how to completely remove google from android phone

[sofort99]

To anyone serious...

Don't let them tell you it can't be done. Most Android phones in China don't have google.

I've been running ROMs since CM7 without instaling Gapps. It works just fine.

As a matter of fact, that's the easiest way to do it, if you know what you are doing. Just flash CyanogenMod and then don't flash Gapps ( Google apps ). You have to find alternatives to Play store, but they are out there. Also, if you know what you are doing, just find a friend that wants you to root his phone for him, and then if something comes out on play you really, really want get him to download it for you and send you the APK and install it that way.

The other thing you can do is, root your phone, signup to google, download all the apps you want, backup the APKs, reset and do the above. If you make backups, it's no big deal to flash back and forth to get apps from the store. Flash Gapps, download, factory reset and format, reload and go.

Then, if what you want is to be safe, get a root permissions manager and kill permissions on apps they don't need and shouldn't have.

That said... I've was just searching for more info on how to make an android phone as secure as possible and it's been fun watching people (not nessesarilly these people) on the internet that had a cow over Carrier IQ have no problem at all with the idea that Android isn't just a platform for google spyware, it actually IS google spyware.

 

[jean15paul]

To anyone serious...

Don't let them tell you it can't be done. Most Android phones in China don't have google.

I've been running ROMs since CM7 without instaling Gapps. It works just fine.

As a matter of fact, that's the easiest way to do it, if you know what you are doing. Just flash CyanogenMod and then don't flash Gapps ( Google apps ). You have to find alternatives to Play store, but they are out there. Also, if you know what you are doing, just find a friend that wants you to root his phone for him, and then if something comes out on play you really, really want get him to download it for you and send you the APK and install it that way.

The other thing you can do is, root your phone, signup to google, download all the apps you want, backup the APKs, reset and do the above. If you make backups, it's no big deal to flash back and forth to get apps from the store. Flash Gapps, download, factory reset and format, reload and go.

Then, if what you want is to be safe, get a root permissions manager and kill permissions on apps they don't need and shouldn't have.

That said... I've was just searching for more info on how to make an android phone as secure as possible and it's been fun watching people (not nessesarilly these people) on the internet that had a cow over Carrier IQ have no problem at all with the idea that Android isn't just a platform for google spyware, it actually IS google spyware.

It's only spyware if it doesn't tell you what it's doing. Google is very transparent (and therefore not spyware). In fact they are probably the most transparent of all tech companies.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using AC Forums mobile app

 

[Notsosure]

You do realize android is part of Google right? Everything is linked to Google. Maybe you should consider a non-android phone?

Sent from my Galaxy S4

 

[sofort99]

You do realize android is part of Google right? Everything is linked to Google. Maybe you should consider a non-android phone?

Sent from my Galaxy S4

As near as I can tell, AOSP sends anonymous version, device, carrier, and country to Google analytics through play store. Don?t register it to an account, and don?t install Gapps and what they can mine from your phone itself is limited.

 

[theshortorc]

I can think of a ton of reasons to do this. Everyone is making fun of the OP needs to wake up. Google apps are constantly draining battery, sending data, and spying on you.
. It's perfectly reasonable to not want this crap

 

[gollum18]

There's actually a project going on over at xda called "nogapps", which would let you do what you want. It replaces all of googles apps with open source community built alternatives. However most of the apps are in beta, with only a few being actually stable.

And thanks to googles sneaky terms with the play store, they can't create an open source marketplace that, uses the same app servers as googles. So they are stalled with the market, however everything else works at least 70%. That includes all of the major features minus a few minor ones with some bugs to work out.

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2

 

[notforios]

awesome, I had no idea so many people would get in on this! I have been un-branded for a while now, cheers! battery life is also increased!

 

[ChromeJob]

Amazing. I stand humbly corrected..... :beer:

// Tapatalk HD for Android - Nexus 7 //

 

[Sayan Bhowmik]

install Cyanogen Mod

 

[solutionecho]

I completely agree with you dude.... When StartMail is officially launched in early 2014, we will have an option for truly private email without Google and others, spying on us. I amst very interested in removing as many user / system apps as possible yet still being able to use a messenger, live streaming, email and making calls. Let them call you crazy for being conscious.

 

[Ronald Wilson]

how about because they SUCK.. I remember when this company was a good thing.. now..its motto is JUST DO EVIL.

 

[gone down south]

how about because they SUCK.. I remember when this company was a good thing.. now..its motto is JUST DO EVIL.

What are you, 12?

Sent from my Nexus 4 using AC Forums mobile app

 

[notforios]

searched, how to remove google, couldnt find this discussion in the main results...annual bump activated!

 

[notforios]

just saw this...yes I can still make calls with the google branded items removed, no account connected, or the possibility to do so! cheers

 

[notforios]

Just turn off Google account sync in Accounts & Sync. You shouldn't have to Frankenstein your phone to do that.

The fact that you're asking this and are ready to start deleting system files suggests to me that you should STOP.

I am not sure why so many people were advising against me... This topic was to obtain simple file names if anyone had tried before...I never asked them to modify their phones, or if I should have been trying with my own! google staff writing the negatives?

 

[Rukbat]

I just wonder why you buy a Google phone if you don't want Google. It's like removing the Chevy from your Chevy, or the "Sweet" from sugar.

Android *IS* Google. Removing all Google apps from the phone renders it an almost useless little Linux computer. Leaving just those Google apps that you need to keep the phone functioning leaves almost all Google apps intact. (Not everything not labeled "google" in the phone is a non-Google app. MANY parts of the system itself are Google, but labeled as other things.)

If it's just curiosity, buy a Raspberry Pi, add some Qualcom chips to get the phone function and you have completely non-Google, non-Apple phone. But removing all Google from an Android phone is like removing Windows from a Windows computer (and not replacing it with anything). You're left with hardware.

 

[notforios]

again, not the point of this conversation! if anyone wants to know how I got my phone to the way I desired/described feel free to send a pm!

 

[someguy01234]

Android *IS* Google. Removing all Google apps from the phone renders it an almost useless little Linux computer.

Linux is anything, but useless, let's just say without it, Google would not be successful as they are today and Android probably wouldn't exist either.

 

[ChromeJob]

... google staff writing the negatives?

I have no professional or personal affiliation with Google.

Your question would probably get a lot more traction over on XDA-developers where users generally tinker and modify their Android devices.

You're correct you were asking what files to delete, and frankly I don't think most users here are qualified to answer that question. We did perhaps overreact. "How to completely remove Google from Android phone" is a peculiar request, because so much functionality of Android is tied up in Google services. You'd have an easier time flashing an alternate ROM that eschews Google services.

I am looking to completely remove anything google from within my os
-
hello, a while back I was reading on what files to delete within my filesystem (2.3)
anyone know what to delete?
I remember one file lost me the marketplace - I am okay with that!
The heartbeat that google sends back and fourth - that file needs to go!

thanks so much in advance!

searched, how to remove google, couldnt find this discussion in the main results...annual bump activated!

Please do not periodically "bump" the discussion just to get it higher up in Google search results, or the forum. For one, it's not that easy to game the Google search algorithm. Secondly, it may not be acceptable forum behavior (for this forum). If the "answer" you're trying it advertise is "PM me," then it's certainly not helpful for internet users who find the thread in a search engine. You found answers, post them here so everyone can learn from your experience.

Frankly, I think the thread needs to be moved. This doesn't seem like a common "General help and how-to" topic. I could be wrong.

 

[zuben el genubi]

I wouldn't mind a discussion on ROMS. I do know not to install GAPPS. What I want is a PDA that makes phone calls and texts. I use most of the Astronomy apps, plus Audubon guides, etc. I don't socialize or do business on the phone. My camera manuals are also on the phone. Most of Google's crap is disabled already and the apps I do want won't run on a dumb phone.

I've given up the Gtalk phone number, I never used it. I don't like G+, I prefer Yahoo and special forums. With the new update removing Gallery and loading into Picasa, that's about the last straw. I don't store my stuff online, never have, never will. I use Flickr if I want to post, and Dropbox for friends.. Have for years. I dislike the assumption on anyone's part about one size fitting all.
I do disable most of the crap in Windows, BTW. One computer exists only to run special software, and the other for Adobe. So I don't need all the extra crap. Both are offline. I can get files through Linux.

I can repurchase the apps I do use from Amazon. I can sync and save contact via vcf files. I don't sync with Google anyway.

I need a PDA that makes phone calls and runs the apps I want. Phone is rooted, still on 4.2 stock ROM. Will not update. Looking for the simplest ROM that doesn't have a boatload of bells and whistles. I'll buy it, I'm not looking for free.

I do not buy into any one system and have NO brand loyalty.
Since Apple does the same and has even more crap - it's easier to disable Google's. If Google's primary interest is making money, then sell me the OS or use fee for Play and **** out of the advertising. Since I don't need or want most of the services, that's fair.