[OnePlus 6 Guides, News, & Discussion] TexnoViking:
MicroG

microG GmsCore is a free software reimplementation of Google's Play Services. It allows applications calling proprietary Google APIs to run on AOSP-based ROMs like LineageOS. Acting as a replacement for the non-free (proprietary) Google Apps (GAPPS), it is a powerful tool to reclaim your privacy and freedom while enjoying Android core features.

You can read more on their website.

Some nice perks include offline geolocation, no unnecessary bloatware and more privacy.

Why downgrade to android 9?

Android 10 is fairly new. Getting official LineageOS 17 support will take awhile. Moreover it seems like TWRP, Magisk and microG for android 10 are also not ready yet. The only thing I missed from android 10 was navigation gestures support, but I was able to bring it back with Fluid Navigation Gestures app and root.

Downloads

LineageOS fork with MicroG: https://download.lineage.microg.org/enchilada/

TWRP: https://dl.twrp.me/enchilada/

Android 10 to Android 9 Downgrade Package: https://oxygenos.oneplus.net/fulldowngrade_wipe_MSM_17819_181025_2315_user_MP1_release.zip

Magisk Root: https://xdaforums.com/apps/magisk/official-magisk-v7-universal-systemless-t3473445

Instructions

1) Backup all your data.

2) Downgrade to android 9! A silly mistake of flashing twrp right away cost me half a day of figuring out how to unbrick a phone. So, if you are running android 10, download official downgrade package and install it through the stock updater app.

3) I am not sure if it matters, but I have let my phone to update to the latest OOS 9.0.9. The latest android 9 official stable rom. Sometimes custom roms do not include things like modem packages, so I would recommend updating just to be safe.

4) Then, you need a fork for LineageOS ROM. A rom needs to support signature spoofing for microG to be able to pretend to be google play services for other apps. This fork adds signature spoofing to LineageOS, includes MicroG, includes F-Droid store and updates weekly. Pretty neat.

5) Install ROM following instructions here and here. If you want to have root (might as well) you can install Magisk instead of LineageOS' AddonSU. In case you are running Linux and your adb gets upset about permissions check here.

6) When you are setting up your phone make sure to enable "Use network geolocation". I was not able to find a way to turn it on afterwards and had to do a factory reset.

7) You should be done! Follow the post-install steps to setup geolocation.

My Preferences

I do not use device registration with google / push services (telegram has it's own) / netsafety. I decided that I do not want it, so not all recommendations might make sense to you.

1) Offline geolocation with LocalGsmNlpBackend. Creates an offline database of GSM towers

2) Aurora Store for Google Play Store apps like your Spotify. It can either use your google account or generate a random identity for you. Can be used with Aurora Store Services (as a Magisk module) to update apps automatically in background. Other alternatives can be found here.

3) Shelter if you have two WhatsApp accounts

4) Fluid Navigation Gestures (FNG) to bring back android 10 like gesture navigation. Requires root to hide standard android 9 navigation panel.

5) Gcam for camera

6) Privacy Friendly Weather

7) Bromite Browser

8) Open Street Maps

9) You might want to install FakeStore in case some of your apps misbehaive. More on that here

10) Limit how far your battery charges to increase its longevity with ACCA

11) YouTube client with subscription and downloading support - NewPipe

Experiences So Far

Rock solid! I have been daily driving this ROM for about two weeks now and I am happy with it. My banking apps work, after I hid Magisk from them, email over imap, updater app works as expected, f-droid and aurora auto-update apps in background. I miss synchronization of contacts, notes etc, but I plan to set up my own NextCloud. The only issue is that your video in WhatsApp video calls will be choppy, but only in WhatsApp. Other apps like discord are fine.

Further Reading

FOSS app list: https://github.com/offa/android-foss

More alternative apps: https://shadow53.com/android/no-gapps/alternatives/

A bit outdated guide, but more detailed guide that you might find it interesting: https://xdaforums.com/oneplus-6/how-to/guide-microg-oneplus-6-source-ligthway-t3874469

I hope that my guide is going to be helpful to somebody some day. This is my first attempt at making a post and trying to give back to the community!