Until a few months ago I used LBE to prevent apps from giving away my privacy. Since the language updates stopped working, I searched for an alternative and found XPRIVACY. It seems very power, so I even bought the licence for automated community blocking suggestions for apps.
Unfortunately it turns out that XPRIVACY is not very good in the sense of usability. It quite often happens that apps stop working, because the community provided suggestions are far to restrictive and it is quite complicated to find the source of the problem. Then on every update I am asked again for configuring the privacy settings of an app. I finally gave up and just removed any restrictions on apps which I could not get working. Obviously not a good solution.
Now I am looking for an alternative. I already discovery Cyanogenmods integrated "Privacy Settings". The main thing I am missing here is blocking of access to device-ID and IMEI. Is there a way to add this? Or can someone point me to an alternative, easier to handle privacy solution? I should be one which would also allow to restrict google apps on the rom.
Samba
Hi,
I also faced many problems with Xprivacy. I tried Donkey Guard, but main feature I miss there is sorting via access right (e.g. list all apps who want to read contacts).
So now I try LBE, it seems rather straight forward.
The language issue can be solved to a certain (for me sufficient) extent by installing the Xposed Module LBE Security Master.
*I'm no dev., and some of the statements here might be technically innaccurate. Please, forgive and correct me. I'm just sharing my experience.
*I'm creating this thread following @elvinguitar 's request to list the apps/services safe to disable and how to do it.
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Introduction
I've been google-free ever since I've rooted my Nexus 5 and flashed AOSP. Everything worked like a charm. I even experienced longer battery life and better performance. I've done the same to a Samsung Galaxy S, Motorola Moto G 2015 and a couple other Samsung, BQ and Xiaomi devices I don't remember the model now (family and friends). Really happy with the process. Of cause, you cannot use most Google apps if you don't have the google services (framework?) running in the background (consuming resources and collecting all sort of data).
Only downside when disabling Google core services is that most apps out there in the market use google services to show up a map. If you don't have google services, you won't see a map. However, it is possible to "trick" the apps into calling for openmaps instead. I haven't tried, though.
Android One lets you disable most apps/services via the default settings menu. But there are still some of Google's tentacles fused into the core of your phone you cannot get rid of. But heck, it's something. We'll have to wait until the custom ROMs start showing up.
The reason
There are endless reasons to use all Google products. But there are endless reasons to avoid them. It's up to you what you want to do with your privacy. Despite privacy laws and promises, it's well known that your data, once online it's not longer only yours. And smartphones sensors combined with big data management, they are capable of infinite ways of recording your lifestyle. Camera (obvious), microphone (obvious + knowing where you are and what are you doing by the background noise), location(obvious), GSM/wifi/bluetooth (knowing where you are, who you are with...), body sensors/movement sensors (activity you are doing all the time)... Without being paranoid, unless you are a VIP you are not being followed, and if someone really wants to follow you, they'll do so even if you get rid of all this apps. But ALL YOUR data is being stored and analyzed for their own profit and linked (securely) to your persona. Now, it's only for economical profit, but indirect censorship is already taking place. Try doing some research for something rather unpopular and then try looking up a mainstream celebrity. You'll see the difference. I'm sure you've all heard about the China "Social credit" they want to develop in China. It's what big internet companies have been doing for a while now. Orwell's big brother all over. It's kinda scary if you ask me.
Some reading:
https://www.socialcooling.com/
https://donttrack.us/
Some alternatives to Google products we all use
An example of rogue censorship (one of millions)
Interesting infographic about how google knows you
But well... let's go to the bone. These are the apps and services I've tried to disable and some alternatives I use/consider.
I strongly recommend using a powerful firewall that blocks all internet communications unless you say otherwise. I use AFwall+ (root). There are other alternatives like NetGuard (no-root) that use VPN. This way, even if you have an app you want to use, but you don't want it to be communicating with the outside, you can have it (nothing is bulletproof, though). - Let me know if you want a lit of internet enabled apps/services, too.
Disabled APPs / services
Note that I uninstalled the apps when possible. The unistalled apps won't be in that list. Also, I've stopped the device initial set up progress and, therefore, some apps had never been installed to my device. So, they are safe to disable.
Disabled via the settings menu:
Calendar
Carrier services @thorin0815 explained to me what they do. Thx.: "intended to allow you to take full advantage of RCS, which allows for extra features in the Android Messaging app)
Chrome
Contacts
Gboard
Gmail
Google
Google Backup Transport
Google Contacts Sync
Google One Time Init
Google Partner Set Up
Google Play Services
Google Services Framework
Market Feedback Agent
Messages
PAI
Photos
YouTube
Disabled via an app manager (root) or adb method without root
Device Setup
Feedback
Google Play Services
Spock
Google and tricky enabled apps I guess they can be disabled with no problem:
Android Setup
Android system webview (gotta look for an alternative)
Google text to speech engine
Maps
TalkBack
Google and tricky apps I do use and I won't disable because they are too critical for me (or I have no idea what they do and I'd rather not mess with them).
Android Services Library
Android Shared Library
Clock (there are alternatives, a lot. But it wakes me everyday, and it doesn't look to be to bad).
ConfigUpdater
PackageInstaller
Phone (I've tried a couple alternatives, but I didn't trust them (one crashed and the other one looked even worse (privacy-wise) than the original)
Print Service Recommendation Service
There are tons of other apps needed for the correct use of the device that shouldn't be disabled. Anything you can disable from the Settings/apps menu, you should be OK trying to disable it. Disable it, then try to use what you think the app might be used for, and if it works fine... there you go. Try and error!
Alternative APP to the disabled ones
When possible, I tried to use FOSS apps.
FOSS app catalog - F-Droid (most apps come from here)
Google Play - Yalp Store or Aurora store - Yalp works better, but Aurora is nicer. Both have Exodus Privacy check.
Maps - Here and OsmAnd (mountain) - there are a lot of good mapping apps out there.
Calendar - I use BusinesCalendar because I like the widget. But there are a lot of other apps. Eg.: SimpleCalendar. Personal preference.
Contacts - Again. Personal preference. I like the AOSP app.
Files - I have it. But I use Es File explorer. Not the best for privacy or anti-bloatware. But I like it.
Chrome - Firefox all the way! I use Firefox Beta. Previous versions of the non beta one used to be way slower compared to the beta one.
Gallery - Simple gallery
Mail - K-9 mail. It's ugly, but I love it. There is a material version. I also found another app worth trying, here in XDA, but cannot remember its name now. I'm switching to protonmail as my personal mail service (I still use Gmail, hotmail and others as I always have).
Phone - I use the stock app (google ) 'cause I didn't find a valid alternative.
Messaging - QKSMS. Signal is a neat app with more features and secure communication (thx @thorin0815)
Keyboard - I use SwiftKey (internet blocked)
Calculator - AOSP calculator.
YouTube - I use WebTube. NewPipe is a valid option, too.
Camera - Check the discussion threads about the camera
If you have any app not listed here, post a comment and I'll add it. Also, if there is any error or you know something I don't, let me know and I'll correct. Same with the apps/services I have no idea what they do.
IGNORE THIS POST
I have to talk to you about this, too. Among other things. (posting it here so I remember about them later)
AFirewall+
DAVdroid
Greenify
DuckDuckGo
Snowden
how to force disable
Just a suggestion for a Messenger alternative.
Signal, a nice and secure open source alternative for Whatsapp like and SMS apps.
Nice thread btw. I try to avoid Google and Microsoft stuff where I can aswell.
Too bad we don't have a nice mobile Linux for our phones.
Thanks for creating this thread. By the way, have you experienced some error when uninstalling some apps? I tried removing Gmail (via debloater) but after that, I keep getting crashes on some of my apps. Even magisk crashes.
Also, I tried uninstalling Chrome via debloater, but it seems like it's not working. What's your preferred way of uninstalling apps?
elvinguitar said:
Thanks for creating this thread. By the way, have you experienced some error when uninstalling some apps? I tried removing Gmail (via debloater) but after that, I keep getting crashes on some of my apps. Even magisk crashes.
Also, I tried uninstalling Chrome via debloater, but it seems like it's not working. What's your preferred way of uninstalling apps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't experienced any issue unisntalling/disabling any of the mentioned. Except for google services. They are required by some third party apps to display a map layout. I uninstalled Gmail and Chrome with no problem.
What is "debloater"?
I preffer unisntalling apps via the traditional method when possible (settings/apps/unisntall). Same with disabling them. With Android One you can uninstall/disable most apps this way. I've experienced no issues.
For the apps thet the disable option is not available, I use an app known for being warez (I like it and I use it only for the powerful tools it provide). But there are other apps that'll do the job even better. In another device, I used APP2SD with another purpose, but I loved it. Titanium Backup is a powerfull tool that should work, too. However, you'll need the PRO package if you want to disable system apps. AppMgrIII and App Manager promise to get the job done, too. You'll need root with all of them, though.
thorin0815 said:
Just a suggestion for a Messenger alternative.
Signal, a nice and secure open source alternative for Whatsapp like and SMS apps.
Nice thread btw. I try to avoid Google and Microsoft stuff where I can aswell.
Too bad we don't have a nice mobile Linux for our phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Added Signal to the list. I'm more than happy with the other app because I only want it to recive sms. It's been ages since the last time I sent one. My brother uses SMS and he's happy with what Signal provides.
If you have any other ideas on how to stay away from the big guys, let me know
On my Moto G4 I always used the following app for freezing/disabling system apps with root.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.iamaner.oneclickfreeze
adriakus said:
I haven't experienced any issue unisntalling/disabling any of the mentioned. Except for google services. They are required by some third party apps to display a map layout. I uninstalled Gmail and Chrome with no problem.
What is "debloater"?
I preffer unisntalling apps via the traditional method when possible (settings/apps/unisntall). Same with disabling them. With Android One you can uninstall/disable most apps this way. I've experienced no issues.
For the apps thet the disable option is not available, I use an app known for being warez (I like it and I use it only for the powerful tools it provide). But there are other apps that'll do the job even better. In another device, I used APP2SD with another purpose, but I loved it. Titanium Backup is a powerfull tool that should work, too. However, you'll need the PRO package if you want to disable system apps. AppMgrIII and App Manager promise to get the job done, too. You'll need root with all of them, though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is the tool that I'm using to debloat my device: https://forum.xda-developers.com/apps/magisk/module-terminal-debloater-debloat-t3584163
elvinguitar said:
This is the tool that I'm using to debloat my device: https://forum.xda-developers.com/apps/magisk/module-terminal-debloater-debloat-t3584163
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, I didn't unisntall Gmail nor Chrome. I just disabled them with no problem.
I don't know how this debloat tool works. My suggestion (someone might advise otherwise) is to do as much as you can via the default settings menu. Is you device rooted? If so, I'd rather use one of the apps mentioned before (by me ir by @thorin0815 ) to disable the locked ones. Personal preference. Mostly because I'm quite new to all the "systemless" thing, but also because I don't really care about OTA updates, so I don't need the system partition intact. I'll update android once LineageOS is ready. But again, this is how I'd do it. You might preffer another way.
thorin0815 said:
Too bad we don't have a nice mobile Linux for our phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's a pitty the Firefox OS project was abandoned
Hi, do you know a way to quit the Google search bar from the Home Screen? O dont like it and rather a clean Home Screen
yaco96 said:
Hi, do you know a way to quit the Google search bar from the Home Screen? O dont like it and rather a clean Home Screen
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For now, only way is to install another launcher. Any will do. There is a thread about it, too. Look it up
I suggest Lawnchair Launcher to get rid of the searchbar after freezing/disabling the Google app.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ch.deletescape.lawnchair.plah&hl=en_US
Lawnchair should have all the features of the stock one and many more.
Have you ever heared the sentence "I don't care about privacy. I have nothing to hide". Well...
Here is an interesting website on how important is privacy https://www.socialcooling.com/
I know most of you already know all of this, but it's a nice website to show family and friends and help them open their minds.
Also, watch the documentary and/or the movie about Snowden to see what's going on in the USA (most data and most popular internet servers are located there). Snowden and Citizenfour (available on youtube)
Hello, I disabled some apps via the adb method, including the inbuilt file manager, which causes some problems now. Could someone be so kind and either tell me where to find an apk of the file manager or maybe upload it somewhere? Thanks in advance
mr-obot said:
Hello, I disabled some apps via the adb method, including the inbuilt file manager, which causes some problems now. Could someone be so kind and either tell me where to find an apk of the file manager or maybe upload it somewhere? Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This one?
https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/google-inc/files-google/files-6-8-1-0-release/
Nice thread. Now we have microG to replace google services. It is compatible with deodexed roms.
MicroG is great.. But few challenges I came across:
1. No Validation of purchases - Apps & In-Apps
2. Few apps being used due to work, eg. Google Workspace Chat doesn't work.
3. AutoVoice integration - only works with Google Voice Engine
Has anyone figured out how to handle any of the above challenges
I havent installed a custom ROM since cyangenmod/LineageOS on my OnePlus One, which I loved. Now I have LineageOS 10.3.10 on a OnePlus 6.
I am sick of google and stock/OEM androids data gathering and increasing enroachment and would like to prevent it as much as possible without completely gimping my system.
Possibly use something like a protonmail email account instead if thats poasible or just no google account. I would still like to use the apps from the playstore, especially those i bought.
I want to debloat and disconnect as much as possible. No okay google. No telemetry. No uploading my data. Can i do this while still using the playstore or will that interfere and require my account? Is there a workaround, and no im not asking for illegal references. Using my bank app would also be handy but not necessary.
I would love the option to totally disconnect from bluetooth and wifi/other radio deilvices on my home network etc. I do not want to connect to other devices.
Im out the loop here, recommendations are massively appreciated.
FTR Im aware of GrapheneOS and the associated Jaguar on here but im wondering if its too much and how that might play out.
Any help or links to guides or articles is much appreciated.
Hopefully im not breaking any rules, although I checked and couldnt see that was the case.
Cheers people.
Candiety said:
I havent installed a custom ROM since cyangenmod/LineageOS on my OnePlus One, which I loved. Now I have LineageOS 10.3.10 on a OnePlus 6.
I am sick of google and stock/OEM androids data gathering and increasing enroachment and would like to prevent it as much as possible without completely gimping my system.
Possibly use something like a protonmail email account instead if thats poasible or just no google account. I would still like to use the apps from the playstore, especially those i bought.
I want to debloat and disconnect as much as possible. No okay google. No telemetry. No uploading my data. Can i do this while still using the playstore or will that interfere and require my account? Is there a workaround, and no im not asking for illegal references. Using my bank app would also be handy but not necessary.
I would love the option to totally disconnect from bluetooth and wifi/other radio deilvices on my home network etc. I do not want to connect to other devices.
Im out the loop here, recommendations are massively appreciated.
FTR Im aware of GrapheneOS and the associated Jaguar on here but im wondering if its too much and how that might play out.
Any help or links to guides or articles is much appreciated.
Hopefully im not breaking any rules, although I checked and couldnt see that was the case.
Cheers people.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then microG is for you. You can try OmniROM microG build. MicroG is a substitute to google play services. You will use open source apps instead of google apps. But OmniROM's xda thread is outdated but the download link is still active and the microG version is still updated. You can also search for custom ROM which which is microG compatible primarily with signature spoofing feature and vanilla build (no GApps)
tiga016 said:
Then microG is for you. You can try OmniROM microG build. MicroG is a substitute to google play services. You will use open source apps instead of google apps. But OmniROM's xda thread is outdated but the download link is still active and the microG version is still updated. You can also search for custom ROM which which is microG compatible primarily with signature spoofing feature and vanilla build (no GApps)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey mate, I really appreciate this reply. Could you explIain signature spoofing a bit? Also, Does GApps present problems these days (or always)?
Thanks again.
Candiety said:
Hey mate, I really appreciate this reply. Could you explIain signature spoofing a bit? Also, Does GApps present problems these days (or always)?
Thanks again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Signature spoofing allows fake signatures for packages meaning it will pretend to has google services but not real google. Better to flash custom ROM microG than custom ROM vanilla and manually setup microG to prevent error. GApps have privacy issues, battery drain, etc. But I don't mind that because I need to use GApps in my work. If time comes that microG has full alternative to GApps maybe I can adapt to that.
I tried to search in the couple of recent forum pages but failed. Is there any way to enable call recording in 6a?
AFAIK call recording apps no longer work after may/october 2022 update.
Is it possible to swap dialer to the one with this feature enabled? This would require root. Can you unroot the phone after the swap? Many banking apps do not like rooted phones so I'd like to limit rooting to a minimum. (done that a lot with my samsung s7 years ago)
I see it's possible to roll-back to android 12 or pre-october android 13 versions (not user friendly but doable)
Does any custom-rom allow call recording?
There is a way to enable call recording in google dialer but i dont remember if root was required. For me it was useless since you couldnt get rid of the "this call is being recorded" announcement
Whit root there are options, i use basic call recorder module in magisk.
Regarding the banking apps, adding them in magisk denylist and ticking enforce denylist works well. My banking app does not detect root and neither does revolut.
famfuch said:
I tried to search in the couple of recent forum pages but failed. Is there any way to enable call recording in 6a?
AFAIK call recording apps no longer work after may/october 2022 update.
Is it possible to swap dialer to the one with this feature enabled? This would require root. Can you unroot the phone after the swap? Many banking apps do not like rooted phones so I'd like to limit rooting to a minimum. (done that a lot with my samsung s7 years ago)
I see it's possible to roll-back to android 12 or pre-october android 13 versions (not user friendly but doable)
Does any custom-rom allow call recording?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use "Cube ACR" app records perfectly on the 6a, think it cost a few pounds but they may have a free version.
It records VoIP platforms like Skype, WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram, WeChat, LINE, Slack, Hangouts, calls as well which is a bonus.
this works for me on graphene
Download
callrecorder.skvalex.com
AndyBury said:
I use "Cube ACR" app records perfectly on the 6a, think it cost a few pounds but they may have a free version.
It records VoIP platforms like Skype, WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram, WeChat, LINE, Slack, Hangouts, calls as well which is a bonus.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you have latest Android installed? I used cube acr on my current p30 a lot and liked it. Than after some update it stopped working and I had to switch the stock dialer for Indian one.
famfuch said:
Do you have latest Android installed? I used cube acr on my current p30 a lot and liked it. Than after some update it stopped working and I had to switch the stock dialer for Indian one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes Latest "TQ1A" after all its a Google phone if they don't have the latest software what's the point