Database Users

Do we need GooglePlayservices.apk?

I've removed the GooglePlayservices.apk from my phone and not one of the Google apps has lost functionality. What is it used for?
A message comes up in YouTube when I first open it after wiping cache saying I need GooglePlayservices.apk or it won't work but I dismiss it and it works fine.
Also Google search bar says it needs it to work...... It doesn't.
Anyone know what it says ACTUALLY used for?
Sent from my GT-I9505 whilst taking a s**t

Obagleyfreer said:
I've removed the GooglePlayservices.apk from my phone and not one of the Google apps has lost functionality. What is it used for?
A message comes up in YouTube when I first open it after wiping cache saying I need GooglePlayservices.apk or it won't work but I dismiss it and it works fine.
Also Google search bar says it needs it to work...... It doesn't.
Anyone know what it says ACTUALLY used for?
Sent from my GT-I9505 whilst taking a s**t
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi There,
Google Play services is used to update Google apps and apps from Google Play. This app gives you access to Google Settings and helps apps speed up offline searches. So this is basically the gateway between you're apps and google play store. Most off the apps we install uses this app to connect to the play store to check for their updates. If not found the apps (especially google apps) may result in an error or FC.
It doesn't take up that much space or resources. So you may as well keep it.
Hope that helped

He can't keep it. He's deleted it. Ha.

I've disables this app because even if it does not take a lot of space, it is running in background and consuming RAM, CPU and internet data.
Everything works fine without it.

Jaquesels5 said:
Hi There,
Google Play services is used to update Google apps and apps from Google Play. This app gives you access to Google Settings and helps apps speed up offline searches. So this is basically the gateway between you're apps and google play store. Most off the apps we install uses this app to connect to the play store to check for their updates. If not found the apps (especially google apps) may result in an error or FC.
It doesn't take up that much space or resources. So you may as well keep it.
Hope that helped
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can still see updates available for apps in Google Play without googleplayservices though...........So I don't think you're correct about apps using it to check for updates, they all still work the same.
I've never had one force close since removing it and I can update all my Google apps perfectly fine.
That's why I'm asking, it seems like a pointless app.
It just runs in the background using up RAM and battery.

The processor overhead of looking for it and generating errors and going to the play store may use more battery. Not 100 percent sure though. I'll check. Seems similar to deleting cache /killing a thread takes more to rebuild than leave alone.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda app-developers app

Can't install downloaded apk's

The first thing I did when I got this phone (Verizon XT1585) a couple months ago was to upgrade it to the latest (25.226.5) stock ROM, then factory reset. I then disabled a bunch of the stock apps, of which I will provide a list below. I enabled unknown sources, under security in settings, and was able to install downloaded apk's such as an old version of Google camera (I like the photo sphere function) and Seven Adclear. In fact, it was in trying to run the update that Adclear keeps bugging me about that I discovered this issue.
The behavior is essentially that I cannot tap the install button when trying to install downloaded apk's. The button is not greyed out, just won't accept clicks. Clicking cancel works fine. I have ruled out any touchscreen issues with that and any other region of the screen.
I have tried clearing cached data from the storage item under settings, as well as wiping the cache partition under settings. Unfortunately, there does not seem to be any option for dalvik cache anywhere.
Any ideas?
List of disabled apps:
Amazon
Amazon Kindle
Android Pay
Audible
Caller name ID
Cloud
Cloud print
Connect
Email
Google play movies and TV
Google play music
Hangouts
Imdb
Message+
My Verizon
Nfl mobile
Slacker radio
Support and protection
Vz navigator
YouTube

there is an app that is causing an overlay problem. Many times apps that assist with brightness settings will not allow you to install apps while they are running. Like Lux, Darker, etc.

Lux! That was it!!!

appye said:
Lux! That was it!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome. yeah I had that same problem for awhile.

Apps issue

Some of the apps dont function, they are stuck on splash screen or sometimes reach to main activity, and ANR dialog is displayed. Some of the apps that fail are google maps, chrome, uber (and every taxi app), fildo, truecaller (after navigation drawer is opened). It's feels like problem with gps, but google maps works through browser and maps.me functions too. The problem started after I droped the phone, don't know how strong was the drop I was sleepwalking. Any idea what might be problem or how can I fix it? Did factory reset and cleared dalvik cache.

Which rom do you have?

I have the same problem for about two months now. I have googled the symptoms but I can't find any answer. please help
> I have the Chinese Axon 7.
> I am using stock ROM.
> The problem existed with Android 7.1 and 8.0.
> I have Reset cache, factory reset, reinstalled google apps. but for no avail.

I've got the same issue. My Ctrip app is crashing anytime I launch it. It happens since I dropped my phone. The weird thing is that it is the only app I've got an issue with. All the Maps, taxi apps etc seem to work well

I think it's an issue with Google Play Services. As I had these issues too. The only solution is simply disable google services, clear all cache and other things , than phone prompts that the APP will be replaced by the system version, accept it. Then go to the Google Play Store and let the Google Play Services be installed and updated again.
It's a common issue among Chinese Axon 7 (A2017) users in Android 7.1.1 and 8.0(beta).

My main problem on Chinese Axon is that I can't add credit card for Google pay, I've tried to clear cache, uninstall Google services but nothing works

Why is Google Play Services regularly using GPS location?

Anyone else notice that Google Play Services is regularly using GPS location, even when you have no app open? Why? Is it Google, OnePlus, or some rogue app? How can I find out who is tracking me?

I get the same thing also.
Even when my phone is not being used I see the notification pop up and wake up the phone.

FYI, I think it may be the Google app*. I've disabled it and I have yet to see this happen. Will update if I learn more.
Disabling that app means you can't use Google's smart assistant or quick search features... but I don't care for those anyway.
*The app that is literally called Google.

Play Services checks GPS on a regular basis and then feeds that info to other apps when they request it.
Just disable the notification.

iaTa said:
Play Services checks GPS on a regular basis and then feeds that info to other apps when they request it.
Just disable the notification.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Disabling the notification does nothing to solve the problem.

It isn't a problem, it's by design.

iaTa said:
It isn't a problem, it's by design.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe you are okay with an app constantly pinging your GPS. I'm not... especially when I don't know what app is doing it.
Update on disabling the Google app: I have yet to see Google Play services using GPS after I disabled the Google app. As an added bonus, battery use by Google Play services is down, whereas it typically is in the top 3.

I get this too. It's most likely related to Location History.

yerger said:
I get this too. It's most likely related to Location History.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe, but Location History is disabled for me across all my accounts.

You guys that don't like Google should check out NanoDroid. It uses micro G and a lot of Google alternative apps. Think of it as a Gapps without the G.

Suddenly apps crashing; wipe storage to fix... seems to be Google issue

Hi folks,
I've got a stock 6013, fully up to date on Android 10, never rooted or anything, and suddenly the Gmail app started crashing. Every time I would open it, it would crash within a second. At first I thought it was just that app. I wiped storage for Gmail, and things seemed back to normal. Then I noticed certain other apps... but ONLY CERTAIN APPS... started doing the same thing. Wiping their storage restored them. Even going into the Google Search bar results in a crash within a second or two.
It's not a hardware fault... I just finished a half an hour of Angry Birds 2 ( ) with no problems. But now Gmail is acting up again. Tapatalk was a problem once, but clearing its storage restored it and it seems stable.
Anybody else seeing very weird repeated app crashes that happen within a second or so of starting said app?
Marc

I'm having the exact same problem. This started 4-5 hours ago. Before noon PDT, a game I was playing worked fine, but by 1pm, I saw the same symptoms. Gmail is also crashing for me, as well as Oxygen Updater and the Amazon Shopping app.

Clear system cache.
Try using factory load for gmail and Google Play Services. Clear the latter's data.
Delete Google account and recreate if the above doesn't work.
Google Play Services is probably the culprit.

blackhawk said:
Clear system cache.
Try using factory load for gmail and Google Play Services. Clear the latter's data.
Delete Google account and recreate if the above doesn't work.
Google Play Services is probably the culprit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. Did that and went through https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/9037938?hl=en as well. Once that was done, uninstalling and reinstalling the offending apps seems to get them working. It was definitely Google Play Services throwing a huge tantrum. I haven't messed with Gmail yet, but Pocket Casts and Amazon shopping are back up after uninstall/reinstall. Thanks!

meowingtv said:
Thanks. Did that and went through https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/9037938?hl=en as well. Once that was done, uninstalling and reinstalling the offending apps seems to get them working. It was definitely Google Play Services throwing a huge tantrum. I haven't messed with Gmail yet, but Pocket Casts and Amazon shopping are back up after uninstall/reinstall. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doesn't hurt anything to clear Google Play Services data, I do it weekly.
I also package block it except as needed like for Gmail.
Disable Google Firebase if you don't use it; data miner and a resource hog.

blackhawk said:
Doesn't hurt anything to clear Google Play Services data, I do it weekly.
I also package block it except as needed like for Gmail.
Disable Google Firebase if you don't use it; data miner and a resource hog.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looks like this problem is happening to more than a few people. Yikes!

meowingtv said:
Looks like this problem is happening to more than a few people. Yikes!
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Click to collapse
Not good
I rarely update OS's anymore, even with app updates I keep backup copies of the older version(s) if needed.
Since Q, Google has been on a downward spiral with Android. I'm not impressed.
As long as I have a fast, stable platform that fullfills its mission, I leave it be.
Even a malware forced factory reset be less time consuming then trying to adapt to Google's concept of "improvement".

Thanks folks. It was the issue @meowingtv cited. Last night I found a temporary fix was to roll back the Android System Web Viewer app, which I did. This morning I saw the all-clear that it was ok to re-update it and Chrome at the same time. All good now, but this was a SERIOUS CLUSTER.