How to Android without Google • Hacker News Board

Re: How to Android without Google

#41

Post by coffeedrinker » Sat, Jun 02, 2018, 4:56 PM UTC

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.

I have the Essential Phone and love it.

Here are some notes on building and installing Lineage OS on the Essential PH-1:

https://headthirst.com/building-and-installing-lineageos.htm...

And some notes about setting up a phone without Google Play Services:

https://headthirst.com/life-without-google-apps.html

Re: How to Android without Google

#42

Post by ikeyany » Sat, Jun 02, 2018, 4:59 PM UTC

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 .

You can build Oreo with < 200GB easily

Re: How to Android without Google

#43

Post by whyagaindavid » Sat, Jun 02, 2018, 5:00 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.

Moto G6 and moto X have USB C

Re: How to Android without Google

#44

Post by pschastain » Sat, Jun 02, 2018, 5:00 PM UTC

Bummer that they don't support Nokia (yet). I have a first-gen 6, it's a fine phone, but I've been thinking that my next phone will be an iPhone because I'm tired of Google and their invasive tactics. I don't mind advertising and understand the business model that uses it, but I am wholly opposed to targeted advertising that tracks my browsing habits and which sites I visit.

Re: How to Android without Google

#45

Post by bennofs » Sat, Jun 02, 2018, 5:03 PM UTC

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/

Unfortunatly, copperhead only supports a tiny number of devices: Pixel, Pixel XL, Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P (+hikey as preview)

Re: How to Android without Google

#46

Post by captn3m0 » Sat, Jun 02, 2018, 5:05 PM UTC

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.

For my device, I've found the lineageOS version to be better patched (and quicker) than the official releases.

You have to be on nightlies for this though.

Re: How to Android without Google

#47

Post by mtgx » Sat, Jun 02, 2018, 5:35 PM UTC

giancarlostoro wrote: post #35

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.

Samw for the Facebook container. Firefox containers are an awesome feature. I hope they make it default eventually.

Re: How to Android without Google

#48

Post by paradite » Sat, Jun 02, 2018, 5:39 PM UTC

It is pretty interesting that people outside China are trying hard to get rid of Google on Android. Whereas people buying phones in China are getting Android without Google by default and trying hard to install Google play services (those who travel or live oversea).

Re: How to Android without Google

#49

Post by milankragujevic » Sat, Jun 02, 2018, 5:41 PM UTC

whyagaindavid wrote: post #24

exikyut wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

It's Qualcomm, and I have the sources. I have decided to spend my weekend trying to build a rudimentary LineageOS build for my phone.

Re: How to Android without Google

#50

Post by gruez » Sat, Jun 02, 2018, 6:05 PM UTC

cmroanirgo wrote: post #7

627467 wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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…

it's still better as microg allows you to tunnel all your communications through tor, and only sends a limited subset of data about your device to google. of course, that won't help you if you're using gmail, google maps, and google now. but you're only using non-google apps and want some google functionality (ie. push notification on signal), it's still better than using google play services.