(this is a duplicate of my other thread. I realized the question doesn't ONLY apply to my old Nexus 4)
I'm trying to build an android phone with no Google apps on it, for privacy purposes.
I've got LineageOS on my rooted phone with no issues.
Getting apps is another matter. Amazon's app store doesn't even have Amazon's app, the LG store won't run on my phone. The various .apk-download sites I've seen either don't do paid apps, have outdated versions, or are basically for "cracked" apps, which i don't want to use.
Downloading .apk files can work, but most apps do not have such thing available, and I find often my phone's browsers choke on the link, and I have to download to my pc and then use adb to push the file across.
Is there a decent app store (or other app source) that isn't Google?
You could try Fdroid This is the website for Apk
Fdroid is all open source Apk's
bigfatguy said:
(this is a duplicate of my other thread. I realized the question doesn't ONLY apply to my old Nexus 4)
I'm trying to build an android phone with no Google apps on it, for privacy purposes.
I've got LineageOS on my rooted phone with no issues.
Getting apps is another matter. Amazon's app store doesn't even have Amazon's app, the LG store won't run on my phone. The various .apk-download sites I've seen either don't do paid apps, have outdated versions, or are basically for "cracked" apps, which i don't want to use.
Downloading .apk files can work, but most apps do not have such thing available, and I find often my phone's browsers choke on the link, and I have to download to my pc and then use adb to push the file across.
Is there a decent app store (or other app source) that isn't Google?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What's wrong with Google? Whatever I have a few:
GetJar (Has not be well maintained, spam, malware etc. Lurking on there now)
SlideME (Abondon, apps are so old)
Aptoid (Has some stolen apk, malware)
TutuApp (dumb kids use it to get modded games and apps, don't go there)
The Internet (APKMirror is the best)
Google Play
Sent from my KFAUWI using Tapatalk
dro3m said:
What's wrong with Google?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1: I've decided, if possible, to act on the privacy concerns I've had about google for quite some time now
2: I'm a gun nut law abiding firearms enthusiast and don't appreciate their recent policy changes on Youtube. Since my information is the product they sell to make money, I wish to withhold it.
it might be a pipe dream, but a guy can try.
Thanks for the places to try, all.
In addition to Google Play and Amazon Appstore, I suggest Huawei App Store. http://appstore.huawei.com/
Just for your reference.
You could use the Yalp store app which is an app that will get and down load your apk from play store anonymously
You can download it here
Hi7m3up said:
You could use the Yalp store app which is an app that will get and down load your apk from play store anonymously
You can download it here
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That may be an ideal solution... use Google's store, but don't have Google's app on my phone...
Yeah ideal for people who have restriction's of some type.
You probably noticed that yalp store (well at least the yalp bit) is play store backward's "very fitting"
Hello friends, here is something I found to solve the lack of Google Play Services in modern Huawei devices. Credits go to the developer, not me, and to the original MicroG developers, I just want to share this solution to help people having the same issue.
MicroG is an open source software replacement for Google Play Services, and it requires root, Magisk, Xposed or in-built signature spoofing patch to work, but not this time.
I used this method as soon as I found it, since both of my parents got a Huawei P40 Lite E, and I couldn't use Googlefier because of the updated firmware.
No need of virtualized environments like GSpace, Gbox and other similar methods, now you can simply login into your Google Account without the need of installing other packages.
This solution is based on the YouTube Vanced-dedicated derivative of MicroG, called Vanced MicroG indeed, and it requires no root and no other packages to work.
Simply install this app, called GMSCoreHuawei (don't use the "unpatched" version, but the HUAWEI one), then Play Store apk from official sources like ApkMirror:
GitHub - jcchikikomori/GmsCoreHuawei: Attempt to support Free implementation of Play Services for HUAWEI devices
Attempt to support Free implementation of Play Services for HUAWEI devices - GitHub - jcchikikomori/GmsCoreHuawei: Attempt to support Free implementation of Play Services for HUAWEI devices
github.com
Download Google Play Store APKs for Android - APKMirror
Download Google Play Store APKs for Android - APKMirror Free and safe Android APK downloads
www.apkmirror.com
Login in MicroG using the Huawei button, give the necessary MicroG permissions for notifications and you're done
I didn't test on other devices, but I think also other De-Googlefied ones or users with problems in installing MicroG using other methods can manage to use this solution.
I tested Play Store downloads and Google Maps and some apps like Gboard or Opera browser requiring GMS to work fine, and I got no problems so far.
Maybe the developer of this version of MicroG will see this thread and further update this app to match official MicroG progress.
Thanks to him again for the amazing job, which will save much time and efforts to many users wanting to enable the Google ecosystem on their devices.
jacomail95 said:
Hello friends, here is something I found to solve the lack of Google Play Services in modern Huawei devices. Credits go to the developer, not me, and to the original MicroG developers, I just want to share this solution to help people having the same issue.
MicroG is an open source software replacement for Google Play Services, and it requires root, Magisk, Xposed or in-built signature spoofing patch to work, but not this time.
I used this method as soon as I found it, since both of my parents got a Huawei P40 Lite E, and I couldn't use Googlefier because of the updated firmware.
No need of virtualized environments like GSpace, Gbox and other similar methods, now you can simply login into your Google Account without the need of installing other packages.
This solution is based on the YouTube Vanced-dedicated derivative of MicroG, called Vanced MicroG indeed, and it requires no root and no other packages to work.
Simply install this app, called GMSCoreHuawei (don't use the "unpatched" version, but the HUAWEI one), then Play Store apk from official sources like ApkMirror:
GitHub - jcchikikomori/GmsCoreHuawei: Attempt to support Free implementation of Play Services for HUAWEI devices
Attempt to support Free implementation of Play Services for HUAWEI devices - GitHub - jcchikikomori/GmsCoreHuawei: Attempt to support Free implementation of Play Services for HUAWEI devices
github.com
Download Google Play Store APKs for Android - APKMirror
Download Google Play Store APKs for Android - APKMirror Free and safe Android APK downloads
www.apkmirror.com
Login in MicroG using the Huawei button, give the necessary MicroG permissions for notifications and you're done
I didn't test on other devices, but I think also other De-Googlefied ones or users with problems in installing MicroG using other methods can manage to use this solution.
I tested Play Store downloads and Google Maps and some apps like Gboard or Opera browser requiring GMS to work fine, and I got no problems so far.
Maybe the developer of this version of MicroG will see this thread and further update this app to match official MicroG progress.
Thanks to him again for the amazing job, which will save much time and efforts to many users wanting to enable the Google ecosystem on their devices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The developer discontinued further work on this project because it did not allow access to personalized functional gapps. He abandoned this project in his github page. Yes some Google and Android apps work regardless of GMS authenticity like maps or Chrome. I can confirm that this method will not work in harmony os mate Xs2.
jacomail95 said:
Hello friends, here is something I found to solve the lack of Google Play Services in modern Huawei devices. Credits go to the developer, not me, and to the original MicroG developers, I just want to share this solution to help people having the same issue.
MicroG is an open source software replacement for Google Play Services, and it requires root, Magisk, Xposed or in-built signature spoofing patch to work, but not this time.
I used this method as soon as I found it, since both of my parents got a Huawei P40 Lite E, and I couldn't use Googlefier because of the updated firmware.
No need of virtualized environments like GSpace, Gbox and other similar methods, now you can simply login into your Google Account without the need of installing other packages.
This solution is based on the YouTube Vanced-dedicated derivative of MicroG, called Vanced MicroG indeed, and it requires no root and no other packages to work.
Simply install this app, called GMSCoreHuawei (don't use the "unpatched" version, but the HUAWEI one), then Play Store apk from official sources like ApkMirror:
GitHub - jcchikikomori/GmsCoreHuawei: Attempt to support Free implementation of Play Services for HUAWEI devices
Attempt to support Free implementation of Play Services for HUAWEI devices - GitHub - jcchikikomori/GmsCoreHuawei: Attempt to support Free implementation of Play Services for HUAWEI devices
github.com
Download Google Play Store APKs for Android - APKMirror
Download Google Play Store APKs for Android - APKMirror Free and safe Android APK downloads
www.apkmirror.com
Login in MicroG using the Huawei button, give the necessary MicroG permissions for notifications and you're done
I didn't test on other devices, but I think also other De-Googlefied ones or users with problems in installing MicroG using other methods can manage to use this solution.
I tested Play Store downloads and Google Maps and some apps like Gboard or Opera browser requiring GMS to work fine, and I got no problems so far.
Maybe the developer of this version of MicroG will see this thread and further update this app to match official MicroG progress.
Thanks to him again for the amazing job, which will save much time and efforts to many users wanting to enable the Google ecosystem on their devices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I couldn't get this work on my P40 5G.
I am able to login inside the microg app but asks login again in the playstore.
Can you please specify how did you manage to get it working and which particular version of the microG app did you use ?
I used Patched v0.2.22.212658 on Emui 12
cafemandala said:
I couldn't get this work on my P40 5G.
I am able to login inside the microg app but asks login again in the playstore.
Can you please specify how did you manage to get it working and which particular version of the microG app did you use ?
I used Patched v0.2.22.212658 on Emui 12
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, my experience is on EMUI 10 and I used this apk:
https://github.com/jcchikikomori/GmsCoreHuawei/releases/download/v0.2.22.212658-HUAWEI/play-services-core-withMapbox-withNearby-release.apk
I logged in using the HUAWEI button, gave ALL the required permissions in MicroG settings and then Play Store apk downloaded from Apkmirror worked without issues, and so Maps and other Google apps.
There are some 3rd party apps still not recognizing it as a replacement of GMS, but I can manage that.
If the apk or other versions don't work for you, you can still try an older MicroG variant built from EloyGomez, here the source code:
GitHub - EloYGomeZ/android_packages_apps_GmsCore-HUAWEI: Free implementation of Play Services
Free implementation of Play Services. Contribute to EloYGomeZ/android_packages_apps_GmsCore-HUAWEI development by creating an account on GitHub.
github.com
Here the apk found on another XDA thread
31.13 MB file on MEGA
mega.nz
I also used that once, it works in the same way and successfully, I remember having discovered it casually in a YouTube video and also I've seen it in Android Hilfe forum (translate button necessary).
Alternatively, you can try this method using regular MicroG, but I don't know if it's still working and it's not tested by me:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Huawei/comments/i5fhkf
Let me know how it goes.
jacomail95 said:
Hi, my experience is on EMUI 10 and I used this apk:
https://github.com/jcchikikomori/GmsCoreHuawei/releases/download/v0.2.22.212658-HUAWEI/play-services-core-withMapbox-withNearby-release.apk
I logged in using the HUAWEI button, gave ALL the required permissions in MicroG settings and then Play Store apk downloaded from Apkmirror worked without issues, and so Maps and other Google apps.
There are some 3rd party apps still not recognizing it as a replacement of GMS, but I can manage that.
If the apk or other versions don't work for you, you can still try an older MicroG variant built from EloyGomez, here the source code:
GitHub - EloYGomeZ/android_packages_apps_GmsCore-HUAWEI: Free implementation of Play Services
Free implementation of Play Services. Contribute to EloYGomeZ/android_packages_apps_GmsCore-HUAWEI development by creating an account on GitHub.
github.com
I also used that once, it works in the same way and successfully, I remember having discovered it casually in a YouTube video and also I've seen it in Android Hilfe forum (translate button necessary).
Alternatively, you can try this method using regular MicroG, but I don't know if it's still working and it's not tested by me:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Huawei/comments/i5fhkf
Let me know how it goes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I assumed you might be on Emui 11 or 12 since the device is P40 lite. I know those MicroG forks and googlefier work on Emui 10 and I do not want to downgrade my firmware.
Recently there is new microG fork called 'lighthouse' which is currently only available for Huawei Malaysia region and support Emui 12.
Since I saw this I been looking around internet to see someone else has figured out a way for GMS services to work on newer Huawei devices.
The lighthouse app seems working like a native gms and people are loving it on their new mate50 devices.
I am afraid of the firmware downgrade for Emui 12 to 11 and then to 10 since it can cause some update issues and risk of device bricking.
If you have done the downgrade and seems it was easy work, would you mind sharing the methods you followed ?
Thank you so much in advance
The Huawei phone I worked with is a P40 Lite E, not P40 Lite, and Huawei didn't update it further than EMUI 10 but simply patched it so it no longer can use Googlefier, and i didn't downgrade the device to EMUI 9 (yet).
Anyway, I found some time ago on YouTube an older version of Huawei HiSuite still letting me use the downgrade/rollback option, as long as it is not updated.
Backup everything first, if you want to try, maybe that option is applicable for you also.
Let me know about it if you do it.
I'll attach the file here (unzip it once downloaded), because I can't remember the video, I found it some months ago and downloaded the file right away.
I'll edit or delete the post in case some moderator tells me it's not allowed.
jacomail95 said:
The Huawei phone I worked with is a P40 Lite E, not P40 Lite, and Huawei didn't update it further than EMUI 10 but simply patched it so it no longer can use Googlefier, and i didn't downgrade the device to EMUI 9 (yet).
Anyway, I found some time ago on YouTube an older version of Huawei HiSuite still letting me use the downgrade/rollback option, as long as it is not updated.
Backup everything first, if you want to try, maybe that option is applicable for you also.
Let me know about it if you do it.
I'll attach the file here (unzip it once downloaded), because I can't remember the video, I found it some months ago and downloaded the file right away.
I'll edit or delete the post in case some moderator tells me it's not allowed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much for the quick response
I downloaded the exe and will try it after backing up everything
I will definitely keep you updated if that works for me.
jacomail95 said:
Hello friends, here is something I found to solve the lack of Google Play Services in modern Huawei devices. Credits go to the developer, not me, and to the original MicroG developers, I just want to share this solution to help people having the same issue.
MicroG is an open source software replacement for Google Play Services, and it requires root, Magisk, Xposed or in-built signature spoofing patch to work, but not this time.
I used this method as soon as I found it, since both of my parents got a Huawei P40 Lite E, and I couldn't use Googlefier because of the updated firmware.
No need of virtualized environments like GSpace, Gbox and other similar methods, now you can simply login into your Google Account without the need of installing other packages.
This solution is based on the YouTube Vanced-dedicated derivative of MicroG, called Vanced MicroG indeed, and it requires no root and no other packages to work.
Simply install this app, called GMSCoreHuawei (don't use the "unpatched" version, but the HUAWEI one), then Play Store apk from official sources like ApkMirror:
GitHub - jcchikikomori/GmsCoreHuawei: Attempt to support Free implementation of Play Services for HUAWEI devices
Attempt to support Free implementation of Play Services for HUAWEI devices - GitHub - jcchikikomori/GmsCoreHuawei: Attempt to support Free implementation of Play Services for HUAWEI devices
github.com
Download Google Play Store APKs for Android - APKMirror
Download Google Play Store APKs for Android - APKMirror Free and safe Android APK downloads
www.apkmirror.com
Login in MicroG using the Huawei button, give the necessary MicroG permissions for notifications and you're done
I didn't test on other devices, but I think also other De-Googlefied ones or users with problems in installing MicroG using other methods can manage to use this solution.
I tested Play Store downloads and Google Maps and some apps like Gboard or Opera browser requiring GMS to work fine, and I got no problems so far.
Maybe the developer of this version of MicroG will see this thread and further update this app to match official MicroG progress.
Thanks to him again for the amazing job, which will save much time and efforts to many users wanting to enable the Google ecosystem on their devices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello,
I'm using my huawei matepad 11, I installed the microG as u told and signed the Google acc but when I tried to open the playstore it kicked me out just 0,000001 milliseconds
Please helpp
crcblz said:
Hello,
I'm using my huawei matepad 11, I installed the microG as u told and signed the Google acc but when I tried to open the playstore it kicked me out just 0,000001 milliseconds
Please helpp
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, I cannot be of much help in this case since I do not have a device shipping with Harmony OS, but I think this video can be somewhat useful, let me know if you're successful in case you decide to try this method:
@crcblz you can also try this, if you want, I'm pretty sure there's Private Space option also in Harmony OS (I would have used this guide, but the Lite E device doesn't support Private Space at all).
[GUIDE] Add google account if you accidentally deleted it - EMUI 12.0.0.276
Hello, I just found out how to add google account if you accidentally delete it, you can also delete the updated google play services to install version 21.24.57. You can also uninstall google services framework and install on old version...
forum.xda-developers.com
cafemandala said:
Thank you so much for the quick response
I downloaded the exe and will try it after backing up everything
I will definitely keep you updated if that works for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just updating you, I found the time to make the final step and used HiSuite to make a backup of apps and files in my dad's P40 Lite E, and downgrade its firmware to EMUI 9. After that I installed the first OTA update of the phone to upgrade to an EMUI 10 version before the one Huawei applied the patch to, so I could use Googlefier without any issue.
The HiSuite version I posted here didn't let me install the downgraded firmware, so I let it update automatically to the official HiSuite 11.0.0.650_OVE version first and that worked just fine for the rollback (strangely enough, after that it didn't ask me to update to the latest V13.0.0.310 on the official HiSuite website, but it is better this way).
This short video also helped me in forcing Googlefier to work in the earliest steps.
Also make sure you follow Googlefier instructions exactly step by step, every detail of them is to be executed to the letter, every time you restart the device you have to open LZPlay first, without pressing any button of that app, and then you get back to Googlefier using the home button, so it can track the steps you do in installing GMS.
Edit:
After a few days I kept receiving Play Protect notification, so I tried using this official Google website to register my device, to no avail.
"https://www.google.com/android/uncertified/"
After registering the device I cleared Google Play Store, Google Play Services and Google Services Framework data, and in Notifications section of Google Play Services appeared a new setting, called Play Protect. I disabled it and I got no more annoying notifications about uncertified device.
Unfortunately, after some more days, every Google app I tried to use suddendly reported the "Device is not Play Protect Certified" screen, preventing me from using all of them.
So, sick of this situation, I completely uninstalled GMS except Google Account Manager (which contains the Google account I need on the phone) and I came back to MicroG, but at least the official version, since the account it's already on the device, and it's more updated than Huawei modded versions (their only advantage is that they add the ability to login successfully on Google on their own on Huawei devices).
And since I still don't know how to apply the signature spoofing patch on a completely stock, locked and unrooted device like Huawei is forced to be, and I don't trust the tons of modified Google Play Services apks on the web, I had to use PWAs for a couple of apps my parents needed, since they didn't recognize MicroG as the official GMS.
Play Store and Maps still work, but I had to replace Gmail and Google Calendar with open source alternatives, there are good replacements both on Play Store and on F-Droid (K-9 Mail, for example, has a pretty simple UI very similar to the Gmail one, and supports Google Accounts).
So, in the end I partially won the battle (and I got to the same point I was when I wrote OP) but not completely, since some apps force you to have official GMS or MicroG with signature spoofing patch enabled in order to be used, so alternatives or PWAs are needed.
jacomail95 said:
Hello friends, here is something I found to solve the lack of Google Play Services in modern Huawei devices. Credits go to the developer, not me, and to the original MicroG developers, I just want to share this solution to help people having the same issue.
MicroG is an open source software replacement for Google Play Services, and it requires root, Magisk, Xposed or in-built signature spoofing patch to work, but not this time.
I used this method as soon as I found it, since both of my parents got a Huawei P40 Lite E, and I couldn't use Googlefier because of the updated firmware.
No need of virtualized environments like GSpace, Gbox and other similar methods, now you can simply login into your Google Account without the need of installing other packages.
This solution is based on the YouTube Vanced-dedicated derivative of MicroG, called Vanced MicroG indeed, and it requires no root and no other packages to work.
Simply install this app, called GMSCoreHuawei (don't use the "unpatched" version, but the HUAWEI one), then Play Store apk from official sources like ApkMirror:
GitHub - jcchikikomori/GmsCoreHuawei: Attempt to support Free implementation of Play Services for HUAWEI devices
Attempt to support Free implementation of Play Services for HUAWEI devices - GitHub - jcchikikomori/GmsCoreHuawei: Attempt to support Free implementation of Play Services for HUAWEI devices
github.com
Download Google Play Store APKs for Android - APKMirror
Download Google Play Store APKs for Android - APKMirror Free and safe Android APK downloads
www.apkmirror.com
Login in MicroG using the Huawei button, give the necessary MicroG permissions for notifications and you're done
I didn't test on other devices, but I think also other De-Googlefied ones or users with problems in installing MicroG using other methods can manage to use this solution.
I tested Play Store downloads and Google Maps and some apps like Gboard or Opera browser requiring GMS to work fine, and I got no problems so far.
Maybe the developer of this version of MicroG will see this thread and further update this app to match official MicroG progress.
Thanks to him again for the amazing job, which will save much time and efforts to many users wanting to enable the Google ecosystem on their devices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any updates on this? I would love an app that worked just for vasic stuff like gmaps or gmail
tiagomachado02 said:
Any updates on this? I would love an app that worked just for vasic stuff like gmaps or gmail
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The MicroG I linked in OP works for Maps and Gmail, I can confirm, at least for EMUI 10. I don't have a Harmony OS device so I can't test on that.
does not install the microg Huawei on my mate20
Hey, I just passed through this thread.
I'm not a programmer, nor do I own a Huawei phone, but I can give some ideas to someone smarter than me.
Maybe one could do something similar to ReVanced. You see, ReVanced has it's own manager, to which you "upload" a sideloaded app, f.e. YouTube, and you can add patches to it. One of them is the addition of microG support. After you patch the app, a forked version of the app will install with different code name (original has com.google. ..., forked has app.revanced. ...). So, maybe someone smarter than me could do something like this, some sort of a manager which makes forked versions of G-apps with microG support. Of course, this wouldn't work with services which cannot properly function without GMS, like the Play Store, but for most G-apps, something like this could work, but that's just me spewing some ideas into the void...
jacomail95 said:
Hi, my experience is on EMUI 10 and I used this apk:
https://github.com/jcchikikomori/GmsCoreHuawei/releases/download/v0.2.22.212658-HUAWEI/play-services-core-withMapbox-withNearby-release.apk
I logged in using the HUAWEI button, gave ALL the required permissions in MicroG settings and then Play Store apk downloaded from Apkmirror worked without issues, and so Maps and other Google apps.
There are some 3rd party apps still not recognizing it as a replacement of GMS, but I can manage that.
If the apk or other versions don't work for you, you can still try an older MicroG variant built from EloyGomez, here the source code:
GitHub - EloYGomeZ/android_packages_apps_GmsCore-HUAWEI: Free implementation of Play Services
Free implementation of Play Services. Contribute to EloYGomeZ/android_packages_apps_GmsCore-HUAWEI development by creating an account on GitHub.
github.com
Here the apk found on another XDA thread
31.13 MB file on MEGA
mega.nz
I also used that once, it works in the same way and successfully, I remember having discovered it casually in a YouTube video and also I've seen it in Android Hilfe forum (translate button necessary).
Alternatively, you can try this method using regular MicroG, but I don't know if it's still working and it's not tested by me:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Huawei/comments/i5fhkf
Let me know how it goes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey, i used the dirst link and playstore worked, but everything else said no account was on the phone. The mega linked didn't work... Where can i guet other versions of that app?