Nostr Web Client

SatoshiBuilds 1y ago 💬 10

Ditching Google? Here's What Works and What Doesn't

Recently tested which apps struggle without Google services on my #eink android with LineageOS.

The obvious culprits:

Gmail

Google Drive

Google Keep

Google Maps

Google Sheets

Play Store

Google Authenticator

The surprising ones:

booking.com (maps fail)

Airbnb (no APK available)

Bolt (maps crash)

Olauncher (keeps crashing due to missing Google services)

ChatGPT (APK refuses to install)

But hey, found some cool workarounds!

APKPure: get all the apps you need

Maps Go: Google Maps in a browser version

DuckDuckGo: anonymous AI usable in browser

Found a new minimalist browser to replace Olauncher!

On the bright side, some apps still work like a charm:

nostr:npub12vkcxr0luzwp8e673v29eqjhrr7p9vqq8asav85swaepclllj09sylpugg

nostr:npub1nz64zngcqm8vj8nhrdkcjpfwn2rcaqysnxec88tqfclp5afrpglsqm0w5y

Spotify

Bluewallet

Headspace

nostr:npub1864jglrrhv6alguwql9pqtmd5296nww5dpcewapmmcazk8vq4mks0tt2tq

Audible

Sometimes it's ok to slow down life just a bit.

Reply to this note

Please Login to reply.

Discussion

Michaël Roerade 1y ago

GrapheneOS fixes this...

SatoshiBuilds 1y ago

It really does, but it doesn't work on phones that have a eink screen yet, so I'm valueing my eyes higher than my convenience at the moment.

Michaël Roerade 1y ago

I know. I have an Onyx Boox 8 e-ink tablet, that until recently allowed not enabling GSF. Unfortunately, after the latest update, ik keeps giving a pop-up saying GSF is required when I open any app I installed on it through Aurora Store. 😤

SatoshiBuilds 1y ago

So you also have a custom ROM on it? Does lineage OS work onit as well? It seems to be a good solution with many privacy features enabled

Michaël Roerade 1y ago

No, it's the Onyx firmware. It used to work OK without GSF, which I could just let unchecked in settings. Never tried to flash another ROM to it

beejay 1y ago

So many of those things are usable via the browser, too (AirBnB, Telegram, Audible)

My solutions:

PCloud (Google Drive)

Graphene Phone OS

Linux (PC)

Organic Maps or Magic Earth (Maps)

Notes (Google Keep)

LibreOffice Calc (Excel/Google Sheets alternative)

Innertunes (Spotify/Amazon Music)

Bitchute/Newpipe/Invidious (YouTube)

Zap.Store / Aurora Store (Google Play)

SatoshiBuilds 1y ago

Audible worked for me normally as an app. I use go maps to still use Google for maps but with out large tracking.

I have some knowledge based content that I still need from YouTube, any apps for that?

beejay 1y ago

I don't know what knowledge based use is. Example? Are you extracting data from YouTube or just want to consume content? Newpipe and Invidious are both mirrors of YouTube that don't directly send data about you to Google.

SatoshiBuilds 1y ago

Ah yes that's exactly what I need I guess I didn't research thoroughly! Thank you

beejay 1y ago

YW and enjoy