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Clarification on no GMS please

Looking to grab the mate 30 Pro.. Or potentially the p40 Pro after tomorrows launch. But really wanna check out the slow mo on the mate, plus love the design
I'm an android user.
Been doing a lot of reading and still struggling to grasp if I actually need google services on my phone or not? I know I won't have generic Google apps, but there a possibility to install them. Done some custom rom installs many moons ago.
I'll still have my Samsung s10e work phone.
Can anyone clarify or point me in the direction of an an article that explains the pros and cons?
Failing this it looks like the p30 pro is by best alternate. As I tend not to go mainbsteam Samsung

Hi there,
The installation of gms right now is unstable or tricky. For example using Chatpartner+Ice Box+Island is the most stable as it gets, but it has its own drawbacks(you can see info about the methods in the other threads). I don't know if we will get a clean permanent solution. I hope we get.
So let's assume you don't get gms, because you don't want to mess with the current unstable solutions. The drawbacks from my point of view are:
- no PlayStore -> So you don't get your paid apps. Also you can't get all apps from the Huawei store, because some of them are missing. Some partial solution: Use ApkPure or some other app store to get your apps.
- no Youtube -> Youtube requires gms. Solution: use Youtube Vanced;
- no Google Maps -> It requires gms. Solution: use Waze;
- no Google Drive/Photos -> It requires gms. Solution: use Microsoft OneDrive or any other cloud;
- no Contact Sync -> It requires gms. Solution: export contacts from Google and import them.(here I decided again to go with Microsoft so I sync my future new contacts in a cloud after all)
- no Gmail -> It requires gms. Solution: use Outlook app or any other email app like Nine. You can add you gmail account there.
Some people suggested to use the google apps through a browser and put shortcuts on your home screen, but this is not a replacement for the actual apps in my oppinion.
Bottom line:
- If you don't want any hassle and you want everything everywhere working then get P30 Pro;
- If you want to try the available workarounds for google apps and you won't get overwhelmed or irritated when some errors occur and you have to tinker again then get the Mate 30 Pro;
- If you want to detach from google ecosystem and try some new apps then get the Mate 30 Pro(just make sure you thought of all apps that you need and found a comfortable replacement);
- For the P40 Pro I can't speak;
I have one of the workarounds of GMS on my phone and the apps are working. However I am trying to move away a bit from gms, because I want to be free to try new tech and use all my apps. I am a heavy Google user paying for subscriptions for some services so I am dependent on their apps. However with this phone I realized that Google is closing their services forcing users to have certain hardware which I dislike. This is why I will make an attempt to use alternatives(mostly I will use Microsoft products) so I can buy whatever phone I like and use it seamlessly.
I hope this helps!

xchatter what GMS work around are you using on your current device?

Darkisde said:
xchatter what GMS work around are you using on your current device?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Chatpartner+Ice Box+Island , but I see someone just created a thread saying that ChatPartner doesn't work now(I don't know if it is true). However Chatpartner is just the first part for getting the gms on the device which can be achieved also with other methods like restoring a backup which has this chinese app for installing gms(you can search, videos are everywhere showing it). Then afterwards probably you will start getting the non-stop notifications that your device is not certified. From that point you will need to follow the guides to add your account and then use Ice Box to freeze some google apps(playstore and services). This way you won't get the notifications, but any installed google apps will work. From there you can use Island to activate your work profile and unfreeze those apps in an isolated scope where you can have your Play Store to get apps or you can just use some other app store. You can get more details in the other threads, basically this is the main topic in the whole Mate 30 Pro forum.

Nesiah said:
Looking to grab the mate 30 Pro.. Or potentially the p40 Pro after tomorrows launch. But really wanna check out the slow mo on the mate, plus love the design
I'm an android user.
Been doing a lot of reading and still struggling to grasp if I actually need google services on my phone or not? I know I won't have generic Google apps, but there a possibility to install them. Done some custom rom installs many moons ago.
I'll still have my Samsung s10e work phone.
Can anyone clarify or point me in the direction of an an article that explains the pros and cons?
Failing this it looks like the p30 pro is by best alternate. As I tend not to go mainbsteam Samsung
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the installation of gms is tricky complicated for most users, but it can be done if you want to learn. it works for now but no one knows till when.
the P40 definitely wont have GMS too, so if this is a problem, go with another brand or P30 or mate 20 if you still want huawei.

this is how you can enjoy using the p40 even without google app huge list alternative

i wanted to paste the guide here but xda is not accepting my doc formatting please see the guide here
https://docs.google.com/document/d/13X_ZZELINL5jIJZTcpPDRsmIGQ7cYMy6nuahJQJ5DzE/

Nice guide - albeit I couldn't overlook the irony of using Google Docs here!

Nice document. For me though it's not really the Google apps that I can't substitue, I hardly use any anyway. It's mainly apps that don't work because of GMS.

i have to say that having had this phone for a few days and trying to use it without play services it was becoming a struggle for me.
I downloaded as many of my apps i use from the app store and 3rd party sites but its just not the same. I forgot how much information i had stored with google like passwords and login details etc.
I managed to install the play services yesterday and so far everything seems fine, no errors and everything i used on other android devices available and working. Dont think i would have kept it otherwise even though the build quality and specs are amazing.
For those of you in doubt who have been a long time android user its really worth the effort with the installation.

hpsauce37 said:
I managed to install the play services yesterday and so far everything seems fine, no errors and everything i used on other android devices available and working. Dont think i would have kept it otherwise even though the build quality and specs are amazing.
For those of you in doubt who have been a long time android user its really worth the effort with the installation.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which guide did you follow? I see one on XDA and other ones floating around the web. Did you run into any issues or did the guide works step by step?

I followed the one on here which does not use a usb you plug in the phone. The video is in German and a but hard to follow at times and did face a few issues but I think that was because I had missed a step. I then found a similar video on YouTube that had some English on it and managed to figure it out.

Search an app called 'MoreAPP' in AppGalary, it has the apps you are missing.
there is one called 'Youtube Vanced' which doesn't require GMS

rambits said:
Search an app called 'MoreAPP' in AppGalary, it has the apps you are missing.
there is one called 'Youtube Vanced' which doesn't require GMS
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But you won't be able to sign in without gms in YouTube vanced

ptlsajan said:
But you won't be able to sign in without gms in YouTube vanced
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can sign into YouTube Vanced without GMS. You just need to install MicroG. Not root required too.

steveli92 said:
You can sign into YouTube Vanced without GMS. You just need to install MicroG. Not root required too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried that with OGyoutube and login in with microg service wasnt possible for me

hpsauce37 said:
I followed the one on here which does not use a usb you plug in the phone. The video is in German and a but hard to follow at times and did face a few issues but I think that was because I had missed a step. I then found a similar video on YouTube that had some English on it and managed to figure it out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I followed the same guide and everything but the notifications works. Only notifications from a few apps work. All apps that require the Google services to get the notifications (about 85% for me) do not seem to work.

I too didn't managed to login with MicroG and without GMS...

Think it would be useful to update the list to include apps e.g. works 100% (Facebook) works ok but no notifications (BBC News) or does not work at all (eBay, The Athletic).
The more digging that I do the more it seems that other than getting some of the core Google apps to work the difference between using a P40 Pro with and without the GPS hack is actually quite minimal as I understand that the hack may help you say get Photos working but it will not help you get all of the notifications that still rely on GPS?

arsenal74 said:
Think it would be useful to update the list to include apps e.g. works 100% (Facebook) works ok but no notifications (BBC News) or does not work at all (eBay, The Athletic).
The more digging that I do the more it seems that other than getting some of the core Google apps to work the difference between using a P40 Pro with and without the GPS hack is actually quite minimal as I understand that the hack may help you say get Photos working but it will not help you get all of the notifications that still rely on GPS?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's funny that you mentioned eBay and The Athletic as they are two apps that I use quite regularly and am having the same issue - is there any way around this without installing GMS?
My P40 Pro only arrived a couple of days ago and I really like the look and feel of it but the notifications thing is already bugging me. Currently, I'm only HMS (no micro-G or GMS) but not being able to get notifications from the stock email app (my account is Gmail) or news notifications from BBC etc. is a real flag for me...

Tmel14 said:
I'm only HMS (no micro-G or GMS) but not being able to get notifications from the stock email app (my account is Gmail) or news notifications from BBC etc. is a real flag for me...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
install microG and move on .. notifications are completely screwed on HMS-naked .. even Huawei App Gallery apps are screwed-up with notifications .. very strange that this is often overlooked in the P40 Pro reviews ... how can you answer a skype call if the app never rings with a notification?

Limitations of p40 *with* gms

Hi all,
I'm looking to change from my P30 Pro - love the phone, but I dropped my belt on the screen [emoji22] and they're expensive to fix. Insurance paid me out luckily, debating whether I buy a P40 as they're really cheap now, or get the P30 Pro fixed.
The P30 Pro main camera gives weird yellow hues especially when capturing in raw and I'm hopeful the p40 is improved. Plus I think the 5x zoom is a gimmick, 2x or 3x is more usable in my view.
I'm wondering what the real limitations of daily use with a P40 is if you've loaded gms onto it.
- Can you update apps automatically from the play store?
- Does uber work once you have gms loaded?
- Does Netflix play in HD? (not so fussed about hdr)
- Do you have to re-apply gms fixes regularly or is that only needed when there's a Huawei firmware update?
- Does chromecast work?
I've read a bunch of forums but still not totally clear on what the current state is.
Thanks all, appreciate any advice!
Sent from my VOG-L09 using Tapatalk

We do need a custom firmware, otherwise forget about it, you may install some apps but you will always find bugs on apps that wont coop that great with some stuff that google have and needs adaptation to run on huawei phones, it really sucks we are doomed, the smartphones are extremely fast, the fastest i ever had, although, i was not able to use netflix, tinder and some others without serious bugs, our only hope is a custom firmware for the p40 family.

Thanks for the reply!
Sent from my VOG-L09 using Tapatalk

I've had a P30 pro but I returned it because of the size and the dim screen. Got a P40 and could not be happier. All apps work except netflix, no need to reapply anything, updates are automatic.

Considering the fact that in stock version there are no Google services at all, you need to find yourself using Huawei´s App Gallery. Some basic apps like Whatsapp etc are available through it. In other cases it refers to "PetalSearch" which directs you to (somewhat shady) apk-sites. Even if you get another store running on it like F-Droid or APKpure, some apps may be found and installed, but running them usually comes with notifications about missing google services, hence the app would not work properly, or at all...
I got this phone for the same reason (price & performance). Unfortunately due to the lack of integration and usuability, i am deemed to wait for a better image to put on the phone.
(I came across "OpenKirin"-Project and they seem to be active in XDA as well. Hope they´re able to look into this)

jasonhelene said:
We do need a custom firmware, otherwise forget about it, you may install some apps but you will always find bugs on apps that wont coop that great with some stuff that google have and needs adaptation to run on huawei phones, it really sucks we are doomed, the smartphones are extremely fast, the fastest i ever had, although, i was not able to use netflix, tinder and some others without serious bugs, our only hope is a custom firmware for the p40 family.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is definitely exaggerating a bit.
Auto-updating apps from Google Play doesn't work, yes, but apps being broken - not really, at least from everything I've seen the only issue is notifications (on my side, Skype, Discord, Duo Authenticator, GMail's own app** and a banking app) however the apps themselves still work. What most people use works just fine without Google's stuff, though getting APKpure store is a good recommendation, that will cover pretty much everything (that is free) and missing in AppGallery.
Tinder definitely works fine from what I've seen, Netflix doesn't work at all due to some API/DRM certification stuff.
**using Outlook or the built-in email app fixes that

Understanding the current state of Google-use on P40-line

I got a few of questions regarding the current state of using Google services on the P40-series devices to make sure my understanding of the situation is up to date (I'm specifically using P40 Lite but my guess is all this applies to any P40 device):
What did I actually do to the phone currently? - I keep reading about multiple methods to get things working, mentioning freezes and other modifications, so I want to know what exactly I did myself. To get the phone working on my side, I went through a firmware downgrade, then installed Googlefier and went through the steps in it. Is this the freeze-thing that people mention or is it something completely different?
As far as I understand, we have currently only 2 options, would this be a correct way to describe them?:
Googlefier - to allow logging in Google accounts, use of Google apps however with non-working notifications (and notification delays)
MicroG - resolves all/almost all notification issues however no use of Google account/apps is possible
Updating the Google Play Services the normal way through Google Play Store is pretty much not possible, is that correct?
As far as I understand, if a factory reset is performed on a phone that previously had Googlefier installed and working, re-installing it will not require a firmware downgrade (only installing Googlefier and setting it up will be needed, not a whole downgrade again). If that is correct, is there a way to fully restore a stock firmware that would leave the phone in its factory state?
Any information or clarifications would definitely be welcome.
I just wanted to make sure the information I have is up to date since there are so many things floating around and a lot of them appear to be very outdated.

I have the same questions, I just bought a P40 pro, and don't really now what to do, to solve this problem

Gato.evolution said:
I have the same questions, I just bought a P40 pro, and don't really now what to do, to solve this problem
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't ask anything regarding a problem, I just want to know what type of workaround the method I used was along with a few general questions, I'm not actually asking how to get something working (other than notifications in some apps, everything else is fine on my end).

So googlefier was a package of apps that simplified the process of downloading and installing multiple apks manually. The app that it came with is lzplay and it becomes a device admin.
I don't know much past that, but how did you get most notifications to work?

I just bought a P40 pro last week and working on exploring best option going forward too
Googlefier is actually a wrapper work which eventually uses LZPlay to get the job done. B/c of the limitations in LZPlay, people need to get P40 phones downgrade to an old firmware so that LZPlay could work - I find it not really possible as I couldn't find the correct firmware for my P40 pro now (maybe it's b/c of my region ... )
Then recently there is DualSpace, haven't tried it but looks like an easy go
It looks like a method of separating a new user/app space (sounds like a VM on a physical computer sort of concept ?)
Google actually has very similar thing called "work profile" I remember that can setup a personal as well as a work related dual accounts on same phone and the data space are separate also allows diff. security policies
Work profiles | Android Developers
Learn how to make sure your apps operate smoothly in a corporate environment by following some best practices.
developer.android.com

ykjae said:
So googlefier was a package of apps that simplified the process of downloading and installing multiple apks manually. The app that it came with is lzplay and it becomes a device admin.
I don't know much past that, but how did you get most notifications to work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No clue, they just work on my side, only did a downgrade followed by the Googlefier process and then update to the latest security patch.
Google Play Services version is highly out of date though (v20.09.13).
Anyway, could still use information on my original questions.

@CrisR82
I can tell you if you factory reset the device it would just wipe it. Which in theory should leave it at its current software firmware version. So no you wouldn't need to downgrade again. (Unless you upgraded after getting Google services to work)
I also got most of everything working perfectly now. But I decided to freeze gsf with icebox so I could get all notifications.
It's actually not bad. I was able to find all apps that I use on Huawei app store and if not I then use apkpure or aurora.

Question Got my new P50 Pro, can I make it usable or should I sell it?

Hello guys!
Sorry if someone already posted this but I can't find any relevant information that could help me. Been looking through all this info, but nothing that can help me achieve what I want...
Just got myself a new P50 Pro. I unboxed the phone and I find it really amazing in terms of camera (OMG) and OS speed. Next step I tried installing something to make the phone close to something that's running Google Services.
I've heard of GSpace... Ok, I've installed it, but never been more dissapointed in my entire life.
It seems that the apps are somehow locked inside the GSpace app (like a virtual machine in Windows), so the apps take a while to load, but the worst thing possible is that the apps have ads inside them.
I mean try to open Facebook, Chrome or something and an ad pops right in your face.
I've done a full format of the phone right away, and now I'm asking you guys for a solution to bring Google Services somehow more natural to it's original state...
Can I do this, or can I sell the phone, cause I'm 100% sure, I can't live with crap, like GSpace nor without Google Services...
Thanks in advance!

Anyone?

Huawei mate 40 pro here.
It has taken a while and some testing. I can honestly say that it is worth the effort.
Look around for microG workaround to get notifications working.
Gspace is working better without microG, and it does not cost that much to pay to lose the ads. I have already done that. Gspace can also send shortcuts to the homepage of your launcher.
You have bought a special phone, amazing hardware but a bit crippled without GMS.
Try firefox instead of chrome, try installing apps via appgallery, and something like aurora or other apk store for everything else.
Outlook or other mail client also works just fine.
I have got around 140 apps, it is doable

So, without GSpace, nothing else?

@khrystyan27, many Google apps are running without problems even without GMS.
Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, those are running fine without GMS.
I use, on Mate40 pro, alot of apps without any problem (in addition to those listed) ... Telegram, Signal, Yahoo mail, Google translate, etc ...
As an alternative to YouTube, I use YouTube vanced (with the possibility of logging in).
Even Maps are running fine, without loging options, offcourse. If I want to connect to Maps, I use it into Ourplay (I tried GSpace too, I didn't like it).
Even the banking applications are starting to work, more and more, for NFC payment.
I use PayPal or Curve without any inconvenient, together with local banking applications.
So, before to use those apps you need into the virtual machines like VMOS, GSpace or Ourplay (that's what these applications are, virtual machines), try to use them normally.

Shymmy said:
@khrystyan27, many Google apps are running without problems even without GMS.
Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, those are running fine without GMS.
I use, on Mate40 pro, alot of apps without any problem (in addition to those listed) ... Telegram, Signal, Yahoo mail, Google translate, etc ...
As an alternative to YouTube, I use YouTube vanced (with the possibility of logging in).
Even Maps are running fine, without loging options, offcourse. If I want to connect to Maps, I use it into Ourplay (I tried GSpace too, I didn't like it).
Even the banking applications are starting to work, more and more, for NFC payment.
I use PayPal or Curve without any inconvenient, together with local banking applications.
So, before to use those apps you need into the virtual machines like VMOS, GSpace or Ourplay (that's what these applications are, virtual machines), try to use them normally.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I understand what you're saying, but any method of bringing back G Services without those virtual machine hacks?
Like anything other than this...

For global models, not yet.

Topic closed!
Sent it back to the seller.

try to enjoy it, it´s a very good phone, i have it and i can say that i use the phone more than 95% similar to a phone with google services... yes, installing apk is not for everybody but it's worth it

Already sold it, too late...

khrystyan27 said:
Already sold it, too late...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You did the right thing. This phone is crap without Google services.
There are too many apps that uses background services. Try strava, garmin connect, wolt... Your best choice is to stay away from this phone. I switched back to my old P30 PRO. At least it is working.

iskalec1 said:
You did the right thing. This phone is crap without Google services.
There are too many apps that uses background services. Try strava, garmin connect, wolt... Your best choice is to stay away from this phone. I switched back to my old P30 PRO. At least it is working.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Strava works fine in gspace. Maybe you need to step back and realise that you've allowed yourself to become locked in to Google like an iPhone user is locked in to Apple.

carbonize said:
Strava works fine in gspace. Maybe you need to step back and realise that you've allowed yourself to become locked in to Google like an iPhone user is locked in to Apple.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe I should step back. But where to? Honestly Gspace is crap. I am locked to google with a lot of apps - no doubt about it (no games at all). Guess what. It works. Apple users do not complain at all.
Right now I have this phone at home unused with a map named NOT WORKING of some 20-30 apps (bank, parking, navigation, measuring tools and specific work apps). And I cant sell the phone because everybody now know the problem. It is CRAP without GMS. You can step back if you want. I can't.
I am simply waiting for someone to put on Harmony OS on international version, make it usable and sell the damn thing ASAP!

I keep hearing about navigation apps that don't work ...
Which are those ??
Is everyone really stuck on Android Auto or on Maps with login ?? Otherwise, Maps works perfectly without logging in ...
Waze, Petal maps, Here we go and many others are working fine too.
Even in Romania we have more and more functional banking applications on phones without GMS ...
Curve payments can be used for NFC payments, if the personal application used is not yet available in the App gallery.

iskalec1 said:
Maybe I should step back. But where to? Honestly Gspace is crap. I am locked to google with a lot of apps - no doubt about it (no games at all). Guess what. It works. Apple users do not complain at all.
Right now I have this phone at home unused with a map named NOT WORKING of some 20-30 apps (bank, parking, navigation, measuring tools and specific work apps). And I cant sell the phone because everybody now know the problem. It is CRAP without GMS. You can step back if you want. I can't.
I am simply waiting for someone to put on Harmony OS on international version, make it usable and sell the damn thing ASAP!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And how exactly does Harmony make it more useful?

carbonize said:
And how exactly does Harmony make it more useful?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This one did it some 9 months ago. Nowadays are easier methods.

schumifer said:
Huawei mate 40 pro here.
It has taken a while and some testing. I can honestly say that it is worth the effort.
Look around for microG workaround to get notifications working.
Gspace is working better without microG, and it does not cost that much to pay to lose the ads. I have already done that. Gspace can also send shortcuts to the homepage of your launcher.
You have bought a special phone, amazing hardware but a bit crippled without GMS.
Try firefox instead of chrome, try installing apps via appgallery, and something like aurora or other apk store for everything else.
Outlook or other mail client also works just fine.
I have got around 140 apps, it is doable
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
Do you have notifications on outlook? I had the P40 Pro so i can easily live withou GMS but outlook notifications are killing me... Just got the P50 Pro and i already tried 6 or 7 mail clients trying to sort this out...
Thank you for your help!

HVentura78 said:
Hi,
Do you have notifications on outlook? I had the P40 Pro so i can easily live withou GMS but outlook notifications are killing me... Just got the P50 Pro and i already tried 6 or 7 mail clients trying to sort this out...
Thank you for your help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Of course, with the help of microG.

schumifer said:
Of course, with the help of microG.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I always get issues trying to connect my google account with MicroG, probably doing something wrong.

HVentura78 said:
Hi,
Do you have notifications on outlook? I had the P40 Pro so i can easily live withou GMS but outlook notifications are killing me... Just got the P50 Pro and i already tried 6 or 7 mail clients trying to sort this out...
Thank you for your help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello, i use spark and mymail and i get real time notifications without problems ( yahoo and outlook), try it