How to Android without Google • Hacker News Board

Re: How to Android without Google

#21

Post by d33 » Sat, Jun 02, 2018, 2:37 PM UTC

sigfubar wrote: post #17

LineageOS is no longer the CyanogenMod it once was. Where CM received regular updates and supported a plethora of devices, LOS has been dropping devices and doesn't do Oreo. My Galaxy S7 is no longer supported by LOS for absolutely no valid reason: https://lineageos.org/Changelog-18/ > Removed 14.1 devices > Samsung Galaxy S7 (herolte) and S7 Edge (hero2lte) due to licensing issues of the device trees

> doesn't do Oreo

Well I call bullshit:

https://www.lineageos.org/Changelog-16/

As for why the device was dropped, go ask the maintainer. They're probably volunteers and it might be that one of them just stopped having time to do that. I don't think they're actually paid for porting LOS.

Re: How to Android without Google

#22

Post by krn » Sat, Jun 02, 2018, 2:37 PM UTC

0x6c6f6c wrote: post #16

krn wrote: post #9

The real Android without Google is CopperheadOS[1], which is also ahead of Google in terms of security (not behind, like LineageOS). [1] https://copperhead.co/

How is Copperheads supports for not using or fully replacing Google Play Services? Microg has built Lineage images so those are fairly accessible. Any word on Copperhead doing anything like that?

This is CopperheadOS lead developer's take on microG:

https://www.reddit.com/r/CopperheadOS/comments/77i687/microg...

Re: How to Android without Google

#23

Post by HillaryBriss » Sat, Jun 02, 2018, 2:43 PM UTC

Qwertie wrote: post #6

GranPC wrote: 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.

interesting. what do you use to accomplish that?

Re: How to Android without Google

#24

Post by whyagaindavid » Sat, Jun 02, 2018, 2:46 PM UTC

exikyut wrote: post #8

milankragujevic wrote: post #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).

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).

Sadly for most devices it is impossible as many OEMs do not release kernel and firmware. Yes it may be a open source violation but try telling this to any OEMs. Search in XDA and you will see one of the largest manufacturer Xiaomi does not release sources. If you have MediaTek SoC forget it.

Re: How to Android without Google

#25

Post by whyagaindavid » Sat, Jun 02, 2018, 2:51 PM UTC

giancarlostoro wrote: post #18

Nokinside wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Nokia brand smartphones are unlocked, come with latest vanilla Android without bloatware, and they get regular fast updates (updates guaranteed for at least 2 years). I have Nokia 3 and it's perfectly OK. No thrill, just works and stays updated. Nokia 6 is $230 in the US.

Oh I am totally going to check that out. I appreciate that tip. Definitely getting one for half the cost of Essential. I also considered the Moto phones but not all of them have USB C charging. Edit: Sadly it will not work with Sprint so I can't get it.

I think the OP meant SIM unlocked. Sadly Nokia android phones bootloader locked. Nokia's CTO statement: they would not be offering an official bootloader unlock method “due to security.” The only OEM consistently provides open code and unlocking easily is Motorola - Still some Google's DNA.

https://www.xda-developers.com/no-official-bootloader-unlock...

Re: How to Android without Google

#26

Post by whyagaindavid » Sat, Jun 02, 2018, 2:53 PM UTC

Nokinside wrote: post #14

giancarlostoro wrote: post #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.

Nokia brand smartphones are unlocked, come with latest vanilla Android without bloatware, and they get regular fast updates (updates guaranteed for at least 2 years). I have Nokia 3 and it's perfectly OK. No thrill, just works and stays updated. Nokia 6 is $230 in the US.

No. Bootloader unlocking not possible. From the Chief Product Officer Nokia -> https://twitter.com/sarvikas/status/910421837661790208

SIM unlock is carrier dependent if you are from the US.

Re: How to Android without Google

#27

Post by amoshi » Sat, Jun 02, 2018, 2:55 PM UTC

HillaryBriss wrote: post #23

Qwertie wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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

interesting. what do you use to accomplish that?

Not him but there is Replicant. It's not really practical and realistic to use it considering many features are missing and just a few devices are supported.

https://replicant.us/

Re: How to Android without Google

#28

Post by craftyguy » Sat, Jun 02, 2018, 2:55 PM UTC

HillaryBriss wrote: post #23

Qwertie wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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

interesting. what do you use to accomplish that?

Don't install Google services or microg, and don't use apps which require any of that crap.

Re: How to Android without Google

#29

Post by whyagaindavid » Sat, Jun 02, 2018, 2:56 PM UTC

bluuswtr wrote: post #13

krn wrote: post #9

The real Android without Google is CopperheadOS[1], which is also ahead of Google in terms of security (not behind, like LineageOS). [1] https://copperhead.co/

Why is Lineage behind?

LOS is a community effort. No regular company. No VC money. All volunteer.

Re: How to Android without Google

#30

Post by whyagaindavid » Sat, Jun 02, 2018, 2:58 PM UTC

In summary, look at https://download.lineageos.org/ before buying if you want support from LOS. Sadly many buy the bling phone or cheap from far-east that is riddled with bloatware/spyware.