Database Info

Manage multiple android phones?

I work in an IT department, and have the task to figure out how we control the 30 or so HTC legend and Desire's which will be handed out to our employees.
I would like to keep the phones as safe a passible, with centralized management so we can push apps to all phones, locate them, remote wipe and so on.
Problem 1: Does every employee need their own Google account? or can we use the same account on all phones?
it would take a long time creating them and keeping track of all the accounts.
Problem 2: how do we restrict them from installing apps themselves?
haven't found anything on this yet..
Problem 3: Is there any management software out there for android?
so far I am thinking about using Lookout for antivirus and locating lost phones, it does not support remote wipe for android,(it does for win mo). And using appbrain to push apps to all phones. will this work? or are there better solutions out there?

Why don't you guys go with BlackBerry instead? RIM has targetted their OS way more to these kind of business situations.
Anyway, if you have 1 google account for everyone. Everyone will have the same contacts, same calendar and same gmail e-mails.

The company is placed in Denmark, BlackBerry are not available to us, plus the phones have already been bought.
The Google accounts won’t be used for anything else than the market place. Mail, calendar is over exchange webmail.
Will the contacts be a problem?

Contacts won't be a problem if there are no contacts stored in it. Just gotta make sure nobody starts adding contacts in it. Or simply disable contact syncing all together, but you gotta do that on every phone.
I don't know about the other questions.

Ok, good. So no other problems with shared google accounts?

I would disagree with sharing one google account. There are many other aspects of the google account which are shared. Have you thought about cooking your own roms? You could remove the android market (and other apps) and make it more difficult to sideload apps.

I'd definitely suggest this route. Remove marketplace all together and sideload all of your necessary apps from apks.
OldCrowEW said:
I would disagree with sharing one google account. There are many other aspects of the google account which are shared. Have you thought about cooking your own roms? You could remove the android market (and other apps) and make it more difficult to sideload apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Check out the enterprise products offered by Good Technologies.

OldCrowEW said:
I would disagree with sharing one google account. There are many other aspects of the google account which are shared. Have you thought about cooking your own roms? You could remove the android market (and other apps) and make it more difficult to sideload apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So it is best to have individual accounts for each and every one of the employees?
Don’t think cooking is an option for us, as it not will be allowed by our operator, with warranty and so on..
I will have a look at Good Technologies, on Monday. Does anyone have any experience with their products?

yes, def no sharing of the accounts. All it would take is one person to mess it up for everyone else. You could get Google Apps account for better management but they cost $$.

OldCrowEW said:
yes, def no sharing of the accounts. All it would take is one person to mess it up for everyone else. You could get Google Apps account for better management but they cost $$.[/QUOTE
Google Apps most definitely. Its the only way for you to control 30 phones ---- if your working for a non-profit, then G-Apps is free. You control Google Apps, then you control the phones by natural subordination.
Any other way is going to weigh a heavy demand on your shoulders, big brother.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Googe Apps
kingzion said:
I work in an IT department, and have the task to figure out how we control the 30 or so HTC legend and Desire's which will be handed out to our employees.
I would like to keep the phones as safe a passible, with centralized management so we can push apps to all phones, locate them, remote wipe and so on.
Problem 1: Does every employee need their own Google account? or can we use the same account on all phones?
it would take a long time creating them and keeping track of all the accounts.
Problem 2: how do we restrict them from installing apps themselves?
haven't found anything on this yet..
Problem 3: Is there any management software out there for android?
so far I am thinking about using Lookout for antivirus and locating lost phones, it does not support remote wipe for android,(it does for win mo). And using appbrain to push apps to all phones. will this work? or are there better solutions out there?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its true you need a Google account to set up your phones. However, have you thought about setting up your phones with a Google apps account?
Our company has become very "Google Friendly" as of late. We switched our email server out for a very flexible/scalable Google Apps account.
Instead of giving a gps, phone, and tablet to everyone. We found that all our needs were satisfied with giving everyone a Droid.
I am now in control of upwards 200 phones. All but a few are Android (Droids) all are set up under our Google Apps account. If you talk with your Service provider they should be able to set the phones up for you if you order yours in a bulk order at the same time. And yes everyone will need their own account, you would run into a huge mess if you were only using one account. (email, calender, contacts, and settings would all change with one person adding/subtracting something)
As for managing your users ability to download apps. You could do as suggested and remove the market place after you have installed your needed apps. Or you could limit your users to only downloading free apps. (if you set your phones up using Google Apps they cannot sync a google checkout account to their phone. (Is there a reason you don't want your users to download apps?)
Android 2.2 will give you your other request remote wipe, ease of deployment (exchange account sync), and better security.
If you go with Google you get a great community that will be able to help you out.
Free Apps that may help you out.
instamapper (tracking at its best)
wheresmydroid (turn on gps)
pdanet (internet tether)
barcode scanner
gps (mostly built in)
dropbox (file sharing)
It does take time to set up, but I think you would be very please with the transition.

kingzion said:
I work in an IT department, and have the task to figure out how we control the 30 or so HTC legend and Desire's which will be handed out to our employees.
I would like to keep the phones as safe a passible, with centralized management so we can push apps to all phones, locate them, remote wipe and so on.
Problem 1: Does every employee need their own Google account? or can we use the same account on all phones?
it would take a long time creating them and keeping track of all the accounts.
Problem 2: how do we restrict them from installing apps themselves?
haven't found anything on this yet..
Problem 3: Is there any management software out there for android?
so far I am thinking about using Lookout for antivirus and locating lost phones, it does not support remote wipe for android,(it does for win mo). And using appbrain to push apps to all phones. will this work? or are there better solutions out there?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello,
Have you found any apps that fit your needs? Do you use them? If no, is your organization still interesting in mobile device management service?
I'm asking because I'm working for http://bloove.com (personal phone management service) and we're going to expand our offer to small and medium companies.
This new service will combine existing contact, sms, phone log and bookmark backup for personal phone with MDM features like centralized app management, location and wipe service etc.
We're looking for early adopters who will have a chance to add their custom requirements to the service and get this service for free for up to six months.
Please let me know if you're interested and want to discuss this further.
Thank you,
Rostislav
[email protected]

Calender please!

Guys, I have a X10i updated to Android 2.1, I am very happy with the phone except that i cant use one basic functionality of the phone.
The calender app requires me to sync with gmail & somehow Vodafone Live GPRS does not permit such registrations as its apparently only for basic web browsing. For such registrations, i would have to opt for advanced GPRS in Vodafone titled Vodafone connect whose monthly rental is quite high. Since my GPRS usage is limited, I am not willing to pay that amount just to sync my phone to google!
I am frustrated that i cant access such a basic app like calender... I have searched the entire Android market for a calender app which does not require me to sync to google or gmail.
Can you guys help me with this? I just need a basic calender app!

Same with me also...i want same app....is there any?

raj_5004 said:
Guys, I have a X10i updated to Android 2.1, I am very happy with the phone except that i cant use one basic functionality of the phone.
The calender app requires me to sync with gmail & somehow Vodafone Live GPRS does not permit such registrations as its apparently only for basic web browsing. For such registrations, i would have to opt for advanced GPRS in Vodafone titled Vodafone connect whose monthly rental is quite high. Since my GPRS usage is limited, I am not willing to pay that amount just to sync my phone to google!
I am frustrated that i cant access such a basic app like calender... I have searched the entire Android market for a calender app which does not require me to sync to google or gmail.
Can you guys help me with this? I just need a basic calender app!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
subhankar.ds said:
Same with me also...i want same app....is there any?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
More professional
I´m not sure if this is what you`re looking for but try "DejaOffice - Outlook, USB Sync"
Search for "DejaCalendar" on Market
More basic
AnCal

Jorte
Gives you the option to use google, or jorte calendar for the data.. so use Jorte.. and it also has tasks, great widgets, and the basic app is better than the standard one.

im_iceman said:
Jorte
Gives you the option to use google, or jorte calendar for the data.. so use Jorte.. and it also has tasks, great widgets, and the basic app is better than the standard one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanx....will use & confirm.....

it's works....Thnx Man......

[Q] facebook sync fix for ics

Is there any way to fix it without using third party apps?

Another one with the same problem. Even a third party app would be fine for me... Any suggestion?

evcz said:
Another one with the same problem. Even a third party app would be fine for me... Any suggestion?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its not broken. The Official Facebook application doesn't support Android 4.0 just yet so you will not be able to sync your contacts to your device. The only method is to use third party applications. I use Friendcaster Pro and it works really well.
Unfortunately, Till Facebook adds compatibility to the official application... you will not see your contacts sync to your device

Nope, the issue is between Google and Facebook, so we won't see contact sync fixed until Google and Facebook make an agreement or until a custom ROM fixes is. I forget the whole story, but I think Facebook doesn't use Android's contact API so when you sync Facebook contacts with your phone they all stay with Facebook and aren't stored locally on the phone. If you uninstall Facebook all your Facebook contacts go to. Google doesn't like that FB doesn't let you control and keep your FB data on your phone so they revoked Facebooks access to the API.
EDIT: heres an article about it: http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/22/google-disables-contact-sync-in-facebook-for-android-only-nexus/

red_skittles said:
Nope, the issue is between Google and Facebook, so we won't see contact sync fixed until Google and Facebook make an agreement or until a custom ROM fixes is. I forget the whole story, but I think Facebook doesn't use Android's contact API so when you sync Facebook contacts with your phone they all stay with Facebook and aren't stored locally on the phone. If you uninstall Facebook all your Facebook contacts go to. Google doesn't like that FB doesn't let you control and keep your FB data on your phone so they revoked Facebooks access to the API.
EDIT: heres an article about it: http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/22/google-disables-contact-sync-in-facebook-for-android-only-nexus/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You sorta proved my point. More or less its not compatibility with Android 4.0 but its the Nexus S. Once again Facebook will have to upgrade the application in order to make it compatible with the Nexus S. Only difference between what I said is instead of Android 4.0 its for the Nexus S and Galaxy Nexus
Facebook contact data will continue to appear within the Facebook app. Like all developers on Android, Facebook is free to use the Android contacts API to truly integrate contacts on the device, which would allow users to have more control over their data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Azuske said:
You sorta proved my point. More or less its not compatibility with Android 4.0 but its the Nexus S. Once again Facebook will have to upgrade the application in order to make it compatible with the Nexus S. Only difference between what I said is instead of Android 4.0 its for the Nexus S and Galaxy Nexus
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Facebook never updated the app on Gingerbread. Facebook sync was included in custom ROMS because developers enabled it. Nothing to do with official support from Facebook. Until Google and Facebook sort this out, vanilla Android won't support contact sync, unless Facebook starts using the regular contact API

Friendcaster is not allowing me to login (whitepage)... Is it really compatible with ICS?

evcz said:
Friendcaster is not allowing me to login (whitepage)... Is it really compatible with ICS?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i would also like to have this verified, hehe, before i spend the $5 for this app!
def would like to see some sync action to my ICS rom... having no pics on the contact face is hard!

try syncmypix
try syncmypix, works good for facebook pics

Thanks! This worked

If you are OK with 3rd party apps, take a look at this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=20477937#post20477937

[APP][4.4+][ROOT] Contacts Sync - sync your address book contacts

WARNING: This app requires a rooted device. It's recommended to backup your contacts before using it. I personally recommend backup to Google account, as it offers to undo changes easily, and I think it backup even photos quite well.
Background
Seeing that the only app that allows to sync your contacts photos is SyncMe, yet it can't sync with WhatsApp (and there is a good reason for this), I've decided to create this app.
What this app does
Its purpose is to sync your contacts photos on the address book with those on WhatsApp.
Download
APK mirror:
https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/androiddeveloperlb/contacts-sync-requires-root/
ApkPure:
https://apkpure.com/contacts-sync-requires-root/com.lb.contacts_sync
Requirements and permissions explanation
WhatsApp app being installed and working well. Tested on version 2.16.306 (build 451445).
A rooted device/emulator. It is needed for getting the HQ contacts images, for auto-granting the other permissions, and for the automation of the entire process.
Internet connection - allows WhatsApp to download the photos. Don't have any app to download stuff in the background. Otherwise it might fail to get the images in one way or another.
Contacts permissions - the app needs to modify your contacts...
Phone and usage-access permissions, so that the app could monitor WhatsApp Internet activity.
Draw on top permission- for allowing to halt the process, and for staying on portrait mode during the process.
Isn't there a non-rooted version?
It is highly possible that I can make one. I started by using accessibility service to handle the automation, and I made it work for a single contact that has a photo.
It will take a long time till I can finish it, but it was a step in the right direction.
However, sadly, Google has recently warned all apps that use accessibility service for purposes that are not for disabled users (many articles about it, including here, here and here) , so for now this work is on hold, till I find out what is really going on.
They might remove the app or even my own Google account, according to these articles. I do not want to take this risk, after so much time working on it.
That being said, I might put here on XDA the app some day. Will take some time though. I may have made progress, but I didn't handle everything that needs to be handled.
In any case, this app is only for rooted devices. If I have non-rooted solution, I might need to make a new app for it.
EDIT: later Google added a form and a policy team to handle accessibility, but it's so messy that it might mean the whole work on such a thing would go away. You can read about my experience of this here. Very frustrating, but I still wish to try it out some day.
Recommended
A good Internet connection
Android 5.0 and above
Have all contacts saved into Google.
How it works
It currently only has 3 simple steps:
- grant permissions (needed only once).
- fetch photos by first checking which are new and then go over each of them.
- sync the photos.
All phases are easy to go by (just press a single button) , and are all automatic and based on things any power user can do anyway, given enough time and patience.
The last step can even be done in the background if you wish.
Do note that as it highly depends on how WhatsApp works, it is possible that one day a new version of WhatsApp will change too much, that it won't work.
If you've found any bug, please let me know.
Why no fully automatic background sync?
This is a bit problematic because :
it works in the foreground, and not the background
if you have a lock screen, the app will need to bypass it, which might be an issue.
it emulates touch operations, so if you are not aware of what's going on, it might have some risks in using it in the background
That being said, you can enable the scheduler feature that will schedule a check if it seems there are new updates that you can sync.
This operation is so efficient that it doesn't require Internet connection and you can safely set it to run every day without worrying about the battery. Just remember to let the app have root access and contacts permission.
Would it work with modded WhatsApp ?
Maybe, as long as the package name of it is the same as the official one (meaning "com.whatsapp"). Last time I checked the GBWhatsapp app (available here, called "GBWAPlus"), it worked fine with it.
Might not work in the future or on other mods.
Why not support more chatting apps? Telegram? Messenger? Viber? Skype? ...
I've spent an entire week finding what can be done with each of the top chatting apps, and failed to find a way to work with them.
Even Telegram, which is supposed to be open sourced, was found too complex to work with, and even if I did manage to work with it, its terms are that my app should be a chatting app too, with all of the basic features of a chatting app.
This will all take so much more time that I can afford for a spare time app, and it's out of the scope for the app to be a chatting app, just to sync photos.
The app says I don't have contacts. How come?
You probably didn't let it to sync with your address book yet. Let it have the permission it needs (mainly Contacts permission), and then run it, then run my app.
If all fail, uninstall and re-install both apps, and grant the needed permission to both, and then run my app.
The app used to work before I've switched to a new ROM, and now it doesn't. How come?
Some ROMs mess with how Android handles contacts on the address book. I have no idea why and I have no idea in which way, so sadly I have nothing to do about it other than recommend using better ROMs...
The app fails to sync contacts or crashes even before. How come?
There are some issues related to address book that are out of this app's scope and responsibility.
Here are some possible workarounds:
1. Try to clear data of WhatsApp, of Contacts Storage , of Contacts, restart device, open your Contacts app, let it sync with the address book for some time. Then Try my app again.
2. One user wrote this:
may be suggest him the way it works for me,export contacts from phone to vcf file,delete contacts from hone,through web, import vcf file to google,through phone sync contacts to google,through phone sync contacts to whatsapp, sync photos with your app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
3. Another solution someone wrote is that clearing the data of "com.android.providers.contacts" package name and restart of the OS fixed it.
4. Some users say the app doesn't sync their contacts. I'm still investigating this issue, but for now, you can try to convert all your contacts to be on Google account. Some users said it helped, and some said that moving to another rom helped. Sorry if the app doesn't work for you even after those actions. Hope to find the reason for this.
One user said this helped: backup contacts to vcf file. delete all contacts. Import vcf file in web browser into Google account. Let it sync on device. Use the app.
I have "parallel apps" feature (AKA "cloning" of apps) on my phone , allowing multiple instances of apps. Why can't this app work well when it's turned on?
This feature that some devices have is not native Android feature and can cause real issues and break things. Sadly I couldn't find a way to overcome it (wrote about this here)https://stackoverflow.com/q/49930676/878126. It even doesn't work well in general, not allowing you to put widgets of the second one. Same goes for sharing. Please disable it before syncing using my app. Instead of this cloning feature, you could just use both WhatsApp and WhasAppBusiness.
Tested devices and Android versions
Nexus 5X with Android 6.0.1 , Android 7.0 and Android 7.1.1.
HTC One M8 with stock Android 5.0.2
Nexus 6P Android 7.1.1 DP1
asus zenfone 2 lazer (ze550kl) 6.0.1 stock
Moto G3 with 7.0
Nexus 5 with CM13 (Android 6.0.1).
and more...
App translation
https://crowdin.com/project/com-lb-app_manager
Beta testing
Links for the beta testing group:
- https://play.google.com/apps/testing/com.lb.contacts_sync
Articles
https://www.androidrank.org/application/contacts_sync_requires_root_/com.lb.contacts_sync?hl=en
Privacy policy ?
Written on this post.
XDA:DevDB Information
Contacts Sync, App for the Apps & Games
Contributors
AndroidDeveloperLB
Version Information
Status: Testing
Created 2016-11-27
Last Updated 2017-01-04

Reserved
Privacy policy for "Contacts Sync" app
I do not store anything of your device on any server. I don't even have or need a server for this app to function.
Everything this app does, it does locally on your own device.
All that is used is by/for ads of third party companies:
https://www.google.com/adsense/localized-terms?hl=en_US

Can run more than 1 app clone for same aplication?

FabioAreia said:
Can run more than 1 app clone for same aplication?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't understand the question.
The app just syncs your contacts photos, with those that are on WhatsApp.

Wrong thread. Sorry
Enviado do meu Vodafone Smart ultra 6 através de Tapatalk

FabioAreia said:
Wrong thread. Sorry
Enviado do meu Vodafone Smart ultra 6 através de Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you delete the posts then?
If so, how do I do it too? I don't know ...

Updated version. What's new:
1. Fixed super user permissions granting issues.
2. Tweaked fetch images phase by using a safer (yet sadly slower) method. Hopefully will not miss any image now.
3. While fetching images, prevents screen from being automatically turned off, so that it won't fail later.
EDIT: I think I know why the app won't sync with some contacts. This happens in the case of a lot of contacts. I will have to fix this.

Updated version.
What's new:
1. Fixed issue of missing images.
2. Massive speed improvement of syncing phase. On some devices you won't even believe it did anything.
3. From now on, only new images will sync. This is another improvement in terms of efficiency.

No 4.4 compatibility?
Enviado desde mi SM-N910F mediante Tapatalk

david6910 said:
No 4.4 compatibility?
Enviado desde mi SM-N910F mediante Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What do you mean? It doesn't work on your 4.4 device?

Does this sync pictures to google account, so I only have to do the sync once and then the pictures are stored to Google contacts in web?

stunned said:
Does this sync pictures to google account, so I only have to do the sync once and then the pictures are stored to Google contacts in web?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Short answer is yes, but ...
It syncs with all your contacts, whether they are in Google or on the device.
If they are Google contacts, the photos will also be saved on Google's servers.
However, Google tends to save only low quality images, so I think that if, for example, you do a factory reset and get the contacts back, the photos you will have from Google will have low quality.
This is what I saw last time I checked it, using SyncMe app (which I also still use to sync my contacts) , but maybe it changed, because it was a long time ago.

Worked great for me, finally nice work. Any donate button around here? Can't wait to see future improvement for maybe updating just one contact.

Nice
Saved my time, great tool ty.

biglo said:
Worked great for me, finally nice work. Any donate button around here? Can't wait to see future improvement for maybe updating just one contact.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure if I should publish this app on the Play store, so donating is not possible at the moment.
Share the app instead.
Or, try my other app, here.
BTW, there is no update mechanism, so I'd like to know how to add "follow project" for users here, so that they will get a notification on the forum whenever there is a new update.
Anyone knows how to do it?

Okdemir said:
Saved my time, great tool ty.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you. Can you please share which device and Android version you've tried it on?

AndroidDeveloperLB said:
Thank you. Can you please share which device and Android version you've tried it on?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ofc, i have rooted marshmallow stock rom of asus zenfone 2 lazer (ze550kl)

Okdemir said:
Ofc, i have rooted marshmallow stock rom of asus zenfone 2 lazer (ze550kl)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice. Thanks.

AndroidDeveloperLB said:
I'm not sure if I should publish this app on the Play store, so donating is not possible at the moment.
Share the app instead.
Or, try my other app, here.
BTW, there is no update mechanism, so I'd like to know how to add "follow project" for users here, so that they will get a notification on the forum whenever there is a new update.
Anyone knows how to do it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok I don't have any knowledge on that updating feature, i thought you would have setup a PayPal account for donations.

biglo said:
Ok I don't have any knowledge on that updating feature, i thought you would have setup a PayPal account for donations.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's ok. You can share the app and also try my other app (there you can donate if you wish).

Using a Nubia X without GApps

What are the possible replacements for google services?
Aptoide/Yalp store as replacement for play store?
If it works, I guess installing youtube, maps, etc. from either store should work? Or not?
Or we can find alternative apps thatbwork like youtube, gmaps, etc. anyway
How about retrieving contacts saved in google account? Can i retrieve them using browser logged in my google account? How to import into phone?
Users of Apps/games that require google login like pubg should use alternative logins now. Will it work?
What are the all the requirements for degooglefied phone like nubia x?

Hi,
I'm using one phone like that, until some solution for the google services is found.
It's a bit uncomfortable, but it's working. In anther one post I have uploaded a picture how it looks like.
Here is the answers of your questions:
sgn15 said:
Aptoide/Yalp store as replacement for play store?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm downloading the applications from Google Play store, and then installing the apks manually.
sgn15 said:
If it works, I guess installing youtube, maps, etc. from either store should work? Or not?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
YouTube app generally working, but closes when cant find the google services. Anyway I'm watching the videos from the browser.
Maps - you can install Chrome and then pin it to the home screen. Works like charm.
You can install Mesanger, WatsApp, Viber, Skype - they work.
sgn15 said:
How about retrieving contacts saved in google account? Can i retrieve them using browser logged in my google account? How to import into phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have download a Microsoft launcher. It has Cortana as voice assistant. Then Outlook app, which can import all the contacts and from your accounts (o365, Google, Hotmail, yahoo etc.)
sgn15 said:
sers of Apps/games that require google login like pubg should use alternative logins now. Will it work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With PUBG I had some issues installing it because except the apk has obb, may be I'll try later when I have some time. Fortnite is working like charm. Even with the back screen two additional buttons is like a cheat.
Things which I could not solve until now:
- Outlook cant import o365 mail hosted by GoDaddy.
- It seems that, a lot of applications rely on google services for the push notifications. If the app (let say Viber) is not running, you may not have popup notification on the lock screen. (If anyone knows how to solve that I'll be happy)
So, that's all. At the end you can live with the phone. I'm happy with it.
I hope that answers your question. If you have other questions - let me know

br_other said:
Hi,
I'm using one phone like that, until some solution for the google services is found.
It's a bit uncomfortable, but it's working. In anther one post I have uploaded a picture how it looks like.
Here is the answers of your questions:
I'm downloading the applications from Google Play store, and then installing the apks manually.
YouTube app generally working, but closes when cant find the google services. Anyway I'm watching the videos from the browser.
Maps - you can install Chrome and then pin it to the home screen. Works like charm.
You can install Mesanger, WatsApp, Viber, Skype - they work.
I have download a Microsoft launcher. It has Cortana as voice assistant. Then Outlook app, which can import all the contacts and from your accounts (o365, Google, Hotmail, yahoo etc.)
With PUBG I had some issues installing it because except the apk has obb, may be I'll try later when I have some time. Fortnite is working like charm. Even with the back screen two additional buttons is like a cheat.
Things which I could not solve until now:
- Outlook cant import o365 mail hosted by GoDaddy.
- It seems that, a lot of applications rely on google services for the push notifications. If the app (let say Viber) is not running, you may not have popup notification on the lock screen. (If anyone knows how to solve that I'll be happy)
So, that's all. At the end you can live with the phone. I'm happy with it.
I hope that answers your question. If you have other questions - let me know
Click to expand...
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How about updating/syncing contacts? I mean after retrieving them and i added a new contact entry. How do i update/sync that contact into google?
And for photos? Do i have to manually backup to pc or cloud since there's no google photos and no google drive?
Any other concerns i might have forgotten?
Edit:
Link to this thread you mentioned?

I used aptoide - the only google apps that seems to work is Google Chrome Browser and gmaps. youtube did not work through aptoide as didn't all the other google apps i tried. I placed a youtube home page using the chrome broswer on the desktop. Whatsapp apk i downloaded from their official website and installed working fine. When I downloaded whatsapp through aptoide and the chinese market app it won't work and keeps saying date and time is not right even though it is - maybe because its not chinese date and time?
For Contacts i opened my pc with chrome broswer and downloaded the contacts VCARD which you can do and placed in root folder of Nubia X - picked all my contacts up - I'm not sure how to sync though to google accounts as you cant add a google account through the phone unless you root as per other posts.
Pretty silly how they just didn't let you install gapps without root - i buy a lot of chinese phones and its the standard now even if google isnt preinstalled - its been a long time since I've seen a phone that doesn't let you install gapps yourself if you want too even though they dont support it. I'm finding it hard to use the phone and it will probably end up in a drawer for a few months until the international rom is released with google. Its annoying, even switching the phone off the voice assistant starts in Chinese and i want to get rid of this.
I've deleted practically all the bloatware, yet can't get music player to detect music i placed in the music folder.
Should have done my reading before hand but oh well... I got it for less than £495 from geekbuying 128gb version but should have waited out for the international rom version
Most of my good apps I downloaded through the Amazon App Store which is also working so I have 3 markets on my phone at the moment.