HI Guys,
I'm a bit concerned about Android releasing an update that will allow this to happen at OS level in the background.
I want to also remove myself from Google, Play store, etc. I only use my phone for the camera, making calls and signal app. No FB, no email, etc.
What's the best way to do this? I have a Samsung S10.
Just jailbreak it and install a custom image? Is it possible to load signal on the phone from a file rather than google play?
Thanks for any info,
Pooloss.
Related
I bought a Chinese Android phone for my father, Pioneer E80W which runs Android 4.0.4. It works great except for one big problem - it has been de-googled!!! This is obviously a huge problem, as you cannot load a google account on there, so cannot sync contacts, cannot load Google play on there, Google Maps etc etc. It seems even if you find the APK file for a Google app, it won't install properly, whereas some from other developers will work.
I guess part of fixing it will be to root the phone, but Superoneclick says it is already rooted. This has made a great phone pretty useless. Help!!!!
Also, to double check, does anybody know a reliable source of apk files for things like Google Play as I always seem to get dragged into spammy sites that insist I load other software etc etc.
Hi ... I'm a n00b when it comes to phone hacks but not technology so please don't dumb your answers down on account of me.
We bought two Tmobile Samsung Avants a cpl days ago (one to use and one as a spare) because the price was right and I'm leaving a WM device for Android. HOWEVER I don't like the idea that Google, who has no personal or business relationship with me, has access to all my personal information just because I'm using a phone they've branded. So I'm looking for an Android ROM that doesn't have Google tentacles in it.
I've been researching this since we got the phones but I'm not clear on what ROMS are avail for my phone ... it doesn't look like cyanogenmod has one (although they have one for my gf's old Exhibit T599!! ) - is there a repository, website or thread I haven't found that has a list of what's out there? am I stuck rooting the phone and MANUALLY removing everything? The phones have Kitkat installed.
I saw a youtube vid where they've ported Lollipop to the Avant - would that come de-Googled?
Do Android ROMs from Android come without a Google footprint? Some users have posted that Android as an independent company is not necessarily Google and their OS is NOT a Google product so my thoughts are you can have one without the other.
Any help / info is appreciated. thanks!
master-richie said:
Hi ... I'm a n00b when it comes to phone hacks but not technology so please don't dumb your answers down on account of me.
We bought two Tmobile Samsung Avants a cpl days ago (one to use and one as a spare) because the price was right and I'm leaving a WM device for Android. HOWEVER I don't like the idea that Google, who has no personal or business relationship with me, has access to all my personal information just because I'm using a phone they've branded. So I'm looking for an Android ROM that doesn't have Google tentacles in it.
I've been researching this since we got the phones but I'm not clear on what ROMS are avail for my phone ... it doesn't look like cyanogenmod has one (although they have one for my gf's old Exhibit T599!! ) - is there a repository, website or thread I haven't found that has a list of what's out there? am I stuck rooting the phone and MANUALLY removing everything? The phones have Kitkat installed.
I saw a youtube vid where they've ported Lollipop to the Avant - would that come de-Googled?
Do Android ROMs from Android come without a Google footprint? Some users have posted that Android as an independent company is not necessarily Google and their OS is NOT a Google product so my thoughts are you can have one without the other.
Any help / info is appreciated. thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a project that doesnt have google stuff but you lose alot. Like no app store and things like that. Also Android is a google project. Like WP is by microsoft.
No there is no site like you are looking for.
Android is not a company but an OS like IOS, Windows, Linux and such.
The issue is mainly that if your device is not widely used then there may not be anything available for it. You also need to find out if the bootloader is locked or not and if kernel source is available for the device.
Google doesnt brand phones persay. The android operating system is theirs.
master-richie said:
Hi ... I'm a n00b when it comes to phone hacks but not technology so please don't dumb your answers down on account of me.
We bought two Tmobile Samsung Avants a cpl days ago (one to use and one as a spare) because the price was right and I'm leaving a WM device for Android. HOWEVER I don't like the idea that Google, who has no personal or business relationship with me, has access to all my personal information just because I'm using a phone they've branded. So I'm looking for an Android ROM that doesn't have Google tentacles in it.
I've been researching this since we got the phones but I'm not clear on what ROMS are avail for my phone ... it doesn't look like cyanogenmod has one (although they have one for my gf's old Exhibit T599!! ) - is there a repository, website or thread I haven't found that has a list of what's out there? am I stuck rooting the phone and MANUALLY removing everything? The phones have Kitkat installed.
I saw a youtube vid where they've ported Lollipop to the Avant - would that come de-Googled?
Do Android ROMs from Android come without a Google footprint? Some users have posted that Android as an independent company is not necessarily Google and their OS is NOT a Google product so my thoughts are you can have one without the other.
Any help / info is appreciated. thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google has not shown itself to be a malicious company. Is it a little creepy that they know everything about you? Yes. Will it make your user experience better? Probably. When you flash a custom ROM it removes all of the Google apps but the Google apps are really useful. Play Store, Maps, Gmail (can store all your contacts so if you get a new phone you can just import them), etc. are all very useful in my opinion. I don't personally need Google Music for example so I deleted that. All of my music comes through Spotify and Bandcamp downloads. But I can't imagine my phone without the Play Store and Gmail. It would make the experience very annoying. Cyanogen Inc. is looking into pushing their ROMs on to retail Android phones so the phone would come with Cyanogenmod and have their own equivalent to GApps. But, that won't happen for a while. The best bet to get Google out of your hair is to root it and delete the apps you don't need, or use SlimRom.
Edit: Make sure your phone is the same model as the ones that SlimRom is created for.
dictatorkara said:
Google has not shown itself to be a malicious company. Is it a little creepy that they know everything about you? Yes. Will it make your user experience better? Probably. When you flash a custom ROM it removes all of the Google apps but the Google apps are really useful. Play Store, Maps, Gmail (can store all your contacts so if you get a new phone you can just import them), etc. are all very useful in my opinion. I don't personally need Google Music for example so I deleted that. All of my music comes through Spotify and Bandcamp downloads. But I can't imagine my phone without the Play Store and Gmail. It would make the experience very annoying. Cyanogen Inc. is looking into pushing their ROMs on to retail Android phones so the phone would come with Cyanogenmod and have their own equivalent to GApps. But, that won't happen for a while. The best bet to get Google out of your hair is to root it and delete the apps you don't need, or use SlimRom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is not true. Even without gapps there are still many google base system files that are built into the system. There is only one Google-less project that is being worked on but they do have issues as the OS is not built to run without them. Even Slim Rom still use alot of googles stuff.
zelendel said:
This is not true. Even without gapps there are still many google base system files that are built into the system. There is only one Google-less project that is being worked on but they do have issues as the OS is not built to run without them. Even Slim Rom still use alot of googles stuff.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't say you can completely de-Google an Android device. But, you can make it appear to be de-Googled, although the system files you mentioned will still be there. But you can completely opt out of Gmail and the like.
dictatorkara said:
I didn't say you can completely de-Google an Android device. But, you can make it appear to be de-Googled, although the system files you mentioned will still be there. But you can completely opt out of Gmail and the like.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used to have an IT company not too long ago and I run a bunch of commercial grade servers in my house - My needs aren't the same as the typical phone user with respect to data redundancy, cloud computing, etc - I have that capability already. I pretty much use my phone to snap photos, internet browsing, texting, making calls and sometimes use the gps when driving. What I don't need is a copy of all my activity, contacts, calls, texts and browsing history stored on google servers to be sold or given to entities that I a. wouldn't consent to b. have no clue it's happening.
I don't really care if there is a Google footprint left in the phone, I just want to remove Google's ability to mine my personal data from my phone which also includes registering my device via a google+ account.
With respect to playstore, isn't Aptoid a suitable alternative?
What is SlimROM? where can I get more info on it? I saw the post you had linked to originally which prompted me to post my OP because I couldn't find any other info on it
master-richie said:
I used to have an IT company not too long ago and I run a bunch of commercial grade servers in my house - My needs aren't the same as the typical phone user with respect to data redundancy, cloud computing, etc - I have that capability already. I pretty much use my phone to snap photos, internet browsing, texting, making calls and sometimes use the gps when driving. What I don't need is a copy of all my activity, contacts, calls, texts and browsing history stored on google servers to be sold or given to entities that I a. wouldn't consent to b. have no clue it's happening.
I don't really care if there is a Google footprint left in the phone, I just want to remove Google's ability to mine my personal data from my phone which also includes registering my device via a google+ account.
With respect to playstore, isn't Aptoid a suitable alternative?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No Dont use that. They are all warez and are known for including data miners, Keyloggers and screen recorders.
Ill be honest. You picked the wrong OS for that then. GPS itself uses google software to connect to the satalites.
This is your best option
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1715375
Hello, all!
I was given a Gear S2 for Christmas today! Very polished, and nice UI. Also the battery life has been quite acceptable, with constant use and tinkering all day.
It was actually a completely unexpected gift... I'd been thinking of getting a smartwatch of some kind, and was looking to probably get one next year. As such, I hadn't researched them any.
My ideas of what I could do with a smartwatch, was basically using it as, of course, a watch, in addition to the functions of Google Now (reminders, music control, navigation, etc., as an extension of my phone).
Unfortunately, this nice little piece of technology seems to be 100% devoid of anything Google-related (and that is the eco-system I like, am familiar with, and have been using).
Is there any workaround to get Google Now working on it? I've got the "Wearable Widgets" app, and that allows me to call on Google Now when the phone's screen is on, or if it's plugged in. Also, I've been unable to find out an easy way to use navigation on the watch.
Any ideas if these things are possible? If I can get it working the way I imagine, that would be ideal over trying to get an exchange.
Not to familiar with the whole tizen eco system, but reading your post is making me think that you should go for another watch.
You said, that your '"home" are google services. There may be workarounds possible, but you will always have to deal with these.
I would really consider to exchange it if possible
S-voice is a weak point of the Gear S2, and there's no way I know of to replace it with google now voice recognition. There are nav apps, both the Samsung-supported Here we go and some 3rd party ones that optionally use google maps data like Gear Navigator. If you make sure to check Google and Google plus apps in the list of notifications, you can get cards and related info from google sent to your watch. And the music controls on the watch allow you to control most music apps on the phone (google music, spotify, podcast apps, etc.); you have to set the app on the watch to play music on the phone, instead of tracks stored on the watch. So there's a lot you can do, but it's true that if you want seamless integration with the google universe, android wear will deliver much more.
http://forums.androidcentral.com/samsung-gear-s2/599771-list-apps-work-gear-s2-please-add-here.html
ElectroPulse said:
Hello, all!
I was given a Gear S2 for Christmas today! Very polished, and nice UI. Also the battery life has been quite acceptable, with constant use and tinkering all day.
It was actually a completely unexpected gift... I'd been thinking of getting a smartwatch of some kind, and was looking to probably get one next year. As such, I hadn't researched them any.
My ideas of what I could do with a smartwatch, was basically using it as, of course, a watch, in addition to the functions of Google Now (reminders, music control, navigation, etc., as an extension of my phone).
Unfortunately, this nice little piece of technology seems to be 100% devoid of anything Google-related (and that is the eco-system I like, am familiar with, and have been using).
Is there any workaround to get Google Now working on it? I've got the "Wearable Widgets" app, and that allows me to call on Google Now when the phone's screen is on, or if it's plugged in. Also, I've been unable to find out an easy way to use navigation on the watch.
Any ideas if these things are possible? If I can get it working the way I imagine, that would be ideal over trying to get an exchange.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What phone are you pairing it with.
Hi Folks,
I recently received a UMIDIGI Z2 Special Edition. Yesterday, I finally got around to downloading and applying all the available OTA updates. I was hoping that there could be a way to do the updates via sharing my Laptops Internet connection to a USB port.
It is my first Android phone. I haven't used it yet as I need to get a compatible SIM chip. Meanwhile, I am still using an old Apple 3GS.
I have been trying to find a comprehensive Android User Guide for Beginners but with no luck. Can someone point me in the right direction please?
I do not want to use any Google applications, like Gmail, Chrome, Drive etc (I may have to keep the Play Store app though.) nor Facebook, Twitter, Instagram nor any others that the "Powers that shouldn't be" use to monitor, exploit and manipulate the masses for the benefit of the elitist scum that are still "pulling the strings" on our home (Mother Earth).
So, I would appreciate your recommendations for alternative applications that are completely private.
I want to remove the aforementioned Google apps.
Which are the best Alternative App Stores?
What other applications are recommended for everyday use?
I will be using the phone for Email, Browsing, SMS Messaging, Phone Calls, Photos, Language Dictionaries/Translation, Maps.
Many thanks, MTB.
Dear forum members,
im new to the whole "custom ROM"-theme and im rly excited about it. As you can imagine im kinda overwhelmed with all the info i found on youtube and other platforms.
Im on an Honor 9 phone. My wife is on an iPhone 6. We both got into the topic privacy and security recently, so i found Robert Braxman on Youtube, a techie guy who makes videos about custom ROMs, linux phones and so on. I found it very interesting, especially in times of mobile phone tracing, that it's possible to opt-out of the whole privacy madness, for example with an ubuntu touch phone or an de-googled android phone.
So i got a nexus 9 and managed to install Ubuntu Touch on it. It works great but my problem is, that i need certain android apps, that i cant find on Ubuntu Touch. To be precise, i work professionally on Instagram with my business, so i need a possibility to use the Story and the Live Stream feature. Now im thinking about what to do.
I found e-foundation on the internet and i think it's impressive what they do. Do you think in my situation it's a good solution, to get 1 or 2 de googled e foundation phones so we can keep working with them? Or would the whole Instagram think be stupid, because we would have to install google play store to download it, so the whole privacy advantage is gone again? Or is there maybe a solution to install instagram without having to install google play store and to USE instagram without having to log in with an gmail account. I've read something about microg or so, but i dont know what it is!
Sorry for my rly long text, but i think it's good, to describe my struggle as precise as possible for you guys!
Thanks and regards!
johnthreesixteen said:
Dear forum members,
im new to the whole "custom ROM"-theme and im rly excited about it. As you can imagine im kinda overwhelmed with all the info i found on youtube and other platforms.
Im on an Honor 9 phone. My wife is on an iPhone 6. We both got into the topic privacy and security recently, so i found Robert Braxman on Youtube, a techie guy who makes videos about custom ROMs, linux phones and so on. I found it very interesting, especially in times of mobile phone tracing, that it's possible to opt-out of the whole privacy madness, for example with an ubuntu touch phone or an de-googled android phone.
So i got a nexus 9 and managed to install Ubuntu Touch on it. It works great but my problem is, that i need certain android apps, that i cant find on Ubuntu Touch. To be precise, i work professionally on Instagram with my business, so i need a possibility to use the Story and the Live Stream feature. Now im thinking about what to do.
I found e-foundation on the internet and i think it's impressive what they do. Do you think in my situation it's a good solution, to get 1 or 2 de googled e foundation phones so we can keep working with them? Or would the whole Instagram think be stupid, because we would have to install google play store to download it, so the whole privacy advantage is gone again? Or is there maybe a solution to install instagram without having to install google play store and to USE instagram without having to log in with an gmail account. I've read something about microg or so, but i dont know what it is!
Sorry for my rly long text, but i think it's good, to describe my struggle as precise as possible for you guys!
Thanks and regards!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't have to download Instagram from the Google playstore, there are many sites that host the app for download, such as, APKmirror.
As for logging into Instagram with a Google account, if Instagram has an option that allows logging in with a non Google account, you can log in with a non Google account. If all they support is logging in with Google then you are stuck using a Google account which then robs you of privacy from Google at least as far as Instagram is concerned.
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