If I ask the question, it is because it is possible; however, there are points to consider before diving in.
First, it must be understood that this question only applies to Android smartphones (all non-iPhones) and of which 90% come with the applications, services, identification, configuration, registration and the Google Play Store by default when you buy the phone. You normally cannot remove them! (I am not covering rooting here).
download Google Services Framework latest
Google Framework Services
- This does not concern Apple, since their phones are rather “locked down” and Google is not at the centre. At Apple, Apple is at the centre and you then install Google tools (Maps, Gmail) on top, but from the App Store.
Next… most Android phones on the market (Samsung, Nokia, OnePlus, Lenovo, Xiaomi…) run on a so-called Android operating system that relies on a Linux “kernel” (the core).
- Apple also has a similar Unix base (BSD), but it is locked down. “Jailbreaking” is no longer possible and there was a time when unlocking was possible, but that is another story.
Because Android smartphones have a relatively open base and are based on a partly open-source system, it is easy to access many features and to add or change many settings. Security or visual aspects can be modified at will.
However, apart from a few exceptions, Android being a consortium whose main sponsor and developer is Google, it is not fully “open” and you cannot do everything you want. At its core there are certain Google services that are inseparable from the phone, even if you do not wish to use them. Here are the 4 minimal services that you normally cannot remove…
- com.google.gsf.login (Google Account Manager)
- com.google.android.gsf (Google Framework)
- com.google.android.gms (Google Play Services)
- com.android.vending (Google Play Store)
Indeed, Google is everywhere! So why would we not want to use these Google services? (I am not referring at all to the search engine www.google.com).
Simply because most of these services track and exchange a huge amount of information with Google, whether you want it or not. It is not only about location or security settings. There is a whole “Google framework” (environment) that directly influences how the smartphone works for a better “experience”, but which often interposes itself between applications.
The question that then arises is whether it is possible to do without them?
For the most part… yes. With a few exceptions.
The good news is that most applications do not need Google and its services to work on your smartphone, but… some banking or government applications, citing security reasons, check that such services are present on your device before they will run, because that would guarantee that the smartphone is validated by Google. Why? Information exchange, agreements with Google… anything is possible, but it is often mainly laziness… because developers use part of Google’s tools and services so as not to redevelop certain functions themselves (connections, authentication, networking, buttons…). Another reason why a smartphone without Google would not work with a specific application is that when you change the smartphone’s image, the boot system is detected as “unlocked” and that can block certain banking tools such as “Approve HID”.
Knowing all that and in times when our whole lives are monitored and filed, I set out to consider a new move — I had already tried in the past — from iPhone to Android, but ridding myself of Google and Apple along the way.
I succeeded… at 99%
Before explaining how, I will just note that I now have a OnePlus 7T (a fine device) running Android 11, with all the applications I want and which works perfectly well and fast. No ad pollution or anything else. I use a store different from Google: Aptoide and APKStore.
The problem then?
Certain specific applications such as the HID Approve application and probably a few others refuse to work when the bootloader is unlocked (boot)… The problem does not come from Google services, because we use an emulator of those services to fool the apps that require them.
There is an alternative to the Google Framework called microG which simulates Google’s services without altering the operation of applications that depend on them. The list of phones that can host this system is more limited, however. Fairphone 2 and 3 phones, for example, are supported.
How do you do it? Is it within everyone’s reach? Not really, and that is intentional.
On an Android smartphone, before embarking on a major modification, you need to consider the following
points:
- Is the phone locked by an operator?
- There is a risk that this is the case. The “bootloader” is the part of the boot process that will determine feasibility and it can be unlocked after the warranty.
Is there a customized Android “image” for my particular smartphone?
- Unfortunately there is not one for every model.
Is it worth it?
- Slower, faster, bugs… if it is done well, the gain is enormous, but you need to be methodical.
The summarized steps to determine whether your smartphone can be “freed” from Google are as follows:
(Warning: this voids your warranty with the manufacturer)
- Depending on the model, check that the bootloader can be unlocked. That is the key. It is legal. Either with the manufacturer, or by searching on the Internet with your IMEI code.
- If the first point is met… we replace the original bootloader with a more advanced version.
- With this new custom bootloader, we will replace the current operating system with a customized version…
- (Warning: All your data will be lost in the process)
We will look for an Android “image” suited to the smartphone in question, a light one… without applications, so that we can then add those we want.
- We install the new image onto the smartphone and that is it… reboot…
Simple, right? In essence… but some smartphones have bootloader unlocking that is impossible or nearly so. But they are not that numerous in that case.
I suggest a link to see whether your smartphone can host one of the most stable and widely used images, called LineageOS. If your smartphone is not there, that means there is no such image for yours, but there are probably others on the Internet for your model.
LineageOS + microG is the complete alternative for certain models.
I do warn you all the same that any unsuccessful operation can permanently render your smartphone unusable… except as a paperweight. It is a good idea to choose your model according to the possibilities and sometimes to buy a used one, unless you want the very latest model with Google services on it.
Hoping to have shed light on the subject for you, do not hesitate to contact me for further details.
