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I am not really comfortable with the idea of sharing data with Google, so I wonder how it could be possible to run Android without the Google apps.
Using CM7 as the base for my devices (SE X10 mini pro & ZTE Blade) is already a good starting point, by not installing the GAPPS package.
But then what?
How to get apps from the market without GAPPS?
Which (offline) navigation software instead of Google Maps?
Which calendar app instead of Google Calendar?
Any other Google service replacement?
Any suggestions are highly appreciated.
You could probably use amazon appstore instead of market. The real market requires google's framework. As far as the calender i'm not sure look around on the amazon market for one.
Personally i would just use gapps what could you possibly be doing where the info google collects could hurt you ? They don't collect personal data like sms or phone calls. So unless you download child porn its prob ok to use google's apps.
I am not thinking about anything illegal, but you can be identified by your (required) Google account, and once you enable data synchronization / localization service, or the background data submission required for using the Market, you are already deeply caught in the Google network.
I don't know about the Amazon Appstore. Does it feature the same apps as the Google Market? I guess not, and when I try to access it, it tells "The Amazon Appstore is only available to customers located in the United States.", so I don't think this is a suitable alternative anyway.
So the only real downside of not using GAPPS is access to the market. A possible workaround could be to use the Android emulator of the Android SDK to download apps, then package them up to APKs and copy them over to your mobile.
I am sure there are a lot of others which are not comfortable with Google as well, but do not want to surrender their Android phones.
If you just want the apps you can install them from your pc to your phone on the market website. If you don't have a Google account or want one at all maybe use 4shared to download them. You can also usually download them from the developers website.
Sent from ???
I am still testing the use of Android without GAPPS, but there are some issues I have no idea how to overcome:
There seems to be no suitable Calendar App that does not rely on the Google Calendar / synchronization with Google. My preferred app would have been aCalendar, which works kind of, but no appointment can be saved because it tells "You have no calendar". Any suggestions? How is the calendar issue solved on Android-without-GAPPS devices like the Kindle Fire?
Some apps simply can not be installed without the Google framework present. For example when trying to install the Adaffix and QR Droid apk's manually, it simply tells "Application not installed" without any error message pointing out the problem. Any idea about that?
These two issues are the main problems with having no GAPPS on the phone, and as much as I would have liked to run my Android phones without GAPPS, it seems there is no way around it, if one does not want to have it overly complicated.
I have been using android for a few weeks now with no google account. Installing a firewall and lbe privacy seems to work fine. Just dont allow any google services access to the net. Works fine for me
I don't understand why you would by a Google OS but not want google apps.
UPDATE: Android without GAPPS is a go now!
Android is NOT really a GoogleOS, it's a Linux distribution with proprietary Google apps added. You can successfully run Android without Google, which is what Amazon already proofed with the Kindle Fire on a large scale.
I am not talking about running Android without Google account, but Android without GAPPS installed, and I am happy to confirm, that it is indeed possible without too much hassle, since I overcame my initially major issues:
The calendar issue could be solved by installing Jorte, which uses its own database.
I simply omit apps which rely on the Google Framework, so I replaced QR Droid with Barcode Scanner, and just deleted Adaffix, for which there is no replacement (not that much of a loss, especially since I was not really sure about their privacy policy; would you willingly submit the phone numbers of all your callers to a private company?).
I am going to use MapQuest instead of Google Maps, a free app based on https://www.openstreetmap.org
I already installed all my apps, which I previously downloaded from the Market, on that Google-free phone, in addition to AdFree, to get rid of the advertisement in the typical free apps, as well as AmazonAppstore (just in case). Now for my kind of use I don't miss any Google services at all.
The next logical step is to install the Android SDK on a computer, run Android 2.3 including GAPPS for Market access in the Android emulator, and just download all the desired software and software-updates there, to be exported (using ASTRO) to the Google-free phone.
Some may argue that it may not be worth the hassle, but I am still in the opinion, that it's best not to share ANY data with Google ever.
BTW Don't use Google at all, not even for simple searches -> have a look at https://duckduckgo.com (they even have an Andoid app)!
Where to start?
Android is not a Linux distribution, it only uses a Linux kernel, these two mean vastly different things and should not be confused.
What exactly do you want to hide from Google?
Your email? It goes through dozens of servers without encryption. The only people not reading it are the ones who don't want to.
Your location? Your cell phone provider has it. And so does your government)
Your searches? Okay you're right on this one I use duckduckgo on my pc.
The point is that most of your data is tracked by hundreds of companies. They use your os and flash version, your cookies, user agent, screen resolution. You can run but you can't hide.
You're not on Facebook, are you?
---------- Post added at 09:15 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:12 PM ----------
smokin1337 said:
You could probably use amazon appstore instead of market. The real market requires google's framework. As far as the calender i'm not sure look around on the amazon market for one.
Personally i would just use gapps what could you possibly be doing where the info google collects could hurt you ? They don't collect personal data like sms or phone calls. So unless you download child porn its prob ok to use google's apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Never make the assumption that if you're not going anything illegal than you shouldn't worry about tracking. Never never never. Okay? If you do you don't deserve privacy. Read "little brother" by Cory Doctorow.
For the calendar and the contacts i use to synchronise every day my Desire S with an old version of Lotus Notes (7.xx) on my Job computer. I use MyphoneExplorer with a USB connexion. It works very well without microsoft exchange or any connexion with google agenda.
Wikipedia said:
Android is a Linux-based operating system for mobile devices
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From my point of view I consider everything based on the Linux kernel a Linux distribution. Android = Linux kernel plus a bunch of open source software, the proprietary Google code does not have to be considered to be part of the base system.
What I want to hide from Google? About everything. Isn't it the same with Facebook, where the user is not the customer, but the product?
Of course everybody leaves a large track in the net, but one can at least try to prevent data sharing as much as possible, and not using Google services and not providing them any additional info is part of it.
Of course that topic is mind splitting, but I know I am not alone on this, and as shown, it it indeed possible to successfully use an Android phone completely without Google, and I do not see any disadvantage in it.
Hope this helps:
http://www.androidauthority.com/how-to-download-any-apk-to-your-computer-62153/
(apk leecher)
There are many other reasons for wanting to avoid Google. For example, let's say you have your contacts synchronized. You're using gmail and calendar and you have a card linked to your Google Play account.
You go on holiday and you card gets cloned. The criminal uses your card to do something horrendous and you wind up in jail. Because you had all your eggs in one basket your account has been disabled and your defense has no access to your emails to plan your case and defend you in court. You're utterly screwed.
By using different companies and services you at least have more chance of keeping access to those services.
Google services are pretty monolithic. They're great, but there's advantage in using separate services if you can.
Here are some alternatives to the Google apps:
- Gmail = K9mail
- Play = app leacher, sdk virtual image method. fDroid
- Maps = MapQuest. Various SatNav apps. Waze
- GTalk = Skype or Fring (though both of those aren't greatly done). Various SIP/VoIP apps like cSipSimple
- contacts = t9dialer?
- Goggles = any barcode scanner will do for me
- any others?
I use f-droid.org .
It is strictly open-source. Has all the basic apps in there (Email, Firefox, tons of Timers, AlarmClocks, etc).
randomchars said:
You're not on Facebook, are you?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Of course ! Why not ? Facebook leaves you the choice what to upload.
i agree with this thread, i dont mind sharing my information with companies, i do it all the time, but i dont like forced sharing with no opt out, this is essential stealing. eg ics and motoblur contacts
i guess you could say the opt out is to not install, which is what the thread is talking about
i think we are lucky to have android available without the gapps bloat such as with cyanogen mod
zzerozzero1 said:
I use f-droid.org .
It is strictly open-source. Has all the basic apps in there (Email, Firefox, tons of Timers, AlarmClocks, etc).
Of course ! Why not ? Facebook leaves you the choice what to upload.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
// Puts on tinfoil hat.
Sure kid. Whatever helps you sleep at night.
haydent said:
i agree with this thread, i dont mind sharing my information with companies, i do it all the time, but i dont like forced sharing with no opt out, this is essential stealing. eg ics and motoblur contacts
i guess you could say the opt out is to not install, which is what the thread is talking about
i think we are lucky to have android available without the gapps bloat such as with cyanogen mod
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
here's my fix http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1808037
zzerozzero1 said:
I use f-droid.org .
It is strictly open-source. Has all the basic apps in there (Email, Firefox, tons of Timers, AlarmClocks, etc).
Of course ! Why not ? Facebook leaves you the choice what to upload.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually facebook track you a lot. Use your browser to visit youtube and you'll see a share button for it just as many sites have now.
Facebook know a lot about where its members visit
Dave
( http://www.google.com/producer/editions/CAownKXmAQ/bigfatuniverse )
Sent from my LG P920 using Tapatalk 2
randomchars said:
// Puts on tinfoil hat.
Sure kid. Whatever helps you sleep at night.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOL ...
You obviously don't agree. Which is fine.
But plz don't troll
---------- Post added at 01:29 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:22 PM ----------
mistermentality said:
Actually facebook track you a lot. Use your browser to visit youtube and you'll see a share button for it just as many sites have now.
Facebook know a lot about where its members visit
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have been using Ghostery and Adblock Plus for years. They should take care of that.
If your really worried about your privacy you should check out Orbot the Tor client for android (https://guardianproject.info/apps/orbot/)
I will revive this thread, because I also install CM10.1 and try to use withoug GAPPS.
My phone is already running much smoother than with stock rom (Galaxy S3 I9300).
No Samsung push service, Google push, Calender...
So I am already using f-droid and androidpit now. At the moment I am missing Skype and Facebook Messenger.
I know worrying about privacy + using facebook might sound strange. But most friends I can only contact by Facebook (or SMS, lol), so I have to use it.
David.
Hi,
after reading THIS (How is Google uploading my WLAN passwords to their servers ?)
i wondered what google apps are safe.
Fortunately some Roms allow to install the GAPPS seperately, so i wanted to know how to block the unsafe ones, which are sending (what) data to google.
Id like to upgrade to an ICS based ROM, but wanted to make sure i understand before i do so .
Thank you in advance for helping me out.
Well, just using android is potentially dangerous. Google has total control over your system as long as you are connected to the internet. They can remotely install apps, remove apps lock your phone and MORE.
So why so paranoid, just get over it or buy another OS phone....which in fact does the same. It's the world we live in - it's unavoidable.
retsam88 said:
Well, just using android is potentially dangerous. Google has total control over your system as long as you are connected to the internet. They can remotely install apps, remove apps lock your phone and MORE.
So why so paranoid, just get over it or buy another OS phone....which in fact does the same. It's the world we live in - it's unavoidable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's not entirely true!
To kick out Google, you don't need to switch OS. Google is just a major player of OHA. It doesn't simply own Android.
You can always remove all Google's apps from system (if you are rooted). Remove even Play Store and use alternative Market apps. Or, don't use a Market app at all (install apps manually).
As an example, you can see Android-powered Kindle Fire. There's no dominance of Google over it.
---------- Post added at 05:17 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:06 AM ----------
derolleheinz said:
Hi,
after reading THIS (How is Google uploading my WLAN passwords to their servers ?)
i wondered what google apps are safe.
Fortunately some Roms allow to install the GAPPS seperately, so i wanted to know how to block the unsafe ones, which are sending (what) data to google.
Id like to upgrade to an ICS based ROM, but wanted to make sure i understand before i do so .
Thank you in advance for helping me out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The best practice: Encrypt your Internet Traffic.
There are many ways to do this. Use L2TP VPN (with encryption support) if you aren't rooted. If you're rooted, use OpenVPN.
I use SSH Tunnel app with socks proxy option checked (for dynamic port forwarding). With this, my internet traffic flows through a powerful encrypted tunnel. This method is easiest one because there's no need to configure anything on server. You just need a server with root access (or, full SSH access) running somewhere on internet.
All true, but theres something you don't know. Google has killswitch. How to disable it is beyond my imagination.
retsam88 said:
So why so paranoid, just get over it or buy another OS phone....which in fact does the same. It's the world we live in - it's unavoidable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think it unavoidable at all. I think it is pretty easy.
Just put Cyanogenmod on your phone. Don't install Gapps. And get all your apps from 3rd party markets like f-droid.org
You may try "LBE Privacy Guard" application that is available on Google Play.
It allows to control permissions of all installed applications including system and Google ones.
Root is required though it is always required if you want to control something on your phone.
P.S. I am using it since I rooted my phone and initially I rooted my phone just to install this app :victory:
retsam88 said:
Well, just using android is potentially dangerous. Google has total control over your system as long as you are connected to the internet. They can remotely install apps, remove apps lock your phone and MORE.
So why so paranoid, just get over it or buy another OS phone....which in fact does the same. It's the world we live in - it's unavoidable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To be fair ios and wp7 can also remotely delete apps etcetera too.
Dave
( http://www.google.com/producer/editions/CAownKXmAQ/bigfatuniverse )
Sent from my LG P920 using Tapatalk 2
Just purchased SGS3 and SGN10.1, havent downloaded any apps as of yet because I am not comfortable with the permissions issue.
I also have not rooted as I am waiting for my sandisk extreme pro sd cards, but i have some clarity i need in moving forward.
How can i best protect my phone and the info in it - mostly for the protection of my clients contact info and just the general fact that nobody needs to know my info without my knowing why.
I have been online for the last 5 days trying to understand what i need to worry about and what i dont.
I have a copy of whispercore 0.5.2 and would like to know if i can use it on my sgs3
Do i need to root my device to give optinal protection PROS/CONS
How is the avast protection
And most importantly - are these protections necessary or have i been sidewiped by chicken little?
How can i determine the best app for me - preferrably with no permissions
I really need a good mail app, document editing app, pdf app, and possibly a CAD app
I have been overwhelmed with info over the last 5 days and need some help with clarification and facts.
Thank you in advance for your help,
Confus-ed:silly:
An app with no permissions has the ability to access nothing so in essence will be of little use. Contacts are synced with Google unless you opt out that decreases security. Personally if your clients details are that sensitive use a dumb phone for work and keep your S3 for less sensitive tasks.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2
Are you trolling me?
Just running through the threads trying to increase your reply and post count?
I would appreciate that if you dont have any real information to share, dont waste my time with your non-answer.
confus-ed said:
Are you trolling me?
Just running through the threads trying to increase your reply and post count?
I would appreciate that if you dont have any real information to share, dont waste my time with your non-answer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What?
He answered your question, an app that asks for no permissions can't do much, apps need to have permissions to do various tasks.
If you're that paranoid about safety don't root and just use reputable apps from Google play store.
Edit: in fact the more I read you reply to him the more I see that you have a terrible attitude.
Good luck finding help when you act like that.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
No attitude, i thought that i had explained in my original post that i have just spent 5 days scouring the web (which included xda).
I didnt ask about permissions nor did i ask about contacts being synced with google, I understand what the permissions do, but i also have read where you have control over the permissions when you root the phone.
Not paranoid, I just know the data mining that goes on and i am sure that my clients wouldnt want some random solicitation due to an app that has no need to access my contact list. such as a document editior.
My reply may have been a little short but ghost did not address any of my questions or concerns.
confus-ed said:
No attitude, i thought that i had explained in my original post that i have just spent 5 days scouring the web (which included xda).
I didnt ask about permissions nor did i ask about contacts being synced with google, I understand what the permissions do, but i also have read where you have control over the permissions when you root the phone.
Not paranoid, I just know the data mining that goes on and i am sure that my clients wouldnt want some random solicitation due to an app that has no need to access my contact list. such as a document editior.
My reply may have been a little short but ghost did not address any of my questions or concerns.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you do have control permission when you root, but rooting is a double edged sword because root apps actually have more "power" when it comes to your system and if there is malicious code in them it will also have superuser permissions if you give the main app superuser permissions.
The safest option is not to root, if you root you are opening your system up to exploitation.
I have rooted every android phone I have ever had and never had any problems but that choice is yours.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
nodstuff said:
Yes you do have control permission when you root, but rooting is a double edged sword because root apps actually have more "power" when it comes to your system and if there is malicious code in them it will also have superuser permissions if you give the main app superuser permissions.
The safest option is not to root, if you root you are opening your system up to exploitation.
I have rooted every android phone I have ever had and never had any problems but that choice is yours.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From the perspective of data mining, you're basically just as vulnerable with a non-root app, then only difference being that the non-root app will specifically ask for permissions to use your contacts.
At the end of the day, if you want decent integration between your personal data and your apps, you're going to need to accept some risk and allow someone elses code to run through your data. If you have sensitive client data, you'll most likely be safe if you stick to mainstream, popular apps, and keep a close eye on comments to make sure no one else has had issues with security. If you're really paranoid though, I would recommend you don't keep sensitive information on any device with internet access.
I would recommend LBE privacy guard it will prompt when an app is trying to access something and you decide to allow it or not, you can manage wich permissions you allow for each app, even cut it from any Internet access.
The app does require root to work
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app
Thank you
I'm sorry, but why the funk should I use an app that FORCES me to login with stupid Facebook or Google +??
Funk ur application!
I've rooted my phone just to get rid of that brain washing Facebook!
This app is for sheep! Baaa..
Just login with your normal google account or simply stop trolling us.
Gesendet von meinem GT-I9505 mit Tapatalk
This app is simply letting you login because of their connection to their website. go back to 9gag or 4chan or whatever troll corner you come from, XDA is not the place for it.
Well, as per the OP's handle, I've said "Sayanora" to them as well. In fact, say "konnichiwa" to my ignore list! :highfive:
Aside trolling, I would like to use this launcher without an authentication or at least an anonymous mode or something... It looks like very nice launcher and more people would probably try it but don't want any personal info involved.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A
slimslim said:
Aside trolling, I would like to use this launcher without an authentication or at least an anonymous mode or something... It looks like very nice launcher and more people would probably try it but don't want any personal info involved.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The devs have stated, in other threads, that they do not store your personal data. They use either your Facebook or Google account to verify that you are who you say you are in order to have access to the servers to download the themes. It's to prevent people from having spamming their servers which they provide to us for the themes. This is much easier than having to register ANOTHER account and password. Rather, use the Google or Facebook account as a way to authenticate you to have access to their servers.
They do NOT store your personal information on their servers nor store it nor send/sell it out to other parties. It's authentication and that's it. Period. No malice is being done to you or your information.
Heck, just having a smartphone alone is putting more PI out there than this app would.
And all those permissions it needs access to? You do realize that the majority of the stock apps you have loaded already have access to one or more of those services? Since Themer acts as a one-stop-shop for all those different apps (notifications from text messages, email read count, weather (which needs GPS), etc), and gives you access to different widgets to provide that information, then yes, it does need access to a lot of the services within Android. But, no one complains that Gmail needs access to that and your contacts, or that the weather app needs access to GPS info, etc. But, when they see one app have all that permission, they freak without actually researching.
Paranoia sure does run rampant in these parts! :laugh:
SaySayonara said:
I'm sorry, but why the funk should I use an app that FORCES me to login with stupid Facebook or Google +??
Funk ur application!
I've rooted my phone just to get rid of that brain washing Facebook!
This app is for sheep! Baaa..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
As mentioned above, it's for security reasons on our side. We'll soon be implementing Facebook's 'anonymous login' feature.
I haven't used Themer for few months because of poor performance with my Optimus 2x(512 mb RAM), however this thing with Google account seems to be a much bigger problem than the slow performance. I simply do not want Google servers messing around my phone, I don't use sync or Play store. Is there a chance for Themer team to reconsider this decision?
Troll thread cleaned and now will close.
Many ways to be respectful...the opposite ways kind of jump out at us moderators.
I'm using a Nexus 4 and trying to get rid of all the Google tracking services and their built-in Android background communications with Google servers. I have already searched the internet and found a few articles about this, however most of them were outdated or didn't answer my questions.
I do like the look and feel of stock Android, which is why I would probably go for CyanogenMod for this. In an optimal world, it would retain its current look and feel, but without communicating with Google.
My questions that I currently have pretty much are as follows (when using CyanogenMod):
- is it possible to keep using SOME Play store / stock apps but taking their permission to send information to Google? For example, I still want to use whatsapp and I doubt I can find it in the F-Droid store, or perhaps i like the Google camera app, and so on
- is it possible to turn off all Google tracking services (obvious things such as Google Now, but also the less obvious, like the constant hidden communications with Google servers) using CyanogenMod?