[Q] Android without gapps - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I know it has been asked in the past, but the only actual threads I have found about it are from 2012-2013 at best, and things change very fast in the mobile world.
My question is: How can you make Android work without installing gapps? More specifically, I want to use Cyanogenmod, without installing the gapps package.
Now, I have never tried using Android without gapps, because I've heard about a lot of issues with it. Mostly, there seem to be big issues with GPS and syncing (especially contact and calendar syncing). Also, many apps will not work properly, or at all, without gapps installed. At least, this used to be the case. I have no idea, how it currently is and if there was any progress made by the people who try to run Android without Google.
What steps would I have to take in order to make Cyanogenmod run without installing gapps? To have it work with common apps like Whatsapp, a good map app with working GPS, push mail, and so on? Is it possible at all?

No one?

I've been running CM12.1 without GAPPS for almost one week now. WhatsApp and email work as usual. I use DAVdroid from the F-Droid store for calendar and contact syncing.
For more info, see: http://forum.xda-developers.com/android/general/week-gapps-sort-t3228183

CyanogenMod works even without Google Apps (reason why flashing the gapps package is optional). Sideloaded apps or from other sources such as F-Droid should work fine. If one app doesn't work, it might probably be dependent on Google Play Services or the play services framework

jb91 said:
I know it has been asked in the past, but the only actual threads I have found about it are from 2012-2013 at best, and things change very fast in the mobile world.
My question is: How can you make Android work without installing gapps? More specifically, I want to use Cyanogenmod, without installing the gapps package.
Now, I have never tried using Android without gapps, because I've heard about a lot of issues with it. Mostly, there seem to be big issues with GPS and syncing (especially contact and calendar syncing). Also, many apps will not work properly, or at all, without gapps installed. At least, this used to be the case. I have no idea, how it currently is and if there was any progress made by the people who try to run Android without Google.
What steps would I have to take in order to make Cyanogenmod run without installing gapps? To have it work with common apps like Whatsapp, a good map app with working GPS, push mail, and so on? Is it possible at all?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just flash Cyanogenmod zip file and don't flash Google apps...Thats all you have to do. You can use Cyanogenmod without Google apps without any problem.
You can install apps like WhatsApp with apk files ...you can download them everywhere. You don't need Google apps to install WhatsApp or any other app.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1715375
^ This started in 2012, but you can see it has been kept current by the OP from the editted date as well as the comments throughout the thread.
https://f-droid.org/
I'd never be interested in running my phone without Google, but it's cool there are options since everyone needs different things from their devices.

Related

GMAIL without GAPPS?

Hey folks, I'm currently using the latest GAPPS 21122012 on my AOKP 4.2.1 by helicopter88. Ok, enough background info.
When uninstalling certain apps like the sh!tty play store, Google Voice, Talk, Download Manager and others (only want GMAIL to work), my file explorer (using ES File Explorer) complains the apps haven't been uninstalled, but they certainly are.
And the (oh what a surprise) the gapps service keeps crashing on every reboot of the phone as well as every hour at least once.
QUESTION: How to enable full functionality of GMAIL (I have the APK) without having to install the whole bloatware package of GAPPS? I heard of a project called "NoGAPPS" - an option? A detailed guide would be awesome, every helpful answer gets a THANKS!
AW: GMAIL without GAPPS?
47 views, no answer? Oh come on..
SecUpwN said:
47 views, no answer? Oh come on..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First of all, the latest gapps for 4.2.1 are 20121212 not 21122012 which may be part of your problem.
I believe Gmail depends on the framework and other modules that install as part of the gapps so installing just the Gmail .apk won't work. K-9 Mail is based on the original Android email client and has a lot of functionality that Gmail doesn't have so you could give that or another email app a try as a replacement for Gmail.
And don't expect to get an answer immediately just because your thread is viewed. There are a lot of lurkers on these forums and some people that are curious but may not have and answer or advice.
ramjet73

[Q] Android without Google

Hello,
I wish to use Android without Google. I mean, android without any google apps (gapps pack) installed just after flashing AOSP rom. I already identify and tested all alternatives apps of Google apps I used. I use already the alternative android market F-Droid. However, before use Android without Google, I want to know feedback of users that already do it. In particular about my question:
What are the constraints, bugs and disadvantages while using Android without Google installed?
Thanks
F droid is a good alternative but of course you have less apps
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
jonathanxx1 said:
F droid is a good alternative but of course you have less apps
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes, you have less apps
There are fewer apps, and they work great but you may need to look for other services to replace Google's unless you want to run the web apps (see Gapps Browser). An excellent choice is owncloud: see http://sufficientlysecure.org/index.php/2013/11/26/an-android-without-google/ for a short guide to replacing contact, calendar, todo and password sync.
I think the major downside is losing the advanced location functionality and push notifications available to apps that use Google Play Services. On the other hand your battery may thank you for not using it. Xmpp based messaging apps are a little battery hungry but not too bad. I've been using CM without Gapps for ages, and it works fine, but I'm hoping OmniROm will be more friendly.
jonathan and thmls : off initial topic
dab : nice feedback, great link
Android without Google (no gapps)
No Gapps project on XDA : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1715375
Hi guys, has anyone seen a list of all Google apps and services that can be disabled or deleted? I love the skinned ROM on my phone and all the features, I've started disabling and uninstalling as much Google as I can.
Hey it's ridiculous to buy a Google android device and not use the apps that are considered the advantage of android on other OSes. But a good alternative to Google play is amazon appstore
Sent from my GT-I8190 using Tapatalk
I disagree. When Google branded Android phones had a smaller market share, I would say there was more choice, you could avoid Google. Now that they dominate smartphone sales and change their policies it's different. It's becoming a monopoly and we are losing that choice.
Yeah I did try the Amazon app store, re-downloading it now to give it another go...
philippe734 said:
Hello,
I wish to use Android without Google. I mean, android without any google apps (gapps pack) installed just after flashing AOSP rom. I already identify and tested all alternatives apps of Google apps I used. I use already the alternative android market F-Droid. However, before use Android without Google, I want to know feedback of users that already do it. In particular about my question:
What are the constraints, bugs and disadvantages while using Android without Google installed?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
a lot of paid apps with lvl license control wont work without gapps
Problems
From the author of the No Google apps project:
MaR-V-iN said:
Android without Google apps have several problems:
Some apps do not install because of missing Google Maps API
Some apps fc at startup bacause of missing Maps API or market license check issues
Some apps hardcoded links to several Google Apps and therefor fc or react unexpectedly on certain cases.
No access to Play Store (i tried nearly every alternative market, but nothing is as good for free apps as play store) Meanwhile, F-Droid provides nearly everything you need
​
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why not just use 1Mobile Market. Completely legal play store alternative. Even has all the Google apps like maps and Google services if you so desire. (defeats the purpose I know). I went this route as I want total control of my devices. Google has got out of hand with their apps and Play Services Framework and whatever else they cram in. The apps on 1Mobile Market are more up to date than the Amazon App store also which sometimes can be multiple versions behind. So just flash AOSP, grab the 1Mobile Market APK (Google it) and go to town.
Sent from my Nexus 10

Google services.

I am aware that we have got google stuff working again on the kindle.. however i am in a big of a mess.
Frankly i need some help, Is it best to just delete all of google old apk's. Account manager, framework, play services... and reinstall the new versions?
If so, what are the versions that would be best to intall. Should i just go find the newest apks of the above?
For play services, 7.0.99 is currently the last version that works on Fire devices, 7.3 and 7.5 always crash. That also means we can not use latest GMail and Play Games, as they are depended on newer service version.
About other apps, latest version will work.
so, to get everything working, do i need to download 7.0.99 google serves, account manager, and framework?
I am just wanting things to work again.
Bear6009 said:
so, to get everything working, do i need to download 7.0.99 google serves, account manager, and framework?
I am just wanting things to work again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 on this
You really should read around the boards. I know the info is disorganized, but a big reason is that so many people ask the same question over and over again in different places. There are 4 (maybe 5) play store threads all but one answer this question. Read them and you should be able to figure it out. If you cannot, ask in one of those.
Sorry for the rant, but I answered this question this morning in another thread.
/soapbox

P7510 with Lollipop, having trouble finding a stable version of Google Play Services

So I'm using this ROM and everything works fairly well.
The issue is that apps like Gmail, Hangouts, Keep (all of which I got from the play store), etc say that I need to upgrade my Google Play Services for them to work. My GPS version is 7.8.87 and if I update it through the play store, it starts crashing repeatedly. I've tried a few different ones on APK mirror (granted I'm not exactly sure what version is the "correct" one) and none have worked.
Do I need to just figure out what version works for this ROM, or try a different GApps package? I'm a bit of a newb so sorry if I'm way off base.
I found it worthwhile to upgrade to 7.1 Nougat. Lollipop for me had got too sluggish even before the Google Play services problem. Gmail doesn't prompt me to update GPservices, but I don't know about Hangouts or Keep.
See my post here
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-tab-10-1/help/time-to-t3571137

How can I get apps to work that require Google Play Store, without installing GAPPS?

Basically, I have a custom ROM installed (Ressurection Remix) without GAPPS (intentionally) on my Moto G5 Plus.
Almost every app works fine, but some don't. These are for the most part apps that I backed up and installed using Titanium Backup.
The specific app I want to try to get working is DB Navigator. It works almost completely fine, I can search for new routes and change settings etc. However, I can't see tickets that I have booked. I don't need to be able to book tickets through the app, but I would like to be able to see the tickets I have already bought.
My question is, is there any way to get this app to work without installing GAPPS?
(I apologize if this question has been answered already. I googled it, duckduckgo-ed it, looked through the forums and still found nothing )

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