in tandem with software?
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I too wondered this. That being said, doesn't graphene OS have the Google camera working on its entirety?
Agreeing with others here - if you are really heading down that road (which reasoning I can fully understand) then I would suggest Graphene OS or Calyx OS which do exactly this....
RDS5 said:
what about newpipe (alternative youtube client). or vanced?
otherwise, im pretty sure there are magisk modules to enable signature spoofing, but im not sure if they work on stock..
EDIT: nanodroid seems to be exactly what you need
i use lineageos/aosp on most of my devices tho..
i agree honestly, its probably intentional to get you to download the app..
arent there 3rd party mail clients tho? maybe those dont work as well tho
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Click to collapse
I like Gmail because of security, it's almost bulletproof. No Gmail related malware ever made it through in 15 years. Only a little common sense is needed. Spam filters are pretty good. Something equivalent or better be nice though.
RDS5 said:
aurora store can download apps from google play, and most apps that "need google play" dont actually need it and just throw warnings
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Click to collapse
A very few need Google play Services to run. Nothing critical though.
RDS5 said:
at the end it all depends on the apps and services you use.
if you are reliant on google services (eg. gmail, gpay) then you need google play services, no matter the downside.
for me i havent had a use for these services (i use a phone to make calls, play some games, take photos and watch videos. all of these can be accomplished without google play) but for many they are tied to this.
i just hope antitrust can come and bite these companies in the ass
how come microsoft got sued for IE in the 90s but now, doing the exact same thing with edge, they arent in any trouble? just something to think about..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since Android 10 and scoped storage Google Android is the enemy. Might as well be Apple.
Google pushes to end support for expandable storage. They're are liberal technocrats and need to be removed like the cancer they are. So yeah my next phone may indeed be Gookill free.
Schroeder09 said:
I too wondered this. That being said, doesn't graphene OS have the Google camera working on its entirety?
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yes, works perfectly on p7

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