Database Info

The status of Android without a Google Account

Hi everyone,
I have been researching and I've compiled a list of all the options available to use an Android device with Cyanogenmod without a Google account and I was wondering if anyone has a better solution considering the options I've found are all lacking.
Here is what I found including the issues for each option:
- Amazon web store (Not every app is available)
- Third party repositories, like apkmirror (Security implications of running apk that anyone can upload)
- F-Droid (Not every app is available)
- Getting the apps I need from the play store once and then backup the apks with a file manager (No updates) or I am going to need a different phone with a Google account and the play store.
Moral of the story, it's not easy to run an android phone without a google account.
Ps. A solution that I think could work (but I wasn't able to find a project that works) is an open source apk downloader (maybe on github) that get the apps straight from google via command line but all the projects I've seen are either out of date or not working...
Any suggestion is really appreciated! Thank you all!

Keep an android device with google play installed, then move the apks of things i really want, or bought already.
But honestly, after some choices I've made (running my own dropbox-like service on my server) I could definitely live with just F-Droid. Of course I'm not using some stuff like facebook or snapchat, so my needs in terms of apps isn't as extensive as others. Sometimes it does feel like i'm hamstrung when the next new fad comes and goes, but I'll live without them.

surfinpika said:
Keep an android device with google play installed, then move the apks of things i really want, or bought already.
But honestly, after some choices I've made (running my own dropbox-like service on my server) I could definitely live with just F-Droid. Of course I'm not using some stuff like facebook or snapchat, so my needs in terms of apps isn't as extensive as others. Sometimes it does feel like i'm hamstrung when the next new fad comes and goes, but I'll live without them.
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.

OnePlus 6 without Google services?

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.

Life before Google & After ;)

Hey everyone, I hope everyone reading this thread is safe & well.
So this week I thought I'd ask everyone how they are getting on with HMS over GMS with some additional details -
For myself I was moulded by Google Mobile Services it is every well made, streamlined and efficient for day to day use and tweaking myself to use Huawei Mobile Services has been the better end of okay but still some major tweaks needed such as -
Apps / Services need to be located in one pre loaded folder
Services need to be shouted about more
Mapping services aligned to apps - such as Uber It would be nice to see driver's ETA
In app purchasing
For me these are key devolvement's and hope Huawei is working on these for update in 2020, What are you missing from GMS to HMS and how has the transition been for you?
Look forward to your answers

one thing im missing, Barclays banking and that's it! I can cast to a smart TV, I can do youtube/spotify etc just need to be able to control the wife spending the joint account savings! #fact

Barclays Banking - I'm happy enough to use it via the browser for the time being, as it's an app I only use a few times a month but would be nice to see added!
YouTube via Browser just isn't a full time solution for me - discovering Vanced has been a saviour (it's now on my P30 Pro too)
Google Drive and Photos was one that I didn't think I used at all, but is one of those things upon using a HMS device you realise you do! (Drive for WhatsApp backup and Photos was a nice background back up I never thought about) - I have since swapped over to Huawei's cloud making use of the 50GB free for 1 year offer and I've been pleasantly surprised at how well made and easy it is to use - not something that can always be said about their in-house solutions if we're being honest.
Google Maps was never used as navigation for me but more for visualising routes via a browser search - which it still works via - Have always used Waze or in car Sat Nav.
Never been interested in NFC payments and assistants, but will be interest to give them a go once Celia? and Huawei Pay improve/go live!

Tech_Droid1 said:
Hey everyone, I hope everyone reading this thread is safe & well.
So this week I thought I'd ask everyone how they are getting on with HMS over GMS with some additional details -
For myself I was moulded by Google Mobile Services it is every well made, streamlined and efficient for day to day use and tweaking myself to use Huawei Mobile Services has been the better end of okay but still some major tweaks needed such as -
Apps / Services need to be located in one pre loaded folder
Services need to be shouted about more
Mapping services aligned to apps - such as Uber It would be nice to see driver's ETA
In app purchasing
For me these are key devolvement's and hope Huawei is working on these for update in 2020, What are you missing from GMS to HMS and how has the transition been for you?
Look forward to your answers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting read, my take on it is that services are already pre loaded in to a folder like music, video, themes, health which is cool. apps as we now know can be sourced via petal search but it would be good if that was preinstalled, which i believe is starting to happen. Uber is one to be looked at. but you do now have bolt which does them same thing and can be found in App store. Services have a fairly big exposure already. Its on FB, Insta, Tiktok, TV adds. what else do you feel they could be doing?
Hope you are having a good day.

For me the biggest thing I am missing is the starbucks app. I am guessing that it works via GMS mapping. But just after it for my reward cards.

dw9075n said:
For me the biggest thing I am missing is the starbucks app. I am guessing that it works via GMS mapping. But just after it for my reward cards.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
can you not add in to your 'wallet' on the phone

EatSleepTechRepeat said:
one thing im missing, Barclays banking and that's it! I can cast to a smart TV, I can do youtube/spotify etc just need to be able to control the wife spending the joint account savings! #fact
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
haha, love your comment. I now a few people who are just using the online banking until its working.

EatSleepTechRepeat said:
one thing im missing, Barclays banking and that's it! I can cast to a smart TV, I can do youtube/spotify etc just need to be able to control the wife spending the joint account savings! #fact
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tell me about it Barclays needs to join the party soon for the exact same reason
how are you chrome casting? When I hit the screen share button on YTVR nothing seems to happen?

ChrisHtube said:
Interesting read, my take on it is that services are already pre loaded in to a folder like music, video, themes, health which is cool. apps as we now know can be sourced via petal search but it would be good if that was preinstalled, which i believe is starting to happen. Uber is one to be looked at. but you do now have bolt which does them same thing and can be found in App store. Services have a fairly big exposure already. Its on FB, Insta, Tiktok, TV adds. what else do you feel they could be doing?
Hope you are having a good day.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Petal Search Find Apps is great hands down, I have used Bolt and it is great to have this app on board so early as Bolt is going to be the next best thing for Uber like services also having the big branded apps on board is great.
I think (probably is happening in the background) HMS should be bringing in app purchases, mapping system in line app usage for apps like Pokémon Go / Uber etc
It would also be great to see App Gallery on app commercials like how it says available on Google Play Store, Apple Store etc this gets the brand out in to the public domain a lot more.

dw9075n said:
For me the biggest thing I am missing is the starbucks app. I am guessing that it works via GMS mapping. But just after it for my reward cards.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh well, Neros is better anyway I'm still old school with the stamp cards but makes me wonder if theirs will work or not too!

EatSleepTechRepeat said:
can you not add in to your 'wallet' on the phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have tried the only issue is that i have not got a physical card. always been digital.

ChrisHtube said:
Interesting read, my take on it is that services are already pre loaded in to a folder like music, video, themes, health which is cool. apps as we now know can be sourced via petal search but it would be good if that was preinstalled, which i believe is starting to happen. Uber is one to be looked at. but you do now have bolt which does them same thing and can be found in App store. Services have a fairly big exposure already. Its on FB, Insta, Tiktok, TV adds. what else do you feel they could be doing?
Hope you are having a good day.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I suppose with uber can you still use the site for it? I don't have uber in south wales!

EatSleepTechRepeat said:
I suppose with uber can you still use the site for it? I don't have uber in south wales!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Still waiting for Deliveroo in this town :laugh:

I have GMS installed and suppressed all playstore notifications to avoid constant errors. II keep getting at random when I try to register the email and it checks Google " your device id is not registered" and some apps doesn't work as they can't find Google play services framework. But able to get netflix, YouTube vanced, Gmail (using huawei mail app) to work.

skyisblue79 said:
I have GMS installed and suppressed all playstore notifications to avoid constant errors. II keep getting at random when I try to register the email and it checks Google " your device id is not registered" and some apps doesn't work as they can't find Google play services framework. But able to get netflix, YouTube vanced, Gmail (using huawei mail app) to work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very interesting SkyIsBlue, are you considered reverting and trying HMS core?>

Tech_Droid1 said:
Very interesting SkyIsBlue, are you considered reverting and trying HMS core?>
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No I will still keep GMS as play store is still working and I'm able to access my paid apps. Guess I will live with this error till some better fix comes up.

Google app bundle

Ultramanoid said:
Google now wants to kill the .apk, and turn all Android applications into Play Store "bundles", even asking developers to hand over the signing keys.
Google Play dumps APKs for the more Google-controlled “Android App Bundle”
Starting in August, new apps will need to turn over their signing keys to Google.
arstechnica.com
That's something I would pay to NOT have.
Now, THAT would be a very big difference between Silver and XDA versions. I hope there'll always be an independent, Google-free MiX over here, signed by Hootan only.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know whether to [complain bitterly; original word choice asterisked out] about Google or ArsTechnica: Google will "allow" a developer to retain a copy of the private key that the developer uploaded to Google?
Is there really no hope that developers will tell Google to pound sand?

J.Michael said:
I don't know whether to [complain bitterly; original word choice asterisked out] about Google or ArsTechnica: Google will "allow" a developer to retain a copy of the private key that the developer uploaded to Google?
Is there really no hope that developers will tell Google to pound sand?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ars also keeps track of projects Google kills and mocks them for it aaaall the time, to be fair.
No one prevents developers from making single APKs at present, but maintaining two versions, one for Play, one outside, is already giving them more work.
For some it may be worth it. For others, they're probably going to stick to the "rules" and give it all up.
Google might eventually just prevent Android from using "old" APK formats. But that'd be years away at any rate. Thank Android's glacial update pace. ( Compared to other OSes, such a big chunk of users of Android is on older versions, that it's not realistic to impose drastic changes such as this. )
Then again, Google changes its mind about things all the time. We'll see how this plays out. Horrible pun intended. I don't think any developer can take Google seriously about anything at this point.
( Personally I just use XDA, GitHub and F-Droid. No Play, no Google services, applications, or anything. And have for years now. Hope it doesn't affect us Google-free-freaks too much. )

Ultramanoid said:
...
No one prevents developers from making single APKs at present, but maintaining two versions, one for Play, one outside, is already giving them more work.
...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My idea of telling Google to pound sand is to refuse to deal with this app bundle crap. In an ideal world, Google would be left with no apps worth having.
No, I'm not holding my breath.

J.Michael said:
My idea of telling Google to pound sand is to refuse to deal with this app bundle crap. In an ideal world, Google would be left with no apps worth having.
No, I'm not holding my breath.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wish the Android Open Source Project had real teeth. I think that would solve all issues.
And then Google, or Samsung, or any other company, same as they do with Linux, could build whatever services they wish on top and profit, kill, steal, whatever it is they do. But users could have a choice not to be used themselves -- or be, if they don't care, and developers as well not to be treated as they are today. I mean, Play takes a 30% cut from your profit, tells you what you can do and how, and now your signing keys, too, please ? What the hell.
Unfortunately other than Lineage and their builds, nowadays, there is no other option when it comes to a functional Android other than Google's version of it.
AOSP is barely a skeleton. Google has been slowly killing it, removing more and more from it, or rather, moving functionality to their own services. Location for instance was long ago part of AOSP, and then they moved it to their proprietary bits. Same with everything else.

Why Google Play's APK replacement is scaring some security experts
Google Play will soon force developers to upload App Bundles instead of APKs, raising uncomfortable security questions about the requirement.
www.xda-developers.com

sd_shadow said:
Why Google Play's APK replacement is scaring some security experts
Google Play will soon force developers to upload App Bundles instead of APKs, raising uncomfortable security questions about the requirement.
www.xda-developers.com
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"Look, we've been charging you to tell you how to dress your kids. But now, since our house is safer, we really must insist that they move in with us. Don't worry, you can come visit whenever you like."

Question Am I better off just debloating google apps?

I means systemly removing them maybe keeping ones I want? I got all the major ones removed except for Google play services on stock rom. Replaced google camera with open camera and replaced google photos with lineage gallery. That way I can still have some google apps in some form. I deleted YouTube and music and just added them as third party apps instead that I can uninstall. It's easier than installing a custom ROM these days.

Temporarily disable* Google play Services when not needed. Gmail, Google backup and Playstore are dependencies of it. That may increase your SOT by a couple percentage an hour.
* uncheck find my device as system Administrator first in security. Otherwise Google play Services disable option may be grayed out.

why not degoogle? do you rely on google play services for something?
you can gain tons of performance, battery life and privacy without the google play services, and for me its worked fine with aurora store and f-droid.

Can I get signature spoofing with micro g using stock firmware? If so how? I wanna get signature spoofing with youtube for when I'm out in public.

RDS5 said:
why not degoogle? do you rely on google play services for something?
you can gain tons of performance, battery life and privacy without the google play services, and for me its worked fine with aurora store and f-droid.
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