I came across an interesting workaround today regarding the annoying refusal of Google Play Store to run when Google Play Services is not enabled. Running the following in a terminal will disable a component of Google Play Services that prevents the check when you start the Play Store:
Code:
pm disable com.google.android.gms/com.google.android.gms.recovery.RecoveryService
Note: I have not tested this enough to know if there are any significant drawbacks yet.
I can say that this will finally allow Google Play Services to be greenified (although other components such as Google Backup Transport seems to occasionally prevent greenification). In addition, it seems to stop all those logs from being written to /data/system/dropbox/, which I personally found to be very irritating, and found the alternative solution of setting the folder to read-only to be problematic.
Unfortunately it looks like google play services is necessary to allow you to download apps from the play store. I didn't realize it at first because the checkin service had already done its thing and I was free to use everything until it was time for the next checkin. I'll post here if I find out any way to overcome this, but it looks like Google Play Services is probably necessary for the Play Store to function.
bsimpson1 said:
Unfortunately it looks like google play services is necessary to allow you to download apps from the play store. I didn't realize it at first because the checkin service had already done its thing and I was free to use everything until it was time for the next checkin. I'll post here if I find out any way to overcome this, but it looks like Google Play Services is probably necessary for the Play Store to function.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried and failed. There's no workaround. >.< Play Store needs Google Play Services in order to work properly.
sonyu said:
I tried and failed. There's no workaround. >.< Play Store needs Google Play Services in order to work properly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, there is absolutely no workaround.Play Services forms the core for the Google Playstore App.hence it can't function without it.
didito said:
Will try this when I get the root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea, go ahead.
...Just wanna let you guys know, there's a google thread, in which people talk/ed bout the purpose of .services. Turns out you really need that sh*t!XD
It's like a framework you simply need to have installed- just like @donniemceduns said. ^ ^
Off-topic ― now, I'm on CM11, with no Google Play installed, therefore no .services running. I simply installed an alternative market. ^ ^
didito said:
Wow.. Can you tell me what alternative market you installed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried them all — Mobogenie used to be ****ty, works fine now.
.apk link- DIRECT DOWNLOAD LINK
Has all the apps from Google Play. No sign-in required.
I didn't like it; it's okay now. Use it as my primary market
If you find a better market, make sure to share a link!
didito said:
Thanks for the link. One question though. Lets say I install a kitkat rom. Can I remove all the Play Store services and their dependencies to improve my phone's performance? I plan to do this and let Mobilegenie be my only market. If this is possible how can I remove these services for good?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Didi,
Yea, sure.
You already know this, but for all the people who didn't bother to read the thread, removing .services will result in errors, whenever you try to open a google application(Play store for instance), which requires .services.
I used a kitkat ROM before- deleted all G-apps and installed my alternative market. No errors! ^ ^
As for Mobogenie, it's my primary market on CM11. It features autoupdates, even auto-install if your device is rooted. Sweet! :good:
UPDATE:
Oh, sorry @didito! Didn't notice the "how can I remove these services for good" part.
Install an Uninstaller app for rooted devices( Your device must be rooted).
In-app: Navigate to SYSTEM APPS & remove google play services and google play store.
If you're not sure which app to use, try "Root App Delete".
Question... Or, an observation anyway... Sorry to bring back an old thread but I've been wondering a similar thing
On my newer device, Samsung Galaxy s5 neo, play services are needed to run the play store. *however*, on my older device, Samsung captivate glide, play services are not required to open the store.
Both using stock but rooted software from Samsung.
Why would this be that it's possible on 1 but not the other?
Unless maybe because I have already debloated my older device, maybe removing other gapps is what it would take?
I don't have a data plan and therefore wouldn't use much if any of them (maps, etc)
It just has me wondering what has changed between the 2, and maybe even if I'd be able to use and run my other devices play store app, and then use disable service to stop it from fully updating?
Hmm... I know everyone else has likely given up long ago.... But I've been curious today.
I just found yalpstore on fdroid.
This is from their github
What does it do?
Yalp Store lets you download apps from Google Play Store as apk files. It searches for updates of installed apps when it starts and lets you search for other apps. Thats it. Yalp saves downloaded apks to your default download folder so you can later open it in your favorite file manager app and tap each one to install the apps.
Why would I use it?
If you are content with Google Play Store app, you will not need this app.
The point of Yalp Store is to be small and independent from Google Services Framework. As time passed, Google Services Framework and Google Play Store apps grew in size, which made them almost too big for old phones (Nexus One has 150Mb memory available for apps, half of it would be taken by Google apps). Another reason to use Yalp Store is if you frequently flash experimental ROMs. This often breaks gapps and even prevents their reinstallation. In this situation Yalp will still work.
How does it work?
Yalp Store uses the same (protobuf) API the android Play Store app uses. You are going to need a google account to use it. Please, keep in mind that technically Yalp Store violates Android Market Terms of Service (§3.3). In theory, you might get your account disabled by using Yalp Store. Thats why you might want to register a separate gmail account and use it at least once to log in to the Play Store android app on any device.
In practice, though, software like Yalp, Google Play Crawler and Raccoon has been used for years and it seems to be safe.
Yalp Store is derived from the following projects:
https://github.com/Akdeniz/google-play-crawler
https://github.com/onyxbits/Raccoon
Has anyone any experience with this app?
I usually strip Google play from ask my devices except one that I use to get apps I need.
This might be a way to dump Google from that device also.
But I'm not a programmer so I can't audit the code for issues
(Our much more than use netstat to check what apps connect where)
So the more info out there the better
nutpants said:
I just found yalpstore on fdroid.
This is from their github
What does it do?
Yalp Store lets you download apps from Google Play Store as apk files. It searches for updates of installed apps when it starts and lets you search for other apps. Thats it. Yalp saves downloaded apks to your default download folder so you can later open it in your favorite file manager app and tap each one to install the apps.
Why would I use it?
If you are content with Google Play Store app, you will not need this app.
The point of Yalp Store is to be small and independent from Google Services Framework. As time passed, Google Services Framework and Google Play Store apps grew in size, which made them almost too big for old phones (Nexus One has 150Mb memory available for apps, half of it would be taken by Google apps). Another reason to use Yalp Store is if you frequently flash experimental ROMs. This often breaks gapps and even prevents their reinstallation. In this situation Yalp will still work.
How does it work?
Yalp Store uses the same (protobuf) API the android Play Store app uses. You are going to need a google account to use it. Please, keep in mind that technically Yalp Store violates Android Market Terms of Service (§3.3). In theory, you might get your account disabled by using Yalp Store. Thats why you might want to register a separate gmail account and use it at least once to log in to the Play Store android app on any device.
In practice, though, software like Yalp, Google Play Crawler and Raccoon has been used for years and it seems to be safe.
Yalp Store is derived from the following projects:
https://github.com/Akdeniz/google-play-crawler
https://github.com/onyxbits/Raccoon
Has anyone any experience with this app?
I usually strip Google play from ask my devices except one that I use to get apps I need.
This might be a way to dump Google from that device also.
But I'm not a programmer so I can't audit the code for issues
(Our much more than use netstat to check what apps connect where)
So the more info out there the better
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im not a programmer neither, but im using Yalp Store since few weeks and everything seems fine. Im using it with a fake google account, not main one.
New update have credential access yalp store without need to have an account (experimental) but for me don't work..
Has not anyone tried it?
Regards.
Update: problem solved disabling signature check
I get an network.error when logging in with yalp account every time.
(LineageOS 13 and 14 without gapps)
Maybe anybody have an idea or solution?
Thanks
Coming from the iPhone I'm wondering about the latest news that Google found malicious apps on the Play store... Does Google not look at these things before they are allowed to be on the Play store?! Wtf?!
How do I know when I'm downloading an app from the store I'm not frying my Pixel 2xl in the long run???
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
OU812_ said:
Coming from the iPhone I'm wondering about the latest news that Google found malicious apps on the Play store... Does Google not look at these things before they are allowed to be on the Play store?! Wtf?!
How do I know when I'm downloading an app from the store I'm not frying my Pixel 2xl in the long run???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google does scan & manually check apps before release to Play store, but there are always new bugs or malicious techniques being found. As Google has a more open store & lots more apps than Apple you do have to be a bit more cautions than with an IPhone, statistically you should be safe
see
https://www.lifewire.com/is-google-play-safe-153675
I'd recommend you also have an additional GOOD antivirus installed, though many will say you don't need it.
OU812_ said:
Coming from the iPhone I'm wondering about the latest news that Google found malicious apps on the Play store... Does Google not look at these things before they are allowed to be on the Play store?! Wtf?!
How do I know when I'm downloading an app from the store I'm not frying my Pixel 2xl in the long run???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't use an anti virus. Just be mindful of what you install. Always look at permissions.
Always look at the number of downloads and compare it with the review score.
If an app has 1 million or more downloads, uses permissions relevant to its functionality and has a 4.2 or higher score, it's probably safe. Find an app that gets updated regularly. An app that hasn't been updated in over a year, has higher potential to have a vulnerability.
Don't load your phone up with apps. The more you have, the larger the potential attack surface.
There are usually alternative apps with minimal permissions if you take the time and look. I include "open source" along with my search term. You'd be surprised what's on the Play Store.
And finally, stay away from the Facebook app.
Morning Huawei users!!
I've been using a Huawei P40 Pro for just over two weeks, Been loving the device & I have found a little golden nugget of an app! Its called Petal Search : Find Apps So I had been using App Gallery, APK pure & Aptoid however I have managed to find a new app which basically hubs all of the apps into this one platform and allows downloads via this app without any real redirection for it, its also ad free. So from a set up/new user point of view this is definitely a key app , I would say its a must have! Especially as you don't need to go trawling the whole of the internet for links for up-to-date apps. :good:
Having used it now for the last couple of days and I've made the decision to remove both APK Pure and Aptoid, The Petal Search app is downloadable from Huawei App Gallery and that's it! You can even add it as a search bar widget on a home screen!
Setting it up is as straight forward as can be, Huawei App Gallery , Search for Petal Search, Install. Then once you're installed you are ready start searching.
Have you had any experience with Petal Search?
EAT.SLEEP.TECH.REPEAT
Really god Application
Hi,
I have actually been using this app and have to say it has one major benefit over More Apps. Its reach is very extensive. More Apps focused on most used apps and was a little limited. But Petal search allows for a bigger array of apps due to it pulling from major app platforms. 100% Recommend it
How have you found its overall functionality?
Petal Search is not available in some countries .. had to switch to United Kingdom
Edit ... just installed .. why is this actually any good? most apps just link to apkpure anyway .. might as well just use apkpure
now uninstalled.
linux2525 said:
Petal Search is not available in some countries .. had to switch to United Kingdom
Edit ... just installed .. why is this actually any good? most apps just link to apkpure anyway .. might as well just use apkpure
now uninstalled.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same thoughts here, Probably an employee made the opening post to promote something.
So far Aurora + ApkPure is the best combination for me.
linux2525 said:
Petal Search is not available in some countries .. had to switch to United Kingdom
Edit ... just installed .. why is this actually any good? most apps just link to apkpure anyway .. might as well just use apkpure
now uninstalled.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I live in Wales so I have only been able to check my UK device, I found apk pure and other apps messy in the sense of chopping and changing between apps
EatSleepTechRepeat said:
messy in the sense of chopping and changing between apps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont understand .. surely aurora or apkpure is easier than a third party directing (like petal) linking you back to apkpure .. apkpure is not much different to the google play store ... install app, wait for updates, install updates.
linux2525 said:
I dont understand .. surely aurora or apkpure is easier than a third party directing (like petal) linking you back to apkpure .. apkpure is not much different to the google play store ... install app, wait for updates, install updates.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I get where you are coming from. Personally i like Petal as it draws from multiple app stores giving larger reach. I think it comes down to personal preference, but still a cool app.
JazonX said:
Same thoughts here, Probably an employee made the opening post to promote something.
So far Aurora + ApkPure is the best combination for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wish! would deffo have saved me money on buying the device! Like everyone else here im just a tech fan mate
JazonX said:
Same thoughts here, Probably an employee made the opening post to promote something.
So far Aurora + ApkPure is the best combination for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi mate - do u use a P40 phone at the moment?
Has Aurora and APK Pure got everything you need? Need to look at Petal to see if itll make life easier or harder!
Aside from the obvious such as Gmail, certain apps from my Mate 20 Pro won't clone over (slightly weird as they did the first time I copied over but after resetting and cloning again, they won't).
I can't find them using any of the appstores either. Would my best bet be to Google the app names and apk and download them? I guess the limitation of this would be that they may not be that recent and I'd have to do periodic manual searches for new updates?
Tmel14 said:
1. Would my best bet be to Google the app names and apk and download them?
2. I guess the limitation of this would be that they may not be that recent and I'd have to do periodic manual searches for new updates?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. you mean google for the apk of the following appstores ... aurora, apkpure, aptoide, amazon appstore, f-droid ... install of these apk and enjoy your new google play store .. they are all pretty much the same.
2. install updates as per your new replacement 'google play store' .. just use apkpure, aurora, aptoide, amazon appstore, f-droid ... I have them all installed and update my apps using a different appstore everyday just for fun.
go to update, select apps, hit update, install .. same as the google play store.
linux2525 said:
1. you mean google for the apk of the following appstores ... aurora, apkpure, aptoide, amazon appstore, f-droid ... install of these apk and enjoy your new google play store .. they are all pretty much the same.
2. install updates as per your new replacement 'google play store' .. just use apkpure, aurora, aptoide, amazon appstore, f-droid ... I have them all installed and update my apps using a different appstore everyday just for fun.
go to update, select apps, hit update, install .. same as the google play store.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, I was typing that on my phone whilst trying to walk the dog and think it got a bit muddled! I meant for apps that don't clone over and then cannot be found in those appstores? Would I then search for that app's apk in my browser and try and install it that way? Is that safe?
Weirdly, there were some apps that cloned over absolutely fine from my Mate Pro 20 first time and then I reset my P40 Pro and did it again and suddenly a bunch of apps wouldn't clone over... could this be to do with the fact that first time I just cloned over everything whereas second time, I only cloned over some specific settings as opposed to all?
Tmel14 said:
I meant for apps that don't clone over and then cannot be found in those appstores? Would I then search for that app's apk in my browser and try and install it that way? Is that safe?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
interesting .. maybe because they are paid apps perhaps, then they are not available on the appstores?
what apps?
you wont be likely to find an apk if it is a paid app ... but if you can find an apk for a paid app, then i guess it will be a hacked high risk option from a dodgy website.
seems like phone-clone trouble shooting & testing is your best option .. or a GMS install.
linux2525 said:
interesting .. maybe because they are paid apps perhaps, then they are not available on the appstores?
what apps?
you wont be likely to find an apk if it is a paid app ... but if you can find an apk for a paid app, then i guess it will be a hacked high risk option from a dodgy website.
seems like phone-clone trouble shooting & testing is your best option .. or a GMS install.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've just tried again but there are still a range of apps that won't copy over but it's weird as they did the first time I tried - they are not paid apps either. Some of them are betting apps and others are just general apps such as Tripadvisor, Uber, Citymapper...
Message is 'new phone cannot import this data'
Tmel14 said:
I've just tried again but there are still a range of apps that won't copy over but it's weird as they did the first time I tried - they are not paid apps either. Some of them are betting apps and others are just general apps such as Tripadvisor, Uber, Citymapper...
Message is 'new phone cannot import this data'
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tripadvisor is on apkpure appstore, aurora appstore, etc .. why do you need to phone-clone?
linux2525 said:
Tripadvisor is on apkpure appstore, aurora appstore, etc .. why do you need to phone-clone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That was more just an example as not all of those apps are available on those stores. I'm wondering if it has anything to do with location services as that appears to be a common denominator for a lot of those apps.
Tmel14 said:
That was more just an example as not all of those apps are available on those stores. I'm wondering if it has anything to do with location services as that appears to be a common denominator for a lot of those apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know the answer but all your x3 examples are on the apkpure appstore .. so who cares about the phone-clone? is it better on an appstore, so you can update easily.
Tmel14 said:
Aside from the obvious such as Gmail, certain apps from my Mate 20 Pro won't clone over (slightly weird as they did the first time I copied over but after resetting and cloning again, they won't).
I can't find them using any of the appstores either. Would my best bet be to Google the app names and apk and download them? I guess the limitation of this would be that they may not be that recent and I'd have to do periodic manual searches for new updates?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you go on app gallery and download the petal app, ive just searched 'google' and theres a fair few on there that'll do it, diolch.
Thanks, it appears to be the betting apps (e.g. SkyBet that are a bit harder to find, or when found, don't work). I'm still confused as to why lots of the apps transferred over fine last time but won't now.
Going to reset the phone, install Micro-G, clone over my apps and see how I get on with the phone and notifications over the next couple of days and then decide whether I feel I need GMS in order to be able to enjoy the phone.
One thing I will say out of the box is that the battery does not seem as immense as my Mate Pro 20's was when I first bought that... although I suppose cloning everything over is probably quite heavy duty work.
ChrisHtube said:
I get where you are coming from. Personally i like Petal as it draws from multiple app stores giving larger reach. I think it comes down to personal preference, but still a cool app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's the point I was trying to get to, why have loads of different apps when you can have 1 hubbed app.
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.