Database Users

FOSS(Free/Libre) Software Repository

For anyone who likes to use/support FOSS and have access to the source code for what they install, f-droid.org has a handy app that lets you see only FOSS apps(you can loosen the restriction in the settings somewhat if need be).
http://f-droid.org/repository/

I've found the two pane file explorer and SSH ConnectBot and the IRC client to be excellent for my purposes. Anyone else using any of it?

Yes I use those apps (ghost commander you are talking about) as well as k9mail, osmand and about 10 more. Actually I've stopped using Google Play altogether. The problem I have is that many open source apps are getting released all the time and a lot of them dont get into f-droid , for various reasons, the main one being there is not enough developers to put together the recipes. You can suggest an app on the f-droid forums but you might have to wait a while until a developer gets around to collecting the metadata, inspecting the source code for dodgy bits, and merging it. This post http://f-droid.org/forums/topic/adding-apps-with-git/#post-587 explains the process and it doesn't look that hard. I think if more developers were aware of its existence and submitted their own apps the repo would be a lot healthier.

thanks

Alternatives to Google Play Store

I'd like to try setting up my N9005 without Play Store and Google Play Services. Part of the reason is the battery use by Google Apps of various types and the other is the necessity of allowing those apps access to dial the phone, send SMS etc.
I'd like to see if I can make my phone more efficient AND more secure.
So far I'm looking at getjar.com, androidtapp.com and appbrain.com. Which app sites do you use and is it reasonable to find one that provides apps that don't use Google Play functions?
Suggestions welcome and experiences on any alternative sites would be appreciated? Also opinions or experiences in getting rid of the google connection...
I'm currently running @temasek 's cm13 - v 3.5 (more properly @joshndroid 's cm13 now he is building it )

I tried once
Journyman16 said:
I'd like to try setting up my N9005 without Play Store and Google Play Services. Part of the reason is the battery use by Google Apps of various types and the other is the necessity of allowing those apps access to dial the phone, send SMS etc.
I'd like to see if I can make my phone more efficient AND more secure.
So far I'm looking at getjar.com, androidtapp.com and appbrain.com. Which app sites do you use and is it reasonable to find one that provides apps that don't use Google Play functions?
Suggestions welcome and experiences on any alternative sites would be appreciated? Also opinions or experiences in getting rid of the google connection...
I'm currently running @temasek 's cm13 - v 3.5 (more properly @joshndroid 's cm13 now he is building it )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I once tried to use my Nexus 7 without Gapps. and then my Livescore app said it needed GPServices. again a shopping app said it needed GPS to run. then I installed Gapps :|

So we're stuck with Google unless we reduce functionality way down?
Hm... I recall seeing a CM Apps option a while back and I am running AOSP on my N9005 - will have a look for it. Thanks for the Reply.

Journyman16 said:
So we're stuck with Google unless we reduce functionality way down?
Hm... I recall seeing a CM Apps option a while back and I am running AOSP on my N9005 - will have a look for it. Thanks for the Reply.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the best thing would be installing Pico or Nano version of GApps. Only Play store, Play Services and Contact Sync come with it.

nijom said:
the best thing would be installing Pico or Nano version of GApps. Only Play store, Play Services and Contact Sync come with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Of course. That is exactly what he wants. :sly:

nijom said:
the best thing would be installing Pico or Nano version of GApps. Only Play store, Play Services and Contact Sync come with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
While that sounds good, those are pretty much exactly the apps that crash the phone if you try to interfere with call/SMS permissions. What I am trying to find out is if it is possible to have a functional and useful phone WITHOUT having Google privy to everything I do.
Just because I am paranoid doesn't mean they're not after me.
You may or may not be interested in this talk by Snowden - think it's about halfway through where he discusses how the various companies have peeled away security for the alphabet agencies.

Journyman16 said:
While that sounds good, those are pretty much exactly the apps that crash the phone if you try to interfere with call/SMS permissions. What I am trying to find out is if it is possible to have a functional and useful phone WITHOUT having Google privy to everything I do.
Just because I am paranoid doesn't mean they're not after me.
You may or may not be interested in this talk by Snowden - think it's about halfway through where he discusses how the various companies have peeled away security for the alphabet agencies.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's possible, but it'll depend on your definition of "functional".
I run my phone without gapps, and have calendar and contacts sync with my own server. I use syncthing for file sync, and open source for almost everything (Skype being one exception).
So for me it's fully functional, and the battery life is great. YMMV.
Sent using XDA One

jisoo said:
It's possible, but it'll depend on your definition of "functional".
I run my phone without gapps, and have calendar and contacts sync with my own server. I use syncthing for file sync, and open source for almost everything (Skype being one exception).
So for me it's fully functional, and the battery life is great. YMMV.
Sent using XDA One
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Without GApps where do you get your apps? I've been touring sites trying to find a decent one and also discovering apps to replace those with Google links. The issue currently seems to be many good apps still tie back into Play for updates or verification purposes.
For example I have SPenCommand from a Google+ site but updates can usually be manual - i.e. I could DL them on PC and copy them over. The problem would be needing to have a link to the site (I think) to licence check. But that's something I can ask the Dev about.
That sounds pretty close to what I need. Phone, Contacts, Calendar, preferably syncing to Outlook on PC but given I am also thinking of moving to Linux, not wedded to Outlook or MS Products, nor I guess even to live syncing. I WOULD like to have backups in case phone goes away suddenly, but I can learn to use Cloud - something I have been avoiding.
I like playing with ROMs and have just started a course in App development online - my thought was to set up a dual boot with a standard GApps setup for testing as well as an unlinked one for daily driver.

Been looking at Aptoide as a store that maybe i can use without a Google account. Seems to have quite a few categories of apps so i am currently trying to work out what I need versus what I want on my phone. I currently have quite a few apps that i haven't touched in months so I figure they are probably not needed.
Any suggestions on what you consider a must have app or app category?

One possible alternative to play store is Blackmarket. It works great and it has almost all the apps present in the play store. And its best feature is that it provides paid apps for free

AndroiDTechi said:
One possible alternative to play store is Blackmarket. It works great and it has almost all the apps present in the play store. And its best feature is that it provides paid apps for free
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you had better re-read the rules you agreed to in becoming a member here.
Forum Rules
In particular:
6. Do not post or request warez.
If a piece of software requires you to pay to use it, then pay for it. We do not accept warez nor do we permit members to request, post, promote or describe ways in which warez, cracks, serial codes or other means of avoiding payment, can be obtained or used. This is a site of developers, i.e. the sort of people who create such software. When you cheat a software developer, you cheat us as a community.
Regards,
The Merovingian
Forum Moderator

The Merovingian said:
I think you had better re-read the rules you agreed to in becoming a member here.
Forum Rules
In particular:
6. Do not post or request warez.
If a piece of software requires you to pay to use it, then pay for it. We do not accept warez nor do we permit members to request, post, promote or describe ways in which warez, cracks, serial codes or other means of avoiding payment, can be obtained or used. This is a site of developers, i.e. the sort of people who create such software. When you cheat a software developer, you cheat us as a community.
Regards,
The Merovingian
Forum Moderator
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oops sorry i forgot about that. My bad. I will remember it now.

Hi.
I'm testing now the following approach.
With Titanium Backup I froze Google Play (not for Google Play Services because I'm testing) and use Aptoide and Uptodown apps to updating.
My issue is Google Play is ALWAYS changing its configs which I've set to "not update automatically" and lots of warnings on screen telling me Google Play or Play Services stopped working.
Also I'm testing whether other apps also stop working.
Aptoide and Uptodown apps obey much better and don't change its configs.
Am I right that all these stuff are related to Google Play, soon I'll be able to return here with a more affirmative answer.

Weapon X said:
I think you had better re-read the rules you agreed to in becoming a member here.
Forum Rules
In particular:
6. Do not post or request warez.
If a piece of software requires you to pay to use it, then pay for it. We do not accept warez nor do we permit members to request, post, promote or describe ways in which warez, cracks, serial codes or other means of avoiding payment, can be obtained or used. This is a site of developers, i.e. the sort of people who create such software. When you cheat a software developer, you cheat us as a community.
Regards,
The Merovingian
Forum Moderator
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why i can't post my question on the main menu? Is cause i don't have the upgrade?

What has your post got to do with this message regarding warez ??

Strategic Alliance: bundle F-Droid, add LineageOS repository, add microG

​All features, full flexibility, no bloat -- one simple solution!
On the one hand, it is frequently being suggested to build into Lineage various apps and features. Most of these suggestions are required by some users only, would bloat the core ROM, or have other downsides. On the other hand, these apps and features are usually already implemented somewhere, most users want incremental updates and many would prefer a fully-featured ROM without GApps installed.
To satisfy those wishes and yet avoid the downsides, I suggest simply supporting F-Droid and microG instead:
Idea outline:
Provide API for and build in F-Droid Privileged Extension
Thus have a Store, with automatic updates, and all bells and whistles
Ship with (rebranded fork of) F-Droid pre-installed and a custom LineageOS repository pre-configured (like Guardian Project in F-Droid)
Add AOSP apps, Lineage apps and Lineage-specific versions / branches of apps to LineageOS repository
Use "unstable update" marker in F-Droid to beta test new versions, e.g. of launcher, locker, ...
For additional, bloating apps and features, have users install what's already there (for instance, Location Services: UnifiedNLP with LocalWifiNlpBackend)
Add to Lineage Wiki a curated list of well-tested app suggestions for basic tasks (for instance, WebDAV: DAVdroid, Tasker, Etar, ...).
Key Advantages:
Developer effort most efficiently used
Faster time to market, because much is already implemented
Higher quality, less bloat, more features by referring users to existing apps and joining efforts
Easier innovation, because versions of pre-installed / system apps are publishable like regular apps
Developers happy, because LineageOS is clean at its core
Enthusiasts happy, because they can built on a minimal ROM
End Users happy, because they can easily use ROM, using curated list of apps
Regular, normal app updates for all system apps and pre-installed apps through Lineage repository
Does not prevent using GApps, but improves life without
Major step towards fully featured ROM, and yet without any proprietary apps or services
For good reasons, it's what Google does, it's what GNU/Linux distributions do.
One framework will solve most problems, provide most features ever suggested.
This will make everybody happy.
tldr

Bump!!!!

1, 2, 3 - Fully agree. If I had a proper Play Store alternative I wouldn't need Gapps at all.
4 - Essential in what way? I'd say its best to have only AOSP apps and to let every user download the apps he uses.
There would be practically no bloatware available and the ROM would truly give users the best choices.
8 - Additional preinstalled apps? Rather not.
9 - Rather AOSP mail. Someone might not want to use K-9, but for those who do they can always download it.
10 - Same as 9, avoid preinstalling apps that are already provided by AOSP.
11 - Eleven is OK for me, but still I find it somehow way underpowered. I really miss Apollo from early CM days...
14, 15 - I agree on ROM type. Allow users to select nightly, weekly or stable update channel through settings. Regarding basic preloaded apps, it would be OK only by means of AROMA installer where you could choose which ones you actually want/need.
Cheers!

In this thread it is being suggested to build into Lineage various Launchers, Themes, Widgets, Apps, WebDAV support, et cetera. As a contrasting response to that, I suggest simply supporting F-Droid and microG instead. A Lineage repository for F-Droid could include all AOSP apps; F-Droids own repository would supplement this.
It appears to me, almost everything which has been popularly requested would thereby be solved.
dj_chapz said:
4 - Essential in what way? I'd say its best to have only AOSP apps and to let every user download the apps he uses.
There would be practically no bloatware available and the ROM would truly give users the best choices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here, "essential" refers to, more or less, what's needed to install other apps (launcher, browser, file manager),
but could be thought of as to include functions, which were typical for feature phones, too (basic messenger, dailer, calendar).
dj_chapz said:
8 - Additional preinstalled apps? Rather not.
9 - Rather AOSP mail. Someone might not want to use K-9, but for those who do they can always download it.
10 - Same as 9, avoid preinstalling apps that are already provided by AOSP.
11 - Eleven is OK for me, but still I find it somehow way underpowered. I really miss Apollo from early CM days...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
These were just written-out to illustrate what would be possible.
I'll adjust the original post for clarity.

Anybody can fork it and add their ideas. Some people do not want to support fdroid. Keep it clean + gapps.

goorek said:
Anybody can fork it and add their ideas. Some people do not want to support fdroid. Keep it clean + gapps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Even if F-droid wasn't preinstalled, could be a Lineage repo for it?

LineageOS IMHO should really seek to become the ROM for professional PIM, self-employed, small-business or even big-business device users which seek to avoid GApps and rely on a clean slim ROM. So I like many of grefnab's ideas but currently have no clear idea what the stakeholders of LineageOS have as main goals for the midterm.
Having everything App based in an "FOSS App Package" (as GApps and commercial/device App replacement) with advanced support by LineageOS and/or other main CustomROMs would be geat. See my post in What features would you like to see in Lineage that CM didn't have?

support 1-3
I really hope that this thread will get recognition. I really like the idea of having priviliged F-Droid build into the ROM.
That would make everything much easier.
I fully support the three first points
Provide API for and build in F-Droid Privileged Extensio
Thus have a Store, with automatic updates, and all bells and whistles
Ship with F-Droid pre-installed and a custom LineageOS repository (like Guardian Project) pre-configured
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The rest is nice but I would put emphasis on the first three points. They seem like a real advantage to have.

Rephrased some sentences to clarify

This seems like a very good idea to me :good:
I mean it is basically the same procedure Google has in place to keep its apps up-to-date without people having to update their firmwares. Being able to update the apps independently from the rom would be a huge benefit in my opinion. While I don't use gapps on my phone at all, I understand, that some people find it essential. Therefore it would be a bad idea if this interfered with installing gapps in any way.

herrritschwumm said:
While I don't use gapps on my phone at all, I understand, that some people find it essential. Therefore it would be a bad idea if this interfered with installing gapps in any way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This would not prevent installing GApps, it would simplify and improve usage without them, though.

+1 for having LOS F-droid repo and bundling F-droid and having fewer other preinstalled apps.

I think this thread is a very good idea!

Just a clarification on technicalities:
microG kinda requires signature spoofing. More specifically MicroG effectively has two principal frameworks inside -- location services and GCM. Location services would work regardless, but iirc for GCM to work properly the ROM itself would need a signature spoofing support. All other ways to enable spoofing employing needlepatch or whatever are ridiculously impractical and one cannot expect normal users to bother with them.
I have two phones (OP1 and OP3) and for both the choice is of exactly ONE custom rom only (based on LineageOS14.1) with a spoofing patch. Therefore applying spoofing patch into the main code base would be great. However the caveat here is that any app or framework like SafetyNET would most likely stop working. Since the developers decided to push for compatibility, I seriously doubt that they would implement signature spoofing.
They could try to implement the patch in a flashable zip like with root but I don't know if it is possible.

fully agree for spoofing support since we are out ot cm
Sent from my Nexus 5 CAF using Tapatalk

I would like to see signature spoofing built into lineageOS or an optional flashible zip, too. But right now a flashible zip could take a long time to flash. See: https://github.com/microg/android_packages_apps_GmsCore/issues/196

Sounds great.

dj_chapz said:
If I had a proper Play Store alternative I wouldn't need Gapps at all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could try Yalp Store, it's there in the F-Droid repository.

@grefnab: My flashable zip help those that want to automatically without any effort: remove GApps, install microG and F-Droid Privileged Extension.

1plus said:
Just a clarification on technicalities:
microG kinda requires signature spoofing. More specifically MicroG effectively has two principal frameworks inside -- location services and GCM. Location services would work regardless, but iirc for GCM to work properly the ROM itself would need a signature spoofing support. All other ways to enable spoofing employing needlepatch or whatever are ridiculously impractical and one cannot expect normal users to bother with them.
However the caveat here is that any app or framework like SafetyNET would most likely stop working. Since the developers decided to push for compatibility, I seriously doubt that they would implement signature spoofing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tingle is very easy to use, if you find something impratical just tell me.
SafetyNet do pass for me.

Regain Market access on your NST/G

I ran across this "solution" while investigating ways to avoid installing GApps on low-RAM tablets. It is not a perfect solution but if you want to be able to search, browse, etc., and download/install PlayStore apps right on your device, this may serve that purpose.
The app is called the Yalp Store and is available on F-Droid: https://f-droid.org/packages/com.github.yeriomin.yalpstore/
It runs just fine on the NST/G. Options are accessed via the menu "button". As default configured, it uses a generic shared login to access the PlayStore. You could substitute your own credentials, but I would advise against this as using this app would probably make the big G very angry. Search works fine, apps that are not compatible are listed as such and you can set the app to instantly download/install, just like the real thing. The app keeps track of your on-board apps, and can even be set to check for updates (probably unwise, as updates are likely to break functionality for our old devices).
Does this mean I don't need GApps?
Maybe, but probably not. One of the other things I discovered while pursuing this issue is that an increasing number of PlayStore apps which have nothing to do with Google sync or logins, incorporate a Google Framework Services API. So you may be able to download and install them but they will either refuse to run or else whine constantly about needing said Services to be installed. While GApps on the NST/G is not good for much these days except maybe Google Books sync, its hidden system files--which include the Services--may be needed to run PlayStore apps (like even the NPR app--go figure).
There are a few Xposed modules I tried that appear to be able to circumvent this issue (though not for apps requiring Google sync), but you're not going to get Xposed on the NST/G!
Anyway, there are a lot of other places to get apps (like the F-Droid store itself) but even if you get a "PlayStore" app from one of these sources, it may refuse to run if you don't have the GApps package installed. The Yalp Store app indicates which apps rely on GFS.
Edit: oh, and quickest way to exit the app is Settings > More > Log Out
Edit-Edit: no need for GApps except for Google Books. See https://forum.xda-developers.com/nook-touch/general/gapps-install-tested-confirmed-t3782459

the yalp apk installed but it isn't opening ...

aiamuzz said:
the yalp apk installed but it isn't opening ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow...something majorly funky going on there with the packages at F-Doid and the GitHub. Version 0.32 is as you describe. Versions 0.31-0.30 install with a lot of Chinese characters in the title bar and then do not run. Version 0.29 from the GitHub gives a package parsing error like it's for the wrong Android version.
Version 0.28 from the GitHub is the newest that functions for me (although the anonymous login is broken). I've attached a copy below and I've made an issue report to the developer via the GitHub.
Edit: here is the response I received to my report of the issue to the developer: "Apparently, new build-tools (specifically aapt2) generate apks which are unusable on old androids.". So....it's not clear whether this will be addressed or not. One of the intents of the simplicity of the Yalp Store was to keep it available to Android systems as old as 2.0. Version 0.28 functions fine except for the anonymous login. If you use your own Google login you should be good, although you might want to open a separate account just for that purpose--to be safe.

update
Just a heads-up on the Yalp Store. The issues with installation, etc., seem to have been resolved with version 0.33 (available via the developer GitHub as of this writing, but not yet on F-Droid).
I had an issue or two at first with search but after exiting and reopening the app everything seemed to work fine. Categories are a little slow, but they do work.

Nexys 4, new user of LineageOS, Google-free, need a good "app store"?

I'm trying to build a phone that has no Google hooks in it at all. No tracking, no storing of my data, etc...
I've taken my old Nexus 4, installed the TeamWin recovery tool, and got it setup with LineageOS "Mako" 14.(whatever was the latest available last night). My phone "should be" rooted, I installed the "superuser mode" called out at the end of the LineageOS install instructions... but I'm not sure how to test that to find out.
No issues with install or use. Seems to work well so far.
However, what is the best way to get apps installed on the phone, now? I've found a few available via .apk download, but it seems I have to download the .apk file to my PC and then adb push it across. The native web browser and Firefox both seem to choke on the download link... and most apps don't seem available this way.
Amazon's app store sucks so bad it doesn't even have Amazon's Shopping app for phones (just for tablets).
I've found a few third-party type app stores (APKpure, being one), but I have no idea if they are trustworthy, and the apps all seem several versions behind Google's app store. Also, they don't seem to support paid apps, so you can't buy the Pro features of apps you like.
Any advice? Thanks in advance!

bigfatguy said:
I'm trying to build a phone that has no Google hooks in it at all. No tracking, no storing of my data, etc...
I've taken my old Nexus 4, installed the TeamWin recovery tool, and got it setup with LineageOS "Mako" 14.(whatever was the latest available last night). My phone "should be" rooted, I installed the "superuser mode" called out at the end of the LineageOS install instructions... but I'm not sure how to test that to find out.
No issues with install or use. Seems to work well so far.
However, what is the best way to get apps installed on the phone, now? I've found a few available via .apk download, but it seems I have to download the .apk file to my PC and then adb push it across. The native web browser and Firefox both seem to choke on the download link... and most apps don't seem available this way.
Amazon's app store sucks so bad it doesn't even have Amazon's Shopping app for phones (just for tablets).
I've found a few third-party type app stores (APKpure, being one), but I have no idea if they are trustworthy, and the apps all seem several versions behind Google's app store. Also, they don't seem to support paid apps, so you can't buy the Pro features of apps you like.
Any advice? Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I suspect the reason why you can't find paid apps on these stores is because most devs rely on the play store's license verification mechanisms to manage these transactions. If that's what you want, you'll have to give in to Big Brother. Well, Big Brother Google anyway, since I guess you have no problem with Big Brother Amazon except for its poor app selection. F-Droid probably has the best reputation among alternative app stores but again, you'll only find free versions there.
I'm not sure why you're having trouble downloading apks directly to your phone. I do it with Firefox all the time. Make sure your browser app has permission to access your phone's storage.
As for how to test root access, download a root checker app. You'll find them in pretty much any store or app source you decide to use.
This might help you: https://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/android-app-stores/2/
ApkMirror is also a reputable site: https://www.apkmirror.com/

TheSt33v said:
I suspect the reason why you can't find paid apps on these stores is because most devs rely on the play store's license verification mechanisms to manage these transactions. If that's what you want, you'll have to give in to Big Brother. Well, Big Brother Google anyway, since I guess you have no problem with Big Brother Amazon except for its poor app selection. F-Droid probably has the best reputation among alternative app stores but again, you'll only find free versions there.
I'm not sure why you're having trouble downloading apks directly to your phone. I do it with Firefox all the time. Make sure your browser app has permission to access your phone's storage.
As for how to test root access, download a root checker app. You'll find them in pretty much any store or app source you decide to use.
This might help you: https://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/android-app-stores/2/
ApkMirror is also a reputable site: https://www.apkmirror.com/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
F-Droid

F-Droid for open source apps and than Yalp-Store for "standard" apps. Using MicroG LineageOS 14.1 on a Moto Z Play.

albatros_1994 said:
F-Droid for open source apps and than Yalp-Store for "standard" apps. Using MicroG LineageOS 14.1 on a Moto Z Play.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
Using F-Droid and Yalp Store on my LG G6 running LineageOS 14.1 microG without problems. You can use Aurora Store too (Yalp Store fork with Material UI).