[Android General] Mik-el:
Ok, quick guide. We don't have so much time left.

It seems that as of September 27, 2021, Google will block GApps (Gmail, Maps...) from old devices that use Android 2.3.7 and below. Basically, you won't be able to log in anymore.

Source: https://support.google.com/android/...ll-not-be-allowed-starting-september-27?hl=en

But I accidentally found this Italian article (https://tecnologia.libero.it/google-blocchera-laccesso-su-alcuni-smartphone-quali-sono-47023/amp) that reports this:

Which means:

If what is written in this Italian article is true, this means that:

we could continue to use our Google apps until we log out from those apps or until we uninstall those apps!

And it was at this point, that I started thinking of some trick to get around this blockage 😏 (by the way, this Italian article was suggested to me by Google itself, checkmate 😂).

Personally, I haven't tested yet my idea on my device, so I can't assure you it will work, but you can try and let me know in the comments.

Required Downloads (just 1 among the 3)​

Titanium Backup (from play store) https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.keramidas.TitaniumBackup

Titanium Backup (from the web) https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/titan...e/titanium-backup-7-0-0-android-apk-download/

Super Backup Restore (from the web) https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/mobil...-sms-contacts-2-1-21-02-android-apk-download/

Guide​

1) Login to your Gapps before September 27, 2021.

2) Use one of the apps I linked before to

fully

Backup your Google apps before that date. (this way your logged-in state will be incorporated in the backed-up apps, so don't share these apps with anyone)

All the apk files of the apps should be located in the

system/app

directory. The list of the apps to backup changes according to you ROM.

3A) If you have a Stock ROM, Backup these:​

AccountAndSyncSettings.apk

DefaultContainerService.apk

GoogleBackupTransport.apk

GoogleCalendarSyncAdapter.apk

GoogleContactSyncAdapter.apk

GoogleFeedback.apk

GooglePartnerSetup.apk

GoogleServicesFramework.apk

Gmail.apk

Maps.apk

com.google.android.apps.maps (alternative name that Maps apk could have)

Youtube.apk (useless since it does not work for years)

Vending.apk (it's the play store!)

Phonesky.apk (alternative name that play store apk could have)

These other ones should not be required, but just to be sure...

FOTAKill.apk

Settings.apk

SettingsProvider.apk

if you know other required Google apks, drop a comment so I can update the list

3B) If you have a custom Rom:​

find the .zip file that allowed to flash Gapps on your custom ROM

open it with WinRar, 7zip, or equivalent

explore the archive and take notes of all the Gapps apk files (again, they should all be located in system/app).

on your device, use one of the apps I linked before, to fully backup all the Gapps of the list you just made

​

4) Finish​

now every time that you want to format your old Android device or flash a new ROM, you could do that,

without the fear to lose your login forever!

😃 Cause if you can't login... just restore your backed-up apps!

Conclusion​

I still hate Google🤣, I still can't understand how they can say "update your 2.3 phone to 3.0", in 2021. I still can't understand how they can say "we do this to push the purchase of new devices", when less than 1% of smartphones use Android 2.3 (according to their data).

My project. Retro Android​

I made many things to make old Android OSs usable nowadays.

I made a guide to develop and backport apps for the old Android versions

I preserved and tested some old emulators and apps

I made an updated ROM for Galaxy Ace and people on the XDA forum went crazy

I'll like to take the Android source code of my updated and usable ROM for the Ace, and release that for any old device

How to support me​

You can read this guide on my blog HERE, according to XDA I can't post links only, so I copied everything onto this XDA thread too. Well, now you know have to support me from my blog too 😉