Okay, thinking about uninstalling Google Play Services after finding out NewPipe may stop working.
from MeowerMisfit817@lemmy.world to privacy@lemmy.ca on 24 May 16:42
https://lemmy.world/post/47293336

What will happen to my phone? Will it crash as soon as I uninstall it? Can I have Android but not Play Services?

Should I use MicroG? If yes, where do I download it? I can use Brevent to uninstall Play Services, but I’m quite wary of such a choice.

#privacy

threaded - newest

lime@feddit.nu on 24 May 16:54 next collapse

i think you need to install a different version of android without google play if you want it gone.

SeekPie@lemmy.blahaj.zone on 24 May 16:57 next collapse

On GrapheneOS (or other deGoogled OSs) the only thing that’s going to change are apps that require Google Play Services.

On commercial androids I don’t think you even can uninstall it.

MeowerMisfit817@lemmy.world on 24 May 17:16 collapse

Does Wire, NewPipe, IronFox, Tor and Brave require Play Services? If not, I can uninstall it.

I think I can use Brevent to uninstall it.

01189998819991197253@infosec.pub on 25 May 06:00 collapse

Wire might for push notifications.

I’m not familiar with Brevent, but you can use adb to uninstall some system level apps, though I’m not sure if adb will work on GPS. Worth a shot, I would suppose.

MeowerMisfit817@lemmy.world on 25 May 16:01 collapse

Yes, Wire stopped sending me notifications, but it isn’t really that much. Brevent is the same as Shizuka and ADB.

01189998819991197253@infosec.pub on 25 May 17:38 collapse

Signal requires GPS for push, too, but if GPS isn’t available, it uses persistent notifications to stay “active”. It uses a bit more battery, theoretically, but I really haven’t noticed a difference.

Ah, ok, cool! I’m just so used to using cli adb, I didn’t even think to search for another solution. I’m glad more exist!

MeowerMisfit817@lemmy.world on 25 May 17:50 collapse

I don’t use Signal anymore.

You’re welcome :)

01189998819991197253@infosec.pub on 25 May 17:56 collapse

I added that part of the comment to showcase a way that a messaging app could use to avoid the requirement of gps, in case Wire has something similar in the settings, is all. I wasn’t suggesting you switch : )

MeowerMisfit817@lemmy.world on 25 May 18:47 collapse

Oh, okay :)

IcedRaktajino@startrek.website on 24 May 16:57 next collapse

You can’t uninstall Play services once it’s installed (or if you’re on a stock ROM where it’s “baked in”), but you can disable it. Apps -> Set option to “show system” -> Google Play Services -> Disable

Will it crash as soon as I uninstall it?

No. However, you won’t be able to use most Google apps and RCS messaging and anything that relies on Google sign in or integrated Google Maps will not work.

You’ll also get hammered with “Google Play Services are unavailable” notifications from SO MANY APPS. Most of those, you can go into the app’s notifications and disable the alert for “Play Services Availability”. The only one I can’t disable on my phone is from Android Setup, but it only pops up once after a reboot.

Some apps depend on it more than others. Some will just complain that Play Services aren’t available but otherwise work just the same, but others will lose some functionality depending on how they use those services. For example, my bank app still works but complains Play Services isn’t enabled.

Most apps that depend on Play Services use it for notifications. So, with my bank app, I no longer receive transaction notifications. I can live without those, though, but some people may not be able to.

Can I have Android but not Play Services?

Yes. Most custom ROMs don’t include it by default or offer builds that exclude it.

Should I use MicroG? If yes, where do I download it?

You can only install MicroG or other Play Services features before booting into the phone for the first time (e.g. with custom ROMs), but you can’t just replace Play Services with MicroG.

MeowerMisfit817@lemmy.world on 24 May 17:17 collapse

the Disable isn’t avaliable, I can’t even search for Play Services on my phone. But I can use Brevent to uninstall it.

cazg@lemmy.zip on 24 May 17:42 collapse

Take a look at this

MeowerMisfit817@lemmy.world on 24 May 18:10 collapse

Oh, okay, I’ll try. Does pm active exist?

miliponia@reddthat.com on 29 May 15:03 collapse

Stop complicsting things and install graphene os

MeowerMisfit817@lemmy.world on 29 May 18:17 collapse

Twin I don’t have a Pixel yet I need a job first (still looking for one tho)

miliponia@reddthat.com on 30 May 01:12 collapse

DM me your address I’ll lsend you one

MeowerMisfit817@lemmy.world on 30 May 13:07 collapse

. . .

I’m gonna report you.

miliponia@reddthat.com on 30 May 20:06 collapse

For what? Offering a used pixel device? I’ll I’m saying is I have six old pixels and I’ll pay money for people to get off googles bullshit.

RmDebArc_5@piefed.zip on 24 May 17:01 collapse

What exactly will happen will depend on what ROM you are using, some stock options may become bricked. If you don’t have google play services a bunch of features will not work such as nearby share, most notifications or apps that require play integrity. MicroG can replicate some of the features, however it only works on systems that support signature spoofing, which most don’t. If you want to improve your android privacy your best option would be a custom ROM. If you have a google device the best option would be GrapheneOS. It has strong security and allows you to install a sandboxed version of Google play. If you don’t have a google device I would look at LineageOS, iodéOS or /e/OS. They support a lot of devices. iodé and /e/ both have MicroG preinstalled while LineageOS has more DIY approach (LineageOS for microG includes it by default).

MeowerMisfit817@lemmy.world on 24 May 17:15 collapse

I only have my Samsung A15, Graphene isn’t possible. And I don’t have another phone on me, I don’t wanna have to swipe all of my data and remake it without the guarantee that it will all work.

RmDebArc_5@piefed.zip on 24 May 17:26 collapse

The A15 is not supported by anything as far as I can tell, so your only option would be disabling, not uninstalling play services. You will have to go to your settings apps and then press the three dots and select show system

MeowerMisfit817@lemmy.world on 24 May 18:09 collapse

There’s… no three dots.

RmDebArc_5@piefed.zip on 24 May 18:57 collapse

I checked how it is for Samsung: open your settings app, go to apps. Just above the list of apps press the arrow with the three lines next to it and select show system apps. Then find google play, click it and then press disable

MeowerMisfit817@lemmy.world on 24 May 18:57 collapse

Yeah, did it! Thanks! :)