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Multiple Users within Honeycomb[Discussion][Solution]

This thread is dedicated to discussing the possibilities and implementation of multiple user profiles within Honeycomb.
A phone is a very "personal" device. There are very few people in your life, if any, with whom you'd simply leave your unlocked phone with for any extended amount of time. Your Google account is very closely tied to you. Gmail, Talk, browsing history, text messages, call history, all easily accessible through your phone.
What about your tablet? Do you want any one who picks up your tablet to allow access to all of this private information? Probably not.
Obviously, I have a Google account which I could tie to both my Xoom and my G2. If I was the only person using each device, this would be acceptable. But I am not. My significant other also has an Android phone, and of course, her own Google account. So whose account did I register my Xoom with? Neither. I created a neutral Google account to be used with the Xoom.
This means I do not have access to my purchased apps, or integrated access to the Gmail app, my browser bookmarks, and many other features considered to be benefits of Android.
Solution? How about access to multiple user profiles from the lock screen? Imagine being able to choose from individual profiles, Google accounts, before entering the OS. Using a pin, pattern or password, you could then enter you own specific profile, with full access to your apps, accounts and settings, even your own customized home screen. How about creating a "guest" account for visitors? An account with no Google profile, or even a dummy account for protected access to the browser, apps and other features, without sacrificing your privacy.
I'm aware of a few tools, like password protecting specific apps and such, but I'd like to start a discussion sharing your experiences in this regard and possible solutions.
I know I am not the only one in this situation. A phone is a very personal device. The tablet shouldn't have to be.
EDIT: POSSIBLE SOLUTION
After playing around with the idea, I think I may have found a streamlined solution that's easy and fast. First: Have a neutral account.
Using Bettercut, I created two shortcuts on the home screen. ADW allows access to system shortcuts as well, and I am sure there are a few others.
One shortcut I created, called Sign-In, takes you directly to the Add Account page, using the system setting shortcut. From here, simply click Google, then sign in. It says it will take up to 5 minutes to sync, but I have found it to take more like 5 seconds. Two clicks and signing in is all it takes. Open Gmail, you will find your newly added account, clicking in the upper right hand corner allows you to change accounts within the App. In the market, you can choose which account to use. Choosing my personal account allows me access to my previously purchased apps.
But how about when my session is done?
The second shortcut, called Sign-Out, takes you directly to the Accounts and Sync page within settings. Click on the account you wish to sign out of, then remove account. Two clicks. No more access to gmail, talk or any other personal info. And guess what? My previously purchased and installed apps still work!
This is by no means perfect, but I'll be honest, it's a lot easier than I thought it would be when I posed this question to the community.
Try it out, see how it works for you. Post questions in the thread.

FuzeAction said:
Solution? How about access to multiple user profiles from the lock screen? Imagine being able to choose from individual profiles, Google accounts, before entering the OS. Using a pin, pattern or password, you could then enter you own specific profile, with full access to your apps, accounts and settings, even your own customized home screen. How about creating a "guest" account for visitors? An account with no Google profile, or even a dummy account for protected access to the browser, apps and other features, without sacrificing your privacy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This... would be awesome. And put us one step closer to handheld computing over desktop computing. Well, at least when you're on the go you'll want to do more tablet computing than laptop computing.

I agree that tabs should be more "social" devices. My SWAG is that as these mobile OS'es mature, that will be true. As of now, both Android & iOS are still in the toddler stage. Many more important features are missing, eg networking and peripheral connectivity. Most Android tabs don't even have USB host mode.
I disagree that this is a discussion. It's more of a shoulda-coulda. I think you're preaching to the choir, as I can't imagine anyone disagreeing with you. But the only one can do anything about it is Google. I think the solution is, as with most things, time.

when koush releases his recovery you could have multiple nandroids 1 for you 1 for your SO and then just backup and restore it would probably be less than 5 min between saving and swapping on my nexus S i imagine it should be about the same for the xoom its not ideal but its better than nothing

godsfilth said:
when koush releases his recovery you could have multiple nandroids 1 for you 1 for your SO and then just backup and restore it would probably be less than 5 min between saving and swapping on my nexus S i imagine it should be about the same for the xoom its not ideal but its better than nothing
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is obviously less than ideal, but it is indeed a solution. If the process could be streamlined with a single button push, I could see potential, but waiting any longer than the standard boot time would be cumbersome.
I have tried adding/removing Google accounts in the settings. Does anyone have experience with this in regards to App accessibility? If I sign in to my personal google account, download a previously purchased app from the market, the remove my google account, will I still have access to the app?

SOLUTION
After playing around with the idea, I think I may have found a streamlined solution that's easy and fast. First: Have a neutral account.
Using Bettercut, I created two shortcuts on the home screen. ADW allows access to system shortcuts as well, and I am sure there are a few others.
One shortcut I created, called Sign-In, takes you directly to the Add Account page, using the system setting shortcut. From here, simply click Google, then sign in. It says it will take up to 5 minutes to sync, but I have found it to take more like 5 seconds. Two clicks and signing in is all it takes. Open Gmail, you will find your newly added account, clicking in the upper right hand corner allows you to change accounts within the App. In the market, you can choose which account to use. Choosing my personal account allows me access to my previously purchased apps.
But how about when my session is done?
The second shortcut, called Sign-Out, takes you directly to the Accounts and Sync page within settings. Click on the account you wish to sign out of, then remove account. Two clicks. No more access to gmail, talk or any other personal info. And guess what? My previously purchased and installed apps still work!
This is by no means perfect, but I'll be honest, it's a lot easier than I thought it would be when I posed this question to the community.
Try it out, see how it works for you. Post questions in the thread.

Just a note the Ipad version of Facebook allows multiple accounts. When you start it it lets you pick which account you want to use. Pretty sure your account can be password protected.
not that I like Ipad I am just saying I wish android had that so my wife could use the tablet to do her facebook. (Yes I realize the full facebook web page works great from Xoom browser and she can log in using that)
Also when I let me 4 year old have the tablet to play games I Wish I could at least password protect the market to keep him from buying games. He could go crazy one day and buy like $100 worth of games real quick.
I can understand why google hasn't implemented it yet. It complicates everything a lot having multiple users.
I know their are workaround android apps that let you password protect your launcher so some apps require a password to launch.
Dan

despich said:
Just a note the Ipad version of Facebook allows multiple accounts. When you start it it lets you pick which account you want to use. Pretty sure your account can be password protected.
not that I like Ipad I am just saying I wish android had that so my wife could use the tablet to do her facebook. (Yes I realize the full facebook web page works great from Xoom browser and she can log in using that)
Dan
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Uh, sounds to me like that is EXACTLY what you were saying. I myself cannot wait till a forum mod finds this and boots your sorry ass off for it too! My only hope is that a few people read this and flame your but from here to a crappy mac forum first!
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Morkai Almandragon said:
Uh, sounds to me like that is EXACTLY what you were saying. I myself cannot wait till a forum mod finds this and boots your sorry ass off for it too! My only hope is that a few people read this and flame your but from here to a crappy mac forum first!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Problem???

Ok, lets not turn the xoom forum into /b/ plox

generic.imitation said:
Ok, lets not turn the xoom forum into /b/ plox
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What is /b/?
rules 1 & 2

Here's the problem I see with this: Apps.
Your apps are tied to the google account you use to sync. If you purchase an app on account A, account B cannot use that app. It would mean purchasing multiple applications for the same device to allow users to switch back and forth.
This isn't a desktop, android wasn't meant for multiple users.
It would be more advantageous to limit logins in the respective application, like Facebook. Sign into the facebook app, and sign out of the facebook app when your done. When the next person opens the app, it asks for a login.
Having multiple google accounts to sync to just for a few social network apps or email doesn't seem worthwhile to me. I don't want to have to login and out every time I want to check my email or play a game.

Sirchuk said:
Here's the problem I see with this: Apps.
Your apps are tied to the google account you use to sync. If you purchase an app on account A, account B cannot use that app. It would mean purchasing multiple applications for the same device to allow users to switch back and forth.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have actually found that even after I have removed my personal google account, the one with the purchased apps, I still have access to those purchased applications with the neutral account, even after a reboot.
Adding/Removing the Google accounts in the settings turns out to be a pretty painless and reliable solution, I'll report back if I encounter further issues.

FuzeAction said:
I have actually found that even after I have removed my personal google account, the one with the purchased apps, I still have access to those purchased applications with the neutral account, even after a reboot.
Adding/Removing the Google accounts in the settings turns out to be a pretty painless and reliable solution, I'll report back if I encounter further issues.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So whats stopping 10 people from pitching in on a "neutral" account to buy some games/apps, logging into their device, installing those apps, then logging into their personal account and using them?
That would be one hell of a security hole. Is it still considered piracy if X number of people technically share a Google account?
I currently like the fact that if I purchase an app on my phone, I can use it on my Xoom. A hole like this would certainly ruin that and we would start to see device limitations.

Sirchuk said:
So whats stopping 10 people from pitching in on a "neutral" account to buy some games/apps, logging into their device, installing those apps, then logging into their personal account and using them?
That would be one hell of a security hole. Is it still considered piracy if X number of people technically share a Google account?
I currently like the fact that if I purchase an app on my phone, I can use it on my Xoom. A hole like this would certainly ruin that and we would start to see device limitations.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Considering how it easy it is to pirate and sideload Android apps, paid and free, allowing multiple device installation is of limited concern. I have purchased an App, I should be able to do with it what I please and use it on whatever device I choose.
If you want to talk about a security hole, allowing multiple device installation is not it. How about the fact that I can find cracked versions of almost every paid app simply by using a Google search(irony?).
There is nothing stopping multiple people from "sharing" a Google account and thus sharing apps, but at least the dev is getting paid. Why wouldn't they just side-load the apk? Given my specific situation, highlighted in detail in the OP, there is nothing nefarious afoot.
By signing in to my Google account to download purchased apps, I am simply checking in and letting Google know that I own this device as well. If you are looking for ways to manipulate the system, I assure you there are easier ways than what I am doing. Easier and illegal.

FuzeAction said:
...Easier and illegal.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's the final point though. 10 people all pitching in $10 for $100 worth of apps to load onto their Android devices would be considered legal, since they're sharing them and not pirating them. They all paid for a portion of the applications.
I know, it's a small issue regardless. Still, unless it's an application made by Apple, I don't support pirating it.

I posted an issue on android's google code section two weeks ago. The more stars it gets the more likely it is to get attention.
http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=15030

I found a simple solution on my NC for the time being : Dual Boot.
Default Boot : Them . Hold down a key press on boot : Me.
-m

Morkai Almandragon said:
Uh, sounds to me like that is EXACTLY what you were saying. I myself cannot wait till a forum mod finds this and boots your sorry ass off for it too! My only hope is that a few people read this and flame your but from here to a crappy mac forum first!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow I hit a nerve there evidently. Sorry I was not really trying to start a apple vs android discussion, there are plenty of those already on the site. Just pointing out that multiple users on a single tablet have evidently been thought about enough that some apps are starting to support it. Turns out I was wrong the facebook app that supports multiple users is not even a Apple made app so it's likely if/when that app comes to android (hell it may even be here already) it will support multiple facebook accounts.
I think it's likely that tablet apps that need multiple accounts to support multiple people (facebook/twitter/foresquare etc) may build in the ability to switch between accounts easily and workaround the issue of the base OS being designed for a single person.
p.s. Personally I don't own any apple anything but have multiple android devices, including the xoom so I'll let that indicate how I stand.

despich said:
Wow I hit a nerve there evidently. Sorry I was not really trying to start a apple vs android discussion, there are plenty of those already on the site. Just pointing out that multiple users on a single tablet have evidently been thought about enough that some apps are starting to support it. Turns out I was wrong the facebook app that supports multiple users is not even a Apple made app so it's likely if/when that app comes to android (hell it may even be here already) it will support multiple facebook accounts.
I think it's likely that tablet apps that need multiple accounts to support multiple people (facebook/twitter/foresquare etc) may build in the ability to switch between accounts easily and workaround the issue of the base OS being designed for a single person.
p.s. Personally I don't own any apple anything but have multiple android devices, including the xoom so I'll let that indicate how I stand.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought it pretty clear he was joking...

found app that keeps location private from google

found an app called Location Cache Map in market and it seems from what it says that it prevents maps and other apps from setting location data on phone and clears map cache while still allowing full use of GPS functions. i tried it and it worked, though it takes an extra couple seconds to lock on.
seems to work. you can see your stored location data with it even if you dont want to block location cache. interested in hearing from others on if this seems to really be working.

Any aftermarket Rom do this.
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA Premium App

sure if ya delete maps or something. mine always still saved location data on my phone. this lets you use the functions without phone saving cache data. ive never seen this function on any rom ive used. but if so id like to know how and save some time.

Has anyone else tried this?

Google has always kept this type of information---even before android. It's in their terms and conditions. Honestly, anyone who doesn't want to give Google access to this information, shouldn't use their phone.

aczarney said:
Google has always kept this type of information---even before android. It's in their terms and conditions. Honestly, anyone who doesn't want to give Google access to this information, shouldn't use their phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should, at minimum, have the choice to turn it off and delete the data that is stored on your phone readily.

Let's get real, corporations have too much freedom when it comes to using us as pawns. It should be an option to opt out period. I use google stuff cause I like the way it works, they don't need my location for that.
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App

Google's been collecting information rather openly for years. I just don't get why people are surprised they are collecting it with their phones too. It was never really a secret. There's no option to turn it off simply because that's the terms and conditions for use of the phone--that Google is entitled to access to your location as well as other information regarding how you use your phone. It honestly is like they're watching your every move. If you don't want access given to Google for this information, don't use the phone. That's literally your only option, and legally, Google is completely backed up on that. Now apple, that's a different story. But Google has been doing these things ever since Google as a company was created, its actually part of what has allowed them to grow. To know how their services are used and how their users function more or less.

I could really care less. Ask yourself. What is Google going to do with your information besides direct ads based on you interest. As long as Google execs aren't going to come track me down, I could really care less what data they collect. If your worried about people collecting your data then don't ever buy anything off the internet or for that matter, don't ever use a credit card to make purchases.

read this. its a rant but its how it REALLY is.
Grammer and spelling errors warning!!!
its doesnt matter what they are going to do with it. i have a right to privacy. the more you look into your specfic settings for your google and gmail account, the more you'll see that a lot of what they ask for they don't tell you. they allow you to turn it off.... if you even know how to where to find it, or if you even know they are collecting it.
they keep much more than just location and basic data for ads. im not going to get into all of it because theres too much. go look for yourself.
basically these days to have a phone thats fun (smartphone) you are forced to choose iOS or Android. Both are bull**** when it comes to privacy. THATS WHY THEY ARE DEFENDING THERE ASSES IN COURT!!! Just the fact that it has gotten to the point of major national news shows that it isn't just nothing. $500 million lawsuits aren't to be taken lightly.
And it's not just my privacy. Many MANY apps and services including googles require access to many things that the app has absolutely no reason to have. theres a dev in the market called FREE WING go download his persmissions apps named after specific permissions example: READ_PHONE_STATE, it shows you some of what that permission pulls from your phone such as your name, device ID, phone number, contacts, and more. SMS permission had not just the ability to "tell if i get a text" but has, and records, everything that was said, who sent it, and their numbers. or go get an app called "Denied permissions" it will show you how many each app has and break them down and explain a little of how they work. then use it to look at Google Docs app permissions. it shouldn't have the ability to change,delete, modify my account passwords, and that's just one of its BS permissions.
any facebook app that uses facebook to as an alternative log in gives that app by DEFAULT the ability to read my contacts, status, my FRIENDS status and apps they are using, where they also go, their photos, mine, and more (go to the apps privacy settings on facebook to find this stuff). my friends apps one THEIR phone have access to MY personal information, just because we are associated in facebook. NOT COOL! Facebook just told its game devs a couple days ago that they had like a week or something to change their games to prevent 3rd party apps that are associated with their games from accessing or keeping their patrons information while they play their games.
basically it comes down to my information can be accessed by places i didn't give the OK to or even have heard of. google shares information with apps. try reading the privacy polices for apps sometime (go read AppPack's - Highlight app and T-mobile Mall's app privacy policies). its like the fine print that no one ever reads in contracts or car advertisements. its there but no one takes the time.
google used to be a damn search engine. now they own android, google, Google Chrome OS (just came out), admob, and more. im ok with ads. and them having info i know i asked them to hold on to. I can't imagine what dirt someone could find on someone running for president in 10 years. dirty pics from when someone texted them when they were 25, 18, 16. or their online diary they kept for some reason. things they said on a forum, damn i couldn't imagine my old myspace stuff. some of that could get me in to trouble. i was a party animal at the time. ya see where i'm going? wouldn't have posted that stuff 10 years ago if i had known what i know now.
theres enough info of ours unintentionally online and accessible. go google yourself. they don't need my location to boot
don't believe any of this then take some time to read what you are saying ok to. some privacy policies are like when in those cartoons (devil and daniel mouse) the devil asks you to sign a contract in your own blood, but you forgot their was stuff written on the back page.

But you don't have a right to privacy.....you agreed to the terms and conditions of Google's use when you began using your phone. You signed those rights to privacy away when you signed that Google account into your phone (which, in fact is where the agreement to the terms and conditions lie). You installed Google docs and said "yeah, its okay if this app has access to these things." You update your Google apps every release of a new version. Apple is having issues with this yes, but that's because it was never previously a part of their terms, and they were doing it without customers knowledge. Google is not having issues, will not have issues, and presented all that information to you upfront when you signed up for your Google account, well within your buyer's remorse. Likewise, they do have an option to opt out of "Location services" during most device's initial setup procedures. I bet if anyone sued Google, they wouldn't even prepare a case. They'd refer the judge to the terms of your Google account or those permissions you were okay with.
Bottom line, Yes you have your right to privacy. But you can't give away those rights away to Google or Facebook or whoever then complain about it. Those terms and conditions aren't just there for show, they create them for these specific reasons. It'd be like If I gave you my social security number, checking account number, and address and then was shocked when my identity was stolen and went to file a police report. Working for T-Mobile, I hear these types of arguments on a daily basis, but let me just say it hasn't once changed a thing. Once you agree to them, you can't change your mind until the terms are changed and presented to you again.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. If you like privacy, DO NOT USE A SMARTPHONE. You see, I use a smartphone because I could give two ****s less what Google has access to in my phone. There are only 9 numbers I don't want anyone having access to and lets be honest. I highly doubt Google is stealing our SS #'s.

A link to google and it's work it does for the NSA and CIA. They are more than a company pushing Internet mobile ads. Do not do anything with your phone that you do not want recorded and handed over to the government.
http://www.pcworld.com/article/188581/the_googlensa_alliance_questions_and_answers.html
Remember what google and others did to to people yearning for freedom in China.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/15/technology/15cnd-internet.html

If you want Google to let you to remove apps from your market account tell them

I have seen a lot of people with the same issue I have. I download an app from the market, and it sucks so I uninstall... but now It's tied to my account forever.
When I flash, or get a new device, I like to use the web based market to re-install my apps. But I have pages and pages of apps I will never use again.
I proposed the following to Google to fix this.
If you agree that this is a good idea and would like to see this feature.. or if you have a better idea, please let Google know. They will only change this stuff if enough people request it to be changed.
I submitted a request here:
https://support.google.com/androidm...tact_type=market_phone_tablet_web&paginated=1
This was my request:
There needs to be a way to remove unused applications from our market accounts. I have many applications that I tried, dont like, and will never install again. Every time I get a new device or do a factory reset, I have to search through tons of unwanted applications just to find the apps I'd actually like to install. I understand giving the user the ability to delete apps that were paid for and the possibility of accidental deletions can become a support nightmare. To solve this I’d like to propose an “Archived Apps” section. Users can Archive applications they do not use. The application is then moved into a special Archive section where it can remain tied to the users account without being “In the Way”. Applications in the Archive section should have a “Restore” (button rather than install) that when pressed, would move it back to the users regular account and become active and installable again. When searching in the market mobile app, these apps will also show with the status Archived rather than purchased or installed. Selecting the app will give the option to “Restore” it to your active applications at which point it can be installed.

i actually have an open ticket with them regarding this problem
google tech support says it's a known issue, and they have no way to fix it yet.

AllGamer said:
i actually have an open ticket with them regarding this problem
google tech support says it's a known issue, and they have no way to fix it yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome!
It's a lot of work for them to fix, and my concern is that it wont be on the radar unless it's highly requested.

Same thing with Amazon's store. I chatted with a rep, and they said there was no way to remove them, but they are aware people are interested in doing this.

life without gapps aka google apps

Moderators PLEASE READ THIS THREAD BEFORE DELETING IT LIKE YOU DID THE LAST ONE
I did a couple of different searches on this board, looking for an alternative to gapps aka google apps. What viable alternatives to the google play store are there? google hangouts and google mail? I came across a thread discussion nogapps and the blank store that comes with it, but i'm not overly convinced that it lacks google's data mining processes.
I am not asking for sites that provide "pirated software" as I already know where to get that. I am asking for a "store" where I can search various phrases, and get a good return without those apps being relinked to google play store.

Have you tried the Amazon App Store? (Yes, they have Android apps)

Am I correct in assuming you are looking for a market that is completely separate from Google's servers? If privacy is your concern, you should know that all services that are provided for "free" employ some sort of data mining, because that is how they can afford to keep those services running. Since Google Play is the largest repository for Android apps, you would be hard pressed to find another service that hosts all of the same .apks, as that would seem redundant.

There simply is no viable alternative to the Play Store.
You can get alternatives, but they won't be nearly as good.
As for the rest of the gapps there are plenty of alternatives that are just fine or better.
Why are you so against gapps though? Washington doesn't care what apps you use.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using xda premium

Even if the app doesn't mine your data, your ISP still does ...

plenty
well there are plenty stores available on internet. if you are on android 4.1 and rooted then you can install NOKIA app store. well its tricky to use, you can find a apk on xda. when you install it just install aptitode market from there, though aptitode can be installed alone too. you can find almost all apps. but still google holds android that will mean they will have the maximum apps and secure and most updated apps. even developers always put latest updated apps on play store first. well i used wildfire which has no gpu so cpu has to do work for most of operations which makes slow and to overcome the low space on that phone i sometime skip the gapps. it depends if you want surveillance free android then go for other market apps.:silly:..google even know when you are walking. i read this on xda somewhere.:laugh:
choice is yours.

100s of stores are available nowadays...
Gmail alternate is aosp email
Maps run without email account...
What else u need?

doctor_droid said:
What else u need?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A way to synchronize (not backup/restore) my contacts and calendars on the Internet (Mega, Dropbox, whatever...) to be shared among other devices. This is bare minimum.
Then, if I could also synchronize (again, not backup/restore)some system stuff like WiFi passwords, call logs, SMS/MMS, instant messaging stuff and some application settings, this would be an extra great feature.
Can you do it without GApps? If you know how to, please share!

I don't know if this idea will benefit the app devs. Getting rid of the play store is like taking away one of their BIGGEST market place. What do you think?

People wouldnt feel the need to seek alternatives if Google wasnt so hardcore with it
Like dam, is it really even reasonable to keep location tracking in the background 24/7 and 15 different types of loggers at once? You'd think those morons would understand how large of a percentage of their would-be-users would actually use more of their services if they didnt chose to make it an all or nothing affair. I literally use only the playstore, and because of whats needed for that I go ahead and utilize the sync. I would definitely be open to gmail, g+, etc. if they werent so retarted with it. Rant over.

carlfinity said:
don't know if this idea will benefit the app devs. Getting rid of the play store is like taking away one of their BIGGEST market place. What do you think?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think more about my privacy than the app business.
I wish in could use something like CM with some synchronizing mechanism.
Unluckily for me I have a non-dumb-phone, a netbook and a desktop PC.
I use all three for work and would need some synchonization mechanism for calls, SMS and other stuff.
Do you have a suggestion in this direction?

I have read the opening post. So please remember that.
However, this kind of question will always lead to warez sites.... As it already has. And will continue to. And another thread asking same thing will lead to warez app responses yet again.
Google play store and Amazon are really the only ones that are legit and most other sites offer cracked versions of paid apps.
Obviously a website dedicated to Development and developers will not approve of most of the recommendations here, which I have deleted.
Please don't open another one of these threads. There's been enough answers provided already. So this thread is closed.
Thanks for understanding,
Darth
Forum Moderator

[Privacy] Puttin' Google in the Goolag

Situation:
I have somewhat of a "love-REALLY HATE" relationship with Google apps and ecosystem.
On one hand, they are great at what they do.
On the other, it's like having a spy satellite overhead, given how much telemetry it does.
Question:
I'd like to cut all of the Google apps' internet, location, sensor and background activity access for good when not in use. Or at least spoof whatever personal data is being sent (Device info, location, activities, etc). Any way to do that?
What I've done so far:
My current way-to-go method involves installing RethinkDNS+firewall, then blocking every single one of google apps including Gboard. It sort-of works, but very inconvenient, as I have to manually enable internet access for a particular app and/or service when needed. I also tried edXposed's XluaPrivacy module to cut off access to certain permissions. Again, cumbersome.
After going through F-Droid, I found an app called "Insular", that claims being able to put all of the "big brother" apps (such as Gapps) behind an isolated sandbox, a digital gulag of sorts.

Thanks for the pointer to Insular whose advertising on F-Droid says:
Insular is a FLOSS fork of Island.
With Insular, you can:
Isolate your Big Brother apps
Clone and run multiple accounts simutaniuosly
Freeze or archive apps and prevent any background behaviors
Unfreeze apps on-demand with home screen shortcuts
Re-freeze marked apps with one tap
Hide apps
Selectively enable (or disable) VPN for different group of apps
Prohibit USB access to mitigate attacks with physical access
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Click to collapse
Based on that, I suspect this XDA thread about "Island" may be useful.
[APP][5.0+][BETA] Island - app freezing, privacy protection, parallel accounts​
"Island" is a sandbox environment to clone selected apps and isolate them from accessing your personal data outside the sandbox (including call logs, contacts, photos and etc) even if related permissions are granted. Device-bound data is still accessible (SMS, IMEI and etc).
Isolated app can be frozen on demand, with launcher icon vanish and its background behaviors completely blocked.
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Click to collapse
Totesnochill said:
Question:
I'd like to cut all of the Google apps' internet, location, sensor and background activity access for good when not in use. Or at least spoof whatever personal data is being sent (Device info, location, activities, etc). Any way to do that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Like you, my relationship with Google is strained where I don't set up any Google Account on Android and it works just fine.
I don't have a contacts.db sqlite database for that reason too, so my favorite communication apps are all designed to store their own contacts db internally to the app itself.
I replace Google apps with FOSS equivalents such as NewPipe (or, more recently, Vanced YouTube) for example.
And I spoof my GPS location by default (using Lexa Fake GPS, for example).
Of course, given I don't have a Google Account on my phone, I use the Aurora Store instead of the Google Play Store. Of course, I strive for apps that don't require Google Framework Services (GSF) which Aurora neatly filters out for us.
Since I'm not rooted, I can't delete Google Play Store, but I can disable it, which is almost as good.
And, I use privacy-aware apps for my messenger, calendar, contacts, and dialer apps (many of which come from Simple Mobile Tools' suite which are available on F-Droid).
To keep my WiFi SSID/BSSID/GPS/Strength/etc. out of the hands of Google (& Mozilla and Kismet and Wigle, etc.), I add "_nomap" to the SSID and I turn off the SOHO router SSID broadcast (which "hinders" most cellphones from uploading my BSSID information to Google public servers); but then I have to also turn off "AutoReconnect" on Android 12 and also I have the Developer Options set in Android 12 to randomize the MAC address on EACH connection; however that means I need to set any "static" connections on my LAN from the phone and not with address reservation on the router (which typically utilizes the MAC address).
And it's not just Google we need to keep our data out of their hands, as I even use WhatsApp privacy aware tools such as the WhatsApp dialer and WhatsApp Click to Chat mechanisms (to keep my contacts out of Facebook's hands too).
For offline maps, I use a quick web browser lookup on a privacy browser (such as Tor or Epic or Opera), since the Google address lookup is still the best in the world... (which is the love/hate relationship, right?)... and then I paste the GPS coordinates that the privacy browser found on the maps.google.com web site into a local routing application (such as a shortcut to a browser to google maps on the phone or better yet, to a dedicated offline map program such as OSM And~), and even traffic can be gotten without Google (e.g., Sigalert & 511 apps).
I used to reset the Advertising ID with a homescreen shortcut that could be activated from Windows via a batch file over Wi-Fi, but now with Android 12 we can wipe out the Advertising ID altogether (i.e., reset it to all zeroes). However, I still periodically change my GSF ID and other supposedly unique identifiers.
I'm still trying to figure out the implication of "trackers", so if anyone has more information about them, please advise.
Off hand there must be scores more things I do for privacy, where we probably should have a main thread on this site of all the myriad things people can do to increase their privacy on Android (some of which I've screenshotted for you below).

GalaxyA325G said:
Like you, my relationship with Google is strained where I don't set up any Google Account on Android and it works just fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks heaps for the very in-depth response. Really opens up on a lot of things I wasnt aware of, and I realized that unlike desktop, when it comes to mobile privacy I'm still a bit behind.
Are there any guides where I can do some reading on the concepts and techniques you've described? Especially regarding contacts.db sqlite database, GPS spoofing and privacy-aware options for accessing WhatsApp.
Also, what are your thoughts on MIcroG?

Totesnochill said:
Thanks heaps for the very in-depth response.
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Click to collapse
I try to put effort into the response so that others can benefit (but nobody ever presses the like button so maybe it's not worth the effort).
For example, when I mentioned I spoof my GPS, I looked up the app I used and linked to it so that you wouldn't have to test a score of apps like I did to find the best one.
Totesnochill said:
Really opens up on a lot of things I wasn't aware of, and I realized that unlike desktop, when it comes to mobile privacy I'm still a bit behind.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That was just off the top of my head where there has to be at least a hundred different privacy things I do on Android to distance me from Google that most people don't bother to do.
I admit, sometimes it feels like we're putting a dozen locks on the front door, but in the end, we LEARN a lot about Android in the process.
A lot of the protection is to protect ourselves from others who don't know how to configure their phone, so they are uploading our private information (like our contacts and home locations) to Google databases.
For example, the typical Android phone when it drives by your front door uploads to google your exact location, your signal strength, your unique BSSID and your SSID... where you'll note in my response above I had to do a half dozen things on my phone and router to prevent that from happening (i.e., just adding "_nomap" doesn't work but most people don't realize that because they don't think about it).
Totesnochill said:
Are there any guides where I can do some reading on the concepts and techniques you've described?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm sure there are plenty.
But I have been in MANY situations where there are none.
Take, for example, changing the GSFID... almost nowhere on the net is that described how to do it. Almost nobody does it, but it can be done if you know how.
I really should write a set of privacy tutorials so that everyone can do it but I have to find the time, and this web site doesn't like text tutorials I found out recently. So they make it a PITA in the end to help people. Sigh.
Totesnochill said:
Especially regarding contacts.db sqlite database, GPS spoofing and privacy-aware options for accessing WhatsApp.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you look at the links I gave you in my response for contacts, gps spoofing and privacy-aware WhatsApp, you'll get a good start.
A quickie is to not have a contacts.sqlite database, which means you need your own contacts.csv or more likely contacts.vcf file, which you can maintain on the PC if you like (works with Excel for example).
Now that you don't have a contacts.db sqlite database, you need to find the contacts and dialer and mms/sms apps that can suck in their own contacts.vcf file, which I pointed you to in the Simple Mobile Tools suite.
For GPS spoofing, I didn't mention you need to turn "Mock Location" on in the Android Developer Options, but that's what most people already do so I assumed you knew that. Once you turn that on, you can just select the mock location app of your choice (where I suggested one above which isn't perfect but none of them are).
That particular app moves your location every few feet and it gets the altitude and it can easily be stopped and started, etc., but I'd like it if it didn't move just "west by 10 feet every minute" but instead if it would follow a pre-determined route that I could give it. So they need a lot more work to be as good as we'd like them to be.
For What'sApp privacy, look at the two apps I linked to in the prior post as they don't need the contacts.sqlite database to work.
Your WhatsApp should only have an icon in your folders for the people you contact and nothing else, IMHO. That's the best privacy you can get, although WhatsApp does decent hashing on the contacts file when it uploads it to their servers - but still - why give them your entire contacts when you only contact 10 people (or whatever) on WhatsApp. Right?
Totesnochill said:
Also, what are your thoughts on MIcroG?
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Funny you mentioned microG since I installed it for the first time yesterday when I was setting up Vanced Youtube based on this thread.
I generally choose apps that don't use GSF but sometimes you have to use a GSF app (e.g., Zoom meetings), and then it's nice to use MicroG instead of Google Services Framework.
I only installed it yesterday so I really don't know how well it will work for me as I didn't even need to install it to install VancedYoutube. You just need it to log into YouTube but I never do that anyway.
In summary, there's probably a hundred things we do to our phones to set up privacy but I'd have to write each one up in detail to help everyone and that's a lot of work.
Especially if almost nobody reads these threads.

GalaxyA325G said:
I try to put effort into the response so that others can benefit (but nobody ever presses the like button so maybe it's not worth the effort).
In summary, there's probably a hundred things we do to our phones to set up privacy but I'd have to write each one up in detail to help everyone and that's a lot of work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for doing God's work out there. Ethics like these are what creates the content that keeps the internet from becoming a dumpster fire otherwise. Tutorials and explanations that come from the fellow users are THE best and usually directly on-point.
When I was just starting setting up Linux environment, I wrote "how-to notes" on every successful step. At first it was more like the "sticky notes" to help me remember, but eventually (as the list grew) I started writing these tips in a way as if they were to be read by someone with little background in the subject. What used to be the "Linux notes" file became 10563 lines monstrosity now... So every time I need to answer someone's question I just copypaste from this file.
GalaxyA325G said:
That was just off the top of my head where there has to be at least a hundred different privacy things I do on Android to distance me from Google that most people don't bother to do.
I admit, sometimes it feels like we're putting a dozen locks on the front door, but in the end, we LEARN a lot about Android in the process.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Absolutely. I've spent about 2 weeks tweaking my new phone (Nokia X6), trying out different roms/recoveries and app setups. Pissed off a bunch of people in the process - most wouldn't understand that I'm setting up a system to last another 7 years, just like my previous phone (Galaxy Gprime). Not to mention that with the amount of sensitive info on the phone, security and privacy are a legit concern, and worth learning about just how one learns to install and use the lock on the front doors.
Phones became disposable both in software and hardware, and so have the general attitude towards the devices.
My final setup became AOSP PixelPlusUI Rom (comes with about openGapps nano worth of Google stuff) with most other stock apps (contacts , dialer, keyboards, msg etc) removed via ADB and replaced with F-Droid alternatives.
I've also used Rethink DNS with whitelist set up/AppInspector to put Google in the Goolag - no internet access for anything google-related at all times. So far my phone has 253 apps blocked (including almost all of the system apps). Surprisingly, all of the necessary apps off google play store (Whatsapp, FB messenger) still function well. Whenever I need a particular Gservice (like a translator), I just enable access for that (and only that) until I dont need it anymore.
GalaxyA325G said:
If you look at the links I gave you in my response for contacts, gps spoofing and privacy-aware WhatsApp, you'll get a good start.
A quickie is to not have a contacts.sqlite database, which means you need your own contacts.csv or more likely contacts.vcf file, which you can maintain on the PC if you like (works with Excel for example).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! I'm not sure why the links didnt show up at first. I'll give this a look. I've been using "simple mobile tools" for quite a while, and I must say I like how they are completely autonomous and transparent about what prems they need and why.
GalaxyA325G said:
For GPS spoofing, I didn't mention you need to turn "Mock Location" on in the Android Developer Options, but that's what most people already do so I assumed you knew that.
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Click to collapse
I definitely saw the option in the dev settings, but didnt experiment with it. Well, now I know, thanks!
Funny you mentioned microG since I installed it for the first time yesterday when I was setting up Vanced Youtube based on this thread.
I generally choose apps that don't use GSF but sometimes you have to use a GSF app (e.g., Zoom meetings), and then it's nice to use MicroG instead of Google Services Framework.
I only installed it yesterday so I really don't know how well it will work for me as I didn't even need to install it to install VancedYoutube. You just need it to log into YouTube but I never do that anyway.
In summary, there's probably a hundred things we do to our phones to set up privacy but I'd have to write each one up in detail to help everyone and that's a lot of work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will give microG a try (in a form of LineageOS for MicroG). In fact I did install this rom before but I was a bit confused about what it did and assumed that it is a regular LinOS repack with Gplay store and apps built-in. Time to test again.
Especially if almost nobody reads these threads.
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Threads like these is how I passed my uni exams. Not even exaggerating XD. Thanks again for a very detailed insightful read!

Hello my friends, very happy to meet good hearted people who think alike about Gugle.
as my name suggests I'm noob still and didn't understand much of discussion but very happy to meet you friends. My love & warm regards to all here. Here is what I did uptill now before I saw this thread :
1> Load GSI/ROM.
2> Load TWRP
3> Load Magisk
4> Load microG
5> Install Service Disabler
5.1> Disable bunch of internal services like telemetry, analytics, location (FusedLocation not possible to disable) for every app (3-rd party & system app), contacts sync etc.
6> Install SD-Maid Pro
6.1> Freeze apps like Gugle Calendar Sync Adapter & Gugle Contacts Sync Adapter
7> Install CIAFirewall Fake VPN & configure it.
8> I use Opera browser for Banking, Youtube, Cab booking, Surfing, Gmail, Food Order etc.
9> Install Aurora Store for general app management & installation
10> For contacts I save all contacts in notepad app, and let all calls purposely bounce then I call back aftter checking whose call it was & state false apologies.
#FYI :- Gugle, Mycrowsowft , eFbee are not really to be blamed, rhey are having to comply with FBI, Phentagon, Central Intelligence Agencies, Interpol, etc. or they have to shut bizness.

GalaxyA325G said:
Like you, my relationship with Google is strained where I don't set up any Google Account on Android and it works just fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, I’m glad to have found this thread as I’m not happy with how my normal Android phone is spied upon by google. But I’m not technically knowledgeable and I don’t want to risk bricking my phone by trying amateur attempts at rooting, or installing Insular, etc…
So far I have not signed in, I allow only minimum permissions, use Netguard, Aurora and FDroid, and have disabled bloatware. I also force-stop apps as much as possible when not in use, and enable Location and Bluetooth only when needed.
I know this is just an amateur, token attempt to reduce spying - so I may have to eventually buy a degoogled phone.
I’ve also done some of the privacy suggestions in the attachments you posted.
Could you help me with a couple of newbie questions…
1): I might have minimised some personal data harvested by most of the apps I use, but I guess my privacy precautions will have no significant effect on the amount of telemetry collected by google?
2): If my precautions really have no significant effect, I’m wondering if would it make any real difference if I was signed in as I don’t use any of the google backup services anyway?
Thanks.