Hi,
Like many people I don't trust Google.
They censor people, they remove websites from their rankings, they fire people for political beliefs, they track everybody, and of course their google play services app is capable of recording everything about you.
Is it possible to create a ROM for the OnePlus 6 that is without Google services?
How much of google can be stripped away at the ROM level?
How much of Android is necessary closed source from google?
Thanks.
frei6 said:
Hi,
Like many people I don't trust Google.
You know, they censor people, they remove websites from their rankings, and so on.
Is it possible to create a ROM for the OnePlus 6 that is without Google services?
How much of Android is closed source from google?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you may have chosen the wrong phone to avoid the prying eyes of google. I think that the services are directly integrated into the functions of everything in the system (with the exception of maybe play services as some phones are without play store). Certainly if i'm wrong, someone correct me. Good luck. :fingers-crossed:
thejase said:
I think you may have chosen the wrong phone to avoid the prying eyes of google. I think that the services are directly integrated into the functions of everything in the system (with the exception of maybe play services as some phones are without play store). Certainly if i'm wrong, someone correct me. Good luck. :fingers-crossed:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But isn't there a version of Android (AOSP) that doesn't have the google spyware?
frei6 said:
Hi,
Like many people I don't trust Google.
They censor people, they remove websites from their rankings, they fire people for political beliefs, they track everybody, and of course their google play services app is capable of recording everything about you.
Is it possible to create a ROM for the OnePlus 6 that is without Google services?
How much of google can be stripped away at the ROM level?
How much of Android is necessary closed source from google?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Although Lineage for MicroG has not been released yet, you can run HavocOS which is a Lineage based ROM that includes the "spoof patch" and flash MicroG instead of an OpenGapps package.
Please note that the micro edition of Gapps is not the same thing as MicroG. MicroG contains no Google blobs and you cannot use the Play Store or other apps that require Google Play Services. You will need to use Fdroid, YALP, etc to install and update packages.
Another alternative is to use HavocOS or any other LOS based ROM with the "pico" version of OpenGapps which contains the bare minimum required to use the Play Store. This is what I'm doing currently and it works well while reducing Googles presence on your phone. OpenGapps are based on AOSP code, so there are still binary blobs. (not really open-source as the name implies.)
Hydrogen os , exact same as oos but without Google. Have a look in roms etc
Was about to say Hydrogen Os.
I am a flashaholic. I only flash roms in my home because i have everything i need to repair in case of need.
So, flash a new rom, connect to WIFI, login to google. Surprise !!!... "Google does not recognise this device".... Same device. On the same router, connection, house.
BS "security"...
Hydrogen OS, but then you may be dealing with Chinese government spyware. Pick your poison.
Related
Hi everyone,
I have been researching and I've compiled a list of all the options available to use an Android device with Cyanogenmod without a Google account and I was wondering if anyone has a better solution considering the options I've found are all lacking.
Here is what I found including the issues for each option:
- Amazon web store (Not every app is available)
- Third party repositories, like apkmirror (Security implications of running apk that anyone can upload)
- F-Droid (Not every app is available)
- Getting the apps I need from the play store once and then backup the apks with a file manager (No updates) or I am going to need a different phone with a Google account and the play store.
Moral of the story, it's not easy to run an android phone without a google account.
Ps. A solution that I think could work (but I wasn't able to find a project that works) is an open source apk downloader (maybe on github) that get the apps straight from google via command line but all the projects I've seen are either out of date or not working...
Any suggestion is really appreciated! Thank you all!
Keep an android device with google play installed, then move the apks of things i really want, or bought already.
But honestly, after some choices I've made (running my own dropbox-like service on my server) I could definitely live with just F-Droid. Of course I'm not using some stuff like facebook or snapchat, so my needs in terms of apps isn't as extensive as others. Sometimes it does feel like i'm hamstrung when the next new fad comes and goes, but I'll live without them.
surfinpika said:
Keep an android device with google play installed, then move the apks of things i really want, or bought already.
But honestly, after some choices I've made (running my own dropbox-like service on my server) I could definitely live with just F-Droid. Of course I'm not using some stuff like facebook or snapchat, so my needs in terms of apps isn't as extensive as others. Sometimes it does feel like i'm hamstrung when the next new fad comes and goes, but I'll live without them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi surfinpika,
thanks for your input, I am starting to feel like your solution (of having a separate device with just the google account setup) is the cleanest option.
I am not into facebook or snapchat or the next fad either... but f-droid wouldn't cut it for me, stuff like keepass2android or some of the other apps I use are definitely not there. I wonder what are the security implications of using F-Droid compared to getting the apks from apkmirror. Considering my level of paranoia I wouldn't feel safe with either option.
_polymar said:
Hi surfinpika,
thanks for your input, I am starting to feel like your solution (of having a separate device with just the google account setup) is the cleanest option.
I am not into facebook or snapchat or the next fad either... but f-droid wouldn't cut it for me, stuff like keepass2android or some of the other apps I use are definitely not there. I wonder what are the security implications of using F-Droid compared to getting the apks from apkmirror. Considering my level of paranoia I wouldn't feel safe with either option.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One issue I can think of with this approach is that both the device with google play store and the device where the apps are going to be installed will require the same CPU architecture.
Won't be able to download the apk on a cheap android (most likely ARM) and install it on ARM64...
_polymar said:
One issue I can think of with this approach is that both the device with google play store and the device where the apps are going to be installed will require the same CPU architecture.
Won't be able to download the apk on a cheap android (most likely ARM) and install it on ARM64...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, luckily my back up is the same architecture as my non-gapps phone.
And there are also ways of getting some of the apks straight from the sources, like keepass2android from the project's website. but even if it is google, they sort of give a sense of security in that the apk won't be messed with.
It's such a mess though otherwise, hard to separate the google from the android, and no other viable OSs are any better. hope some competition at least makes a nice little niche to get away from the big G.
Hi, I've recently set up my new S7 with LineageOS, and I'm determined to not install GAPPs or Google anything on this device. I've been able to find almost everything I need, but I'm still missing speech-to-text functionality.
I installed AnySoftKeyboard from F-Droid because it said it did speech-to-text in its description; however, when I attempted to use STT on the keyboard, I got a popup error message that said, "Voice Input is not installed on your device." The box had a button for installing this feature, but I suspect it pointed to a location on the Google Play store, since it offered to open F-Droid or Uptodown, neither of which had the needed app.
What can I do to obtain STT on this device without getting entangled with Google?
Even if you are using Los there are still Google closed binaries on your device. There is no way of getting away form Google with Android. Not completely.
zelendel said:
Even if you are using Los there are still Google closed binaries on your device. There is no way of getting away form Google with Android. Not completely.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Fine, sure, now do you have any helpful suggestions about TTS?
Feenix0 said:
Fine, sure, now do you have any helpful suggestions about TTS?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only one I know that works on Android (was origianly made to work on feature phones.) is controlled by Google or Apple. There is no real open source free, none tracking, setup.
You could look up the Google less preoject and see if they got it working but last I heard most abonoded the project because it just wasn't worth it.
Feenix0 said:
Hi, I've recently set up my new S7 with LineageOS, and I'm determined to not install GAPPs or Google anything on this device. I've been able to find almost everything I need, but I'm still missing speech-to-text functionality.
I installed AnySoftKeyboard from F-Droid because it said it did speech-to-text in its description; however, when I attempted to use STT on the keyboard, I got a popup error message that said, "Voice Input is not installed on your device." The box had a button for installing this feature, but I suspect it pointed to a location on the Google Play store, since it offered to open F-Droid or Uptodown, neither of which had the needed app.
What can I do to obtain STT on this device without getting entangled with Google?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
TTS and SST is bound to google, you can't download it from anywhere, and even if you download it, it won't work without google services, you must install Gapps (Nano), hope it'll help
Seems like this is a dead end, for now, but I found lots of things in the works. I expect that we'll be seeing viable alternative STT services in a few years. Google, Microsoft, and Apple are always going to be at the front in this sort of thing because of their budgets, but open source will catch up.
This may be the reason I get into android app development... local, although not as good, STT is possible, I wrote some stuff in Python to do this on an embedded system. You just have to train, or purchase voice models. There are also many cloud based solutions other than Google at this point, so I don't believe this to be technologically impossible.
japtain.cack said:
This may be the reason I get into android app development... local, although not as good, STT is possible, I wrote some stuff in Python to do this on an embedded system. You just have to train, or purchase voice models. There are also many cloud based solutions other than Google at this point, so I don't believe this to be technologically impossible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the feedback. I've actually retired the S7 for a OP 7T, and I'm pretty much resigned to Goggle STT for now.
Feenix0 said:
Thanks for the feedback. I've actually retired the S7 for a OP 7T, and I'm pretty much resigned to Goggle STT for now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Finally, with the flashing of my phone, my life is 100% Google free. Not even using MicroG. #GoogleYou'reFired. I'll just be doing without STT until I figure out a solution.
japtain.cack said:
Finally, with the flashing of my phone, my life is 100% Google free. Not even using MicroG. #GoogleYou'reFired. I'll just be doing without STT until I figure out a solution.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Until I find a satisfactory alternative to Google's email, calendar, contacts, and cloud storage solutions, I'll still be here. Not that I'm looking right now...but one day. Maybe I'll try MicroG on my next phone. Maybe Elon Musk will roll out a linux-based, fully open source phone and supporting systems. Here's hoping!
Feenix0 said:
Until I find a satisfactory alternative to Google's email, calendar, contacts, and cloud storage solutions, I'll still be here. Not that I'm looking right now...but one day. Maybe I'll try MicroG on my next phone. Maybe Elon Musk will roll out a linux-based, fully open source phone and supporting systems. Here's hoping!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I'm using the synology nas and suite of apps. They are pretty OK. The sacrifices we make to opt out of data mining and the selling of our data to third parties... I currently have no plans to use microg. If elon makes a phone, I'd buy it, hopefully it would be better and more open.
japtain.cack said:
Yeah, I'm using the synology nas and suite of apps. They are pretty OK. The sacrifices we make to opt out of data mining and the selling of our data to third parties... I currently have no plans to use microg. If elon makes a phone, I'd buy it, hopefully it would be better and more open.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Considering how closed source all of elon projects are I very much doubt he'd bring out an open source android competitor, probs call it the xphone, pay to remove the integrated ****coin miner and some more for the ability to use his new 5g networking but hey maybe it'll have fart sounds as notifactions
Hi Guys,
I have a OnePlus 6 (oxygenOs rooted) and am very satisfied so far. I've been extremely bothered recently by google and Facebook and Instagram tracking us, thats why I want to de-googling my Oneplus 6. I am not a professional and would like to ask you for help. I did some research on the internet and read a lot about LineageOs and MicroG. I also tried / e / rom and some apps don't work without google services like Line and some apps.
Is there a manual somewhere where I can de-googgle my cell phone and all apps work as with google? I would prefer to lead on oxygen OS or hyrogenOs if these apps would work without google services.
I would be very happy about your tips.
Thanks in advance
greetings
Coktail
ciao
you have to get microG, if you go on their post you will have enought info (and app)
there Is also a magisk module for microG
and an unofficial zip installer (that I suggest, since It could replace Gapps keeping the most of google funtionality)
anyway a lot of google stufs could not work
contact and calendar there are a lot of post discussing
pay, search, assistant, discovery, maps, autofill, maybe netflix
some of them could be easily replaced, others no way...
and, It could be preferible run microG on a gapp-free rom, as omni, syberia, crDroid, etc
hi
Psk.It said:
ciao
you have to get microG, if you go on their post you will have enought info (and app)
there Is also a magisk module for microG
and an unofficial zip installer (that I suggest, since It could replace Gapps keeping the most of google funtionality)
anyway a lot of google stufs could not work
contact and calendar there are a lot of post discussing
pay, search, assistant, discovery, maps, autofill, maybe netflix
some of them could be easily replaced, others no way...
and, It could be preferible run microG on a gapp-free rom, as omni, syberia, crDroid, etc
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello, thank you for reply. As i read before oxygen os cant run microG. Hydrogen Os is google free
but not have signature spoofing. I like this rom cause i like the ui and can run paralel apps.
So there is no possibility to run microG with oxy or hdyrogen os? I need Line app.
If you know a solution would be nice if you can post a link.
what you think about /e/rom?(its android9)
thanks alot
best regards
Coktail said:
Hello, thank you for reply. As i read before oxygen os cant run microG. Hydrogen Os is google free
but not have signature spoofing. I like this rom cause i like the ui and can run paralel apps.
So there is no possibility to run microG with oxy or hdyrogen os? I need Line app.
If you know a solution would be nice if you can post a link.
what you think about /e/rom?(its android9)
thanks alot
best regards
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hydrogen nowadays Is Google free, but it is designer for china market (there are other services inside, at the end It Is worse)
There are also app to make parallel space (i used Island in the cast)
but there are also different client for the most common apps, so you can simply use 2 of them on the same phone account
(example WhatsApp + FMWhatsApp, maybe cloud backup will not work, so it's up to you ti select the best way they fit your needs)
You have to make experiments by your own, because you only can check what is the best option for your usage
Psk.It said:
Hydrogen nowadays Is Google free, but it is designer for china market (there are other services inside, at the end It Is worse)
There are also app to make parallel space (i used Island in the cast)
but there are also different client for the most common apps, so you can simply use 2 of them on the same phone account
(example WhatsApp + FMWhatsApp, maybe cloud backup will not work, so it's up to you ti select the best way they fit your needs)
You have to make experiments by your own, because you only can check what is the best option for your usage
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a Hydrogen phone and i first wanted to change it to oxygen but after some tweaking it's going well.
First install feem : file transfer program works on every os ... http://feem.io ...it has some advertising but the best there is.
i've got rit of all the chinese software on the phone.
installed a new gui ... nova http://novalauncher.com/
installed acmarket : another market not associated with google.
now you can still install google software if you want to.
i even deleted the chinese browser and
mmm ... ok deleting chinese browser... but pay attention with alternative store
official apps in the PlayStore some times have malware or they sold your data to thirthies...
i wont immagine what can happend on a store where "common people" contributes on It...
let say, Google can make mistakes, anyway it's better than not checking at all... (it"'s a general discussion, i don't know feem in details)
You also are able to use Lineage OS and just don't install Google Apps. There you go. There is also F-Droid as a source for apps.
Hi there,
as I said in the title, I'm new on this field.
My aim is to the right choice of the phone and degoogle it. I tied to find somebody, who could do it for me (I live in the UK), but it's not so easy.
So now I've been trying to get familiar with the procedures, but I have to say, it's not easy process. There is so many 3, 4-letter acronyms, so many procedures to follow to be successful with degoogling a device. Moreover, there is so many information on this forum. All of these make me totally overwhelmed.
So, the main question, how to start this adventure? Is there a manual, tutorial (can be here, on youtube, does not matter) dedicated for beginners? Something which will make me confident enough to start degoogle a phone on my own?
Many thanks for suggestion.
If I'm right then de-googling means to remove all apps / services developed and copyrighted / owned by Google such as Google Services Framework, Google Play services ( incl. Google Play Store), GMS, Youtube, etc.pp, as also your Google account, from Android OS.
De-googling is possible, but requires Android OS is got rooted. And: it may not be recommended, because then many apps no longer will work.
jwoegerbauer said:
If I'm right then de-googling means to remove all apps / services developed and copyrighted / owned by Google such as Google Services Framework, Google Play services ( incl. Google Play Store), GMS, Youtube, etc.pp, as also your Google account, from Android OS.
De-googling is possible, but requires Android OS is got rooted. And: it may not be recommended, because then many apps no longer will work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
By de-googling I mean installing for example (this is my aim) LineageOS. And instead google app store using F-droid.
Hint: Change this thread's absolutely errleading title to How to install Lineage OS
I means systemly removing them maybe keeping ones I want? I got all the major ones removed except for Google play services on stock rom. Replaced google camera with open camera and replaced google photos with lineage gallery. That way I can still have some google apps in some form. I deleted YouTube and music and just added them as third party apps instead that I can uninstall. It's easier than installing a custom ROM these days.
Temporarily disable* Google play Services when not needed. Gmail, Google backup and Playstore are dependencies of it. That may increase your SOT by a couple percentage an hour.
* uncheck find my device as system Administrator first in security. Otherwise Google play Services disable option may be grayed out.
why not degoogle? do you rely on google play services for something?
you can gain tons of performance, battery life and privacy without the google play services, and for me its worked fine with aurora store and f-droid.
Can I get signature spoofing with micro g using stock firmware? If so how? I wanna get signature spoofing with youtube for when I'm out in public.
RDS5 said:
why not degoogle? do you rely on google play services for something?
you can gain tons of performance, battery life and privacy without the google play services, and for me its worked fine with aurora store and f-droid.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Using online Gmail through the browser is a pain.
Some apps need Google play Services and some apps are only available on Playstore.
Google is a pig... just hog tie it.
With debloating apps and magisk I made a lot of Google apps disappear. Kept important ones like files. And you can make it seem like google play is sandboxed with stock ROM of you know what you are doing.
Why do you want a less capable camera?
UltimateGamer83 said:
Can I get signature spoofing with micro g using stock firmware? If so how? I wanna get signature spoofing with youtube for when I'm out in public.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what about newpipe (alternative youtube client). or vanced?
otherwise, im pretty sure there are magisk modules to enable signature spoofing, but im not sure if they work on stock..
EDIT: nanodroid seems to be exactly what you need
i use lineageos/aosp on most of my devices tho..
blackhawk said:
Using online Gmail through the browser is a pain.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i agree honestly, its probably intentional to get you to download the app..
arent there 3rd party mail clients tho? maybe those dont work as well tho
blackhawk said:
Some apps need Google play Services and some apps are only available on Playstore.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
aurora store can download apps from google play, and most apps that "need google play" dont actually need it and just throw warnings
blackhawk said:
Google is a pig... just hog tie it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
at the end it all depends on the apps and services you use.
if you are reliant on google services (eg. gmail, gpay) then you need google play services, no matter the downside.
for me i havent had a use for these services (i use a phone to make calls, play some games, take photos and watch videos. all of these can be accomplished without google play) but for many they are tied to this.
i just hope antitrust can come and bite these companies in the ass
how come microsoft got sued for IE in the 90s but now, doing the exact same thing with edge, they arent in any trouble? just something to think about..
I don't know if I am just stupid or missing something?
Why buy a Pixel if you are not going to use Google services? Like that is the whole point.
You think that by disabling Google services, using 3rd party apps and app stores you will not be tracked?
Google makes OS, UI, and processor. You don't think they can track your use in other ways besides Google services and Google apps?
You think that the 3rd party apps are safe and not tracking you?
I mean I totally get why you want to have privacy and less use on the processes and ram but I just feel like there is no escape.
Plus you lose the great AI in the camera if you switch to something else.
I just figured if I get a Pixel part of the deal is I get Google. Android is pretty much a Google mobile OS so they can track what they want once you agree to the EULA to use the phone. At least I know going in most of what I do is being monitored and monetized. Unlike some other companies that hide that fact and act privacy focused.
Sounds like you might be looking for CalyxOS
Wi1son said:
Why do you want a less capable camera?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My question, too... One of the big selling points of Pixel is the camera, but it works in tandem with software?
krakout said:
My question, too... One of the big selling points of Pixel is the camera, but it works in tandem with software?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I too wondered this. That being said, doesn't graphene OS have the Google camera working on its entirety?
Agreeing with others here - if you are really heading down that road (which reasoning I can fully understand) then I would suggest Graphene OS or Calyx OS which do exactly this....
RDS5 said:
what about newpipe (alternative youtube client). or vanced?
otherwise, im pretty sure there are magisk modules to enable signature spoofing, but im not sure if they work on stock..
EDIT: nanodroid seems to be exactly what you need
i use lineageos/aosp on most of my devices tho..
i agree honestly, its probably intentional to get you to download the app..
arent there 3rd party mail clients tho? maybe those dont work as well tho
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I like Gmail because of security, it's almost bulletproof. No Gmail related malware ever made it through in 15 years. Only a little common sense is needed. Spam filters are pretty good. Something equivalent or better be nice though.
RDS5 said:
aurora store can download apps from google play, and most apps that "need google play" dont actually need it and just throw warnings
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A very few need Google play Services to run. Nothing critical though.
RDS5 said:
at the end it all depends on the apps and services you use.
if you are reliant on google services (eg. gmail, gpay) then you need google play services, no matter the downside.
for me i havent had a use for these services (i use a phone to make calls, play some games, take photos and watch videos. all of these can be accomplished without google play) but for many they are tied to this.
i just hope antitrust can come and bite these companies in the ass
how come microsoft got sued for IE in the 90s but now, doing the exact same thing with edge, they arent in any trouble? just something to think about..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since Android 10 and scoped storage Google Android is the enemy. Might as well be Apple.
Google pushes to end support for expandable storage. They're are liberal technocrats and need to be removed like the cancer they are. So yeah my next phone may indeed be Gookill free.
Schroeder09 said:
I too wondered this. That being said, doesn't graphene OS have the Google camera working on its entirety?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes, works perfectly on p7