rent ’s be honest , Google is awe-inspiring . It offers the ripe app and services for free . But there ’s also no abnegate that nothing comes for innocent . If you are using a free service , you pay for it either by see advertising or with your data . So , when I decided to stop Google from hoarding my datum , I want to do something concrete . Like , the question in my brain was – can I habituate my Android Phone without Google ?
I have seen a lot of articles and video recording on the cyberspace doing the same . But mostly they switch over to an iPhone or cut themselves of Android completely . I wanted to do this on an Android earphone because as far as I do it it ’s supposed to be open - source . So , this should n’t be as unmanageable as everyone thinks !
Completely Remove All Google Apps From Android
Well , a custom ROM would do the conjuration but since the evolvement of Android , apps have more and more started using the Google API . So , even after the custom ROM , apps would be depended on Play Services ie . Google API to run . Next , I persist into microG which is an choice to Play Services . It ’s relatively belittled in size than Google Apps , plus it functions as a knockoff for Google’sproprietary libraries . significance , any app that request for Google ’s depository library or API would be handle by microG ’s API and library . Thus , I have a result for my first job .
Flash Lineage OS for microG
Before , we start out this procedure , check that you have incapacitate screen design and password . In the late version of Android , Google prevents third - party custom recovery creature from decode System Files . So , in purchase order to keep off further problem , turn off the projection screen lock . In summation to that , take thebackup of your Android to your computerbecause we are about to wipe everything .
1 . Make certain that you have USB debugging turned on your machine . To that , go to the mount and plow on developer mode by intercept on the habitus number 5 times .
Now , once you have the developer options enable , maneuver over to it under the System Options menu . Under the developer mode , sail to the Debugging department and twist on USB Debugging .
2 . Next , we need to reboot the phone into fastboot mode . To do that , power off your speech sound first . Once done , press the power and mass down at the same time until you see the following CRT screen . Now , link up your phone to the figurer via USB .
instead , you may also fastboot your phone via ADB . link up your phone to the PC via USB . Now , open up the statement prompt and go to the ADB location . Type the following mastery to boot directly to fastboot mode .
3 . Now , we need to clean and pass over the former operating system files and then instal Lineage OS . To do that , I am using a custom recovery tool called TWRP . you’re able to download TWRP fromheredepending on the gadget you are working with . After downloading the filing cabinet , make trusted you have placed it inside the ADB folder . Now to boot to TWRP , below is the bidding .
4 . Once you are in TWRP , you will be asked whether you want to take into account TWRP to make modification or keep it as Read Only . We postulate to allow TWRP to make alteration hence swipe on the slipper to earmark the license .
5 . Once you are in the TWRP Menu . Tap on the 2d button called “ Wipe ” . Here we will wipe the previous OS file and directories . Tap on the Wipe button to go to the next page .
6 . Now under the Wipe Options , tap on the advance release at the bottom leftfield of the screen .
7 . Now , in the Advanced Wipe computer menu , select Dalvik / ART cache , organization , and Data . This will get rid of organisation files , app data , on the Internal Storage . After that , cabbage to pass over the data .
8 . After it is done , we are run to sideload Lineage OS . If that ’s a raw terminus to you , it simply means flashing zip files on my Android from my computing machine . It ’s just a lazy way to salve steps of transferring files from computer to the phone . To go to the sideload mode on the phone , go back to the main menu and tap on the “ Advanced ” button .
9 . Now from the Advanced configurations , tap on the ADB sideload clitoris and then swipe to get into Sideload . Now , the earpiece is in sideload mode and can accept commands from ADB on the data processor .
10 . Once in the sideload mode , point over to the ADB bid line on the PC . Now , we necessitate to flash the Lineage oculus sinister for microG zip file on the telephone set . Copy the Lineage O postal code file inside the ADB booklet . After that , typewrite the following bid .
11 . Now , you necessitate to patiently waitress for ADB to install Lineage OS . The installation process on the ADB command strain may get finished halfway but do n’t worry , its good . Once done , get through on the“Reboot System button”at the bottom right corner .
12 . In face you get a admonition like “ No O installed ! ” , ignore the content . TWRP is not able to discover the latterly flash OS . Swipe to Reboot to System .
Now , the first iron heel will take time around 10 mins , so do n’t panic right there . depart the phone and allow it boot . In grammatical case , you are bind in charge loop , repeat the summons again and this time wipe the internal reposition as well .
Setup microG
Once the phone has booted up successfully , we can go forrader and setup microG. Since this is a microG variation of Lineage OS , you do n’t need to install anything singly . To verify if microG is functioning decently , go to the microG preferences in the App Drawer . In the microG options , bug on the first choice called “ ego - Check ” .
Now in the Self - Check carte , you would see a hatful of sub - section . We need to ensure if microG is successfully signature spoof , it has all packages installed , and has all the necessary permissions . For that , you need to check out if all the checkboxes are click under “ Signature Spoofing Support ” , “ Installed Packages ” , and “ permit yield ” .
In case you get any warning or proceeds , you’re able to uninstall microG and re - install it from themicroG official website . Now , bring up your phone and check the ego - tab section again for errors or admonition . Now , that we have microG , we call for an app repository for download apps .
F - Droid is already pre - installed but it has an extremely limited amount of apps . So , I could an open - informant app monument calledYALP storewhich source apps from Play Store . you’re able to download apps indirectly from sport storage without signalise in . YALP store also include Exodus Privacy which recite you about the different trackers in the app .
But YALP store has a problem that it can not handle split APKs . So , it wo n’t be able-bodied to install apps like Twitter , Sync , Netflix , etc . So , on the same lines , I found a branching of YALP store calledAurora Store . In accession to set up rent APKs , it has also included auto - update of apps and switching between multiple anon. accounts .
Read:6 Best Private Search Engines That Do n’t Track You Like Google
GApps Alternatives
In causa you are wondering , yes these apps from other tech giants . But , the matter is by sharing all your data in one place ie . with Google you are get to it centralized . centralised data point is rather more vulnerable and could lead to accurate profiling . However , if you portion out it with different companies it is more distributed and less vulnerable . Secondly , Amazon is not going to share your data point with Microsoft and neither Microsoft will share it with Samsung . So , this scenario is serious than GApps .
Week of Experience
Now , in my week of experience , I did n’t have any issues in set up apps from the Aurora Store . Due , to microG I was able to use most of the apps with minimum issues . To begin talking about issue , firstly most of the Android apps use Google Cloud messaging API to press notifications from the host to the fluid App . It does forge part with microG , I do get random apprisal . With WhatsApp , it works perfectly but with Instagram , I have to often start the app and refresh it to get notifications .
Another popular google API is the Google Maps API . Now , most of the apps are bet on the Maps API to get the location or suck the mathematical function . Now , Instagram and other apps can pull location name perfectly with the help of microG. But , when it come to drawing maps there are payoff . For example , the Uber app shows an extremely glitchy map . It is capable to pluck my current location and book a cabriolet but the UI is super glitchy and the mathematical function is undrawn at place .
All the app alternative operate well and I never become back to using GApps except Open Street Maps . I had to shift toHere Mapswhich has its own set of trackers and data assemblage . But , it works well and at times I found the experience comparable to that of Google Maps . So , as a substitution , I could live with Here Maps .
Read : YouTube Vanced – The Best YouTube Alternative App For Android
Closing Words
This calendar week of experience was just an optic - opening modification for me . I always felt that somehow I am not capable to make meter in my daily schedule for my sideline . But , in the pursuit of cut information mapping from Google , I realize where I am spending most of my leisure metre . YouTube recommendations are great but they serve as a rabbit kettle of fish . Since I am not much of a movie caramel brown , I terminate up spending the YouTube scout time on reading books or with household . This really break up my productiveness and lowered the weariness level .
I would really recommend you to try this out as it is practically practicable . Let me know what was your experience and if you would wish to lend something to mine . Chao !
Also Read:50 + Open Source Android Apps When You Want to Ditch Google