New Google Pixel 2 does not let you save contacts to device

[raqball]

T

Now once you have logged into any Google app the default settings are automatically and immediately the Google Gmail account and once you hit the sync button they get synced/backed up to the Google Gmail account. After you enter you can then have the option to switch off but by then your info has already been backed up / synced to Google's Gmail server. You can turn off the sync but once you go to your Google Dashboard account you will find that all your contacts are already there. In the future any time there is an app update it automatically restores settings to default settings which is to sync to Google's Gmail server.

1. Log into Google on the web and delete all your contacts BEFORE you setup the Pixel..
2. Setup the Pixel
3. Turn Contacts sync OFF
4. Spend the next 5 hours manually entering all contact info (flash back to the late 90's)

What's the problem?

 

[van_basten]

If you use any email service like gmail, hotmail, yahoo mail in the last 2 decades, I am sure you have your contacts' emails saved in your email accounts unless you can memorize them all or write them on a piece of paper. In other words, your contacts emails are saved in the cloud. It's no different on a Pixel/android phone, your contacts phone numbers are saved in the cloud.

You can try disable things on google or apple but in this internet age there is only so much you can do in privacy. You just have to trust companies like google or apple to certain extent if you are to use their services. If I were you, I would be more concern about using apps like wechat which your text contents are being monitored by the government.

 

[firebirder]

In apologize, I tried but could not read all the post on this forum, many lengthy ones, but good points made.

OP, if it's a deal breaker, it is what it is. That being said here are a few of my take aways.

I don't believe messages are saved to Google's servers unless you are using Hangouts (if that's still the same). iMessage may be different, but for the most part, texts are saved locally anymore.

A camera company could force your saves to the cloud but that would require wireless access in the camera. Don't think that's a thing right now. Also, they are slightly different. Camera manufacturers sell to a market where people develop their photos generally. Forcing them to do this through the cloud could be costly and likely a mistake for them.

As far as the privacy issues you've raised which I think is your main reason for not wanting your contacts synced, correct? I can't agree with that logic. If you have ever used online shopping, had a bank account, even had unities in your name (electric, cable, cell provider), your info is out there. Not from your phone, but mostly those other services. Even if you do everything on those accounts through email mail. And don't even get me started on social media.

I'm not sure who you are concerned about getting your contacts, but if it was an issue where someone wanted/needed your contacts, it's easier to get them from your phone than through Google (legally or illegally). Again, if privacy is that big of a concern to you, you likely have bigger issues with other aspects of your life print info out there than your phone.

 

[firebirder]

Sorry, the more I think about this, the more worked up I get. Don't want phone numbers or there? You can't even use a cell phone then. You would really have to live completely off the grid. Cash only purchases in some woods (which you can't buy the property), completely self reliant for EVERYTHING!

Sorry, I think I'm done now.

 

[chanchan05]

To add, trying to keep your privacy by not sending your contacts to cloud is a fool's errand.

You may not have your contact list to cloud, but any one of your acquaintances could be backing theirs up to cloud, and most likely are.

 

[9900Boldfan]

To add, trying to keep your privacy by not sending your contacts to cloud is a fool's errand.

You may not have your contact list to cloud, but any one of your acquaintances could be backing theirs up to cloud, and most likely are.

Even location is a fool's errand these days.

Google Admits Secretly Recording Android Users' Location Data | Fortune

https://www.androidcentral.com/goog...&utm_content=UUacUsUmU1683&utm_campaign=email

 

[chanchan05]

Even location is a fool's errand these days.

Google Admits Secretly Recording Android Users' Location Data | Fortune

Oh that. Yeah didn't mind it coz I was using Maps to give me a location history. It serves as proof for any alibi I may need. Lol. My location details aren't something I need to hide, especially since my work benefits from my location being known to colleagues.

 

[raqball]

Even location is a fool's errand these days.

Google Admits Secretly Recording Android Users' Location Data | Fortune

If you are that concerned about privacy then to be brutally honest here, you really have no business at all using any smart phone, from any manufacturer or company..

It appears to me that you just want to bash Google, and that's fine but just be honest and upfront about it..

I'd suggest something like this.. It appears to meet your needs.

Of course even using it, your cell phone company can and does have the ability to track your location as well via cell phone tower pings...

 

[Almeuit]

I believe this thread is done / starting to go way off - topic. The OP returned his phone so he solved his issue.

Thanks all!