Thanks, for explaining.
It’s interesting that you say that the Google Play Store can’t be avoided on stock Android. I bought my current phone brand new from the store years ago, and the first thing I did was block the Google Play Store, and download F-Droid and Aurora.
I have never downloaded a single app from the Google Play Store on my phone, and I never logged into any official Google apple except Google Play Books after a couple of years. It’s the only official Google app I use, every other “Google app” is/was a modded app.
For years, I never had any issues from blocking and not using the Google Play Store. The only app that gave me any issue at the beginning is 1Password. The specific problem I had with one 1Password, and still have, is that whenever I scanned QR code to import a 2FA token, it didn’t work. I always had to manually add it, I don’t know why.
Then after a couple of years, a few other apps stopped working. Just 1 or 2 if I remember. But most of the apps work fine.
It’s my understanding that GrapheneOS works best on a Pixel phone, and I don’t have one. I find them a bit too expensive. Morever, as a newbie, I admit that I am nervous about installing GrapheneOS. For me to be comfortable with it, I would have to have a back up phone just in case something goes wrong.
TThere is no way to disable, block, or remove Google from the stock OS. You should’ve just used the Play Store.
There is a difference in what’s user facing and what’s actually happening. Play services are baked into the OS (outside of Huawei I think) for most android smartphones. You literally can’t stop them without modifying the OS (either adb, root, etc.).
As for blocking Play store, I don’t understand how you did it (did you disable it?) but you probably missed a bunch of play security updates if you were successful. Most android OEMs don’t ship security updates for older devices, or even on time. So play security is sometimes the only way to get critical security updates on stock OS.
As for using fdroid and aurora, I’d recommend using something like Obtainium if you don’t want to use play store as suggested in the link I shared above. But if fdroid and aurora work for you, not an issue, everyone has their threat model. You just won’t be using the more secure channel for getting the apps.
It works only on pixels. No other device as of now.
Understandable. If you are also not looking to buy an older pixel or a used pixel, you can probably just look into how to use phone and google settings for maximum privacy and security.
Understandable. But their web installer is VERY easy to use. Just follow the steps and click some buttons. Their forum is also a very good place to ask for help if you get stuck (won’t happen for like 99% of users).
FYI: Play services can be disabled in samsung devices.
Unless Samsung has implemented something to stop all the play service privileged permissions (it doesn’t afaik), and also implemented its own solutions for RCS (it hasn’t), location services (it hasn’t, still uses it in multiple regions where Samsung location doesn’t work, which is basically anywhere outside SK), quick share, etc. it will mostly just be user facing toggle that doesn’t do what it says it does.
Anyway, disabling play services or store isn’t the privacy measure most people think it is, it’s just placebo. Unless you are using non-stock OS like grapheneOS, standard android smartphones use OEM software built on play services infra.
Google Play Store is not the problem, but also little to nothing to gain from not using it, if you are on a device with Play Services. The privileged Play Services are the problem.
It depends on a manufacturer, some allow it, one of my devices have USSD command to disable GMS. Also you may disable GMS completely with adb? Some manufacturers do not even install GMS at all, like Huawei.
Using the PlayStore requires an account.
Same goes for Aurora Store, but you’re just using a shared account.
What about using someone else’s mobile hotspot?
That will work too.