yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Android Software Development] Nikhil:
I am working on it but I don't own an arm device so it's mostly blind builds. I had them tested with someone who had arm device and posted on xda only when it was reported to work fine.

Android Auto icon doesn't appear anymore.

you can look for an alternate gapps package on google for arm but to my knowledge, the customizations are limited.

great! I am yet to compile a list of apks that are common for both the architectures. But you can check on apk mirror and if a particular app doesn't have arm7 variant, it's mostly because arm64 works on it.

OR wait for some time and I will include those apps in arm builds.

there is one if you scroll up and check osm0sis post, he attached one, and there will be an official release once all the apps are tested to be working.
[Android Software Development] blumentopf75:
Oh, that sounds good. I'll give them a try soon.
[Android Software Development] Chiava2001:
Is it normal for the Google app not to be a system app? I have trouble using Google Assistant...
[Android Software Development] TziMmysGr:
One qestion please.

If lets say I install core, can I later install gmail, or google maps from play store?

Thank you.
[Android Software Development] Chiava2001:
Yes you can, but fox example with Android auto you can install it but you can't use it because it requires to be preinstalled to work properly... Basic services like Gmail or Maps will work with no problem.
[Android Software Development] LeGmask:
Hey, firstly thank you for your work !

I've a little issue recently, Gboard doesn't want to suggest any french word but work perfectly with English... Maybe you know why ?

Ty, LeGmask

Ps: clean flash and data wiped
[Android Software Development] EzioWolf:
In terms of privacy is nikgapps better than the other gapps?
[Android Software Development] retry0001-coffee:
privacy? It's google. As soon as you install playstore, it's all over. I would say it has less to do with the gapps project and more to do with how large a package you install. Nikgapps is one of the few offering a minimalist core package. If you install that, you certainly are likely to be somewhat more private than if you installed mindthegapps which throws everything in.

But once again, as soon as you put google services on your phone, privacy is out the window.
[Android Software Development] EzioWolf:
R the packages in the Gapps project altered or changed or are they just the same as the original ones? In terms of privacy. For example the queries that Gplay services send in the background.
[Android Software Development] EzioWolf:
Another thing!; What apps does GMScore consist of??
[Android Software Development] osm0sis:
Check the downloads page.

I'm thinking most of what you're asking would be answered by the website.
[Android Software Development] Nikhil:
New Release is up - 16th July 2023 (Android 10-13)

Changelog:

- Fixed an issue on older A-only devices where gapps were installed to /system instead of /system/product

- Fixed Webview overlay pointing android 11 sdk overlay instead of android 10 (Android 10)

- Fixed the issue on A-only devices where manually deleted files were restored with OTA update.

- Updated apks to QPR3 (Android 13)

- Add Emoji Wallpaper app in Pixel Launcher (Android 13)

- Add Pixel Live Wallpaper addon (Android 13)

- Installer scripts improvement

- Elite Builds - Easy Update - Added the ability to create new build as soon as elite config is updated (no need to update Release_Date anymore)

- Elite Builds - Display the apps that are part of elite build on sourceforge page in the same folder as zip

- Update nikgapps.config to v30

Thanks for choosing NikGapps. We appreciate your continued support and encourage you to share this update with others.
[Android Software Development] Nikhil:
Not really sure as I don't use gboard. But I'll check in my pixel 7 pro and confirm soon.

No, those are untouched. Most of the apks are from cheetah dump which is what is shipped to pixel 7 pro by Google. The overlays are our own but you can rest assured, your data is as private as it can be.

GmsCore consists of Google play services, you can get all the details of packages on NikGapps website. Explore the blogs.
[Android Software Development] Ecthelion4:
Hi, I think I installed the Omni version on my phone some weeks ago. Today I tried connecting to my car via Android Auto but got a message telling that Android Auto wouldn't work because it wasn't installed as a system app. To fix this I'd like to install the Full package which AFAIK includes the necessary Android Auto parts.

So my questions are

a) Can I dirty flash only the NikGapps Full package via recovery?

b) If that's not possible, would it work to dirty flash the Custom ROM and then the NikGapps Full package?

I'd like to avoid formatting data and reinstalling all apps, customizing things etc.

Thx
[Android Software Development] Nikhil:
Android Auto addon is sufficient for you to install on top of omni build. However it requires a clean flash.

You can try following steps

- download Android Auto addon

- update the nikgapps.config file from zip and set use_zip_config=1 and WipeRunetimePermission=1

- flash the addon

What you're doing is instructing the installer to read the config file from the zip which you just modified to wipe run time permissions.

WipeRunetimePermission will let you install the addon however it's against the recommendation of flashing it before first boot (that is with clean flash)

Good luck!
[Android Software Development] Ecthelion4:
Thanks for the information. Since the steps you mentioned are against the usual recommendation I tried to go along the lines of the section "How to

clean flash

NikGapps update

without losing data

" on the first page of this thread. Unfortunately deleting the /system/addon.d folder failed because of a read-only file system. So I could only execute the last two steps, dirty flashing my ROM again and then flashing the full version of NikGapps. I'm quite happy with the result: I didn't lose my data and Android Auto is now working.

Only once in a while I'm still getting this weird message that connecting to the car wouldn't work because Android Auto wasn't installed as a system service. A restart of the phone then does the trick and afterwards it's connecting. I have no clue why this message is appearing from time to time because obviously Android Auto is now installed as a system service, but sometimes it seems it doesn't get detected as such.
[Android Software Development] akashsriram:
i flashed recorder add-on into my Lineage OS it works fine but default stock recorder is replaced is there a way to install along side with stock recorder
[Android Software Development] Lostek:
Hello there to everyone!

I would like to ask on couple of things about NikGApps bundle. I would like to add GApps on LineageOS 20 (Android 13) and I have been told that this GApps solution is one of the best.

But I am not any flash guru and I still do not know all details about all procesess, how it works etc. Can you help me to understand it better, please? I have several questions, but I would like to start with these:

1) Is the "CORE" variant fully sufficient for proper functioning of ALL Google apps?

2) If I have the "CORE" variant, then I can simply download any Google app via "Aurora Store" app and all Google apps will work normally? Does it work like this, please?

3) Does "CORE" variant contain any app/module that will replace orginal AOSP one?

4) Do I have to flash "CORE" package right after the ROM? May I use whatever recovery for this procedure? For example LineageOS has its own recovery.

5) How does it go with update and upgrade of LineageOS? Do I have to update (re-flash) NikGApps "CORE" package too? If so, may I use dirty flash?

6) How about if I want to upgrade or downgrade NikGApps with higher or lower package? Is dirty flash also possible?

Thank you very much for your answers!
[Android Software Development] Nikhil:
1. Yes, if you don't care about pixel launcher and a few pixel features, core is enough to run playstore.

2. Yes, you can download google apps manually and install them with exception of a few apps like android system intelligence, google search, google setup wizard, etc which only works as a system app and needs to be flashed through an addon.

3. No, it doesn't replace any aosp counterpart. You can find more details on which variant includes google apps that replaces their aosp counterpart here - https://nikgapps.com/downloads

4. and 6. https://nikgapps.com/misc/2023/03/04/Flash-NikGapps.html

5. You don't need to flash nikgapps everytime there is a new los update available. The gapps will survive ota updates.

More important links to get you started:

Details of what every google app does: https://nikgapps.com/misc/2021/08/24/Packages-Definition.html

How you can use nikgapps.config to control your installation: https://nikgapps.com/misc/2022/02/22/NikGapps-Config.html

NikGapps Features - https://nikgapps.com/misc/2021/04/24/NikGapps-Features.html

FAQs - https://nikgapps.com/faqs
[Android Software Development] Nikhil:
I believe I already responded you on telegram but in case I didn't - you need to set GoogleRecorder=2 in nikgapps.config to keep the aosp app alongside google app.
[Android Software Development] Lostek:
1) Great.

2) Cool as well. I am glad that it works just like this with the "CORE" variant and I can install usual Gapps per Aurora Store for example. Anyway, is there some list of Gapps that have to be installed with flashed addon?

3) Awesome, I welcome this. I found the website variant list, but I did not find any information if there is some AOSP counterpart replaced. I checked another GApps addon solutions and some of them replace the AOSP modules even from the basic variant, e.g. OpenGApp's "PICO" (but OpenGApps works only up to Android 11).

4) So I can flash the NikGApss from whatever recovery, even the proprietary one from LineageOS build? I am sorry to ask namely again, but I am not any flash guru.

5) Ok, fine. So even I uprage from LOS 19.1 to 20, I can not do anything witrh NikGApps, right?

6) So all I have to do when I update or upgrade NikApps is to delete "wipe cache" and "dalvik cache" and then to flash

(I guess this is the dirty flash method). Do you have some experiences with LOS and its own recovery? Is it possible to update/upgrade (& delete "wipe cache" and "dalvik cache") the NikGApps via LOS recovery? (I know only TWRP, but I am not going to use it on Galaxy phone).
[Android Software Development] Power_Tao:
Quiet a newer for NikGapps, just checked the NikGapps documents.

How to clean flash NikGapps​

For A/B devices​

Flash Rom (the Rom is installed on inactive slot for e.g. Slot A)

Reboot to recovery (You will be in Slot A now)

Flash NikGapps (NikGapps will be installed on Slot A now)

Wipe /data

Reboot

I tried to sideload the NikGapps-stock-arm64-13-20230716-signed.zip on Pixel 6 Pro (AOSP).

The below error reported (occurs around sideload aroud 47%):

E: failed to find meta-inf/com/android/metadata

E: failed to parse metadata in the zip file

Could someone help check is thare anything I missed?

Briefly checked, there are also other guys reported the same issue, but no fix seen
[Android Software Development] co-moi:
Hi I am using nikgapps core on alioth with crdroid 9.7 and some addons.

I have the following problem I am using apps like happy cow and these apps cannot load Google maps in their apps. How can I solve this?
[Android Software Development] Nikhil:
2. Sorry, I did not understand your question.

3. All the google apps by default replaces their aosp counterpart, so if you're flashing google dialer, it will replace aosp dialer, same goes with google contacts, messages, chrome and every other app.

4. yes, you can flash it with los recovery on los build

5. Upgrading android version is different than updating nightly los build, you will find the instructions here https://nikgapps.com/misc/2023/03/04/Flash-NikGapps.html

6. wiping cache and dalvik cache is for your mental peace, we never enforce it. it's optional. Wiping will not harm you in any way though.

are you flashing NikGapps on a custom recovery? you can't flash it using stock recovery.

make sure you flash nikgapps core immediately after you flash the rom (ensuring you don't boot into the rom before flashing gapps), install maps from playstore and validate.
[Android Software Development] osm0sis:
2. Just check the download site's list for currently built addons, but they're available for most of the apps.
[Android Software Development] Al DeM:
Hi, I want to install NikGapps Elite Release by @gwolfu on top of LineageOS 20.

What about NikGapps release update?

Can I dirty update NikGapps?

Have to flash any new release?

Thanks.
[Android Software Development] Vovan2k:
I am totally confused with downloads, which i click download link and go to releases folder then what i chose i just want CORE version for Android 13.
[Android Software Development] retry0001-coffee:
Yeah the lettering system for versions is annoying as hell and kinda dumb imo. Nikhil is just following what Google is doing though. https://sourceforge.net/projects/nikgapps/files/Releases/NikGapps-T/16-Jul-2023/

The core package you want is in there.
[Android Software Development] pmgying:
Hi, I am using crDroid, and noticed that I am not able to find the "Precise/Approximate" toggle when using either of NikGapps Core and the Gwolf2u build.

There was once that I was able to see it right after installation, but disappeared again after some auto google play updates. And then after a few days (today), I clean installed the rom again and this toggle didn't even appeared at all.

Is it an expected behaviour for NikGapps core? Does anyone have any possible solutions?

I have used MindTheGapps with crDroid and the function was working fine. (But MindTheGapps later seem to have issue, so I switched to NikGapps and encounter this issue. Since I wasn't using NikGapps, I couldn't tell whether this function works with crDroid previously)

Thanks!!!
[Android Software Development] Lostek:
Hello, some more questions, please:

2) I am sorry, I just asked if there is some Gapp that must be flashed together with GApps package? I guess there is no such Gapp and I can install any Gapp from Aurora/Play Stores using just the minimalist "CORE" package.

3) Yes, I understand. If there is some Gapp part of the GApps package (e.g. Dialer), this AOSP app is replaced with the Google one. BUT if i flash only the minimalist "CORE" NikGApps package, there is no AOSP element that is going to be replaced with the Google one, isn't it?

5.1) Ok, when I nightly update the LOS build, I do nothing with NikGApps. When I upgrade LOS, the procedure is pretty clear, but one question: with the "Flash newer version of NikGapps" you mean the dirty flash, right?

And when I update NikGApps, I have to unistall old version first. Well, what a shame there is no way to make an update via OTA option, without recovery.

5.2) How often does new version of NikGApps come, please?

6) Ok, so no matter what recovery I use to install NikGApps, I can install it with TWRP or with LOS recovery, whatever. Can you agree? Ok, Wiping cache and Dalvik cache is not necessary. Anyway, are these options also part of LOS recovery?

7) And I would like to ask about Gapps vs. security. Is there any difference to run Gapps from flashed NikGApps package on LOS phone vs. to run any Gapp on average Google phone? Is there some benefit in security? Are the Gapps and Google services somehow limited/restricted on LOS phones?

Thank you.
[Android Software Development] Pixel86:
I can't find clear information on this. Does the Elite builds replace AOSP app with included Google apps?
[Android Software Development] osm0sis:
Depends what the person making the Elite config put in their configuration.
[Android Software Development] seba1x111:
Does the Google Launcher installation proceed correctly and the Launcher works properly on Android 13? I tried a few months ago and always ended up with an error on Lineageos, crDroid, EvolutionX (force close)
[Android Software Development] Pixel86:
Does your Elite Build replace AOSP apps?
[Android Software Development] osm0sis:
Yes, except for SetupWizard, since I found Lineage behaved a little better when its SetupWizard was still there to set up its features: https://github.com/nikgapps/config/blob/main/elite/13/osm0sis/osm0sis.config#L62

As you can see I also intentionally skip Pixel Launcher and Google Files, but keep some of the support packages for them to get features.
[Android Software Development] Nikhil:
2. Not every app can be installed from playstore/any other store for it to function. Apps such as Android Auto, Pixel Launcher, Android System Intelligence, etc needs to be installed as system app (i.e. as addon). We don't have a list of apps that can be installed from playstore, you can list down the apps you daily use and I can specify if that can be installed from playstore or you need to flash addon

3. If you flash Core, no aosp app will be replaced. aosp app will only be replaced when it's google counterpart is installed (Google Dialer will replace AOSP dialer if flashed). You can however control if you want to keep both the apps or either of one. read more here

5.1. When there is a new release of NikGapps, it generally comes with improvements which can be dirty flashable, you don't have to clean flash everytime there is a new release. When clean flash is advised in the changelog, then only, you need to clean flash, besides, updating NikGapps is totally up to you, if the changelog doesn't interest you, then you can skip updating NikGapps.

5.2. There is no defined timeline but you can check the changelog history to get an idea. Check here

6. Yes, you can flash it with any custom recovery. I don't remember on top of my head if LOS recovery offers ability to wipe cache. I will be there if it's necessary.

7. Google phones comes with pixel exclusive features which we try to port to los rom with NikGapps but we don't always get each and every feature working. Security on unlocked bootloader is always debatable but for an average user, you don't need to worry about it when it comes to comparing google phone with other phones with los on it. Los team does a really good job to keep your device secure.
[Android Software Development] MJPollard:
It does not. The only wipe option it provides is a factory reset, which reformats the entire data partition. In that regard, it's quite primitive compared to recoveries like TWP, which provide multiple options (wipe cache, wipe data but leave media alone, reformat entire data partition including media). I'm actually surprised no one has yet attempted to include these more "specific" wiping options in LOS recovery; they're quite useful.
[Android Software Development] Tojaw:
Hello,

I'm currently attempting to flash GApps to my Fairphone 3 with stock retrofit dynamic partitions. Main system image is a GSI image that's about 1,000,000 KiB smaller than the biggest image I could flash, so I assume that there is enough space for at least the Core package.

However, when I attempt to flash it, it always attempts to flash to /system_ext even if I explicitly set the config to /system (not in the logs, that's still the default attempt), resulting in the installer reporting that there isn't enough space (available space: 1488 KiB). I know that dynamic partitions can be tricky, which is why I also tried flashing it after first boot, as it was suggested here, but that didn't change anything.

Here are the logs, I hope that you can help me figure out what is wrong. Thank you very much.
[Android Software Development] Lostek:
Thank you for your answers!

2) Understand. I guess no Gapps from these must be installed as addon: Calendar, Drive, Tabs, Docs, Translator, Gmail, Maps, YouTube and Earth. can you confirm, please?

2.1) Do you think I can freeze these mentioned Gapps when I clone them into the Shelter's/Insular's Work Profile (and delete them from the Main Profile)?

3) I prefer the minimalist CORE variant, so it is nice to hear that no AOSP part is replaced with this package. But it is good to hear that I can keep both apps, AOSP one and Google one with other packages, if I decide to flash addon containing some system Gapps.

5.1) The clean flash means that I have to reset my phone and start new LOS installation, together with Gapps addon, do I understand it well? Then dirty flash is really appreciated.

Little summary of my own:

a) I do need to do anything with NikGApps when there is a new LOS update (20 > 20.1).

b) When I upgrade my LOS (20.1 > 21), I just dirty flash NikGApps after I dirty flash Custom ROM (LOS), plus followother pre-install instructions from your manual.

c) When there is an update of concrete NikGApps package, it is usually enough to dirty flash, but sometimes it is needed clean flash (if necessary, there will be a mention about this).

d) When I want to downgrade/upgrade NikGApps package, dirty flash is enough, plus follow other pre-install instructions from your manual.

5.3) When I manage and install all updates via Aurora (do not use Google Play), do I still have to delete all updates and scripts of all Gapps before I upgrade the NikGApps?

6) I got the information from LOS community that Wiping cache and Dalvik cache is not necessary, esp. on modern phones. So their recovery should not be a problem.

7) Ok, understand!

8) What does it mean "A/B devices" vs. "A-only devices", please?

Thank you again for your time and answers;)
[Android Software Development] Lostek:
6) So does it mean that I CAN NOT dirty flash anything with the LOS recovery?? I have no experiences with the LOS recovery, only with the TWRP. This is why I try find out more informations about LOS recovery. The TWRP is great, because I can even back up the phone (data, system, etc.). It seems that LOS recovery miss all of this (LOS recovery can not decrypt). And as you stated, it has even no wiping options (it is really primitive). So I am thinking to install LOS on my Galaxy phone via TWRP, or at least replace LOS recovery with TWRP after LOS installation with the LOS recovery.

Do you have some experiences with this, esp. on Galaxy phones, please?
[Android Software Development] lpedia:
A simple way to check whether your device is A/B or A-only is to install and run the Treble Check app from Play Store. This reports on several things: whether the device supports Project Treble, whether it supports "Seamless System Updates", what its CPU Architecture is, and whether it's System-as-Root.

If Treble Check says your device supports "Seamless System Updates", it's an A/B device. Otherwise, it's A-only.

For a detailed explanation of the difference, see How A/B Partitions and Seamless Updates Affect Custom Development on XDA.
[Android Software Development] osm0sis:
You know.. I believe in "measure twice, cut once" and all, but at some point you also just need to "flash and find out".. 😘
[Android Software Development] MJPollard:
No, you can most certainly dirty flash; I and others do it all the time. You just can't wipe the cache, at least not from within the recovery (I'm not aware of any other way to do it, though). These days, though, wiping the cache isn't really necessary after doing a dirty flash, so its absence probably isn't a big deal.
[Android Software Development] Markus0911:
Hey Guys, I've installed the core package. Everything works fine except the Wallet app. When I try to open it, it is searching for the Google account I think:
[Android Software Development] Lostek:
8) Thank you for your explanation. Besides "Treble Check" I found "Treble Info" app and. Is there any FOSS app?

And one more question: are there some phones with A/B support? For example the Galaxy S10 is A-only.
[Android Software Development] Lostek:
6) Ok, understand. But it is obvious that with LOS recovery I will be kind of limited (no back up function, etc.). Do you know something about how to replace LOS recovery with the TWRP one after the LOS installation with LOS recovery?