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How to Android without Google

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Re: How to Android without Google

#31

Post by lovelearning »

blcArmadillo wrote: post #15
milankragujevic wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

Believe it or not 200GB of disk space may not be enough! At least 250GB is required according to: https://source.android.com/setup/build/requirements .

It can be done with much less actually.

Complete AOSP upto Oreo requires about 95GiB for just the sources + 40-50GiB for each version build.

But most of that repo history is not necessary if all you want to do is build one version. Just clone that one version to depth 1. Nougat weighed in at around 13-14GiB. Add the 40-50GiB for build, and about 70GiB is enough.

Re: How to Android without Google

#32

Post by dblohm7 »

rightos wrote: post #12
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.

Essential died, I'd look at Android One devices like the Nokia 6 or Xiaomi Mi A1.

They're not dead yet. Sure, they stopped working on their next phone and are searching for a buyer, but they also just pushed out a new Android P beta for the PH-1.

Re: How to Android without Google

#33

Post by jhoh »

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.

What about OnePlus devices? Absolutely no bloatware, very easy unlocking and ususally around $500.

If you strip away all the hype and marketing, they offer pretty solid phones.

Re: How to Android without Google

#34

Post by sigfubar »

d33 wrote: post #21
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.

Somehow this sort of thing never happened to a recent device like the S7 back in the days of CM, before it became Cyanogen Inc. Between the death of Cyanogen Inc. and the birth of LOS a crucial ingredient appears to have been lost, leaving the project as a whole less vital that it was before.

Re: How to Android without Google

#35

Post by giancarlostoro »

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.

Firefox has a Google Container though so its a huge difference.

Re: How to Android without Google

#36

Post by giancarlostoro »

whyagaindavid wrote: post #25
giancarlostoro wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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...

But at least not shoved with uninstallable and pre-installed apps. Yes I know I can "disable" some apps but I find it ridiculous that phones come with Facebook, Instagram etc preinstalled. Just no thanks.

Re: How to Android without Google

#37

Post by izacus »

krn wrote: post #19
bluuswtr wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why is Lineage behind?

When a security patch for Android becomes available, it takes a lot of time until it gets ported to the LineageOS build targeting your device. If it ever happens at all.

Also it's worth remembering that LineageOS can't patch the driver blobs (which are a source of a large number of security issues). As a result, if you don't run it on a maintained platform (e.g. Google Pixel phones), you're still behind in security.

Re: How to Android without Google

#38

Post by Tehnix »

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).

If you are a EU resident, then it doesn’t matter who owns the company. Especially if they are selling in the EU, which means they have a clear way to target them.

Write them a GDPR message requesting what info they have on you!

Re: How to Android without Google

#39

Post by ren01r »

627467 wrote: post #4
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.

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

Wouldn't accessing Google services from an unofficial client violate the Google ToS? I'm also concerned about the Yalp store mentioned in the article which is introduced as a way to install Play Store apps without actually using Play store. Based on my reading, Google bans and locks out accounts without any remedial measures regularly.
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