yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Android General] Oswald Boelcke:
Good to see you here, and I hope you agree this is the better place to discuss these items.

In the very beginning, I just used microG from the "main" microG thread, and I tried to explain how I went GApps free in the OP. Meanwhile and since Magisk has been available - and this thread isn't too large yet, just three pages to scan, I installed microG via Nanomod (just using the Nanomod-microG and Nanomod-patcher zips) after a at that time necessary clean flash of my ROM on both of our devices. For me the most convinient way, described in post #14. There are some other posts e.g. regarding the Nanomod-setup file. But in its current version, Nanomod has become even more convenient e.g. with an Aroma-installer for the setup-file.

That's the introduction, which might want you to consider to remove your current installation completely and to use Nanomod. You certainly realise I'm a big fan of it - and by the way, a great and helpful thread.

But let's start at the basics in order to try to figur out your issue.

How did you install microG?

Which Play Store version did you install? From where?

How did you install the Play Store? IMPORTANT information I believe.

Which microG Sservices Core version do you use / do you have installed?

Signature spoofing is working?
[Android General] xavihernandez:
First thanks for your consideration and your help.

Well as you thought, I have manually installed microG via F-Droid.

I have installed Play Store version from a well known french download/help/review site, but then took the one from "microG unofficial installer"

I use latest microG Services Core as package is updated through F-Droid

Signature spoofing is working as I run an Omni ROM

I might try NanoMod as you advise. How are the updates going?

EDIT : I guess issue is something about not installing F-Droid package in /system/priv-app or so
[Android General] Oswald Boelcke:
First, I personally dislike the term "latest" due to its inherent ambiguity as your "latest" isn't necessarily my "latest".

In the first screenshot (SS) you can see my version of microG, and you have to be on that - earlier versions make some issues. Second SS shows the Play Store (PS) version I was on till yesterday. This morning, I've updated to the version shown in the 3rd SS.

And just to confirm: Yes, GsmCore, GsfProxy and the PS (actually called "Phonesky") must all be installed at /system/priv-app!

For the beginning now, I assume (and you know if an assumption fails the whole plan fails) that your microG version is the same as mine and that it's correctly installed. But I've even my doubts regarding that as you said "I use latest microG Services Core as package is updated through F-Droid". By my information, microG is NOT available on F-Droid, just the UnifiedNlp (no GAPPS) in the latest version 0.2.4-103 as the Location Provider middleware and other backends used by microG are.

Second assumption, especially as you didn't follow my request to explain HOW you installed the PS, I assume that PS in NOT correctly installed. You CANNOT install the PS with the Package Installer! Did you do that?

Using any root explorer (I personally use MiXplorer) check if a folder called Phonesky is available at /system/priv-app. If available, skip the next step.

At /system/priv-app create a folder called Phonesky and give permissions "755".

Download (I usually use apkmirror.com) the Google PS version as indicated in 3rd SS.

Rename the apk-file to Phonesky.apk

If you had already the folder Phonesky at /system/priv-app (i.e. you've skipped step 2) then delete the Phonesky.apk in this folder.

Move your downloaded and renamed Phonesky.apk into the either now empty or newly created folder Phonesky.

Set permissiond of Phonesky.apk to "644".

Restart the device and check if Google PS is working correctly.

Please advice if these information were already beneficial.
[Android General] xavihernandez:
Thanks for your answer.

First, sorry to tell you that you are wrong. microG Services Core (GsmCore), microGServices Framework Proxy (GsfProxy) are also available @ F-Droid as owner has its own F-Droid repository =)

To instal Phonesky.apk, I have placed it in /system/priv-app, set permission to 644 and rebooted. It fails due to absence of the 2 others package into system.

I'll create its own folder as you advise. Do I need to do the same for GmsCore and GsfPrioxy ?
[Android General] Oswald Boelcke:
You're absolutely correct. Just forgot (maybe 'cause I'm not using it) that microG has its own F-Droid repo: https://microg.org/fdroid/repo

Affirmative, there have to be folders "GmsCore" and "GsfProxy" (Remark: not GsfPrioxy), both with permissions "755" at /system/priv-app. In those folders the respective apk's with permission "644".
[Android General] xavihernandez:
Yep sorry just a typo ^^.

Well it does not work. Everytime I reboot, folders disappear, and applications are not installed.

EDIT : well started to get a little upset, so as I have Magisk, I have just use AppSystemizer module to "systemize" GmsCore, GsfProxy and PlayStore after I have installed them as normal applications. And it works!
[Android General] Oswald Boelcke:
Glad to hear that. In case of any suggestions just post here or shoot a PM.

And you may have a look into Nanomod that I rather use. I run Nanomod as a Magisk module. But ale5000's installer is great, too.
[Android General] xavihernandez:
Thanks for your help man :).

Too bad that I am kinda ****ed because Flux theme for Android System got me into bootloop, and I have no SubstratumRescue.zip file :/. Do you have it?

EDIT : nevermind, found the file @ Substratum thread shared by shaggy
[Android General] ale5000:
If you use my installer be sure to use 1.0.21 or higher.

It have a big number of fixes that should make it working perfectly on every phone.
[Android General] levaap:
GSM Location Services´database

Hi

I've been trying to enter GSM Location Services or WiFi Location Service with no success so far. Could you tell me where are they hidden? When I enter 'configure location backend' I only have Mozilla location service to choose. Nothing else.

cheers
[Android General] Oswald Boelcke:
Are both services actually installed?

How did you go for microG? Single installations/flashes? Nanomod? ale5000's unofficial installer? shadow53's webpage?

Did you already check this post (i.e. did you first use the extremely powerful XDA search engine prior to posting as required by forum rules)?
[Android General] levaap:
Thanks for quick reply.

I'll start from the begining. I'm not so familiar with custom roms and flashing phones. It's all new to me. All I wanted was a goole free S3. I've tried to do this for a few last days and than I've found your post. Voila!

I did everything as stated in post #14. And it worked. Except for GSM/WiFi Location Services. I was 100% sure they should be installed already. I've spent 2h trying to resolve that issue and I've failed. That's why I've decided to post it here. 10 minutes later I figured it out. My thought was : Perhaps I need to install it first? (Please modify your step by step manual for people like me -> begginers in a world of custom roms)

Now I have S3 Gaaps free. Perfect!

ps. I'd like to do the same on galaxy active s5. Would it be possible?
[Android General] Oswald Boelcke:
Glad you managed it... Enjoy your GApps-free device now as much as I do.

I don't remember if the two mentioned other backends got installed by Nanomod-mircoG but they are also available from the F-Droid repo (I've also added the microG/Fdroid/repo). Here is some more background or nice-to-know information available:

https://xdaforums.com/android/apps-games/app-g-unifiednlp-floss-wi-fi-cell-tower-t2991544

https://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1715375

I don't know the Galaxy Active S5 but I guess it should work with it. Obviously, you require signature spoofing and a ROM that comes without any Google stuff (unless you want to remove all manually).
[Android General] Oswald Boelcke:
New GmsCore

microG Project has release a new preview release of Services Core ("com.google.android.gms") version 0.2.4-105-gf289a13.

Also available via the microG FDroid repo.

How did I install it?

Download the APK and rename to GmsCore.apk

Via any root explorer move the apk to /system/priv-app/GmsCore in the root directory and replace the "old" by the "new" one.

Ensure permissions are "644". (Remark: The folder "GmsCore" requires permission "755")

Reboot.
[Android General] levaap:
Hi again

I still cannot get my S5 to fully working condition. I cannot use play store. I get RH-01 error and none of known fixes worked for me.

In post #14 at point 18. you've mentioned that you've greated google account in ROM settings. Could you precise the mechanism? How do I open ROM settings?

cheers
[Android General] Oswald Boelcke:
Personal comment: Might be somehow dangerous to play with custom ROMs and not to even know how to access ROM settings.

At least in your app drawer should be an application called "settings" (or the equivalent in your language). Currently, no time available; tomorrow, I going to post instruction how to create a Google account.

Meanwhile, I suggest to wipe cache and data of Google Play Store but for that you need to go into the ROM settings either. If you find them: settings => app => check if system apps to be shown is enabled (three vertical dots at top right corner) => Google Play Store => Memory => wipe cache and delete data.

EDIT (2017-09-12) @levaap: I've now found the time to add some screenshots that will hopefully guide you to create accounts in your ROM. Open your app drawer and look for the app called "settings" (that are your ROM's settings), scroll down to "accounts" and tap, (in my screenshot you see the accounts already created by me) tap on "Add account", now it shows you all possible accounts that could be created in regard to your system i.e. tap on "Google" and follow the microG instructions to sign in.

I assume you already possess a respective Google account.

Before you conduct all of the above, please ensure that "Google device registration" is enabled in the microG settings (please refer to the screenshots).

Can you please elaborate on this. What do you mean I've to modify? As far as I remember Nanomod comes with two backends.

EDIT (2017-09-13)

GApps Pico is certainly sufficient. However, it might be possible that you can avoid GApps totally - me me. That's definitely a personal decision by you. We use microG on our devices and install it together with its dependencies via Nanomod but there are a few other posibilities. If interested scan this thread and don't forget its OP and post #14. But other posts might be interesting, too. Or use the powerful XDA search engine and look for keyworks like "microG", "Nanomod"; "ale5000" and "shadow53".

microG offers the capability to synchronise with contacts and calendar with Google if setup. Other choises are CardDav and CalDav, which I mentioned in this post together with possibly other interesting things. However, the open source DavDroid is certainly also a good alternative.
[Android General] levaap:
One again thanks for your comprehensive answer. It's been a bit of misunderstanding. I just didn't realize they are just 'settings'. Perhaps I was too tired that day.

I've tried to wipe memory/cache play store before posting here but it did not worked for me - same as removing and and adding account again.

I've fully wiped my s5 and flashed it one more time and google account worked this time.

Mine didn't. I had to download them separately.

Now I have a GApps free S5 :)

cheers
[Android General] fiswany:
Wow .. if i said its amazing post wont b enough :good:

step by step explanation + app used + Ver. # used + linked to out source (website) used

i reached here while i am in the middle of configuring Micro G and everything is working fine for me except for safety net check.

MicroG droid helper stopped working :rolleyes: this what i get when i check through magisk !!

i am still working out to solve it ..

there is one more thing .. u didnt tell what is the alternative for bookmark sync. between your devices ??

i was using chrome but now with GApps-free i moved to fire-fox, but i think it would be better f i moved to cloud service that provide bookmark sync.

PS. dont tell me to hit thanks !! .. coz your posts took all what i have for today :D
[Android General] Bracher:
So I'm no real expert but managed as a nearly 70 years old grandmother to set up my devices with customs ROMs, - now on LinageOS 14.1 - root and so on. I managed to install Magisk and Xposed with the Modul of Xposed (SDK 25) v. 87.3 (v. 88 did not work for me) and XPrivacy. Most of my apps are open source and I got them from FDroid (many thanks for your advices they are a helpfull addition).

But now I want to go for a Gapp-less future. In the last days I manged on one device a full installation of microG but Blank Store was not working I had problem to get the ID of my device. I got a device id with ADB Plattform Tools, I got another device id (for the same device) when I used GoldenDict without Google Play and Blank Store was not recognised, so the developper offered me for the device xxx to send an offline licence, but I suppose this is not the one needed for Android Store/Google Store.

I tried with bla.bat but was not successfull: Java is installed, I work with Windows 7, 64bit, but when I try to get bla.bat working it crashes down before I can identify the device id. I'm afraid my Security Protection interferes. Shall I disable it temporarily?

I read a lot in the last days (my children are with the grandchildren on holiday and the weather is not fine for the garden...) but got somehow confused:

the next days I'll make a fresh setup of my device this time with Nanomod now my questions:

- do you advice to install Nanomod via Magisk or via TWRP?

- if I use the Nanomod Patcher - do I still need the XPosed Module FakeGapps

- next: do I need for the setup of Google PS the device identity

- and if I use Google PS is there still a need to install Fake Store

Sorry I'm a bit confused perhaps I've read to much information in the last hours

And a big big THANK YOU!!!
[Android General] Bracher:
Thank you very much for this comprehensive answer it's a pleasure to and very seldom. I would have liked to go along but unfortunately the Nanomod Setup Whizard does not work on my device (Samsung Galaxy Note 8) the touchscreen is not reating and the tabs don't work with the Aroma Installer, I tried it several times. I'm afraid I'll have to go the more complex microG installation path. But thank you ones more
[Android General] Oswald Boelcke:
Negative, you don't need to... Please just give me some time till tomorrow, as I'm currently watching the German Handball league. ...and going to bed afterwards. I'm not nearly within your range but going to become 62 years in a few month. For me, it's fascinating to watch guys in our age to be dealing with Android etc., even if it never has been our profession.

If you agree - and only if you are able to wait, tomorrow I'm going to explain how to create the setup file by yourself and where to save it. Although it's explained in the Nanomod Wiki, and I believe I did too somewhere in this thread. But don't worry, don't search if you've the time, just wait till tomorrow.

The only prerequisite is to have a root explorer. My suggestion for this is MiXplorer.

EDIT (2017-10-13): @Bracher - I'm not familar with the Samsung Galaxy Note 8, and as you know this thread deals with the i9305. What's the architecture of the Note 8? arm64 or x86_64? If latter, the Aroma installer only supports arm and arm64.

Here, I once described how to manually create the .nanomod-setup file. Please be aware that this file doesn't carry a file extension but requires the "." (dot) in front of its name (i.e. it's a hidden file). I suggest to store the file either on your internal memory or external SD card.

Below you see the content of my .nanomod-setup. This one was created by the Nanomod-setup-wizard and obviously contains more entries than required. Here, you find the meanings and details about to alter installation. I'm convinced as soon as you've created your .nanomod-setup, you're going to enjoy the very easy way of Nanomod to install microG and in turn a GApps-free device.

However, please allow me to reiterate: Your device must be GApps-free before installation of microG. Don't use it with a ROM that ships partially of completely with any Google stuff.

nanomod_microg=1
nanomod_fdroid=0
nanomod_apps=0
nanomod_overlay=0
nanomod_zelda=0
nanomod_mapsv1=1
nanomod_init=0
nanomod_gsync=0
nanomod_swipe=0
nanomod_forcesystem=0
nanomod_sigspoofui=0
nanomod_play=1
[Android General] gimpy1:
Well, glad i'm not the oldest:laugh:

From 67 years old, gimpy
[Android General] Bracher:
Thank you ones more for your help, now I managed it!!!

It was a misunderstanding from my side, I thought you mentioned this Nanomod-setup-whizard which does not work on my device (its 'arm', but perhaps a bit old and has some problems, but I wanted to start with a device I don't need everyday, now I can start with my mobile - its a Note 3).

Everything went well!!!!

The only question I still have is about the permissions for Google PS. On my mobile I have disabled all permissions for Google PS und Google Play Services, I work only with GApps pico and have deleted the contact and calender services - and Google works nevertheless.

Now I had to enable all permissions to get access to my Google account and when I later tried to disable SMS, Google PS showed not the newly installed apps - only after enabling this permission they showed up. Strange, I'll play a bit with this before I synchronise my contacts and calender and certaily before I go along with my Note 3.

But thanks ones more you have been very very helpfull - I was stuck with this bla.bat file, no chance to create an idendity at least on my PC so Blank Store never worked and Yalp Store has never showed me my paid apps and there are some I wont miss even when I try hard to use whereever only open source and donate to the developper. But even AFW+Wall donation key is only available via Google PS and a stored key tells you after installation that there is no access to the PS...

Have a nice weekend
[Android General] Oswald Boelcke:
Glad to hear. I'm always happy if someone has success.

Please refer to the attached screenshots that show what permissions I granted to Google PS in RR and AppOpsXposed, what Services and Broadcast Receiver are disabled by MyAnroidTools Pro and how my PS settings look like. Additonally, you can see that I've full access to my purchases and am always able to download them if required. Second last screenshot shows my Google account settings in RR; if you tipp on any of the fields (e.g. login & security) a microG setting opens. Please ensure this is enabled. With these (or should I say despite them) Google Play Store runs as advertised.

A few last words unless you know: The Google PS coming with Nanomod is modified to allow for purchases in the Play Store by also in-app (actually same applies to ale5000's unofficial microG installer or the one that Shadow53 has linked). However, haven't tried this functionality yet.

Regarding AFWall+: Besides from the Google PS, you can also download from @ukant's Github or F-Droid. And actually, a donation or purchase of the AFWall+ (Donate) via Google PS is not required. Please see ukant's post here as well as the posts just above and below his one on his AFWall thread: He accepts also donations to http://www.giveindia.org/ and afterwards sends a promo code.
[Android General] MXweber:
First of all, my very best thanks to [MENTION=7408621]noc.jfcbs[/MENTION] for writing this awesome introduction. I set up my i9305 Gapps free when I had a bit of time two weeks ago. The speed-up is really tremendous - I would not have believed that my 9305 runs faster [MENTION=1348102]1200[/MENTION]Mhz than [MENTION=5301607]170[/MENTION]4 with Gapps. Pretty crazy what a resource hog google services are!

It was, however, not easy at all to get to the point where everything is working as expected. The first issue was the installation of Nanomod. I could never get signature spoofing to work (I am using rodman's RR as well). After digging through multiple threads and instructions (it took me some time to actually find Setiaplha's readme and at some point I ended up in the microG readme which complicated things a lot). In the end it turned out that I was missing one reboot. I believe it was the one right after flashing the ROM, which I think shouldn't be necessary.

OK, wasted some hours on that, but then set up my phone, restored TB, everything well, enjoyed the impressive speed-up and the functioning yalp store. Until I found out that I can't use R2Mail2 because it didn't recognise my licence. Same with every app that required in-app purchases for pro/premium features.

As I didn't have time for another clean install at that point, I decided to dirty flash Nanomod with the playstore. Result: apps crash/freeze, random reboots , most importantly: TB was crashing constantly when opening the app.

Solution: clean flash and do it all over again. This time, everything was working properly, licenses restored, but I was not getting any whatsapp notifications. Of course I installed + restored everything after microG was properly set up and configured. I would just not receive any GCM notifications for whatsapp, although the app was freshly installed (not restored), registered and push notifications work. I was, however, out of patience and out of time after all my attemps to fix GCM (not greenifying app, disabling doze altogether, re-doing permissions and GCM registration) failed. It was working for MyFritz app for some reason. The only good thing is that I did not have any time to do a clean install with Gapps pico, so I just kept opening whatsapp manually and getting complaints from my wife that she can't communicate properly with me and that I should stop screwing up my phone. Fair point.

Then, after two weeks, GCM notifications miraculously start working and I am now receiving all the notifications that I want. I don't know what did the trick as I did not touch anything since 10 days. It might be a whatsapp-related problem but it was working without any issue with Gapps before.

So, after a long journey, I do have a fully working Gapps-free phone and I am enjoying it a lot. I would have posted here earlier but as I said I did not have much time and what little time I had I used on trying fixing these issues..