not able to install Motorola apps on my Nexus 6 - Nexus 6 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I am using nexus 6 stock rom latest updated security patch. I am not able to install Motorola llc apps (Migrate,moto gallery,moto camera,moto file manager). I tried downloading from other sources but unfortunately that too didn't work so please help me on this .
Any suggestions or advice will be much appreciated
Thanks in advance

While made by Motorola and branded with a Motorola logo, this is a Nexus device. To me it's no surprise the apps won't install. As for installing them, you'd have to modify the apps in order to get them to install, as the apps will refuse to install on anything but a Motorola device. You would have to change a value in code to have the app always think it's on a Motorola device. However, there is a very good reason Motorola limits installs to the devices listed on the app pages, and it likely has a lot to do with the IR sensors found at the corners of a Motorola device. Those sensors are missing on the Nexus 6.
For the Nexus 6 the Motorola apps aren't your best options either. Installing the Motorola Camera means losing the ability to take photos in HDR+ mode; you'd be limited to Motorola's HDR, which is likely software-based and thus not as accurate. There are plenty of Gallery apps on the Play Store, and before I upgraded to the Pixel 2 XL, I used a copy of the Cyanogenmod 11 Gallery and its support libraries instead of Google Photos, though now I use Google Photos. I should have the zip to the Cyanogenmod Gallery floating about somewhere on XDA, but you'd have to search my posts. As for the file manager, you have tons of options, and all of them are better than what Motorola provided. One of them is in my signature (a re-signed copy of ES File Explorer) but you could also download Amaze, Solid, FX, Total Commander, Root Explorer (or its non-root variant), and more.
The TL;DR: My suggestions: forget about trying to install the Motorola apps. Keep the Google Camera, but seek out alternatives to the gallery and file manager.

Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
While made by Motorola and branded with a Motorola logo, this is a Nexus device. To me it's no surprise the apps won't install. As for installing them, you'd have to modify the apps in order to get them to install, as the apps will refuse to install on anything but a Motorola device. You would have to change a value in code to have the app always think it's on a Motorola device. However, there is a very good reason Motorola limits installs to the devices listed on the app pages, and it likely has a lot to do with the IR sensors found at the corners of a Motorola device. Those sensors are missing on the Nexus 6.
For the Nexus 6 the Motorola apps aren't your best options either. Installing the Motorola Camera means losing the ability to take photos in HDR+ mode; you'd be limited to Motorola's HDR, which is likely software-based and thus not as accurate. There are plenty of Gallery apps on the Play Store, and before I upgraded to the Pixel 2 XL, I used a copy of the Cyanogenmod 11 Gallery and its support libraries instead of Google Photos, though now I use Google Photos. I should have the zip to the Cyanogenmod Gallery floating about somewhere on XDA, but you'd have to search my posts. As for the file manager, you have tons of options, and all of them are better than what Motorola provided. One of them is in my signature (a re-signed copy of ES File Explorer) but you could also download Amaze, Solid, FX, Total Commander, Root Explorer (or its non-root variant), and more.
The TL;DR: My suggestions: forget about trying to install the Motorola apps. Keep the Google Camera, but seek out alternatives to the gallery and file manager.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for sharing this information

Related

[HOW TO] Stop the Amazon App Store from listing uninstalled apps under My Apps

Have you been sucked in by Amazon's free app of the day promotion, downloaded an app, played with it for a couple hours and then decided to uninstall it?
Have you noticed how that uninstalled app will forever appear under My Apps in the App Store?
I wanted Amazon to stop passively reminding me about my fleeting affair with a past free app every time I go to their app store to try out the next free app of the day. The app store doesn't offer any way of removing the uninstalled and I like my lists to be cleaned up.
The solution I found is not perfect, but it works for me. I tried a variety of ways and this is the only thing I could find that avoided having the uninstalled apps re-appear after the app store syncs itself with my account. It requires root, Root Explorer and SQLite Editor. There are probably other ways to do this, but this worked for me.
In Root Explorer, go to the data/data/com.amazon.venezia/databases folder and open the file called "locker". With SQLite Editor installed, Root Explorer will automatically open the file with write permissions. There will be a list of 8 tables:
Applications - this is the table you want to edit
Blacklist - seems to be a table containing apps that are removed from Amazon
BlacklistCursor - somehow related to Blacklist
ContentTokens - the tokens for the apps you've downloaded. Syncs with your Amazon account every time you open the App Store. Deleting records here does nothing, as far as I could tell.
Downloads - lists any downloaded but not yet installed apps. When you download an app from the Amazon App Store, it downloads to a folder on your SD Card located at sdcard/Android/data/com.amazon.venezia/cache. Amazon names the apk oddly. Deleting records here does nothing, as far as I could tell.
Wishlist - I assume this syncs with your Amazon wishlist for apps. I don't use it, so I don't know for sure.
android_metadata - One record that identifies the locale as en_US.
sqlite_sequence - identifies the next sequence number that can be used (right? I'm not that familiar with it)
Select Applications
The first field is the ASIN identifier that Amazon uses. You can search Amazon for this and find the app that way, just in case you wanted to know.
Now, it would be great if deleting the record you don't want worked, but Amazon will just resync and add the record again. Boo.
The more interesting fields are off to the right, so scroll down that way.
Right after the SoldBy field are true/false flags. I'm listing them here, because I'm not entirely sure what they all do and maybe someone can fill in the blanks. If you edit most of these fields, Amazon will just reset them when it syncs, too. We want IsHiddenFromActionableItems.
IsPurchased - 1 if purchased
IsNew - 1 if there is a new version (to download or already downloaded but not installed, it seems)
IsUpdateAvailable - 1 if there is an update available (installed, with update available)
IsFlagged - not sure
IsNewNotified - 1 if notified of the new version.
IsUpdateAvailableNotified - 1 if notified of an update available. Interestingly, for the apps I uninstall the IsNew flag is true and IsUpdateAvailable is false, but the IsNewNotified is false and IsUpdateAvailableNotified is true. Seems backwards.
IsFlaggedNotified - notified of flagging?
IsHiddenFromActionableItems - this is the one you want.
IsDownloaded - 1 if downloaded and the file is still in its download location.
IsInstalled - 1 if downloaded and installed.
Full step by step:
***You need root***
1. In Root Explorer, go to the data/data/com.amazon.venezia/databases folder and open the file called "locker".
2. Select Applications
3. Highlight the record you want to edit by tapping it
4. Long press on the value in IsHiddenFromActionableItems.
5. Select Edit Field
6. Change the value from 0 to 1 (or the opposite if you want it back in the list)
7. Click Save
8. Repeat 4 - 7 for any other records you want.
9. Hit back to return to the table list and back again to go back to the folder.
That's it. When you run the Amazon App Store again, the apps you've changed the IsHiddenFromActionableItems value to 1 for will no longer appear under New (and presumably Update Available). Unfortunately, the apps will still show up under the All menu, unless you filter by Installed apps only.
Sorry for the long post, but I thought maybe someone else with more background than me would be able to figure out some other workaround.
I'm not responsible if this somehow screws up your phone.
THANK YOU.
God I thought I'd be waiting forever for them to come up with a better way to manage your purchased apps.
I'd be willing to bet that we'll see a better way to manage apps in future releases of their app store, but I'm not willing to wait for that.
You. are a god! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
I was so happy when I saw this post. I tried the recommended resolution. However, when I hit the refresh button in the Amazon App Store, the "hidden" application came back.
Any ideas? I would love to have a solution.
Thanks,
Evan
Two new ideas that may help with this issue:
1) If you are *totally sure* you never want to see the app again..
Just delete the app.
Amazon's official instructions are a ways down this page:
Amazon Appstore for Android says:
(AMAZON OFFICIAL)
Amazon Appstore for Android customers can now permanently delete apps from their account. To use this feature, visit the Your Apps and Devices (http://www.amazon.com/gp/mas/your-account/myapps) section of the Amazon Appstore for Android and click "Actions."
To learn more about this feature, visit:
Appstore for Android FAQs - http://www.amazon.com/appstore/faq
Appstore for Android "Manage Apps" overview - http://www.amazon.com/help/managingapps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Note this is a somewhat drastic step - if you change your mind you will have to pay for the app all over again. Works great for free apps of course.
2) Amazon may have given us a way to run off *all* notifications with the latest Amazon App Store apk. See http://www.goodandevo.net/2012/03/turn-off-amazon-appstore-notifications-on-your-htc-evo.html
Does anyone know if there is a similar process that can now be used? It seems like the recent update to the appstore app broke this method.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2

Paid APKs on Gear

I've noticed people cannot port paid APKs (or haven't) to the Gear due to licensing, no internet, etc.
If you have purchased the app on your account, I recommend using 'APK Downloader', a Chrome extension that uses your Google Account to download the APK file directly from the play store through the browser. Then use Wondershare to install the paid APK to you Gear
Alternatively, you can download the paid APK to your phone and navigate to "/data/app" and copy it to your computer (using Wondershare) then porting it to the Gear again.
Obviously you need root, and these are the methods I've been using.
APK Downloader link: https://lekensteyn.nl/apk-downloader
I can confirm this works on apps such as Root Explorer, Nova, Apex, AlarmDroid, Emulators, UCCW, Widgets, and I'd imagine most, if not all paid APKs.
The issue isn't with getting the .apks over to the watch.
Any dev with half a brain knows that the only real paid-authorization methods all require a network connection,
which at this time, the watch doesn't have.
I'm sure the large majority of devs still don't use any sophisticated activation methods and probably just
assume that people don't know how to pull an .apk and upload it for everyone else, but I'd imagine
that at least a couple major apps use a method akin to what I've described.
Yep, most decent apps have built in license check which utilise google services framework which the watch doesn't have

Living without PlayStore

So... I've searched for a similar thread, but I didn't found any so I decided to make a new one.
As I don't want to use any google services on my telephone I had to purge Play Store also. I've searched for alternatives. I came across Fdroid - actually the store I've searched for. The only problem I've faced is there are no proprietary apps. I try to reject using of proprietary software as much as possible, but many of my friends use proprietary chat apps like WhatsApp, Viber etc.
So I've searched a solution to get this proprietary apps without much tricks...just keep it simple. I came across Aptoid - another android store, but I didn't liked the idea behind very well - you can find lots cracked apps etc. and that is not what I am looking for. Second point is - all apps are outdated - so you are missing the new version of the apps and their security and performance fixes. It didn't suited my needs so I decided to purge Aptoide.
So... after a bit of research I founded another two solutions:
APKmirror - it is a website - there is no app for it. So If you want to use it you have to go to the website and download and install .apk manually (you also need to enable Untrusted Sources in your security settings). The website has very nice interface and it looks exactly as a normal appstore. I've bookmarked it and placed it on my homescreen - so it is usable - no pain in the *** at all. The packages seems to be "trusted" as the packet signature is checked with the one of the original developer. All apps are updated - you can even download beta versions (before they hit PlayStore) and if it goes wrong... you can easily downgrade to previous verions - very nice feature. This site is related to Android Police - as it is a good source in my opinion, I think the packages there are trust-able. Is there anyone who has additional info about APKmirror?
APKpure - the second solution I came across. I wasn't able to find any additional information about this source or any review so I really have no idea who is standing behind this project. Anyway... I downloaded several apps and I checked the app signature and it seems fine - every app I checked matched the original signature of the developer. There are also "Trusted" marks same as APKmirror. All of the apps are updated. It looks pretty much like APKmirror - there is no app, just website. You can easily update your applications too so it suit all my needs. Anyway... I would like to get some additional information about it... it seems to me like mirror of PlayStore but... anyone who knows more maybe?
Apkpure has a app that you can download. Just have to watch certain apps such as play games will update to the 038 version when I am completely updated to the 030 version in the play store. Apkmirror describes this on their website when you download certain apps. Just though you should know about the app.
One thing I miss Fromm the Google play store is Google games for backup of games data and achievements. When cyanogen finishes partnership with the social gaming network, play games or whatever it's called, I'll hopefully be able to get away from the Google play store. Course devs would have to enable those servers for achievements etc, which is a long shot. Till then helium is my best friend I guess.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

Recent File Manager update (hating Alcatel right now)

Idol 4 6055u hidden update last week and File Manager is now like a 'Clean Master' clone with all the clean-your-phone and boost-your-phone notifications spam. And since there's no way to root it the app is not removable.
Anyone had any luck stabbing this one to death?
Sucks right? Mentioned it in a thread I made a few weeks back:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/idol-4s/help/alcatel-phone-t3634870
If possible, uninstalling updates or disabling the app should revert the app to its pre-spam state. If not, disabling the apps and using a less invasive file manager app is an option.
Alternatively a factory reset will return all system apps to their pre-spammy state if I recall correctly. From there, you can just avoid updating that individual app.
macallik said:
Sucks right? Mentioned it in a thread I made a few weeks back:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/idol-4s/help/alcatel-phone-t3634870
If possible, uninstalling updates or disabling the app should revert the app to its pre-spam state. If not, disabling the apps and using a less invasive file manager app is an option.
Alternatively a factory reset will return all system apps to their pre-spammy state if I recall correctly. From there, you can just avoid updating that individual app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately you can't disable the app, even though it appears you can under dev options (tried that, it just updates itself in the background again). Have tried uninstalling (updates) but it updates itself again and the spam reappears. It also places a perma-notification (can't slide off) at the top of the notifications.
BUT: The latest update to File Manager allows you to turn off notifications. Problem solved.
NOTE: You do have to give permissions for storage before you can get into the settings that allow turning off notifications/shortcuts.
This is well-known problem, ads presents in all latest preinstalled Acatel's apps updates: File Manager, Sound Recorder, Weather, Launcher and others. All of them puts notifications with spam-news and in some cases tries to change default homepage of Google Chrome browser. To prevent this need to do the following things:
1. Uninstall all updates of these apps to revert it to stock-state.
2. Deny auto update of these apps in Google Play.
3. Deny auto update of system apps in standart Update application.
DeckerSU said:
This is well-known problem, ads presents in all latest preinstalled Acatel's apps updates: File Manager, Sound Recorder, Weather, Launcher and others. All of them puts notifications with spam-news and in some cases tries to change default homepage of Google Chrome browser. To prevent this need to do the following things:
1. Uninstall all updates of these apps to revert it to stock-state.
2. Deny auto update of these apps in Google Play.
3. Deny auto update of system apps in standart Update application.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, following these steps I think I got them tamed. Not all the apps show up in Google Play but disabling auto-update in 'Updates' (Alcatel's version) should take care of those...
yosemite610 said:
Thanks, following these steps I think I got them tamed. Not all the apps show up in Google Play but disabling auto-update in 'Updates' (Alcatel's version) should take care of those...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Several of Alcatel's Apps updates throught Google Play and other via Updates app. For example, sound recorder updates via Google Play. If it's already updated - just remove updates and Google Play app for Sound Recorder and forbid / deny future updates. In 'Updates' need to forbid updates of system apps too. I already done all of this steps for each preinstalled app which tries to update - all fine. There is no any unwanted push notifications.
Rip ._. I hate this phone so much.
They are pathetic. Updating all apps and adding ads to them.
DeckerSU said:
Several of Alcatel's Apps updates throught Google Play and other via Updates app. For example, sound recorder updates via Google Play. If it's already updated - just remove updates and Google Play app for Sound Recorder and forbid / deny future updates. In 'Updates' need to forbid updates of system apps too. I already done all of this steps for each preinstalled app which tries to update - all fine. There is no any unwanted push notifications.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the tips and detailed info @DeckerSU. I had begun to prepare to unlock, root, and flash a custom ROM due to this adware and push notification nonsense. Up until the recent app updates, I had truly enjoyed the clean, stock android UI experience on my idol3 ... now I can relax again, the aggravation of those push notifications is gone!
DeckerSU said:
This is well-known problem, ads presents in all latest preinstalled Acatel's apps updates: File Manager, Sound Recorder, Weather, Launcher and others. All of them puts notifications with spam-news and in some cases tries to change default homepage of Google Chrome browser. To prevent this need to do the following things:
1. Uninstall all updates of these apps to revert it to stock-state.
2. Deny auto update of these apps in Google Play.
3. Deny auto update of system apps in standart Update application.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank you, I hadn't thought of step 3
I signed in just to thank you
edit: just realized this thread is for idol 4s, but it applied to my idol 3..
I didn't realize this is a problem on later phones.. so messed up
Very bad, all those spamming programs on a phone we paid for. They beter come out with a recent
Android update. Its a Shame for the alcatel brand.
DeckerSU said:
This is well-known problem, ads presents in all latest preinstalled Acatel's apps updates: File Manager, Sound Recorder, Weather, Launcher and others. All of them puts notifications with spam-news and in some cases tries to change default homepage of Google Chrome browser. To prevent this need to do the following things:
1. Uninstall all updates of these apps to revert it to stock-state.
2. Deny auto update of these apps in Google Play.
3. Deny auto update of system apps in standart Update application.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the tips! I was starting to think I would have to root the device... Very dissapointing to see this kind of behaviour from Alcatel
Cheers
It may be worse than you think!
It's bad enough for a SYSTEM app to be serving up potentially malicious advertising that could Pwn your device, but it ventures deep into dark waters if that SYSTEM app has the Facebook "Graph" API inside of it that could allow a developer (or in this case your Chinese phone manufacturer) to use your Facebook access token to pillage through your Facebook account and look through your photos, tags, pages visited, URL's, or even create Facebook posts or messages on your behalf!
Sound crazy?
Take a look at the Facebook "Graph" developer site for yourself:
https://developers.facebook.com/docs/graph-api/using-graph-api/
And if someone was familiar with some open source tools that could allow them to look inside an Android app:
https://github.com/iBotPeaches/Apktool
https://github.com/pxb1988/dex2jar
https://github.com/sreenivasmula/JDGUI
http://www.7-zip.org/download.html
That person might look to see if the app has the Facebook Graph API inside of it:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.jrdcom.filemanager&hl=en
Any one have a custom rom? Like Lineage or CM or AOSP any other one except the crapy stock rom?
Not good enough!
I no longer trust ANYTHING that is installed on my Alcatel device after the recent adware/spyware "upgrades"!
I installed TWRP and the (unofficial) Lineage ROM until I get a different phone all together.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/id...ficial-lineageos-14-1-idol36045x-5-5-t3615700
I will NEVER purchase another Alcatel device as long as I live and I will advise all my friends and family and anyone else that will listen to avoid Alcatel as well.
I also suggest that anyone with a stock Alcatel device not to use any "widgets" that create shortcuts that may use your access tokens for Facebook and/or Twitter until we know what is going on.
The Facebook Graph API on a native app has a greater access level than a web application and the token(s) don't expire for 60 days and can be extended.
I advise people to avoid logging in to apps or websites with their social media and/or Google credentials and to change your passwords and set up 2 factor authentication and remove any apps associated with your social media accounts.
Wtf
yosemite610 said:
Idol 4 6055u hidden update last week and File Manager is now like a 'Clean Master' clone with all the clean-your-phone and boost-your-phone notifications spam. And since there's no way to root it the app is not removable.
Anyone had any luck stabbing this one to death?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That update is from google play store! Not from alcatel.... Uninstall updates and don't let google play do whatever it wants in your phone!
That update is from google play store! Not from alcatel....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The update may have come the Google Play Store but is every bit Alcatel!
The "boost" function comes from TCL (Alcatel) owned Hawk app's "Super Cleaner" and the antivirus function comes from Hawk's Hi Security app that uses McAfee technology.
http://www.ehawk.com/en/
Can you help me to unlock a sharp phone?
DeckerSU said:
This is well-known problem, ads presents in all latest preinstalled Acatel's apps updates: File Manager, Sound Recorder, Weather, Launcher and others. All of them puts notifications with spam-news and in some cases tries to change default homepage of Google Chrome browser. To prevent this need to do the following things:
1. Uninstall all updates of these apps to revert it to stock-state.
2. Deny auto update of these apps in Google Play.
3. Deny auto update of system apps in standart Update application.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you help me to unlock a sharp phone?
I have the modem.elf file.
Following the advice on this thread, I was able to revert to the old versions of these apps back in October, and my phone stayed usable from then until about 2 weeks ago. Suddenly, the "updates" installed themselves (as part of a "critical system update" that I was notified my phone needed, and now, I don't have the option to uninstall the updates (or rather, it uninstalls to another spammy, bloatware version, not to the factory original).
Any ideas on what I can do now? Or is it time to throw this phone in the trash, and get one from a company that doesn't do this?
critical system update
Following the advice on this thread, I was able to revert to the old versions of these apps back in October, and my phone stayed usable from then until about 2 weeks ago. Suddenly, the "updates" installed themselves (as part of a "critical system update" that I was notified my phone needed, and now, I don't have the option to uninstall the updates (or rather, it uninstalls to another spammy, bloatware version, not to the factory original).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have got to be kidding me!
Now Alcatel and McAfee are tricking users into installing their adware/spyware through the use of fake "critical update" patches?
I think it is high time to do a complete breakdown/inspection of the app and do a full public disclosure.
It isn't surprising that Alcatel would infect a users phone with adware/spyware but for a so-called "security" company like McAfee to be involved is both frightening and disturbing.

How To Guide de-googling oxygen OS on the OnePlus Nord CE 5G

Introduction​As the title says. We'll remove as many google things as we can. We'll replace missing functionality with microG.
This is not meant to be an extensive guide. Just a quick write up of my experience de-googling the device.
I bought this device without doing much research and was a bit bummed when I realized there's no custom ROMs for it. One unofficial build of lineage is on here, but a little known feature, called the phone app, did not work for me, so that wasn't an option. I used it with google for a while but I wanted control of the device back. I didn't find many comprehensive tutorials on how to do this without using custom ROMs, so I thought I'd make a quick and dirty one.
What's the goal?​
Remove google services from the Nord CE 5G without installing any custom ROM
Get full microG functionality (all the checkmarks)
Replace sync functionality for calendar, contacts, photos, etc with NextCloud.
​What's not the goal?​
Fully pass safetynet
Get special google functionality such as chromecast and google pay
Verify play store purchases
Who is this for?​This is basically for me 2 days ago. You have some experience messing about with android, but you don't really know what you're doing most of the time.
What you need​
Oneplus Nord CE 5G already rooted with Magisk (I won't explain how to since there are plenty of guides)
A file manager with root access. I use fx file explorer
f-droid
Step 1: Disable all google things (or as many as you would like)​There are ways to fully remove google apps over adb, but I wasn't sure if this whole thing would work and moreover, I couldn't be bothered. I took the simple and safe way out and recommend you to to the same. Just go to [settings -> apps & notifications], then disable google play services and all other google apps you want to remove. Surprisingly I was actually able to fully uninstall google play services after disabling it.
I disabled every google app on my phone, but you can pick and choose. Some might not work as expected.
Step 2: Install microG​Unfortunately there are too many apps that depend on some part of google play services to function, even if they have nothing to do with google. Luckily people have recognized this problem and we have migroG, which aims to replace at least the basic features of google play services.
This is where I started to be confused. When visiting https://microg.org/download.html you'll see a bunch of apk's without much explanation. I was under the impression you'd have to install this as a system app or something, but apparently not. You can just install the apks using the normal installer. I also though you'd need to install all of these, but you really only need Services Core. It seems it has all the others baked in. You can choose to install this through their f-droid repo as well as explained on the microg page. Choose your poison.
Step 3: Making sure microG actually works​After installing microG, you'll have an app called microG settings. It has a fun little button on top called self-check and if you click it you'll see a bunch of boxes, only some of which are checked. This is where the fun starts, because we will start to increase the number of checked boxes.
Permissions​Some of these boxes are just permissions that are missing. So we jump to [settings -> apps and notifications -> microG Services Core -> Permissions] and grant all of them (or some). We also want to allow microG to always run in the background, so in app info we also click [Advanced -> Battery -> Battery optimization] and select Don't optimise. OnePlus' battery management is the absolute worst so let's hope that will do what it says.
Account and device registration​microG allows to register a google account. This will allow you to use google login in apps like youtube. My personal goal is to not use any google service in the long run so I skipped this.
Google device registration means that your device will be registered with google. I enabled this to get access to google cloud messaging. Some apps need this for notifications. If you leave this off, I believe microG does not talk to google at all.
Signature spoofing​Now we're missing some checkmarks related to something called signature spoofing. I don't fully understand it, but it's basically the ability of microG to act as if it is the real play services (or any app to act as if it's any other app). By default this is made impossible because of obvious security risks. There are many ways of getting signature spoofing to work, and therefore plenty of ways to get lost in the weeds.
The method I used is as follows
Install LSPosed zygisk release module using Magisk Manager.
There are zygisk and riru releases. I don't know what these are. If you can't find zygisk in your magisk settings (gear icon top right), you probably need to install riru and use the riru release.
Now navigate to /data/adb/lspd/ and you'll see a file called manager.apk. Install it and open the app.
Now click the download button on the bottom left and search for fakegapps. After clicking it you can click the up arrow on the top right to go to the website. Here you'll find an apk that you have to install.
back in the LSPosed manager, click modules -> FakeGapps. Enable for microG Services Core. It is recommended not to enable any other apps.
Now signature spoofing related features should work.
Location​After all of this, location in OpenStreetMaps wasn't working and I thought there was no way to get it working.
It turns out I was just an idiot...
Apparently microG takes FOSS seriously enough to give you a choice of location backend. Simply search f-droid for "nlp" and you'll find a bunch of different options. I used one called Local NLP Backend Location since I see no reason for my location service to communicate with any server. After installing, you can enable the provider in microG location settings.
Step 4: Getting back some functionality​Play store apps​Now we would all like to ditch the play store altogether, but it's just a little too convenient. Luckily there is the Aurora store, which allows to download google play apps without the google play store. If you also install Aurora Services through Magisk, it will be as convenient as the real play store.
Cloud syncing​I like to be able to cloud sync photos, calendars, contacts, and notes, so I'd like a solution that is tied to google. I've found that nextcloud works quite well for these purposes. NextCloud is an open source cloud solution with plenty independent providers and the ability to host yourself. I made an account at thegood.cloud, but will probably create my own host at some point.
The nextcloud app can take care of syncing photos and files from your phone.
To synchronize calendars and contacts, there is an app called DAVx5 from f-droid. This app allows you to log into your nextcloud account and you can tell it to sync your contact and calendar. This app is based on the open DAV standard, which is supported by most calendar and contact apps.
To synchronize notes over nextcloud, I use an app called Quillnote. This was actually how I discovered nextcloud in the first place.
Conclusion​This whole process was a lot less painful than I anticipated at first. There is some lost functionality but most things really work fine. Lots of apps will start bothering you and send notifications that they are broken without play services, but I have not seen any of them have any issues. The notifications can be turned off, but unfortunately only one by one.
Updates will probably be a pain since you'll have to go through this whole process again, but who's really expecting major updates for this phone anymore?
Security is likely compromised but not to an extent I'm worried about.
Notnearlynovel said:
Introduction​As the title says. We'll remove as many google things as we can. We'll replace missing functionality with microG.
This is not meant to be an extensive guide. Just a quick write up of my experience de-googling the device.
I bought this device without doing much research and was a bit bummed when I realized there's no custom ROMs for it. One unofficial build of lineage is on here, but a little known feature, called the phone app, did not work for me, so that wasn't an option. I used it with google for a while but I wanted control of the device back. I didn't find many comprehensive tutorials on how to do this without using custom ROMs, so I thought I'd make a quick and dirty one.
What's the goal?​
Remove google services from the Nord CE 5G without installing any custom ROM
Get full microG functionality (all the checkmarks)
Replace sync functionality for calendar, contacts, photos, etc with NextCloud.
​What's not the goal?​
Fully pass safetynet
Get special google functionality such as chromecast and google pay
Verify play store purchases
Who is this for?​This is basically for me 2 days ago. You have some experience messing about with android, but you don't really know what you're doing most of the time.
What you need​
Oneplus Nord CE 5G already rooted with Magisk (I won't explain how to since there are plenty of guides)
A file manager with root access. I use fx file explorer
f-droid
Step 1: Disable all google things (or as many as you would like)​There are ways to fully remove google apps over adb, but I wasn't sure if this whole thing would work and moreover, I couldn't be bothered. I took the simple and safe way out and recommend you to to the same. Just go to [settings -> apps & notifications], then disable google play services and all other google apps you want to remove. Surprisingly I was actually able to fully uninstall google play services after disabling it.
I disabled every google app on my phone, but you can pick and choose. Some might not work as expected.
Step 2: Install microG​Unfortunately there are too many apps that depend on some part of google play services to function, even if they have nothing to do with google. Luckily people have recognized this problem and we have migroG, which aims to replace at least the basic features of google play services.
This is where I started to be confused. When visiting https://microg.org/download.html you'll see a bunch of apk's without much explanation. I was under the impression you'd have to install this as a system app or something, but apparently not. You can just install the apks using the normal installer. I also though you'd need to install all of these, but you really only need Services Core. It seems it has all the others baked in. You can choose to install this through their f-droid repo as well as explained on the microg page. Choose your poison.
Step 3: Making sure microG actually works​After installing microG, you'll have an app called microG settings. It has a fun little button on top called self-check and if you click it you'll see a bunch of boxes, only some of which are checked. This is where the fun starts, because we will start to increase the number of checked boxes.
Permissions​Some of these boxes are just permissions that are missing. So we jump to [settings -> apps and notifications -> microG Services Core -> Permissions] and grant all of them (or some). We also want to allow microG to always run in the background, so in app info we also click [Advanced -> Battery -> Battery optimization] and select Don't optimise. OnePlus' battery management is the absolute worst so let's hope that will do what it says.
Account and device registration​microG allows to register a google account. This will allow you to use google login in apps like youtube. My personal goal is to not use any google service in the long run so I skipped this.
Google device registration means that your device will be registered with google. I enabled this to get access to google cloud messaging. Some apps need this for notifications. If you leave this off, I believe microG does not talk to google at all.
Signature spoofing​Now we're missing some checkmarks related to something called signature spoofing. I don't fully understand it, but it's basically the ability of microG to act as if it is the real play services (or any app to act as if it's any other app). By default this is made impossible because of obvious security risks. There are many ways of getting signature spoofing to work, and therefore plenty of ways to get lost in the weeds.
The method I used is as follows
Install LSPosed zygisk release module using Magisk Manager.
There are zygisk and riru releases. I don't know what these are. If you can't find zygisk in your magisk settings (gear icon top right), you probably need to install riru and use the riru release.
Now navigate to /data/adb/lspd/ and you'll see a file called manager.apk. Install it and open the app.
Now click the download button on the bottom left and search for fakegapps. After clicking it you can click the up arrow on the top right to go to the website. Here you'll find an apk that you have to install.
back in the LSPosed manager, click modules -> FakeGapps. Enable for microG Services Core. It is recommended not to enable any other apps.
Now signature spoofing related features should work.
Location​After all of this, location in OpenStreetMaps wasn't working and I thought there was no way to get it working.
It turns out I was just an idiot...
Apparently microG takes FOSS seriously enough to give you a choice of location backend. Simply search f-droid for "nlp" and you'll find a bunch of different options. I used one called Local NLP Backend Location since I see no reason for my location service to communicate with any server. After installing, you can enable the provider in microG location settings.
Step 4: Getting back some functionality​Play store apps​Now we would all like to ditch the play store altogether, but it's just a little too convenient. Luckily there is the Aurora store, which allows to download google play apps without the google play store. If you also install Aurora Services through Magisk, it will be as convenient as the real play store.
Cloud syncing​I like to be able to cloud sync photos, calendars, contacts, and notes, so I'd like a solution that is tied to google. I've found that nextcloud works quite well for these purposes. NextCloud is an open source cloud solution with plenty independent providers and the ability to host yourself. I made an account at thegood.cloud, but will probably create my own host at some point.
The nextcloud app can take care of syncing photos and files from your phone.
To synchronize calendars and contacts, there is an app called DAVx5 from f-droid. This app allows you to log into your nextcloud account and you can tell it to sync your contact and calendar. This app is based on the open DAV standard, which is supported by most calendar and contact apps.
To synchronize notes over nextcloud, I use an app called Quillnote. This was actually how I discovered nextcloud in the first place.
Conclusion​This whole process was a lot less painful than I anticipated at first. There is some lost functionality but most things really work fine. Lots of apps will start bothering you and send notifications that they are broken without play services, but I have not seen any of them have any issues. The notifications can be turned off, but unfortunately only one by one.
Updates will probably be a pain since you'll have to go through this whole process again, but who's really expecting major updates for this phone anymore?
Security is likely compromised but not to an extent I'm worried about.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In the lineageos thread there is one version of LOS without gapps however its security patch is outdated. I also believe that LOS fan edition doesn't come with gapps by default though I have yet to try that rom.
Fisuxcel said:
In the lineageos thread there is one version of LOS without gapps however its security patch is outdated. I also believe that LOS fan edition doesn't come with gapps by default though I have yet to try that rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes and I did install it previously but the phone app stopped working and overall it was a bit buggy for me. Not everyone seems to have this issue so you might want to give it a try.
Doesn"t seem to work on OOS 12
At microG Service Core install I think I must be missing something, it tells me the package is already installed, though I've deleted correctly the com.google.android.gms package (and of course almost everything related)
I've reinstalled the Play Services and Services Framework from Google for now to make my phone work again until a solution is found

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