De-Google-ing my Note 9 - Samsung Galaxy Note 9 Guides, News, & Discussion

Hi guys. I'm starting this thread in hopes of sparking a conversation and a concerted effort to rid ourselves as users from the clutches of Google and other big tech companies. I am sick and tired of Google tracking me and attempting to force feed me ads on a daily send constant basis. Then selling my info to other companies such as Facebook. So, I have started down the path of decluttering (De-Google-ing) my device(s). I am primarily interested in securing my device as much as possible and protecting my privacy.
So far, I have reformatted my entire device to factory default settings installed and using F-Droid (FOSS) for all my apps. I use Yandex as my search engine (I am often to suggestions and recommendations) in the "private browser" app. I use Aurora instead of Google Play store, New Pipe for YouTube-ing, Frost for Facebookingand SlimSocial for Twitter. I have stopped using Google keyboard and any other Google apps. I have abandoned gmail and replaced it with proton mail instead. So far, no ads and as far as I can tell, no tracking. I have also installed a VPN and am using it religiously—Cyber Ghost, a $99 for 3 years subscription with support up to 8 devices.
However, I am still very much connected to Samsung for I am not privy as to whether or not Samsung is as sinister as Google and Facebook.
Again, I am open to all suggestions, corrections and recommendations. Thank you and I hope to engage with you all.

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Related

google analytics - missing users

Hi Guys,
Just noticed a weird thing... I've published an app in several stores and some of them claim that it was downloaded >100 times. However - on Google Analytics for my app I see significantly less users/sessions than I would expect based on numbers from stores... Anyone has similar problem? Was just wondering - maybe it would be better to adjust somehow the dispatch time?
WittyPotato said:
Hi Guys,
Just noticed a weird thing... I've published an app in several stores and some of them claim that it was downloaded >100 times. However - on Google Analytics for my app I see significantly less users/sessions than I would expect based on numbers from stores... Anyone has similar problem? Was just wondering - maybe it would be better to adjust somehow the dispatch time?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm experiencing a similar issue since I linked Google Analytics to Google Play and upgraded to V3 API version. Are you using V3 too?
me too
IvanMunson said:
I'm experiencing a similar issue since I linked Google Analytics to Google Play and upgraded to V3 API version. Are you using V3 too?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On analytics i am getting more then 100 active users,
but on google playstore and developer console its showing less than 50
any idea ??
I have the same problem, and also I have daily more downloads than active users. Why is that?
yogi.306 said:
On analytics i am getting more then 100 active users,
but on google playstore and developer console its showing less than 50
any idea ??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In your case, a i think developer console is delayed (usually for a day). Or people download your app from other source.
Google update 2 days before, so you need to wait
Try to use other Google Analytics alternative. I think it would be better to have another to check and balance.
I have/had similar problems. I'm only providing the apps on the Google Play Store, but even there the statistic differs from the one provided by Google Analytics. But the data in the developer console is in my opinion more real than those from the analytics page
App promotion for free.
Hi, my name is Anton and I am manager in young ad company.
Now we started to work with appsflyer, and we need to setup our tracking system.
We can promote your app for free (provide you CPI and CPC traffic) if you will implement appsflyer SDK, (that will be helpful for you in future) and help our engineers to set the post-back.
Please let me know if you are interested, and we will discuss how many installs we will give you for your help.
I look forward to working with you.
Anton Kogan
Project manager.
Skype: antonimc90
[email protected]
There might be more than one reason. If you use one of the latest Analytics APIs, then it might not work on old devices. And some users might not have internet connection for a long period after they install the app.
It is Google
WittyPotato said:
Hi Guys,
Just noticed a weird thing... I've published an app in several stores and some of them claim that it was downloaded >100 times. However - on Google Analytics for my app I see significantly less users/sessions than I would expect based on numbers from stores... Anyone has similar problem? Was just wondering - maybe it would be better to adjust somehow the dispatch time?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All Google services works strange sometimes

Google free Nexus 4

Hey all. Lately I've been on a mission to "cut the Google" cord and have now worked my way down to my Nexus 4. I was wondering if anyone else in the Nexus 4 community runs a Google free device.. Maybe we can share our setups and suggestions.. Android for me isn't what it was when I first got involved.. More and more Google seems to want to dig deeper and deeper into tying everything on a phone into their servers.. I'm sorta over it and Google itself at this point with their hamfisting of their apps and services .. I love the OS, not the company.. Hence.. AOSP without Gapps..
My Google free setup right now is the following
ROM: Raskat (without any Gapps or Google Play Services obviously)
I use the following as my software sources.. Main one being 1Mobile Market which is one of the largest (and legal) Play Store alternatives.. Even has Chrome, Maps, Play Services etc if you actually want Google apps. (which would defeat the purpose but they are there)
Amazon App Store
F-Droid
1Mobile Market
Slide Me
Mail: I haven't ditched gmail yet as I have 3 gmail accounts and it's going to be the largest move away from Google and saving it for last. I connect with the AOSP email IMAP client for now though.
Browser: Cleared all my saved bookmarks and passwords off Googles Dashboard and manually create a list of bookmarks saved locally only in AOSP browser. Passwords all saved locally in KeePass
Contacts: I exported my contact list from the Google servers as a Vcard (then deleted them all from Google) and imported it to my contacts app. I keep a backup on a cloud service and locally if I update them.
Maps: I use MapQuest as it doesn't rely on the Google Maps API.
Calendar: is my only missing link right now as most all calender apps I found rely on Google Calenders framework to sync etc.
So far I'm enjoying it. I lost a lot of payware from the Play Store I've bought over the years but I'm learning to live without it. I'm thoroughly enjoying knowing my device is truly Google free at this point.
styckx said:
Hey all. Lately I've been on a mission to "cut the Google" cord and have now worked my way down to my Nexus 4. I was wondering if anyone else in the Nexus 4 community runs a Google free device.. Maybe we can share our setups and suggestions.. Android for me isn't what it was when I first got involved.. More and more Google seems to want to dig deeper and deeper into tying everything on a phone into their servers.. I'm sorta over it and Google itself at this point. I love the OS, not the company..
My Google free setup right now is the following
Raskat (without any Gapps obviously)
I use the following as my software sources.. Main one being 1Mobile Market which is one of the largest (and legal) Play Store alternatives.. Even has Chrome, Maps, Play Services etc if you actually want Google apps. (which would defeat the purpose but they are there)
Amazon App Store
F-Droid
1Mobile Market
Slide Me
Mail: I haven't ditched gmail yet as I have 3 gmail accounts and it's going to be the largest move away from Google and saving it for last. I connect with the AOSP email IMAP client for now though.
Browser: Cleared all my saved bookmarks and passwords off Googles Dashboard and manually create a list of bookmarks saved locally only in AOSP browser. No more syncing.. Passwords all saved locally in KeePass
Contacts: I exported my contact list from the Google servers as a Vcard (then deleted them all from Google) and imported it to my contacts app. I keep a backup on a cloud service and locally if I update them.
Maps: I use MapQuest as it doesn't rely on the Google Maps API.
Calendar: is my only missing link right now as most all calender apps I found rely on Google Calenders framework to sync etc.
So far I'm enjoying it. I lost a lot of payware from the Play Store I've bought over the years but I'm learning to live without it. I'm thoroughly enjoying knowing my device is truly Google free at this point.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I, too, have cut off most of my links to Google. I would like to know if there are any more alternatives out there....
Scheherez said:
I, too, have cut off most of my links to Google. I would like to know if there are any more alternatives out there....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice to see I'm not the only one here so far.. There are a lot of options out there and 100% completely possible to run a 100% completely Google free device.. AOSP is beautiful without Googles apps and Play Services hamfisted into it data mining god knows what. I also don't miss the Play Store and everything and anything having a price tag attached to it regardless of quality.
It's nice looking into the accounts section and not seeing Google or them even being an option.
Another great Maps alternative is OsmAnd Maps and Navigation
Is there also an increased battery life using your phone this way without all the processes running in the background?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk
Probably but I haven't really focused on that so I can't give any sound feedback. Running your device this way is more of a personal choice to get rid of "big brother Google". I liken it to dumping Ubuntu for pure Debian instead.
Sent from my Nexus 10
I have thought about doing this many times but for me it is all about the ease of the items I use from Google that make my life easier. Also, the play store has me hooked in because I have spent quite a bit on there.
Yeah I'm in the process of doing the same thing. I'll be honest Google wanting to access more and more of my data has gotten to me a little. It's okay for them to manage my mail (I've come too far), but when I get notifications about flight itineraries it goes from being convenient to conveniently creepy. To be frank, I have no doubt that Google is as responsible as any other company is with my information. And given their user base, the occasional slip up is to be expected. But the bottom line is I don't really enjoy a multinational corporation having that much access to my personal data. And no, they're not harvesting all my information and selling it to other companies to spy on me, like some think.
I just feel like they ought to be reined in a bit. And F Google+ and uploading my photos without me having ever asked. Do you, Google. Just do it without me.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
1Mobile Market? Don't they take your information too?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk
Nope.. I never created an account. it is optional or sign in with your Google account. Nothing to buy there really anyway. Has everything I need that is normally carried on the Play Store. Just the freeware versions.
Sent from my Nexus 10
You mentioned you use the aosp browser. Just so you know, that is a google app, and if you allow it, it will sync to your google account.....just sayin' I personally think firefox would be the first choice if you don't want anything google. It allows firefox account syncing, plugins, etc. And the plugings aren't cheesy like dolphin's. They have real ones like ab+, and all.
AOSP Browser without Google Services Framework will not sync to anything, it can't. It's Impossible. It is a plain as day web browser with local bookmarks being the only thing available. If I go to add an account in settings there isn't an option for Google because nothing Google related is on my build. It's AOSP as AOSP gets.
Sent from my Nexus 10
styckx said:
AOSP Browser without Google Services Framework will not sync to anything, it can't.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right....no gapps package. I forgot
hp420 said:
Right....no gapps package. I forgot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problems. This has been fun and not something most actually do so.. It's out of the typical routine of things. :laugh:
Sounds interesting to try cuz I don't understand why android system is always searching for location in app ops although I have all location off
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk
Do not forget the article on the XDA main page:
Remove the Google from CyanogenMod with Freecygn
I would mostly/only miss Google Maps.
user822 said:
Do not forget the article on the XDA main page:
Remove the Google from CyanogenMod with Freecygn
I would mostly/only miss Google Maps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks but. No way..
I refuse to touch Cyanogenmod with someone elses devices let alone my own devices. Cyanogenmod has been dead to me for years.
styckx said:
Thanks but. No way..
I refuse to touch Cyanogenmod with someone elses devices let alone my own devices. Cyanogenmod has been dead to me for years.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mind elaborating as to why? Purely curious lol. I personally only do AOSP builds, myself, but I'm interested in why you are so anti-CM? I assume nowadays it has to do with Cyanogenmod, Inc.?
EnMod said:
Mind elaborating as to why? Purely curious lol. I personally only do AOSP builds, myself, but I'm interested in why you are so anti-CM? I assume nowadays it has to do with Cyanogenmod, Inc.?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since you asked and I'll keep it short.
What Cyanogen Inc is now isn't a surprise to many.. Most purist (read: Fans of AOSP) Android users after CM7 saw the direction CM was heading and abandoned ship at ICS/CM9. I've said many times.. Cyanogenmod 7 was the last good Cyanogenmod. Instead of just making a cool AOSP based ROM with features they started trying to make Cyanogenmod a "thing". It all started with that terrible File Manager they shoehorned in and snowballed from there. It's laughable at best to pitch Cyanogenmod on the "AOSP Derived" line that so many still use.. At this point it's like saying the Ford Fusion is derived from the Model T (ok, that's an extreme example but you get my point). Add in everything they did when the Cyanogen Inc company was formed.
Nope..
Wow.
I could never imagine doing this.. I use Google for contact and calendar sync and email, bookmarks etc... even on my Lumia 520.
MameTozhio said:
Wow.
I could never imagine doing this.. I use Google for contact and calendar sync and email, bookmarks etc... even on my Lumia 520.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah.. It's a personal thing. It hit me just how much data Google hoards when I randomly looked at my Google Dashboard one day and saw the Chrome Sync stats. Seeing in pictures just the sheer amount of data they have on me was a "moment". Then I started just piecing everything together about how many sectors of technology they've got their hands in all based around "providing services" over the internet. I just decided that was the end for me. I deleted all my dashboard data, went back to Firefox, deleted my Google+ accounts. I'm just going back to the old school days.. Limiting what is given to companies and lowering my online profile. For now keeping Google just for email and nothing more. It's just not per-say Google.. It's just the current trend of everything "needing" to be online and "synced" in some cloud. I don't need my entire livelihood and trends online.. No one should.. But... That's just my opinion. I can't stay away from everything (I mean I have a Facebook account) but I can do a lot to minimize what is given.

Package Disabler Pro experience and comment on their authenticity

After 2 weeks of attempts to make it work, after several emails sent to the PoliceDeveloper team, here is my conclusion. This product is malicious or doesn't work.
Notice: I do not work for Samsung nor I've ever worked for PoliceDeveloper. I have no interest at all posting this except warning the next users. I'm simply a guy a bit pissed off by Samsung bloatwares.
Maybe my experience could bring some additional answers to a certain post reported on reddit and named: package_disabler_question.
This app is weird for several reasons explained below:
The developer team doesn't support you. The process is well documented nowhere, even in their emails, really absolutely nowhere. Apparently it doesn't work and when you show them the proof that you are dealing with an installation issue, they don't dare to reply, they simply ignore you or reply with an automated template. Truly disrespectful when you trusted them buying the app on the store.
Their website seems to refer to wrong versions only (based from my own experience). From the Google store, versions sometime work, sometime they doesn't. It was mentioned somewhere (app itself or their website) that you have to install a "PDP engine". When it's done, it still doesn't work, you write to the team and at that moment they state by email you don't need to use it anymore. So why is there a PDP engine to install at the very begining?? And the strangest thing is you don't know at all which tool is doing what, because nothing is explained anywhere.
The tool needs an internet connection, but you don't know what is it for? You guess, seeing what happens on your screen, that Knox validate the license. But is it even a genuine popup? I asked to the team what was this connection requirement for. Strange, after this email, silence from the team until the date I'm sharing my experience here.
Now if it was only about some painful installation and comunication with the dev team, I would only rank it with 3 or 4 stars, complimenting them for the great work. But there is much annoying, the tool maybe does not do what it pretends to do. When you achieve to install it and make it work after several emails, you want to disable some packages, they become indeed displayed in a disabled app list within PackageDisabler, good! But when you check the Android built-in task manager, nothing is in the Android disabled app list. I tried to run one of the recently disabled package and the app can't start. So does it do the job or does it make you think it does... I'm not an Android specialits so I simply asked about this to the team, not a single answer.
They state Samsung is trying to block their app. They just explain that maybe in the purpose to work under the radar sending you an apk by email, and of course you have to give Admin permission to that app. So is it even true Samsung is fighting them? And if it was true, why? You will tell me because they want to protect their juicy bloatware apps. Based on my experience, I'm begining to think maybe Samsung simply tries to protect their platform end users from that app...
I asked for a reimbursement. Yes even for 2$, it doesn't work on my Galaxy S9 so help me or give me my money back. No answer from PoliceDeveloper...
So I let you make your own judgement about all of these.
In my opinion, when you buy an app and ask for what the app needs/does, or simply why it seems not to do what the developer claims, you should get your answers. Otherwise there is something sleazy.
Note: Galaxy S9 Duos - Exynos here...
No problems here. I've been using it for some time and the only problem I've ever had was a minor one that was fixed with a new update.
Tel864 said:
No problems here. I've been using it for some time and the only problem I've ever had was a minor one that was fixed with a new update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
May I know which phone you are using?
yecundha said:
May I know which phone you are using?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
S9, US Snapdragon
Been using on my s9 exynos for 2 months now. Perfect!
I actually bought package disabler pro from the play store couple days ago (s9) and it has worked fine. I found it actually helpful on reading details on apps installed. Giving it admin permission does bother me, but its permanent.
elstano2k7 said:
I actually bought package disabler pro from the play store couple days ago (s9) and it has worked fine. I found it actually helpful on reading details on apps installed. Giving it admin permission does bother me, but its permanent.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would guess that for it to interact with other apps or system services it would need admin.
Works fine here on exynos s9 after update. Had bought the original app and they gave me a voucher for the new one.
It works for me but it does look hacky. It acts as a device administrator, like what a corporation might give you as a condition of using the LAN. It can not modify or uninstall apps but it can refuse their use. I would have returned my S9+ if not for this app. Samsung ads were constantly popping up even after two days of trying to get rid of them. The phone was unusable until the bloat was disabled.
kevinmcmurtrie said:
It works for me but it does look hacky. It acts as a device administrator, like what a corporation might give you as a condition of using the LAN. It can not modify or uninstall apps but it can refuse their use. I would have returned my S9+ if not for this app. Samsung ads were constantly popping up even after two days of trying to get rid of them. The phone was unusable until the bloat was disabled.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's just a UI for the adb uninstall commands, but backs them up so you can restore them, even the uninstall adb commands don't really uninstall them, you need root for that
working just fine for me, responsive developer (email them and give me the serial number from previous apps.), and no malicious problem here. all green
What apps are recommended to uninstall?
I'm checking now and I can hardly believe how much crap came with this phone. No wonder I couldn't get it to work before. Essentially, I disabled anything that was:
- Running in the background or using data even though I don't use it
- Popping up advertisements (all Samsung apps)
- Location spyware like weather apps and dynamic keyguards
- Bixby everything
- No chance of being needed (this will vary greatly by person)
Briefing, Yelp, Knox Enrollment Service, Galaxy Essentials Service, Galaxy Essentials Widget, Samsung Keyboard, Weather, Samsung Internet, Samsung Billing, SystemUIBixby, Samsung+, Secure your stuff, Secure Folder, Sports, Finance, Bixy Vision, Samsung Themes, Samsung Pay Framework, Samsung Cloud, Autofill with Samsung Pass, Samsung Pass, Samsung Experience Service, Keyguard Wallpaper Updator, Gear VR Service, Game Tools, Game Launcher, Find My Mobile, Secure Wi-Fi, Email, SmartThings, BixyVision Framework, Voice wake-up, Samsung voice input, Bixby Service, Bixby Global Action, Bixby Voice Stub, Bixy Voice, Smart Things, com.samsung.android.app.watch.managerstub, Bixby Home, AirCommandManager, Samsung account, KnoxVpnPacProcessor, Google VR Services, Google, Gmail, Facebook App Installer, Facebook Services, Facebook App Manager, Game Optimizing Service, Dictionary, CNN for Edge Panel
To the op: it needs internet for two reasons. To connect with knox servers to allow the app to do what it does, that's Samsung's requirement. And to verify the license for the actual app, to prevent piracy.
And for why it's not working... You didn't really describe what's happening, so we can't help you... But i mean, a lot of people have a great experience with PDP for samsung devices... I can only assume its user error... Maybe you refuse to Grant it permissions, have a device that's restricted with knox by your employer, or you're rooted (or were)...
Pretty good list.
kevinmcmurtrie said:
...Knox Enrollment Service, Samsung Experience Service, Google
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Kinda surprised it still worked after partially disabling the service that makes it possible (knox)... No doubt you're getting some extra cpu drain from the errors that's causing, run a log cat, guarantee you've got a lot errors happening.
And for the Samsung Experience Service, you must be using a third party launcher, because that's essentially touchwiz.
As for Google, don't quite see the benefit of disabling that. It's where google assistant is, and hardly does anything at all in the background.
Otherwise, great list.
Tip for everyone, after disabling apps, run a logcat (google "adb log cat" or download the cat log app) and just look for the words "error", "warning", "failed, "doesn't exist", and "found"... The more time you see any of those, more than likely that means more resources wasted because of missing packages. (Services call on other services, and they tend to cause tantrums when they don't get a response)... Probably a good idea to also do it before disabling anything, to establish a baseline.
I disabled the annoying app that kept asking me to sign up for Knox services. I don't think there's any means to disable Knox itself since it's part of the bootloader. There are plenty of errors spewing in logcat but they all appear to be sloppy code rather than any specific problem.
Nova Launcher Prime replaces Samsung Experience.
Google Search is disabled because I'm not using the search bar and it seems to pre-fetch a LOT in the background. I'm not a fan of Google cross-linking everything in inappropriate ways so I'm not using their apps.
MailDroid Pro replaces Email and GMail.
I noticed that Google now spams your phone's GMail account asking you to use Google apps. There's no opt-out, of course.
Nye-uhls said:
To the op: it needs internet for two reasons. To connect with knox servers to allow the app to do what it does, that's Samsung's requirement. And to verify the license for the actual app, to prevent piracy.
And for why it's not working... You didn't really describe what's happening, so we can't help you... But i mean, a lot of people have a great experience with PDP for samsung devices... I can only assume its user error... Maybe you refuse to Grant it permissions, have a device that's restricted with knox by your employer, or you're rooted (or were)...
Pretty good list.
Kinda surprised it still worked after partially disabling the service that makes it possible (knox)... No doubt you're getting some extra cpu drain from the errors that's causing, run a log cat, guarantee you've got a lot errors happening.
And for the Samsung Experience Service, you must be using a third party launcher, because that's essentially touchwiz.
As for Google, don't quite see the benefit of disabling that. It's where google assistant is, and hardly does anything at all in the background.
Otherwise, great list.
Tip for everyone, after disabling apps, run a logcat (google "adb log cat" or download the cat log app) and just look for the words "error", "warning", "failed, "doesn't exist", and "found"... The more time you see any of those, more than likely that means more resources wasted because of missing packages. (Services call on other services, and they tend to cause tantrums when they don't get a response)... Probably a good idea to also do it before disabling anything, to establish a baseline.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any diference with AdHell 3 when disabling the apps? I'm using AdHell (is free), but I'd like to know if the uninstallation performed by PD is deeper.
Shaglok said:
Any diference with AdHell 3 when disabling the apps? I'm using AdHell (is free), but I'd like to know if the uninstallation performed by PD is deeper.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Adhell 3 uses KNOX, Package Disabler Pro uses ADB
*Detection* said:
Adhell 3 uses KNOX, Package Disabler Pro uses ADB
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, but sorry for the (surely silly) question. The result is the same? I mean, disabling via ADB is like disabling via Knox? Or one method is better than other?
Enviado desde mi SM-G950F mediante Tapatalk
Shaglok said:
Thanks, but sorry for the (surely silly) question. The result is the same? I mean, disabling via ADB is like disabling via Knox? Or one method is better than other?
Enviado desde mi SM-G950F mediante Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Different methods, same result
*Detection* said:
Adhell 3 uses KNOX, Package Disabler Pro uses ADB
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Package Disabler pro on samsung devices also uses Knox, it uses adb for non-samsung devices.
kevinmcmurtrie said:
Nova Launcher Prime replaces Samsung Experience.
Google Search is disabled because I'm not using the search bar and it seems to pre-fetch a LOT in the background. I'm not a fan of Google cross-linking everything in inappropriate ways so I'm not using their apps.
MailDroid Pro replaces Email and GMail.
I noticed that Google now spams your phone's GMail account asking you to use Google apps. There's no opt-out, of course.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well right on, you've got your replacement apps. I couldn't do that personally (even before i got hooked on Google Assistant).
And you can turn off a LOT of the pre-fetching, and the cross linking that the Google app and others do, but of course there will always be some (web and app activity in google account. Others in the google app, like contacts, calendar, call logs, sms, etc)
I'd be interested to know how your battery life compares, because while the Google apps can be... Busy... They do their business in pretty light-weight ways.

There's life without GMS

I was hesitant to buy P40 Pro (I had P30 pro) because of a lack of GMS. But I am spontaneous and had a birthday... and both one
My first observations:
+Great camera - especially zoom one!
+video is better
+Has double tap to wake up, boy how I missed this I disabled it - too many self unlocks
+Fast!
+UFS 3 is a lot faster internal storage than 2 on P30 - downloading pictures is 2x faster over WiFi
-the screen is a bit darker than P30's?
-this huge cutout on a screen for useless (for me!) 3D camera
-has pre-applied screen protector I removed it and now is fine
-The wide camera is 18mm instead of 16mm in P30 Pro
- battery last shorter time
more + and - will come as I use it from 5 h
Now about missing services - phone clone app is by far the best cloning solution I ever used - in 5 minutes I had an almost exact copy of my P30!!! Minus Google Chrome and something else, I can't remember I miss Chrome but for now, with some minor hiccups, FireFox is filling the gap! Chrome is the best I installed it
All apps I use are up and running for the moment - future updates I need to figure it out how to backup calendar? - The internal backup app is doing the job remain to be seen restore if needed
In General, I am happy with it, only time can prove me wrong
Thanks for sharing your experiences! Still doubting to buy this phone. Chromecast and lack of Strava are the only things really holding me back at the moment.
Chrome I never use anyway (Firefox preview is nice!), I suppose Brave Browder doesn't work either? Or does it?
MajestyZ said:
Thanks for sharing your experiences! Still doubting to buy this phone. Chromecast and lack of Strava are the only things really holding me back at the moment.
Chrome I never use anyway (Firefox preview is nice!), I suppose Brave Browder doesn't work either? Or does it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Today using apkmirror I instaled chrome and google gallery - they work thou cant make chrome sign in with my account
Aha alright. Have you tried APKPure already? This app keeps your apps up to date as well. Or AuroraStore, it's kind of similar I believe. Same goes for the Amazon AppStore, or AppGallery of course. I just hope developers will make apps for AppGallery as well, so we can enjoy Netflix in HD instead of SD, hehe.
MajestyZ said:
Aha alright. Have you tried APKPure already? This app keeps your apps up to date as well. Or AuroraStore, it's kind of similar I believe. Same goes for the Amazon AppStore, or AppGallery of course. I just hope developers will make apps for AppGallery as well, so we can enjoy Netflix in HD instead of SD, hehe.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried APKPure installing google Duo but Duo can't connect for some reason (GMS? )
pesho00 said:
I was hesitant to buy P40 Pro (I had P30 pro) because of a lack of GMS. But I am spontaneous and had a birthday... and both one
My first observations:
+Great camera - especially zoom one!
+Has double tap to wake up, boy how I missed this
+Fast!
-the screen is a bit darker than P30's?
-this huge cutout on a screen for useless (for me!) 3D camera
-has preaplied screen protector
-Wide camera is 18mm instead of 16mm in P30 Pro
more + and - will come as I use it from 5 h
Now about missing services - phone clone app is by far the best cloning solution I ever used - in 5 minutes I had almost exact copy of my P30!!! Minus Google Chrome and something else, I can't remember I miss Chrome but for now, with some minor hiccups FireFox is filling the gap!
All apps I use are up and running for the moment - future updates I need to figure it out how to backup calendar?
In General I am happy with it, only time can prove me wrong
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check this guide https://forum.xda-developers.com/hu...s-live-gms-t4081351/post82258015#post82258015
you may be suprised how much more alternatives you can get and sometimes even much better
MajestyZ said:
Aha alright. Have you tried APKPure already? This app keeps your apps up to date as well. Or AuroraStore, it's kind of similar I believe. Same goes for the Amazon AppStore, or AppGallery of course. I just hope developers will make apps for AppGallery as well, so we can enjoy Netflix in HD instead of SD, hehe.
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As I know from my friend, Netflix can stream HD on P40 Pro. Check again please
Huaweifans said:
As I know from my friend, Netflix can stream HD on P40 Pro. Check again please
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Where did he get the APK for Netflix? I can't find one on APK pure that works.
hpsauce37 said:
Where did he get the APK for Netflix? I can't find one on APK pure that works.
Click to expand...
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Latest Apk on Apkmirror
Huaweifans said:
Latest Apk on Apkmirror
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Says not compatible with my device. I assume you need play services installed?
hpsauce37 said:
Says not compatible with my device. I assume you need play services installed?
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Show me the DRM Info on your P40 Pro please
Huaweifans said:
Show me the DRM Info on your P40 Pro please
G
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Of about 120 apps there's only 1 that i really need which I can't get to run (parklio, they rely on google for the login it seems).
I can easily replace the weather apps that won't work without google, a couple of apps like Banking keep complaining about missing google play services but still work.
Somehow it feels really good to be able to get rid of google in one way or another.
After some time of usage - updating apps seems to be an issue - I played Clash of clans for some years (nursing children accounts too ) and when moved to P40 everything seems to be ok BUT new version seems to be a problem - found the game in Amazon store - when tried to install it sais uninstall first - I'll lose all accounts after new version arrived tried again this time Amazon Instaled the game as e second version without accounts ....
I have all my apps and games without GMS. Just Sparkasse Bank in Germany haven't but in the future I believe that it will be solved.
And I'm happy without GMS. And my Handy is also happy without Googles devil in my phone.
Is there a chance to run the store and other applications without pop-up notifications? I have tried several articles but none of them remove notifications about the lack of certificates. After 30 minutes of attempts, google frimework id returns, I delete the old gsm application and install v2 but notifications like that are still there. Anyone have any idea or know the solution?
The P40 Pro has been a blessing in disguise. Challenging at first, it has been a great exercise to eliminate my reliance on Google services. The only Google app that I have installed (other than Android lol) is YouTube Vanced. I just wanted the player instead of the website, and I'm not even logging into it.
I'm also using Waze which apparently is owned by Google, but it does not rely on GMS at all. I do miss Google Maps a little, especially my custom maps and pins everywhere. Time will tell if I really need to come up with a workaround, but I'd rather not pollute my phone
Using mainly APKPure and APKMirror, I got all my apps back. Some apps throw Play Services error when trying to access some features, but overall they've retained all the functionality that I care about. I was never much of a "digitally connected/synced" person to begin with. I don't like logging into apps left and right or having them store my activity online, so maybe this switch is easier for me than others. I also never really used GMail for anything but Android related stuff, and I stopped using Microsoft/Outlook accounts in favor of Protonmail, once again trying to reduce my reliance on the tech giants.
Can we live without Google if they do not want us?
We can use the best phone without Google
My advise:
install Microsoft New Edge browser to notebook and sign in with your microsoft account. Do the same on P40 Pro. For Install, I use AppGallery, when app is not there I use APKPure. Some apps did not work if I used some other Store.
Install:
OneDrive - not only one of the best cloud drive, with this app you can upload photos to notebook and then forward to google photos from notebook.
Outlook - it can superb handle gmail AND google calendar. I have shared google calendars with my wife and kids. Outlook can do this. I do not know any other app that can do that.
Here we go - Excellent navigation. I have allways used Google Maps. It is the best. Period. But, as I daily drive 300+km, Maps often do not find the address. I then used app Here, wich did the job. We still can use Google Maps App, you only can not sign in to the app. In that case i have browser bookmark at home screen. So, with maps we are good covered. (there are more apps that are great, but this is enough)
Problem is with our Bank Apps.
I have accounts at 2 Banks, I am forced to have two, not big deal. My point here: One Bank work great over my browser. Confirmation number I get to SMS. It is not ideal, but it works.
Another bank use app that produce onetime code. There is not workaround with the browser.
I have solved that another way: my another Huawei (P smart Z). This phone can use GMS. I installed AirDroid to PsmartZ and all APPS that do not work on P40 Pro. Then, I installed AirMirror to P40 Pro. When needed, I can connect to P smart Z from anywhere, use that app and then close the connection.
Apps that do not work:
-Google apps where you have to sign in
-Microsoft Authenticator, Google Authenticator
-SmartRemote Bosch (unbelivable)
-Lidl, Lidl Plus (unbelivable)
-ChargeMap, ABRP
-DEŽ - simple but great rain radar picture here in Slovenia
What we need fast is ability to pay wih phone. Huawei must do more here.
But my bank have send me email, they are working on their banking app to work with new Huawei Phones, YESSSS!!
I will write more, I have run out of tint
I still do not understand, why google do not sell GMS online?
Google can not work with Huawei, but can sell software to me, or not?
Outook is really great app. It can sync google contacts!!!!!!
Good to know, If anybody need this.... I DO!!!!!
I posted some of this elsewhere but this feels like a good thread to put useful non GPS info into. I got my P40 Pro yesterday and am hoping to avoid GPS as it seems to be quite a complicated process that does not always stick and needs repeating regularly. Also the opportunity to de-google is actually quite tempting. Here is what I have found so far:
- My Lastpass, PayPal and banking apps work totally fine as before. What is interesting though is I saw some info that said that these work ok if you transfer using Phone Clone but may stop working if you then update them using other sources. I have another droid so will likely manage updates for these by Phone Clone
- Outlook seems to work ok for notifications but I am not sure they come through as regular as they should. I think it would be good to start a list of apps that do not rely on GPS to push notifications. Sadly Newton mail does
- Google photos is the hardest to replace seamlessly, Amazon photos should be a good alternative (if you have prime) but just seems to crash constantly. I have OneDrive but am still considering if I want to carry on using Google photos as my main photo repo, such a shame that DropBox stopped carousel as that was great!
- Chrome actually seems to work, you just cannot login.
If there are any fellow non-GPS people out there shared experiences appreciated!

Question Google Pixel 7 free VPN

Stupid question. Is the free VPN from Google now available on the Pixel 7 or is that coming out later?
From my understanding it will only be available (free) on the Pixel 7 & 7 pro but it isn't on the phone yet. It will be downloaded during the Pixel Feature drop (aka software update) that will come in December.
ern88 said:
Stupid question. Is the free VPN from Google now available on the Pixel 7 or is that coming out later?
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Think carefully before enabling this. Google already knows a lot about you. Do you really want them to know *EVERYTHING*? IMO, you use VPN's in order to AVOID the likes of google tracking you.
I would recommend using a separate VPN. Google earns money by using your data for advertising; this is why VPN apps that block ads are banned from the Play Store. Using a Google VPN just means that they get exclusive access to your data, and will continue to use it for their own profits. It's also worth noting that Google has been more than cooperative with governments seeking information and data on subscribers. If you intend to use a VPN for security and anonymity, I don't think Google is the right solution.
I personally use NordVPN with the app directly from their website.
I think they said it will be available to all 7/7P users from December, for a few years.
Google VPN comes to 7/7 Pro in December per Google:
Increase your online security with VPN by Google One - Android - Google One Help
If you want more protection from hackers and online monitoring, you can make your connection more secure with a virtual private network (VPN) by Google One. Turn on VPN by Google One in the Google One
support.google.com

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