yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Android Apps and Games] Aaren11:
Something needs to be done about the FCM issue - that much is becoming abundently more apparent and urgent with every passing month. Just this week I've been trying to setup a new device and 3 of my 4 gcm apps no longer even register for or receive push notifications. Most developers have been encouraged onto the FCM bandwagon - and MicroG is going to need some form of implementation soon to avoid obselecense.

That said - it would be all too easy to quickly crowdfund a lot of money down the drain. At this point the project needs a visible and communicative leadership more than it needs funds in my opinon.
[Android Apps and Games] Oswald Boelcke:
Regarding FCM implementation I like to share a brief excursion of Retired Senior Moderator @kyphur:

https://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=2031989&postcount=45
[Android Apps and Games] kurtn:
Thats old and it became worse than the old man thought. Not only is the forum populated with noobs, many devs left XDA.
[Android Apps and Games] elandroido:
Well no surprise.

Populating development here often ends up in people literally offend you for not implementing their wishes.
[Android Apps and Games] Exabyter:
I would add that the referenced post was made before the introduction of Android OS 1.0, and XDA has changed a lot from those days.

For example, the recently announced XDA partnership with PocketNow has _nothing_ to do with development, in fact in the official announcement post XDA describes itself as simply "...the most popular Android phone community".

Pretty funny since when kyphur made that old post the first Android product hadn't even been announced yet. ?

Online fora and communities have their share of old-timers claiming that things were better in the old days and we should all go back to the old ways. Art imitates life.

IMHO we need both the energy and input of the user and tinkerer crowd as well as the hard work and creativity of the developers to make a diverse and dynamic community.

These FCM posts aren't about a bunch of newbies asking easily-searchable basic questions that have been answered 100 times before, they are people discussing the future of an important component of an important project which appears to be languishing in a way that undermines the value of the whole undertaking and could use some re-invigoration to maintain its relevance. I think that's an important topic, and I think such discussions can help to spur its development.
[Android Apps and Games] PURJUJU:
Hello! It seems microG not maintained anymore or at least not enough often. I have mine integrated in my lineages (I have no clue how I did it. Lol!) The pb is today I have more and more app not working so I stopped automatic updates. However is there anyone here can advice me a maintained alternative of this microG please? :)

Thank you
[Android Apps and Games] Exabyter:
Perhaps someone should start to compile a list of apps that used to work reasonably well with microG, but have broken recently.

For example, I use an app to test push notifications (GCM style), but the latest version says it has "..migrated to Firebase (FCM)", so I no longer want to update it on my devices without Gapps if its result no longer applies to microG.

The app:

com.firstrowria.pushnotificationtester
[Android Apps and Games] herrdeh:
Marvin did such a great and highly professional job - my compliments to him. Unluckily, he did not take care for his succession. Like quite some empire builder do.

Although I'm quite close to microG, it took me many weeks to recognize that Marvin retired. Could it be the case that still many other people are not aware of the problem?

Therefore - could it be helpful to actively spread the word - eg at migroG's start page at github, at the first page of this thread etc? - "This project is looking for a maintener"

I'd be willing to contribute a small sum of money, but at the same time I think a passionate manager for the project will be the better solution.
[Android Apps and Games] Setialpha:
Marvin hasn't retired, he 'just' slowed down. He commented on issues recently and merged a few things.

But yes, the microG project needs atleast 1 or 2 other people being able to contribute directly.
[Android Apps and Games] Apex Predator:
I read on Github today on one of the issue threads where he said he was open to having a "co-maintainer". Someone had mentioned ale5000.
[Android Apps and Games] elandroido:
I do not understand what you all think.

This discussion is senseless.

I am 100% sure the problem is not that marvin will not accept a co maintainer.

Even if he would, you can always fork the project, it is open source.

The current situation is that there is noone who has time and will to invest more free work in his spare time into this project.

So if you all personally do not want to contribute yourself there is no use in chatting and bugging around. I mean, what do you think? Someone here wants to work on microg but does not because you have not bugged him enough like a little child wanting a lollipop so bad?

Use your brains!
[Android Apps and Games] chris42too:
Sorry, but I think you messed up a few things. Microg right now has two issues:

1. There are people that are working on microg, like Adam on the Cast API and others on version numbers and small fixes. All of this has forked out of the original repository or is stuck in pull requests, due to only Marvin being the maintainer. So the discussion on who that could be and Marvins agreement to have someone in the project helps greatly to keep the project intact and code repository focused.

2. Some functions are not up-to-date. This needs a developer with skill and time on its hand. And yes bugging people will not help, but people here started already to search. Sorry that it is not just a push of a button and tadaaa everything is done.

On a personal note: I love to read constructive and positive comments. *****ing about a situation others try to improve -> not so much.
[Android Apps and Games] elandroido:
Constructive comments in the sense of helping others to solve problems, bringing in new technical ideas and things like that are good, the open source community is not only about bringing in code, although this is the main part for sure.

But there is nothing constructive or any contribution in just telling people again and again that they shall work together. I am pretty sure they know they exist each other and they also know how cooperation on github is possible.

The tenth comment like "project is dead, isn't it" or "cannot ABC work with XYZ?" is not a contribution which brings in any value. It is just the intention of speeding up things by pushing people.

Any comment that brings in additional value to the project or new questions that have not been asked yet here a valid and important contributions.

Comment #20 saying marvin has to accept a co maintainer is not constructive, it is pure bugging. By looking at his work I can tell he is not a total retard and he knows what he does or does not.

So if you want to contribute, fork the project, merge the missing pull requests, make a new release and all the stuff. Exactly what you are asking for to be done. If you do not want to invest the effort, just wait in silence until someone else does.
[Android Apps and Games] elandroido:
double post removed
[Android Apps and Games] Oswald Boelcke:
@elandroido: I'm absolutely with you on your latest postings.

Looking at @MaR-V-iN's profile I recognise that he not only has a private life but obviously is still studying at an university. Guess it's pretty easy to imagine that phases occur where others things take precedence over the development of µG. I'm totally convinced that he made his decision to currently maintain radio silence for good reasons - and at least I'm not in the position to question this decision or to complain about it. It's as you stated: Everybody who urgently wants "improvements" can grab the project and continue under his own name and signature. If I were capable of coding I'd do it myself. If I really want it I'd learn how to code; there are quite a few really decent guides around like this one for custom ROM and kernel. However, the key issue: Do I really have time? Currently - and I don't foresee any change in mid-term future, no. If I really created my own fork and assume it works well, would I like to read all the comments when time comes to settle back due to higher priorities and to let the project rest for a year or two or even longer? No!

So, what's my very personal approach to the non-availability of FCM in µG; and I know it's very personal and not feasible to everybody? I'm personally extremely happy with µG but by principle I only use very, very few applications that require Google Play services and none that needs FCM. If I urgently wanted or needed to use an app that required FCM I'd personally approach the app's dev(s) if they must really implement FCM etc. If nothing changes I abandon that app. Full stop. ...or if I don't see any alternative to that/these application(s) I've to say farewell to µG and revert to Google services but still using quite a few tools to protect my privacy.

I believe to have recognised a lot of measures by Google trying to prevent people from using things like µG, Xposed, root, advertisement remover etc. And Google implements new or modifies current features to make life tough for those who don't want to share their life with Google.
[Android Apps and Games] chris42too:
Guys, I did not wanted to start a discussion about the philosophies of open source. [MENTION=5989241]elandroido[/MENTION] My point was: Telling someone to use their brains (basically to be stupid) and to shut up, has nothing to do with open source and the community, it is just plain bad manners. We all should try to change viewpoints a bit and understand where questions come from, instead of expecting the same behavior and capabilities from everyone.
[Android Apps and Games] dschrempf:
Cry for help

Hi, since official microG is slowly and quietly, but persistently and unstoppably failing, could you please help me in finding forks that are actively maintained? Help is sincerely appreciated, thanks!

Dominik
[Android Apps and Games] J-Kos:
Hello, guys. I'm using Lineage OS 14.1 for microG. I'm having a problem with push notifications. The thing is, in the GCM setting, the application (Skype Lite) is registered and even the number of received messages increases every time I get one. But no notification pops up. So basically I can see messages coming in the GCM menu, but I get no notification - no pop-up window, no sound, no LED blinking. Has anybody had a similar problem?
[Android Apps and Games] kurtn:
The forks are normally provided in microG installer packages like from ale5000, nanodroid or nogoolag ( telegram channel)

---------- Post added at 02:27 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:25 PM ----------

Maybe you should disable battery optimisation for Skype.
[Android Apps and Games] J-Kos:
Did that. Problem remains. :-/
[Android Apps and Games] d1n0x:
Maybe you shouldn't use Skype in the first place :^)
[Android Apps and Games] J-Kos:
Heh, tell the other 15 people I need to keep in touch with. ;)

EDIT: This is what I see in the GCM settings of the app. No notifications, though...
[Android Apps and Games] kurtn:
Have you tried to install Skype on a system without gapps and without microG? I bet it will open it's own channel for push notifications (like WhatsApp)
[Android Apps and Games] Apex Predator:
Bit rough don't you think? I was simply making a comment in direct reference to [MENTION=4187311]Setialpha[/MENTION]'s comment above mine about what I had read that day. It was relevant to the flow of discussion at hand and a simple reporting of facts that came directly from the the project owner. If anything is relevant to the discussion, surely that must be!

I was not doing any of the following:

******/moan/complain about "where are the updates?"

*Reference any social/political aspects of the current situation, especially those pertaining to the personal lives of developers

*Expecting or bugging anyone about anything

*Coming across with a gimme gimme gimme attitude while not being able to contribute anything to the project

I have wanted to try MicroG for a long time. I finally have a spare device and some time to do it so it's is very new to me. I've been following the thread and I do understand your frustration. I am sure your comment wasn't solely directed at me but you did quote me at the top of your rant so....

It was my first post in this thread too. Talk about a warm welcome lol!

Anyway, I get what you're saying but I really disagree with this in particular - hope

By that logic, the entirety of these boards would be (sparsely) populated by nothing but devs with zero user feedback. Sure, that might sound like heaven to some devs but it's not what this place is. It may once have been though...

Not every post will be on topic, nor pure UX feedback/bug reports and logcats. The way things are going, probably more devs will leave the board and/or cease their work altogether but that's how it is.

The vibe I get from the users in this thread though is one of hope and fear. This is not a kernel or a ROM where there's usually more than one option. This is, AFAIK, the single only alternative to either Big G capitalisation of Android, or going GAPPS-free altogether. Neither option is attractive to those here, and each of us have our own reasons for our hopes and fears for the project.

I truly wish I could contribute something to the project, however I am but a lowly user. I have neither the time nor the talent to do anything more than muck about and either break my phone or inch it ever closer to how I'd like it run. I know I'm not alone there.

Live and let live man. It's all good.
[Android Apps and Games] Exabyter:
Patient: "It hurts when I lift my arm".

Doctor: "Well don't do that then".

I'm no fan of Skype either. But that line of thinking taken to its logical conclusion ends up with no one using any apps.
[Android Apps and Games] baxxter106:
i'm with you...BUT using a piece oft software like microg in one hand and using proprietary bu****it nor even think about alternatives makes this software kind of useless...it is not better to share my "life" with some other $$$company, is it?

today i read a blog from a guy who tryed to be "open source" (by using lineage with microg) with no closed source apps - but using the web frontends of this apps (like gdrive or whatsapp...ridiculous...

we should think twice what to use and what to share with big$$$companies...

yustmy2¢
[Android Apps and Games] ale5000:
Actually my installer still include only the official one, but I may add a choice to use a fixed version of microG in a future version.

The problem is that replacing a package with another (so the signature is different) will likely cause problems.

Do someone notice that a lot of people cannot add a Google account after switching to a fork? I think it is caused by the signature change (although I'm not sure).
[Android Apps and Games] updesh94:
Yea, I used nogoolag one and wasn't able to log in, after that i used normal play services to log in and flashed microG over it so I had it already logged in.
[Android Apps and Games] J-Kos:
Well, I did not try to install the Skype Lite app without GApps or microG. Yalp store claims it to be dependent on GmsCore any way.

Look, it is actually the only proprietary app I use. Both on my phone (LOS) and my laptop (Debian). I have tried to convince those I need to keep contact with to migrate to another app many many times. But since I am not the only person they talk to on Skype, it is not that easy to tell them to switch apps. Say I only had 4 important people in my contact list and each of them had another 4 and so on and so on... Can you see the exponential growth? Trust me, I, too, prefer using something open source, but it is not that simple.
[Android Apps and Games] chris42too:
Not to confuse others, Yalp store is not dependent on GmsCore or Google Sevices Framework. See https://github.com/yeriomin/YalpStore

From the site:

Why would I use it?

(...)The point of Yalp Store is to be small and independent from Google Services Framework. (...)

How does it work?

Yalp Store uses the same (protobuf) API the android Play Store app uses. It downloads apks directly from Google servers. (...)

This mirrors my experience with being able to use it without even microg installed yet.
[Android Apps and Games] guest4711:
He/she was talking about Skype Lite App been listed as GSF depending in YALP.
[Android Apps and Games] chris42too:
Yepp, my bad, just read the "it" in it. :D
[Android Apps and Games] Veerab:
What are advantages of this?

Any improvement in battery life?
[Android Apps and Games] d1n0x:
A little. The main advantage is improved privacy by limiting the amount of Google spying (provided you don't keep using things like contact/calendar sync, photo backup etc)
[Android Apps and Games] Veerab:
Thanks for your response

I have already set up micro g on why phone.

All apps are working fine but I'm not receiving notifications..anything that I can try? Is this known issue?
[Android Apps and Games] maybeme2:
If you don't use things like contact/calendar sync, photo backup etc or any syncing, but have Shadow53's patched playstore installed are you giving up any privacy other than Google knowing what apps you use?

(Yalp crashes on me when I use it to update apps).
[Android Apps and Games] kurtn:
You will never know what play store does. It's closed source.

Yalp should not crash, if you only update apps that have been installed with it. Never update google play services. That's MicroG spoofing to be play services.
[Android Apps and Games] maybeme2:
Yalp crashes 2 x out if 3 when I update an installed app.
[Android Apps and Games] kurtn:
Let me try: what ROM? What app?
[Android Apps and Games] Shadow53:
You'll find on my website that I now offer zips with Aurora instead of Yalp, if that makes a difference for you.

---------- Post added at 10:35 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:32 PM ----------

Also that's [MENTION=4187311]Setialpha[/MENTION]'s patched Play Store, I just package it on its own for easier installation.
[Android Apps and Games] marcdw:
Y'know, I didn't realize that your zips were quietly being occasionally updated until a day or two ago.

On some recent installations of another microG package I was frustrated that Aurora kept crashing when trying to install something. Wasn't sure why, gave up, and installed Yalp. Then I saw your notes about setting the app's installation method to system permissions. Didn't even consider that. Now all was good.

As always, great work and big thanks.

Moto G5S Plus XT1806, AOSiP ROM, SimpleMobileTools, microG (NoGapps), MultiROM, Tapatalk 4.9.5
[Android Apps and Games] maybeme2:
Sorry Setialpha.

Great. I'll try Aurora so I can perhaps get rid of the playstore, patched or not.

---------- Post added at 03:43 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:39 AM ----------

Ah, maybe that's my problem.

All these apps were originally installed via the playstore. Should I therefore uninstall them and reinstall them from Yalp?
[Android Apps and Games] Shadow53:
Shouldn't make a difference since Yalp and Aurora use the Play Store's mirrors to download apps. The problem lies with updating Play Services/MicroG or any F-Droid app, as you'll have mismatched signatures, among other problems.
[Android Apps and Games] maybeme2:
Thank you.

So what do I need to do so I can use Yalp for all my updates instead of needing to use playstore?

I currently use Yalp's login because using my Google login is apparently against playstore rules.

Ideally, I want to uninstall the patched playstore and just use Yalp for updates to my installed apps. But I currently can't do that because the update list does not match the update list on playstore and attempts to update via Yalp causes Yalp to crash without the update installing.
[Android Apps and Games] kurtn:
You can update apps one by one or use whitelist in yalp settings.
[Android Apps and Games] Oswald Boelcke:
I haven't used Yalp for "decades" but I'm actively using Aurora (with the inherent Aurora account in order to avoid to get my Google account banned and to loose all my purchases). Aurora clearly provides me an actual update list all the time and always indicates the correct version of an application installed. Installations work fine; however, I haven't granted root to Aurora and it downloads the desired apk's, and I manually install them from the download location via the ROM's package installer.

Somehow, but I can't prove I feel your issue with Yalp rests more with your device.
[Android Apps and Games] maybeme2:
***Problem solved!

My email to the Yalp developer was replied as follows:

1. You are using an outdated version of Yalp Store.

2. Your version is not original - it was not built by me.

Both problems can be fixed by installing Yalp Store from F-Droid.

Thinking back, I realized that I had originally downloaded and installed my Yalp from Shadow53's website when I first installed lineageos with microg. So, I uninstalled my Yalp and reinstalled from F-Droid. And my problems disappeared..... Some of the Yalp updates would not install until I had uninstalled my installed versions because of signature conflict. But no crashes!

Yalp too has the option of downloading the apk for later install. I sign in on Yalp using their built in login but I too am worried about getting in trouble with Google store so I might also try Aurora.

I hope this helps somebody else.
[Android Apps and Games] Shadow53:
That's interesting, because my build system pulls apks from F-Droid where possible, so you *were* using Yalp from F-Droid. The only possible difference was of being installed to /system and having its libraries extracted because that's required for system apps.

I wonder if the issue is that the Android system was using out of date libraries from previous versions of Yalp...
[Android Apps and Games] maybeme2:
I don't know. I'm not knowledgeable enough in the android internal workings to explain. So I'm just reporting what happened.

BTW, thanks for your website. It was my guide for going from stock 6.01 to lineageos with microG. Now that Yalp is working correctly I will soon uninstall (or freeze) the patched playstore I installed.

Questions:

1. I've avoided accepting the microG update offered by Yalp because I was concerned I might mess things up. Will wait and see on that.

2. What advantages, if any, does Aurora have over Yalp?
[Android Apps and Games] guest4711:
1. The update for microG offered in Yalp/Aurora/Playstore is an update for google framework really (they use the same identity). Don't install it! Tell Yalp to ignore all updates for it.

2. Aurora is a fork of Yalp. The functionality should be the same while the UI is different. Some people like it some not...
[Android Apps and Games] Shadow53:
You're welcome!

1. Answered already - don't do it

2. Aurora uses the Material 2 UI (becoming standard in Android P, I think) which means a different UI using different libraries. Aurora feels more like a standalone app store to me, with a main page similar to opening the Play Store. There's also an argument for it being a little more secure because it targets newer devices, thus taking advantage of bug and security fixes not backported to the APIs Yalp supports. That is, if I understand right.
[Android Apps and Games] FriendlyNeighborhoodShane:
Nope, I actually tried changing b/w forks of the app, and it does not cause any problem (as long as you remove anything else ewith that package name).

Yeah, that happens to me too. I guess that's because they dirty flash it (first uninstall, then boot, then install)

Law I live by:

Always clean flash.

---------- Post added at 12:18 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:11 PM ----------

a) Yalp gives the play homescreen (the reccommendations, etc)

b) It automatically hides apps you update from fdroid

b) The dev's working on something for internal location spoofing

---------- Post added at 12:22 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:18 PM ----------

Also guilty of that sin, I hope you don't mind [MENTION=4187311]Setialpha[/MENTION]
[Android Apps and Games] maybeme2:
How sneaky...