Hello guys.
I've been thinking about that quite long time, but I could not just give up on Google straight away.
I relay on my privacy and I don't want Google to store any data about what I'm doing and make give myself more privacy. And also better Battery life and sot on one charge.
I know, I still can be easily located bla bla bla. But I think it's a good step, better than non.
I'm already using duckduckgo search browser and I need to say that I don't miss Google at all, I was surprised how good it is.
Instead of Google maps I will use Nokia Here, it seems to be quite good choice.
I found out that Nova launcher works without Google service framework.
And... F-Droid will be as a my "Google play Store".
But first I need to flash good rom, so which OS rom will be the best with some useful preinstaled appsand and which will support xposed of course, so it needs to be Android 6.
Thank you.
Edit:
Just realised that I posted in wrong section. This post can be deleted.
Posting that to different forums wont help you any further. There is only ONE Android version you might find what you ask for and that https://www.replicant.us/ which is badly outdated due to the fact that they dont even allow binary blobs in there. So whatever you do, you have Google, Apple or Microsoft havin access to your data. It's dangerous to go alone... Choose wisely ^^
i remember the people at CM said that once, they wanted to make a google free android...look where they are now
now, i understand the privacy argument, but my friend it goes too deep for you to try and use outdated OS for it...
sites have different levels of tracking, apps you install even those that don't rely on google services still at some level do, and mostly will be collected by google as long as you're using Android,
so you can do all 3 while using google services, preserve battery, minimize(and not entirely eliminate) privacy concerns, and have an updated OS... if you're going to spend the time to get rid of google, that time will be more fruitful spent just immuning your normal android...
use adblocks, VPN, Encrypt your device and possibly your connection with VPN, and through google define or disable most of what google uses to mine data...the chances on your ISP leaking your info is more than that of Googles (or Apple...etc) under normal circumstance) , apple even set a 1st when they refused to decrypt a phone for the FBI>>>so i'd suggest to get an updated nice rom , if it's custom flash the minimal GAPPs (Pico) , spend sometime on google privacy and security pages going thoroughly through them and disabling everything, do the same on Google option on your device, install a free VPN (or a good paid one if you can afford it which will provide encrypted Connection) , you'll have root, so debloat your rom as much as possible, read a little about wakelocks and alarms and disable them reasonably, get a good Kernel that has that in mind...and you'r set , and i bet you you'll leak less data than if just removed Google services...
that said, most custom roms comes without GAPPS (google apps and services) installed, so as an example, if you flashed the latest Sultan's CM 13 you'll get what you're asking for, an android 6.0.1 rom, no gapps, good camera , great Kernel...etc (no root as well, so you'll need to flash root if you want it)
This may seem oversimplified, but isn't Hydrogen OS directly from OnePlus pretty much google free?
MicroG is a great project for you to look into then: https://microg.org/
theduke7 said:
install a free VPN (or a good paid one if you can afford it which will provide encrypted Connection)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please never install a free VPN service. They're free for a reason and that reason is to sell your data. Most free VPN services just relocate you and don't even encrypt the connection.
i use color os in my redmi note 4x without google services. you can port color os to our device and enjoy google-less phone
i think chinese developer miui roms are google free.
Related
Howdy,
I am looking for some very specific help here on my device and so will try to provide as much information as I can with regards to it.
The basic issue is that I cannot, for any adequate length of time (more than a few minutes or hours), access the Google Play store on my Kindle Fire 5th Gen after it's initial installation. This is on Fire OS 5.3.2.1.
Where I started:
I have followed the instructions on how to install Google Play on the Kindle Fire without requiring root, which is basically the installation of the four required APKs. I used the script posted here on the forums and it worked well enough, but I've also copied the APKs locally to the device and installed them from there using the Local Storage tab in the Docs app.
The issue:
Within a few minutes or hours of having the Google Play store working, I am, for a second time, prompted to accept the Google Play terms and conditions when I load the store app. Once I accept (which I have no real choice otherwise, it just exits the app if I click Decline), I am now faced with an empty store screen and the message saying that there are no apps I can install as my Administrator has not made any available to me.
As I am my own Administrator, I know this is utter nonsense. This is also only the case on my account, as a dummy account that is not part of my G-Suite account does not have this issue, but alas, also does not have my purchases associated with it so this is not a good permanent choice.
My troubleshooting:
This issue seems to be entirely due to some issue with the fact that I am using a G-Suite account (the previously named Google Apps for Work) and not just your average Google account. The "apparent" issue is that the Google Play Store app seems to think I am using an Advanced management device (more info here, support.google.com/a/answer/6328699).
I have spent a few hours on the phone with G-Suite support on this. There was a point I mistakenly had the Advanced management settings on (EMM is the main culprit setting, the ability for the Administrator to control which apps their users can install, users being myself, my wife, and our son), but I have since, and for over a week now, had it off. They say toggling that takes about 24 hours to propagate, so that should be plenty of time. All I really wanted anyway was the Basic management anyway, i.e., being able to remotely locate, wipe, remove account, etc., on my various devices should they be lost or stolen, but I turned on some settings that weren't worded well enough for me to understand, apparently, and so Advanced it was.
Even with the EMM off, I still receive this error. At this point, I have many times over removed both the device from my G-Suite account as well as turned off mobile management entirely (it currently sits off and has since last week) which should have made it about as equivalent to a standard Google account as you can get, and yet still, the second prompting of the terms and service and the subsequent inability to browse the store after more than a short while after it just worked a bit ago.
Workarounds:
I can uninstall all four Google services apps, re-install them, add a dummy account, and get any free apps I want installed on my Kindle added, then uninstall again, re-install again, and add my account back, and then launch the apps and have them work. But again, this doesn't give me access to my purchased apps or add-ins so is not the best choice of action, nor is having to do this whole process again and try to get the Google Play store to work for those precious few minutes before it conks out. Sometimes it's not even a few minutes, but usually it is, but nevertheless, not the best all-around choice.
My hopeful resolution?:
Since neither I nor G-Suite Support seems to know of a setting that is currently preventing this from working, I am wanting to try some other methods that seem logical to me.
1) Putting the Google Play Store on my wife's profile on my Kindle and have it install any apps for all users and not just her profile. That "all users" part is what I am missing how to do. I know the script mentioned above that installs Google Play does install to all users so I know it's possible. Naturally, I would prefer this done through the store and not through manual APKs but beggars can't be choosers. I just want my auto-updates!
2) Allowing the adding and management of multiple Google accounts under my single profile. Currently, only one Google account can be added using the method of installing the Google Play store above, and if I could add mine and a dummy one, it should also work, in theory, by just swapping back and forth on the Play store. Still limited by purchases that are tied to my account (I believe), but not add-ins. I'd have to see how much trouble that is worth, but it could be better than nothing.
3) Anything else someone here on the forums can think of.
I'm open to questions, suggestions, or whatever at this point. I've now spent two weeks on this and yet still no resolution.
Thanks!
Tough issue, but not entirely unexpected behavior given the interdependencies of Google Play services components and undocumented assumptions of how play services/store will be installed on unrooted systems. Layer on G-suite and you have a snakes pit. My guess is one of more of the installed components is self-updating while the others are not. Probably not going to be able to control that behavior on an unrooted device.
May be less involved (and more successful) grabbing a refurb from Amazon Warehouse which typically arrive with older/rootable firmware.
Did you ever find a solution to this? I've got exactly the same problem now... Information seems light out there.
oilerfan21 said:
Did you ever find a solution to this? I've got exactly the same problem now... Information seems light out there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, I never got a fix for this, and unfortunately I have been relegated to just uninstalling all apps that came direct from APKs or just not from the Amazon Appstore. It sucks and makes my Fire not very worth it, despite the nice price tag.
I've been trying to get the GAPPs off my Z3C one by one. I root the phone, I start removing GAPPS, eventually I remove something that causes a bootloop and I have to restore the system partition and start trying again. Is there any existing ROM for Z3C which is the basic Sony ROM (as in the camera works, etc) but without GAPPS?
Thanks!
I'd also like to know this, without reinstalling or risk of bootloops if possible.
Would actually like to use features of the phone without google calling back home with timestamped records of every network ever connected on, every app used and apps calling back through gapps api so google can squirrel away location and wifi memory to your google identity forever. Maps would be useful.
Theseum said:
I'd also like to know this, without reinstalling or risk of bootloops if possible.
Would actually like to use features of the phone without google calling back home with timestamped records of every network ever connected on, every app used and apps calling back through gapps api so google can squirrel away location and wifi memory to your google identity forever. Maps would be useful.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can disable a lot of this stuff (assuming you have root) using AFWall+ and in the Apps Manager settings, I leave google play services disabled. This mostly works. Where I'm having an issue is that I'd like to install micro gms core https://forum.xda-developers.com/android/apps-games/app-microg-gmscore-floss-play-services-t3217616 as a replacement for some of these things, but to do that I need to get a clean rom without GAPPS.
Another big issue for me is that, like you, I don't really want Google continually phoning home and such. For me, battery life and simply controlling my own network activity is my main motivation. But anyway, I would be almost really happy to live with google play services simply disabled, and then re-enabling it every once in a while when it's useful (a lot like how I use location), but the issue is that if you try to disable google play services then you get "would you like to remove any updates and go back to the default"? If you click "yes", then reenabling that service means that you have to redownload the updates. I'd be equally happy to live with google play services if I could enable and disable them at will without having to reupdate/uninstall updates every cycle. As it stands, I just live with them disabled. Since I have them disabled, I'd love to go ahead and remove them and try a substitute, thus my question in the OP.
I will keep this post updated if working solutions are shared.
Native Solutions (with push notifications, location services, google login):
None so far.
Virtual Machine environments:
Lighthouse (Only working for C636 region, not C432 euro-edition)
OurPlay (Chinese-only interface, but uses system languge for installed apps)
DualSpace (loses ability to install apps/updates after a day)
VMOS (old android v7, with virtual root and Xposed)
VPhoneGaGa (old Android v7, with virtual root)
Since many threads have confusion about methods which only work for Chinese version, please help confirm GMS installation methods for the international version, so we can test properly. Because Google apps are what many of our coworkers, colleagues, and friends use we unfortunately can't just abandon them. Therefore, only solutions that work with login to Google services (not just GMS but actual Google authentication, like for Gmail, Google Voice, YouTube Music, Meet, Chat, Maps, Calendar, Photos, etc.) will be accepted.
Apparently MicroG only works for apps which don't need to use Google login, has anyone found a real solution? Is there any downside to install Chinese firmware onto the phone (will OTA updates still work)? https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/...o-international-mate-40-pro-possible.4196699/
While we wait for the hackers and modders to work around Google's ban, let's…
Contact app developers about publishing to the Huawei AppGallery and share their replies
See how we can help figure out solutions
Share alternatives we are using to the Google(-dependent) services we have been locked in to (I will add best to this list)
Google Alternatives
Meet/Duo:
https://meet.jit.si/
Google Chat:
https://element.io/ (like Slack, MS Teams, Discord)
https://signal.org/ (like FB Messenger, WhatsApp)
Google Maps:
https://osmand.net/
Authenticator:
https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.shadowice.flocke.andotp/
I think we will have to wait a while for a Way that works on the International Model, there's literally no working Way right now.
I got used to use Outlook for my Gmail Account, YouTube Vanced which is better then the Normal YouTube App and i do use Google Maps but i never logged in there so it's not a problem for me. But of course a working Way would be nice.
And afaik you can't just Flash the Chinese Rom so easily...
I'm still wondering why the International Version is so much more locked up Software wise then the Chinese one
Hi..
I have the international version and you are right, the Chinese method does not work with this model.
I have sped the last 7 days with this phone and almost tried all combinations of installations and nothing works.. Seems I can't get the App "G" (whatever its called) to work my the device and I don't want to downgrade the OS. I just can't believe that a giant like Huawei just gave up and didn't leave any backdoors for us to use the phone. in my opinion, Huawei mobile phone business is doomed. its unfortunate for a perfect phone to lack basic apps just because of Google and US gaining on the company.
Hopefully, things will change once TRUMP is pushed out of office soon.
Do you have guidance on the last version of Maps ??
I have it just on 10.49.3 version ...
Huawei is way far from being doomed, they are very successful in Asia where nobody is obsessed with Google. There is life without Google but it's not as comfortable as all western users are used to.
Actually I would blame Google for being so closed and not allowing proper app support without GMS and developers that rely so much on Google services like Firebase. How is it possible that a banking app is not able to function without GMS? Or Microsoft Teams still complaining that GMS is not available... Big part of the world is too dependent on a couple of US based companies...
Also even without Trump there is a very small chance that anything will change in regards to US ban and sanctions on Huawei.
App "G" is called LZPlay. Here is a good read what it actually does:
Medium – Where good ideas find you.
Medium is an open platform where readers find dynamic thinking, and where expert and undiscovered voices can share their writing on any topic.
medium.com
@topjohnwu/huaweis-undocumented-apis-a-backdoor-to-reinstall-google-services-c3a5dd71a7cd
I am quite comfortable without GMS and I still use some of the Google apps. WebApps are actually quite decent: Google Fotos, Google Drive etc.
Now when it comes to GMS implementation on Huawei. Not sure what will just waiting change, who do you think will change anything?
Only way to install GMS without Google approval would be to use MDM (mobile device management) app that functions similarly to LZPlay but is owned by a developer who is not hiding as it is a case with LZPlay. But I don't think that Huawei will now approve a signed build of any app that will try to use those APIs mentioned in the article.
In China they can do whatever they want with the FW but in rest of the world they comply with the ban. Also it seems that Google specifically needs to white-list device fingeprints. MicroG should in theory work with new Huawei phones even including log-in but it does not, exactly due to the missing white list.
RTFM, push app developers to work with HMS and educate yourself on what is really the problem. Alternatively just wait
chortya said:
Huawei is way far from being doomed, they are very successful in Asia where nobody is obsessed with Google. There is life without Google but it's not as comfortable as all western users are used to.
Actually I would blame Google for being so closed and not allowing proper app support without GMS and developers that rely so much on Google services like Firebase. How is it possible that a banking app is not able to function without GMS? Or Microsoft Teams still complaining that GMS is not available... Big part of the world is too dependent on a couple of US based companies...
Also even without Trump there is a very small chance that anything will change in regards to US ban and sanctions on Huawei.
App "G" is called LZPlay. Here is a good read what it actually does:
Medium – Where good ideas find you.
Medium is an open platform where readers find dynamic thinking, and where expert and undiscovered voices can share their writing on any topic.
medium.com
@topjohnwu/huaweis-undocumented-apis-a-backdoor-to-reinstall-google-services-c3a5dd71a7cd
I am quite comfortable without GMS and I still use some of the Google apps. WebApps are actually quite decent: Google Fotos, Google Drive etc.
Now when it comes to GMS implementation on Huawei. Not sure what will just waiting change, who do you think will change anything?
Only way to install GMS without Google approval would be to use MDM (mobile device management) app that functions similarly to LZPlay but is owned by a developer who is not hiding as it is a case with LZPlay. But I don't think that Huawei will now approve a signed build of any app that will try to use those APIs mentioned in the article.
In China they can do whatever they want with the FW but in rest of the world they comply with the ban. Also it seems that Google specifically needs to white-list device fingeprints. MicroG should in theory work with new Huawei phones even including log-in but it does not, exactly due to the missing white list.
RTFM, push app developers to work with HMS and educate yourself on what is really the problem. Alternatively just wait
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Totally disagree that in Asia nobody is obsessed with Google. China doesn't represent Asia. Most countries outside China is using GMS on daily basis. They use G Suite, Gmail in business, Especially during this pandemic time, Google Meet is one of the frequent used App for communication. Not to mention many travelling apps, banking apps are relied on GMS.
You may able to survive without GMS, but just like itchiness, it won't kill you, but it just annoys you all the time.
That is a good statement. But the situation is as it is and simple peasant users like we are will not be able to change it
Any updates on this?
torickray said:
Totally disagree that in Asia nobody is obsessed with Google. China doesn't represent Asia. Most countries outside China is using GMS on daily basis. They use G Suite, Gmail in business, Especially during this pandemic time, Google Meet is one of the frequent used App for communication. Not to mention many travelling apps, banking apps are relied on GMS.
You may able to survive without GMS, but just like itchiness, it won't kill you, but it just annoys you all the time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Edit...
Still waiting.
Yesterday just purchased mate 40 pro international version in Singapore. I tried all the tutorial found online and cannot work. So now I have no choice but using VMOS.
daxter125 said:
I think we will have to wait a while for a Way that works on the International Model, there's literally no working Way right now.
I got used to use Outlook for my Gmail Account, YouTube Vanced which is better then the Normal YouTube App and i do use Google Maps but i never logged in there so it's not a problem for me. But of course a working Way would be nice.
And afaik you can't just Flash the Chinese Rom so easily...
I'm still wondering why the International Version is so much more locked up Software wise then the Chinese one
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes same feeling
Waiting game
banmao said:
Yesterday just purchased mate 40 pro international version in Singapore. I tried all the tutorial found online and cannot work. So now I have no choice but using VMOS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here
kxra said:
I will keep this post updated if working solutions are shared.
Since many threads have confusion about methods which only work for Chinese version, please help confirm GMS installation methods for international users who need to login to Google services (not just GMS but actual google authentication, like for Play Store, Google Voice, YouTube Music, Meet, Maps, Calendar, etc.) so we can test properly.
MicroG only works for apps which don't need to use Google login apparently, has anyone found a real solution? Is there any downside to install Chinese firmware onto the phone (will OTA updates still work)? https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/...o-international-mate-40-pro-possible.4196699/
While we wait for the hackers and modders to work around Google's ban, let's:
Contact app develpoers about supporting the Huawei AppGallery and share their replies
Share alternatives we are using to the Googele(-dependent) services we have been locked in to
See how we can help figure out solutions
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
keep this up!
I've purchased Huawei Mate 40 Pro on yesterday, but seems like everyone is facing the same issue when installing GMS using Googlefier that lzplay show message in Chinese that it didn't support for this device. Maybe there's alternative way to reinstall the app again?
latif99 said:
Hi..
I have the international version and you are right, the Chinese method does not work with this model.
I have sped the last 7 days with this phone and almost tried all combinations of installations and nothing works.. Seems I can't get the App "G" (whatever its called) to work my the device and I don't want to downgrade the OS. I just can't believe that a giant like Huawei just gave up and didn't leave any backdoors for us to use the phone. in my opinion, Huawei mobile phone business is doomed. its unfortunate for a perfect phone to lack basic apps just because of Google and US gaining on the company.
Hopefully, things will change once TRUMP is pushed out of office soon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
but I never see solution that people downgrade (Mate 40 Pro) and install GMS
All GMS installation methods used so far are based on EMUI 10. Mate40 pro has EMUI 11, so nothing will work for now.
Shymmy said:
All GMS installation methods used so far are based on EMUI 10. Mate40 pro has EMUI 11, so nothing will work for now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It stil works on the Chinese version Mate40 Pro
I read in a video posted on youtube that a chinese app ourplay its like a chinese version of playstore installs gms for emui 11.
Tried installing the app the only problem is it you can only use the app with a china IP address so i couldnt fully verify if it works or not.
Anybody wanna try for mate 40 international phones?
Installer can be downloaded on their site ourplay.net
hello with the new way of these phones andriod and others plus spyware .im wondering how do i know what apps samsung etc are spying on my phone maybe uploading my numbers and other infor without me knowing any of you guys got any idea whats the best way to stop it. tbh i hate even google assist even turning on by itself even when i diable it
Hello, first of all, please write in easily readable sentences, that way more people are going to help you.
Second, it is important to be and stay suspicious of the software you use, especially with android. But you shouldn't be worried too much as most of the data that is sent from your phone isn't sent with "evil intentions" or anything like that, it is often rather aggressive diagnostics.
Warning! The following paragraphs are filled with very radical means of removing suspected spyware! Almost all of these require root and knowledge in modding your Android! Beware!
As to how you can spot "spyware" or suspected spyware, there isn't one easy way.
First of all, you could use a custom ROM, so that your system is more open source and there isn't any suspected spyware (or any "ware" at all) from Samsung.
To go one step further, you could try to live without Google services:
Use a different search engine, for example DuckDuckGo or any other really
Use Firefox or any non-Chromium browser
Instead of using opengapps to install Google Play Services (when you install a custom ROM) you could use the replacement project "microG" (microg.org).
Get as many apps as you can from Open source app stores (F-Droid)
Don't use the official Play Store unless you really have to - it is a power hungry data collecting app (that can theoretically install any app without asking, just like the Google Play Services or any other /system/priv-app app with proper permissions) - Alternative for installing Play Store apps: Aurora Store
Replace Google Maps with OpenStreetMap (OSMand)
Use a anonymous YouTube client, for example NewPipe
etc.
These are of course only suggestions, I don't recommend doing them all at once, but if you really don't want any unnecessary data sent from your phone, these are the first steps.
For actually seeing which apps send what data you could either analyze the app bytecode with App Warden or look at all detailed permissions with AppOpsX.
Methods to neutralize spyware are rejecting the permission for the app to use internet access or even run in the background, disabling the suspected app or removing it with system app removers.
Be very careful with actually disabling or removing system apps! Many system apps are needed for the system to work and one can easily misjudge an app by its description and diagnostics! Before disabling an app you should research whether anyone else knows anything about the app and only remove it if you are really sure about it. You have been warned.
IntroductionAs the title says. We'll remove as many google things as we can. We'll replace missing functionality with microG.
This is not meant to be an extensive guide. Just a quick write up of my experience de-googling the device.
I bought this device without doing much research and was a bit bummed when I realized there's no custom ROMs for it. One unofficial build of lineage is on here, but a little known feature, called the phone app, did not work for me, so that wasn't an option. I used it with google for a while but I wanted control of the device back. I didn't find many comprehensive tutorials on how to do this without using custom ROMs, so I thought I'd make a quick and dirty one.
What's the goal?
Remove google services from the Nord CE 5G without installing any custom ROM
Get full microG functionality (all the checkmarks)
Replace sync functionality for calendar, contacts, photos, etc with NextCloud.
What's not the goal?
Fully pass safetynet
Get special google functionality such as chromecast and google pay
Verify play store purchases
Who is this for?This is basically for me 2 days ago. You have some experience messing about with android, but you don't really know what you're doing most of the time.
What you need
Oneplus Nord CE 5G already rooted with Magisk (I won't explain how to since there are plenty of guides)
A file manager with root access. I use fx file explorer
f-droid
Step 1: Disable all google things (or as many as you would like)There are ways to fully remove google apps over adb, but I wasn't sure if this whole thing would work and moreover, I couldn't be bothered. I took the simple and safe way out and recommend you to to the same. Just go to [settings -> apps & notifications], then disable google play services and all other google apps you want to remove. Surprisingly I was actually able to fully uninstall google play services after disabling it.
I disabled every google app on my phone, but you can pick and choose. Some might not work as expected.
Step 2: Install microGUnfortunately there are too many apps that depend on some part of google play services to function, even if they have nothing to do with google. Luckily people have recognized this problem and we have migroG, which aims to replace at least the basic features of google play services.
This is where I started to be confused. When visiting https://microg.org/download.html you'll see a bunch of apk's without much explanation. I was under the impression you'd have to install this as a system app or something, but apparently not. You can just install the apks using the normal installer. I also though you'd need to install all of these, but you really only need Services Core. It seems it has all the others baked in. You can choose to install this through their f-droid repo as well as explained on the microg page. Choose your poison.
Step 3: Making sure microG actually worksAfter installing microG, you'll have an app called microG settings. It has a fun little button on top called self-check and if you click it you'll see a bunch of boxes, only some of which are checked. This is where the fun starts, because we will start to increase the number of checked boxes.
PermissionsSome of these boxes are just permissions that are missing. So we jump to [settings -> apps and notifications -> microG Services Core -> Permissions] and grant all of them (or some). We also want to allow microG to always run in the background, so in app info we also click [Advanced -> Battery -> Battery optimization] and select Don't optimise. OnePlus' battery management is the absolute worst so let's hope that will do what it says.
Account and device registrationmicroG allows to register a google account. This will allow you to use google login in apps like youtube. My personal goal is to not use any google service in the long run so I skipped this.
Google device registration means that your device will be registered with google. I enabled this to get access to google cloud messaging. Some apps need this for notifications. If you leave this off, I believe microG does not talk to google at all.
Signature spoofingNow we're missing some checkmarks related to something called signature spoofing. I don't fully understand it, but it's basically the ability of microG to act as if it is the real play services (or any app to act as if it's any other app). By default this is made impossible because of obvious security risks. There are many ways of getting signature spoofing to work, and therefore plenty of ways to get lost in the weeds.
The method I used is as follows
Install LSPosed zygisk release module using Magisk Manager.
There are zygisk and riru releases. I don't know what these are. If you can't find zygisk in your magisk settings (gear icon top right), you probably need to install riru and use the riru release.
Now navigate to /data/adb/lspd/ and you'll see a file called manager.apk. Install it and open the app.
Now click the download button on the bottom left and search for fakegapps. After clicking it you can click the up arrow on the top right to go to the website. Here you'll find an apk that you have to install.
back in the LSPosed manager, click modules -> FakeGapps. Enable for microG Services Core. It is recommended not to enable any other apps.
Now signature spoofing related features should work.
LocationAfter all of this, location in OpenStreetMaps wasn't working and I thought there was no way to get it working.
It turns out I was just an idiot...
Apparently microG takes FOSS seriously enough to give you a choice of location backend. Simply search f-droid for "nlp" and you'll find a bunch of different options. I used one called Local NLP Backend Location since I see no reason for my location service to communicate with any server. After installing, you can enable the provider in microG location settings.
Step 4: Getting back some functionalityPlay store appsNow we would all like to ditch the play store altogether, but it's just a little too convenient. Luckily there is the Aurora store, which allows to download google play apps without the google play store. If you also install Aurora Services through Magisk, it will be as convenient as the real play store.
Cloud syncingI like to be able to cloud sync photos, calendars, contacts, and notes, so I'd like a solution that is tied to google. I've found that nextcloud works quite well for these purposes. NextCloud is an open source cloud solution with plenty independent providers and the ability to host yourself. I made an account at thegood.cloud, but will probably create my own host at some point.
The nextcloud app can take care of syncing photos and files from your phone.
To synchronize calendars and contacts, there is an app called DAVx5 from f-droid. This app allows you to log into your nextcloud account and you can tell it to sync your contact and calendar. This app is based on the open DAV standard, which is supported by most calendar and contact apps.
To synchronize notes over nextcloud, I use an app called Quillnote. This was actually how I discovered nextcloud in the first place.
ConclusionThis whole process was a lot less painful than I anticipated at first. There is some lost functionality but most things really work fine. Lots of apps will start bothering you and send notifications that they are broken without play services, but I have not seen any of them have any issues. The notifications can be turned off, but unfortunately only one by one.
Updates will probably be a pain since you'll have to go through this whole process again, but who's really expecting major updates for this phone anymore?
Security is likely compromised but not to an extent I'm worried about.
Notnearlynovel said:
IntroductionAs the title says. We'll remove as many google things as we can. We'll replace missing functionality with microG.
This is not meant to be an extensive guide. Just a quick write up of my experience de-googling the device.
I bought this device without doing much research and was a bit bummed when I realized there's no custom ROMs for it. One unofficial build of lineage is on here, but a little known feature, called the phone app, did not work for me, so that wasn't an option. I used it with google for a while but I wanted control of the device back. I didn't find many comprehensive tutorials on how to do this without using custom ROMs, so I thought I'd make a quick and dirty one.
What's the goal?
Remove google services from the Nord CE 5G without installing any custom ROM
Get full microG functionality (all the checkmarks)
Replace sync functionality for calendar, contacts, photos, etc with NextCloud.
What's not the goal?
Fully pass safetynet
Get special google functionality such as chromecast and google pay
Verify play store purchases
Who is this for?This is basically for me 2 days ago. You have some experience messing about with android, but you don't really know what you're doing most of the time.
What you need
Oneplus Nord CE 5G already rooted with Magisk (I won't explain how to since there are plenty of guides)
A file manager with root access. I use fx file explorer
f-droid
Step 1: Disable all google things (or as many as you would like)There are ways to fully remove google apps over adb, but I wasn't sure if this whole thing would work and moreover, I couldn't be bothered. I took the simple and safe way out and recommend you to to the same. Just go to [settings -> apps & notifications], then disable google play services and all other google apps you want to remove. Surprisingly I was actually able to fully uninstall google play services after disabling it.
I disabled every google app on my phone, but you can pick and choose. Some might not work as expected.
Step 2: Install microGUnfortunately there are too many apps that depend on some part of google play services to function, even if they have nothing to do with google. Luckily people have recognized this problem and we have migroG, which aims to replace at least the basic features of google play services.
This is where I started to be confused. When visiting https://microg.org/download.html you'll see a bunch of apk's without much explanation. I was under the impression you'd have to install this as a system app or something, but apparently not. You can just install the apks using the normal installer. I also though you'd need to install all of these, but you really only need Services Core. It seems it has all the others baked in. You can choose to install this through their f-droid repo as well as explained on the microg page. Choose your poison.
Step 3: Making sure microG actually worksAfter installing microG, you'll have an app called microG settings. It has a fun little button on top called self-check and if you click it you'll see a bunch of boxes, only some of which are checked. This is where the fun starts, because we will start to increase the number of checked boxes.
PermissionsSome of these boxes are just permissions that are missing. So we jump to [settings -> apps and notifications -> microG Services Core -> Permissions] and grant all of them (or some). We also want to allow microG to always run in the background, so in app info we also click [Advanced -> Battery -> Battery optimization] and select Don't optimise. OnePlus' battery management is the absolute worst so let's hope that will do what it says.
Account and device registrationmicroG allows to register a google account. This will allow you to use google login in apps like youtube. My personal goal is to not use any google service in the long run so I skipped this.
Google device registration means that your device will be registered with google. I enabled this to get access to google cloud messaging. Some apps need this for notifications. If you leave this off, I believe microG does not talk to google at all.
Signature spoofingNow we're missing some checkmarks related to something called signature spoofing. I don't fully understand it, but it's basically the ability of microG to act as if it is the real play services (or any app to act as if it's any other app). By default this is made impossible because of obvious security risks. There are many ways of getting signature spoofing to work, and therefore plenty of ways to get lost in the weeds.
The method I used is as follows
Install LSPosed zygisk release module using Magisk Manager.
There are zygisk and riru releases. I don't know what these are. If you can't find zygisk in your magisk settings (gear icon top right), you probably need to install riru and use the riru release.
Now navigate to /data/adb/lspd/ and you'll see a file called manager.apk. Install it and open the app.
Now click the download button on the bottom left and search for fakegapps. After clicking it you can click the up arrow on the top right to go to the website. Here you'll find an apk that you have to install.
back in the LSPosed manager, click modules -> FakeGapps. Enable for microG Services Core. It is recommended not to enable any other apps.
Now signature spoofing related features should work.
LocationAfter all of this, location in OpenStreetMaps wasn't working and I thought there was no way to get it working.
It turns out I was just an idiot...
Apparently microG takes FOSS seriously enough to give you a choice of location backend. Simply search f-droid for "nlp" and you'll find a bunch of different options. I used one called Local NLP Backend Location since I see no reason for my location service to communicate with any server. After installing, you can enable the provider in microG location settings.
Step 4: Getting back some functionalityPlay store appsNow we would all like to ditch the play store altogether, but it's just a little too convenient. Luckily there is the Aurora store, which allows to download google play apps without the google play store. If you also install Aurora Services through Magisk, it will be as convenient as the real play store.
Cloud syncingI like to be able to cloud sync photos, calendars, contacts, and notes, so I'd like a solution that is tied to google. I've found that nextcloud works quite well for these purposes. NextCloud is an open source cloud solution with plenty independent providers and the ability to host yourself. I made an account at thegood.cloud, but will probably create my own host at some point.
The nextcloud app can take care of syncing photos and files from your phone.
To synchronize calendars and contacts, there is an app called DAVx5 from f-droid. This app allows you to log into your nextcloud account and you can tell it to sync your contact and calendar. This app is based on the open DAV standard, which is supported by most calendar and contact apps.
To synchronize notes over nextcloud, I use an app called Quillnote. This was actually how I discovered nextcloud in the first place.
ConclusionThis whole process was a lot less painful than I anticipated at first. There is some lost functionality but most things really work fine. Lots of apps will start bothering you and send notifications that they are broken without play services, but I have not seen any of them have any issues. The notifications can be turned off, but unfortunately only one by one.
Updates will probably be a pain since you'll have to go through this whole process again, but who's really expecting major updates for this phone anymore?
Security is likely compromised but not to an extent I'm worried about.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In the lineageos thread there is one version of LOS without gapps however its security patch is outdated. I also believe that LOS fan edition doesn't come with gapps by default though I have yet to try that rom.
Fisuxcel said:
In the lineageos thread there is one version of LOS without gapps however its security patch is outdated. I also believe that LOS fan edition doesn't come with gapps by default though I have yet to try that rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes and I did install it previously but the phone app stopped working and overall it was a bit buggy for me. Not everyone seems to have this issue so you might want to give it a try.
Doesn"t seem to work on OOS 12
At microG Service Core install I think I must be missing something, it tells me the package is already installed, though I've deleted correctly the com.google.android.gms package (and of course almost everything related)
I've reinstalled the Play Services and Services Framework from Google for now to make my phone work again until a solution is found