Live data from Hacker News

How to Android without Google

bytemybits.gitlab.io

1–10 of 102 posts

Re: How to Android without Google

#2
Unfortunately my phone isn't supported and I don't know how to build LineageOS for it, so I'm stuck with Google and also some other spyware that straight up sends contacts and SMS to servers in either China or US. Guess I should try and sue Alcatel under GDPR (but given they're owned by TCL, which is Chinese, I don't think it'll help).

Re: How to Android without Google

#3
This isn't really Android without Google - if you do this, you're still using Google's services and piping data through them. It's kind of like switching from Chrome to Firefox to open Gmail.

Re: How to Android without Google

#4
post #3

This isn't really Android without Google - if you do this, you're still using Google's services and piping data through them. It's kind of like switching from Chrome to Firefox to open Gmail.

What Google services? MicroG replaces most (if not all) Google services.

Re: How to Android without Google

#5
I'm considering the Essential Phone for my next phone and just putting Lineage OS or something on it. Not sure of another phone that I can get for that price range (under $500) that is unlocked and not bloatware filled. Definitely going to be reading a number of articles like these. Though I might try not installing the Google* apps on it period.

Re: How to Android without Google

#6
post #3

This isn't really Android without Google - if you do this, you're still using Google's services and piping data through them. It's kind of like switching from Chrome to Firefox to open Gmail.

There is android without google. My device uses 0 google services.

Re: How to Android without Google

#7
post #4
post #3

This isn't really Android without Google - if you do this, you're still using Google's services and piping data through them. It's kind of like switching from Chrome to Firefox to open Gmail.

What Google services? MicroG replaces most (if not all) Google services.

> What Google services? MicroG replaces most (if not all) Google services.

RTM. From the article:

"If you read the purpose of microG you’ll understand it mainly serves as a proxy, something that still communicates with Google servers. The fact is, there is no way around that. The whole Android ecosystem is dependent of Google, either because of Google Play services or Play Store"

(Emphasis added that Google is still required with microG)

Re: How to Android without Google

#8

Unfortunately my phone isn't supported and I don't know how to build LineageOS for it, so I'm stuck with Google and also some other spyware that straight up sends contacts and SMS to servers in either China or US. Guess I should try and sue Alcatel under GDPR (but given they're owned by TCL, which is Chinese, I don't think it'll help).

Well, as long as it doesn't have a locked bootloader (I presume it doesn't), you should theoretically be able to get somewhere with it.

Rebuilding Android surely isn't that difficult (it's been on my todo list for some time, I've just never gotten around to it due to insufficient RAM).

Re: How to Android without Google

#10
post #8

Unfortunately my phone isn't supported and I don't know how to build LineageOS for it, so I'm stuck with Google and also some other spyware that straight up sends contacts and SMS to servers in either China or US. Guess I should try and sue Alcatel under GDPR (but given they're owned by TCL, which is Chinese, I don't think it'll help).

Well, as long as it doesn't have a locked bootloader (I presume it doesn't), you should theoretically be able to get somewhere with it. Rebuilding Android surely isn't that difficult (it's been on my todo list for some time, I've just never gotten around to it due to insufficient RAM).

The bootloader is unlocked, thought I don't understand Android enough to do anything useful with that and the Kernel sources. :/ Wish someone would help me. I can provide a build server with 16 GB of RAM and 1 Gb network as well as lots (200 GB) of PCIe SSD space.
Post reply on HN