As presently as you start up a newAndroid sound , you get cue to sign in with your Google account — but what if you do n’t need to do that ? perchance you require to take advantage of Android but limit what Google knows about you , or possibly you just prefer the alternative apps ; whatever the lawsuit , here ’s how to live a Google - spare Android life .
aright from the start we ’ll be honest and say it ’s not easy using Android without Google — but it is potential . If you want a more convenient life , then you need to contract right in when prompted . The big miss if you do n’t is the Google Play Store , but here we ’ll show you how to get around that and various other obstacles along the mode .
We ’re assuming you ’re starting with a brand newfangled Android phone fresh from the factory . you’re able to de - Google - ify an existing Android handset , but you ’ll need to reset it first through the preferences app , to get back to the original setup screen . That mean all your subsist apps and data get wiped , so you ’ll need backup man of all your important stuff somewhere .
Photo: David Nield (Gizmodo)
Setting up Android
Welcome to your new ( or factory reset ) Android phone ! The prompt to sign in with Google arrives about five screen in , after you ’ve take your language and link up up to wireless local area internet . When you ’re prompted to signal in , hit Skip instead , then hit Skip again to confirm that yes , you really do desire to use Android without a Google account .
A mates of blind later , Google very kindly asks if you want to opt in to some extra Google services : Location tracking and organization diagnostic written report . If you ’re not happy with either or both of these options , turn the relevant toggle switch off , then pip Agree to continue ( you ca n’t habituate a speech sound with regular Google - provide Android on it without agreeing to some introductory damage and shape ) .
And … you should then be in . Do n’t worry if you see a few Google apps , because they wo n’t be link up to anything — Google Photos , for good example , can work as a local image program library director without in reality connecting to the cloud or a Google account . If there are any apps you want to get disembarrass of , longsighted - insistency on their icon and drag the icon up to the Uninstall link at the top .
YouTube works perfectly well without a Google account to ratify into , though you patently do n’t get access to any personalized apps or any of your playlists . Google Maps is another app that will work without a Google account statement if it ’s pre - set up , though again you do n’t get all the personal customizations .
It ’s authoritative to note that a Google account handles various aspects of sync and backing up Android as well , and you ’re going to have to hunt around for alternate solutions . You wo n’t get Google Contacts synced over , for example — okay if you do n’t want to habituate Google Contacts , but you ’ll need to get something else in stead or build up your contacts list from scratch on the speech sound itself .
And these apps will still want tolog data and data about you , even if Google does n’t . As always , you could care the license an app has ( and the information it can therefore collect ) , up to a stage — head to setting and hydrant Apps & notification , then App license to see a lean and make any changes you deem necessary .
Getting your apps
The big girl if you do n’t connect your Android phone to your Google account is the Google drama Store : seek and dilute up the Play Store app and you ’ll just be met with the signboard in screenland again . To get around this , you need to start sideloading apps through your Android phone ’s web web browser .
In times gone by you would need to authorise “ unknown ” apps ( not from the Play Store ) in configurations , but New versions of Android ask for authorization on an app - by - app ground . You ’ve get two choices here : Either embrace the Amazon App Store , which is n’t as comprehensive as Google ’s but has most of the big - name apps , or transfer apps over one by one as you need them from the excellentAPKMirrorrepository .
Choose the former for an easy life ( include automatic update for your apps ) , or the latter for more ascendancy over your earphone . If you ’re train the Amazon route , go towww.amazon.com/androidappon your phone and follow the instructions on CRT screen — you will have to confirm that you are ready to chance installing apps download outside the playing period Store , and tap through a distich of security warning along the manner .
With that done , sign in with your Amazon report , and aside you go . You get a lot of the major apps ( Netflix , Spotify , Facebook , Instagram ) , though there are some skip too ( Snapchat , YouTube ) . Google ’s apps are nowhere to be seen , but that ’s the whole percentage point of this exercise , is n’t it ? The Amazon App Store does n’t have the polish of its Google twin but it will keep everything updated and screen out for you .
you could install apps straight fromAPKMirrorinstead of , or as well as , from the Amazon App Store . point to the land site in your web web browser , or download files on your computer and transfer them over through your filing cabinet sync cock of pick or via a USB cable television service . Again , you ’ll ask to tap through a series of security warning as you establish apps , but APKMirror is a reputable source ( just do n’t install anything too esoteric , just to be sure ) .
APKMirror is likely to have most of the apps you need , though — as with the Amazon App Store — some of the latest games title might be missing . You also ca n’t download any apps that cost money — these are strictly free apps . The other disadvantage is that your apps do n’t auto - update , so you call for to remember to do this manually on a semi - unconstipated fundament ( APKUpdateris a decent drive at automatise this cognitive operation for Android translation up to 7.1 ) .
As you ’re probably cognizant , you ’ve catch all kinds of substitute option for replacing Google apps : Outlookinstead of Gmail , Firefoxinstead of Chrome , OneDriveinstead of Google Drive , Flickrinstead of Google Photos , MapQuestinstead of Google Maps , DuckDuckGoinstead of Google search and so on . To really rub salt into Google ’s wounding , you could even tryApple Music .
You might also have some alternate selection from whichever company made your Android earphone . Manufacturers like Samsung and OnePlus have some very competent apps for handling the basics of phone enjoyment that you may deploy instead of Google ’s own apps ( including , possibly , an app for managing your contacts ) .
Less extreme and more extreme options
you’re able to tailor your coming to be more or less anti - Google , as you feel necessary . If you do n’t want the hassle of an alternate app storehouse , you may bless into the free rein Store and get all the apps you postulate , without touch on Google ’s native apps like Gmail or Google Maps .
As a consequence you ’ll be giving Google a minute more data about yourself and about how you ’re using your gadget , but you might consider the deal - off deserving it for the extra contraption . Maybe set up theMicrosoft Launcherfrom the Google Play Store as an easygoing way of avoid Google ’s aboriginal apps and search , then stick to the non - Google apps we ’ve already listed above .
instead you could go full - on anti - Google and set up an entirely new adaptation of Android — something likeLineageOS . You ’re go to needa equipment that workswith the usance ROM , and the patienceand know - how to flash it , but you ’ll be left with a completely Google - costless phone at the end of the appendage .
Bear in mind that if you flash an alternative O on your phone , you wo n’t have entree to Google Play Services , which many democratic and well - experience apps bank on to work — especially when localization access is required . you could impart this on top of LineageOS , but that sort of kill the operation of instal a freestanding mobile operating system in the first place .
The open source app storeF - Droid(above ) treat an impressive telephone number of bases , and features apps you could use free of Google influence ( include Google Play Services ) , but you ’re also pass to have to do without big - hitters such as Facebook , Spotify , Netflix and so on . o.k. for those who yearn for the Clarence Day of feature phones , not so great for the balance of us .
It really depends on how much metre and exertion you desire to invest and how small Google you require in your life-time , but you should find something that works for you . finally you’re able to get Android running with small or no Google influence — though perhaps not as easily assome EU regulator would care .
AndroidGoogleSmartphones
Daily Newsletter
Get the best tech , scientific discipline , and culture news in your inbox daily .
news program from the future , delivered to your present .
You May Also Like
