Database Develop

How to avoid someone stole you nexus and read your personal info

im a happy nexus 7 owner but im wondering how i can protect my nexus private data or even FB or TW from other people, in my phone i use avast so i can "delete" all data by sms, but i cant do this on my nexus, i was thinking use "pattern" or pin unlock screen, but its annoying doing this on every time i want unlock my screen, i was thinking on apps that put password on selected apps, but again maybe this could be annoying, and maybe someone with a little skill can use ADB or uninstall TB and re install and delete "data" from the app who its protecting (im rooted) so im wondering its other way to protect my nexus 7? i guess this are the best but im wondering if its other way that i didint know.
Thanks

Cerberus app
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

ateebtk said:
Cerberus app
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 for Cerberus.
I use it on my nexus 7 and my att Samsung galaxy s ii. It can remotely wipe your device, lock it, track it via GPS even if you don't have GPS on, set off alarms, take pictures and video from the camera, and many other things. It is 110% worth it. I recommend it highly.

patriot720 said:
+1 for Cerberus.
I use it on my nexus 7 and my att Samsung galaxy s ii. It can remotely wipe your device, lock it, track it via GPS even if you don't have GPS on, set off alarms, take pictures and video from the camera, and many other things. It is 110% worth it. I recommend it highly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any noticeable effects on performance and battery life?

Lookout App.

Cerberus is a life saver! When both my Galaxy Nexus and my wallet were stolen in a restaurant I could track my mobile using a friend's phone within 2 mins after noticing the theft. I directed the police to the shop based on Cerberus' tracking and eventually got both my mobile and my wallet back within 15 mins after the call.
The issue with tracking a tablet without 3G is that you will only see it once it's logged into a wireless network rather than on the go. You'd also need to activate a pin which could be deactivated at home by an app like Tasker.
I suggest you also use Avast to scan for malware and as second protection which could survive a factory reset but not a new rom.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

Yeah I'm testing thanks I will check seems kind of better than avast, not sure if this app will survive to factory reset, custom recovery should have password or something xD the bad it's nexus 7 doesn't had 3g u.u oh well thanks all
Enviado desde mi HTC One X

zen kun said:
i was thinking use "pattern" or pin unlock screen, but its annoying doing this on every time i want unlock my screen
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Protection is sometimes not convenient, but if you don't have a code lock your device is wide open to whom ever picks it up.
Pattern or Pin Lock
When I am out, I use a pattern lock on all devices. If I am home for the weekend, I turn it off however it is turned back on before I leave the house.
Cerberus
I use this on my Nexus and it works good. You do need to have a WiFi connection which limits it greatly since I never allow my device to connect to a public WiFi... but with the lock out, 5 tries and the device locks.
Backups
While the data is fairly secure, losing the data and even perhaps more important the time and effort setting up the device in the first place, means that using a good backup and having that available OFF the device so that if it is lost/stolen/destroyed, I can simply re-root and then restore and have it back to where I was when the backup was made. I do full backups every Sun.. and other occasionally when I make big changes.
Two Factor Authentication
When Possible, use 2-Factor authentication. If you not using it, you should look into it.

Check out the app Android Lost on the play store.
It securely links with your gmail account and does not do any polling to servers so it saves your battery.
When you lose your phone it allows you to do many many things such as activate an alarm, track using gps or wifi, take a picture with the front or rear camera, wipe the phone or lock it and many more features. All remotely.
Best part is its free and has a minimal footprint on device.
Check it out!

Run L1ke H3LL said:
Check out the app Android Lost on the play store.
It securely links with your gmail account and does not do any polling to servers so it saves your battery.
When you lose your phone it allows you to do many many things such as activate an alarm, track using gps or wifi, take a picture with the front or rear camera, wipe the phone or lock it and many more features. All remotely.
Best part is its free and has a minimal footprint on device.
Check it out!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Nexus 7 is not a phone, so it doesn't by default it doesn't have SMS, it by itself has no 3G/4G communications. The only way you can talk to it is via WiFi.
I use Android Lost on all my phones... but since my phone uses the same same gmail account, it can't control the Nexus, hence the use of Cerberus.

is cerberus better than where's my droid?

krelvinaz said:
The Nexus 7 is not a phone, so it doesn't by default it doesn't have SMS, it by itself has no 3G/4G communications. The only way you can talk to it is via WiFi.
I use Android Lost on all my phones... but since my phone uses the same same gmail account, it can't control the Nexus, hence the use of Cerberus.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use my Nexus tethered to my phone so it uses WiFi. I suppose if I lost it would still connect to the WiFi networks in my area and I could locate it by those methods. My cable company provides public WiFi which is ubiquitous so 90% of the time if I'm not tethered I have data.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

hoponpop said:
is cerberus better than where's my droid?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Much better.
---------- Post added at 12:12 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:10 AM ----------
nyijedi said:
Any noticeable effects on performance and battery life?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
None at all.

If u really want to protect ur data, I suggest don't root the device and encrypt the entire tablet. Then set up a PIN to unlock. Security often means you have to give up some convenience at times but the reward is satisfying.
Also like some one already suggested use 2-factor auth for FB and make sure u deprovision the tablet account when u find it lost or stolen.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app

I use seek droid for my phones, but purchased cerberus with my gift moolah and am happy with its performance and have also installed it on my Acer a500. The Developer is active with the community and has beta releases that fix some of the JB bugs.

So how secure is the Cerberus site? What's the dev's credentials in IT security? Is he just some dude with an app?
In signing up for this, you're putting the ability to remote-wipe/track/spy your online life into some dude's hands. You're paying him 3 bucks and hope he can keep it secure. Can he? In mitigating one risk (device theft), you're incurring a new risk of having your device remote wiped, or being spied upon, if the site gets hacked. Good trade-off?
With a one-time fee of $3, I don't see that much incentive for the dev to continuously maintain security, assuming he even has the expertise. It's his hobby, not his livelihood.
From a cursory inspection of the Cerberus site and its support forum, I don't see the word "security" or "2-factor authentication" anywhere.
Ditto SeekDroid or any similar app.

e.mote said:
So how secure is the Cerberus site? What's the dev's credentials in IT security? Is he just some dude with an app?
In signing up for this, you're putting the ability to remote-wipe/track/spy your online life into some dude's hands. You're paying him 3 bucks and hope he can keep it secure. Can he? In mitigating one risk (device theft), you're incurring a new risk of having your device remote wiped, or being spied upon, if the site gets hacked. Good trade-off?
With a one-time fee of $3, I don't see that much incentive for the dev to continuously maintain security, assuming he even has the expertise. It's his hobby, not his livelihood.
From a cursory inspection of the Cerberus site and its support forum, I don't see the word "security" or "2-factor authentication" anywhere.
Ditto SeekDroid or any similar app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have to somewhat agree with the sentiment here.. that said, I'm presently using the Cerberus demo on my N7 and it appears quit good.... would prefer this to have been a mainstream vendor product ....
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app

Seek droid, and I think I only paid $.99
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

They have some really good reviews on their web site. And from very qualified sources,check it out. I just installed Cerberus and tested out great.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app

>They have some really good reviews on their web site. And from very qualified sources,check it out. I just installed Cerberus and tested out great.
Yes, very qualified. Hahah.
Here's a "review" maybe you should read. It's by Cerberus itself (emphasis added). Welcome to spyware.
https://www.cerberusapp.com/privacy.php
THE INFORMATION LSDROID COLLECTS
REGISTRATION INFORMATION: You provide to LSDroid certain personally-identifiable information (such as device ID number, wireless operator / operator, your name, email address, etc.) when choosing to subscribe to the LSDroid Services.
LOCATION INFORMATION: To provide the LSDroid Services, we derive location information from your wireless operator, certain third-party service providers, or directly from the mobile device that you used to register with the LSDroid Services. This location tracking of your mobile device may occur even when the LSDroid Services mobile application is not actively open and running, but your location is being securely transmitted and logged in accordance with your privacy and opt-in settings.
COOKIES, PERSISTENT FILE INFORMATION: When you use the LSDroid Services, we may send one or more cookies (small text files containing a string of alphanumeric characters) to your computer. LSDroid may use both session cookies and persistent cookies. A session cookie disappears after you close your browser. A persistent cookie remains after you close your web browser and may be used by us during your subsequent visits to the LSDroid Web site. Persistent cookies set by the LSDroid Web site can be removed. Please review your web browser "Help" file to learn the proper way to modify your cookie settings.
LOG FILE INFORMATION: When you use the LSDroid Services, our servers automatically record certain information about your usage from your mobile device and web browser. These server securely logs may include information such as a mobile device identification number and device identifier, web requests, Internet Protocol ("IP") address, browser type, browser language, referring / exit pages and URLs, platform type, number of clicks, domain names, landing pages, pages viewed and the order of those pages, features used in the LSDroid mobile application, the amount of time spent on particular web pages, the dates and times of your requests, and one or more cookies that may uniquely identify your browser.

What do you use your watch for?

Other then the obvious time.
I like mine, but debating taking it back because in not using it as much as expected. Maybe i just don't have enough uses for it. Hence this thread

I use mine for notifications whilst at work so I'm not constantly getting my phone out.
Use it for music using Bluetooth ear phones when I'm out running or in the gym.
Controlling music playing from My phone so i can leave my phone plugged in.
Controlling my phones settings easily, again without getting the phone out.
Ticking off the shopping list as im getting dragged around tescos with the misses.
Use the camera app quite a bit too have a look in hard to reach areas when working on my car or fixing generators at work, also handy when playing hide n seek with my kids.
Quick text messages and replys.
Starting and stopping My Tracks easily.
And lastly just enjoy geeking out with it.

When working out, I use the heart rate tracker with Endomondo. For real time heart rate tracking the entire workout. This helps give a better idea of how many calories were burned. It works best during treadmill walking, not as well when weightlifting. But even what it does during weightlifting is better than nothing.
Shopping list as was mentioned already.
Cooking: I use "My Cookbook" app. To view recipes on my watch while cooking. This is so much easier, than trying to pull out the phone, book or tablet, to read a recipe while in the act of cooking. It keeps the hands free for the actual cooking.
Weather: I use the "Bright Weather" app. Which keeps a persistent weather card on my watch. So anytime I want a quick view of the the weather I can pull up that card right away.
Easy reading and replying to text. I use the "WearResponses" app, to easily reply to text messages. It's also easy to create and send a message via voice.
Watch faces, wow there are so many. I'm very much a watch face junkie .
Calendar: I always have the calendar card open for easy lookup of my daily schedule.
Step Counting: Aside from tracking steps during my workouts. Google Fit tracks steps all day. So I can see when I'm getting a good number of steps in a day overall.
Navigation: When using Google Maps, I can see directions on the watch while walking.
Calculator: I use the "Multi Calculator" app, to be able to use a calculator right on my phone.
Sleep: (Last but certainly not least.) I use the "Sleep As Android" app. To track my sleep patters, pause tracking when I get up in the middle of the night momentarily, to stop sleep tracking when I wake up and even dismiss alarms.
There's more, but that's the regular everyday stuff ,
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk
---------- Post added at 09:21 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:03 PM ----------
I have to add answering the phone. It's so nice to get caller ID on the watch. No need to pull out the phone when I get a call. I can look at the watch and decide if I want to send the call to voicemail or answer. There have been times I would have never taken any action on a call. Because my hands were not in a position to pull out the phone. But I was able to send to voicemail, because I could at least get one finger to my watch .
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk

@phil gpx. How are you taking pics with the watch? Also what app do you find best for the shopping lists on the watch? Keep?
@Darnell_Chat_TN. How is the heart rate tracker with Endomondo? Google fit sucks at it as I get a BPM after a run at 70. There's no way.
How do you like my cookbook?
Edit: I just did a search for some of those apps: which cookbook app? There were 2. And, which endomondo app? Pro or basic?
Thanks guys. I just got this watch a few weeks ago. Played with the basics myself, but I know it can do more for me.
Sorry for the off topic questions

Definitely more then I'm using it for.
I wish i could get it to work with my fitness pal

BadFish79 said:
@phil gpx. How are you taking pics with the watch? Also what app do you find best for the shopping lists on the watch? Keep?
@Darnell_Chat_TN. How is the heart rate tracker with Endomondo? Google fit sucks at it as I get a BPM after a run at 70. There's no way.
How do you like my cookbook?
Edit: I just did a search for some of those apps: which cookbook app? There were 2. And, which endomondo app? Pro or basic?
Thanks guys. I just got this watch a few weeks ago. Played with the basics myself, but I know it can do more for me.
Sorry for the off topic questions
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For camera, have a look at the "ZenWatch Remote Camera" app. It will work with any Android Wear device.
Heart rate tracking with Endomondo is good. It's not always perfect, but for an hour walk/run, it does give a good overall picture of BPM average and high. It's best to just allow the arm to swing normally during the activity. Trying to keep holding your arm up to look at the watch I have found messes the reading up and gives low numbers.
The watch only works with the free version of Endomodo, but if you want extra features you have to get the paid version. And then, the free version will work with the watch, plus have all the paid features too. So you'll have 2 apps if you get both, but only use the free version, that will also have the paid features after you buy the paid app .
I'm using "My Cookbook (Recipe Manager)", by Maadinfo Services. It's very nice, since I can put in recipes however I like them and then see it on my watch. The last viewed in the phone app will show on the watch.
flyboy1100 said:
Definitely more then I'm using it for.
I wish i could get it to work with my fitness pal
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Endomodo is "supposed" to automatically feed data to MyFitnessPal. But I have never been able to get that to work. So I always have to enter the data into MyFitnessPal manually .
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk

As mentioned above or camera for wear or camera remote etc as there are many on the play store.
The shopping list is called Bring. You can have multiple people on the list and you get a alert when someone updates the list.

Darnell_Chat_TN said:
For camera, have a look at the "ZenWatch Remote Camera" app. It will work with any Android Wear device.
Heart rate tracking with Endomondo is good. It's not always perfect, but for an hour walk/run, it does give a good overall picture of BPM average and high. It's best to just allow the arm to swing normally during the activity. Trying to keep holding your arm up to look at the watch I have found messes the reading up and gives low numbers.
The watch only works with the free version of Endomodo, but if you want extra features you have to get the paid version. And then, the free version will work with the watch, plus have all the paid features too. So you'll have 2 apps if you get both, but only use the free version, that will also have the paid features after you buy the paid app .
I'm using "My Cookbook (Recipe Manager)", by Maadinfo Services. It's very nice, since I can put in recipes however I like them and then see it on my watch. The last viewed in the phone app will show on the watch.
Endomodo is "supposed" to automatically feed data to MyFitnessPal. But I have never been able to get that to work. So I always have to enter the data into MyFitnessPal manually .
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just tried the ZenWatch Remote Camera app with the LG G Watch R and it basically **** the bed told me in no uncertain terms it only supports the ZenWatch. Too bad, it looks like a neat app.

grafikal said:
I just tried the ZenWatch Remote Camera app with the LG G Watch R and it basically **** the bed told me in no uncertain terms it only supports the ZenWatch. Too bad, it looks like a neat app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Start the app on your phone. Then it will open on the watch automatically.

Darnell_Chat_TN said:
Start the app on your phone. Then it will open on the watch automatically.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When starting it on phone it has a popup saying that it could not pair with watch and asking if I still want to continue using it with the option of "yes" or "no thanks". Absolutely nothing happens on the watch. Maybe you have an older version? Either way thank you for trying to help.

grafikal said:
When starting it on phone it has a popup saying that it could not pair with watch and asking if I still want to continue using it with the option of "yes" or "no thanks". Absolutely nothing happens on the watch. Maybe you have an older version? Either way thank you for trying to help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have had it a while, but get all update. So I'm using the latest version now.
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk

The Experiment: Android without Google

Hey folks,
after reading the Article on xda about using Android without google, i instantly fell in Love with the idea. I decided yesterday, that i'll take the plunge and give it a try.
First off, why?
For me, there are a couple of reasons. First of, i generally think, the less a company like google knows about me, the better. So keeping the Data on my phone away from google might help with that. If this experiment goes well i might stop using Google for Calendar and Contacts.
Second reason for me is Battery. The Google Framework and Play Services are always on the Top of my list of Battery consumption. I'd like to see how leaving these away might improve Battery life.
And third, i'm curious if it's possible. The reason i'm on xda is because i'm a tinkerer. So pushing the boundaries and trying new things is what i really like about Android. You have the choice to do whatever you want with your phone.
So, how do i go about it? Well, a bit of pre work needs to be done. First of, you might need a google Account to set things up. WhatsApp or Outlook are simply only available from the official Playstore. Since i start with my daily driver, all was set up already.
I use the 5.0.1 Variant of Nameless Rom. Debloated, Nova Launcher, rooted and stock apart from that. I might go CM later on, but i always find CM draining the Battery more then Stock Roms. We'll see.
What am i going to use instead of all the nice google things?
Play Store: F-Droid
I'll give F-Droid a try. it's obtainable as an apk, so if you only need apps that are available there, you won't need google at all. The Interface and search is not as nice as the Play Store, but the selection is really good, Installation of apps is hassle free (no manually downloading apks and installing them by hand) and it does check for updates daily.
Gmail:
I already moved away from gmail to outlook.com a few months ago. Not because MS is better in keeping your data private (actually they might be as they make money through selling software, not your data) but because i wanted to spread my info. Mail on outlook, contacts on google, Calendar on Strato... The Outlook app was already installed and set up, so no work to be done here.
Contacts:
Here it's getting a bit tricky. Google doesn't want you to move your contacts away form them. So there is no way to directly sync your google Contacts to your phone. As soon as you deactivate the play services, all you contacts will be gone.
For me, i used the Web Version of Google Contacts, exported them all to vcf and imported them to my phones storage. I'm not going to set up a personal sync for now. I'm fine with my contacts on my Phone only for now. I might end up going the OwnCloud route later on, but don't find it necessary currently.
Calendar:
my Calendar is already done through outlook and start (my webhoster). I installed Etar from F-Droid (a open source variant of googles calendar app). All my Calendars were already in on first launch (imported from the phones Accounts). No hassle, everything looks as always.
Chrome:
I've never been happy with chrome anyways. Loading pages is slow, scrolling is nowhere near smooth. I currently compare Firefox and Fenec. Both from F-Droid. Firefox will be discontinued on F-Droid soon as they implemented none OS proprietary add ons. Fenec is a OS alternative to Firefox compiled from Source without Proprietary add ons. Both work well but Fenec is a bit unstable as a daily driver for most people.
Camera is Focal now. Apart from being OS it's also much more capable than samsung camera. Plus easier to use. Whats not to like here?
After setting everything up, i went into the settings and disabled most google stuff (Play Store, Play Services, Calendar, Mail, Chrome). I'm still trying to find out what other Google Services i may disable without braking android. I'll keep this updated here.
I'm not completely done yet. I still use apps that are only available through the Playstore. Maybe you know alternatives, that i should check out:
WhatsApp. I don't see an alternative here. Moving to another service is not really an option. I tried Telegram and liked it, but a nice app is nothing when nobody uses it...
Ebay and Amazon. Both have a good mobile website which should work. But a standalone App is much easier and convenient to use.
Nova Launcher. It's simply the best. I haven't found a OS alternative that has anywhere near the features.
Tapatalk. Again, one App all Forums on hand. Simply the best app for that. Any XDA compatible OS alternatives to it?
Outlook. A OS mail client which supports Outlook, Material Design and is easy to use? I've yet to come up with one...
Over all, the switch went really smooth. After getting F-Droid as a Playstore alternative i was able to do all this in 1 hour. I'll have to see how Batterylife works out. I feel it's better, but the numbers will tell after some days of use. I feel really good to have found a way around google so far. It's nice to rethink things you've been using for years. Even if you're not opting out of google completely, there might be a alternative to something you use, that you'd otherwise never consider.
Let me know what you think. You're alternatives to some proprietary apps. How do you feel about google being in all the parts of your mobile life? Is Android without google something you'd consider?
For further reading, here are the XDA Articles, that inspired me to start this journey:
Setting up Marshmallow without Google
The "Say Sayonara to Google" Series
Have a nice start into the week.

I'll keep my replacement Apps in this Post for Tracking what i've used and what my Pros and Cons are over time.
PlayStore: F-Droid
F-Droid is THE FOSS Android community. A good selection of Apps, easy install and Updates plus a community thats interested in whats happening behind the scenes of apps. Firefox for example will soon not be supported anymore because they now are using proprietary none FOSS compatible sources. For most, this attempt might not be the easy one (they never claim to want to go the easy route), but it sure is the most straight ahead if you want Open Source Apps that are tracked for what they do on your phone.
Outlook: K-9
I replaced Outlook with K-9 for now. It's not as polished or easy to use, but it works, is OS and Outlook was constantly connected without me being able to change that. I only need sync every 30 minutes and outlook doesn't have a setting for that. Lets see how K-9 works out, stability and battery wise...
Google Maps: OsmAnd
OsmAnd seems to be the alternative here. As a plus it allows offline sync of Maps. The Interface is nowhere near as intuitive as GMaps, i've found no traffic information until now and entering a address is a hassle. The Search feature and easy Adress Input has always been a strong point for GMaps. We'll see how the turn-by-turn Navigation Turns out. Also OsmAnd works with plugins, so maybe i'm missing some features here and there.
Facebook: Tinfoil
Tinfoil for Facebook seems to be the App of Choice. In the end it's the Mobile website displayed in an "App". On the Plus site, you don't need that horrifically annoying Messenger. Facebook chat just works from the App, which is great. Sadly, since its a webpage, Notifications are none existant. Since i'm debating leaving Facebook completely anyways it's not a problem for me. Less distraction during the day, which is always welcome nowadays...
Deezer: Tomahawk
When I thought about replacing my Deezer app I did not have high hopes since most streaming services use proprietary api's. I was impressed to find not only a Deezer alternative that's open source, but tomahawk does much more. It combines most streaming services plus some other online music services plus your local music.
One downside for me: you are not able to save Deezer music offline. Tomahawk itself is completely open source. If the Deezer plug in is OS as well I couldn't find out for sure...
Titanium Backup: Oandbackup
Oandbackup works much the same way Titanium does, but with some less options. If you want just a good Backup App, i prefer Oandbackup since it's much less cluttered and options are easier to find. It served me well when i last switched from TW to CM.

I didn't read your what i can only call a thesis on Ungooglying Android write-up, it's an effort that I implore and admire your courage. I too worry about the data that google has monopolised on, it's time we broke this and find alternative ways. I salute you sir in your endeavours.
I will drop by time to time to see how you're prodding along.
Regards
F
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I backp all my contacts using outlook. I still use playstore. I have also disabled as much of Samsung as I can, and im sure there is more I could disable of both. I want my phone set up the way I want it set up, not with what google and samsung say I should. Also use Nova
Sent from my SM-P900 using XDA Free mobile app

I added Tomahawk as a Deezer/Spotify OS alternative In Post #2
Gesendet von meinem SM-N910F mit Tapatalk

I've yet to find a good alternative to the play store personally.
I don't use google services on my Note 4. I use Here Maps and disabled Google Maps, I use Nine for Email, I've disabled contacts and calendar sync, I've disabled every google program like books, games, gmail (I have a google account linked to a generic outlook addy for G services), music, hangouts, G+, etc. I keep my contacts backed up on my own personal .com server via exchange along with the calendar. I also like the Samsung browser, so Chrome is disabled as well. Don't use Now, have all the google account settings set to not target me for advertising, not keep track of location, etc... All the regular privacy concerns taken care of there.
My battery life is about a !% loss every two hours in standby. I wish I could get it better. My old GSIII would lose 1% over an 8 hour time frame at night while I was asleep. The Note 4 loses about 4%.
Oddly, no matter how much I restrict my access to google services, the people section of the play store still links me to a ton of people I know. Some that I have not had contact with since High School. Very strange. The only thing I can think is people I do know have me in their contacts so it assumes I know these people correctly. The phone is obviously reading my phone number without me entering it into my google account. :shrug:
I look forward to reading how it goes for you. (I broke down and signed up for Google Music the other day out of curiosity, but I'll get some of my anonymity back when I cancel my google account and create a new one.)

Alright,
some Updates:
I switched to the official CM12 build yesterday. It seems to run fairly well. My Radio was not able to register in the Network once, but activating and deactivating flight mode fixed that. Reception seems to be better than on TW rom. Concerning Battery i see no major difference for now.
CM is Open Source. I'm not 100% sure that every preinstalled app is 100% open source. During the Weekend i'll review the code and do a build on my own, just to be sure. Also, theres a pure AOSP build coming, which i'll be testing.
This time i didn't even Install Gapps. I did not log in to cm accounts or anything. I installed F-Droid from my SD Card and went from there. One thing i'll have to keep in mind, is, that factory reset means loosing my contacts, so i'll have to do a backup the next time.
Also i switched from Titanium to Oandbackup. I works much the same way and served me well during the switch from TW to CM. For me the relevant options are much easier to find (Safe Backups to external SD...).
Since Battery endurance is one of my concerns, i do some changes to improve that:
- Since the N4 has an AMOLED Display, using Black Background and Dark Apps helps quite a bit. I'm using Dark Material Beta through CM Theme Engine. Its Black (i like solid Black, not Gray or something like that) and white and does theme quite a lot of Apps (WhatsApp as an important one).
- I deactivated AudioFX, All Live Backgrounds, Stock Browser, CM-Backgrounds, Calendar and NFC Tags
- for cLock (Lockscreen Clock) i deleted all permissions to access location and Data. It's been trying to update weather all the time, which you can't seem to disable
I'd really like a simple white Icon theme, but getting most themes for CM depends on the Play Store. There are not many good themes that are available outside of the Playstore... Any help here is appreciated :good:

bbeelzebub said:
...My battery life is about a !% loss every two hours in standby. I wish I could get it better. My old GSIII would lose 1% over an 8 hour time frame at night while I was asleep. The Note 4 loses about 4%...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Over the last night i lost 2% over 7.5 hours. With 4G, WiFi, BT, Mail Sync (once per hour). Quite good, but i think theres a bit in it. K-9 (Mail) and Whatsapp keep the Mobile Network active. K-9 does so relatively long although i should only Sync once per hour. I'll configure some kind of "Whatsapp do not disturde" over night, this should bring down Standby draw a bit...

domsch1988 said:
Over the last night i lost 2% over 7.5 hours. With 4G, WiFi, BT, Mail Sync (once per hour). Quite good, but i think theres a bit in it. K-9 (Mail) and Whatsapp keep the Mobile Network active. K-9 does so relatively long although i should only Sync once per hour. I'll configure some kind of "Whatsapp do not disturde" over night, this should bring down Standby draw a bit...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I leave 4G, WiFi, BT and Mail on all the time as well. It doesn't make any difference when I turn them off that I've noticed. I use ActiveSync for my email / calendars / contacts and it really is no difference from when I used to use google for the calendar / contacts and a pop 3 account. As long as I don't use the stock email app which kills the battery on exchange or Activesync.
There are a few Samsung apps that I can't disable that I would like to. (I'm on a non rootable US model), I think I'll take the time tomorrow and see if I can use debloater to shut them down. Now that I think about it, there were less Samsung things running all the time on my old phone and I'm sure that makes a slight difference.

You can download Whats App from their site without going through Google since its attached to your phone number.
https://www.whatsapp.com/android/

...There is no way Focal is more capable than the Samsung Camera app. How do you figure this?

jetbruceli said:
You can download Whats App from their site without going through Google since its attached to your phone number.
https://www.whatsapp.com/android/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wouldn't use whatsapp at all considering they are owned by facebook and every message you send is being tracked. Telegram is the better option.

Toss3 said:
Wouldn't use whatsapp at all considering they are owned by facebook and every message you send is being tracked. Telegram is the better option.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is the dumbest reason to not use Whats App. It was bought to protect FB from losing ground. Telegram has all your messages on a server to where as Whats app is peer to peer. There is no reason to worry about big Facebook looking at your every message. Also, i would rather have FB, Google or MS looking at my stuff than some unknown company.
---------- Post added at 10:11 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:09 AM ----------
freeza said:
...There is no way Focal is more capable than the Samsung Camera app. How do you figure this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont get that either, also stock camera doenst need google play services to be used.

jetbruceli said:
That is the dumbest reason to not use Whats App. It was bought to protect FB from losing ground. Telegram has all your messages on a server to where as Whats app is peer to peer. There is no reason to worry about big Facebook looking at your every message. Also, i would rather have FB, Google or MS looking at my stuff than some unknown company.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Telegram does not save your messages on a server when you use private chats. They are also encrypted.
Oh and: http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/whatsapp-ranked-worst-for-users-data-privacy-in-internet-snooping-report-10328539.html http://time.com/3928503/whatsapp-privacy-watchdog/
This shows how "secure" WhatsApp really is: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-33152898

Toss3 said:
Telegram does not save your messages on a server when you use private chats. They are also encrypted.
Oh and: http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/whatsapp-ranked-worst-for-users-data-privacy-in-internet-snooping-report-10328539.html http://time.com/3928503/whatsapp-privacy-watchdog/
This shows how "secure" WhatsApp really is: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-33152898
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am sure there are security holes in everything we use but it doesnt change the fact that Whats App is better for most people. This isnt a whats app vs telegram thread and also, I am not sure if you can install telegram on its own without google or other app stores like you can with whats app

ROM without Google

Hello,
I am interested in the Mi 9 and want to buy it.
The bad news is, that Lineage just started to support the Mi 8 version, so Mi 9 support will take 1 year, too maybe.
I read all threads here, but I dont see any users who are interested in a ROM without Google.
Can someone tell me if there are other ROMs without Google which will maybe support the Mi 9 in the future?
And one question to the Google users: Why do you use ROMs with Google?
Thanks!

hi!
Room without google is chinese MIUI
I personally use google ROMs, as I use some of their services, mail, calendar, youtube to name a few

Well, the device came out two weeks ago and - not as usually Xiaomi do - has already the sources out too (usually they come out around 6 months later)!
So, a ROM like Lineage (unofficial) will probably come from the dev community very soon when someone with the right skills will invest some of his/her time (and then we will have to thank that person massively ).
Anyway if you ahve already the bootloader unlocked, you can try with some of the Treble ROMs (https://forum.xda-developers.com/project-treble)... It can be that some of them works already, even if with some bugs If I remember right phhusson bought a Mi9 too (am I wrong?)! So probably Phh-Treble ROM should sooner or later work for the Mi9
P.S. MIUI China is without Google but with so much more bloat
P.P.S. Well, I like Android for its integration with the Google ecosystem that I use widely in my real life (like probably most of the users... Gmail, Maps, Calendar, Youtube, etc...). If probably I wouldn't have needed it, I would have look to some of the other (few) OS alternatives in the market

mr-mauro said:
Well, the device came out two weeks ago and - not as usually Xiaomi do - has already the sources out too (usually they come out around 6 months later)!
So, a ROM like Lineage (unofficial) will probably come from the dev community very soon when someone with the right skills will invest some of his/her time (and that then we will need to thank massively ).
Anyway if you ahve already the bootloader unlocked and you can even try with some of the Treble ROMs (https://forum.xda-developers.com/project-treble)... It can be that some of the works already even if with some bugs If I remember right phhusson bought a Mi9 (am I wrong?) so probably Phh-Treble ROM should sooner or later work for sure on Mi9
P.S. MIUI China is without Google but with so much more bloat
P.P.S. Well, I like Android for its integration with the Google ecosystem that I use widely in my real life (like probably most of the users... Gmail, Maps, Calendar, Youtube, etc...). If probably I wouldn't have needed it, I would have look to some of the other (few) OS alternatives in the market
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your answer, very helpful.

Why use a ROM with Google services in it?
Because Gmail is one of the better free email services out there. Google Music is far better than Spotify. Games saves my progress when I change to a new phone. Contact sync is extremely easy when it is saved to your gmail anyway. Play Store is the best app store on Android by far. Google's customized news feed lets me stay updated on things far easier than visiting other sites individually or manually setting up new feeds with third party apps that also take your data anyway. Google Photos+Drive is a great way to easily and automatically save your photos and sync them to new phones and without even taking up extra space on your new phone because they are really still in the cloud. Calendar is fine simply because it comes with the rest of the apps and dont have to bother with going and finding a third party app.

EniGmA1987 said:
Why use a ROM with Google services in it?
Because Gmail is one of the better free email services out there. Google Music is far better than Spotify. Games saves my progress when I change to a new phone. Contact sync is extremely easy when it is saved to your gmail anyway. Play Store is the best app store on Android by far. Google's customized news feed lets me stay updated on things far easier than visiting other sites individually or manually setting up new feeds with third party apps that also take your data anyway. Google Photos+Drive is a great way to easily and automatically save your photos and sync them to new phones and without even taking up extra space on your new phone because they are really still in the cloud. Calendar is fine simply because it comes with the rest of the apps and dont have to bother with going and finding a third party app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You forget one thing: It is Google.
I understand people who want to use Google, because they are rich and enough capacities to develope the best UIs.
I understand that some of you don't care about the data you leaves - but please don't forget that a monopoly is not good in any case, and we are talking about a monopoly with huge financial interest.
And yes, Google services are very good, but just the UI. The thing behind is just bad - they are a way better alternative services.
Keep in mind, that there are so many Android phones and on most of them is running a Google service, a monopoly with financial interest.
It is your decision if you stay with Google or not. But someone who care about the future and about his data should go away from Google.

xeDroidz said:
You forget one thing: It is Google.
I understand people who want to use Google, because they are rich and enough capacities to develope the best UIs.
I understand that some of you don't care about the data you leaves - but please don't forget that a monopoly is not good in any case, and we are talking about a monopoly with huge financial interest.
And yes, Google services are very good, but just the UI. The thing behind is just bad - they are a way better alternative services.
Keep in mind, that there are so many Android phones and on most of them is running a Google service, a monopoly with financial interest.
It is your decision if you stay with Google or not. But someone who care about the future and about his data should go away from Google.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol. So you can give your data instead to all the other 3rd party companies who want to eak out every Dollar they can since they have so fewer users? Nothing is different except Google, Apple, MS, Amazon has to maintain far more responsibility. By handing your data to unknown persons from various smaller companies you have no idea whether your data is being used responsibly or not or even if it is safegaurded well (which it isnt). At least with Google or Apple you know exactly what it is used for and where it is stored (which in the case of Apple, it is stored with Google anyway).

EniGmA1987 said:
lol. So you can give your data instead to all the other 3rd party companies who want to eak out every Dollar they can since they have so fewer users? Nothing is different except Google, Apple, MS, Amazon has to maintain far more responsibility. By handing your data to unknown persons from various smaller companies you have no idea whether your data is being used responsibly or not or even if it is safegaurded well (which it isnt). At least with Google or Apple you know exactly what it is used for and where it is stored (which in the case of Apple, it is stored with Google anyway).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
GMail is not open source for example. Why should I trust a closed source more then a open source service?
And I prefer services where I pay with my money and not with my data. And the monopoly fact is still there.
I know it is not easy to prevent all data leaks, but it is possible to 99%.
At the moment it is not easy, because there are so much money interested companys, which will collect your data.
For example: Why do you use WhatsApp, when you are using eMail? This make no sense, because eMail is decentral and WhatsApp not.
So you suceed to use a decentral message service like eMail, but failed to do the same with your IM.
The french goverment understand this, thats why they switched to an good new IM open source protocol.
But is is your decision. You need to understand the whole thing. I can't decide it for you.
If you want you can send me your browser history via PM, thank you.

xeDroidz said:
But someone who care about the future and about his data should go away from Google.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then you shouldn't be using a Xiaomi phone with MIUI, read their Privacy Policy. Miui even has you accept different
privacy policies and user agreements for different BUILT-IN apps. It's ridiculous.
More on point; mostly every android based custom ROMs have you install Open GApps to use Google functions,
so simply don't do this. When setting up your device don't sign in with a google account. Then root your phone and
strip any leftover (if any, I'm not sure) packages from your device. I think this is the most non-Google you will get.
LineageOS would be the go-to ROM for you (and me).
Here is some more info for you: link

The Dutchman said:
Then you shouldn't be using a Xiaomi phone with MIUI, read their Privacy Policy. Miui even has you accept different
privacy policies and user agreements for different BUILT-IN apps. It's ridiculous.
More on point; mostly every android based custom ROMs have you install Open GApps to use Google functions,
so simply don't do this. When setting up your device don't sign in with a google account. Then root your phone and
strip any leftover (if any, I'm not sure) packages from your device. I think this is the most non-Google you will get.
LineageOS would be the go-to ROM for you (and me).
Here is some more info for you: link
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your answer.
Which ROM do you use atm? There is not Lineage Support for the Mi 9 atm.

I have same. I dont want Google framework and services in my phone when Android is open source system. Its very difficult have good translated rom with MIUI and havent Google. I testing remove Google from MIUI.EU rom long time but all my tests failed and China rom is bad for losing translations, have bloatware and more.

I'm interested too, I've long dreamed of a Roma without Google services as it was not enough they also added covid-19 if you find a solution let me know, thanks.

Importing custom route/track into Android Auto

Hi
I'm using Android Auto in my Seat Arona for two things: music and navigation. I was pretty surprised when I discovered that there's no way to plan my route on the PC (or even phone) and then use this custom route within Android Auto navigation. Or maybe I'm wrong and there is some way to do that?

It does not depend on AA, but on your navigation app. Your are right, as of now, none of the nav apps (Google Maps or Waze) do not provide the possibility to plan custom routes. I'm not sure about Maps, but in Waze is possible to plan a route to include one stop point and to save it for a later time, when you will receive a reminder, if you want. But today, there is nothing comparable to the good old days offline navigation programs or apps.
Sent from my SM-N975F using Tapatalk

me too im in the same situation and was asking same question
unfortunately it's not possible, all you can do is save a destination and once in the car you can select it as it will shows in the favorits (talking abt google maps)
the bad thing is that if you create a custom list of favorite places it won't show up
once in the car, google maps will only shows the saved location in the default list

Pro Cal said:
me too im in the same situation and was asking same question
unfortunately it's not possible, all you can do is save a destination and once in the car you can select it as it will shows in the favorits (talking abt google maps)
the bad thing is that if you create a custom list of favorite places it won't show up
once in the car, google maps will only shows the saved location in the default list
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know about Maps, but there is no problem to save no matter how many favorites in Waze, and use them whenever you want from within AA. I also miss the custom rides that I could do and save in Microsoft Autoroute Express or iGO app, even so they where working only offline.
Sent from my SM-N975F using Tapatalk

It's so weird that there's no option for that...Especially since both AA and Google Maps are using the same engine.
Anyway, thanks. At least now I know that there's no point in trying to find some solution to that.

Draghmar said:
It's so weird that there's no option for that...Especially since both AA and Google Maps are using the same engine.
Anyway, thanks. At least now I know that there's no point in trying to find some solution to that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Again, it looks to me that you are confusing AA with Google Maps. AA is only an interface between your phone screen and your car's infotainment system. There are only a few apps that are designed to work through this interface, that is, to run on your phone and to be displayed on your car's touchscreen. One of them is Google Maps and one other is Waze. It doesn't matter if you use Maps or Waze only on your phone or on your car's screen, they simply are not designed to enable custom routes. I agree that they should be improved to enable custom drives.
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Maybe I'm confusing it a little bit but to be honest for me AA is basically Maps + Spotify. And the main message here still remains true - I can access my custom route, designed on desktop, through the Google Maps on my phone but I can't get it on the AA. This is especially annoying when I need to set some unusual place as a target. Place that can't be found by name because it may not have one. I was in this situation and had to find something nearby and then navigate on my own...

Again, I have to contradict you. I tried this evening to use Maps on AA and I have to tell you that I was suprised. Unlike Waze, Google Maps provides the functionality to place more than one stop on your route, even when used on AA. I also found the option to load saved routes, and I think that it doesn't matter how many stop points. I didn't try to prepare the route on my computer abd save it for further use, but I found on Maps, when used on AA, the possibility to load saved routes. All this was tested on an Android phone connected to AA on my car's infotainment system.
Are you using an iPhone? Maybe on iPhone it's not possible, I don't know. But it is sure that everything you say you're missing, it is in fact possible on Maps used on AA with an Android phone.
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No, I have OnePlus 6T.
How did you plan and save it? Do you have access to those saved routes both in AA mode and regular Google Maps on your phone?

I already explained that I did not have the time today to test your scenario. I tried only two scenarios:
1. I started a new drive at home, on my phone only, including only one stop. I couldn't find how to save it. After that, I closed the app on phone without stopping the drive. I later connected the phone in my car, chose Maps instead of Waze, which is my default, and the already planned (at home) drive with one stop was there.
2. Phone being connected to my car and Maps in the foreground, I canceled the previous drive. Now the search box is shown and under it the last two destinations used. When I click on the search box, I'm given a lot of options and between them there is one called Saved. I suppose that if I would have a previously saved route, I would have to find here. I will try tomorrow your scenario and I will also make some screenshots from my car's display to post them here. I'll let you know if it worked or not.
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Thanks!
Actually I was asking exactly for what you just posted now.
If you find some more time to test that it would be really great!
I had to make your scenario on my own to see if I get that saved route.

Here are some examples from today, everything is possible in Maps, unlike in Waze. The only thing that I didn't test is to save an entire drive planned on Maps on Windows and then retrieve it in Maps when opened in AA.
I'll post links to my youtube account because the video clips are to big to upload them here.
https://youtu.be/xsR0UXcEpa8
https://youtu.be/WbbnMSYrj1U
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Ok, that's weird. I don't have all those options like "Favorites" or "Labeled". I had one starred point there that I had to add by accident long time ago but I can't remove it. I mean, I did remove it from full Google Maps but it's still there on the AA version. I've manage to make one address starred and that showed up in AA. But that's it. I wonder if it's because I have some setting turned off or something...

It's not about any setting. Just open Maps on phone or laptop.
Search for an address you would like to have it as a favorite. When you find it, let's say on your phone, you will see on the bottom of the screen a few buttons. If you scroll to the right you'll find the Save button. Press it and you'll be given three options: Favorites, Want to go and Starred places. Choose where you want to store the address. After that, going back to AA, you'll find your address under the category you saved it on. I think you don't see the different categories because you never used them, that is, you never saved anything under any category besides Favorites. After you will make your favorites database, planning a multiple stop drive straight on the car's screen will be very easy.
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It doesn't work for me like that. I did save one destination at the "Want to go" and it simply doesn't show up. I don't have those categories visible at all. Those favs shows up directly, no categories before.
I'll test that more throughout the weekend. Thanks for your help with that. At least I know there's some way to simplify searching for location.

Check if you have all involved apps updated. What Android version you have? I am on Pie (9) because I've heard that there are still many unsolved problems on 10 and AA. Wish you luck!
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I'm on Android 10 with AA being 5.4. So maybe it is somehow related.
I'll check maps later. Thanks for your help!

You're welcome!
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I've manage to get categories. I think the issue was that I had turned off some tracking from Google that probably prevented synchronization. I'm not 100% sure that really was the case but at least now I've got access to the points I could define on phone or PC. Not the ideal solution but I'm closer to final effect than before.

Happy to hear you're closer to the solution. If you have routes with multiple stop points that you drive everyday, I would suggest to try to plan such a route on your computer, save it as a map in My Maps category, and than see if it is possible to use it on phone or AA as an already made route.
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