Database Info

[Q] Very minimalistic gapps - only Play Store

I would like to have no google at all on my phone (CM) except google play.
I just want to be able to download apps from store and keep them up to date. Nothing more from Google.
Somewhere on this forum I've read that to have Google Play working properly I need following apk's:
Code:
GmsCore
GoogleServicesFramework
Phonesky
GoogleLoginService
It works fine with it but i think I still could delete some of them. GmsCore is some kind of google maps API? this is the one which allows other applications to show google maps?
What does GoogleServicesFramework? Is it necessary to keep it?
GoogleLogin Serivice?

d21d3q said:
I would like to have no google at all on my phone (CM) except google play.
I just want to be able to download apps from store and keep them up to date. Nothing more from Google.
Somewhere on this forum I've read that to have Google Play working properly I need following apk's:
Code:
GmsCore
GoogleServicesFramework
Phonesky
GoogleLoginService
It works fine with it but i think I still could delete some of them. GmsCore is some kind of google maps API? this is the one which allows other applications to show google maps?
What does GoogleServicesFramework? Is it necessary to keep it?
GoogleLogin Serivice?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
At first, let me explain four files above.
GmsCore: Google Play Services
GoogleServicesFramework: Google Services Framework
Phonesky: Google Play Store
GoogleLoginService: Google Login Service
GmsCore is required by some apps in order to work properly. GoogleServicesFramework is required in some apps (especially Google Apps). You should keep both of them. Also, you must keep GoogleLoginService or you'll unable to use Google Services.
Deleting apps manually is full of risk, because apps that installed on System partition have libraries installed too.
You don't need to remove it again. As an alternative, use GApps Minimal Edition.
To allows any app to show maps, you must have GPS enabled, no matter if Google Maps is installed or not.

How I managed to quit Google services cold turkey and lived to tell the tale ;)

Hey folks,
Just sharing my experience getting out of the Google services/framework
I use LineageOS(a custom firmware) with my One Plus 2 and was previously using gaaps pico(the bare minimum) which had Google Services Framework which comes with Google Play Store.
I didn't like the permissions Google Play Store was asking for(almost all permissions) although I made a new Google account and used a gamers gift card to load money onto it to pay for apps, I was just uncomfortable with the privacy policy and all the metadata Google collects.
I searched high and low and found 'Raccoon' and 'Yalp Store' as alternatives to the Google Play Store, ironically I found them using Google Search , Yalp Store is what I went with to download apps from Google Play Store without the Google Services Framework (GSF) and it has the ability to check for app Updates(Yalp Store checks and updates apps using scrapping the Google Play Store, no need for Google Services Framework), I had a choice of using the Yalp Store random account to sign-in or one of my choice. So now I don't install any Gaaps with LineageOS.
I liked the idea of updating apps via Play Store (they are vetted the most in my opinion with respect to security) I don't mind apkmirror but it requires a scrapper to check for updates(which I was too lazy to write).
There were some hiccups using Yalp Store(I signed in with the account In used to pay for apps) for apps like Greenify, that I paid for would not unlock as it required Google Services Framework to do a license check.
There are no push notifications without GSF. The private messenger 'Signal' still works but runs in the background(does not take too much of battery at all).
It's been a two weeks or more without anything Google and even droping Whatsapp. I noticed really good battery life. Had to use various apps(essentials for me) like:
Mail: Bluemail for icloud email
Music: Phonograph (Not GSF dependant)
Video: VLC (Not GSF dependant)
File manager: Solid Explorer PRO (Very cool, uses your IMEI to do a license check initially)
Oneplus Galery and Camera (ported by one of the devs) (btw if you google the OnePlus Gallery on apkmirror, the beta version works fine with the OP2)
Messaging: Signal Messenger
Calendar (com.boxer.calendar): Not GSF dependant
Browser: Firefox and Firefox Focus
Notes: Simplenote
F-Droid: to check for updates to the Yalp Store app (not GSF dependant)
Newpipe (YouTube player which can be downloaded from F-Droid) - Is awesome, can check if your favorite YouTube channels have any updates without signing in, just like the 'YouTube Checker' add-on for Firefox on desktop. Super cool floating popup to watch videos! (non GFS dependant)
Backup: Super Backup (The super backup pro is GSF dependant and cannot complete a license check) I use this app to locally backup Contacts, apps, Calendar events and Messages)
BlueMail checks my email once in a day, just like the old days when they were no smartphones and one would logon on the desktop once a day to check mail, instead of having a fight or flight response everytime a push notification is sent atleast in my case (I can manually do a refresh and check, whenever)
To be honest, it takes some getting used to, but I'm happier in the sense I dont like Google collecting data for their AI and Machine learning, my data is not that important to them and my privacy is not due to any paranoia. I just dont like the concept anymore, I have nothing to hide, it's just the 'Google Free Stuff' comes at a cost, I just watched tech news today and found that Google Chrome, is now, planning to use Machine Learning to determine if the links you click in their browser are Malware, you know what that means right, they have to get access to all the 'links' you click 'to determine' which are Malware. Most people don't get it, others don't care because they feel they have nothing to hide, but, if you really want to go free of either Google or Apple. Stock LineageOS is the best way to go (personal opinion)
Without GSF you have to set a check for notifications(for various apps) at regular intervals, not that battery intensive but counter-intuitive if you dig push notifications.
Wow, feels great to share all that lol.
Also, I found the time to update my 'removal' script to remove all the default ringtones-alarms-notificaton(.ogg file) sounds and copy just the ones I want to use to their respective folders via TWRP flashing (it also removes stuff I dont use in Lineage OS)
https://github.com/forestfirefly/lineageosscript
Have a safe and secure 2018 and please do share any super cool non GSF dependant apps that you use, thanks.
Ps:- Using the LineageOS stock Dialer and Contacts app and really diggin it!
Thanks LineageOS Dev Team for all your hard work, you guys must get that a lot but felt the need to say it
Originally posted here
Update1:
Have moved out of iCloud email and have decided to go with the eco-friendly email provider posteo.de along with the 'K-9 Email' app to fetch email.
Update2:
Am using 'Here WeGo' maps and its not bad at all.
Also switched to APKUpdater(https://forum.xda-developers.com/android/apps-games/app-apkupdater-t3444517) as Yalp Store was sharing my device info with Google (when using my own account, I noticed it in devices)
Update3:
Decided to use Raccoon by Onyxbits to download apks on my linux machine (Mod Edit: Link removed)
It's good and has the ability to check for updates for apps downloaded
It has the ability to download apps you have paid for based on the google ID you use to log in
Changed from Yalp Store as I found Yalp Store to use the google play api to fetch apps and if any other google framework like microG was to be installed it would get the account credentials from Yalp store, also, using it with the Orbot app, made Google flag my account as a "privacy guy", they seemed to know what's going on.
Using Spotify for music (does not require GSF)
Using Simple Calendar Pro for Calendar
Using firefox as my main browser usinf Opera with VPN for anonymous browsing
Using Firefox Notes for end to end encrypted notes instead of SImplenote
Waiting for RCS (Mod Edit: Link removed) Messaging as I've completely gone off WhatsApp for good! Signal Messanger is good for now.

Same for me.

Stable, secure, regularly updated google play services alternative help?

hi,
could someone help me with a Stable, secure, regularly updated google play services alternative help?
using android 10 stock on one phone
using lineageOS 17 on another
using lineageOS 18 on another
if it matters...
do you really need google play services? if so why?
thx

dudeism said:
do you really need google play services? if so why?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google Play services is used to update Google apps and apps from Google Play.
This component provides core functionality like authentication to your Google services, synchronized contacts, access to all the latest user privacy settings, and higher quality, lower-powered location based services.
Google Play services also enhances your app experience. It speeds up offline searches, provides more immersive maps, and improves gaming experiences.
Apps that rely on Google Play services may not work if Google Play services aren't installed or if you uninstall Google Play services.

Question about Google account?

Hello everyone,
1. How does Google account work, if I have google account does it mean that every Google app in the phone is using the same Google account? e.g. Google Photos, Drive, Playstore...
2. If I do not have Google account can I use any gmail to login Playstore so I can download from Playstore? Can I use the gmail to login playstore, download app, then logout of playstore, without adding the gmail to become google account?
3. If I have Google account e.g [email protected], can I use another different gmail e.g. [email protected] to login Playstore?
4. If I do not have Google Photos app, I have Google account, does Google account backup contains all photos and videos? Does Google account and Google Photos backup exact same images and videos?
5. If I have a new phone, what is the difference of restore backup from Google account vs Samsung account vs restore backup by using Samsung smart switch transfer from old phone?
6. Is there something like Playstore that do not require any login?
Thanks.
(updated to add at 5. vs Samsung account)

1. Yes
2. No. Gmail accounts are automatically Google play accounts.
3. Yes
4. Google account does not backup your photos. Photos app backups your photos. If you install that app and don't modify your settings, it will backup your apps through photos app.
5. If you have the same info on both, there will be no difference. If you did not logged in into Google play, then backup from google play won't work.
6. Aurora app store

Fytdyh said:
1. Yes
2. No. Gmail accounts are automatically Google play accounts.
3. Yes
4. Google account does not backup your photos. Photos app backups your photos. If you install that app and don't modify your settings, it will backup your apps through photos app.
5. If you have the same info on both, there will be no difference. If you did not logged in into Google play, then backup from google play won't work.
6. Aurora app store
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I did not have a google account and I tap playstore app then I login playstore using gmail, will that gmaill appear in google account at "From Settings, swipe to and select Accounts and backup. Tap Manage accounts, and then tap Add account. Tap Google, and then enter your Google account information to sign in." source https://www.samsung.com/us/support/answer/ANS00078934/
How to get Aurora app store?
How to get Playstore?

In addition to installing apps from Google Play Store, you can download apk files from the well-known apkmirror or apkpure website, then sideload apps.

alearn said:
If I did not have a google account and I tap playstore app then I login playstore using gmail, will that gmaill appear in google account at "From Settings, swipe to and select Accounts and backup. Tap Manage accounts, and then tap Add account. Tap Google, and then enter your Google account information to sign in." source https://www.samsung.com/us/support/answer/ANS00078934/
How to get Aurora app store?
How to get Playstore?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, it will appear there.
How to get Aurora app store ? Search on Google.
How to get Playstore ? You mean Google Play Store ? You already have it.

alearn said:
How to get Aurora app store?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check this XDA thread:
[App][4.4+] Aurora Store - Open Source Play Store client [May 31 2023]
Aurora Store Unofficial Google Play client Disclaimer : Using Aurora Store with your own Google account may cause your account to be blacklisted, use at your own risk. Aurora Store is an Unofficial FOSS client to Google's Play Store, with an...
forum.xda-developers.com
Regards
Oswald Boelcke

Oswald Boelcke said:
Check this XDA thread:
[App][4.4+] Aurora Store - Open Source Play Store client [May 31 2023]
Aurora Store Unofficial Google Play client Disclaimer : Using Aurora Store with your own Google account may cause your account to be blacklisted, use at your own risk. Aurora Store is an Unofficial FOSS client to Google's Play Store, with an...
forum.xda-developers.com
Regards
Oswald Boelcke
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At the first post I see "Disclaimer : Using Aurora Store with your own Google account may cause your account
to be blacklisted, use at your own risk."
What does it mean by blacklisted?
Does it mean the Gmail/Google account is blacklisted by Google? or does it mean Aurora Store blacklisted the Google account?
If blacklisted happens, can I delete/uninstall Aurora Store and recover the Google account back to normal? What ways to undo the blacklist?
Are both the same from these 2 sites?
index - powered by h5ai v0.30.0 (https://larsjung.de/h5ai/)
index - powered by h5ai v0.30.0 (https://larsjung.de/h5ai/)
files.auroraoss.com
You searched for Aurora Store - APKMirror
You searched for Aurora Store - APKMirror Free and safe Android APK downloads
www.apkmirror.com
How does apk sites like apkmirror.com get those apk? Do app creators give it to them?
At apkmirror I see [Aurora Store (fdroid version) 4.1.1 by Aurora OSS], [Aurora Store (gitlab version) 4.1.1 by Aurora OSS], what are the differences?
Thanks

Google apps installed through NikGapps vs Play Store

A lot of Google apps are provided both by NikGapps (in the packages and as addons) and are available in the Play Store too.
I read that some apps have missing features when installed via the store: Search doesn't support voice activation ("ok google"), Maps doesn't support timeline history etc. I'm thus wondering:
Is there a list of which extra features you get, if you install the Google Apps via NikGapps as opposed to the Store?
And I ran into an issue related to this: I flashed NikGapps Core, then installed various apps via the Store. Maps' Timeline History wasn't working for me, so I was suggested to install GMaps from NikGapps. I uninstalled the Maps from store, flashed the NikGapps' one, but now Maps it's not working at all: even after force-stopping and clearing the app's cache and storage, Maps is not showing any map at all and doesn't work.
Can I fix it in any way? Or do I need to clean-flash my ROM and start over from scratch?

Start over from the scratch.
BTW:
The apps-package called NikGApps is softwares copyrighted by Google. Take note that Google name this softwares "GMS". GMS is not open-source. Instead, Google selectively licenses it to device manufacturers or OEMs for free, read: Device manufacturers require a license from Google in order to bundle GMS.
Installing GMS-apps via Google Play Store has the advantage that the apps get automatically updated if Google deem it necessary.
List of Core apps
Google Search
Google Chrome
YouTube
Google Play
Google Drive
Gmail
Google Duo
Google Maps
Google Photos
Google TV
YouTube Music