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Hey. I am planning to get an Android phone and have a question about Google Play behaviour regarding different regions.
How do regions work in Google Play? I know each region get different apps/books/etc and prices but there are several things I'm curious about (all things are compared with itunes because atm I own an iphone):
If you buy an app at the German (example) store will it be easily updateable/installable when I switch back to the UK store? On iTunes it's a huge ****ing pain in the ass dealing with apps from different countries. You can't update them without wasting 10 minutes at least.
Are ratings and reviews separate as well? I have to use the US itunes store just so I can read more opinions and see larger rating vote counts.
Unlike itunes google play determines your location automatically which is bad for me. Is it alright if I'm going to use a proxy to fool the Play store and install apps from 'another country'?
Sorry if it's in the wrong section.
That can be an issue, but if you plan to root your phone you can flash things that will enable you to view anything from any region. Being in the US I don't run into this issue, but it's something to look at depending on the phone.
Also, most apps you can download the APK (for free apps) or contact the developer on how to find the app.
There is an app " market enabler" aka "market unlocker".
Needs root.
Works for apps only.
You can get any apps, specific to a region by changing the location in the app.
Or as said above, you can get the apks
LIFE! Live it to the best!
Lifehacker7 said:
There is an app " market enabler" aka "market unlocker".
Needs root.
Works for apps only.
You can get any apps, specific to a region by changing the location in the app.
Or as said above, you can get the apks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well looking for and downloading apks every time some app is updated would be annoying. Is there a software which manages android phones like itunes? I'm having tons of problems with itunes and its handling of apps purchased in different countries, hope to avoid this with android.
Al Gore said:
Well looking for and downloading apks every time some app is updated would be annoying. Is there a software which manages android phones like itunes? I'm having tons of problems with itunes and its handling of apps purchased in different countries, hope to avoid this with android.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think " buying it from another country" thing is an issue.
Once you have paid and downloaded, there shouldn't be any issue.
Unless the app is region specific and wouldn't work outside that country.
LIFE! Live it to the best!
Al Gore said:
Well looking for and downloading apks every time some app is updated would be annoying. Is there a software which manages android phones like itunes? I'm having tons of problems with itunes and its handling of apps purchased in different countries, hope to avoid this with android.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well you can access the Play Store online and download stuff just like iTunes does for iOS devices, then you can manage the apps on the phone.
https://play.google.com/store/apps?feature=corpus_selector
You can also use that Market Enabler app to see all regions from the Play Store app, but you must be rooted.
I came across an interesting workaround today regarding the annoying refusal of Google Play Store to run when Google Play Services is not enabled. Running the following in a terminal will disable a component of Google Play Services that prevents the check when you start the Play Store:
Code:
pm disable com.google.android.gms/com.google.android.gms.recovery.RecoveryService
Note: I have not tested this enough to know if there are any significant drawbacks yet.
I can say that this will finally allow Google Play Services to be greenified (although other components such as Google Backup Transport seems to occasionally prevent greenification). In addition, it seems to stop all those logs from being written to /data/system/dropbox/, which I personally found to be very irritating, and found the alternative solution of setting the folder to read-only to be problematic.
Unfortunately it looks like google play services is necessary to allow you to download apps from the play store. I didn't realize it at first because the checkin service had already done its thing and I was free to use everything until it was time for the next checkin. I'll post here if I find out any way to overcome this, but it looks like Google Play Services is probably necessary for the Play Store to function.
bsimpson1 said:
Unfortunately it looks like google play services is necessary to allow you to download apps from the play store. I didn't realize it at first because the checkin service had already done its thing and I was free to use everything until it was time for the next checkin. I'll post here if I find out any way to overcome this, but it looks like Google Play Services is probably necessary for the Play Store to function.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried and failed. There's no workaround. >.< Play Store needs Google Play Services in order to work properly.
sonyu said:
I tried and failed. There's no workaround. >.< Play Store needs Google Play Services in order to work properly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, there is absolutely no workaround.Play Services forms the core for the Google Playstore App.hence it can't function without it.
didito said:
Will try this when I get the root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea, go ahead.
...Just wanna let you guys know, there's a google thread, in which people talk/ed bout the purpose of .services. Turns out you really need that sh*t!XD
It's like a framework you simply need to have installed- just like @donniemceduns said. ^ ^
Off-topic ― now, I'm on CM11, with no Google Play installed, therefore no .services running. I simply installed an alternative market. ^ ^
didito said:
Wow.. Can you tell me what alternative market you installed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried them all — Mobogenie used to be ****ty, works fine now.
.apk link- DIRECT DOWNLOAD LINK
Has all the apps from Google Play. No sign-in required.
I didn't like it; it's okay now. Use it as my primary market
If you find a better market, make sure to share a link!
didito said:
Thanks for the link. One question though. Lets say I install a kitkat rom. Can I remove all the Play Store services and their dependencies to improve my phone's performance? I plan to do this and let Mobilegenie be my only market. If this is possible how can I remove these services for good?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Didi,
Yea, sure.
You already know this, but for all the people who didn't bother to read the thread, removing .services will result in errors, whenever you try to open a google application(Play store for instance), which requires .services.
I used a kitkat ROM before- deleted all G-apps and installed my alternative market. No errors! ^ ^
As for Mobogenie, it's my primary market on CM11. It features autoupdates, even auto-install if your device is rooted. Sweet! :good:
UPDATE:
Oh, sorry @didito! Didn't notice the "how can I remove these services for good" part.
Install an Uninstaller app for rooted devices( Your device must be rooted).
In-app: Navigate to SYSTEM APPS & remove google play services and google play store.
If you're not sure which app to use, try "Root App Delete".
Question... Or, an observation anyway... Sorry to bring back an old thread but I've been wondering a similar thing
On my newer device, Samsung Galaxy s5 neo, play services are needed to run the play store. *however*, on my older device, Samsung captivate glide, play services are not required to open the store.
Both using stock but rooted software from Samsung.
Why would this be that it's possible on 1 but not the other?
Unless maybe because I have already debloated my older device, maybe removing other gapps is what it would take?
I don't have a data plan and therefore wouldn't use much if any of them (maps, etc)
It just has me wondering what has changed between the 2, and maybe even if I'd be able to use and run my other devices play store app, and then use disable service to stop it from fully updating?
Hmm... I know everyone else has likely given up long ago.... But I've been curious today.
(this is a duplicate of my other thread. I realized the question doesn't ONLY apply to my old Nexus 4)
I'm trying to build an android phone with no Google apps on it, for privacy purposes.
I've got LineageOS on my rooted phone with no issues.
Getting apps is another matter. Amazon's app store doesn't even have Amazon's app, the LG store won't run on my phone. The various .apk-download sites I've seen either don't do paid apps, have outdated versions, or are basically for "cracked" apps, which i don't want to use.
Downloading .apk files can work, but most apps do not have such thing available, and I find often my phone's browsers choke on the link, and I have to download to my pc and then use adb to push the file across.
Is there a decent app store (or other app source) that isn't Google?
You could try Fdroid This is the website for Apk
Fdroid is all open source Apk's
bigfatguy said:
(this is a duplicate of my other thread. I realized the question doesn't ONLY apply to my old Nexus 4)
I'm trying to build an android phone with no Google apps on it, for privacy purposes.
I've got LineageOS on my rooted phone with no issues.
Getting apps is another matter. Amazon's app store doesn't even have Amazon's app, the LG store won't run on my phone. The various .apk-download sites I've seen either don't do paid apps, have outdated versions, or are basically for "cracked" apps, which i don't want to use.
Downloading .apk files can work, but most apps do not have such thing available, and I find often my phone's browsers choke on the link, and I have to download to my pc and then use adb to push the file across.
Is there a decent app store (or other app source) that isn't Google?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What's wrong with Google? Whatever I have a few:
GetJar (Has not be well maintained, spam, malware etc. Lurking on there now)
SlideME (Abondon, apps are so old)
Aptoid (Has some stolen apk, malware)
TutuApp (dumb kids use it to get modded games and apps, don't go there)
The Internet (APKMirror is the best)
Google Play
Sent from my KFAUWI using Tapatalk
dro3m said:
What's wrong with Google?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1: I've decided, if possible, to act on the privacy concerns I've had about google for quite some time now
2: I'm a gun nut law abiding firearms enthusiast and don't appreciate their recent policy changes on Youtube. Since my information is the product they sell to make money, I wish to withhold it.
it might be a pipe dream, but a guy can try.
Thanks for the places to try, all.
In addition to Google Play and Amazon Appstore, I suggest Huawei App Store. http://appstore.huawei.com/
Just for your reference.
You could use the Yalp store app which is an app that will get and down load your apk from play store anonymously
You can download it here
Hi7m3up said:
You could use the Yalp store app which is an app that will get and down load your apk from play store anonymously
You can download it here
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That may be an ideal solution... use Google's store, but don't have Google's app on my phone...
Yeah ideal for people who have restriction's of some type.
You probably noticed that yalp store (well at least the yalp bit) is play store backward's "very fitting"
Morning Huawei users!!
I've been using a Huawei P40 Pro for just over two weeks, Been loving the device & I have found a little golden nugget of an app! Its called Petal Search : Find Apps So I had been using App Gallery, APK pure & Aptoid however I have managed to find a new app which basically hubs all of the apps into this one platform and allows downloads via this app without any real redirection for it, its also ad free. So from a set up/new user point of view this is definitely a key app , I would say its a must have! Especially as you don't need to go trawling the whole of the internet for links for up-to-date apps. :good:
Having used it now for the last couple of days and I've made the decision to remove both APK Pure and Aptoid, The Petal Search app is downloadable from Huawei App Gallery and that's it! You can even add it as a search bar widget on a home screen!
Setting it up is as straight forward as can be, Huawei App Gallery , Search for Petal Search, Install. Then once you're installed you are ready start searching.
Have you had any experience with Petal Search?
EAT.SLEEP.TECH.REPEAT
Really god Application
Hi,
I have actually been using this app and have to say it has one major benefit over More Apps. Its reach is very extensive. More Apps focused on most used apps and was a little limited. But Petal search allows for a bigger array of apps due to it pulling from major app platforms. 100% Recommend it
How have you found its overall functionality?
Petal Search is not available in some countries .. had to switch to United Kingdom
Edit ... just installed .. why is this actually any good? most apps just link to apkpure anyway .. might as well just use apkpure
now uninstalled.
linux2525 said:
Petal Search is not available in some countries .. had to switch to United Kingdom
Edit ... just installed .. why is this actually any good? most apps just link to apkpure anyway .. might as well just use apkpure
now uninstalled.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same thoughts here, Probably an employee made the opening post to promote something.
So far Aurora + ApkPure is the best combination for me.
linux2525 said:
Petal Search is not available in some countries .. had to switch to United Kingdom
Edit ... just installed .. why is this actually any good? most apps just link to apkpure anyway .. might as well just use apkpure
now uninstalled.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I live in Wales so I have only been able to check my UK device, I found apk pure and other apps messy in the sense of chopping and changing between apps
EatSleepTechRepeat said:
messy in the sense of chopping and changing between apps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont understand .. surely aurora or apkpure is easier than a third party directing (like petal) linking you back to apkpure .. apkpure is not much different to the google play store ... install app, wait for updates, install updates.
linux2525 said:
I dont understand .. surely aurora or apkpure is easier than a third party directing (like petal) linking you back to apkpure .. apkpure is not much different to the google play store ... install app, wait for updates, install updates.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I get where you are coming from. Personally i like Petal as it draws from multiple app stores giving larger reach. I think it comes down to personal preference, but still a cool app.
JazonX said:
Same thoughts here, Probably an employee made the opening post to promote something.
So far Aurora + ApkPure is the best combination for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wish! would deffo have saved me money on buying the device! Like everyone else here im just a tech fan mate
JazonX said:
Same thoughts here, Probably an employee made the opening post to promote something.
So far Aurora + ApkPure is the best combination for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi mate - do u use a P40 phone at the moment?
Has Aurora and APK Pure got everything you need? Need to look at Petal to see if itll make life easier or harder!
Aside from the obvious such as Gmail, certain apps from my Mate 20 Pro won't clone over (slightly weird as they did the first time I copied over but after resetting and cloning again, they won't).
I can't find them using any of the appstores either. Would my best bet be to Google the app names and apk and download them? I guess the limitation of this would be that they may not be that recent and I'd have to do periodic manual searches for new updates?
Tmel14 said:
1. Would my best bet be to Google the app names and apk and download them?
2. I guess the limitation of this would be that they may not be that recent and I'd have to do periodic manual searches for new updates?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. you mean google for the apk of the following appstores ... aurora, apkpure, aptoide, amazon appstore, f-droid ... install of these apk and enjoy your new google play store .. they are all pretty much the same.
2. install updates as per your new replacement 'google play store' .. just use apkpure, aurora, aptoide, amazon appstore, f-droid ... I have them all installed and update my apps using a different appstore everyday just for fun.
go to update, select apps, hit update, install .. same as the google play store.
linux2525 said:
1. you mean google for the apk of the following appstores ... aurora, apkpure, aptoide, amazon appstore, f-droid ... install of these apk and enjoy your new google play store .. they are all pretty much the same.
2. install updates as per your new replacement 'google play store' .. just use apkpure, aurora, aptoide, amazon appstore, f-droid ... I have them all installed and update my apps using a different appstore everyday just for fun.
go to update, select apps, hit update, install .. same as the google play store.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, I was typing that on my phone whilst trying to walk the dog and think it got a bit muddled! I meant for apps that don't clone over and then cannot be found in those appstores? Would I then search for that app's apk in my browser and try and install it that way? Is that safe?
Weirdly, there were some apps that cloned over absolutely fine from my Mate Pro 20 first time and then I reset my P40 Pro and did it again and suddenly a bunch of apps wouldn't clone over... could this be to do with the fact that first time I just cloned over everything whereas second time, I only cloned over some specific settings as opposed to all?
Tmel14 said:
I meant for apps that don't clone over and then cannot be found in those appstores? Would I then search for that app's apk in my browser and try and install it that way? Is that safe?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
interesting .. maybe because they are paid apps perhaps, then they are not available on the appstores?
what apps?
you wont be likely to find an apk if it is a paid app ... but if you can find an apk for a paid app, then i guess it will be a hacked high risk option from a dodgy website.
seems like phone-clone trouble shooting & testing is your best option .. or a GMS install.
linux2525 said:
interesting .. maybe because they are paid apps perhaps, then they are not available on the appstores?
what apps?
you wont be likely to find an apk if it is a paid app ... but if you can find an apk for a paid app, then i guess it will be a hacked high risk option from a dodgy website.
seems like phone-clone trouble shooting & testing is your best option .. or a GMS install.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've just tried again but there are still a range of apps that won't copy over but it's weird as they did the first time I tried - they are not paid apps either. Some of them are betting apps and others are just general apps such as Tripadvisor, Uber, Citymapper...
Message is 'new phone cannot import this data'
Tmel14 said:
I've just tried again but there are still a range of apps that won't copy over but it's weird as they did the first time I tried - they are not paid apps either. Some of them are betting apps and others are just general apps such as Tripadvisor, Uber, Citymapper...
Message is 'new phone cannot import this data'
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tripadvisor is on apkpure appstore, aurora appstore, etc .. why do you need to phone-clone?
linux2525 said:
Tripadvisor is on apkpure appstore, aurora appstore, etc .. why do you need to phone-clone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That was more just an example as not all of those apps are available on those stores. I'm wondering if it has anything to do with location services as that appears to be a common denominator for a lot of those apps.
Tmel14 said:
That was more just an example as not all of those apps are available on those stores. I'm wondering if it has anything to do with location services as that appears to be a common denominator for a lot of those apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know the answer but all your x3 examples are on the apkpure appstore .. so who cares about the phone-clone? is it better on an appstore, so you can update easily.
Tmel14 said:
Aside from the obvious such as Gmail, certain apps from my Mate 20 Pro won't clone over (slightly weird as they did the first time I copied over but after resetting and cloning again, they won't).
I can't find them using any of the appstores either. Would my best bet be to Google the app names and apk and download them? I guess the limitation of this would be that they may not be that recent and I'd have to do periodic manual searches for new updates?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you go on app gallery and download the petal app, ive just searched 'google' and theres a fair few on there that'll do it, diolch.
Thanks, it appears to be the betting apps (e.g. SkyBet that are a bit harder to find, or when found, don't work). I'm still confused as to why lots of the apps transferred over fine last time but won't now.
Going to reset the phone, install Micro-G, clone over my apps and see how I get on with the phone and notifications over the next couple of days and then decide whether I feel I need GMS in order to be able to enjoy the phone.
One thing I will say out of the box is that the battery does not seem as immense as my Mate Pro 20's was when I first bought that... although I suppose cloning everything over is probably quite heavy duty work.
ChrisHtube said:
I get where you are coming from. Personally i like Petal as it draws from multiple app stores giving larger reach. I think it comes down to personal preference, but still a cool app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's the point I was trying to get to, why have loads of different apps when you can have 1 hubbed app.
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