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I have 2 devices (Xiaomi Mi TV 2S 48" and a Xiaomi Mi TV 3 60") and I am having trouble getting GAPPS to install.
I do not have access to a custom recovery and the automated methods I do find fail for me at some stage or other. The odd time I can get it installed, it won't let me access my account.
One time I was able to get it all installed, but then the play store updated and showed a "this version of the Play store is not compatible with your device. Please uninstall updates" (or something similar to that). Uninstalling updates claimed to succeed, but wouldn't actually uninstall.
Factory reset later, I'm stumped. My current plan is:
1 - download PICO GAPPS for the Android version of my device
2 - Extract it to an SD card
3 - install the APK's
4 - move the APK's via terminal emulator to make them system (for the ones that require that permission)
5 - copy the lib files over from the zip
6 - cross fingers and reboot
Now, I am thinking that this should work, but I also don't know much about how the "flash zip" stuff works so I may be opening up a world of pain for myself. Plus side if I kill the android board, I can get a replacement for a lot cheaper than a new TV.
Sorry if I posted this in the wrong section; I did not see a section for "Xiaomi other" or "Xiaomi TV".
Anybody have any experience installing GAPPS manually from a stock ROM?
EDIT: So I did figure this out. There is a tool known as "Google Installer" that will install all of the google tools (and dependancies) including google play. After installing that, you just make google play store a system app and the play store works great.
Bad news - with the latest version of the play store, it will do a check on your device if it should be using the default play store or the leanback version (guessing the check is done by the device name in your account, but I have not verified this). Google installer installs an older version of the regular play store and it will auto-update. If your device requires Leanback and you don't have the leanback version installed, your play store will fail to start indicating you should uninstall updates.
WHAT IS THIS?
CosmicTweaks is my personal collection of changes and tweaks for MIUI. As of 2017.05.05 it is designed for Xiaomi.eu ROM's but it should work with official and probably any other MIUI mod (make a TWRP backup and report any problems you find!). It is not a full ROM, but modifies existing ROM to act like a customized MIUI ROM.
Highlights:
A tested and proven minimal set of tweaks, modular selection with no fluff or nonsense
Designed for Xiaomi.eu ROM's, but is based on AnyKernel2 scripts so should technicall work on *any* MIUI 8 ROM for Redmi Note 4 as it dynamically patches the system and kernel
Does NOT need a 'deodexed' firmware, and provides a tool in the main menu to move 'dalvik-cache' (ART cache) back to system partition which will reclaim space on /data
Option to add minimal Google apps for Chinese ROM's (thanks to Xiaomi.eu for reference on this)
Fully documented list of changes and hosted on GitHub. I encourage other aspiring modders to check out my work as I've done a lot of tricks here e.g. with Aroma and AnyKernel scripts
About updates, license and future:
I am a busy guy with fickle interests, I tend to contribute to XDA/Android stuff in sporadic and intense burts. I made this patch pack with the goal of minimal maintenence and future-proofing. I will try my best to kee it up to date, but no guarantees (we all do this for fun in our spare time afterall.) If I make no reply to this thread for THREE MONTHS, I give permission for moderators to lock it and another XDA member can fork and take over the work (as long as they make it clear that it's only *based* on my work and not endorsed by me).
MY TIPS FOR MIUI:
Can't press "Allow" in Permissions prompt: This is a long-standing MIUI bug. See my explanation of the bug along with workarounds here.
Titanium Backup: Having trouble restoring apps? Be sure to also enable "Install via USB" in Developer Options. If you get a "This device is temporarily restricted" error, just disable your internet access and toggle it again.
Global icon packs via Unicon: If you want to apply Nova/Apex/etc Launcher icon packs on a global scale with Unicon Xposed module, you will need to clear the icon cache after applying icon theme. This can be done by applying default/any theme in MIUI Themes app, OR you can manually delete the folder at /data/system/theme_magic/ (a root explorer required obviously) and THEN REBOOT IMMEDIATELY.
xMIUI Xposed Module: Highly recommended. It's not as extensive as GravityBox, but it's still got a lot.
Broken/crap Weather info: If using Chinese MIUI and you want working Weather, or just want better weather in general, get "Weather M8" from Play Store. The MIUI weather is actually a cut-down version of M8. If using xMIUI, you can also change the weather info in the notification shade to use M8 instead of stock MIUI.
Encryption: Don't be afraid to enable encryption. The Helio X20 is a beast with it thanks to hardware-level AES (benchmarks better than top snapdragons!).
Whetstone removal: It was terribly broken in older MIUI, but in later 7.x.x versions it seems far better. If you remove it, there is no point to "lock" app in memory (with recents) anymore unless you want to keep whole app loaded as long as possible. You will still need to enable Autostart however (in Settings > Permissions) and this will keep app background services (e.g. Push Notifications) running in background, even when you clear memory in recents screen. In short - without Whetstone there's no need to "lock" an app in memory anymore, just enable Autostart.
Push Notifications sometimes not working? Even though you enabled Autostart for source app already? Disable Battery Saver - either globally (recommended) or for that app only via "Settings > Battery and Performance > Manage apps battery usage".
Automatic Brightness is horrible on this device. Try Velis Auto Brightness on Play Store - it looks horrid but works beautifully, once you tune it for your own use.
For better power-savings get 'ForceDoze' from the Play Store. This tweak pack does enable doze capability, but this app will enforce it and providessome fine tuning.
I'll add some more tips here if I remember or find anything I think is worth knowing.
IMPORTANT INFO FIRST for Systemless Root (all SuperSU) users:
If you use Systemless Root via SuperSU, or plan to, make sure you flash it BEFORE this tweak/patch pack. Installing CosmicTweaks after a fresh ROM flash but before SuperSU will result in a broken or missing busybox install!
I have had severe stability issues with Systemless root (SuperSU) and latest China Stable MIUI. Or it could of been a bug/incompatibility with Magisk v9 and Systemless Xposed for MIUI, not sure. If you get a bunch of FC's suddenly for no reason, or any other problems, please try going back to traditional superuser before complaining to me (use phh's superuser) as many apps and the MIUI system seem to have trouble understanding the complexity or being compatible with systemless mods. Right now I am using phh's and SolarWarez xposed and have had no problem.
If you are on Systemless root and you factory reset, be sure to re-flash your SuperSU followed by this ZIP (you should already know that systemless is located on userdata partition) because the systemless busybox is needed by the MIUI system.
If you want to use Unicon Xposed module, use phh's Superuser instead - incompatible with SuperSU.
THINGS I CANNOT CHANGE WITH THIS PATCH PACK:
China ROM App Store (Mi Market) cannot be removed from China ROM without modifying app/framework code, which requires full deodex (beyond the scope of this tweak pack). It also cannot be disabled/frozen, it will either re-enable itself or bootloop as if it's been removed.
China ROM Video and Game Center are kept, despite being Chinese, to prevent the system reporting "System Modification detected" security alert. You can manually disable/freeze these apps yourself with e.g. Titanium Backup.
ADDITIONAL PERFORMANCE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT I CANNOT INCLUDE:
Developer Options - Disable animations (the the three different scales) will frees almost 100MB RAM.
Developer Options - Memory optimization. Turn it to Middle or High tp enable zRAM (trade a little CPU to provide RAM compression. I strongly recommend it, the X20 can handle it). Note that this may also kill background apps prematurely if you still have Whetstone installed (and don't lock the app in memory with Recents).
LIST OF CURRENT FEATURES:
Code:
- boot.img changes:
- Disabled dm-verity (aka verified boot) in fstab, permits /system modification and probably improves read performance.
- Disabled forced userdata encryption in fstab, now optional. If you want to disable encryption, you need to do "Format Data" (not just swipe to wipe in TWRP, it's the second button) which will also erase internal storage.
- init.d support
- /cust partition changes:
- Completely wiped, it was all either unwanted Chinese stuff or was moved to system partition
- BusyBox installer/upgrader
- v1.25.1 build by YashdSaraf - http://forum.xda-developers.com/android/software-hacking/tool-busybox-flashable-archs-t3348543
- Any existing version of Busybox will be cleanly removed beforehand
- Systemless support
- init.d tweaks
- asusm930's Tweaks - "UPDATE 3.0 (C)"
- Set noop scheduler for internal storage only (better for faster storage)
- OOM/LMK tweaks (overcommit_ratio to 80%, less aggressive LMK = much better RAM utilization)
- Clear icon cache on boot (may be useful for Unicon or other themers)
- additional tools:
- Integrate ART Cache. Useful for deodexed ROM's and those using Xposed to reclaim some space on /data
- Enable insecure ADB On Boot, and an optional rootmode-hacked adbd I compiled myself. Useful for hackers and developers.
- /system changes:
- Disable OTA app ZIP validation (etc/device_features/nickel.xml)
- Remove everything in /system/data-app/ (Chinese stuff)
- Delete install-recovery.sh and recovery-from-boot.p
- Remove Chinese carrier app selection (install_app_filter.xml)
- Remove from system (optional):
- Disable MTK PerfService (May help battery life but also cause lag and gaming FPS issues)
- AMAPNetworkLocation (only exists on China ROM, must be removed for Google Location to work)
- AnalyticsCore; Xiaomi stats collection. Has a LOT of suspicious dataminer-like permissions. Already removed on EU
- AutoTest; MTK engineering and diagnostics app. Should be safe to remove
- SogouInput; Chinese IME (Keyboard). Check to let Google Keyboard be the default on China ROM.
- Whetstone; MIUI's memory manager. Buggy on some older versions. See CosmicTweaks thread for details.
- YellowPage; Only useful for China. EU ROM seems to have a custom/translated version so will only be default checked for removal on official ROM.
- Various Chinese-only services
- build.prop (non-optional):
- ro.product.locale=en-US
- ro.setupwizard.mode=OPTIONAL
- build.prop (optional)
- Camera quality tweaks; various improvements to camera image/video quality and capability
- Fast Dormancy; Improves battery life if carrier supports it. RELEVENCE UNCONFIRMED FOR MTK DEVICES (but won't hurt if not)
- Force 4G Disabled; fix deep sleep issue for users with 3G-only SIM cards
- Set Google location service as default; useful for China ROM
- Disable MIUI Optimization; it causes compatibility issues with many apps. You can manually re-enable in Developer options if you want it back
- Scrolling Tweaks; Smaller scrolling cache (saves memory) and fling velocity tweak
- /system additions (all are optional):
- Google apps:
- BookmarkProvider
- GoogleCalendarSyncAdapter
- GoogleContactsSyncAdapter
- GoogleTTS
- GoogleBackupTransport
- GoogleFeedback
- GoogleLoginService
- GoogleKeyboard
- GoogleOneTimeInitializer
- GooglePartnerSetup
- GoogleServicesFramework
- MusicFX (already exists in /apps, but Xiaomi.eu also has two MusicFX.apk... not sure if this is right)
- Phonesky (Google Play Store)
- PrebuiltGmsCore (Google Play Services)
- AOSP Provision (replace MIUI setup wizard, DOES NOT BYPASS ACTIVATION)
- vendor/overlay RRO:
- framework-res (includes all of these):
- Add Google's Location Provider
- Change NTP server to Europe
- Enable Doze, but using ForceDoze app still recommended
- Enable Network Location Overlay
- Disable unsafe media volume warning
- Quick Search Box
- Global-ize and English-ify (useful for China ROM)
CHANGELOG:
Code:
2017.05.05
- Tested with Xiami.eu 7.4.27 but should still work with all others
- New - 'Integrate ART Cache' tool
- New - 'Disable PerfService' and 'asusm930's Tweaks' options
- Change - Google Apps now optional, default-checked for official ROM's only
- Change - Quick Search Box RRO default-checked for official ROM's only
- Change - Update Whetstone description, now unchecked by default as it's not a broken mess like it used to be
- Remove - Google Feedback option (not actually useful, I was confused by ignorance on how system vs data app bug reports work)
2017.02.07
- New - Aroma Installer
- Made lots of existing features optional
- Add Insecure ADB On Boot option
- Probably more awesome stuff that I can't remember because I didn't take full notes
- New - QuickSearchBox translation/globalize overlay
- New - Init.d script - Clear icon cache every boot (useful for Unicon users... Unicon still only works sometimes sadly)
- Remove - MiRemote APK replacement (not very interesting, just keep the original firmware one)
- Remove - WallpaperCarousel APK replacement (as above)
- Remove - /cust wipe feature (no longer useful)
- Fix - Init.d scripts shouldn't block flow control
2016.11.26
- Initial release
- Based on China Stable 8.1.3.0
DOWNLOAD:
Please read all above info AT LEAST once!
Please see Post #2 for known problems/compatibilities and bug reporting guidelines!
Factory Reset should NOT be required, UNLESS you select the Google Apps option. Feel free to report any bugs resulting from dirty flashing as long as Google Apps were left alone.
Download flashable ZIP's from the GitHub releases page
Old Version (Not recommended):
v2016.11.26 @ Google Drive
CREDITS AND THANKS:
asusm930 for some useful tweaks
YashdSaraf for his BusyBox installer script
phhusson for his sepolicy-injector builds & scripts used in his Superuser (I used them as reference for injecting init.d support)
osm0sis for AnyKernel2, it's totally awesome
Xiaomi.eu ROM's and community for some tweak references and some translated/globalized resources
icons8.com for Aroma icons
Known Problems
If you want to report a bug, you MUST do the following first:
Ensure that the bug is not already reported (it will be listed in this post if so)
Make sure that the problem does NOT exist on the base ROM before installing this tweak/patch pack
PLEASE share a TWRP recovery log (Advanced > Copy Log) from when you installed the pack along with the Aroma install log. Many errors can be hidden and not reported to the display text.
Xiaomi.eu weekly
v2017.05.05 working OK on 7.4.27 (and probably later versions) - this is my personal setup
Others?
Assumed OK, please report any problems if not!
Hi !
I'm on the weekly version of xiaomi.eu 6.10.20.
Nobody tried yet ?
benda95280 said:
Hi !
I'm on the weekly version of xiaomi.eu 6.10.20.
Nobody tried yet ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Make a TWRP backup and try
But that is quite an old version. I may only support latest Xiaomi.eu version (6.11.24)
Good...it is work in global stable 8.0.4.0 ?
Sent from my Redmi Note 4 using Tapatalk
I'm on the CN 8.1.3 and applied it without wiping data.
So far just one unusual reboot and a little lower Antutu value (74k vs. 79k before) but these values can change with air pressure and temperature
Thanks for that! I will try!
You tried to remove Mi Market and you get a boot loop right? How can you change the default application for market: links to Google Play Store? Thanks!
ale144101 said:
Good...it is work in global stable 8.0.4.0 ?
Sent from my Redmi Note 4 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the report!
_Derk_ said:
I'm on the CN 8.1.3 and applied it without wiping data.
So far just one unusual reboot and a little lower Antutu value (74k vs. 79k before) but these values can change with air pressure and temperature
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's very concerning, I've never had a random reboot! Let us know if it happens again....
Antutu score, hmm yeah... try clearing memory in Recents while Antutu is active (a good idea to clear memory manually for any heavy gaming) and see if you get a better score. Since I've removed Whetstone and tuned LMK, the ROM will perform much better with multitasking but could have a slight hit to foreground performance if you don't clear memory. Not sure, could just be fickle Antutu as you say
prismk said:
Thanks for that! I will try!
You tried to remove Mi Market and you get a boot loop right? How can you change the default application for market: links to Google Play Store? Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I've even decompiled and inspected the framework (smali code) - in services.jar, Xiaomi has code that specifically and intentionally stops the system from booting if the MiuiSuperMarket APK is missing or modified. We will have to wait for global stable if we want to be free of it completely.
I have not had any issue with it opening the wrong market. Tapatalk asked me to Rate the app, and it asked me which Market to open. And another app had a Pro upgrade prompt, it opened Google market automatically. Maybe it only happens with some apps?
CosmicDan said:
Yeah, I've even decompiled and inspected the framework (smali code) - in services.jar, Xiaomi has code that specifically and intentionally stops the system from booting if the MiuiSuperMarket APK is missing or modified. We will have to wait for global stable if we want to be free of it completely.
I have not had any issue with it opening the wrong market. Tapatalk asked me to Rate the app, and it asked me which Market to open. And another app had a Pro upgrade prompt, it opened Google market automatically. Maybe it only happens with some apps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeap, we will need to wait for a Xiaomi.eu Global
I tried to change default market to Google Market, but its no possible. So a clean permissions and defaults for Mi Market and when I open a market:/ link I was able to choose the default app for market:/ link
I tried your patch with China Global and I get error with Google Play Store:
Code:
java.lang.SecurityException: "passive" location provider requires ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION permission.
I tried to fix running this in a terminal:
Code:
pm grant com.google.android.gms android.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION
But it doesn't work. Return something like "could not access the package manager. is the system running". Im investigating this and I will try to fix today
OK so just FYI, I've discovered two bugs which I'm working on fixing:
1) If using phh's superuser, busybox is broken (bug in Busybox installer, already fixed at my end)
2) init.d support not working because I need to patch SELinux
So the init.d tweaks (not much, but still nice) are currently ineffective.
CosmicDan said:
OK so just FYI, I've discovered two bugs which I'm working on fixing:
1) If using phh's superuser, busybox is broken (bug in Busybox installer, already fixed at my end)
2) init.d support not working because I need to patch SELinux
So the init.d tweaks (not much, but still nice) are currently ineffective.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeap, I discovered the init.d problem too. I was trying to do
Code:
pm grant com.google.android.gms android.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION
in init.d and I discover that isn't working
Maybe you can put this code in a github repository? So we can make PRs to upgrade the patches
Do you know why Im getting the ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION permission error?
good tweaks, battery usage is more better than stock miui
update this pack to xiaomi.eu stable rom, and first of thing is a battery usage is more better than with any other rom.
i not use the fingerprint sensor, and any other rom has stay in sense condition(when touch 2 times the display is turn on), but here is not working, i think it use less energy!
keep it up
good works
prismk said:
Yeap, we will need to wait for a Xiaomi.eu Global
I tried to change default market to Google Market, but its no possible. So a clean permissions and defaults for Mi Market and when I open a market:/ link I was able to choose the default app for market:/ link
I tried your patch with China Global and I get error with Google Play Store:
Code:
java.lang.SecurityException: "passive" location provider requires ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION permission.
I tried to fix running this in a terminal:
Code:
pm grant com.google.android.gms android.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION
But it doesn't work. Return something like "could not access the package manager. is the system running". Im investigating this and I will try to fix today
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
CosmicDan said:
WHAT IS THIS?
CosmicTweaks is my personal collection of changes and tweaks for MIUI. I made it for my own use on latest China stable (8.1.3.0) because I was tired of Xiaomi.eu's current weekly builds having too many problems, and global stable is currently old. Thought I'd package it up and share for others to enjoy. It is not a full ROM, but modifies existing ROM to act like a customized MIUI ROM.
Highlights:
In my experience, China 8.1.3.0 + this patch = smoothest, most stable, most capable MIUI experience yet for the Redmi Note 4
Designed for China Stable, but is based on AnyKernel2 scripts and should work on *any* MIUI 8 ROM for Redmi Note 4 as it patches the system and kernel and only replaces or adds files that are generic and universal
A tested and proven minimal set of tweaks, no fluff or nonsense
Not a full ROM but a patch, does NOT deodex the stock firmware
Adds Google apps and Services for Chinese ROM's (thanks to Xiaomi.eu for reference here), should be safe for any ROM
Completely documented list of changes so you can see exactly what you are getting (see list below)
Can manually customize it if you have a bit of know-how. A decent template for making a ROM mod pack. I encourage other aspiring modders to check out the bottom of anykernel.sh and the updater-binary script (it's not a binary) for how to make higher-quality, more generic mod/tweak packs.
About updates, license and future:
I am a busy guy, in fact I am preparing to join the army in next few months so please don't expect me to keep this updated and help everyone out. I will be around for a while, I may continue to make changes and additions to this in my spare time but I don't know how long I will even care about my Note 4 device, let alone modding in. If I do not reply to this thread for THREE MONTHS, I give permission for moderators to lock it and any other person on XDA can take over this work.
MY TIPS FOR MIUI:
Titanium Backup: Having trouble restoring apps? I found out that you need to (a) use phh's superuser (SuperSU broken, (b) Disable SELinux temporarily while restoring apps, and (c) Change restore method to INDIRECT. If you must use SuperSU, you will need to use the update.zip method of restoring apps - I couldn't find any other way.
Global icon packs via Unicon: If you want to apply Nova/Apex/etc Launcher icon packs on a global scale with Unicon Xposed module, you will need to clear the icon cache after applying icon theme. This can be done by either applying default/any theme in MIUI Themes app, OR manually delete the folder at /data/system/theme_magic/ and REBOOT IMMEDIATELY.
xMIUI Xposed Module: Highly recommended. It's not as extensive as GravityBox, but it's still got a lot. Another option is exMIUI, but it has nothing useful for me.
Broken Weather info: If using Chinese MIUI and you want working Weather, get "Weather M8" from Play Store. Literally the same as stock MIUI weather, but actually works (and has more features). Using xMIUI module, the notification pulldown weather display can be changed to show Weather M8 info.
Encryption: Don't be afraid to enable encryption. The Helio X20 is a beast at AES performance (uses hardware acceleration, benchmarks better than top snapdragons at AES) and I can vouch for it personally.
Whetstone removal: With this horrible feature gone, there is no point to "lock" app in memory (with recents) anymore unless you want to keep whole app loaded as long as possible. Instead, enabling Autostart (in Settings > Permissions) for it will make sure the app keeps any services (e.g. Push Notifications) running in background, even when you clear memory in recents screen! In other words, for background operations like Push Notifications, there is no need to lock whole app in memory anymore - just enable Autostart for it instead.
Push Notifications sometimes not working? Even though you enabled Autostart the source app already? Disable Battery Saver - either globally (recommended) or for that app only via "Settings > Battery and Performance > Manage apps battery usage".
Automatic Brightness is horrible on this device. Get Velis Auto Brightness on Play Store - it works beautifully, now that Whetstone is removed (didn't before) - just remember to enable Autostart for it.
I'll add some more tips here if I remember or find anything I think is worth knowing.
IMPORTANT INFO FIRST for Systemless Root (SuperSU) users:
If you use Systemless Root via SuperSU, or plan to, make sure you flash it BEFORE this tweak/patch pack. Installing CosmicTweaks after a fresh ROM flash but before SuperSU will result in a broken or missing busybox install!
I have had severe stability issues with Systemless root (SuperSU) and latest China Stable MIUI. Or it could of been a bug/incompatibility with Magisk v9 and Systemless Xposed for MIUI, not sure. If you get a bunch of FC's suddenly for no reason, or any other problems, please try going back to traditional superuser before complaining to me (use phh's superuser) as many apps and the MIUI system seem to have trouble understanding the complexity or being compatible with systemless mods. Right now I am using phh's and SolarWarez xposed and have had no problem.
If you are on Systemless root and you factory reset, be sure to re-flash your SuperSU followed by this ZIP (you should already know that systemless is located on userdata partition) because the systemless busybox is needed by the MIUI system.
THINGS I SADLY CANNOT CHANGE WITH THIS PATCH PACK:
App Store (Mi Market) cannot be removed from China ROM without modifying app/framework code, which requires full deodex (beyond the scope of this tweak pack). It also cannot be disabled/frozen, it will either re-enable itself or bootloop as if it's been removed.
Video and Game Center are kept, despite being Chinese, to prevent the system reporting "System Modification detected" security alert. You can manually disable/freeze these apps yourself with e.g. Titanium Backup.
ADDITIONAL PERFORMANCE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT I CANNOT INCLUDE:
Developer Options - Disable animations (the the three different scales). Frees almost 100MB RAM.
Developer Options - Memory optimization. Turn it to Middle or High tp enable zRAM (trade a little CPU to provide RAM compression. I strongly recommend it, the X20 can handle it). Whetstone service has been removed, so this setting will only change zRAM function - it will NOT affect background app count.
LIST OF CURRENT FEATURES:
Code:
- boot.img changes:
- Disabled dm-verity (aka verified boot) in fstab, permits /system modification and probably improves read performance.
- Disabled forced userdata encryption in fstab, now optional. If you want to disable encryption, you need to do "Format Data" (not just swipe to wipe in TWRP, it's the second button) which will also erase internal storage.
- init.d support
- /cust partition changes:
- Completely wiped, it was all either unwanted Chinese stuff or was moved to system partition
- BusyBox installer/upgrader
- v1.25.1 build by YashdSaraf - http://forum.xda-developers.com/android/software-hacking/tool-busybox-flashable-archs-t3348543
- Any existing version of Busybox will be cleanly removed beforehand
- Systemless support
- init.d tweaks
- Set noop scheduler for internal storage only (better for faster storage)
- OOM/LMK tweaks (overcommit_ratio to 80%, less aggressive LMK = much better RAM utilization)
- vendor/overlay RRO:
- Add Google's Location Provider
- Change NTP server to Europe
- Enable Doze
- Enable Network Location Overlay
- Disable unsafe media volume warning
- /system changes:
- Disable OTA app ZIP validation (etc/device_features/nickel.xml)
- Remove everything in /system/data-app/ (Chinese stuff)
- Delete install-recovery.sh and recovery-from-boot.p
- Remove Chinese carrier app selection (install_app_filter.xml)
- Removed apps:
- AnalyticsCore (Phone-home backdoor app)
- AutoTest (Engineering diagnostics)
- SogouInput (Chinese IME), replaced by Google Keyboard
- Whetstone. This is the built in "app killer". Even with memory optimization off and an app locked, Whetstone will STILL sometimes kill apps when there is plenty of free RAM.
- Various Chinese-only services
- build.prop:
- ro.product.locale=en-US
- ro.setupwizard.mode=OPTIONAL
- persist.sys.miui_optimization=false
- MIUI Optimization causes compatibility issues with many apps. You can manually re-enable in Developer options if you want it back.
- Disable scrolling cache and tweak fling speed
- Enable Fast Dormancy
- Camera quality and Media encoding/decoding tweaks
- Enable Google location services on boot
- /system additions:
- apps added:
- BookmarkProvider
- GoogleCalendarSyncAdapter
- GoogleContactsSyncAdapter
- GoogleTTS
- MiRemote (XMRemoteController) from Global 8.0.x firmware
- WallpaperCarousel (moved MiGalleryLockscreen from cust partition)
- priv-apps added:
- GoogleBackupTransport
- GoogleFeedback
- GoogleLoginService
- GoogleKeyboard
- GoogleOneTimeInitializer
- GooglePartnerSetup
- GoogleServicesFramework
- MusicFX (already exists in /apps, but Xiaomi.eu also has two MusicFX.apk... not sure if this is right)
- Phonesky (Google Play Store)
- PrebuiltGmsCore (Google Play Services)
- Some Google related etc's and framework's
- Add some missing fonts (not sure if they're important but meh)
CHANGELOG:
Code:
2016.11.26
- Initial release
DOWNLOAD:
Please read all above info AT LEAST once!
Please see Post #2 for known issues, bug reporting guidelines, and compatibility with different MIUI ROM's!
v2016.11.26 (Latest) @ Google Drive
CREDITS AND THANKS:
Xiaomi.eu ROM's for reference material
YashdSaraf for his BusyBox installer script
adrianom for his modded boot image, it was inspiration/motivation for me to try out a non-weekly ROM
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
prismk said:
Yeap, we will need to wait for a Xiaomi.eu Global
I tried to change default market to Google Market, but its no possible. So a clean permissions and defaults for Mi Market and when I open a market:/ link I was able to choose the default app for market:/ link
I tried your patch with China Global and I get error with Google Play Store:
Code:
java.lang.SecurityException: "passive" location provider requires ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION permission.
I tried to fix running this in a terminal:
Code:
pm grant com.google.android.gms android.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION
But it doesn't work. Return something like "could not access the package manager. is the system running". Im investigating this and I will try to fix today
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had this problem once but then never did again, not sure what causes it.
pm grant for this particular permission does not work, even with root this permission has been "locked" since marshmallow (can't be granted or revoked by pm command at all).
Did you flash this mod pack on a fresh ROM (clean data) or did you flash it after already booting before? I think if you wipe data it may solve it, but I'm not sure.
Sent from my Redmi Note 4 using Tapatalk
CosmicDan said:
I had this problem once but then never did again, not sure what causes it.
pm grant for this particular permission does not work, even with root this permission has been "locked" since marshmallow (can't be granted or revoked by pm command at all).
Did you flash this mod pack on a fresh ROM (clean data) or did you flash it after already booting before? I think if you wipe data it may solve it, but I'm not sure.
Sent from my Redmi Note 4 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I flashed a clean MIUI China Stable, booted and flashed your tweaks. I will try wipe data and flash before boot the ROM
What you think about using a Github Repository for these tweaks? Can you update with busybox installer fix? Thanks!
prismk said:
I flashed a clean MIUI China Stable, booted and flashed your tweaks. I will try wipe data and flash before boot the ROM
What you think about using a Github Repository for these tweaks? Can you update with busybox installer fix? Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's definitely a bug in AOSP (see this fix that exists in most custom ROM's) that requires Gapps only be installed on fresh, brand new systems - so a factory reset will be needed. I can't include this this fix in the patch since framework mods need a deodex, and I don't want to make a whole custom ROM.
Github repo done, you can download the latest HEAD and flash-away (has the busybox and init.d fixes already, but I won't do a release yet - still want to do more translations). https://github.com/cosmicdan/CosmicTweaks_HMNote4
CosmicDan said:
It's definitely a bug in AOSP (see this fix that exists in most custom ROM's) that requires Gapps only be installed on fresh, brand new systems - so a factory reset will be needed. I can't include this this fix in the patch since framework mods need a deodex, and I don't want to make a whole custom ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, I flash MIUI ROM and flash tweaks after that and I get a bootloop So I flash MIUI, booted, wipe Dalvik, cache and data and flash tweaks and it's working perfect
prismk said:
So, I flash MIUI ROM and flash tweaks after that and I get a bootloop So I flash MIUI, booted, wipe Dalvik, cache and data and flash tweaks and it's working perfect
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But you will probably get FC's when you try to use Google Location....
...can anybody else confirm bootloop on clean flash in latest GitHub patch?
I will do a backup and wipe and try myself. Are you running "miui_HMNote4_V8.1.3.0.MBFCNDI_5a92469285_6.0.zip"?
I will make a seperate ZIP patch to enable insecure ADB from boot (so we can debug clean flash bootloops, and also incase anybody wants root-mode ADB access e.g. push files directly to /system). I need to download the MM source and compile a hacked adbd binary for this, so it could take a day or two.
CosmicDan said:
But you will probably get FC's when you try to use Google Location....
...can anybody else confirm bootloop on clean flash in latest GitHub patch?
I will do a backup and wipe and try myself. Are you running "miui_HMNote4_V8.1.3.0.MBFCNDI_5a92469285_6.0.zip"?
I will make a seperate ZIP patch to enable insecure ADB from boot (so we can debug clean flash bootloops, and also incase anybody wants root-mode ADB access e.g. push files directly to /system).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't get FC when I used Google Location and yes, Im running the same version of MIUI.
prismk said:
I don't get FC when I used Google Location and yes, Im running the same version of MIUI.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well that just makes the GMS FC spam even MORE confusing! Wish I knew what caused it, as I said it only happened to me once.... *sigh* I sure don't miss being a professional Android OS engineer lol, this "sometimes it happens" stuff comes all too often!
Anyway, the intention is to still flash the patch on a clean system (because it erases all the preinstall stuff, and sets some default settings in framework overlay) so I will look into that issue. Just need to finish downloading the AOSP MM sources before I can continue debugging that.
Thank you. Going to try it after i get some more courage, because now i'm on stock MIUI 8.0.4.0 & locked bootloader.
From what i read, to unlock bootloader i need to flash China Dev Rom with SP Flash, and only after that i will be free to try any Roms.
Google Dialer/Phone Contacts Messages apps flashable zip as system apps which replaces stock(AOSP) phone contacts & messages apps.
When you don't like stock(AOSP) phone/dialer contacts & messages apps, don't want to install separate Google apps and don't want to install aroma opengapps, here is tge solution. This flashable zip replaces stock (AOSP) phone, contacts & messages apps & replaces them with respective google apps.
If there are multiple phone & messages apps installed in your phone, you need to manually select default apps for phone & messages. (Default apps can be found in settings/apps/settings/default apps)
Note: Apps are unmodified, taken from Apkmirror website.
.................................................................................................................
Download flashable zip from following folder from androidfilehost:
Arm64 devices:
Marshmallow-Nougat:
https://www.androidfilehost.com/?w=files&flid=224402
Oreo:
https://www.androidfilehost.com/?w=files&flid=224399
Arm32 devices:
Marshmallow-Nougat:
https://www.androidfilehost.com/?w=files&flid=224423
Oreo:
https://www.androidfilehost.com/?w=files&flid=224425
.............................................................................................................
Always use latest zip.
.............................................................................................................
How to?
Just flash zip from custom recovery like TWRP recovery.
How to revert?...
To revert to stock (AOSP) phone, contacts & messaging apps:
Just dirty flash your current ROM.
Or
Flash latest file from following androidfilehost folder:
Marshmallow-Nougat:
https://www.androidfilehost.com/?w=files&flid=223992
.............................................................................................................
Enjoy!
Changelogs:
v3 - different files for oreo & nougat-marshmallow devices.
v2.1 - fixed not able to call bug.
v2 - initial release
Does it work on Redmi note 4 with miui rom
Important note: Before flashing v2.0 or less, you need to install Google phone app as user app (because framework has been not included in zip) otherwise you won't be able to call.
Zip with framework is under testing.
Updated to v2.1 (arm64): Fixed not able to call.
Download from here..
https://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=962021903579485242
jeevan_500 said:
Does it work on Redmi note 4 with miui rom
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try v2.1 I've checked it only in aosp based custom ROMs in nougat. But it should work in miui.
Revert back to stock-aosp phone, contacts & messaging apps.
Link has been added in op post.
V3 updated
Changelogs: Different files for oreo & nougat-marshmallow devices.
Can you give the details of apks? version, source,...
hungvip2001 said:
Can you give the details of apks? version, source,...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Latest available nodpi apps from APKMIRROR.
As google phone, contacts & messages apps are working perfectly as user apps, I think no need to flash them as system apps.. but then stock phone, contacts & messaging apps get useless & annoying if google apps are used... So in reality we need to only disable or deactivate or remove those stock apps. Now magisk is nice way to hide system apps.. also i found out a way to hide those stock apps without deleting them from their place...
So.. soon I'm going to upload those zips.. they are tiny zips & functionality wise universal compatibility with both arm 32/64 devices..
Error 6 on resurrection remix 5.8.5
Does it work on pie roms
This guide can actually apply to any device and ROM
What is microG?
microG is a free reimplementation of GApps, which allows for more privacy and better battery life.
How to get microG on my ROM?
There are three steps:
Get rid of any GApps you already have installed (I don't mean Google Play Music etc, I mean Google Play Services, Google Play Store etc)
Enable signature spoofing
Install microG components & enable them
How to enable signature spoofing
The main component that microG aims at replacing is Google Play Services. In order to do this, it must be able to fake that it's Google Play Services, and it needs signature spoofing to do this.
There are three main ways to enable signature spoofing:
Some custom ROMs already have this as an option, such as crDroid. For a list of such ROMs and how to enable the feature, go here.
There is also an xposed module available here that enables signature spoofing
You can patch the ROM to allow signature spoofing. Either by installing someone else's patch, such as my patch for Asfand's RR 5.8.5, which you can download from here and enable at the bottom of the developer settings, or patch the files yourself using Haystack. You will need a Linux system to patch it yourself. The procedure itself is not complex, it involves downloading a set of scripts, taking 5 or so files out of your ROM, running 3 scripts on them them putting them back into the ROM. By the way: you do not need to operate like in the tutorial here, you can just take the files out of the ROM installation script, patch them, them put them in place of the files in the patch zip I created that I linked above.
How to install microG components
After having enabled signature spoofing, you want to install the various microG components. The classical way is to download the various files and manually place them into the ROM, but you can also use ale5000's unofficial installer and simply flash the zips he provides from your recovery. If you want Google Sync to also work you can flash the Google Sync Add-on he provides, or otherwise use something like DAVDroid for calendar and contact synchronisation.
Once you have installed microG, boot up your phone and open the microG settings app. Open the self-check section. Our goal is to have everything in this section ticked. If all went well, you should have signature spoofing and almost everything checked.
You will need to disable battery optimisations for GSF by tapping on the relevant section, so that it may maintain a stable connection (this is the same as with Google Play Services, just that it uses much less battery as it is not tracking your every move).
You will also need to enable UnifiedNLP in the UnifiedNLP settings (one menu back), configuring both a location and address lookup backend.
If you used the unofficial zip installer you should have Mozilla Location Service and Nominatim available. More information on the available backends can be found here.
Once you have enabled the backends you will also want to enable your phone's location services on High Accuracy or Battery Saving modes, and reboot.
You can now check if everything is ticked in the self-check section of microG settings (you might need to enable your WiFi or data connection and find your current location using some app in order for it to have your last known location checked).
You can the proceed to enable Google device registration to get the Play Store to work correctly and Google Cloud Messaging to get notifications to work correctly. Some apps may also force you to enable Google SafetyNet or they refuse to work.
You will need to reboot now to get everything we enabled to work properly
Extra information:
Currently Google Play Games is not compatible with microG.
Google Hangouts is only compatible through the use of a patched apk
To get Gmail working correctly you need to give it permission to access contacts
For extra privacy you might want to disable all permissions for Google Play Store except for storage
And that's it! You and your battery are now a little bit freer from Google's shackles :highfive:
Thanks bro we need it badly
Awesome thread, thanks bro !
I've added some extra information about apps' compatibility with microG and fixed some bits of the explanation
For Google Hangouts you can also use the official apk and simply disable a service in the app as explained here.
For signature spoofing there is also Tingle that work on all OS.
ale5000 said:
For Google Hangouts you can also use the official apk and simply disable a service in the app as explained here.
For signature spoofing there is also Tingle that work on all OS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I understood correctly the difference is that Tingle patches directly the OS you're running instead of patching the files and then placing them in the ROM/the system you're running.
gvlfm78 said:
If I understood correctly the difference is that Tingle patches directly the OS you're running instead of patching the files and then placing them in the ROM/the system you're running.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is similar to Haystack, but it use a different patching method.
Both patch a file in the ROM.
Tingle do:
- Get file to patch
- Diassemble jar file (this create smali files)
- Patch smali file
- Reassemble jar file
- Put back the modified file in the Android ROM
This guide explains how to deGoogle any android by removing most of google invasive crap. (yes, GPlay services is also removed).Play store, Google app and other crap is also removed from system, so if you want to use them, install them as user app. The installation for play store is different, and it is explained below.
Check my Post on reddit for more up to date info and clear instructions HERE
When we remove Gplay services, many apps and services stop working . Many apps will give error but still work (like maps and telegram and whatsapp). Play store will definitely not work and many apps that use push notification through Gplay services (most of them) will not be able to do so. In my case Uber, ola or any other ride app was also not working and was crashing constantly. Paytm will also not work without play services. And on top of that many apps that use location might not behave properly.
Whoosh! those are a lot of problems for uninstalling play services. So, why would anyone want to do that?
Simply put it, Google is an Advertising company. No it is not a company that sells product, i mean yes it sells products and earns from them BUT more than 60% of their revenue comes from Ads that they serve you. And yes, google is the biggest Ad company in the world with more than 80% of ad share (i may be wrong about the %, feel free to search yourself). So obviously they want ta make money out of your data (by selling it) and to do that what better way than to install spyware on world's largest mobile OS.
Google play services record your every action, tracking every app that you opened and everything you do. That data remains with google and they sell it to 3rd parties (and you agreed to it when you made Google account and setup your android device. Remember Clicking on "I AGREE"?).
Here i will not discuss how invasive it is. A simple Web search with "google play services tracking" will give you much more information. (and please do search it, i beg you) (Pro Tip: reddit has best answers, so explore reddit links from search)
Here is a good one explaining things
And Gplay services Eat a LOT of battery by constantly Running in background. So if you want better battery, remove it
So you have decided to degoogle your phone (and debloat it). What to do about all those errors after removing play services?
Here Comes MicroG. microG is an Open Source replacement for Google Play Services.
"MicroG is a free-as-in-freedom re-implementation of Google’s proprietary Android user space apps and libraries.
The linux-based open-source mobile operating system Android is not only the most popular mobile operating system in the world, it’s also on the way to becoming a proprietary operating system. How is that?
While the core operating system is still released as part of the Android Open Source Project, the majority of core apps are not. It gets worse: More and more libraries and APIs are only available on phones that run various Google apps pre-installed, effectively locking third-party apps to the Google ecosystem. For these reasons Android is described as being a “look but don’t touch” kind of open.
At this point, several popular open-source applications already require some of Google’s proprietary libraries to be installed. Increasing demand in the free software community in addition to severe problems in Google’s proprietary software discovered by the Android modding community, have led to the development of a free software clone of Google’s proprietary core libraries and applications - the microG Project was born.
Although most microG components are far from complete, users are amazed by the results. Free software users got extended application support, privacy-caring users can reduce or monitor data that is sent to Google and especially older phones can expect some battery life improvements."
(So it basically removes all those errors. Great!)
So, Lets start Degoogling!
Warning: bootloader needs to be unlocked, magisk should be there and twrp should be installed.
NOTE: MAKE FULL NANDROID BACKUP OF YOUR DEVICE BEFORE PROCEEDING BY GOING TO TWRP -> BACKUP -> SELECT ALL . store it in PC or somewhere safe
Removing google crap
Flash TWRP and install magisk.
We need Signature spoofing in the ROM. Download SmaliPatcher from here and tick all patches, (We are interested in the "signature spoofing" one but all of them are useful) and follow the instructions on its page to install that module. Now your system supports signature spoofing. (I recommend SmaliPatcher even if your rom supports Signature Spoofing so that no issue arises)
Other ways for signature spoofing are given in MicroG wiki here
(IF YOU ARE ON STOCK ROM)
In case you had the Google Play Services previously installed (which Users having stock ROM have), remove all updates and the packages in /system/priv-app of the Google Services (you can use TWRP file manager or any root explorer to delete below packages, just delete the apk files in respective folders):
GmsCore (PrebuiltGmsCore, PrebuiltGmsCorePi, PrebuiltGmsCorePix)
GoogleBackupTransport
GoogleFeedback
GoogleLoginService
GoogleOneTimeInitializer
GooglePartnerSetup
GoogleServicesFramework
Phonesky
SetupWizard
Velvet.
In case you forgot to remove the GmsCore updates, you can manually remove these using adb uninstall com.google.android.gms.
After that, reboot your android device - all privileged GAPPS should be removed. (a bootloop may be caused, but dont worry, just boot into TWRP and follow below steps.)
IF YOU ARE ON CUSTOM ROM-> after flashing rom zip, do not reboot and follow below (DONT FLASH ANY GAPPS)SIZE]
Make full backup of your device if not made till now
Installing MicroG
Download Latest "MinMicroG-Standard-XXX.zip" from here
Add "system-" to start of package name (thus making it like "system-MinMicroG-Standard-XXX.zip" ) and copy it in sdcard or internal storage of phone. Now boot into TWRP
flash "system-MinMicroG-Standard-XXX.zip".
OLD METHOD, USE THIS IF ABOVE WONT WORK
Download the following from here
full NanoDroid-xx.xx.xx.xxxxxxx.zip
NanoDroid-setupwizard.zip
NanoDroid-uninstaller.zip (if it causes brick)
Copy below in sdcard or internal storage of phone. Now boot into TWRP
NanoDroid-setupwizard.zip
NanoDroid-uninstaller.zip (if it causes brick)
flash NanoDroid-setupwizard.zip, now an aroma installer is opened. click on next , agree to terms and click next, chose save location "/data/media/0" (you can change this as per your needs but remember this location since here the installer will save 3 files) and click next
now from here onwards you can select yourself according to your needs or follow my tutorial till the end of aroma installer.
you should be on generic settings page, tick 'apps', 'maps apiv1', 'init scrips', 'gnu bash', and 'shell utils'. click next.
in microG page, select "full", next, on f-droid page select "official", next, select all 4 nlpBackends, next, now here select "play store(patrched)" if you want to use Play store (your choice, if you want to degoogle select "Aurora + fake store"), next
now select apps of your choice here, next, on Debloat setup page click next (yeah just skip it), and finally click on create config, next and finish.
Aroma installer Ends now.
Now while in twrp, connect your phone to PC and browse to internal storage (or the location you selected during aroma installer to save files)
the 3 files will be ".nanodroid-overlay", ".nanodroid-setup", ".nanodroid-apps". Copy these to PC and keep them in some place safe. Now open "nanodroid.zip" (that you downloaded earlier) with winRAR or 7zip and drag and drop these 3 files in it. (they should be in root of the zip where "meta-inf" folder is)
now copy NanoDroid-xx.xx.xx.xxxxxxx.zip to your phone and flash it.
now boot into system. if flashing nanodroid causes bootloop, restore from twrp backup that you made (i told you so!).
Configuring MicroG
You need to setup microG , go into microG settings (in app drawer or in settings) and set up everything like:
check results in Self-Check, grant all the missing permissions (by tapping on them)
especially the Battery Optimization item
if Phonesky (= Fake Store or Play Store) lacks signature spoofing permissions head to Settings / Apps / Permissions / Signature Spoofing and grant it
enable Google device registration
enable Google Cloud Messaging (only if you want to receive push messages from your applications)
enable Google SafetyNet, required for applications that utilize SafetyNet, for example Pokémon GO (Currently Broken)
in UnifiedNlp Settings choose all (whichever you've choosen to be installed)
Déjà Vu, Mozilla, Apple, and others (like GSM and WiFi Location Service)
Nominatim as Address lockup backend
after everything is done, reboot
if you installed Play Store open it, setup account and install your apps
Make sure you have all options ticked in self-check of microG settings (except maybe for last one). if not web search it or post it here.
Congratulations, you have successfully removed Gplay services.
ONLY IF YOU HAVE USED OLD METHOD (USING NANODROID)
Updates of nanodroid
Make full backup of your device before update. In case anything happens after update, you can rollback easilySo the nanodroid is updated quite frequently with the apps that come with it. So when you see an updated version of nanodroid on official download page (yeah there are no automatic updates, you have to manually check by going to the download page and download it) download below zips from here
full NanoDroid-xx.xx.xx.xxxxxxx.zip (the updated version)
NanoDroid-uninstaller.zip (the updated version)
* Now open "NanoDroid-xx.xx.xx.xxxxxxx.zip " (updated version) with winRAR or 7zip and drag and drop those 3 files [ ".nanodroid-overlay", ".nanodroid-setup", ".nanodroid-apps".] in it. (just like you did before)
* Now copy NanoDroid-xx.xx.xx.xxxxxxx.zip to your phone and flash it through twrp.
You may need to re-configure microG, so just do it again.
Huge thanks to the below members for the tools.
@FriendlyNeighborhoodShane for MinMicroG
@MaR-V-iN for microG (thank you sir!)
@Setialpha for nanodroid
and other ones whom i forgot to add
reserved
reserved 2
reserved just in case
Damn near best tutorial i've ever seen, thank you good sir!! :good::good::good:
i'm not sure i made it work completelly tho..
Coming from stock marshmallow on Galaxy Note 4. I uninstalled google crap first using Titanium backup even tho the phone seemed to get stuck when i was uninstalling the Google Play services, took it almost 1½ hour..). Then manually cleaned some leftovers using file manager in TWRP.
Then just for the heck of it tried to run the Nanodroid patch file but i got an error message that it couldnt deodex one x.jar file (can't remember it's name just now). Tried instead to patch with Smalipatcher but the damn thing couldn't see i have admin privileges no matter what i did and just refused to run alltogether.
Then i tried this way you described. Did everything as the tutorial says, got no error message, everything seemed to run smooth and the apps i chose were installed. (altho TWRP did freeze a couple of times during aroma setup so i had to reset by taking out the battery). Now i know i should set upp the microG settings, but the microG icon and the app is nowhere to be found. The modul named NanoDroid exists and is activ in Magisk, but it's not possible to open it.
Not sure what is happening and how to proceed from here.. Could you give a pointer or two? Would be much appreciated.
What about GoogleLocationHistory???
Is this one needed or does it have to be removed as well?
prkfsz said:
Damn near best tutorial i've ever seen, thank you good sir!! :good::good::good:
i'm not sure i made it work completelly tho..
Coming from stock marshmallow on Galaxy Note 4. I uninstalled google crap first using Titanium backup even tho the phone seemed to get stuck when i was uninstalling the Google Play services, took it almost 1½ hour..). Then manually cleaned some leftovers using file manager in TWRP.
Then just for the heck of it tried to run the Nanodroid patch file but i got an error message that it couldnt deodex one x.jar file (can't remember it's name just now). Tried instead to patch with Smalipatcher but the damn thing couldn't see i have admin privileges no matter what i did and just refused to run alltogether.
Then i tried this way you described. Did everything as the tutorial says, got no error message, everything seemed to run smooth and the apps i chose were installed. (altho TWRP did freeze a couple of times during aroma setup so i had to reset by taking out the battery). Now i know i should set upp the microG settings, but the microG icon and the app is nowhere to be found. The modul named NanoDroid exists and is activ in Magisk, but it's not possible to open it.
Not sure what is happening and how to proceed from here.. Could you give a pointer or two? Would be much appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
updated the guide, see new instructions
Retseem said:
What about GoogleLocationHistory???
Is this one needed or does it have to be removed as well?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
just search in internet what that does and if its useful to you, dont remove it.
Looks good! Almost there?
Thank you for your good work.! All seems well after I follow your steps using a AICP rom. All the checks in microG are green except the play store phonesky, that I can not fix but does not seem to be a problem
Problem:
One test case for me however is the app flightradar24. This app can be installed just fine from the Aurora store. When I start it however it prompts me immediately to install the google play services as they appear not to be installed or up to date. I can also install these from aurora, but haven't done that as it would defy the purpose of of all the previous work.
So my question is:
- Should I expect Flightradar24 to work on a minmicrog system on android 10?
- If so, where is it going wrong?
- Yes I have the microG location services enabled.
PS. Also I tested Gmail. It also complains about absent play services.
Addition: Actually I find that no application the requires Google is working at all. Did I miss something perhaps?
Samsung-frisbee said:
Thank you for your good work.! All seems well after I follow your steps using a AICP rom. All the checks in microG are green except the play store phonesky, that I can not fix but does not seem to be a problem
Problem:
One test case for me however is the app flightradar24. This app can be installed just fine from the Aurora store. When I start it however it prompts me immediately to install the google play services as they appear not to be installed or up to date. I can also install these from aurora, but haven't done that as it would defy the purpose of of all the previous work.
So my question is:
- Should I expect Flightradar24 to work on a minmicrog system on android 10?
- If so, where is it going wrong?
- Yes I have the microG location services enabled.
PS. Also I tested Gmail. It also complains about absent play services.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After further investigation I have not been able to run any apps that depend on Google play services. They all fail on not recognizing GPS.
All checks in microG are OK. I am puzzled
^- signature spoofing must be failing.
thanks for making this.
There's LineageOS with microG baked in: https://lineage.microg.org/
Hritwik said:
This guide explains how to deGoogle any android by removing most of google invasive crap. (yes, GPlay services is also removed). Play store, Google app and other crap is also removed from system, so if you want to use them, install them as user app. The installation for play store is different, and it is explained below.
Check my Post on reddit for more up to date info and clear instructions HERE
When we remove Gplay services, many apps and services stop working . Many apps will give error but still work (like maps and telegram and whatsapp). Play store will definitely not work and many apps that use push notification through Gplay services (most of them) will not be able to do so. In my case Uber, ola or any other ride app was also not working and was crashing constantly. Paytm will also not work without play services. And on top of that many apps that use location might not behave properly.
Whoosh! those are a lot of problems for uninstalling play services. So, why would anyone want to do that?
Simply put it, Google is an Advertising company. No it is not a company that sells product, i mean yes it sells products and earns from them BUT more than 60% of their revenue comes from Ads that they serve you. And yes, google is the biggest Ad company in the world with more than 80% of ad share (i may be wrong about the %, feel free to search yourself). So obviously they want ta make money out of your data (by selling it) and to do that what better way than to install spyware on world's largest mobile OS.
Google play services record your every action, tracking every app that you opened and everything you do. That data remains with google and they sell it to 3rd parties (and you agreed to it when you made Google account and setup your android device. Remember Clicking on "I AGREE"?).
Here i will not discuss how invasive it is. A simple Web search with "google play services tracking" will give you much more information. (and please do search it, i beg you) (Pro Tip: reddit has best answers, so explore reddit links from search)
Here is a good one explaining things
And Gplay services Eat a LOT of battery by constantly Running in background. So if you want better battery, remove it
So you have decided to degoogle your phone (and debloat it). What to do about all those errors after removing play services?
Here Comes MicroG. microG is an Open Source replacement for Google Play Services.
"MicroG is a free-as-in-freedom re-implementation of Google’s proprietary Android user space apps and libraries.
The linux-based open-source mobile operating system Android is not only the most popular mobile operating system in the world, it’s also on the way to becoming a proprietary operating system. How is that?
While the core operating system is still released as part of the Android Open Source Project, the majority of core apps are not. It gets worse: More and more libraries and APIs are only available on phones that run various Google apps pre-installed, effectively locking third-party apps to the Google ecosystem. For these reasons Android is described as being a “look but don’t touch” kind of open.
At this point, several popular open-source applications already require some of Google’s proprietary libraries to be installed. Increasing demand in the free software community in addition to severe problems in Google’s proprietary software discovered by the Android modding community, have led to the development of a free software clone of Google’s proprietary core libraries and applications - the microG Project was born.
Although most microG components are far from complete, users are amazed by the results. Free software users got extended application support, privacy-caring users can reduce or monitor data that is sent to Google and especially older phones can expect some battery life improvements."
(So it basically removes all those errors. Great!)
So, Lets start Degoogling!
Warning: bootloader needs to be unlocked, magisk should be there and twrp should be installed.
NOTE: MAKE FULL NANDROID BACKUP OF YOUR DEVICE BEFORE PROCEEDING BY GOING TO TWRP -> BACKUP -> SELECT ALL . store it in PC or somewhere safe
Removing google crap
Flash TWRP and install magisk.
We need Signature spoofing in the ROM. Download SmaliPatcher from here and tick all patches, (We are interested in the "signature spoofing" one but all of them are useful) and follow the instructions on its page to install that module. Now your system supports signature spoofing. (I recommend SmaliPatcher even if your rom supports Signature Spoofing so that no issue arises)
Other ways for signature spoofing are given in MicroG wiki here
(IF YOU ARE ON STOCK ROM)
In case you had the Google Play Services previously installed (which Users having stock ROM have), remove all updates and the packages in /system/priv-app of the Google Services (you can use TWRP file manager or any root explorer to delete below packages, just delete the apk files in respective folders):
GmsCore (PrebuiltGmsCore, PrebuiltGmsCorePi, PrebuiltGmsCorePix)
GoogleBackupTransport
GoogleFeedback
GoogleLoginService
GoogleOneTimeInitializer
GooglePartnerSetup
GoogleServicesFramework
Phonesky
SetupWizard
Velvet.
In case you forgot to remove the GmsCore updates, you can manually remove these using adb uninstall com.google.android.gms.
After that, reboot your android device - all privileged GAPPS should be removed. (a bootloop may be caused, but dont worry, just boot into TWRP and follow below steps.)
IF YOU ARE ON CUSTOM ROM-> after flashing rom zip, do not reboot and follow below (DONT FLASH ANY GAPPS)SIZE]
Make full backup of your device if not made till now
Installing MicroG
Download Latest "MinMicroG-Standard-XXX.zip" from here
Add "system-" to start of package name (thus making it like "system-MinMicroG-Standard-XXX.zip" ) and copy it in sdcard or internal storage of phone. Now boot into TWRP
flash "system-MinMicroG-Standard-XXX.zip".
OLD METHOD, USE THIS IF ABOVE WONT WORK
Download the following from here
full NanoDroid-xx.xx.xx.xxxxxxx.zip
NanoDroid-setupwizard.zip
NanoDroid-uninstaller.zip (if it causes brick)
Copy below in sdcard or internal storage of phone. Now boot into TWRP
NanoDroid-setupwizard.zip
NanoDroid-uninstaller.zip (if it causes brick)
flash NanoDroid-setupwizard.zip, now an aroma installer is opened. click on next , agree to terms and click next, chose save location "/data/media/0" (you can change this as per your needs but remember this location since here the installer will save 3 files) and click next
now from here onwards you can select yourself according to your needs or follow my tutorial till the end of aroma installer.
you should be on generic settings page, tick 'apps', 'maps apiv1', 'init scrips', 'gnu bash', and 'shell utils'. click next.
in microG page, select "full", next, on f-droid page select "official", next, select all 4 nlpBackends, next, now here select "play store(patrched)" if you want to use Play store (your choice, if you want to degoogle select "Aurora + fake store"), next
now select apps of your choice here, next, on Debloat setup page click next (yeah just skip it), and finally click on create config, next and finish.
Aroma installer Ends now.
Now while in twrp, connect your phone to PC and browse to internal storage (or the location you selected during aroma installer to save files)
the 3 files will be ".nanodroid-overlay", ".nanodroid-setup", ".nanodroid-apps". Copy these to PC and keep them in some place safe. Now open "nanodroid.zip" (that you downloaded earlier) with winRAR or 7zip and drag and drop these 3 files in it. (they should be in root of the zip where "meta-inf" folder is)
now copy NanoDroid-xx.xx.xx.xxxxxxx.zip to your phone and flash it.
now boot into system. if flashing nanodroid causes bootloop, restore from twrp backup that you made (i told you so!).
Configuring MicroG
You need to setup microG , go into microG settings (in app drawer or in settings) and set up everything like:
check results in Self-Check, grant all the missing permissions (by tapping on them)
especially the Battery Optimization item
if Phonesky (= Fake Store or Play Store) lacks signature spoofing permissions head to Settings / Apps / Permissions / Signature Spoofing and grant it
enable Google device registration
enable Google Cloud Messaging (only if you want to receive push messages from your applications)
enable Google SafetyNet, required for applications that utilize SafetyNet, for example Pokémon GO (Currently Broken)
in UnifiedNlp Settings choose all (whichever you've choosen to be installed)
Déjà Vu, Mozilla, Apple, and others (like GSM and WiFi Location Service)
Nominatim as Address lockup backend
after everything is done, reboot
if you installed Play Store open it, setup account and install your apps
Make sure you have all options ticked in self-check of microG settings (except maybe for last one). if not web search it or post it here.
Congratulations, you have successfully removed Gplay services.
ONLY IF YOU HAVE USED OLD METHOD (USING NANODROID)
Updates of nanodroid
Make full backup of your device before update. In case anything happens after update, you can rollback easilySo the nanodroid is updated quite frequently with the apps that come with it. So when you see an updated version of nanodroid on official download page (yeah there are no automatic updates, you have to manually check by going to the download page and download it) download below zips from here
full NanoDroid-xx.xx.xx.xxxxxxx.zip (the updated version)
NanoDroid-uninstaller.zip (the updated version)
* Now open "NanoDroid-xx.xx.xx.xxxxxxx.zip " (updated version) with winRAR or 7zip and drag and drop those 3 files [ ".nanodroid-overlay", ".nanodroid-setup", ".nanodroid-apps".] in it. (just like you did before)
* Now copy NanoDroid-xx.xx.xx.xxxxxxx.zip to your phone and flash it through twrp.
You may need to re-configure microG, so just do it again.
Huge thanks to the below members for the tools.
@FriendlyNeighborhoodShane for MinMicroG
@MaR-V-iN for microG (thank you sir!)
@Setialpha for nanodroid
and other ones whom i forgot to add
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is gold. Haven't tried yet but will be donating to the MicroG project if this works.
Hritwik said:
This guide explains how to deGoogle any android by removing most of google invasive crap. (yes, GPlay services is also removed). Play store, Google app and other crap is also removed from system, so if you want to use them, install them as user app. The installation for play store is different, and it is explained below.
Check my Post on reddit for more up to date info and clear instructions HERE
When we remove Gplay services, many apps and services stop working . Many apps will give error but still work (like maps and telegram and whatsapp). Play store will definitely not work and many apps that use push notification through Gplay services (most of them) will not be able to do so. In my case Uber, ola or any other ride app was also not working and was crashing constantly. Paytm will also not work without play services. And on top of that many apps that use location might not behave properly.
Whoosh! those are a lot of problems for uninstalling play services. So, why would anyone want to do that?
Simply put it, Google is an Advertising company. No it is not a company that sells product, i mean yes it sells products and earns from them BUT more than 60% of their revenue comes from Ads that they serve you. And yes, google is the biggest Ad company in the world with more than 80% of ad share (i may be wrong about the %, feel free to search yourself). So obviously they want ta make money out of your data (by selling it) and to do that what better way than to install spyware on world's largest mobile OS.
Google play services record your every action, tracking every app that you opened and everything you do. That data remains with google and they sell it to 3rd parties (and you agreed to it when you made Google account and setup your android device. Remember Clicking on "I AGREE"?).
Here i will not discuss how invasive it is. A simple Web search with "google play services tracking" will give you much more information. (and please do search it, i beg you) (Pro Tip: reddit has best answers, so explore reddit links from search)
Here is a good one explaining things
And Gplay services Eat a LOT of battery by constantly Running in background. So if you want better battery, remove it
So you have decided to degoogle your phone (and debloat it). What to do about all those errors after removing play services?
Here Comes MicroG. microG is an Open Source replacement for Google Play Services.
"MicroG is a free-as-in-freedom re-implementation of Google’s proprietary Android user space apps and libraries.
The linux-based open-source mobile operating system Android is not only the most popular mobile operating system in the world, it’s also on the way to becoming a proprietary operating system. How is that?
While the core operating system is still released as part of the Android Open Source Project, the majority of core apps are not. It gets worse: More and more libraries and APIs are only available on phones that run various Google apps pre-installed, effectively locking third-party apps to the Google ecosystem. For these reasons Android is described as being a “look but don’t touch” kind of open.
At this point, several popular open-source applications already require some of Google’s proprietary libraries to be installed. Increasing demand in the free software community in addition to severe problems in Google’s proprietary software discovered by the Android modding community, have led to the development of a free software clone of Google’s proprietary core libraries and applications - the microG Project was born.
Although most microG components are far from complete, users are amazed by the results. Free software users got extended application support, privacy-caring users can reduce or monitor data that is sent to Google and especially older phones can expect some battery life improvements."
(So it basically removes all those errors. Great!)
So, Lets start Degoogling!
Warning: bootloader needs to be unlocked, magisk should be there and twrp should be installed.
NOTE: MAKE FULL NANDROID BACKUP OF YOUR DEVICE BEFORE PROCEEDING BY GOING TO TWRP -> BACKUP -> SELECT ALL . store it in PC or somewhere safe
Removing google crap
Flash TWRP and install magisk.
We need Signature spoofing in the ROM. Download SmaliPatcher from here and tick all patches, (We are interested in the "signature spoofing" one but all of them are useful) and follow the instructions on its page to install that module. Now your system supports signature spoofing. (I recommend SmaliPatcher even if your rom supports Signature Spoofing so that no issue arises)
Other ways for signature spoofing are given in MicroG wiki here
(IF YOU ARE ON STOCK ROM)
In case you had the Google Play Services previously installed (which Users having stock ROM have), remove all updates and the packages in /system/priv-app of the Google Services (you can use TWRP file manager or any root explorer to delete below packages, just delete the apk files in respective folders):
GmsCore (PrebuiltGmsCore, PrebuiltGmsCorePi, PrebuiltGmsCorePix)
GoogleBackupTransport
GoogleFeedback
GoogleLoginService
GoogleOneTimeInitializer
GooglePartnerSetup
GoogleServicesFramework
Phonesky
SetupWizard
Velvet.
In case you forgot to remove the GmsCore updates, you can manually remove these using adb uninstall com.google.android.gms.
After that, reboot your android device - all privileged GAPPS should be removed. (a bootloop may be caused, but dont worry, just boot into TWRP and follow below steps.)
IF YOU ARE ON CUSTOM ROM-> after flashing rom zip, do not reboot and follow below (DONT FLASH ANY GAPPS)SIZE]
Make full backup of your device if not made till now
Installing MicroG
Download Latest "MinMicroG-Standard-XXX.zip" from here
Add "system-" to start of package name (thus making it like "system-MinMicroG-Standard-XXX.zip" ) and copy it in sdcard or internal storage of phone. Now boot into TWRP
flash "system-MinMicroG-Standard-XXX.zip".
OLD METHOD, USE THIS IF ABOVE WONT WORK
Download the following from here
full NanoDroid-xx.xx.xx.xxxxxxx.zip
NanoDroid-setupwizard.zip
NanoDroid-uninstaller.zip (if it causes brick)
Copy below in sdcard or internal storage of phone. Now boot into TWRP
NanoDroid-setupwizard.zip
NanoDroid-uninstaller.zip (if it causes brick)
flash NanoDroid-setupwizard.zip, now an aroma installer is opened. click on next , agree to terms and click next, chose save location "/data/media/0" (you can change this as per your needs but remember this location since here the installer will save 3 files) and click next
now from here onwards you can select yourself according to your needs or follow my tutorial till the end of aroma installer.
you should be on generic settings page, tick 'apps', 'maps apiv1', 'init scrips', 'gnu bash', and 'shell utils'. click next.
in microG page, select "full", next, on f-droid page select "official", next, select all 4 nlpBackends, next, now here select "play store(patrched)" if you want to use Play store (your choice, if you want to degoogle select "Aurora + fake store"), next
now select apps of your choice here, next, on Debloat setup page click next (yeah just skip it), and finally click on create config, next and finish.
Aroma installer Ends now.
Now while in twrp, connect your phone to PC and browse to internal storage (or the location you selected during aroma installer to save files)
the 3 files will be ".nanodroid-overlay", ".nanodroid-setup", ".nanodroid-apps". Copy these to PC and keep them in some place safe. Now open "nanodroid.zip" (that you downloaded earlier) with winRAR or 7zip and drag and drop these 3 files in it. (they should be in root of the zip where "meta-inf" folder is)
now copy NanoDroid-xx.xx.xx.xxxxxxx.zip to your phone and flash it.
now boot into system. if flashing nanodroid causes bootloop, restore from twrp backup that you made (i told you so!).
Configuring MicroG
You need to setup microG , go into microG settings (in app drawer or in settings) and set up everything like:
check results in Self-Check, grant all the missing permissions (by tapping on them)
especially the Battery Optimization item
if Phonesky (= Fake Store or Play Store) lacks signature spoofing permissions head to Settings / Apps / Permissions / Signature Spoofing and grant it
enable Google device registration
enable Google Cloud Messaging (only if you want to receive push messages from your applications)
enable Google SafetyNet, required for applications that utilize SafetyNet, for example Pokémon GO (Currently Broken)
in UnifiedNlp Settings choose all (whichever you've choosen to be installed)
Déjà Vu, Mozilla, Apple, and others (like GSM and WiFi Location Service)
Nominatim as Address lockup backend
after everything is done, reboot
if you installed Play Store open it, setup account and install your apps
Make sure you have all options ticked in self-check of microG settings (except maybe for last one). if not web search it or post it here.
Congratulations, you have successfully removed Gplay services.
ONLY IF YOU HAVE USED OLD METHOD (USING NANODROID)
Updates of nanodroid
Make full backup of your device before update. In case anything happens after update, you can rollback easilySo the nanodroid is updated quite frequently with the apps that come with it. So when you see an updated version of nanodroid on official download page (yeah there are no automatic updates, you have to manually check by going to the download page and download it) download below zips from here
full NanoDroid-xx.xx.xx.xxxxxxx.zip (the updated version)
NanoDroid-uninstaller.zip (the updated version)
* Now open "NanoDroid-xx.xx.xx.xxxxxxx.zip " (updated version) with winRAR or 7zip and drag and drop those 3 files [ ".nanodroid-overlay", ".nanodroid-setup", ".nanodroid-apps".] in it. (just like you did before)
* Now copy NanoDroid-xx.xx.xx.xxxxxxx.zip to your phone and flash it through twrp.
You may need to re-configure microG, so just do it again.
Huge thanks to the below members for the tools.
@FriendlyNeighborhoodShane for MinMicroG
@MaR-V-iN for microG (thank you sir!)
@Setialpha for nanodroid
and other ones whom i forgot to add
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is gold. Thank you. Will be donating to the MicroG project if they accept donations, worth every penny.
Edited on Dec.10,2021
It works like a charm with Havoc OS (Samsung S8)
Hi,
I just installed MicroG on a Samsung S8 running Android 7 and although the installation went perfect, without any errors, I don't have any icon, thus I cannot get access to settings. I do see the microG Services Framework application installed in Application Manager but I cannot launch it.
I followed the new instructions to the letter.
Please advise!
Thanks!
SafetyNet fails?
will this guide work on the Stock MIUI 12.0.9 for Mi 9T?
I could use some assistance finding some files. I've tried several methods but can't seem to locate the files below. I'm using a rooted and unlocked S20 5G (986U1) Can you help me with a method or app to find these. I'm using Cx for file manager but the search seems limited, or I'm doing it wrong.
• In case you had the Google Play Services previously installed (which Users having stock ROM have), remove all updates and the packages in /system/priv-app of the Google Services (you can use TWRP file manager or any root explorer to delete below packages, just delete the apk files in respective folders):
o GoogleBackupTransport
o GoogleLoginService
o GooglePartnerSetup
o Phonesky
o Velvet.
goobener said:
I could use some assistance finding some files. I've tried several methods but can't seem to locate the files below. I'm using a rooted and unlocked S20 5G (986U1) Can you help me with a method or app to find these. I'm using Cx for file manager but the search seems limited, or I'm doing it wrong.
• In case you had the Google Play Services previously installed (which Users having stock ROM have), remove all updates and the packages in /system/priv-app of the Google Services (you can use TWRP file manager or any root explorer to delete below packages, just delete the apk files in respective folders):
o GoogleBackupTransport
o GoogleLoginService
o GooglePartnerSetup
o Phonesky
o Velvet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Download an all called App Manager from F-Droid
Thank you for this guide!
I have two new devices that I'm not using.
LG K50s and Tablet Lenovo M10
Would like to get them in shape before any use.
There's no Lineage for those or found a linux distro.
Is this the best way yo get rid of all the crap, bloatware, spyware, tracking?
Does it get clean of trackers?
Thank you!